Learning to Love

Receiving anything has never come naturally to me.

I remember being in high school and my dance instructor gave me a compliment in front of everyone (which I was so embarrassed by) and I proceeded to tell her why it wasn't that good. She said very firmly, "Melissa, just say 'thank you." This is a scene that has happened many times and in different ways since then...

Then when a few of my dearest friends from Dallas called to say that they had already planned a shower to help celebrate Elyana and there was no way for me to protest, I was in pieces. These women have loved me so fiercely already and to think of them lavishing God's love on us again, was just more than I could comprehend. All I would like to do is give back for all that they have already deposited and sown into my life and to our family. I shed many tears as the day drew nearer.

God began to speak to my heart, "you love because I first loved you." I have to be able to receive God's love and love from other people before I can pour it out. Oh, I have a lot to learn.

Here are a few of the ways that each one of these women touched my heart by celebrating with us....

Here are the beautiful hostesses...(from left to right: Sarah, Nicole, Lynnell, Stacy, Anna and Mayce- down below :). Every detail of the shower demonstrated their love and was a message of His love- From the beautiful decorations, the place cards, the scrumptious food, canvases for baby girl's room....I could go on and on.
Lynnell has the GIFT of hospitality- any event or party that she puts her mind to turns to pure ministry to the Lord and to her guests.

These precious girls were a continual reminder of the sweet baby girl in my tummy. Hannah and Mayce, even at a young age, you are beautiful examples of what it means to be a daughter of the King!

Then, as I look through the blessing book and at the faces in these pictures I am reminded of how many mentors God has blessed me with. So many women who have shaped the way that I view life, being a wife and a mother. Here are a few...

When you are around Brenda Laurence you believe that you can conquer any battle and ride any horse!

It was so special that Bella (Isabella) was there because that was our baby girl's name that went to heaven in the spring and she was due on Bella's wedding anniversary. It meant a great deal to me that she celebrated with us.

Lea who is an example of using her many gifts for the Lord. She is the one who hand-crafted the beautiful canvases for Elyana's room (there's an example of one at the bottom).

Lexa, another cherished mentor of mine, who has PRAYED me through some really difficult times and spoke the truth when all I could see was the fog.

More ladies who have loved me along the way and pointed me to Christ (Left to Right: Kim, Jackee, and Marissa).

Sarah and Penny. Penny told me that she was thankful that I had invited her! I immediately teared up because the thought that she was glad to be there when I was humbled that she would take the time to come.

I didn't have my camera there and I wish I had a picture of every single person. Jan, I know you were there in spirit the entire time- I felt you. I am also so grateful for Cheri Cochran, Kelsi Webber, and Krista King for their sweet presence and to so many others that sent their love.

I cannot think of a better scripture to hang in Elyana Joyce's room than this!

Better Late Than Never

I think that may be my new blogging motto- "Better Late Than Never..."


For Nicole's birthday, the husbands had concocted to send us on a little girls trip! We spent 5 days...yes count that, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 days in New York City.

We were a skit I tell you. Two grown women who have not been on a trip without their husbands in a very long time and wondering how to keep it all together....navigating airports, taxis, directions, the city and our schedule. You tend to fall into the habit of managing the children while your husband leads the way.

I have never been more educated on germs in my whole life. Nicole made sure we wore the "booties" at the airport when we took off our shoes, used an insane amount of Germ-X and nearly scrubbed the skin off our hands from washing. Not to mention, our jeans got a wash after every single day (because who knew what germs were lying there). There was not a germ within a 5 mile radius of us...

I loved every minute of just getting to spend one on one time with Nicole. We got to see interesting shows together, stay up late talking, getting up early to have nothing that we "have" to do (except for the taxi day but we're sowing that one for the kingdom, right? ;), and scoured that city for a good deal (but few were to be found).

The best part was going to church on Sunday! If you ever wanted a glimpse of what heaven is going to be like, I highly suggest you attend service at Times Square Church. There are more than 100 nationalities represented every week in worship and when they praise God it is with abandonment. The sermon was so powerful and it was an amazing testimony of how God is working in that city.

The whole trip was an adventure! Sometimes in the routine of motherhood its good to break out of the norm and feel the wind (or the smog) in your hair!

I was talking to the husband before I left and said, "I think that this should be my pregnancy present." To which he so sweetly tells me that this is a present for me for no other reason than "just because." Major brownie points.

You better believe that when baby girl gets here and I haven't slept in a few weeks (or months:) that I will thank God for my mommy vacation.

Things I want to remember...

Oh, I'm trying to soak up these last two months with JUST HIM! The thought causes my throat to get tight and my heart to ache with the new joy that is coming into our home.



He really started talking at 17 months but the last month, his vocabulary keeps us in stitches.



He loves being around people and knows everyone's names and says them with his own flare. His favorite things are his "goff cub" (golf club), books, "paying" (playing), his dada, brushing his "tees" (teeth- he does this at least 4 or 5 times a day), "swing," "skool" (school- we do some activities at home), "worshipping" and "chuch." His new word that he uses often this week is "awesome" and he does a fist pump while saying it.


He loves to feed his turtle (which we found outside), our dog, the donkeys, and any other animal that will eat what he puts down for them.


He is a great snuggler, still uses his and my hair as a security blanket, likes to sleep for 12 hrs at night then to take short nap(s) during the day, and wants to be very independent.

Last night he thought we were at a full gospel church ( I guess) as he shouted an exuberant "Me-Men" (translation- AMEN) and proceeded to tell everyone in the congregation "BYE" as dad took him out of the auditorium.

He loves to pray. He will ask you to pray at the most spontaneous times and he loves to point to the globe and pray for different countries.

Isaac, oh I wish you knew how many times I have thanked God that you are my son! We love you through and through, always and forever, no matter what.

(picture courtesy of Nicole Graves photography- she is getting professional on me with her new camera skills)

Born to Camp!

We have prayed many a prayers for friends since we made the big move! Several failed attempts and other circumstances, made it so that we were here for 15 months before we had our FIRST FRIENDS! Charlie and Kirby Apel were the first people to really reach out to us and let me tell you it was worth the wait! They have such genuine hearts for God, are tons of fun and overflow with love in all they do.

Since Isaac was born, Joe has been wanting to take him camping. So for their big adventure, Joe solicited Charlie and his son, Asher (here is a link to his post about the weekend- I stole the pictures off of his blog b/c our camera is still on the fritz). Asher is 2.5 yrs old son so we thought it would be perfect! The wild was calling and so the guys set out to make men out of their boys.

They had a blast- made camp, cooked food, made fires, played in the dirt, and got DIRTY DIRTY DIRTY!

I have to confess that I was praying so hard that Isaac would sleep (his sleep can be so unpredictable). That night it was chilly and I just didn't know how he would do. He slept like he was in his own bed (can't say the same for Joe) and had the time of his life!

When he got home, he looked at me and said, "Mama...bath." He didn't just need a bath, he needed a scouring.

Such sweet times. I just wish I could have been a little tree frog next to their campsite :)

Pumpkin Crazy

Lately, I could eat pumpkin every day. This fall I have been craving pumpkin and have had it almost every way that a human being can have it. I have made:

Pumpkin Cream Cheese dip for veggies

Pumpkin Raisin Pecan Bread

Pumpkin muffins

Pumpkin Cheesecake (i put mine in a graham cracker crust, I wasn't daring enough to do the gingersnap crust)

I have also just ate plain old pureed pumpkin by:

Spreading it on sandwiches- yum!

Dipping crackers and other items in it.

Eating it straight out of the can. Oh yes I did.

Then to top it all off- I had Pumpkin Pancakes at Kirby Lane in Austin this last week! D-vine :)

I think this baby must be craving some beta-carotene and the fall must be getting in my blood. Hope this encourages you to break out of your pumpkin box!

Wielding my Sword

Over the last couple of weeks, I have really been battling fear regarding my pregnancy.

I am taking up my sword and wielding it in my battle against the enemy. I thought there might be someone who needs these verses too. They are in the amplified, which always gives such a fresh breath to His amazing Word.

Fear not, (Melissa), I am your [a]Shield, your abundant compensation, and your reward shall be exceedingly great- Gen. 15:1

It is the Lord Who goes before you; He will [march] with you; He will not fail you or let you go or forsake you; [let there be no cowardice or flinching, but] fear not, neither become broken [in spirit--depressed, dismayed, and unnerved with alarm].- Deut. 31:8

Only fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; for consider how great are the things He has done for you.- 1 Sam. 12:24

Though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, [even then] in this will I be confident. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and [insistently] require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness] of the Lord and to meditate, consider, and inquire in His temple- Psalm 27:3, 4

I trust in You [leaning and believing on You, committing all and confidently looking to You, without fear or doubt]- Psalm 86:2

The reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord leads to life, and he who has it rests satisfied; he cannot be visited with [actual] evil.- Proverbs 19:23

Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.- Isaiah 41:10

because of our faith in Him, we dare to have the boldness (courage and confidence) of free access (an unreserved approach to God with freedom and without fear).- Eph. 3:12

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony- Rev. 12:11

Love and victory to you!

Baby Girl Has a Name!

We are so excited to share with you our baby girl's name...

Elyana Joyce

Elyana (pronounced el-ee-AH-nah) means "God has answered" and her little life is such an answer to prayer and we have experienced so many answered prayers lately.

Joyce is Joe's grandmother's name. She really is amazing and I am so excited that baby girl is going to be carrying her name. It also means "Joy" or "Rejoicing"