Thankfulness

Since today is the end of January I figured why not make a list of things I'm thankful for. I also wanted to do it because its a great way of showing the wonderful things Christ does in our lives. So with our further ado I'll begin.

-New years: It's great to have a new year and a new breath to praise our God.

-Dance class: It was the end of December last year and our youth group had done a New Years/Christmas party and we went ice skating and my friend Cole wanted to dance on the ice. Well the downfall was I had no clue how to dance. Gladly some of the parents at our new church had convinced me to start going. Defiantly having fun.

-New friendships: Well you got me with my hands tied behind my back. I'm actually starting to finally make new friends, only it's going slowly but surely. It's been real nice getting to know new people and facing my fear. Before you think, "Melody Meyer and being afraid of making new friends? That's something I've never heard before." Yep it's true I've been afraid of it since I moved from Michigan and then after dad got the job at Blue Bell. But now I have a new issue with friendships. Well you saw me talking about Cole, yes? Well let's say we are getting really really close compared to everyone else I've been getting to know. Uhh so my point is I'm just scared half to death because I know he likes me.

-Gum: Yes I said gum. Actually it's pretty darn good stuff for making new friends. It's funny because my friend Sam has been asking the past two weeks, "do you have gum?" As many of us know I'm almost never chewing gum. Just in case you're wondering if I started chewing gum the answer is no. So yes gum is good to have around for making new friends.

-Dad's promotion: At long last Dad got the Driver Manager! We've been waiting a year for this and now he's finally got it.

-Moving: It's okay friends we're not moving to Canada or the East Coast just down a few apartments this one has to many issues.

-Pet sitting: About time I get a pet sitting job. Well for an entire week (the same week we move) I'm pet sitting and finally getting a bit of money to go on a trip.

-Trials: It sometimes feels like the hardest thing to be thankful for especially when you pretty much feel like giving up your faith. But now I'm out and stronger. So glad I am loved by Christ.

-Piano apps: I've been learning guitar but suddenly got more into the piano maybe because I love classical music? I don't know but I'm hopping it will improve my guitar playing since you have to hit the beat on time. I laugh because that's my current issue.

-Kids: Yes those little creatures we call monkeys. We have friends and they were celebrating a birthday so we watched all 6 of their little ones. Despite being on the couch it wasn't half bad. I didn't use the word sleep because it would have misguided you. No sleep I got it.

-Hymns: Somehow I like my worship in a soft mellow style. Hence I never got into the crazy upbeat style of worship. I'm petty old school I guess you could say.

-Weather: At first I couldn't decide if it was a good or bad thing. Yes weather is good. I love it because I can be the crazy fun one wearing my knee high socks and soccer shorts. Okay yeah you got me I want to play soccer.

-The smell of precipitation: Yes the smell of precipitation. New Mexico finally got some bit of precipitation and it smells lovely.

-Family: As weird as my family is I love them. And yet somehow I manage to let the sarcasm be my logic with them even though it has not logic what so ever in this family.

-A stuffed llama: Yes I have a stuffed animal llama named Louie and he guards my books. He was a gift to me from my friend Debby and she though he was an alpaca. Well I think he's special.

-Toe shoes: Yep I'm one of the crazies who own a pair of these freaky shoes. I'm thankful for them because they don't hurt my feet while dancing and the fact that they actually help me be in less pain.

-My birthday: Well 16 at last. It was great went bowling, had friends to hang out with and eat pizza with and then watching The Hobbit.

Well that's about all I can really think of for now. But I'd like all you guys to tell me what your thankful for.

Press On (The Race of Life)

Lately I've been thinking about doing a 5k race or even a marathon and I though it would be cool to actually accomplish one. Well it's on my "bucket list" of things to do before I turn 40. Anyway I know it's a lot of work to accomplish something like that. You have to eat correctly, exercise, keep in good physical condition and lastly motivation. To think I have hardly any determination to do any of these things. I came across this quote. It was very helpful for the situation.
"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it." --Lou Holtz Norte Dame football coach
Then brings the question, "do I really want to do this?" I really do want to do this but I need to train and learn to do this that way I'm prepared. Same in our walk with Christ we can't be just hearers of the word we have to be doers also. (James 1:19-27) I thought I want to follow after Christ as I want to run a marathon, but in both we have to press on toward the goal so that we may win. Or as the apostle Paul puts it, "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win." So I'm thinking do I want to lead on both my spiritual race and a marathon? I think it shows a great example is self discipline and I know at all times we need that so why not exercise it? Just as Paul says, "but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified." What a great reminder! So as I train I can think of my faith life and how to apply both to my life that way I can accomplish my goal of getting healthy and "I press on towards the goal for the prize of the upward call in Jesus Christ." So I guess now I will keep you updated in my training and everything through my Facebook page (To Follow Hard After Christ) and my twitter page @photographermel.

New Beginnings?

Undoubtedly I've been going under some drastic change in my life. I've been consistently in thought about wanting to change and especially before the new year. Kinda like when someone wants to come to Christ but they insist that they want to clean up they're lives first. Well pretty much the same principle applies here. I kept repeatedly saying on my Facebook, "I want change" well then everyone kept telling me, "grow where you're planted" then to think at church yesterday the basic thing the pastor kept saying was "quit fussing about it and pray about it!" That was pretty much the only thing that has grabbed my attention since I started going to this church. Anyway lit makes me think back to September 2012 I felt out of place no knowing where God wants me. Well now with going to this new church there has been slight improvements on knowing where God has me and I think He's training me to be a leader in some way. Now your probably asking the same thing I was at first, why is God teaching me to be leader? Great question. Well it consists with my last post with jobs and so fourth. So basically I want to be a camp councilor, yes, yes I do. So that's what I do believe God is teaching me. Now on to change further explanation. I was reading my devotions this morning and we all know for the past month I've pretty much been in affliction and if you must depression. So I'm just reading along through Leviticus 27 and it's talking about discipline and the Israelites. The part that stood out to me said, "But this passage shows what God really wanted to accomplish with such warnings, and also what God meant when He said that He is slow to anger (see Exodus 34:6). God warned His people of sin's consequences for the same reason a parent warns his child of danger __ to protect and provide for them out of love. God wanted His people to prosper through their compliance to His design for life." I was absolutely stunned! As it goes on later the author says, "Our day-to-day experiences and hardships can sometimes seem overwhelming. God allows these events to happen to help us grow, not to curse us. We need to see that God's purposes are to help us live as He designed us to live and bring about continual growth in us. Jeremiah 29:11 puts it this way: '"For I know the plans I have for you,' says the LORD. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'" And at the end before the reading to sum up the entire devotion the author says, "Endure hardships as God's teaching tool; ask God to teach you through every difficulty."
If that doesn't show you God's sovereignty, grace and that He watches over His sheep I don't know what will _aside from John 10_ but just to see the astronomical things He's teaching me through these things. The reason I say "astronomical" is because yesterday I decided to stay up late and watch something I've been wanting to for some time. If you want to take a few hours to get into space and see how amazing God is I encourage you to look up Louie Giglio symphony (I lift up my hands) and indescribable. I watched both of them and I was just astonished at how astronomical God really is.
My point is that very change I've been looking for has been in a entire process since the first of the month.
So that my one of two part change in season. Next I'll tell you the change of heart in worship.

Life Is Crazy

So I bet to some point you're all curious about what I've been up to except freaking out out about changes am I correct? Well then today is your lucky day I've decided to to an update that will pretty much cover the month of January so with out further ado I will begin.
- I started taking dance classes. Yeah I don't any one of my friends saw it coming. But it's a lot of work but really a lot of fun. I'm actually learning two types of dance so I get to keep up with west coast swing and line dancing.
- Guitar lessons. I've been playing guitar for 3 years, but only for a year have I actually been in a class learning with others in a classroom setting. Well I'm doing better then when I first started but figures I'm not the best player. It's nice to have my parents support however, dad is enjoying giving me a hard time about his expectations.
- My 16th birthday. Yep last week I turned 16. Yeah I can't really believe it either. Well being 16 is nice but my goodness I remember when I was just a 10 year old girl moving to New Mexico all the way from Michigan. It's really nice being a year older although I still don't understand the "sweet 16" concept. I'm sorry but I don't really have any prospective on this thought what so ever so I will go on.
Friendships- Since I moved to Albuquerque I haven't really had any spectacular and/or special relationships. However, I have come to realize my friends are all still where I left them and by that I mean in the East Mountains. Well that almost sounded pathetic like everything else I've been posting. Okay back to my point, I've made "new friends" but I am just not as comfortable talking to them about my interests, hobbies, life and so on.
To many changes- Well you've all seen my past three depressing posts about change. Well yeah change is defiantly a bitter sweet kinda deal (someone put the salt in the sugar again) well change is absolutely one of the biggest things God puts in our lives to make us like His Son as He changes us. Thankful God never changes and that His mercies are new everyday just to reveal Himself to us.
Where God has put me- Okay this isn't a direct answer on where God has put me but it's where He has me, not really sure the reason. Yes the lovely unknown and walking by faith this new year. So you've all heard me talk about the quote on quote new church, yes? Well basically it doesn't seem like my type of teaching but hey this is God's story not mine! So I first thought start a girls bible study. I know what your thinking, "why not?" Good question I might I'm now having second thoughts, oh me and second thoughts why not be reckless about it? Fair enough we can't all just jump on something like that nor can we just decide this is where I'm going weather or not God likes it. Haha I just went over that experience that's why I laugh so I'll tell you the story in the next paragraph.
Confusion of my future- I'll admit I've been in some serious thought about my future and what in the world am I going to do after high school? At first I was stumped because I kept thinking, "I'll graduate then off to college in Chicago, Illinois" and not a thought really on jobs or anything matching up with reality. Now for the funny part... My friends over the summer of 2012 had worked up in Glorieta. I thought ooh that sounds like fun. For weeks I looked around on the Internet "summer camp jobs" I gave less of a care on where to work. Then I stumbled across Mt. Lebanon in Texas. So I get excited with "happy bubbles" then I look more into this camp right? Yeah you must be a resident of Texas. Nope I'm not so then after a few weeks and talking to my friend Emily who lives in Texas I told her the incredibly long and really vague idea of me moving to Dallas when I was 17 and she suggested I live with her. Well I wasn't excited or for that matter joyful about it. Well December strolled along and I looked at other camps and yeah you probably guessed it by now... Texas was down the drain not moving nothing. Then I stumbled across one in North Carolina, Asheville to be more specific and I instantly did more research and just fell in love in love with it I could be a positive influence on a little girls life. I looked around and dug deeper looked at YouTube and so on; now I was really getting plumed and thought that it be a really awesome experience. So the question you might have is asking how is this exactly have to do do with an update you got me its what I've been up to.
School- the craziest one of them all I'm trying to graduate early to do things like travel and enjoy life before college and anything else God has in store. No it's not a bad thing God's will but just a chance to grow.
So I guess that's it for now.

Change Is In Season

I'm sorry I haven't posted in two weeks, I've been pretty busy. Anyway, change is in season for my life lately times have been tough and I've been having some big issues in my personal and spiritual life. It's been three weeks since I left my "old church" and going to the "new one" I'm okay with the new one I just feel that I need better spiritual teaching then I'm getting and the other church provided that need well. Long story short I've been under anxiety and stress fighting to worship and praise God even though that is normally not a difficult task but it has start to become one. Yes I understand that God is conforming me to the image of His Son but it is a painful process because we are in sin and God wants to make us clean. Anyway, I just don't understand the reason why I am at this other church and how is Christ growing me here? I'm just not sure what He has in store for me. I'll admit I am great full for change but this time it's in more of a difficult way. The only reason I say that is because I'm not entirely in love with the way things are going with meeting new people. Everyone who knows me knows I'm typically good with new people, but this time has changed. I'm right now thinking once these people actually get to know me it's going to be time for me to leave and carry on God's will. I'm bothered by that thought because its not all that hard for me to get to know the people but like I'm saying this time is different. However I have seen a spark of at least one new relationship that is in a young man and that has been a new freaky experience for me I was never anticipating on getting to know a young man that I might one day date when I'm ready. I assumed that 2013 for me would be a scary year for me especially knowing I'd be leaving a church that was undoubtedly the most amazing family to me, getting to know a young man that has been getting close to me, preparing for an intense school schedule and several other things on my mind. I've thought so much about my future as well like college... Do I want to start taking classes and then go to live in England with my friends for a while? Do I want to find a job right now or wait a while longer? Do I want to go to a summer camp to work with kids and help them grow and learn? Or even do I want to move out of my parents home to live with a friend and help her while going to college? And so fourth what am I going to do God keeps changing my plans? All so much thoughts on what am I going to do. I ask if your reading this to pray. So other then pretty much facing so many fears, wondering in affliction and struggling in several ways I've experienced a few new things that have taught me so much but I am still so weary and no so sure of anything right now.

2012 Into 2013

Happy New Years everyone! I hope you had a blessed New Years!
So today I'm posting a look back at 2012 and a look into 2013. 2012 was probably one of the hardest years for me. Over 2012 God has used several things to allow me to grow in Him and draw closer in the process.
Basically my dad had told my sisters and I the chances of moving all the way to possibly the east coast. Well, at first I was really excited thinking of all the new friends and adventures that did not include our animals. Then later on after I came back from camp in July I had the question, "where does God want me?" The response the outside world had said you're where God wants you. I didn't feel satisfied with that response so I prayed, "God show me where you want me and allow me to be used by You!" Well, later in August we had moved and I was so excited and didn't have to worry about goodbye... Or so I thought. My parents had looked at youth groups since the other one was so far. Turns out that later mom and dad decided that we'll alternate between church's so I still though okay. It was late November, I realized that I had no joy, no sense in serving God and certainly no growth spiritually. It came to December and dad asks us kidos where we felt God wants us. I admit I was very clear but stubborn, I responded, "I hate to say it but Cottonwood." Well later on of alternating between the churches I had really fought between comfort and where God wanted me. Two weeks gone by and every Sunday I found myself having panic attacks, not feeling like I could breathe, anxiety, no joy in worshiping Christ and basically going through the motions. I later stumbled upon Psalms 51:10-12 and reminding me to fight for joy. I still fought then one day my friend messages me basically saying she's praying for me and encouraging me. And now this past week my family and I said goodbye to the old church and hello to the new one. I had said to everyone, "don't say goodbye yet I'll still be around" they knew it well. As every change brings us closer to God we come closer to Him.
Now as for 2013 I'm planing to follow closer to God thought everything now that I see His purpose shining through. Also this year could be my last hear in the state of New Mexico.
So umm that's it. My next post will be about change and God making us new and my personal experience of God giving me change and turning my life 360 and how he can change you 360.
Until then you know where to find me! (: