Category: friends and loved ones

life with my loved ones

a bit of history · friends and loved ones

peanut buster parfait

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(me and my dad, january 2013)

I got a phone call shortly after dinner tonight.  It was my dad.  Today is his birthday and we had already had our “birthday” chat.  But, he was calling for one reason and one reason only.  He wanted me to know something important.  My dad was calling to tell me that he was at Dairy Queen – about to have a peanut buster parfait.

The Peanut Buster Parfait is an important part of  history for me and my dad.  I remember the first time that we went to have the sundae at DQ.  It was in Findlay, OH right after our move there.  My dad, my sister Marilyn and I went to the local establishment on a particular occasion.  We were in the middle of a rough time.  My mom had just been in a terrible car accident and she was in the hospital.  All three of us were a bit distraught, in need of distraction and Dairy Queen fit the bill.  This was the beginning of something very important for us : the daddy-daughter date.   Needless to say it holds a very special place in our hearts.

Ever since then, its been the go-to place for my dad and I. Especially when I was in school at BGSU, we would regularly go to the Myle’s Dairy Queen near campus.  It was our time together.  I knew if I called my dad and said, “Hey!  You wanna meet me?” he’d be there.  It was rare for him to turn me down.

But, I moved far away and got married and grew up.  Not so many opportunities for DQ these days.

My dad’s call tonight, on his birthday, reminded me of something.  No matter how far I move away, or how old I get, I will always be his daughter.  Space and time will never change that fact.  He’s my dad and he loves me.

This is true about my Heavenly Father too.  No matter where I go, what I do, His love for me is a fact.  It does not change; it can not be altered.  He is my dad and I am his daughter.  I cannot out grow, out live or use up His care for me.  That is the best news that I have heard all day.   My dad’s call reminded me just how much I’m loved – by my earthly father and my Heavenly Father too.

There are so many verses that are well known, that tell us just how much God loves his children.  I could never fit them all on here.  But, today  I’ve been thinking of this simple little song – all day.  Funny how it fits here, now.

He Knows My Name…
I have a maker, He formed my heart.  Before even time began, my life was in His hands.
I have a Father, He calls me his own.  He’ll never leave me, no matter where I go.
He knows my name. He knows my ev’ry thought.  He sees each tear that falls and hears me when I call.

happy birthday dad!  next time you’re in town, DQ’s on me!

(One of my favorites, written originally on March 8, 2011.)


a bit of history · friends and loved ones

my cup

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(This post was written, during my first month of blogging, three years ago on October 1, 2010 – But, it is more true than ever!)

Friday morning.  Its a special Friday – the one on the calendar that is sandwiched between my anniversary and my birthday.  I’m sitting here in my living room with my cup.  Its my favorite coffee cup.  It fits me perfectly.  A china cup with a cherry red background and white floral pattern… best of all it has hot coffee in it – with lots of cream and a bit of sugar.

On this very important Friday, just before I turn 35 and just after I have celebrated 11 years with my incredible husband, I can’t help but look into my mug and see my blessings.  I am overwhelmed, I have so much to be thankful for.

Thankful because it could have been very different.  Step back in time just over 12 years ago.  Poor choices and a declining walk with the Savior put me in a very difficult and unhappy place.  I found myself grieving the end of a relationship, in pain, confused and disappointed.  My heart had become  hard and my life was very dark.

I will never forget lying on the couch, in the family room of my parents’ home, creating a puddle of tears, completely devastated at the mess my life and my heart had become.  And my mom came to me – we listened to worship music.  She sat next to me with my head in her lap and read Scripture to me and stroked my hair.  If ever the Holy Spirit has come  to me wrapped in flesh, it was that day, as my mom. (thank you, mom…)

Over and over again we listened to one song – the last line spoke to me : “Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.”  It was as if He were whispering a sweet and gentle promise in my ears.  I knew there was hope- I could begin again with this assurance : He had a plan for me.  and it was better.

And so, a few months later, His plan began to unfold.  I graduated from college and moved  here, where I met my sweet husband.  We were married not long after and the rest is history.  Its my history – filled with pain and blessing.

Let me be clear:  We are not rich by the world’s standards.  Our house is not large, we do not drive a fancy car, my wardrobe is mostly from Target.  Life is not always easy.  But my blessings are innumerable – they overflow from the depths of my heart as I think of them.

Their names are Michael, Emily, Isaac and Mackenzie.  They are my parents and my husband’s parents.  Its the restored relationship I’ve experienced with my sister and her family.  Its my extended family that reaches from Los Angeles to Oklahoma to Huntsville, Ontario ; the godly heritage that comes from these family lines is woven into the very fabric of my life.  I can’t even begin to mention friends that are nearby, and friends who are even closer to my heart, but live so far away.  And this is just the beginning…

I find myself realizing that I am not blessed because of wealth or means.  I am blessed because I am on the path He has chosen for me.  And as I think of all the ways that He cares for me and shows me His love for me, my heart is moved.  My cup runneth over!

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, even the God of our Salvation!  Psalm 68:19

amen.

md

friends and loved ones

Happy Anniversary to My Love.

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“There’s this guy…”  I remember the first time I tried to tell my parents, who lived up in Ohio (quite far from their daughter in Chattanooga), about Michael Day.    I’m sure I was effervescent.  I’m sure I was smiling profusely til my face hurt.

Oh how I thought I loved him.  After our first date.  You heard me. I was one of those hopeless romantic types.

Now, fourteen years later, I’m sure of it.

Since our thirteenth anniversary last fall, we have walked some pretty dark valleys.  Stuff I never dreamed of happening became my reality.  and his too.

But through all of it, our love has deepened and our bond has been strengthened.  My husband has been my hero, and my safe place, my best friend and seriously – my one true love.  With my hand in his, his stride slowed to my pace, he has walked with me every step. I could not be more grateful that the Lord saw fit for us to meet 15 years ago this fall,  that He has steadied us and He has kept us by His grace, together.

I love you, Michael!  Happy 14th Anniversary!

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friends and loved ones

a joyful update…

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For my friends and family, who are far away, that I don’t get to chat with enough, I thought I’d give you a brief update on my health status.

As of today, I am treatment free for a while.  No more cream or gel or ointment.  For now, it is finished.

And now the waiting begins.  My skin gets to rest and I will see my physician at Vanderbilt after the first of the year.

Has the lymphoma been successfully treated?  That I cannot tell you.  My skin is so strange  and scarred looking from all the meds over the past 6 months, I’m just not sure.  I may be able to assess that as time goes on and the affected areas heal.  I’ll leave the assessment to my doctor.

There are a few things I do know:

I am in the care of the Great Physician.  And His healing ways are superior to man’s – I’m relying on this knowledge.

There is deep and worthwhile knowledge of the Heavenly Father and His love that comes only from walking through the darkest trials with Him as the guide.  I would not trade this new familiarity for anything, not even my health.

His grace IS sufficient for all pain and struggle, suffering and loss.  I have newfound confidence in this truth.

With these things in mind I begin this waiting process, determined to not think or dread too much, but rather rest in the promises of His healing, His peace, and His presence.

Thank you for your kind thoughts, prayers and concern as I have traveled this new and complicated road.  It has meant the world to me and I am so very grateful.

Love,
Melody

a bit of history · friends and loved ones

Rose

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This is my mom, Rose.

She is one amazing woman.  A Pastor’s Wife, a Mother and these days one of my Best Friends.

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My whole life growing up, she was an operating room nurse.  A servant of the highest order, she gave her life to help people who needed medical intervention at critical moments.

She purposefully organized our home life, preparing dinners ahead for us, making sure laundry was being done, the house always immaculate – all while keeping her schedule at the hospital.  As a mother and wife now, I’m not sure how she did it all.

There were times when her endeavors helped keep our family afloat financially.  And even in the best of senses, her occupation as a nurse allowed for my dad to minister in some churches that were not able to pay him what he was worth, even if that was their desire.

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Working as an operating room nurse in her specialty, cardiac surgery, can be grueling and requires nerves of steel.  When I was in high school, I remember her drive to the hospital beginning around 5:30 in the morning, before the light of day.  And she would arrive home at night some times long after dark, having been on her feet the whole day long, with barely time to squeeze in a quick lunch break during the day.

In the prime of her career, I can think of times where she may have been on call – working hard through a Saturday night into the wee hours of Sunday morning.  And still she arrived to church with my Dad, looking beautiful and unscathed.   How she did it graciously without complaining, other than suggesting she might squeeze in a Sunday afternoon nap, I will never know.

And, yes, I also remember her staying up late into the night, sewing my prom dress one year, in spite of the fact she needed to be up before dawn the next morning.

I’m not sure if I know a more selfless, gracious, hard working woman than my mom.

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Well, Rose retired last Friday from her 41 year career as an operating room nurse.  Many of her coworkers shared lovely thoughts and spoke glowing compliments of her dedication, accomplishments and skill.

But, it is my turn, now.

Mom, literally your work saved lives daily, but I know you were a nurse with loving kindness and commitment to your calling ; it has been a tangible witness to everyone who knows you of our Savior’s grace.  Your life has been an incredible example of all that a Proverbs 31 Woman is.

I could not be more proud of you and I love you.

from Proverbs 31:

She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.

friends and loved ones · who knows?

things that don’t fit anymore…

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She stood over the piled-high laundry basket of clean clothes.  wailing.  loudly.  From the opposite end of the hall I had this feeling, this gut-instinct, that we were going to be late.    That, or my littlest daughter, who had turned into a  puddle of tears, would suddenly find something suitable to wear and we would miraculously be on our way.

I walked quietly to the bedroom and kneeled down beside her.  For once on my part, there was no gusto.  No booming robust voice.

And I whispered, “What’s wrong baby doll?”

And she half-sniffled, “I can’t find anything to wear that I like!”

(please, keep us in your prayers, after all she is only four… )

So, I said – “But, sweet girl, here is your favorite outfit!”  and I pulled out a new dress that her grandmama had given her recently.  But, it was to no avail.  Nothing was going to work because the only pieces of clothing she had in mind were not appropriate for our day out – old and worn out, or too small.  Maybe they could be okay for playing in the backyard, but not for public viewing.

After sifting and sorting through the very large pile of clothes in the basket, and also experiencing an equal amount of wailing, we found something acceptable for her to wear.  And we were off.

I’ve been thinking about this event all day today.  Mostly because I feel a bit of a kinship to my daughter in this way.  Lately, my course has changed in some ways – no biggie, really.  But, some of the hats I used to wear, I’ve put away – they don’t fit me like they used to.  And there are some new garments, hats or accessories if you will –   some new opportunities the Heavenly Father has given me.

Truthfully, I’ve been walking around wearing these new pieces, feeling like I’m not sure if they fit – and I really, really really just want to go dig thru the basket of my recent history and pull out something old and comfortable.

I’ve shed a few tears, in fact.  I may have even wailed…

But, when I look at the old, compared to the new – whether we’re talking about my life as a mother, a wife, a friend, a teacher to my children, as a musician and worship leader, a baker or simply as a woman who wants to live a healthy life –  I can see one thing clearly.

Stepping firmly into these new roles, I am also putting on new qualities (or you may call them fruit of the spirit):  like patience, kindness, humility.  All of the “uncomfortable” I’m experiencing that comes with the newness seems to be rubbing away some of the old confidence, the self-reliance, the pride.

The reality: All of these new garments He’s given me, are means He’s using to make me look more like Jesus.

Staring at these snapshots of my heart – the old versus new- I am drawn closer to the truth of God’s Word:

from Isaiah 42:8-9
I am the Lord, that is My name;
And My glory I will not give to another,
Nor My praise to carved images.
9 Behold, the former things have come to pass,
And new things I declare;
Before they spring forth I tell you of them.”

 

and from 2Corinthians 5:17:
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

While there may be pain or discomfort while it comes to fruition, the promise remains true:  with Jesus there is always redemption in the wings.  In Him “new” and “more glorious”  are always at hand.  And there is coming a day, when every piece will fit perfectly, just as we’d always hoped.

Bless His name.  amen.

friends and loved ones · home schooling

from day 1

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DSC_0309Emily, my 6th grader!  I can hardly believe it…

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Isaac, my second grader, and a very happy 2nd grader at that!

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My Mackenzie, sweet girl, was a bit nervous – so, we took pink bear with us.  

Today was the first day of our 2013-14 school year.  It was also our first day of Classical Conversations, our one day of the week that we do school work with a community of like-minded families.

At the end of the school day, on the way home, everyone was quite satisfied with their teachers, their performance and the coming assignments.  And I – I breathed a long sigh of relief.

If you could have peeked in our living room window, later this afternoon, you would have found Emily and I at the piano.  We’ve been working on the last page of Fur Elise and Emily has made significant progress over the last week.  I’m really proud of her at the little pianist she’s becoming.

When she finished, I played for a moment.  And let me say: this never happens, mostly because I don’t make the time.  It seems that someone, somewhere, at almost every given moment at our house needs me.  At any rate, there we were, like two peas in a pod, snuggled together on my piano bench.  And I played a song that has been ringing in my ears all week.  I sang the words, and Emily listened intently.

Do you know it?

Jesus, all for Jesus, all I am and have and ever hope to be.
All of my ambitions hopes and plans, I surrender these into Your hands.
For it’s only in Your will that I am free.
Jesus, all for Jesus, all I am and have and ever hope to be.

I don’t think there could have been a better song for us to sing together today.  What a perfect ending to our first day of school.  just perfect.

Heavenly Father,
All of our plans, our hopes, our dreams – we surrender them all to you.  Our school year is Yours. amen.

friends and loved ones · home schooling

the eventual materialization of year #7…

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I said we would squeeze the last drops of summer into a glass and sip on it as long as we could… and that’s what we’ve been doing.  There is a strong affection in my heart for summertime, which makes it hard for me to acknowledge school work much before Labor Day.  And  even though most folks have been celebrating all of their back to school traditions, we have been making trips to the pool, staying up late and avoiding eye contact with our new curriculum as much as absolutely possible.

But alas…

The school year starts soon here in our household.  I enjoy home schooling my children and I’m grateful that I get to do it.  However, with my tiptoes at the threshold of beginning another year, #7 in fact, I’m sure of one thing. and one thing only.

Do you want to know the truth?  (And I hear the words resonate in my ears from a familiar movie, “You can’t handle the truth!!!”)  but seriously, do you?

Over the summer, as per my usual, I’ve been evaluating life.  I’ve taken account of how things run around here; school, church, home, health, music lessons, grocery shopping, art classes, archery, you name it, I’ve put it on a list somewhere in an effort to consider all the different categories that make up “us.”

And this is what I’ve realized:

I don’t know if I’m doing any of it right.  More than ever, I have more questions than answers.    Is this the right curriculum for Isaac’s learning style?  Should we be eating this food, or that?  Am I terrible mom because not one of my kids eats enough fruits and veggies?  What about this class for Emily?  How can I be sure of proper development without this activity for Mackenzie?  The questions pile up and the choices are overwhelming.  I feel like throwing my hands up in the air and saying, “I don’t know!  Somebody help me!”

I’m reminded in Scripture that, I don’t have to know it all.  In fact, He didn’t intend for me to know it all for the very purpose that I would need to rely on Him.  Because He does know all of the answers.  all of them.    The only thing that I do know for sure is this: everything done in my home, is best when I do it abiding in Him.

The beauty of being on the doorstep of year #7 is, I’m more prepared to admit my complete need of Him.  With my start date on the calendar a little more than a week a way, I’m aware that I’m not capable on my own and it is a very freeing feeling indeed.

My heart’s desire is that here, in our homeschool, we become His disciples, growing in the knowledge of Him and His wisdom. I can’t help but apply these verses from John 15 to my heart and mind:

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw theminto the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will[b] ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

Heavenly Father,   It is my prayer that You will be glorified in our lives this year.  Will you come and be with us each day?  Will you help us to abide in You, so that all of the gaps are filled and everything that is inadequate is made complete?   This is my heart’s desire for our school year.    amen.

friends and loved ones

our guinea pig (love) story

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We sat in the parking lot, the van completely quiet.  The silence was deafening.   “Well, here we are.  Should we get out?” Michael asked.

The kids just stared at us.  Doubt and confusion on their faces.   “Why are we here?”  No one said it, but it was printed across their expressions as plain as day.

We all got out of the van, all 5 of us, and walked into the pet store.  I walked through the doors, holding Isaac’s hand, right up to the guinea pigs.  We stood there staring for a while.

Finally, after a long pause, Michael said out loud the words that our children could not believe, “How about a guinea pig guys?”  And even though Michael and I were standing there, with money in hand prepared to pay the price, offering what they had been asking for, no, begging for,  Emily responded, “Is this a joke?  This is really mean, Daddy.”

Of course we weren’t joking! We aren’t that mean.  After all the tears and heart break of wishing to be pet owners, we would not do that to our children.  But, we had waited a long time before giving them this gift ; waited to be sure they were ready to do the right thing.  And they were not prepared to receive.

*   *     *     *    *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about Jesus’ life account in the book of John.  In chapter 14 He makes wild and crazy claims:  that He is  “the way, the truth and the life.”  And I can’t get over it, how all encompassing those words are.  He is everything.  And He will deliver on that promise.

The problem is that I am a lot like my own kids.  My response to my Heavenly Father is incredulous. Even though He regularly and consistently is who He says He is, living up to His Words, I don’t understand.  My heart struggles to respond with belief to His truth.

I pray for things, as His daughter, and when He responds with truth and love, I stare at Him and say, ” Are you sure?  Is this it?”  Because I don’t know what to do with real love.  I can’t comprehend His truth in its most clear, unobstructed form. Sometimes, I’ll admit, I  I don’t walk through the door He’s opening because I am skeptical.

In spite of my weakest human characteristics, my unbelief is met with His most perfect, righteous character and His victory over death.  Those moments of question are answered with the fact that He is not only able, but that He also has already has paid in full for every moment of my life, and every need has been accounted for.

He is the way, the truth and the life.  He loved me enough to be all of those things for me – and for all who believe.   This knowledge, when it settles in the depths of my heart, brings the beginning of understanding real love and being able to receive it.

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *    *     *     *

My children have eagerly welcomed this newest member to our family.  His name is Wally Rascal Day.  Yep.  We bought them a guinea pig.  Because they asked a lot.  Because at this point we know it will be really good for them.  Because we love them.

When they are all grown up and think of it, I hope they will have lots of have happy memories of Wally. But maybe, just maybe, they will also see our love shown to them as a demonstration of the truth of their Heavenly Father’s love for them.   Most important of all, I pray that they will know and receive His love!

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a bit of history · friends and loved ones

no need to tarry…

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I’ve been trying to put this into words for more than a week…

Last Sunday I had the privilege of worshiping from the piano, under the leadership of our good friend, Wade Williams.  Michael and I were in Atlanta for the week, and we finished up our time there at Perimeter Church’s Sunday service in the chapel.

For many reasons that I don’t have time to explain here, it was a beautiful and meaningful time of worship. Wade and Michael playing their guitars together, it was exquisite music from their instruments the likes of which most of us musicians only dream of playing. I just chimed in on the keys here and there.

I hope I don’t forget those moments any time soon….

But, sitting at that piano, next to that stain-glassed window with the cross at the center, I was reminded of one of the first times I ever heard Wade lead worship at Northshore Fellowship in the Woodland Ave. sanctuary.  His mellow voice sang a song that I had never heard before.  It is a worship service that is etched in my memory.

This is the song:

Come, Ye sinners, Poor and needy.
Weak and wounded, Sick and sore.
Jesus ready, Stands to save you.
Full of pity, Love and power.

I will arise and go to Jesus, 
He will embrace me in His arms.
In the arms of my dear Saviour, 
O, There are ten thousand charms.

Come, Ye thirsty, Come and welcome.
God’s free bounty glorify.
True belief and true repentance.
Every grace that brings you nigh.

Come, Ye weary, Heavy-laden.
Lost and ruined by the fall.
If you tarry ’til you’re better.
You will never come at all.

It was a pivotal moment for me as a believer. Standing next to my husband, singing out full-voice mid the congregation I realized in a completely fresh way this one thing:  Jesus is prepared to receive me, no matter the shape I’m in or what I’ve done. Whatever the burden, I can go to Him.   His irresistible grace draws me close.  And that same grace  provides relief when I believe and repent.   What a freeing moment it was in my life!

The picture from last Sunday of the piano next to the cross is a beautiful illustration of my heart’s desire.  It is my prayer that I hover near the cross, and that my life and my music points people to Jesus.   For there is one truth I’m learning more and more each day :  “In the arms of my dear Savior, oh, there are ten thousand charms.”