True Identity

I am the master of wearing many hats.

I am: Coach Michelle for cheerleading, Baker, Small Group Leader to 10 freshmen girls, Mechelle the Nanny for S and A, Daughter of my parents, Writer for Grace Everyday, Sister to 4 siblings, Best Friend to 12 people, Bible Study Girl on Thursdays, Roommate, Recipe Creator, Sunday School Teacher on Sundays, Meal Planner, Perpetual Bridesmaid, Church Goer, Coffee Drinker, Traveler,  Orphan Lover, Advocate for the Broken, Supporter, Church Attender, Artist, Downtown Resident, Blogger, Crafter, Encourager, Wedding Planner, and probably many more things.

That's me.

Maybe you are a mommy, an office worker, a pet owner, the bill payer, the money maker, a wife, a career woman, a husband, a home owner, the dinner maker, the laundry washer, the taxi driver for your kids, a planner, a student, the nurse, the tired mom of a newborn who just wants a nap, and everything else you are.

And, that's you.

But, is that where we find our identity? Is that all that we think we are? If you and I were take all of those hats off, who would be be? If you were no longer married, if you were no longer a parent, who would you be?

Our true identity is in Christ, alone.

Before you are a wife, mother, sister, employee, coach, or anything you think you are, you are a child of the King.

You are loved by the relentless lover, you are forgiven more than you know, you are known by the God of the universe, and He even calls you by name.

We didn't have to choose Him, He already chose us.

So, take all your hats off, rest in Him, and remember who you really are.

Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love.For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [because it pleased Him and was His kind intent] (Ephesians 1:4-5 Amplified Bible)

Have a wonderful weekend! M

Batteries...

I was looking under the couch, and between the cushions for the remote the other night.
It was dark, and I couldn't see. So I opened the hall closet, and grabbed the flash light resting exactly where it should've been, in the top drawer of the storage container.
I turned it on, but there was no light. I shook it a bit, and still, nothing happened. I then opened it up, and realized it was without batteries.
Even though the flashlight was easy to find because it was exactly where it should be, it was useless because of its lack of connection to a power source, the batteries.
Often I get so busy, running everywhere, serving everyone, and being where I'm supposed to be. I forget how important being connected to a power source is.
I don't mean batteries, coffee, or even sleep.
I mean God's Word. It is powerful. It changes lives. It gives hope, peace, purpose, courage, freedom, and another chance. If I bustle around, doing everything, but forget or neglect to be in the Word daily, I am useless.
My works, words, ideas, or goodness can never do anything real for anyone. It's only Jesus, and His Word that can change a life. So even though I show up to serve, if I'm not being filled up with power from the Word before, its just draining an already empty girl.
Remember, the Bible renews, restores, brings rest,  rejuvenates, and rights relationships.
What have you been reading this week? How has it changed you?
Love, M

Christmas Eve Eve

It has been quite the busy few days.
Presents are wrapped. Shopping is finished. Groceries are purchased. Plans are made.
It's time.
This weekend, I have celebrated Christmas with my best friend and her babes, with my other best friend, some family, both of my church families, and then my roommate. Christmas is such a fun time to gather those you love close. Tomorrow will include time well spent with my second family, my mini best friend, church, and more family. I love it. It really is one of my favorite attributes of Christmas, just stopping everything, and seeing everyone.
I am over the moon excited. One of my dearest friends is flying home right now from Tokyo. Please be praying with me for a safe and smooth flight for him. 13 hours on a plane is a long time!!
I am so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life. I can't wait to share life with them these next few weeks. What a lucky girl I am, to have so many people to love.
Cherish your loved ones extra as you spend time together this Christmas week.
Remember Jesus in the hustle and bustle.
And be praying for opportunities to share Jesus. I know a few somethings in my life that are brewing...can't wait to share my stories!
Merry Christmas Eve Eve. :)
Love, M :)

Life is crazy.

Christmas is next week. Oh my.
I still have....
Presents to buy. Presents to wrap. Desserts to bake. Parties to attend. Friends to see. Clothes to wash. Cards to mail. Rooms to clean. Errands to run. Shopping to do. Bills to pay. Things to find. Items to return. Gifts to make. Play dates to schedule. Phone calls to make. Dishes to wash. Nails to paint. Hair to cut.
Does the list ever end?
I didn't think the holidays were getting to me, until I lost my mind a lil bit this weekend.
I found the cutest idea to make Christmas presents for friends, and package them in mason jars. (Check back after Christmas for a tutorial!) So, I made my list, and went off to the store. I checked out, paid, and went to the car. Only to realize minutes later, I forgot to buy the mason jars. So, I drove around the parking lot, to rush back in and buy the jars. I then came home, and realized the jars were much too big for the project I needed them for. So, I hopped back in my car, drove back up to the store, and bought smaller jars. I came home, exasperated, but ready to craft. I opened the jars, and instantly realized these were too small. So, for the next trip to the store, I brought the two previously purchased cases of jars back to return them. I walked up to the door, only to realize the door was locked. The cashier who had helped me my three previous shopping trips, was now laughing at me, but came to my rescue. She then informed me that the service desk was closed, so I would have to come back in the morning to return the jars. Annoyed, I bought the medium sized jars, and just came home. Thirty six jars, four store trips, and three hours later, my project was finished. I was exhausted.
I told a friend, and she told me I must have too much on my mind with Christmas coming up.
It's true. I'm stressed. I currently don't have enough money or free time to finish what I need to for Christmas. I will have both, but not until the end of the week. I have something planned almost every second of the next two weeks. I am losing my mind. How is it all going to get done?
I know I'm not the only one. This is life in America, especially during the holidays.
The point of Christmas is not to buy the perfect gift, to make the most delightful dessert, to be at every party you're invited to, or even to spend time with family.
It's all about Jesus.
In the hustle and bustle of this weekend, I forgot that. I became overwhelmed with life, because I took my eyes off of Jesus. I got caught up in what Christmas isn't about, and forgot who it is about.
He wants us to rest in Him. He wants us to remember what He did for us.
Being stressed, airheaded, and mean doesn't bring Him any glory.
So, I challenge you this week, daily take time to spend with Him. Sit at His feet. Soak up His words. Leave the phone and the list. Focus on Him. He is the only reason for the season.
Who knows, maybe spending quality time with Him will help with time management, and stress levels too!
Happy Monday!
Love, M :)

Cemetery. Love. Sleep.

I visited the cemetery again today. It was an impulsive visit. With the cemetery being only half a mile from my front door, the thought occasionally passes through my mind, but rarely do I find the courage to go.
I was there for just a moment today. The busyness of the day was catching up with me, but I needed to sneak in a moment of solitude. I wandered over to where she was buried. I sat for just a minute on the cold ground.
This time, instead of being angry at God, and fighting with bitterness bubbling over, I had peace. I rejoiced that Jesus, conquered death, and now our Redeemer lives.
A line from a song became wedged in my mind as I walked back to my car.
"In death, in life, I'm confident and covered by the power of your great love."
I focused on His love, and its power. It never fails. It is overwhelming. We are so undeserving, yet He gives it freely. It is unconditional. It is ours.
There are so many things I could focus on as I fall asleep tonight. But I will choose to drift into dreams reflecting on His love for me. What a sweet way to end the day.
More tales to come. But for now, rest in His love.
Goodnight.
Love, M.

Good things to do.

There are so many "good things to do" in my life:
-drink eight glasses of water a day
-sleep eight hours a night
-wash bed sheets frequently
-run
-balance the checkbook
-be kind
-eat enough fruits and vegetables
-clean out the fridge
-wear sunscreen
-return phone calls
-send letters
-moisturize daily
-always take off make up before bed
-clean the toilet
-get oil in car changed every few months
-take vitamins
-exercise more
-fold and put away laundry
-wear deodorant
-read bible and spend time with Jesus
Somehow in the hustle and bustle of life, spending time in God's word gets thrown on the list of "good things to do". It slips from being a priority, to suddenly being something that gets done only if life slows down.
Well, I'm no expert, but life doesn't appear to be slowing down. So how does this all work?
Spending time with Jesus and being in His Word needs to be priority number one. Nothing is as important than sitting at His feet, even for a moment. I know if I make time to read the Bible in the morning, life may still be hard, but I have this strength to get through it, that I only get from spending time with Jesus.
Reading the Word isn't just a thing to check off of to do list for the day. Life doesn't make sense without it. I crave it. And when my desire slips, I beg for it to come back. There is so much value in reading the Bible, prayer, and just sitting at Jesus' feet.
I challenge you to really make it a priority. If you struggle with reading or wanting to read, ask God for the desire and help to do it. The words in that book are literally life changing. It is powerful.
Good night.
Love, M.
Also, please join me in praying for the east coast of the US, as they deal with this hurricane.

be still

If you know me, you would know that I am always on the move. I thrive on being busy. I go, go, go, go, until I can't go anymore. I schedule things back to back, just to squeeze as many things in a day as possible. That is my life. Well, that was my life.

I have been sick all week. As in, I haven't left the house since Sunday afternoon. It is Thursday night. I am losing my mind. I didn't come to Bolivia to sit in bed. I came to serve. I want to serve. I was fine for my first week and a half. I know what life is like in the city. I have seen the brokenness, the pain, and the darkness. I want to be a light, I want to love, I want to share Jesus. I want to hand bread out to the homeless. I want to whisper in an orphan's ear how beautiful they are. I want to hold gauze while a street kid gets stitched up. I want to hold a malnourished baby and pray over them. I want to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I want to go. I want to do.

Last week, I woke up with an upset stomach. Everything I ate went right through me. I couldn't eat anything. Not the most fun thing ever. I was sick one day, fine the next, sick the next day, and then sick for days. I hated it. There were suspions that I had parasites. So, my house mate took a sample into the lab, and we discovered I had a nasty bacterial infection.

So, I started taking an antibiotic. It cleared up the issue quickly. But, in return, it gave me severe dizziness and nausea. The dizziness has been so bad that if I move my eyes too fast, I feel like my world will crumble. The nausea is so bad, I gag eating a banana, or taking pills. This is not what I signed up for. The side effects of the pills was worse in my mind than the original upset stomach.

So, I haven't done much. Sleeping is a nightmare. Every toss or turn makes the dizzyness and nausea worse. I have been miserable. I just want to get out of bed and serve. I did not come to Bolivia to lay in bed.

This morning was the hardest. The three of us living at the guest house do a time of devotion and prayer together. We watched a video about how "Daddy has a plan." Our Heavenly Father has a plan. We just need to trust him. We read verses that proved this. He is holding me in the palm of his hand. He has a plan for me.

But still my humanity cried out. Why am I sick? Why can't I serve? I feel useless. I haven't done anything. I am a hinderance to the team. What is the point of being in Bolivia, if all I do is sit in bed? I feel lazy. I feel pointless. I was angry. I was exhausted.

I sobbed to my friend this morning. She held me, and reminded me "Daddy has a plan". There is probably a lesson to be learned in this. But, He's got me.

We found out there is a mediciene to help combat dizzyness and nausea. She went to the pharmacy to pick it up. I took it, and napped. She woke me up to check on me, and I still felt awful. She ended up getting me soup and bringing it home. I slept some more.

All day long I slept, and reminded myself "Daddy has a plan". I became angry at God a few times. I am good at serving. I am not good at sitting.

And then, my 'aha' moment came.

Luke 10:38-42

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

One thing is necessary. Sit at the feet of Jesus. Listen to His words. Rejoice in who He is. Give glory to His name. Soak up His teaching.

Serving is good. But sitting is better.

Psalm 46:10

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

So, I am know there is much work to be done out there. But I am going to try to just sit at the feet of Jesus. Read His word. Worship who He is. And relax, knowing, "Daddy has a plan."

I really want to be well enough to serve tomorrow. There are a lot of opportunites to be involved with.

Please join me in prayer for restful sleep, a sound stomach, dizziness to be gone, any weakness to be filled with strength, any lingering infection or side effects to be done. In Jesus' Name.

I am sorry I haven't been too diligent about blogging much lately. I have so many stories. I hope to share them soon.

Love, M