Immeasurably More

The phrase a bride that abides is something the Lord dropped in my spirit a few months ago as I was beginning the process of wedding planning. Wow! I had begun to realize how many details are involved in putting a wedding together. As my brain was rushing through the thoughts of all I had to do, I heard Him say--" Melissa, be a bride that abides ." Part of this revelation came from a sermon I heard at Threshold. Jake was talking about the story of when Jesus made a visit to the house of Mary and Martha. He was focusing on the beauty of the response Jesus gives to Martha as she becomes overwhelmed by the dinner preparations. Jesus responds by saying, " but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:42 ESV). Jesus reminds Martha that His presence is really the only thing that matters. His presence is the thing that makes the dinner of any significance. When Jesus walks in the room, how the food tastes do...

           Hey friends! It has been a while since I wrote a blog, and I am going to be honest...life has been getting the best of me and I haven't made the time or had the discipline to sit down and write the things God has been putting on my heart! But here I am, back again and ready to release some of the truth the Lord has for you and for me to bring freedom and healing to our lives!             When I was asking the Lord what He wanted me to write a blog on this time, I thought maybe He would say to write about our recent engagement or the revelations He has been giving me about being the bride of Christ in this season. However, as soon as I took the time to wait on Him, I heard Him speak the word vulnerability . Vulnerability is a topic I have been waiting to talk about on the blog, and I have actually had a rough draft of one written on this topic for a few months. I felt the Lord wanting me to wait to release it in ...

           2020 has been a year of experiencing new things, encountering new decisions, and learning new lessons. I use the word new because the time we are in has been unprecedented in our lifetime, and there has been many new exciting things experienced, healthy decisions made, and positive lessons learned in this year. Praise the Lord! He never wastes a moment with us! However, I know this year has also been one filled with painful things experienced, difficult decisions made, and challenging lessons learned as well. This year has not been going as anyone planned and many have experienced big disappointments. In the past season of encountering disappointment in my life, the Lord was tender and gentle in helping me steward my heart and keep my spirit free from bitterness. He allowed me to feel the disappointment, the confusion, and the hurt that came with the season, but He reminded me that He will never leave me there. It was a process of learning the ...

A story of faith in the Finisher ↑ After returning from YWAM, I was left in a whirlwind of emotion and asking the Lord, "what's next?" I had been a week away from being sent on the outreach portion of my DTS and was returning home with the feeling that I had been training for a marathon I never got to run. Obviously coming home from Hawaii and entering into lock down was not what I was expecting of this season, but I had peace knowing the Lord was going to use this time for His glory. I felt Him saying as I was nearing what I didn't know would be the last days of my DTS, " Melissa, this is not about your life, this is about what I am doing on the earth right now ." I didn't know fully what He meant at the time, but this word from Him has been something that has played back in my head whenever I get discouraged about having my experience in YWAM cut short. I know it's not for a lack of Him caring for me or caring about my feelings of sadness, i...

Hey friends! It has been a crazy few weeks as I'm sure it has been for everyone! I wanted to update everyone as to how COVID-19 has affected my YWAM adventure and encourage everyone with some truth in this time! Last Wednesday I returned home from Hawaii and was commissioned home to do outreach in PA as restrictions have progressed and prevented us from traveling abroad. Although this has caused some disappointment and sadness, overall, I am feeling so privileged to have had the experience I did in Hawaii! To have had the last two and a half months to submerse myself in the pursuit of Jesus and receive His heart for the lost and the nations of the world has been nothing but amazing! I want to thank each one of you who has contributed to my experience through writing cards, sending thoughts and prayers, and donating financially (you will get your donation back if you donated to my outreach phase)! It was an honor to partner with others through this journey!     ...

           Aloha! Another month has gone by in this journey of YWAM! I’ve been here for 8 weeks! Crazy!! The Lord has been reminding me again how great a privilege it is to have this time away with Him. I look around at the beautiful Hawaiian scenery and I am in awe that the Lord would call me to step into adventure with Him in such a breathtakingly beautiful place! I feel so unworthy of this opportunity. I know He can meet me any time and in any place, but to start 2020 living and learning with Him in Hawaii has been beyond my wildest dreams!            The past few weeks have been nothing short of intense! The class schedule combined with prayer sets, team time, track time, and work duty have every day feeling like a whirlwind! God has been stretching my capacity to know Him and pursue Him past the points of what I ever thought my body, soul, and spirit were capable of! There have definitely been very difficult days when it...