This is a long time overdue, I know! I had to get into the blogging world or should I say up with the times so that I could share with all of you a special GET WELL..RAQUEL, posting!!!
Raquel is an awesome lady, and a true friend, that I am so grateful for! As some of you may or may not know, and others that have taken the time to care enough to call and check or send a card or text to Raquel already know, but some of you don't know she has been sick for almost a year! It started with a back ache, and she did the logical thing and started going to a Chiropractor, which lead to another, then another, yep 3 chiropractors later (don't get me started HA! IT'S NOT FUNNY!) from the back ache it lead to other symptoms that got progressively worse. It ended up in the worst stages that she completely lost her voice, couldn't breath (scary!) and she has been to many Doctors, including the ER, and finally she is getting well!!! I know she isn't completely out of the woods but it has been miraculous over the last week, she is gaining her energy, has her voice back and can actually BREATH! She is an incredible friend of mine and I know she has been through a lot over the last year, a lot that was unnecessarily induced stress!! She was told she has "stress induced asthma", Hmm... imagine that! Her vitamin D was dangerously low and because of all the medications it caused some other complications that I know she will continue to heal from. Her dad's illness hasn't been easy on their family either. She finally found someone to really check things out and I know both her and Mark are grateful they finally have some answers and she is starting to recover! Those of you that have or would pray for Raquel, please keep praying for her to completely heal!
Those of you who know Raquel, know her determination, persistence, energy and enthusiasm are truly contagious, and inspiring! She can and has outworked most people I know! She and Mark have built large communities of people with an incredible heart and love for people!!! Her servant attitude and willingness to continue through all the adversity, is undeniably inspiring, and proves they have a winning spirit!! Raquel has a tremendous innocence, and tenderness to her heart, that others are blessed by, including me! She continues to stay vulnerable, and has an unbelievable willingness to learn with excitement! She is intelligent and quickly applies what she learns, almost verbatim! Mark and Raquel both have been through tremendous struggles but they can and have the will and desire to overcome! She has a positive and confident will, that reminds me of an email I recently received: where the women gets out of bed and the devil says" "Oh Crap! She is up!!" This is the true spirit of Raquel, there will be no one or anything that will keep her from what God has planned for her! She is trusting and growing in God continually! Doesn't matter if anyone or circumstance intentionally tries to hold her back, those that really know Raquel, know that won't happen!! Those that think otherwise, don't know her at all!! Her determination to serve others unconditionally, is in incredibly selfless and is worth honoring!!
Although a lot of their struggles have been frustrating she has also learned so much of what really is important and valuable in life, and is grateful for the lessons! Although she has shared many of her valuable lessons she has learned with me, it will be her choice to share those with others. Her strong faith in God and her relentless will, undoubtedly will move her forward and allow her to become the person God created her to be! We feel blessed and honored to call Mark and Raquel, true friends! I love her like a sister, and know that God has a plan to prosper their lives!
GET WELL, RAQUEL! WE LOVE YOU!
Love, John, Melanie, Family & Friends!
If anyone would feel moved to comment or send a card, or special note of encouragement, please act on that.... the more love you share with others, the more love you will receive!!
Anyone wanting to send her a card and want her address give me a call.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
To Honor My Amazing Husband!
I felt strongly about giving a special, and separate "Thank You" to my Husband John (besides he didn't tell me if their was a certain amount of words you can put in one post, this surely would be a small detail to me but maybe a biggy for him! Remember he gave me special instructions! Ha!)
I did want to share with him and anyone who reads this, just what kind of Man he really is! I have to begin with thanking God, because I know he was hand-picked especially for me!
I love and respect so many things about him! The real reason I fell in love with him well, besides God's providence, is the humility he has always displayed. He has always amazed me with this. And if you have been around the opposite, you know exactly what I am talking about! What a great example for me, our children and everyone who is privileged to be around him! I have never seen him brag about himself, and so many things I have seen him accomplish! He doesn't try and impress people with his knowledge, wisdom or anything else. He is not prideful and arrogant and reminds others what he learns from them. He is very genuine and encourages others strengths. Arrogance and Big Ego's(those that have to tell you how good and smart they are; aren't that smart or good) that has never impressed me, but his humility inspires me! He has never had to be "the guy" or have "the credit", even when he deserves it and I love that about him!
I have always loved his sense of humor, he has been blessed definitely with this trait and it is also inherited. His dad was so much the same in many ways. All that know him know this about him. It shows up clearly in the Happy Birthday Blog he wrote for me, he is a blast!
Another amazing piece of him, that I love and respect dearly, is his compassion, fairness, and desire to help and serve others! What a rare trait and choice he makes especially in the world where many will do what- ever it takes to take from others to serve themselves! He has an abundance of emotional intelligence, and it shows! He is not jealous, revengeful or hateful, even when others are jealous, revengeful and hateful to him! How many people do you know that practices turning the other cheek! He sees no point in playing childish petty games with others lives, he says what he means and means what he says, he is mature in his ways, and stands firm in what he believes! He forgives and moves on! He shows maturity and respect to all! He is such rare air to me!
I also love that he is comfortable being in his own skin, he knows himself well, and the only person he desires to be like is Christ! He knows he was made in the image of God, so much of him is an example of who Christ is, I could ask for no more! Nothing or no one even compares! I love that about him! I love listening to him talk about what he learns from the bible with our children, family, and his friends.
God gave him a very special mind, that he does not squander! His ability to use his mind and heart together to think through problems and solve them is nothing shy of amazing to me! His love for learning and using what he learns is a treasure in itself! He has amazing idea's that he never takes the credit for!
He is the greatest listener and has the patience of an Angel, who always respects others and makes you feel important! He listens intently! What great traits to have! These also are the traits his mother has! This is such a true blessing to all!
He is courageous, nothing to fear, except God, and never has he played the victim. He has told me stories when he was a young boy, growing up with 3 brothers (those of you with kids will relate) children tend to blame the others, so it becomes a discerning challenge sometimes, anyway, they would wear their mother down( as we mom's can relate!) til his mom would finally say, "wait til your dad gets home!" well, when dad came home, most children would forget, but not mom! ha! so they would receive a spankin, yep believe it or not! The most amazing thing ! John would tell me he deserved it! What??!!! Who would ever admit, no way when they have 3 other brothers to blame it on, HA!, just kidding but I am not kidding about John never playing the victim! He is way more mature than that. He takes responsibility and admits when he is wrong and changes what he needs to! He is not a "Justifier" or "Manipulator", he does what is right, regardless of the consequences!! He is amazing!I love his strong believe in God and doing the right thing! He is rock solid and will not sell his soul for anything, not personal gain, nor money, nor anything else. He stands strong in his love for God and knows eternity is his final destination.
He is extremely loyal to His love for God, me, our children, family and friends! He doesn't lie, steal or cheat ( not only is it a huge pet peeve, it is Gods commandments).
I want to thank you John, for being everything I've mentioned here and more! You are inspiration to me in so many ways and love learning from you! It is my honor to be your wife and I pray that I can love, respect, sacrifice with joy in my heart, and fulfill you in every way. I thank you so much for all your love, kindness, and desire to be more like Christ! I love and respect you for being the best dad you can be! I thank you for choosing me as your wife, and want to be everything you've dreamed of, because you are everything I have dreamed of!
I will love you for the rest of my life! I desire to love and fulfill God's purpose in our lives and know we will! I look forward to the journey in this lifetime together! I am grateful for our journey together and know it hasn't always been easy, but also know the greatest challenges God has given us always has and always will catapult us into God's will and destiny for our lives together! Thank You for being a Man that I can Honor! Thank You for Being You and Thank You for letting me be me! Thank You for your patience you show to me! You are my Gift from God, and I pray I will give you all you desire in a wife and more! I Love You for who you are and what you stand for! You are the "sparkle" in my eye!
I love you with all my heart!
Melanie
P.S. To all you readers that now know a piece of the man I love, honor and cherish, if you would like to love, honor or cherish, anyone, please do reply we would love to share in that with you!
I did want to share with him and anyone who reads this, just what kind of Man he really is! I have to begin with thanking God, because I know he was hand-picked especially for me!
I love and respect so many things about him! The real reason I fell in love with him well, besides God's providence, is the humility he has always displayed. He has always amazed me with this. And if you have been around the opposite, you know exactly what I am talking about! What a great example for me, our children and everyone who is privileged to be around him! I have never seen him brag about himself, and so many things I have seen him accomplish! He doesn't try and impress people with his knowledge, wisdom or anything else. He is not prideful and arrogant and reminds others what he learns from them. He is very genuine and encourages others strengths. Arrogance and Big Ego's(those that have to tell you how good and smart they are; aren't that smart or good) that has never impressed me, but his humility inspires me! He has never had to be "the guy" or have "the credit", even when he deserves it and I love that about him!
I have always loved his sense of humor, he has been blessed definitely with this trait and it is also inherited. His dad was so much the same in many ways. All that know him know this about him. It shows up clearly in the Happy Birthday Blog he wrote for me, he is a blast!
Another amazing piece of him, that I love and respect dearly, is his compassion, fairness, and desire to help and serve others! What a rare trait and choice he makes especially in the world where many will do what- ever it takes to take from others to serve themselves! He has an abundance of emotional intelligence, and it shows! He is not jealous, revengeful or hateful, even when others are jealous, revengeful and hateful to him! How many people do you know that practices turning the other cheek! He sees no point in playing childish petty games with others lives, he says what he means and means what he says, he is mature in his ways, and stands firm in what he believes! He forgives and moves on! He shows maturity and respect to all! He is such rare air to me!
I also love that he is comfortable being in his own skin, he knows himself well, and the only person he desires to be like is Christ! He knows he was made in the image of God, so much of him is an example of who Christ is, I could ask for no more! Nothing or no one even compares! I love that about him! I love listening to him talk about what he learns from the bible with our children, family, and his friends.
God gave him a very special mind, that he does not squander! His ability to use his mind and heart together to think through problems and solve them is nothing shy of amazing to me! His love for learning and using what he learns is a treasure in itself! He has amazing idea's that he never takes the credit for!
He is the greatest listener and has the patience of an Angel, who always respects others and makes you feel important! He listens intently! What great traits to have! These also are the traits his mother has! This is such a true blessing to all!
He is courageous, nothing to fear, except God, and never has he played the victim. He has told me stories when he was a young boy, growing up with 3 brothers (those of you with kids will relate) children tend to blame the others, so it becomes a discerning challenge sometimes, anyway, they would wear their mother down( as we mom's can relate!) til his mom would finally say, "wait til your dad gets home!" well, when dad came home, most children would forget, but not mom! ha! so they would receive a spankin, yep believe it or not! The most amazing thing ! John would tell me he deserved it! What??!!! Who would ever admit, no way when they have 3 other brothers to blame it on, HA!, just kidding but I am not kidding about John never playing the victim! He is way more mature than that. He takes responsibility and admits when he is wrong and changes what he needs to! He is not a "Justifier" or "Manipulator", he does what is right, regardless of the consequences!! He is amazing!I love his strong believe in God and doing the right thing! He is rock solid and will not sell his soul for anything, not personal gain, nor money, nor anything else. He stands strong in his love for God and knows eternity is his final destination.
He is extremely loyal to His love for God, me, our children, family and friends! He doesn't lie, steal or cheat ( not only is it a huge pet peeve, it is Gods commandments).
I want to thank you John, for being everything I've mentioned here and more! You are inspiration to me in so many ways and love learning from you! It is my honor to be your wife and I pray that I can love, respect, sacrifice with joy in my heart, and fulfill you in every way. I thank you so much for all your love, kindness, and desire to be more like Christ! I love and respect you for being the best dad you can be! I thank you for choosing me as your wife, and want to be everything you've dreamed of, because you are everything I have dreamed of!
I will love you for the rest of my life! I desire to love and fulfill God's purpose in our lives and know we will! I look forward to the journey in this lifetime together! I am grateful for our journey together and know it hasn't always been easy, but also know the greatest challenges God has given us always has and always will catapult us into God's will and destiny for our lives together! Thank You for being a Man that I can Honor! Thank You for Being You and Thank You for letting me be me! Thank You for your patience you show to me! You are my Gift from God, and I pray I will give you all you desire in a wife and more! I Love You for who you are and what you stand for! You are the "sparkle" in my eye!
I love you with all my heart!
Melanie
P.S. To all you readers that now know a piece of the man I love, honor and cherish, if you would like to love, honor or cherish, anyone, please do reply we would love to share in that with you!
Great Big Thanks To All You Shining Stars!!!
Wow! This is going to be fun!!! John finally let me in to share with all of you! Yep, he had to think about it for a couple of days and remove all the"Sparkly-Shiny" objects, Ha! I have to confess, he did look great in the foil, especially the glitter on the eye brows, LOL!!! HE IS AMAZING! I am also technically challenged! I know all of you are suprised! Don't worry he showed me what to do, I just hope I remember! Another challenge! Now that I told you all my strengths with the help of my awesome Husband, "Did I say:HE IS AMAZING?!!" I will spare you the weaknesses I have! Now lets get to the real reason for this posting; And that my Family and Friends is all about YOU!
First, I have to share with all of you what it felt like to have a day that was just amazing because all of you! I want to THANK YOU ALL, for the postings, voice mails, phone calls, cards and text messages!! You are all SHINING STARS in my life, and you light up my world!! I hope by God's grace you will feel the thankfulness in my heart to each of you for the genuine friendship and love you display, not just to me but I know to everyone that is in your lives, and crosses your paths, because Genuine people just do that, you all have touched my life in a Genuine way! I know you are all "True Friends" (if John ever lets me back in here that could be a very special topic, that I would love to share my experiences through many years and friends on this planet!). You are all "True Friends", not because you tell me but because you show me!!! You need say nothing, when there is Truth in your actions!
The most important thing I wanted to share with all of you was the Love I felt from each of you. This is the Best thing of all! I am so thankful that God chose all of you to reveal his Amazing Presence in my life!
"Whoever does not love does not know God, because GOD IS LOVE" (1 John 4:8)! and "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:18).
Be Strong and Courageous, Do Not Fear(Joshua 1:9) There are two places to operate from, "out of fear" where everything and everyone controls you or "out of love" when someone like me will feel Gods presence because of the love! Thank you for choosing Love! I Choose Love! Loose anything that is not of Love!
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."!!!
So, I thank all of you for Being YOU, and I thank GOD for creating you individually and uniqiuely, showing himself to me through you! Wow how Blessed I AM! Keep being true to yourselves, and being your true selves and I know the world will be blessed by all of you! Thank You for honoring me on a day that wouldn't have "Shined and Sparkled" without YOU ALL! Thank You, you have all touched my heart with your humor, love, and kindness!
Keep on Shining and being the light of the world for all to see God's Love!You are Amazing!!!
God Bless, and I pray I will give back more than I receive, to you all.
I Love You All! Live Life Inspired! Live Life Free!
Love,
Melanie
P.S. I know there were some other Birthdays recently that I would love to honor those: My Aunt Pat, Julie Rodman, Laurie Rehbein, and Elsa Voss, I know I am forgetting some but let us know your birthdays, so we can Honor You! So if you would be so kind to send us your Birthdays! Happy, Happy Birthday to you all!
Here`s a link to John`s Blog so you can read the original of this posting and see the comments.
First, I have to share with all of you what it felt like to have a day that was just amazing because all of you! I want to THANK YOU ALL, for the postings, voice mails, phone calls, cards and text messages!! You are all SHINING STARS in my life, and you light up my world!! I hope by God's grace you will feel the thankfulness in my heart to each of you for the genuine friendship and love you display, not just to me but I know to everyone that is in your lives, and crosses your paths, because Genuine people just do that, you all have touched my life in a Genuine way! I know you are all "True Friends" (if John ever lets me back in here that could be a very special topic, that I would love to share my experiences through many years and friends on this planet!). You are all "True Friends", not because you tell me but because you show me!!! You need say nothing, when there is Truth in your actions!
The most important thing I wanted to share with all of you was the Love I felt from each of you. This is the Best thing of all! I am so thankful that God chose all of you to reveal his Amazing Presence in my life!
"Whoever does not love does not know God, because GOD IS LOVE" (1 John 4:8)! and "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:18).
Be Strong and Courageous, Do Not Fear(Joshua 1:9) There are two places to operate from, "out of fear" where everything and everyone controls you or "out of love" when someone like me will feel Gods presence because of the love! Thank you for choosing Love! I Choose Love! Loose anything that is not of Love!
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."!!!
So, I thank all of you for Being YOU, and I thank GOD for creating you individually and uniqiuely, showing himself to me through you! Wow how Blessed I AM! Keep being true to yourselves, and being your true selves and I know the world will be blessed by all of you! Thank You for honoring me on a day that wouldn't have "Shined and Sparkled" without YOU ALL! Thank You, you have all touched my heart with your humor, love, and kindness!
Keep on Shining and being the light of the world for all to see God's Love!You are Amazing!!!
God Bless, and I pray I will give back more than I receive, to you all.
I Love You All! Live Life Inspired! Live Life Free!
Love,
Melanie
P.S. I know there were some other Birthdays recently that I would love to honor those: My Aunt Pat, Julie Rodman, Laurie Rehbein, and Elsa Voss, I know I am forgetting some but let us know your birthdays, so we can Honor You! So if you would be so kind to send us your Birthdays! Happy, Happy Birthday to you all!
Here`s a link to John`s Blog so you can read the original of this posting and see the comments.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
