For months now, we’ve been building relationships with a new group of teenagers. It takes time to develop trust, respect, open communication, and a sense of unconditional love with a portion of the population who have been burned by friends and hurt by family and abandoned by leaders in the past–or at the very least are […]
The One with the Pastors’ Conference
The month of April was a complete blur for me. The first week led up to Easter Sunday, and we started our long drive to Florida immediately after that service. We were in Florida for the next Sunday of church, and the following weekend, I took a drive to Ohio and then Michigan with my […]
The One with a Bit of Confusion
Sometimes life is a whirlwind. I’m sure you can relate. Sometimes you can’t remember what month it is and you tell people a May coupon “expired months ago” and it’s still April. Sometimes you leave for the day and it’s 70 and sunny, and you’re too hot in jeans. But by 8pm you’re wondering why […]
The One with the Sound of Music
After 3 months of practicing, 30 hours of dress rehearsals, and 13 live-show hours The Sound of Music production weekend is over. And honestly, I’m kinda sad to see it go. The show was phenomenal! You would not believe the quality of student actors and musicians–tremendous! Being in the pit meant a front row seat to […]
The One on Modesty
After sharing my convictions and experience on the subject of high school dating, my 17 year old friend from Michigan also wanted my input on MODESTY. Oooh, modesty is another very important topic–for middle school and high school girls, but also for women of any age. I Peter 3: 3-4Your beauty should not come […]
The One on High School Dating
edited to add: This mini-dissertation uses the lens of high school dating, but please know that I believe these principles can be applied to dating at any age and stage of life. — Recently I was contacted by a 17 year old girl I got to know during my youth min years in Michigan. She […]
The One with Pastors to the Pastors
Exactly a week ago, we received a phone call–the kind you dread. Pastor Dale, from our former church in Michigan, had just been informed he needed quadruple bypass surgery immediately. This perfectly healthy man had gone in for a routine exam and the doctors wouldn’t let him leave the hospital. He was staying put until […]
The One with the Note to Self {Teen Weekend}
The Five Minute Friday Prompt was REAL. So I wrote a letter to myself. My Saturday-self. —- Dear Melanie, Today you are spending your time with 18 high schoolers. You have the opportunity to get to know them–really know them. This is the quality time you’ve been looking forward to, hoping for. When time doesn’t […]
The One with the Devil’s Schemes
It’s interesting, this thing called life. Walking day by day in the grace of God brings an even more vibrant perspective. We have those days or weeks (or months, if we’re lucky) of blessing and plenty and overflow. Everything seems almost perfect. We get along with our spouses. Money isn’t an issue. Friends are abundant. Trials seem […]
The One with Glimpses of Grace
Every once in a while I have an “off” week. You know the kind, don’t you? I just feel “blah” for no apparent reason. The couch becomes my best friend, and I can’t motivate myself to move more often than necessary. I watch too much tv and feel guilty about it, but I can’t seem […]