It gives you something to think about...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaGfNBM8o7I

FROG

"FULLY

RELY

ON

GOD"

FROG!

LOL My mom's bible study for Jericho Junction tonight. Isn't it cute? <3

Jericho Junction is a little piece of my life!!!

"Monster Juice"

So I was babysitting tonight and one of the little girls (she's 6) kept coming downstairs and would NOT go to bed. So I said "What are you so afraid of?" and she explained "The boy across the street said big scary monsters live in my closet..."
So I put her in a chair in the kitchen and let her watch me make "monster juice".
In order to make "Monster juice" One must complete the following steps:
1. Find an empty water bottle
2. Fill up halfway with water
3. Put half a scoop of sugar into the watter bottle
4. Put in a tiny scoop of Hershey's cocoa powder
5. Put in a drop or two of vanilla extract
6. Shake the bottle so you can mix it all together

I let her smell what was in the bottle.

"Ms. Melissa, that looks really gross...but it does smell good." I said, "Well, let me explain something about monsters. If any monsters live in your closet or under your bed it's because they like smelly socks and underwear. Smelly socks and underwear usually end up under your bed or in your closet right?" "Yes..."
"So, all you have to do now is rub just a tiny bit on your arm and you'll smell good! They don't like things that smell good, so you'll be fine!" 

I couldn't believe it, but it actually worked. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!! =) I have to say, I was proud of myself.

The only bad thing: she might have her parents make "monster juice" for the next year or so. LOL!!!

A little piece of the more...creative side of me. =D

Short post...

We want it all, we want it now

We want life to be fair, everybody does

We lose ourselves under the faces
That we learn to wear, oh we just wanna be loved
We’re so busy tryin’ to find wonderland
We forget just what we’ve got right here in our hands

Chorus:

All I know is we gotta hold on to

The beautiful before it’s gone

Life is a sidewalk Mona Lisa

And it breaks your heart when you see her

Wash away

It’s all just chalk in the rain

"Chalk in the Rain" is a song by
Point of Grace. (A band I've grown to love!) If you haven't heard it, look it up! It's kind of twangy country, but it's still a really good song!  

A little Piece of something else that I love. <3

Television Shows...lol

Television shows!!!
I am officially addicted to Glee now. It's awesome. Absolutely love it!!!!!! Looking forward to catching up with the 1st season and then watching the 2nd season this year!



Survivor started again this past week!!! Extremely excited about it too!!! Based off of what we were shown last week, I think the "youn tribe" will win most of the challenges, and the "old tribe" will win more of the strategic things. I could be wrong though, with that football coach on the "old tribe" team they might stand a pretty good chance. The only problem is that coach didn't look too great last week.
I seriously doubt the tribe will keep him very long anyway, but I could see him being someone who gets sick and have to go home or something...



I'm really upset that I never really watched season 6 of HOUSE. I've been reading the recaps for all the episodes online and am hoping to catch most of season 7.


19 Kids and Counting started up a few weeks ago. I have it all recorded on TiVo but haven't gotten around to watching it yet... that show kind of bothers me some now. Not at first, but now it's getting weird. I had zero problem with the Duggars until this season. They said they'd be willing to have more children?!? I mean, I'm not trying to judge them or anything but come ON!!! Seriously? There's no telling what could happen to the mom or the baby if she had more kids. Lol it doesn't change the fact that I'll still watch the show...



I watched The Little Chocolatiers for the first time the day before yesterday. It's so cool! I really like shows like Ace of Cakes and Cake Boss so this was really cool to watch. They made a POOL TABLE out of CHOCOLATE!?! How cool is that? =) lol Oh and in these pictures, that's REAL chocolate!!! CRAZY

 

And finally, one of my favorite shows I'm excited to start watching again: Extreme makeover home edition!!! I have like 12 episodes recorded and can't WAIT to start watching them!!!!!!!

Hope his post wasn't completely a waste of your time. lol

This is a little piece of things I like! =)

I'm not allowing myself to make popcorn at school anymore...

For those of you who don't know, we have a microwave in my yearbook room at school. It's my 5th period class and lunchtime! Well, I eat lunch in the classroom so I can use the microwave. (Face the facts...PB&J gets old every single day) Well, I decided to pop some popcorn for lunch.
Long story short, I burned the popcorn...BAD!!!!! You could smell it down the hall, and around the corner, you could smell it from upstairs, and one of the ADMINISTRATORS walked in saying she could smell it in her office with the door closed! omg...
I opened the microwave to get it out and smoke poured out. Not just a little steam, smoke.  Imagine how bad the classroom smelled?
Oh my goodness...
So here's a little piece of what I learned today: Do NOT put popcorn in the microwave on the 100 hallway for 3.5 minutes. Yes, it is true that is the normal setting for most microwaves but THIS microwave is high powered...lol. Oops =)

Here's a way to look at things: I make life entertaining right?

A "Melissa Moment"

So when I do things in life that some people would call a "blonde moment" I change the name to a  "Melissa Moment" Lol!!!
Well here's a "Melissa Moment" that tops all the "Melissa Moments" I've ever had...
In my church there are glass doors and windows. When it gets dark outside and the lights are on inside, you can see a reflection. I was inside talking and I PROMISE you, someone told me that Mr. John had gone home. (Come to find out he was in the back working on something) I had my face towards the windows and doors and I see Mr. John "walking towards the doors" So I go "Mr. John is back!!!" I start running towards the door to unlock it and Sarah goes "Melissa...he's behind you." It was his reflection in the door. Embaressing. Well, it was at the time. Now I can't stop laughing!!! Hahahaha I absolutely love my church!!!

Today was really an awesome day! Went to Sunday School, then went to Galloway Nursing Home. I truly didn't think I'd enjoy it as much as I did! I figured I'd be the one standing there because, honestly, I've never been around nursing homes before and I had NO idea what to expect. However, I actually talked to ALOT of the people there and it was FUN!!! And get this: I SANG in front of people! I promise you, I think I have one of the worst voices in the world, but then everyone was complimenting me and saying I had a really good singing voice. Lol it was awesome. And at first I thought they were just being polite, but then like a couple of the nurses there stopped me and were like "You're really good." and the people we sang for were like "You're really pretty..." It absolutely made my day! =)

Then we had Jericho Junction tonight and it went pretty well! We had "Praise Night" after the skit was over and, again, I got up in front of the kids and sang. I wasn't alone that time though. I had people with me! =)

I have NEVER sang in front of people before today! Hahaha! I've been in Chorus, but I've never really had a solo or anything. It was a fun and exciting day!

Haha, just anohter little piece of who I am! Sometimes I can be a little...slow, but I definitely have people who love me and friends to share the good times with!
A little piece of something I learned today: you hear it all the time, but if you try something new then you really can surprise yourself. =D

Who Am I to Think God can’t handle it? Part II

Yeah...2 posts in one day. Bear with me though okay? =)

I’ve still been thinking about it, so here’s something that came to my attention. I basically just said “Stop lying to God. Tell him everything. It’s perfectly fine to be open with Him.” This is absolutely true, so don’t get the wrong idea but I think there’s more.

Praying is definitely the most important thing you can do. (Something I have learned quite recently to be honest…) But it’s also important to accept help from other people. For example: If you’re crying about something (if it’s a big deal or even if it’s not a big deal…) and someone comes up to you and says “Hey, what’s wrong?” You shouldn’t say “Nothing. I’m fine. It’s not a big deal. Don't worry about it.” especially if the person who asks “what’s going on with you?”  is a Christian. One of the reasons we Christians are here is so that we can support each other.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this; just keep on doing it.

I am really really really really really really reallyguilty of lying to people and saying “I’m Fine. I promise! It’s nothing…no big deal!” and then changing the subject. Lol Why? Because personally, I HATE to bother people. I hate having someone worry about me or concerning themselves with me because as far as I know, my “problems” are nothing compared to theirs. The bad thing about that is that I’ll keep everything bottled up until I just explode. Believe me, I have definitely had numerous breakdowns where I cry, scream, get just generally upset, or have an actual panic attack.  Usually I just cry, which is stupid because people are trying to get me to tell them what’s wrong but I just flat out won’t tell them half of the time.

Anyway, my final point on the subject is that people have problems. I have problems, you have problems, we all have problems. But, as a Christian, we don’t have to face the problems alone. We have God on our side first of all. “And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us? And if Our God is with us, then what could stand against” (Chris Tomlin’s Our God) As I said before, he’s big enough to handle our problems and we don’t have to hide them from Him.

But just as importantly we have each other. I’ll support you when you need me, and you’ll support me when I need you. We don’t have to hide from each other either. We can help each other! =) I hope I can remember to tell myself that the next time I need to.

I’m pretty sure that’s all I have to say about the matter currently. Lol

Just another piece of something I’ve learned. <3

Little Miss Graceful...

So we had a surprise party for our yearbook editor today in 5th period. It was awesome. I was getting Toquitos out of the freezer in the lounge so I didn't get to see him when he first walked in, but he said he was really surprised. =) Anyway, I went to get my jacket out of my backpack and I slipped on a piece of ice. Oops. I won't lie, it didn't feel that great. I definitely have a bruise on my knee. Lol At least it made the day entertaining right?
This is a little piece of the clumsy side of me....you'll hear ALOT about it I'm sure. =)

Who am I to think that God can't handle it?

One of my favorite videos...         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v99khOnLeQ

So I'm new at this whole blogging thing and am still trying to figure out how to post certain things. In this case, I'm trying to figure out how to post videos from the internet. Lol I can post links, but I'm still trying to figure out whether or not I can post videos directly form YouTube...

Anyway, the point to this post is that this song has been on my mind a lot lately. The opening lyrics to the song "Any Other Way" by Tenth Avenue North is one of my favorites off their new CD. Part of the chorus…

 

Well I want to know who you are
Even if you’re falling apart
I reach in and touch your scars
And all the shame you’ve kept in your heart

‘Cause it’s not enough, it’s not enough
Just to say that “we’re okay”
I need your hurt and I need your pain
It’s not love any other way

There was a quote underneath the video I posted on YouTube. This person took the words right out of my mouth!!!

"...It's weird how well meant phrases that Christians will use like "it's OK to bring your pain to God" can actually twist our understanding of our relationship to God. We try to hide our pain and frustration with God, but shouldn't we bring that out in the open to him? It's not like he doesn't know it already, but our relationship with him will deteriorate if we don't come to him about our weaknesses and every silly or serious flaw..."

This is so true! We really do try to hide our pain and frustration from God. Why??? He already knows! Personally, I think it's because we're afraid. We're afraid that God won't give us the answer we want; we're afraid we won't get an answer at all; we're afraid of the unknown.

Everyone deals with doubt. Everyone has their own set of problems. NO ONE has it all together.

So why do we try to run away from our problems? Why do we try to pretend they don't exist? Or better yet, why do we try to fix the problem ourselves? Why don't we ask other people to help us out? Wait...Why don't we ask GOD?

I am very guilty of trying to do it all myself. My thought process sometimes will be "God has too much to handle without me adding to it." Ummm...hello me. WHAT AM I THINKING???

Look: Isaiah 40:12 (The Message)

Who has scooped up the ocean
in his two hands,
or measured the sky between his thumb and little finger,
Who has put all the earth’s dirt in one of his baskets,
weighed each mountain and hill?

He's big enough to measure the oceans with his HANDS. Think about that....how much water can you scoop up with your hands? Now picture how big the ocean is....whoa!

The point is: Even though we might forget it…a lot…God is perfectly capable of handling everything. Absolutely everything.

That’s just a little piece of something I’ve learned recently… <3

Quote of the day:

“Salt Water is the greatest component of our world, yet some people have never seen an ocean. That doesn’t change the ocean. It is constant and powerful, and like the love of God, whether we are immersed in it, standing on the shore, or a thousand miles away, it remains.” –Amy Grant (From her book Mosaic)

Hello World! =)

A few bits and pieces of me…

So this is my first official blog post! I am so excited! I have always loved to read other people’s blogs, so I hope mine is just as interesting. =)

I’m Melissa! I have the most amazing family in the world, and the best friends anyone could ever ask for! I’m a child of God and so incredibly blessed!!! I LOVE my church!!! The people there are more than just good friends and people I can say hello to once a week, they’re family. I don’t know who I would be without them!!!

I started to get really involved with my church group during the end of my 7^th grade year I think. My uncle had told me about a middle school bible study that a friend of his was doing on Sunday nights. Before I knew it, I was attending Sunday school and Wednesday night things, hanging out with people from church on the weekends, and finding myself growing closer and closer to God. =) One of the best memories I have from my youth group so far, is the Destin Trip!  It changed my life! We went the summer between my 8^th and 9^th grade year. It was so much fun! I remember pretty much everything we did! The beach, Big Kahunas, going to the Bay (where Grant and Matt wrecked the jet-skis. Lol) eating at Pompano Joe’s (I ate a crab cake sandwich which was de-lish!) and just hanging out! All of those things were absolutely awesome, but the thing that I remember the MOST was the bible studies we did every night while we were there. I still have the book we used that week in my closet. Lol! Anyway, during the trip I really turned my attention back to God. I still can somewhat remember what my youth minister told me when I asked him, “How can I know God? Not know about him?” He told me that “…God has been with me the whole time. I may have been ignoring Him, but He was still there. Now he’s just saying ‘Melissa, you can follow me now…’” I suddenly realized that THAT is what I really felt like I needed to do. Follow God. Not just know about him. Follow him and love him with everything I have. So in July of 2009, alone in the quiet bedroom in our condo, I re-dedicated myself to Christ. <3

I’m not going to lie; I’ve had a few ups and downs.  There have been people in my life who have made me stray from my relationship with God. It’s not always easy to follow God “…with everything I have…” It’s extremely easy to just get caught up in myself. That’s why I am incredibly grateful for God’s mercy! I know that even though I have strayed away from God before, He still loves me.  No one on earth right now is perfect. Thank goodness! If we were, we wouldn’t need a savior. Where would we be without the Love of Christ?

I’ve said it once already, but now I’ll say it again: I have learned a lot in the last two years or so. I want to share it! That’s kind of why I started this blog I guess:  to tell you about a few bits and pieces of my life, to share some of the amazing things I’ve learned, to share the things I’m learning, and to share the things that will happen in the future!

Quote of the day:  “See these giant bunny shaped marshmallows? We could mix them in with cheerios, pour some milk on top and have Lucky Charms on steroids.” –My dad

“I have my life before me.  I will give others the joy I have and God will give me more joy.  I will do everything God tells me to do.  I will follow the footsteps of God.  I will do my best!!!”           

-Brooke Bronkowski