This is Me...Issuing a Challenge...

Hey friends!
I wanted to take a second before this Memorial Day weekend to issue a challenge. Right now, some of the most amazing girls EVER are riding their bikes from Austin to Dallas, supporting the organization To Write Love on Her Arms. (If you haven't heard of it, go NOW and check it out!) But that's not all, they're stopping at soup kitchens and shelters along the way to serve...like I said, AMAZING. And one of the coolest things about this story is that some of these girls aren't harcore cyclists, but they are wanting to serve. So they're taking a risk. Taking a chance. And THAT, my friends is inspiring to me.

My friends at Venture Expeditions have also been a part of challenging folks in this area.

*Would you get out of the comfort zone that's oh, so comfortable and use your talents, gifts, time, and opportunities to benefit others?*

It's really easy to say and promote, but it's definitely a difficult thing to live out.

But the challenge has been issued.

Maybe it's cycling like these gals, maybe it's running, maybe it's playing an instrument...maybe it's something else. YOUR something else.

"Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, lean not on YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING."

Yeah, maybe the challenge has been laid out already, but maybe you are needing this reminder like I am.

Run Free Act Normal Story from Ryan Leak on Vimeo.

If You Say Go, If You Say Wait...

Hey everyone!
It's been a while since I've done some blogging...so, (as you're probably assuming at this point), here's a new one!! :)

The past few weeks (about a month or so), I've been at that point in life where I'm ready to be where I'm supposed to be..where God wants me to be for an extended period of time. I haven't been secretive with anyone (including my manager) with the fact that I really don't want to be in the banking business forever. I think it's exactly where some people are supposed to be (and I LOVE the things I've learned and people I've met while here), I just don't think I'm one of those people. Some folks are AMAZING at being driven by numbers and dollars, and no offense to them at all, but I'm just not wired that way. My heart is completely for the people that I am able to interact with...their stories, families, pasts, desires for the future...that is what has kept me here as long as it has I think.

But let's be honest, God's timing is a whole lot better than mine. Right now, when all I want is to be doing whatever that next thing is, I have to keep reminding myself that I am exactly where I am supposed to be right now. I've been reading alot on the topic lately, and I know that right now is when God is teaching me character and patience...both of which are tough pills to swallow when you're as hard-headed as I am. :)

This week, I have been listening to alot of worshippy (is that even a real word?) music on my Pandora station. And a couple days ago, I heard a song that was EXACTLY what I was needing to hear (And I REALLY love when that happens!) The song is If You Say Go by Rita Springer..and here are the lyrics:

If You say go, we will go

If You say wait, we will wait

If You say step out on the water

And they say it can't be done

We'll fix our eyes on You and we will come

Your ways are higher than our ways

And the plans that You have laid

Are good and true

If You call us to the fire

You will not withdraw Your hand

We'll gaze into the flames and look for You

Maybe I just needed to hear those words, but maybe you do too. Have any of you fabulous readers been at this point before? What advice would you give others going through it? Feedback and comments would be fantabulous!

Thank you, as always, for reading!

-Mel