This is my opportunity to tell you all about me. Who I am. What I love. Why the World Race? So, why am I staring at this paper wondering what I am going to say? (I pre-write everything on paper before typing it up. Weird, I know, but that’s me!) Maybe looking at it question by question will help me not be so overwhelmed. So let’s start.
Who am I?
I am Melissa. Former atheist turned Jesus freak! The youngest daughter of Tom and Deanna. Sister to Amanda and Katrina. I am 30 years old. For the past 10 years of my life I have worked as a cake decorator. (Like Cake Boss without all the pyrotechnics.) I was born in Okinawa, Japan. My father was in the airforce and was stationed there for eight years. I guess I should blame them for my heart for traveling. We moved back to the states when I was four, and I’ve pretty much stayed near Amarillo ever since. I am a member of Family Life Fellowship. This church is my family.
What do I love?
I love the people in my life. I am blessed to be a part of a huge community of believers who mentor and encourage me daily. I love my church. I’m able to help out with our youth group, leading a group of amazing eighth grade girls that have stolen my heart. If you had told me years ago that I would care so much about the lives of these girls, I’m not sure I would have believed it. I love my family. I have the most supportive and proud parents anyone could ask for. I love testimonies. Hearing how God has worked in the lives of others is absolutely amazing to me. I love to travel. When I was 20, I took my first trip outside of Texas and now I can’t seem to stop. I love the outdoors. Be it fishing, hiking, playing sports, or anything else, if its active and outside I’m excited about it. I love art. I’m an avid Bible journaler. If you don’t know what Bible journaling is, basically I color in my bible. I take what I read and learn, turn it into a picture, and draw it onto the pages of my Bible as a way to remember what I got out of that certain passage. Here are a couple of pictures of what I mean.
And most importantly, I love Jesus. Which brings me to my final question. Why the World Race?
Because God told me to. Years ago someone told me if I took the words of John 2:5 to heart, God would take me places I never dreamed of. John 2:5 is Jesus’ first miracle, though that particular verse is the voice of Mary speaking to the servants. John 2:5 ESV His mother said to the servants,” Do whatever he tells you.” Simple but effective. A long time ago, God told me that this is what He had in store for me. Look at the date on the last picture and you can see how long my heart has known. Even now, I’m not sure I believe its actually happening. Its always been a part of God’s plan for me. I’m just now realizing it. God asked me to trust Him and surrender my life to Him. He told me to trust that His plan for me is this crazy 11 month journey. I will do what He tells me to. I will follow!
So what can you do to join me in this whirlwind? Pray! Lift me up to the one who is in control of all of this. Pray for my heart as I’m preparing to take a huge leap of faith in following this call on my life. Also, you can subscribe and share this blog. I will be updating and posting new blogs throughout this entire process. Share this with as many people as possible. I could use all the support I can get. Finally, if you feel led, please donate. If you have any questions about anything leave me a message and how to contact you and I will.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I will be posting again soon!
