Well summer is officially here!!  We've celebrated our little Alex's preschool graduation and 5th birthday, Courtney's passing of EOGs and 7th grade, and Dean and I have also had our 2nd anniversary - all within the last month! 

But more importantly in the last month, God has renewed something in us as a couple and a team.  I know I'm excited about where it's going.  Bible studies/discussions between a husband and wife sound like a harmless and fruitful thing, but from this Baptist-raised, strong-willed, mom's-only-child, super defensive, scared-of-being-wrong "Princess" who has had a problem with past relationships....having a Bible study with my Pentecostal-raised husband (with baggage of his own) was not always an easy feat.  I've been known to fight to the death for my viewpoint on stuff.....

As I've grown over the past two years in my relationship with the Lord and walk with His Spirit - I've come to learn a few things.....Imagine that :)  I think Dean would agree that so has he.  We both have strengths that the other one can benefit from.  And our renewed studies and discussions together are turning out to be the highlights of my evening!

God is definitely working on us and I know that I'm excited to see where He'll decide to use and place us in the future.

We have started going out every other Saturday night with Pastor Terry and his lovely new bridge, Angie, of Bull City Outreach Ministries.  It's been way too long since we've done regular street ministry with them, and this was just what we needed to light our fire!  Dean has been able to talk to and pray with a friend that he met a few years ago at an outreach.  The man is currently separated from his wife and they are having problems....so we are hoping that Dean will be able to come alongside him and pray for him more and encourage him to do the right thing.  (Both the man and his wife are profession Christians.)  I love being able to talk to the kids that we meet in the Durham neighborhoods - just telling them about Jesus and encouraging the ones that already seem to have some sort of Christian base.  If you would like to join us one Saturday evening - please give us a call or shoot us an email!  We'd love to have you!

As far as our mobile vacation Bible school goes - it's still on!  We're still ready to go....we've just had a setback.  Dean's brother, who has been paralyzed from the waist down since his 20s, has been in the hospital for 3 weeks now.  He was on a ventilator for over 2 weeks but has since come off and is doing better.  This set us back a bit because Dean's mom, Marcia, who is a vital role in our VBS, has had to spend most of her time at the hospital.  But we have rescheduled our first mobile VBS for July 7th and 8th.  We could use your help just doing normal VBS stuff - crafts, snacks, supervising kids, and talking about Jesus to anyone that will listen.  So if you'd like to help, let us know!

We have had a couple of recent requests from people contacting our ministry.....a window A/C unit (reposting this from Bull City Outreach), boys clothes (used are ok!), shoes for a younger boy, and undergarments for 2 boys and a girl.  I have more details on sizes if you'd like to help.

Loving Radically Through Christ,

Melissa

Believing God

I've been reading quite a few books lately....The Hunger Games series, Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst, the Book of Romans in the Message translation, and Believing God by Beth Moore.  (And yes I already have 2 Joyce Meyer books lined up for when I'm done.)

I just felt like God wanted me to share something with you that Beth Moore has been sharing with me.  I adapted it just a little but it's still the same message.

I.  God is who He says He is.
II.  God can do what He says He can do.
III.  I am who God says I am.
IV.  I can do all things through Christ.
V.  God's Spirit is alive and active in me.

I have posted this on various mirrors throughout my house and on my refrigerator.

Why?

Because they are Truths that I need to remember.  When I'm having a "moment" I can boldly call out these Truths.  Yes, in an audible, and sometimes annoyingly loud voice.

Freedom from my past and my flesh will only come through salvation in Christ and walking daily in His Spirit.  And these Truths have been recently helping me to deal with some tough moments and issues.

I hope you can enjoy them and begin to use them also!

Loving Radically Through Christ,

Melissa