#37 the BEST Birthday....Yet!

Getting older is something that I honestly have LOVED.

I feel:

Wiser
Closer to the Lord
Closer with Jay
My marriage is better
More confidence in Motherhood
Family time is sweeter
Friendships are dearer

Cherry planed the best friend party for me! Since my love language is quality time I loved hanging out with some local girl friends. We ate at Market Place Grill, Callie, made my favorite -Strawberry Shortcake plus, I got a free Chocolate Mess! The food, friends, dessert and conversation was perfect but what meant the most was the creative way they shared what I mean to them.

In the center of the table were all different colors of daisies. Since I LOVE flowers this was very beautiful to me. Tucked into each pot was a tissue paper flower. Cherry opened up one and read:

“The language of flowers, sometimes called floriography, was a Victorian-era means of communication in which various flowers and floral arrangements were used to send coded messages, allowing individuals to express feelings which otherwise could not be spoken. I am not always best with words, so I thought I’d let the flowers speak for themselves.

The flower symbolism associated with the daisy is purity, innocence, loyal love, patience and simplicity…all of which are descriptions of you, Melissa! Today we celebrate you and praise God for bringing you onto this earth. You have made an impact in our lives and I believe we all count you not only a friend but a sister.

Romans 12:9-13 ‘Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil, cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Hone one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.’

I have seen all of this displayed in you at one time or another. We praise God for you and have learned so much from you!

With Love Always,

Cherry M.”

The next morning I opened the rest of the tissue paper flowers and read the following with tears in my eyes:

Back Row: Amy Gaddy, Molly Kiltworth, Cherry Martinez, Marla Rusack, Heather Richards, Callie Granderson
Front Row: Ruth Epstein & ME! Angela Story not pictured but there in spirit!

“Oh, gosh, it is hard to sum up Melissa and what she means to me in one short paragraph. I started to make a list of all of her shining attributes, but there were so many it looked like I just copy and pasted a list of positive character traits. HA! First thoughts, Melissa is a really good friend. Not only to me but to almost anyone she encounters! There is not telling how many women that would consider Melissa to be in their “T-5” (top five) friends. She is an excellent friend. She truly, truly cares about people. One of the qualities that make her such a good friend is that she is a ridiculously good- listener. Not only that, but she also gives wise and practical advice and she is patient when you first don’t take her advice.;) haha! She is gifted in counseling other. People feel comfortable sharing with her because she is trustworthy and honest. She has been a mentor and role-model to dozens of you girls, women and new moms. J  She is so selfless and generous with her time and talents. What an impact she has! Not to mention she is an awesome wife and mother. She sets and example for both a Christ-centered marriage and Christ-centered parenting. She is a very genuine, authentic, woman of God. Melissa could also write a book or teach a class on arts and crafts/home-Ec. She is so resourceful! I have learned and adapted many of her house-hold/home-keeping/domestic tricks. I sometimes refer to her as my “Martha Stewart.” (Martha before she was incarcerated). I laughed out loud here! Melissa and I have gotten to share some fun memories, the most special being the birth of Jack Mitchell. J

Callie Granderson”

“Here is my story:

Fall 2008: Noah is telling me I have to take him to this Pumpkin Caring Party for his fried, JT. And I’m supposed to bring soup! We get on the road and I ‘m not believing how far I ‘m driving! I’m driving up the mountain and get the end of the road and I’m still driving!!! But that night was special, combing family and friends, soup, pumpkin carving, games and the giant fire! The view was breath-taking from your front porch! And I loved talking with you, Melissa! I love you and our friendship. Anytime we get together, I love hearing what God is doing in your life, your marriage and your family! You share what God is teaching you! Thank you! You are generous, kind, wise and beautiful! Thank you for being you! I treasure more time with you in the future!!!

Love, Ruth”

“When I think of you, Melissa, I see you smiling. Your sweetness and sense of humor are two things that drew me to you when we met. It is obvious that you the Lord and are yielding to him. You are committed to your husband and kids. I hear you speak with kindness and grace. And you are full of wisdom. Steady and level-headed come to mind as well. I’m glad you have a little “crazy” streak- another thing that drew me to you! J I am privileged to know you, just this short time, and look forward to more years of friendship!

Happy Birthday! Love You!
Marla Rusack”

“Dear Melissa,

I can still remember the first time I met you. We were about to move into Woodway and were spending some time there with the Gaddy’s. Michael and Amy wanted to drop by and say hello to the Gresham’s. “They’re a bit older than us, say upper 30’s but they’re so cool!” Michael informed us. He was right. You are so cool, Melissa. But, you’re so much more than that. I remember you being so warm and welcoming, even to strangers. I think you already had dinner guests over, but welcomed us on in. I love your “the more the merrier” mentality. In a room full of multiple conversations, I ended up sitting right next you and we had our own. You told me your story and how God led your family to Woodway. Then you told me something I’ll never forget. It has encouraged me and inspired me ever since. “Don’t feel the need to have that American ‘cookie-cutter’ life. Don’t by a house, settle down, and plant your roots UNLESS GOD tells you to. And if he doesn’t, then don’t. And that is ok.” J Such simple words, yet so bold and powerful. When I think of you I see an elephant. It stands for power and wisdom. I love these things about you because they come straight from the Lord. You accept the gifts with such grace and poise. From the obedient way you homeschool your kids, to the love way you raise them-from the organized way your run your household, to the hospitable way you open it- I am inspired. From Bighouse, to New Heights, to Africa- God is using you in beautiful way. When Ryan and I think about our family one day…we think about The Gresham’s. J We see and love so many things about your family that we desire for our one day too. Though we don’t get to spend as much time together as I wish, your life has been a light to mine. Thank you for being a wonderful neighbor, friend and sister in Christ.

Oh! And P.S. Did I forget to mention how TOTALLY excited I am for what God is doing with your family in Africa?!?! Ryan and I are in love with Africa and its people. So cool to see you guys faithfully following that dream.

Happy Birthday Melissa!

Sincerely,
Molly Elizabeth Klintworth”

“Melissa

What a blessing you have been in my life over the past few years! You have such wisdom in many areas of life from childbirth and raising kids to cooking tips! Michael and I appreciate the example you and Jay have set by choosing to live differently and with purpose. Thanks for serving me so much through offering advice and wisdom. I hope you have a great birthday this year and feel loved!

Amy”

“Melissa,

You’ve made and incredible impact on my life. Watching you from “afar”-living out being a wife, a mother, a daughter of the Most High.

I’ve learned from you that it’s always best to:

Seek God’s wisdom above all else
Think like a man (I laughed out loud here, I am glad it is working!)
Find humor even in the difficult things in life

The reassuring feel of your hand on the nape of my neck as I labored with the birth of my first born taught me: A silent, humble, prayerful spirit of a servant is incredibly powerful
Peace
Surrender to God’s precious gifts admits trials
I’ve learned so much from you.
Your spirit Glows.
Your laughter is contagious.

Thank you for imparting yourself to me: your wisdom, your friendship, your “sisterhood” in Christ.

You are much to celebrate!

Love,
Heather”

“Melissa-

The dictionary defines the word friend as someone who values someone else and the bible says that friends love at all times. You are a perfect picture of friendship. Thank you for always being so willing to love on us throughout good times and bad. Thank you for showing other what unconditional love is and what listening without judgment looks like. Thank you that you have always been a shoulder for me to cry on and the friend I can’t wait to tell my greatest joys to. Thank you for loving my boys as if they were members of your family and for teaching them with kindness and affection. Thank you for your encouragement to ALWAYS be looking to God for answers and NOT to the world. Thank you for loving Jesus so fervently. Thank you for being so generous and hospitable. Thank you for sharing life with me! My family values and appreciates you more than you know. I love you and am very thankful that the Lord gave me a friend in you. I look forward to many more years of friendship with you. There is no greater love than this.

Love you,

Angela and the Story brood J”

I was overwhelmed reading all of these letters. I thought, “I am not this person…I am selfish, greedy, irritable & weak!” Then God spoke over me: “Yes, you are, but when you live in me when you let me fill you up and use you I am able to work through you so that you can be what your friends see. There is nothing good in you, Melissa, but me!” Wow! This is so incredibly true. I am so humbled that Jesus calls me friend. That He wants to use me to show His love. On this 37^th birthday I feel so loved!

“Thank you Jesus for giving me life! Thank you for allowing me to grow up with Christian parents who taught me about you. Thank you for all of the mentors you have place in my life at the right moments so that I could be challenged to grow deeper in love with you. Thank you for a loving husband and for the amazing children you have given me, even the two that I wasn’t allowed to raise. They have taught me so much about trust, timing, and the hope of heaven.  Thank you for always blessing with sweet friends at every stage in my life. Thank you for loving me through the really hard times, for being patient with me when I didn’t trust you, or believe that my broken heart was for my own good. Lord, show me this year all the places in my heart I haven‘t not given to you. Fill them up so that I can, in return, show your love to those you put in my path.”

Happy Birthday to Me!