It's about time!

Okay so I know this looks bad. I grew up a preachers kid, went to a Christian College and have attended church 99% of Sundays my entire life. Granted none of those things gives me a free pass into heaven just so we're clear. In my 27 years on this planet I have read A LOT of books. I love to read and to my embarrassment, the Bible is not one I can claim to have read cover to cover. I started this year on a journey to read the Bible in 90 days and I felt really blessed and loved that my awesome Pastor decided to encourage me on my journey by being a reading buddy. Of course I knew my perfectionist "do it or lose it" personality would come into play sooner or later and well it's been 90 days and I'm just starting the New Testament. I have to say I'm proud and mad at myself at the same time. I'm proud that I haven't given up completely and yet frustrated that I could not force myself to keep up with the schedule. But here's the deal, I'm not giving up and I'm going to read the New Testament and if I stick with the schedule I should finish in 21 days. 3 weeks, I can do it and I want to do it. This reading is stirring my soul in ways that haven't been stirred in a while. God is trying to get to me and I fear that if I don't pay attention this time, it might be the last that he tries to reach me on a deeper level. I have to admit that many times I feel like a surface Christian, I love God, I feel so stinkin' blessed that he decided to plop me in this world where he did and I know that if I died today I would go to heaven but I'm definitely feeling like it's not enough. I feel like I'm letting my dad down in a big way that he wants to see me do something great and make him proud and I'm working at a gas station. Sorry bad analogy but it's what came to mind. So today is day one of a three week journey. I'm reading Matthew 1-16 today and I will be posting each day to keep me accountable. If you want to join me in my reading or if you just want your own guide for reading the Bible in 90 days go to http://90daybible.haventoday.org

Can I go to hell for blog envy?

Hello World! Just wanted to let you know that I'm still alive and although I am HORRIBLE at keeping up with my own blog, I love looking at everyone else's when I get a chance. For family out there, I do peek in on each and every one of you when I get a chance and that goes for friends as well that I know have a blog. So if you are out there and I don't know about your blog, fill me in. Also, here are a few blogs that my sister Harmony has filled me in on and I'm totally hooked. Thanks for enlightening me Harmony. It's getting hard for me to type because I'm usually not this nice to Harmony and I don't like her telling me about cool things I like it the other way around but what the heck, their just too good!

http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/ (just won for best webblog at the Bloggie awards)

http://www.soulemama.com/ (super human mom)

http://www.mypapercrane.com/ (lives in the next town and nice to know cool people aren't far away)

Just 15 more days

I had a crazy day at work and it was because of some of my bad habits which I forgot to list on that little quiz. Better late than never (of course procrastination is one of my bad habits.)

1. Unorganized
2. Bad at communicating details
3. Procrastinator
4. High highs and Low Lows
5. Being to hard on myself and then getting in more of a funk

this is a bummer post, just pray for me to get through the next two days, I have two concerts one Thursday and another Friday. I have the weekend to recoup and then I do it all again next week.

oh by the way, i didn't realize my email wasn't showing in my profile so if you want to know my email, it's melodynwilson@yahoo.com

Getting to Know you

It's so cheesy but that song from "The King and I" is running through my head. So sorry it's been a while since I blogged, life is moving too fast. I'm moving (not very far to a cottage behind my parents main house) and I have spring concerts happening (6 to be exact) and it's just not letting up for a while yet. I should be a little calmer around June 4th last day of school (yeah!!). I thought it was really cool to find out things about my cousins through this little quiz and I wasn't really invited to join but I'm going to bust my way out into the fun anyway.

10 Years ago I was:
in 11th grade dating a college guy and thinking I was too cool for school

5 years ago I was:
In college at Evangel University in Springfield, MO having the time of my life. (but believe me I'm paying for it now, literally)

1 year ago I was:
About to finish my first year of teaching elementary music and praying to God every day that I would make it just a few more weeks to the end of school. (I was way too nice to kids then)

5 things on my to do list today:
1. teach piano lessons after school
2. clean up at the old house
3. move some more into my new place
4. Hang out with the cutest little baby in the world (Symphony and Joy are visiting)
5. Get ready for spring concerts by cutting out cardboard cookies, making a pretend pet shop for the stage and finding frog decorations (different concerts, different schools - otherwise would look very silly together)

5 snacks I enjoy:
1. pickles
2. chipotle chips and and salsa
3. Hershey's chocolate (kisses, bar, reeses, etc.)
4. starbucks frap (java chip no whip :)
5. breyer's vanilla ice cream (walnuts and hershey's syrup)

If I were a billionaire:
1. Tithe 10%
2. I would pay off my debts and my immediate family's
3. Buy a farmette (MD) and a beach house on a secluded part of the Gulf
4. Go off the grid by providing all my own energy and food needs
5. Invest my money and enjoy a philanthropic lifestyle

5 places I've lived:
1. Lakeland, FL
2. Quantico, VA
3. Jacksonville, FL
4. Hagerstown, MD
5. Springfield, MO

5 Jobs I've had:
1. Mail Processor
2. Nanny (twice)
3. Intern at Springfield Regional Arts Council
4. Assistant to the Director of Authentic Community Theatre
5. Elementary Music Teacher Band/General

5 people I would like to know better:
1. Elizabeth
2. Ashleigh
3. April
4. Emily
5. Joel

That's all folks.

The Perfect Weekend

Hope everyone had a fun and relaxing weekend, I couldn't have asked for a better one. I'll give you a play by play:

Friday right after school: went to help my new roommate back up some stuff (Harmony, Christina and I will be moving into a cottage behind my parents house the first of May)

Dinner at Chipotle

Watched "There Will Be Blood" enjoyed it but didn't like that way Christians were potrayed in this Academy Award winning movie. Daniel Day-Lewis is a great actor though.

Saturday - got my wheel barrel fixed, worked in the yard, cleaned up the back porch, went kayaking in the creek by my house, made a bonfire and had smores, ate good meals with friends and family breakfast, lunch and dinner

Sunday - church, went out to lunch with family, went to the library, took a nap, my cousin Lauryn, her husband Shane and little Riley came over for dinner, played badminton, read some of my library books

I'm okay with it ending though, If all days were this good I would not appreciate them as much. I would put up pictures but I still suck at getting them uploaded, it takes me forever.

This weekend was all about Friends and Family. I love sharing life with them. This is an open invitation for any friends or family to come out to our house. We've lived here a year and half and we are still discovering the joys of our outdoor space. We have kayaks and a boat, basketball and volleyball court and a city park for grilling in our front yard and fishing off the stone bridge is very fun as well.

Have a great week everybody!

Melody

A Cartoon Just for Me!

When I was little there was a character like "Hello Kitty" Called "My Melody" and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. Apparently this character is still popular in Japan, she's changed some, she used to be just a cute bunny but now she's more manga-ish. Anway, I found her on youtube and it's kind of interesting. I like the way they say "My Melody". I've never posted a video, I hope this works. Actually, it didn't........but here is the link anyway, if you know how to do it, maybe someone could fill me in. Thanks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ce-SK5YraHc

Who knew?

What a time of discovery I've had the past few weeks. I think it all started with the Crown Financial class I took a few months ago about being a good steward of everything God has entrusted me with and I've just ran with that concept. I'm trying to be a good steward of my time, money, food, possessions, relationships, it just encompasses anything that touches my life. It's really exciting to look at the world from this new perspective. I've made quite a few changes already and I have many more to go, it's been a lot of research, but I think I'm getting the hang of it. Here's a list of what I've done so far:

1. Started recycling - reduce, reuse, recycle
2. Eating more locally - joined a CSA and buy other things like eggs and meat local as well
3. Spending more time with my Family
4. Started composting
5. Reading through the Bible in 90 days... well maybe a little longer :)
6. Buy used instead of new when at all possible
7. Hanging clothes on the line instead of the dryer

It's been challenging to find new ways to do things, but also rewarding. I feel like I'm connecting the dots when I do things with thought behind them. In our "I want it now" way of life it has a way of passing you buy without realizing it and it has been refreshing to get the root and/or natural way of doing things. Anway, I'm blabbering, of course I always try to do everything I've mentioned (but I'm not perfect by any means). I realize that this will have to be a gradually lifestyle change but I will definitely enjoy learning a little bit more each day.

Here are some pics my sister took today including one of my fabulous new galoshes! (yes new, I had a moment of weakness)