Hi!  I’m Melissa Williams.  I’m married to fun loving David and we have three lovely daughters.  David is a part of the USA military, so we move, make friends, and see new places often.  When David proposed, he asked for 20 – 30 kids.  Being the generous person I am, I offered 10 natural births and then adoption.  God has said three is it for us for now, so we soak up these precious ladies as much as we can – our time with them is so short!  They are already half way to 20, 16, and 12!!!

I’m privileged to teach them at home, which is also very convenient for the military lifestyle.  This means school goes year round and summer/spring/winter “breaks” happen anytime there’s a move or an extended family event.  Yay for family!  Big families are a special kind of blessing and lucky for this game loving girl, my cousin-in-laws ROCK out the games!!!  Thankfully, now that several of us are in our thirties, we are allowed to go to bed before 3 am without scorn ;)

Aside from hanging with our families, we like to hang with our Jesus family everywhere we move.  Church friends make up a large part of our community life.  We love to host all sorts of fun in our home!  Game nights, Soup Sundays, the neighborhood kids, small groups, girls night, and dear friends for dinner!  Company has a special place in our hearts.

I’ve been chronically sick since I was fifteen, so that impacts our life quite a bit.  It’s been a long journey of food, frustration, and lessons in frailty.  For a girl who sees weakness as failure, how odd that God would bless me with a disease that consists of random weaknesses.  Hilarious, really.  I mean, it's quite merciful even though I've been frustrated by it most of my 20 some years of this.  Merciful, because I get to learn…something.  I’m not sure I’ve learned it yet.  But I’m thinking the learning has to do with grace.  His grace.  And true strength.  His strength.  And tender love.  His tender love for me.  The love of a pure and holy Abba.  That’s the good kind of love; the kind I need and desire.  “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails.”  I Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV)

Smidgens of me:

I’ve been mesmerized with the colour orange ever since I copied Georgia O’Keeffe’s Red Poppy in high school.

I love chocolate and bourbon, most particularly together.  Chocolate and port are also divine.  Especially this amazing torte recipe I discovered after visiting New Zealand!  Where has torte been my whole life?!!

I’m an introvert who needs my quiet time to recharge and get a grip.  But, for vacations:  immerse me in a big city (preferably New York) and let me soak up the touristy sights and sounds (and chocolate and pastry shops) all around!!!  Thank you, Levain Bakery, La Maison du chocolat, Jacques Torres Chocolate, Amy's Bread, and Carnegie Deli for such delicious memories!

 

Blue jeans (snug), white lace/eyelet blouse with cowgirl boots and hat – and big earrings – are my idyllic outfit!  I have no idea why, but I think it has something to do with the fact that I grew up in Texas.  I have yet to own this outfit, but I do have a brown, sequin cowgirl hat because it makes me smile! 

Speaking of Texas, I love football!  Best gift ever was the NFL cable package so I could watch the Super Bowl J  My kids came crashing down the stairs, “Mom!  Why are you yelling at the TV???”  Texas.  Football.  Yeah!!!  Mostly this love comes from great memories of lying around on the floor eating snack food (thankfully Mom took Sabbath seriously) and watching Sunday football with my family!  #Blessed

I miss my extended family!  The distance stings the most when special moments in their lives happen and I’m so far away instead of in the room celebrating with them!  But I still get to pray for them and love them from afar.  And usually, we visit.  Lots.J  I’m very, very, very thankful for that!!!!!!!

I like talking about the why’s and how’s of life, especially as it relates to our spiritual life.  And I love collecting and connecting good friends, books, recipes, and advice.  That’s how this blog came about.

And since this whole idea of “putting myself out there” made me run for the proverbial trash can, I think I’m done!