I have a new picture....that's what it looks like when I laugh and try and make a serious face at the same time :) weeeeiiird!!!! I think it's a picture that actually looks like me for once though so it's staying foreverrrrrr!!!!
So, a lot can happen in three weeks, eh?
Updates;
2 years ago I began running in circles around the inside of circular pen; a pen with walls built from my own doubt and disbelief. Everyday I ran around and around that pen, just staring at the beaten path in front of me...never looking up. I was determined that this path, my path, was the only path worth traveling and would surely lead to an exit if only I followed it long enough. After a couple years, I changed tactics. I was so so tired of running and, as I staggered from the path and collapsed in the center of the pen sobbing and gasping for breath, I cried out to God, "This isn't working!!! This stupid path doesn't even go anywhere!!!" As I sat there staring at the ground, my breath steadied and, so softly as to be almost inaudible the words "Lord, show me the way....I want to know...I need to know the way....." escaped my lips. I had asked for help before as I ran along the path, but this time was different because this time I stopped and took the time to listen....after a while, I heard a soft reply, "Look up." My lip trembled with shock and relief at the voice of my Lord and as I obeyed, I saw Him standing next to an open gate that led off into the meadow. "I've been here all along.", He said. "All you needed was a change in perspective." I had spent two years of my life running in circles when, all the while, my God had been standing at the gate to the pen; the gate I had never noticed because I was too busy staring at my own two feet to look around and see. I climbed to my feet and stumbled out the gate. I stared into the face of my Lord as He took my hand. And as He began to lead me along the new path, He said "I am the way."
Intense eh? haha I love writing metaphors and that is the metaphor for the last two years of my life. Less than 24 hours after I hit rock bottom three weeks ago, the Father showed me what should have been obvious all along; He is the answer to the question, He always has been The Way, The Truth and The Life and all it took for me to fully realize that these are more than just words but TRUTH was a change in perspective. :)
If you want to know the full story of me coming to find the Truth, read my May 27 blog entry on Myspace. :)
Endings;
I know people say it and rarely mean it when I say it because I really have no reason to continue; This is my last and final Xanga entry ever. I'm not giving up on blogging all together, but I do prefer the Myspace layout to Xanga and it seems pointless to continue in both places when only one is neccessary. I'll be continuing to update on Myspace Blogs for as long as I care to, you don't have to be a member to read, so visit often. :)
http://blog.myspace.com/sparklepirate
and, always, New Beginnings;
In addition to all of my questions being answered, my Purpose has been made evident in that I have been called back to my original career plan which is studying at a Lutheran university to be a DCE (Director of Christian Education) beginning in the fall of 2007.
For the summer, I've just begun working at both American Eagle and nrh2o. We'll see how I like AE....I'm going to have a blast at nrh2o though!!!
Life isn't perfect right now, but things are definitely looking up. I'm finally ready to follow Him with my whole heart, mind, body and soul...for the first time. :)
PS: I hope to never become a person that is so consumed with my religion that it is all I ever write about....that's so fake. I don't believe for one second that all a person might think about and talk about is Jesus, I know that our purpose here is not to consume ourselves with Him but to enjoy a life in which He is the center; it's completely different.
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May He lift His countenance upon you and give you His peace.
Amen.
Love, Mel | 
