These are just some things I have had to constantly remind myself and other dreamers of in the last few months. So I want to share them with every other dreamer and visionary out there!

1. Do not take on others doubts and fears as your own no matter how often they force them on you.

2. God is and will always be your provider. Stop worrying about what you don’t have.

3. Write the vision and remind yourself of it daily.

4. I’m pretty certain God gave you a scripture or something similar when your vision was sparked. That’s your foundation. Don't ever stop meditating on what it means to you in your today. Everyday!

5. Do whatever you have to do to keep believing in yourself. (Be the consistency you need in your own life)

6. Do your best, that's all God asks for.

7. Work on pleasing God. His standards are already laid out for you and don't change. The scripture says without faith it's impossible to please God [Heb 11:6]. Keep the faith in the vision he gave you, that's pleasing to him!

8. Faith without works is dead [James 2:17]. Let’s put some action behind our beliefs daily.

9. Fear will paralyze your purpose. 

10. You're brave and courageous. There are people who wouldn't dare try what you have done. Be grateful that you won't have to live in the land of what if?

11. Whose timeline are you on? I know it's not easy but get off everyone else's and even your own. God's is different. Get on his! 

12. It's ok to not know.

13. Tears may fall, let them! Think of it as the fertilizer needed to manifest good fruit, increased faith, and strength. 

14. Stay committed and remember, distractions derail dreams. 

Remember that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you! [Phil 4:13] Keep dreaming, envisioning, and following thru! We need you!

How many of you are working non-stop? When I say work, I’m talking far beyond the 9-5 job. I’m saying work all day then, running the kids around to their practices, rehearsals, and other extracurricular activities, taking care of home duties, making it out to the business meeting for another project, running to a ministry meeting or rehearsal, calling back all the people who have called you over the week, being present for whoever you need to be present for, how could I forget leaving time for fun…the list goes on.

I could say, “woah there buddy you’re doing too much”. But truth is, this is the life that many of us lead—constant movement with no room for rest. Every time I mention wanting to sleep there is someone there to say, “nah sleep when you’re dead”. See me??? [insert crazy look here]

I don’t believe in that lol. Not one bit. When I die I’ma be praising, and trying to get a tetherball game in with Jesus and busy doing whatever else it is we’ll be doing in heaven. I won’t need to sleep then! I need to sleep now! I need rest now! 

According to Dr. Michael Breus, there are several consequences of sleep deprivation. I came across his article on WebMD that stated the short and long term effects:

I had plans to post about something else this week but I thought let me hold off. This is only because I want to share about an event I was privileged to be a committee member and volunteer for. The first annual Royal Summer Tea that took place yesterday August 24, 2013.

My heart is called to pregnant teens and women who have experienced abortion in the past and need assistance in understanding that grace applies to them as well. One of my spiritual mothers introduced me to a ministry a couple of years ago and I have been volunteering there ever since. The organization is called His Nesting Place and they run a pregnancy center and home for unwed mothers as an alternative to abortion. They live life to save the lives of the unborn. (His Nesting Place on Facebook)

Many people feel some kind of way when hearing about pro-life ministries. I must admit that has been me at different points in my life BUT when I am able to experience first hand the lives that are saved (both child and parents) by this ministry, there is no way I can be mad at what they stand and fight for…LIFE. They have been in operation for over 30 years and have housed thousands of women and their children since opening their doors.

Yesterday the first annual summer tea was held in Rolling Hills Estates in one of the most beautiful gardens I have ever been in, in my life. God really blessed His Nesting Place with absolute favor as the owner of the home opened up her beautiful garden in order to put this fundraiser on. 

With over 120 guests in attendance His Nesting Place was able to raise funds and spread awareness about the issue of abortion in America. I feel that the testimonies that were shared by a few of the young women there were touching and resonated with the spirit of everyone in attendance. Which made me feel that I should reach out to my readership on the issue. 

Even though abortion is one of the procedures performed most on women in America it is still a super touchy subject. I just want to hit on it long enough to tell you that: 

1) There are always alternatives to abortion no matter what the situation is. 

2) God has given you the gift of free will! As you exercise it make sure that you are properly and fully educated on the decisions of abortion, parenting, and adoption both in the natural and in the spiritual. 

3) Men or women, if you have had an abortion in the past and are having difficulty dealing with it, whether it happened 2 days ago or 37 years ago, you are not the only one. God wants you to know that there is restoration for you. The guilt, anger, sadness that may be associated with it no longer has to be. Silence surrounding your abortion choice can be the loudest pain in your life. If you are ready to talk about it with someone please do! Not only can you contact me at the His Nesting Place Pregnancy Help Center or through my private practice www.YouCanTherapy.com but you can also find a network of counselors throughout the US and internationally via www.SaveOne.org. 

Freedom is yours if you want it! You have to take the first step…Repentance. That can happen strictly between you and God! Then, if you’re ready there are plenty of people, including myself, ready to help!

Love, 
 Mel

Clowns…for some people they create smiles, laughter and take them back to those fun childhood memories. Then you have the individuals who avoid clowns at all cost because they evoke fear, tears and maybe an occasional nightmare that more than likely stem from some freak childhood event.

It’s crazy how one thing can bring about such different emotions in people. Our perceptions that were created and sustained by past experiences are so vital to our now it’s ridiculous. We unknowingly carry so much of our past with us daily simply due to the fear of dealing with it. We avoid it just like those terrifying clowns. Maybe they will go away! But no, they come up over and over again, others might not know what’s going on but we do.  We work hard to avoid it causing us to miss out on certain opportunities, relationships etc while it simultaneously affects our mental, spiritual and physical health in a negative manner.

Today, I encourage you to take a step towards defeating your past clowns one by one (past abuse, violent relationships, lost relationship, lay offs, substance abuse, sin you are ashamed to speak of etc). Just as David did the lions, bears and Goliath, we too can conquer our clowns! (1Sam 17:35; 49) This