Not for the Religous

Happy Halloween!

Ok so beware, if you are a religous person this blog is not for you!

Not that this blog any offensive content, in my opinion, but people are so easily offended and I dont want to hear it.

I warned you so you choose.......  :) 

I know some religous people hate Halloween, though I do not agree with the "darker" things that happen tonight. I do LOVE to see all the kids in their costumes running around having fun. Since we do not have children YET, we rarely participate in dressing up unless we sponsor an event at the church but this year we did not have a fall fest so no costume for me BUT, Scott has a costume contest one branch against another so, we dressed him up.

Last night we had the honor of participating in Nichole and Jeffs b-day celebration for her 9 yr old son, Elias (she is such a great mom), Elias went house to house on a treasure hunt and at each house he had to do obstacles and at each house was a cake so he could be sung happy birthday and blow out candles with friends and family who love him. Everyone was able to share his special day. Here is our video for his challenges:

Last night we also worked on scott's costume for work. When he left this morning he wasn't completely dressed but here is a pic of his head area. 

We dressed him up like he had his head chopped off and was carrying it on a platter. We rigged a backpack to hold the clothes up so he is about 7 ft' tall... I post a pic of him in the entire costume tomorrow!

Throw it off!

Last Night I had the privilege of sharing the Word at youth church and as I sought the Lord on what to share, I was lead to Heb 12:1-3 as the base text. The more time I spent thinking and praying about this short portion of scripture the more vivid and alive it became- the Lord revealed so much to me through it. At XYC last night I used the example of a marathon and then I used this video as an example of passion, endurance, discipline...but when it all comes down to it, God is all about seeing his children succeed! etc. etc. etc. : I LOVE this video.

You may have already seen it but, I wanted to share this with you anyway as it is ssooooo encouraging in soooo many ways! 

Have a wonderfully blessed day!
-missa

I smell vision!

Good morning everyone,

It's 5:02 am, I've been awake for 3 hours now...while some of you were sleeping, I was up baking.

You see, what may sound crazy to some, sounds like the making of a successful vision to me... Just like our moving to Austin to start a church from scratch sounded wacky to some; to me it sounded like God birthing vision in my heart for this city and I was going to have the privelege of being a vessel in God's Big picture for Austin. Wow. Let me tell you, it has been amazing.

Back to the 2am baking-

About a month ago, I was feeling a bit complacent in my life.... dont get me wrong, my walk with God was good, ministry was well but, inside me I could not help to think; "this can't be all there is?" Isnt there something more to me Lord? What am I missing? Use me Lord- Show me Lord- Why if we are in your will do we struggle so?

So, I've been praying for direction in 2 areas, financial & speaking about the Lord.

I've been given opportunity to speak (preach) but have always felt like there was someone better fit for the job so I would dodge it at all costs! Disobedience Galore! Then I quickly realized my feelings of being complacent were bc I was! I've been sitting on everything he has equipped me with!

I began to pray that the Lord open doors for me to speak again and that he show me creative ways to make extra income for our home

Then, I realized that I have giftings that I can use for provision and that there are open doors all around me to share the Word.

so.......Here i am at 5 am baking cakes for an event and studying to preach tonight!

I have always (since I was little) dreamed of baking desserts from my house for people who want home made baked treats but don't have the time.... so this morning I got to thinking; the holidays are coming around..... im gonna make some little business cards and give them out to some people I know. Some of the people that i have already baked for in the past and see what happens.

So, once this idea popped in my head I begin to make business cards (please dont get me wrong, Im not trying to break any health codes here- I just want to function in my passions, while helping others). I am going to start with 10 of my best recipes and see what happens.

As for the speaking engagements, I was asked by Scott to speak tonight for youth and today I was asked to speak at another event in November.

God is always so faithful to answer us when we pray and use us inspite of all of the short-comings we feel about ourselves.

So, as I sit here writing I am smelling vision!

It's BIG vision and it smells sweet!

Have a wiff of your own, ... God's placed vision in you too!

Have a wonderfully blessed day,

-missa

Pile of paper praises (some call them cards)

Last night I experienced a very sweet surprise.

In ministry there are so many ups and downs. 

There are times where you feel like you are on top of the world but others when you feel like you've had your heart ripped out. BUT.......there are those moments that are so profound and life changing! These big moments usually happen while out at AAB or working with the homeless or at XYC... there are so many of these wonderful moments that they far out number and are so powerful they outweigh any up or down you can encounter.

Well, last night we had one of the sweetest surprises in our entire time here in Austin. We went to church for a Night of Worship that was scheduled to begin at 6pm. When Scott and I walked in the other pastors and pastors wives were sitting in the lobby and everyone else was being permitted to go in just not us.... I quickly remembered that it has been Pastors Appreciation Month and figured there was something in store but, nothing prepared me for what it was.

I walked through the doors to have my breath taken away by a beautiful banquet table with gorgeous linens, stemware, flowers, decor and candles! At one end of the table was my name on a place card with Scott right next to me..But there were only 12 chairs? 

It was set for the Pastors, wives and their children. Some of our congregation members had made us a wonderful dinner. We started with salads, then had a meal adn a dessert. We sat there as some of the women and men of the congregation served our food and drinks. It was so sweet.

Throughout the evening different people stood up and shared with everyone what we meant to them individually and as a whole. Someone even sang a song to us (all the Pastors)! It was a amazing! And soooo  thoughtful! As the night came to a close, people from HCC were coming up and placing gift bags and cards in front of us. In front of us laid a pile of paper praises (some call them cards)! I will forever cherish each of the cards, as I read them and looked around, I could not hold back the tears. It really touched me to see how much we are loved!

I have always known that we have the best church members in the world, I don't think you can find anyone more loving than HCC (so Im a bit partial to our members). 

Last night we laughed together, we cried together, we broke bread together but more importantly.... we worshipped together doing one of the greatest things Jesus ever taught us to do, We loved one another!

Last night was definitely one of life's sweetest surprises!

Have a wonderfully blessed day,

-missa

(these pictures do not do justice to how beautiful the tables were)

Super Saturday Continued......

Scott knows how much I love to be outside taking pictures and yesterday he surprised me with a wonderful photo taking adventure. He told me to charge my camera bc he had a suprise for me so, I charged my camera and in the afternoon we hopped in the car. He drove.... I had no idea where we were going but I had 3 of my favorite things with me: Scott, my camera and he stopped and got me a coffee to enjoy on the drive so at that point I was already a happy camper, I didnt care where we were going. I was already enjoying myself! 

We ended up driving down south to the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center and spent a few hours out there taking pictures and having lunch. It was a great surprise, It turned out being a Super Saturday! It was really great to be in the beautiful weather at this gorgeous location with Scott- just relaxing and taking it all in and enjoying ourselves. 

Here are some of our pics:

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

-missa

Super Saturday

An unexpected surprise came today!

It's Super Saturday in the Taylor household!!!!

Let me explain, since we got back from Vacation we have not had one day to just be home........

In fact yesterday, I turned off my cell phone just so I could get some housework done with no interruptions and without feeling bad for not answering calls.

I heard a minister one time say "voicemail is your friend" I'm trying to learn that.

NE ways, we had 2 scheduled events for today but, both  fell through so today we are HOME :) YAY! My favorite place in the world (when it's clean).

SSOOOO, I made myself some coffee, Scott's sleeping in and when he wakes up I'm gonna make a BIG home made breakfast of some of his favorite stuff; biscuits and gravy, bacon, scrambled eggs. I may even stay in my PJ's till noon to celebrate- this is definitely going to be a Super Saturday- Let's Celebrate with a song!

Have a wonderfully blessed day

-missa

Morgan Freeman- no esta aqui

Hello All,

I wanted to share this latest creation with all of you, I have so many passions in my life and one of them is media. I have always enjoyed doing commercials and movies as well as promo videos for youth church but, we have had computer issues so it has really slowed me down (to almost non-existing) until this week I said to my self "Melissa, enough excuses, get in there and get it done" so, I didn't argue with myself- instead I was obedient to me and here is what I created for XYC on Wed. 

Hopefully before long I will be turning our videos out like a well oiled machine!

Hope you enjoy! you may recognize the "narrator" hehe! I know you may think it's Morgan Freeman since there are no narrations he wont do BUT, it's not Morgan this time!

Hope u enjoyed, have a wonderfully blessed day!

-missa

Lets celebrate with....Song of the day#3!

Hello All (my 3 readers)

I wanted to thank you for your recent prayers for me as I search for material for our Small Groups at church.

I did not find any already existing material so, I created my own and it was a success! All Glory to God!!!

So, let celebrate together with a Song of the day!!

Such passion in his voice right!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

-missa

Reality...... Really?

Flavor of Love, I Love NY, A shot at love........these are the names of reality shows on TV. These are also names of reality shows that I DESPISE. There is no moral high ground on these shows, it amazes me the things someone will do for 15 minutes of fame  and money.

So, Thursday night Scott and I were just channel surfing and we ran across a REALITY show that caught my attention, I really got into, now I want to recommend it to you guys.

The show is called:

The Chef Jeff Project

www.foodnetwork.com/the-chef-jeff-project

*Chef Jeff had a hard up-bringing and actually ended up in prison. He became a chef in the prison and eventually changed his life and wants to know help others.

Watch it* watch it* watch it*

I only caught the 1st episode but, this chef has taken high risk young adults and is teaching them to cook, cater and EARN (not win) a scholarship to a culinary arts school.

Boy o boy, I love things like this especially with young people and young adults. There was a portion of the show where they did some background on the young adults and the stories were so sad. One of the girls is 23 yrs old and has 4 children. 

But my favorite part was when the chef handed them their white chef jackets with their names monogrammed on them: Chef Jeff handed them theirs jackets and the young people walked out the put them on... when these guys and girls walked back into the kitchen their heads were held so high.... they looked so proud (it made me cry). I love it. The countenance of these guys and girls changed and it made me think about how no matter a persons age, everyone has a need for affirmation. Everyone wants to know they are important and everyone wants to feel purpose. 

I also got a chuckle at myself bc I was right away thinking "hmm... I should open a kitchen and do this". 

If you get a chance to catch an episode- it may just inspire you!

Have a wonderfully blessed day

-missa

Today Im craving

Today I am craving rice, what about you!

yummmyyyyyyy.

Cups...Rain.... Perfection

So I was thinking......about the weather and how I wish I was staying home to cuddle with my hubby tonight. Something about the rain makes a person want to stay in, wear PJ's, read a book under a blanket while sipping a cup of coffee.

Well............... today is wednesday (Fat Wednesday at XYC) so that means, no staying home, no cuddles (today anyways), no PJ's, no book and no blankie..............but; I CAN have the coffee! yay. 

Here on the Taylor homefront it has been a very busy week so I think a good cup of coffee is over due. Especially with Irish Cream!

My Father-In-Law got me hooked on Irish Cream :)

So anyways, the thought of a warm cup of coffee got me to thinking about my favorite cup. This mug and coffee go hand and hand and when I can not find my cup I go nuts looking for it, even though there are other types of cups in my cabinet, I am hooked on this one:

This is "my" coffee cup, I love it- it keeps my coffee warm for a long time, it's perfectly shaped and holds the perfect amount of needed coffee to get me back to functioning alert and oh-so-happy. 

This cup was given to me by my Sis-In-Law for Christmas one year.

So Im sitting here, listening to the rain, my Ipod and love love loving my coffee and my perfect coffee cup.

Have a happy rainy day,

-missa

Coupons and a BIG dream

Who knew there was such a large demand for Sunday morning papers!
I would have never guessed with the internet there were still so many people who get a Sunday morning paper.

I decided a few weeks ago that I am going to start shopping with coupons. I know, people with coupons hold up the grocery line and cost you an extra 10 seconds of your time but, yes, I am going to go through the paper and cut them out, organize them and then hold up the line for everyone else behind me so that I can save $5.00. So next time the line is stopped up and not moving be sure you look at who's at the register before getting rude, It may be me :) Hey...... at least I'm not writing a check on top of coupons, right!

I've set in my mind that all of the extra $ we would have used paying full price (as if), we are going to set all of it aside for a very special reason.... WORLD TRAVELS!!!!!

Lots and Lots of Travels!!! What faith huh!

Now I am aware of the many nay-sayers out there. You know the ones who may are thinking; "with only $3 at a time you wont get to go anywhere until 2025" But- I beg to differ! I am a pretty determined person when I set my mind to something-I will find a way to make it work to my advantage.

However, I have encounter a BIG problem on this endeavor already.

For the past 2 Sundays I have stopped by the store by 8am to get a paper and they are already sold out! Who knew in this day and age that people still read the paper; Not me! Does this discourage me? NO WAY, I am determined so if any of you have any ideas or thoughts on how to get my hand on these gems/coupons please share your wisdom. I am afterall a rookie at this. Just think....... coupons on top of the already great HEB deals, world travels "here I come"!

I can't wait to sit on the beach of Hawaii or Roatan or maybe even have a cup of coffee in Italy having paid for it with my coupon savings.......

"I'll send you a postcard"

N-E ways,
Have a wonderfully blessed day.

-missa

So satisfying

I LOVE music.

Especially worship music. I love to turn it on and it has the power to take me from being so broken to a place of being whole. His presence is so sweet and so evident in worship. I believe it is because as you sing along you are proclaiming Gods glory and his faithfulness, you are calling out God's promises and his goodness and just like the words of Paul, encouraging yourself in the Lord.
Everything we need when we are on top of the mountain or even when we are down in the valley can be found in him, a beautiful God, a wonderful savior, my Jesus! 

Today I have been stuck on these 2 songs, I have probably listen to them 100+ times today so, I wanted to share them with you: If you listen to them please listen to them all the way through.

Both songs are off of the same CD:

Christ for the nations "Overtaken- Live"

Enjoy!
-missa

the search is on

The past 4 weeks I have been searching for new material and resources for our sunday morning small groups. I mean I have looked through lots of material!

I have read everything from skits to theological formats for youth and I am have found nothing that I think will reach our kids right now. I just keep steadily searching and asking the Lord to please show me. There are only 2 christian stores in our town and I do not like either of them so, I am finding that I have to do all of my research online which is not easy bc the books can be anywhere from $20-45 each so, it is not a decision I am making lightly.

I LOVE the Mardel store, the closest one is in Waco and I am seriously entertaining the thought of taking a drive to Waco sometime this week, if I do not find something quick.

One bright side of it all is that we are getting a Mardel in Georgetown sometime within the next few months. (An answered prayer).

Please help me pray about this guys as I am ready to pull my hair out but, I AM DETERMINED that what we need IS out there, and I will really be pressing in this week to discover new material! I WILL FIND IT!

I know that the Lord has exactly what our youth need for their lives right now I just need to tune in a little closer to see what he is whispering to me for XYC!

Love you guys- have a wonderfully blessed day.

-missa

By the way, my spanish lessons are going well, I am on lesson #8. I've had to listen and recite it 3 times bc it is turning all of my tex-mex spanish up side down!

Here's looking at you kid

Anyone who knows me knows that I love to cut up, make people laugh and I love stupid humor. 

This week we got really good news that 3rd rock from the Sun re-runs were going to start airing each evening! YAY! Now this is exciting. I love this show so, we set our DVR to record it.

I have to tell you that today was a great day as it is Thursday so we had pantry at the church today and we saw @80 families come through... (amazing!) and then this evening we had a dinner meeting with some amazing people and that was also great too but, inside me was bubbling the excitement at the thought of coming home to watch 3rd Rock from the Sun... and after putting on my PJ's and washing off the make-up. I turned it on to realize...... it was well worth the wait!

Some of our favorites to DVR

1) Frasier

2) Scrubs

3) Planet Earth 

and now

4) 3rd Rock. YAY!

Also, today I felt like I had something in my eye all day, watch this video and call me if you see anything!

I have an announcement

Have you ever found your self in a desperate attempt to communicate with someone who does not speak english, only to end up frustrated?

Before long you find that your arms are waving, your making hand gestures and your body is contorting into different shapes as you try to convey a message through what now has turned into the universal language of charades. (yes, it is the universal language)

Well, during our recent trip to Honduras I discovered a hidden gift I did not even know I possessed, I was so proud of myself.

In honduras the main language is spanish and on our way to the resort we stopped by the market to get a few groceries and snacks. We quickly realized that there was no one there who spoke english. So after shopping we make our way to the counter to check out and we needed to find out the conversion of the amount to american dollars and no one could understand what we were saying, so as everyone else does..... I talk a little louder bc we all know that the louder you talk the more understandable you are :) ha ha. Why do we do that? ???

Anyways the conversation went from me almost yelling to the ever famous language of charades, I am embarrassed to admit I was acting out what I was trying to say. 

After a few moments of making a fool of myself, I said a prayer and opened my mouth to attempt to speak spanish (what few words I knew) and what do you know.......the girl at the counter understood me!

I have always been told I am hispanic but after a trip to Italy I questioned that bc I could have swore I'm italian - then after a trip to Hawaii, I thought "okay, so I'm of the american-italian-hawaiin descent" :)

Anyways back to my story. I then realized I know more spanish than I thought I did. I even cracked a bi-lingual joke with our driver and was able to talk to one of the kids on the beach about school. I was soo proud of myself for this HUGE accomplishment that I have set in my mind that I am going to learn to speak spanish fluently so, last night I downloaded some spanish lessons from ITunes. I now feel a desperate need to learn to speak the language. Not only to use here but because of something I saw while driving through Coxen Hole (the main city on the island). I will share more of that later.....

So.... back to my announcement:

I AM hispanic! It's true.

Just thought you would like to know....

Love you- have a blessed day!

-missa

Vacation-lag and new mercy

So, Im trying to get back in the swing of things... and Im struggling :)
I am trying to get back on my eating regiment and my work out schedule so, please pray for me as I fear I am suffering vacation-lag.
Vacation lag, you know, its similar to jet-lag.
I dont know how to scientifically explain it. All I know is, something isn't right ;)
My body and mind do not want to come off of vacation!
What is wrong with me..................!

Good thing tomorrow is a day of new mercies :)

Have a great day everyone, once my body and mind merge again and return to Austin, I will resume to my regular blogging addiction I'm sure.

Best Ever

So today is our day to go home.... I always particularly struggle with the end of vacation as going home means getting back to life's, sometimes overwhelming, busyness.

To recap on how our vacation was spent, here is a picture of what we did most of the time:

So, I guess I shouldn't complain..... I did after all, have the time of my life. 

Each time we go on vacation at each new destination I say that that vacation is the best ever and such is the case of our vacation in Roatan! I cant wait to come back!

It was the best vacation ever!

Dive or Bust

After a quick trip to a Honduran clinic yesterday, Scott was confirmed to go scuba diving.
We explored the depths of the ocean... yes, a depth of 38 feet! Ok so some have traveled beyond that but for the Taylor's that was deep enough on our first time scuba diving! Here is some footage from today, it's not the best because I was a little more focused on NOT DYING and a little less focused on photos and video but you will get an idea of what we did... It was an amazing experience and I can see how this becomes an addiction. It was so much fun! We are definitely going to do it again!!!! 

Many times i'm sure!