Melissa Mashburn

Real Women. Real Life. Real Faith.

Tackling A Few Motherhood Myths

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MotherhoodIsHardWork_MelissaMashburn

 Today I’m over at The M.O.M. Initiative talking about

“Motherhood Is Hard Work – It’s Time For Moms To Stick Together”.

Without a doubt being a mom is one of the hardest jobs I’ve ever had in my life. Never would I have imagined the sheer number of emotions and the intensity each one brings with it. It’s true, motherhood is hard work, and it’s time for moms to stick together.

It’s my heart that by coming to you as a “seasoned” (that’s a nicer way of saying “older”) mom and sharing a little bit of what I’ve learned on the journey of being a mom.

Here’s what I can tell you…it doesn’t get easier.

Yeah, not the answer you expected, I know. Yes, each stage has its highs and lows, but the motherhood part–well, it’s just as hard today as it was the day I brought my little bundle of joy home. Now that bundle of joy is inching closer to twenty one and the “baby”, well, he’s closing in on nineteen.

So you see, I’ve been on this motherhood journey for a very long time. Here are a few motherhood myths that I’ve seen along the way.

Motherhood Myths

  • I can do it all on my own – This happens when we can’t, won’t or don’t ask for help. We put on our wonder woman suit and will do whatever it takes to get it done.

Here’s the truth – Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NLT

Here’s a better way – Seek out a couple of friends that you can count on to jump in and help you get it done. Whether it is a babysitting swap so you can get your cleaning done, or coordinating a group outing so that you can take some time to just slow down and breathe a little bit.

——————> Head on over to The M.O.M. Initiative to read the other 2 Motherhood Myths and while you are there, find out a little more about the incredible group of moms over there…you’ll be so glad you did!

Have you heard about the M.O.M. Initiative?

Here’s a little bit about what we’re doing…

The M.O.M. Initiative is an acrostic for Mothers on a Mission to Mentor Other Mothers. Our goal is to minister to moms who know Christ and reach those who don’t.

As a ministry, we provide resources and support to help the body of Christ make mentoring missional…to not only begin to mentor moms within the four walls of the church, but to mentor moms beyond the walls of the church in order to impact our communities and this culture for Christ.

With resources for the local church and area ministries, training, an online database of M.O.M. Groups, daily online encouragement, and ministry support, The M.O.M. Initiative helps connect local churches and ministries with one another and with the community.

Moms Mold The Heart Of The Next Generation, by Stephanie Shott

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MakingofaMom

Have you ever felt like you wore so many hats that it was hard to really enjoy your mom journey? Or like you were so weary and worn out by your never-ending ‘to do’ list that you wanted to bury your head under the covers and get away from it all…even for just a day?

Me too!

Oh…like you, I LOVE being a mom. But for me, motherhood was like this messy experiment and my kids were the guinea pigs.

Motherhood is the best job on the planet!

Moms, more than anyone else, have the opportunity to not only mold the heart of their children but to mold the heart of the next generation. But we get caught up in dealing with the dailies of life and it’s hard to make it our mission to parent on purpose. Sometimes it’s so easy to parent the child they are and deal with the behavior of the moment that we forget about molding the heart of the person we long for them to become.

The Making of a Mom gives you a foundational look at real life biblical motherhood and provides the practical tools and inspiration you need to become the best mom you can.

While we all know there is no such thing as a perfect mom, we also know that WE are the perfect moms for our children.

The Making of a Mom encourages moms to embrace the significance of their calling to motherhood…a role that only we moms can fulfill…a role that God has called us to and equipped us for.

And The Making of a Mom was uniquely written to minister to the hearts of moms while also providing a key resource for the local church and para-ministries.

TMofMgraphic4-300x239

With venue specific Planning Guides in the back of the book, instructions on how to begin M.O.M. Groups that will help the local church weave mentoring into the fabric of the church and serve as not only an in-reach resource, but a great outreach tool as well. And the questions at the end of each chapter serve as a catalyst for conversation for ministry and small group leaders, The Making of a Mom is the perfect resource for every church!

The Making of a Mom works in tandem with The M.O.M. Initiative as a tool to help the church minister to moms who know Christ and reach those who don’t. Through The Making of a Mom, you can help your local church make mentoring missional and impact your community and this culture for Christ.

The goal of The M.O.M. Initiative is to reach a MILLION MOMS for Christ. The tool is The Making of a Mom. The vehicle is the local church. AND…if only 3 women in 1/2 of the churches in the United States would mentor just 3 other mothers, we could reach a MILLION MOMS for Christ!

To find out more about how you can begin a M.O.M. Group, click this link.

To find out how to sign up to be ONE in a MILLION MOMS who would like to be connected with a mentor and raise your children to know Christ, click this link.

To find out how to order The Making of a Mom.

CLICK the link to download a free chapter sample –  The Making of a Mom~Chapter Sample ~ NOT ALONE
StephanieShott
Stephanie Shott is crazy in love with Jesus and believes Him for the impossible. Through The M.O.M. Initiative, Stephanie is changing the world one mom at a time and she wants YOU to join her! Her heart resonates with William Carey’s quote, “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.” To invite Stephanie to speak at your next event, visit her website at www.stephanieshott.com. To find out more about The M.O.M. Initiative or to begin a M.O.M. Mentor Group, visit www.themominitiative.com.

3 Reasons You Should Go On The Girls Get Away Cruise

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I’m going to do my ever loving best to give you THREE really great reasons why you should go on the Girls Get Away Cruise this October 3-7th, but I honestly don’t think you will even need all three because in this case I’m hoping I had you at hello! 🙂

You ready?

  1. Girls Get Away Cruise – There, I said it. Seriously…don’t YOU need a weekend away right about now? Leaving from Port Canaveral, FL and going to Nassau, Bahamas and Half Moon Cay, Bahamas where you’ll enjoy beaches, breezes and calypso music. That right there is pretty stinking awesome in and of itself…but there’s more!
  2. Hotel & Spa Included in Cruise Package – Not only is it a cruise, the get away package starts off with a free night at the Buena Vista Palace where you will stay on October 2 (the night before the cruise). See there, you can get your pampering started early and enjoy this incredible hotel & spa before even leaving the port.
  3. The Entertainment is going to be A-MA-ZING! No…really, it is? There’s going to be Jennifer Rothschild, who is an incredibly gifted Bible study teacher, Robin Jones Gunn, who wrote on of my favorite Christian Fiction series (Sister Chicks), Renee Swope from Proverbs 31 Ministries and author of her newest book “A Confident Heart” as well as Selah leading us in worship.
  4. Ok, ok — there’s really a 4th reason, think of it as a bonus! — I’m joining the team as one of the speakers! (Insert crazy screaming HERE!!!!) — No, it’s honestly true, take a look below!

Skitch

I’ve been leaking it slowly on Facebook for the last week and it has been killing me not to tell y’all, I mean, like I have bitten my tongue several times, but I waited because there was a little snafu on the website.

Somehow I ended up on the right website, yay, but in the wrong place, eek! If you look below I’m listed as part of the comedy angels.

I heard you. You literally just laughed out loud, didn’t you?

That’s ok. I did too. I mean, I AM funny and all, but I hardly think anyone would “pay” to see me make them laugh. So, I’ve been waiting for it to get moved to the right place, and in the waiting it occurred to me that I don’t have to wait until things are all “just so” to let it out, I need to just be me, keep it real, laugh about it and let it out. So, here goes!

Skitch (1)

See, I’m not pretending to be perfect or have it all together. Lord knows, I don’t, but thankfully I have a heavenly Father that loves me, like bunches and bunches, just as I am and I am so totally cool with that.

PLUS!!!! Not only am I completely humbled, honored and in awe that me (Dory-like, hot mess, me) would get the chance to be a part of something like this, but…I get to invite all my girlfriends, online and in person, to come along and join me!

DOUBLE BONUS — Anyone that is a “friend” of mine and uses the promo code “MEL” when they book will get an extra $100 off the Girls Get Away Cruise. (Come on, do the happy dance squeal with me…that’s pretty stinking awesome, right?)

In case you were wondering how you would get ready for a trip like this, check out this video!

http://youtu.be/Ug5-x-6klFY <- Husband Training

Now that you know that we could go on this cruise together and have one A-MA-ZING time, let me give you a link to the 4-1-1, everything you need to know, so you can join me (us) on this crazy adventure.

Girls Get Away Cruise

October 3-7th

FREE Night at the Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa (10/2)

Nassau & Half Moon Cay, Bahamas

Jennifer Rothschild, Robin Jones Gunn, Renee Swope, Seleah, Amy Lively, ME, The Comedy Angels

Use Promo Code “MEL” for $100 off the cruise package

I just couldn’t wait to celebrate, squeal and share this incredible news with each of you! Thank you for being the kind of friends that see how much this means to me, put up with my craziness and love me just the way I am. You are the reason I love what I do so much!

Seeking JOY on this incredible Journey,

Melissa Mashburn

Real Women. Real Life. Real Faith.

Book Review: Until We All Come Home, by Kim DeBlecourt

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UntilWeAllComeHome

My Thoughts About the Book:

Kim’s terrifying tale of perseverance, faith and a mother’s love just about broke my heart on several spots of her journey. I read it and kept thinking…oh.my.goodness. This is a woman that I have “known” online for many years and yet this gigantic part of her life and faith that I had not yet discovered. I had always looked up to her before, but after reading all that she and her family went through, I have nothing but mad respect for her.

This is a regular, every day, ordinary woman, who passionately pursued what God was calling her to, and nothing was going to stand in her way. The subtitle hits the nail on the head perfectly…”A Harrowing Journey, a Mother’s Courage, a Race to Freedom”. I found myself deep in the middle of their adventure and praying the whole way through it. What an incredible story of obedience, adoption, faith, love, hope, courage, and the extraordinary strength that God gives you when He calls you to something.

An incredible story all for the glory of God. I would encourage every woman I know to pick up a copy of this book and watch what God can and will do when one woman faithfully follows God’s call.

About the Book:

When Kim de Blecourt and her husband decided to adopt a child from Ukraine, they knew that the process might be challenging. Nothing, however, could have prepared de Blecourt for the twisted nightmare she would endure. During her year-long struggle to extricate her newly adopted little boy from that post-Soviet country’s corrupt social service and judicial systems, de Blecourt was intimidated, physically assaulted, and arrested. Worse, her months of loneliness, worry, and fear drove her to the brink of spiritual despair. But God had no intention of abandoning de Blecourt or her family. Her amazing story-culminating in a spine-chilling race to freedom-offers dramatic proof that God’s light shines on even in the deepest darkness.

About the Author:

Kim de Blecourt is a media veteran, experienced writer and speaker, and expert on international adoption. Kim leads a ministry called Nourished Hearts to encourage, inspire, and create community around those who are adopting/have adopted, provide foster care and/or work in orphan care internationally. Kim and her husband, Jahn, have been married for fifteen years and are the parents of two children, Jacey and Jake. They reside in Michigan.

Until next time…keep reading!

Seeking JOY on the Journey,

Melissa Mashburn

Book Reviews (1)

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Tonight is the last South Florida Praise & Coffee Night of 2012

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It’s TONIGHT!!!

11/8/12

7-9pm

 Fall is here…well, it’s as “fall” as it gets in South Florida and we’re getting together with our girlfriends for a night out to connect with each other, be encouraged by each other, and be inspired by what God is doing in our lives.

This South Florida Praise & Coffee Night will be unlike any that we have done before. We know that each of us has “stuff” going on in our lives and we want to take a minute to celebrate what God is doing in the middle of our “stuff” for the night.

Yes, we may be going through “stuff”, but God can use that for His glory. Come on out and celebrate with a few friends!

We’ll be at Sawgrass Community Church, located at 17950 Griffin Road, SW Ranches, FL 33331

We would love to see you there!
~ Melissa ♥
Here’s a peek at Colie’s testimony;

Making a Change in Direction

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© John Hix | Dreamstime.com


It has been a long time coming. 
I’ve been blogging for six years…I can hardly believe that. 

In that time I have done a little bit of this and a little bit of that, but over the last year or so I have felt God really pushing me hard to narrow the focus and do what I do best.

What do I do best? (Isn’t that the question we often ask ourselves in moments like this?)

So I did what most of us do, I put it aside. Laid it down. Forgot about it and hoped it would come to me. I thought the time away would help me, but it actually made it harder. 

That’s so weird, isn’t it?

So, I needed to change it up and try something different to figure out the answer. I prayed about it, not just a little bit and occasionally here and there, but I really prayed about it. I also sought counsel from wise and trusted friends as well as colleagues in the ministry and here’s what I found out.

I have a heart for women’s ministry.

  • I love to encourage women. To come alongside them and share my journey…as well as theirs.
  • I don’t have all the answers, nor do I have to, but I do want to learn and grow.
  • As well as be alongside other women that want to learn and grow.
  • I want to be a part of a group of women that are living life REAL.
  • No pretenses.
  • No masks.
  • No trying to have it all together.
  • Just REAL women, living out their REAL life and REAL faith each and every day.


So, that’s what I’m going to do. In the course of the next few weeks I’m going to be changing things up here in Mel’s World.

I’ve partnered with 2xDesign to come up with a way to reflect this new direction. I’ve been working with the team there for months now and just in the last week have really landed on what this part of my world will look like.

Everything I do will be focused on Real Women, Real Life, Real Faith in action. What it looks like to live out Romans 12:1-2 in our everyday, ordinary lives. The heart of it is to encourage women to live with an authentic faith. 

Whether you are in full time ministry, married to a Pastor, are a car pool mom, a college student, or anything in between…we are ALL in ministry and can live out our lives for His glory.

I hope you take the jump with me.

It’s going to be a great new adventure. I’m excited about what God is doing here and I hope you will be too. 

There will still be book reviews, articles, devotionals, interviews, but also practical info on new things like;
* Ministry Life 
* Life Lessons from the Edge of Burnout
* Marriage Matters
* Family First
* Godly Gals
…and so much more!

Would you do me a favor? 

Would you please pray for all the pieces to come together quickly for the new design/direction? That this would be a place where women from every age, stage, and corner of the world would come and be encouraged, challenged and grow in who they are in Christ.

Thank you so much…I can’t wait to see what happens when all the pieces come together.

~ Melissa
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Mark Your Calendars Now: South Florida Praise & Coffee Night 9/13/12

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Mark your calendars…it’s time for our South Florida Praise & Coffee Night.

The kids will be back in school, Labor day will have come and gone…and chances are you are gonna be ready for a night out just for you!

We have a special guest joining us for this event —Lisa Shaw, author of ‘You Are Beautiful In God’s Eyes‘, speaker, ministry leader…and more importantly, friend. 



We’ll also have incredible worship, yummy desserts and of course…lots of coffee & great conversation!

Save the date, get a babysitter, call a friend and make sure to join us on 
Thursday, September 13th from 7-9pm.


If you could RSVP to the event on Facebook, that would be great, that way we know how many cupcakes to have ready. 

It’s not required though, you can decide at any time to join us and just show up…we’d love to have you there!

If you aren’t in the South Florida area, then you are still in luck…we have Praise & Coffee Nights going on all over the world. Simply click here, Praise & Coffee Nights, to see if there is one in your neck of the woods. 

If there isn’t, then maybe you are just the right girl to get one started. Everything you need to know to get started is here, “How Anyone Can Start a Praise & Coffee Night“.

The South Florida Praise & Coffee Night is being held at Sawgrass Community Church, located at 17950 Griffin Road, SW Ranches, FL 33331.
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Mark Your Calendars Now: South Florida Praise & Coffee Night 9/13/12

By:


Mark your calendars…it’s time for our South Florida Praise & Coffee Night.

The kids will be back in school, Labor day will have come and gone…and chances are you are gonna be ready for a night out just for you!

We have a special guest joining us for this event —Lisa Shaw, author of ‘You Are Beautiful In God’s Eyes‘, speaker, ministry leader…and more importantly, friend. 



We’ll also have incredible worship, yummy desserts and of course…lots of coffee & great conversation!

Save the date, get a babysitter, call a friend and make sure to join us on 
Thursday, September 13th from 7-9pm.


If you could RSVP to the event on Facebook, that would be great, that way we know how many cupcakes to have ready. 

It’s not required though, you can decide at any time to join us and just show up…we’d love to have you there!

If you aren’t in the South Florida area, then you are still in luck…we have Praise & Coffee Nights going on all over the world. Simply click here, Praise & Coffee Nights, to see if there is one in your neck of the woods. 

If there isn’t, then maybe you are just the right girl to get one started. Everything you need to know to get started is here, “How Anyone Can Start a Praise & Coffee Night“.

The South Florida Praise & Coffee Night is being held at Sawgrass Community Church, located at 17950 Griffin Road, SW Ranches, FL 33331.
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Headed Out To #TGCW12 Conference, Woohoo!

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I can hardly stand it. 

I didn’t sleep much last night. 

It’s sort of like going to Disney World for me…ok, maybe not like Disney World, but the excitement and anticipation has been building for weeks as I prepare to go to Orlando for The Gospel Coalition’s Women’s Conference (or #TGCW12 if you wanna follow along on Twitter).

It has been quite some time since I’ve looked forward to something this much, and finding out that a few of my bloggy buddies will be there too…well, that is just the icing on top of the cupcake (which, by the way, is the BEST part of the cupcake…just sayin!)

Here’s a little bit about TGCW12;
Here Is Our God!

God’s Revelation of Himself in Scripture

The Gospel Coalition’s 2012 National Women’s Conference is for women but not all about women. It’s about the gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s a time to learn more of what Scripture says to us—and to say it to each other. A time to dig deeper into the character of God and his purpose for his people. A time to gather together and share biblical encouragement  as sisters, daughters, wives, mothers, and friends.

I have even heard that some of the sessions will be streamed live, so if you wanna come check it out but can’t make it to Orlando, log in here and watch right along with us.

The boys are all staying home this weekend, I’m sure they have lots of manly stuff planned, which is fine by me, they need it and so do I. I will be tweeting from the conference (if you tweet follow along with me here, I’m @Mels_World) and sharing all the little nuggets of inspiration I pick up along the way.
If you wouldn’t mind saying a prayer for us as we travel I would certainly appreciate it. I’m headed up with two other awesome chicks that I’m blessed to do life & ministry with from my church (West Pines Community Church) and it looks like rain and thunderstorms all the way up from Ft. Lauderdale to Orlando. 

Thanks so much for your prayers, we totally appreciate them!

Here’s a little snip-it from the conference website about the online streaming and who’s going to be there this weekend;

We’re also excited to announce that our friends at The Gospel Project will be helping us broadcast the conference live. Starting at noon EDT on Friday with Tim and Kathy Keller talking about “Marriage in Gospel Focus,” the broadcast will feature every event through Sunday noon on the conference main stage, including all plenary sessions; workshops by Elyse Fitzpatrick, Carolyn Mahaney, and Lauren Chandler; and Focus Gatherings on parenting, urban ministry, pastor’s wives, grief, and the church in Asia. In addition, we’ll be recording interviews with many of the speakers and guests to be broadcast during breaks in the conference livestream schedule.

So even if you can’t join us in Orlando, we hope you’ll tune in this weekend to share in this landmark event. We’re thrilled that love for God has motivated thousands of women to travel from around the world to spend their weekend focusing on the gospel of Jesus Christ so they can leave inspired and equipped to serve in their churches, families, and neighborhoods.

Check in at noon EDT on Friday to hear from Tim & Kathy Keller. 

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Headed Out To #TGCW12 Conference, Woohoo!

By:


I can hardly stand it. 

I didn’t sleep much last night. 

It’s sort of like going to Disney World for me…ok, maybe not like Disney World, but the excitement and anticipation has been building for weeks as I prepare to go to Orlando for The Gospel Coalition’s Women’s Conference (or #TGCW12 if you wanna follow along on Twitter).

It has been quite some time since I’ve looked forward to something this much, and finding out that a few of my bloggy buddies will be there too…well, that is just the icing on top of the cupcake (which, by the way, is the BEST part of the cupcake…just sayin!)

Here’s a little bit about TGCW12;
Here Is Our God!

God’s Revelation of Himself in Scripture

The Gospel Coalition’s 2012 National Women’s Conference is for women but not all about women. It’s about the gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s a time to learn more of what Scripture says to us—and to say it to each other. A time to dig deeper into the character of God and his purpose for his people. A time to gather together and share biblical encouragement  as sisters, daughters, wives, mothers, and friends.

I have even heard that some of the sessions will be streamed live, so if you wanna come check it out but can’t make it to Orlando, log in here and watch right along with us.

The boys are all staying home this weekend, I’m sure they have lots of manly stuff planned, which is fine by me, they need it and so do I. I will be tweeting from the conference (if you tweet follow along with me here, I’m @Mels_World) and sharing all the little nuggets of inspiration I pick up along the way.
If you wouldn’t mind saying a prayer for us as we travel I would certainly appreciate it. I’m headed up with two other awesome chicks that I’m blessed to do life & ministry with from my church (West Pines Community Church) and it looks like rain and thunderstorms all the way up from Ft. Lauderdale to Orlando. 

Thanks so much for your prayers, we totally appreciate them!

Here’s a little snip-it from the conference website about the online streaming and who’s going to be there this weekend;

We’re also excited to announce that our friends at The Gospel Project will be helping us broadcast the conference live. Starting at noon EDT on Friday with Tim and Kathy Keller talking about “Marriage in Gospel Focus,” the broadcast will feature every event through Sunday noon on the conference main stage, including all plenary sessions; workshops by Elyse Fitzpatrick, Carolyn Mahaney, and Lauren Chandler; and Focus Gatherings on parenting, urban ministry, pastor’s wives, grief, and the church in Asia. In addition, we’ll be recording interviews with many of the speakers and guests to be broadcast during breaks in the conference livestream schedule.

So even if you can’t join us in Orlando, we hope you’ll tune in this weekend to share in this landmark event. We’re thrilled that love for God has motivated thousands of women to travel from around the world to spend their weekend focusing on the gospel of Jesus Christ so they can leave inspired and equipped to serve in their churches, families, and neighborhoods.

Check in at noon EDT on Friday to hear from Tim & Kathy Keller. 

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