Growthtrac Community

[mhand]

Hello,

I just joined the forums yesterday and thought I'd go ahead and post a brief introduction. If I'm in the wrong place for this let me know.

My name is Melodie and I am a Christian wife to a wonderful Christian man and mother to 4 beautiful boys ranging in ages from 6 up to 17 (nearly 18). We live in the heart of NC. Moved here from FL. We've been married for 17 years (yes, if you do the math you'll see I had a child before I was married).

I was saved at the age of 16. And while I have backslid several times I have finally found my way back to the Lord and my faith is stronger than it has ever been. And the blessings in my life are just multiplying.

I joined this forum as I felt it would be a great tool in what God has called me to do. He has called me into family ministry and I'm just getting prepared for what He has in store. I pray that God uses me and my life experiences to help other couples and families draw nearer to Him. While I am not a licensed counselor I am qualified in other ways. First and foremost, I have that calling of God to help others in their relationships.

Second, life experience. I had a child at a young age before marrying. Been through verbal abuse and survived (both before and after marriage - before my husband was saved). Been through a seperation that I was SURE was going to end in divorce. Was healed of cancer. Had 4 children when, according to the doctors, I wouldn't have any at all. Survived a car crash that should have killed me, again according to the doctors it was a miracle I was still alive. Studied the occult (yes, not a moment I'm particularly proud of but it also gave me insight into what some non-believers actually believe - I just was never able to swallow the whole mulitple gods, no heaven or hell, and many other things that are being taught as it conflicted with my Christian beliefs). Survived kidney failure. Have been through financial distress many times. And I'm currently dealing with a non-believing son of my own (my oldest). And the list just goes on and on and on. But one thing that is certain, my faith in the Lord has pulled me through every single trial that has come my way. And I KNOW my Lord will carry me through the rest of eternity. He has blessed my life in so many ways that none of the bad stuff even matters.

As you can see my life is certainly not perfect. But what makes things wonderful for me (even through the difficult times) is my faith in God. God is great all the time. And nothing is impossible for Him.

So that's me in a nutshell. Looking forward to participating here on the forums. And hopefully I'll be able to be of some assistance to some of you here.

[SAM]

Welcome and thanks for posting. We're glad you've found GT Community.

God certainly prepares us, doesn't he?

Our trials in marriage have brought me to this site to help others with their marriages. We also mentor couples - premarrieds primarily but also those further along in their journey.

And, both of our daughters went through teen pregnancies.
We have some things in common.

Our journeys give us tremendous compassion.

PS - my family lives outside of Asheville.

[mhand]

Yes it does sound like we have a lot in common.

Having a relationship with the Lord and having good communication between me and my husband have been the two things that have helped save our marriage. People laugh and think we're nuts because we tell each other everything. There are no secrets between us at all.