Dreams Don’t Work Unless You Do

What are your dreams? What are you doing to achieve them?

This has been my motivational quote this past week. I have my dreams, I want to get there, but I’ve got to do the work. All the planning in the world won’t matter without action. Work, good hard work is the only thing that’s going to push a someday dream into a NOW reality. Procrastinating, little time wasters, self-indulging, self-doubt, these are the things that slow progress.

What else is holding you back? What else can you do to move forward?

I love lists, I am the queen of list making in our house. All the lists in the world won’t matter without action though. They help organize the action, yes, but they are just a tool.

I have all of these desires, dreams, projects, but until I take action, they are mere whimsy. They are an idea. They are a someday. They are imagination.

You have a goal in mind. You have this burning desire. You ache for the fulfillment of this worthy goal. How bad do you really want it?

Are you willing to take action? Are you willing to do the work? Are you willing to take the necessary steps and MOVE FORWARD?

Ask Yourself These Questions

What is your end goal?
What are the big steps to get there?
How can you break those big steps down into manageable steps?
Is this dream in line with God’s way of thinking?
Can I picture Jesus doing what I plan on doing?
What is the FIRST thing you are going to do to get started TODAY?
Is there something you don’t know how to do that is preventing you from moving forward? Google it! YouTube it! Pray about it! Bible it! Research it like crazy until you get it!
Is fear holding you back? Pray, pray, pray, every single day! Ask for bravery, ask for motivation, ask for God’s wisdom, ask for forgiveness, thank him for His guidance. Ask to be molded to his ways and to reflect his good qualities. Jehovah is a God of action.

Now most importantly, get to work. Get up, get moving, take steps, big or small. Every. Single. Day.

Believe in yourself. You can do this. You’ve got it.

Dreams don’t work unless you do.

December 27, 2017

What I’ve Learned From A Year of Dedicated Blogging

I started my blog as a fun hobby. In the first few years, I only made a couple of posts. I knew I wanted to do more, especially since I was making the investment in paying for hosting. Letting my blog sit there seemed like a waste of money.

It wasn’t until my circumstances changed that I decided to dedicate time specifically to blogging. My health had taken a turn for the worse, I had to quit working. I was struggling with accepting my new life and the depression that came with significant change. I knew I needed to fill the void of work with a new hobby.

Blogging seemed like the perfect way to occupy my mind and fill my time with something positive. Since I stopped taking professional portraits for other people, I reminded myself that I could still be a photographer, only, I would be taking images for myself. I decided to challenge myself with something I have always wanted to do, a 52 project. It was a lot of fun and I love the way my images turned out. From there, it became easier to blog about things.

With the end of school nearing, I decided to add another challenge to my blogging, vlogging. This took my blogs to a new level, as I had videos to go along with my writing. I initially started vlogging for fun and as a challenge to warm me up to what I really wanted to do. I wanted to do a video series on the challenges of severe, life-threatening allergies. Along with this, I will have accompanying blogs that detail in writing the facts that go along with my videos.

Over the past 5 years of health struggles, I have done an extremely large amount of research. Some of the things I researched had little to no information and I had to really dig in order to learn. It was so hard to gain footing in the world of severe allergies. Not many people are allergic to nearly the entire world, and there isn’t a handbook that goes along with it.

I knew that I wanted to help people and make their journey a little easier, by sharing my story and experiences. I wanted to help someone avoid some of the mistakes I’d made in the beginning, or maybe find a new way to help them cope now.

I realized that I had found the purpose of my blog. I guess you could say I found my niche. This information isn’t only helpful for those with severe allergies. It is beneficial for everyone. I tell people that I am the canary in the coal mine. If my health takes a dive because of my sensitivity to chemicals, then It can’t be very safe for other people either. Even if they’re not having a life-threatening reaction to it. Toxic chemicals are not beneficial to anyone.

Holistic health and nutrition can benefit everyone live a healthier, more meaningful life. Living life without toxic chemicals reduces the risk of having cancer, heart disease, eczema, diabetes, and more.

I love sharing what I’ve learned with others. Blogging gives me a platform so I don’t have to drive my friends and family crazy by constantly talking about the latest medical article I’ve been reading. It allows me to share my photography. It allows me to be creative and give me an outlet for my lack of ability to work. Hopefully, someone out there will appreciate and enjoy my ramblings and my photography.

After a year of dedicated creating every month, I can definitely say that blogging is something I enjoy and will continue to do. Thank you for those of you who have commented, shared, liked and followed me over this last year. I have loved hearing that you enjoyed something I shared. Hopefully, I’ll have more fun things for you in this coming year!

Love, Melissa

December 12, 2017December 12, 2017

52 Project, Week 29: Summer Trees

Summer is such a brief time in Minnesota. It’s a few short months of sunshine, warmth, and greenery. We can temporarily shed our many layers and don clothing that exposes our skin. We wear sandals and flip-flops or even luxuriate in wearing nothing at all and going barefoot. We can spend a considerable amount of time outside without fear of frostbite.

June, July, August, and September. These months we welcome weather anywhere from the 20’s to the 100’s. June and September are prone to the occasional frost and even a chance of snow. Yet most often, weather in the 50’s and 60’s makes these months the fairest of the year. July and August you are most likely to find the weather in the 70’s and 80’s with an occasional few days in the 90’s or higher.

The rest of the year, all bets are off for how cold it can be. It could be warm in the 40’s or it could drop to -60. Usually, it is cloudy and dark. On average, we spend those 8 months indoors, hiding from below freezing temperatures, bundling up to hide skin and protect from frostbite It can be beautiful. There are a lot of fun winter sports. Overall though, most activities are inside where it is warm.

This is why summer is so often looked forward to. We try to soak up every minute of fresh air, sunlight, vitamin D and outdoor activities that we can. In that time, the world erupts in color.

The most prominent color to be found is green. Beautiful, bright, vibrant, rich green. Carpets of green grass, fields of green crops, and mountains of green trees.

Trees in the summertime are the happiest of my childhood memories. Climbing up in their strong, rough branches to heights not reached anywhere else by a small child. Hiding behind the cover of leaves from the sun and from people. Feasting on its fruits. Using imagination for endless hours of fun. Sometimes just lying below and gazing up adoringly at my friend, the tree. I can’t think of anything happier in my memories than of the time I spent in the trees.

As an adult, trees still fill me with love, admiration, and wonder. These gentle giants do so much for us. They give us oxygen, shade, protection from wind, wood for our fires and to build our homes, fruits to feast upon, and beauty to behold. They give a boring landscape character. They fill me with wonder at the majesty of our God.

When I look at trees, I can see the wonder of creation. Trees clean our air and give us oxygen. They have the ability to draw water up to heights that man has been unable to replicate and or even understand. They convert sunlight into energy! Their leaves are mathematical works of art. Each one is different and unique. The bark, leaves, pine needles and even the shape of the branches are as varied as the people on this planet. Each tree seems to have it’s own personality and temperament.

I can’t imagine living in an area void of trees, I love them so much. Trees give me joy. Trees fill me with hope for the future. Knowing that a tree I plant will likely outlive me fills me with awe. When I find a large and old tree, I wonder who has seen and loved this tree. What stories could this tree tell?

What are your favorite tree memories? What is your favorite thing about summer trees?

Check out our summer trees video!

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Next Week: glitter
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December 12, 2017December 25, 2017

52 Project, Week 41: Pumpkin

I love pumpkins. I love their shape, their color, their smell. I love the season in which they’re harvested, autumn. I love their twirly vines and big green leaves. I love the way they taste, and I love using them in cooking. I also love to use them for decorating. Pumpkins are awesome.

I’m sure the other squashes are a bit jealous of pumpkins. I mean, pumpkins are pretty popular. I do love acorn, butternut and spaghetti squash too, but they don’t have the visual appeal of a pumpkin, for me at least.

Maybe it’s because I was obsessed with fairy tales as a child. I used to pretend I was Lisserella while I was doing my chores. I pretended my blankets and old shirts that I used for dress up would turn into a ball gown and the squirrels in our yard would whisk me away in a pumpkin to some faraway castle where I could fall in love with a prince. I remember making my brother dance around to classical music played on my parent’s record player. I definitely had a big imagination.

Now that I’m an adult, I know that fairy tales don’t exist. Real life doesn’t have fairy Godmothers who can whip up a beautiful gown and a lovely carriage. There aren’t any beautiful balls where women in skirts and men in suits swirl around the room anymore. There is no Prince waiting to fall in love and live happily ever after. Reality can be a bit harsh.

There is something better than a fairy Godmother though. Jehovah God can and will do things more wonderful than dresses and pumpkins and coachmen. After all, he created the entire earth, all of the plants and animals. Jesus set a wonderful example of the quality of God’s love, which is better than any prince in a fairy tale.

Despite the fact that life isn’t a fairy tale, my love for pumpkins hasn’t waned. I love getting a fresh white pumpkin for my entryway table every autumn. I adore the tiny white and orange striped pumpkins for my center wall. I love baking my pumpkins and creating muffins, cheesecakes, and beverages. For me, that is so much sweeter than a carriage.

What is your favorite color of pumpkin? White, orange, blue, green or somewhere in between?

Previous Week: 52 Project, Week 40: Hands
Next Week: 52 Project, Week 42: Autumn Trees
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November 30, 2017

I Photographed the Four Seasons From One Spot

One of the things I love about living in Minnesota is the joy of seeing the seasons change. Winter, spring, summer and autumn, they each have their own special beauty and wonder.

Watching them change, I’ve always wanted to pick a spot to capture that beauty and show how unique they are. I’ve found that the same location in a different season can seem like an entirely new world.

Winter is cold, cloudy, quiet, muted, bright, invigorating, calm and peaceful. Seeing this image makes me think of warm winter boots, being bundled up with a coat, hat, mittens, and scarf. I can remember the muffled woods and the whisper of snow falling. I can remember the crunch of snow underfoot and the delighted peals of laughter from my daughter as she bounced around the snow drifts.

Spring is cool, cloudy, anticipatory, damp, soft, new, refreshing and hopeful. Looking back on this image reminds me of my children, all dressed in their Sunday best, excited to be out and about again on a beautiful spring day. Although they were mostly hiding in the van for this photo shoot. It was still cool, but warm enough to go without hats, mittens, and scarves. The buds on the trees were all starting to swell before they would burst forth tiny new leaves. The ground was turning from a subtle latte color to a growing green as tender new shoots popped up everywhere.

Summer is hot, bright, sunny, colorful, green, energetic, lively, active and cheerful. This image reminds me of wearing flip-flops, short skirts, t-shirts, ponytails, and sunglasses. I can remember my children running around, exploring everything, happy to be outside.

Autumn is colorful, warm, cool, crisp, exciting, busy, cozy and fun. Autumn is the time of year for dress boots, cozy sweaters, and cute scarves. Autumn is a time for bonfires, garden harvesting, food preparation, school planning and winter prep. It’s the busiest time of the year! This image reminds me of the kids waiting in the van for me to jump out and get the shot. We had to hurry because we had so much to do that day! I love watching the seasons change and enjoying every unique and wonderful thing about them. I don’t think I’ll tire of the excitement of watching one season shift to the next bringing all of the changes of life that come with it. Thank you for joining me on my adventures this year! I look forward to the next!

What do you love about each season?

September 23, 2017July 3, 2018

52 Project, Week 21: Simplicity

When I think of the word “simplicity” I think of nature. Nature is an incredibly complex system, but being outside, in the woods, is where I feel peace and quiet. When I am outside, surrounded by God’s creation, life seems simple, and less stressful.

I marvel at the diversity and beauty of all of the things growing and living in the woods. I like to stop and capture some of my favorite finds. Mostly, I photograph flowers. I also really love finding mushrooms and different types of moss.

Trees have always held a special place in my heart. There’s so much to love about them. They are the lungs of the Earth, cleaning our air. Some even look like lungs! They give shade on a hot summer day. Their leaves are beautiful and ever-changing. Watching them grow from buds in the spring, to big leaves in the summer and seeing the brilliance when they lose their green in autumn is a marvel to behold. Pine needles create a soft carpet underfoot when they shed or give a bit of color to a landscape in the winter. Even the bark of trees is a unique style for each tree.

When I came across this leaf in the woods, I was instantly stopped by its brilliance. The green popped out on the dark path. It was decorated with either drops of rain from the recent storm or morning dew.

Editing the image, I could imagine it as a large print on my wall. The image itself didn’t need editing as it was already beautiful, just as it was. However, I do take all of my images RAW, so I had to make a few adjustments before converting it to JPEG, as I do all of my images.

I hope you enjoy my leaf in its simple splendor! If you were to capture something simple this week, what would you choose?

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Previous Week: 52 Project, Week 20: Favorite Color
Next Week: 52 Project, Week 22: Self Portrait
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July 30, 2017August 10, 2017

The Only Covered Bridge In Minnesota!

5 Week Workout Challenge: Week 3, Day 3
2nd Convention Day, Covered Bridge Park

The second day of the “Don’t Give Up!” convention was great! I felt bad for the people next to us because the kids had to get up and go the bathroom in alternating shifts. I suppose that’s typical with kids. Since my kids are all getting older, they sit pretty well except for the bathroom breaks.

After the convention, Princess wanted to go all the way to the top of the parking ramp. I brought us up and parked the van so the kids could take in the view. It was a beautiful and windy day in Rochester.

On the way home, we stopped in Zumbrota to see the covered bridge. I have always wanted to go check it out. It’s really beautiful and in great shape! I’m so glad we got a chance to visit!

We took a walk along the creek and then stopped at an amazing wooden park. It reminded me of a park that used to be in Burnsville called Skyland. It was torn down to put in a modern park several years ago, which has always made me sad. I loved playing at Skyland when I was younger. I’m really glad the children had the chance to enjoy this park. They want to come back every time there is a convention.

Park Info: http://www.ci.zumbrota.mn.us/index.asp?SEC=F8BD36E0-EA64-410F-B42C-3C819352F226&DE=05948FF6-7AB9-4FDC-996C-29FBF2FD779B&Type=B_BASIC

Have you been to the covered bridge in Zumbrota or do you have one near where you live? I’d love to hear about it or see your pictures!

UPDATE: I made a typo! It turns out that it was advertised as the only remaining “original” covered bridge in the state. There are other “non-original” covered bridges. I did find a list of all of the covered bridges, check it out! http://www.dalejtravis.com/cblist/cbmn.htm

5 Week Workout Challenge
Previous Week: Week 3, Day 2: 1st Convention Day, Rochester
Next Week: Week 3, Day 4: 4-Year-Old Adventure

July 23, 2017July 30, 2017

Enjoying A Lovely Day In Rochester

5 Week Workout Challenge: Week 3, Day 2
1st Convention Day, Rochester MN

Today was the first day of the “Don’t Give Up!” convention. We really enjoyed it! We left right before lunchtime. Every time I’ve tried to stay for the second half, I’ve had an anaphylactic attack from airborne food allergies. The last time, I had to have my dear friend Karen drive me home because I couldn’t walk, much less drive.

I could have gone to the E.R., but I usually try to avoid it if at all possible because there’s always the potential that they could do more harm than good with corn allergies. Hospitals are full of corn derivatives. In the severe allergy support group I’m part of, I often hear stories about how the ER accidentally gave them something that made them worse because they didn’t understand what was safe and what wasn’t.

This was the first time I left during the final song instead of after. I think this was also the only time I’ve ever left not gasping for air or incredibly dizzy. From now on, I’ll always leave during the final song before lunch. I always wish that I could stay, but I’m thankful that I’m at least able to attend the first half.

My favorite part of the conventions is hearing the singing of thousands of people. I love the Kingdom songs and hearing that many beautiful voices always brings tears to my eyes. Seeing everyone work together to pull off such a large event is always another of my favorite parts. There are always so many smiles, helpful people and a feeling of love and unity that I haven’t found anywhere else.

After leaving, the kids and I enjoyed a walk along the river in Rochester. It was a beautiful day. When we got home, Cat and I stopped by our local health food store for gluten free tortillas, then made a quick trip to the library to return books.

I’ve challenged Cat to read four classics over the summer. She really enjoyed Romeo and Juliet during school. Hopefully, she’ll learn to love the older classics as I have. Lately, she’s been into learning about Japan and learning more about drawing.

Have you attended the “Don’t Give Up!” convention yet? What was your favorite part?

5 Week Workout Challenge
Previous Week: Week 3, Day 1: Hastings Riverwalk
Next Week: Week 3, Day 3: Covered Bridge Park

July 5, 2017July 3, 2018

52 Project, Week 14: Favorite Scripture

This is my first chalkboard creation! My daughter Cat usually makes me beautiful art on the chalkboard that Nate made for me. Since this was my challenge, I thought I had better give it a try myself. I didn’t think it was fair to give Cat such a complicated project. (She insists she could have handled it.)

Drawing with chalk is a lot harder than it appears! Chalk is thick and flattens with each use, The edges are unpredictable with swirls and curves, unlike using a pen or pencil. I have to give Cat credit, she makes it look so easy!

Choosing my number one favorite scripture isn’t an easy task. I have a variety of favorite scriptures. Actually, I have a book of favorite scriptures! Narrowing it down to my top two was a little easier.

When I was studying the bible with my mentor, she often helped me find scriptures for life’s problems or questions I had. As we read through different topics, Isaiah 48:17 occasionally came up. Karen always mentioned that it was her favorite scripture and it’s not hard to see why. It’s a great reminder of what’s important in life.

Jehovah is teaching us to help ourselves through his inspired word in the Bible. The Bible is our guide to life and it can help us with every situation in life. With daily study and personal, heartfelt prayer, we’re developing a relationship with God and training our consciousness in the way we should walk.

I love that scripture, but I also love the one that follows.

¹⁷ This is what Jehovah says, your Repurchaser, the Holy One of Israel: “I, Jehovah, am your God, The One teaching you to benefit yourself, The One guiding you in the way you should walk. ¹⁸ If only you would pay attention to my commandments! Then your peace would become just like a river And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

I love the visual of peace and righteousness. It soothes and comforts me. By listening to God and applying his word, peace will be our reward.

Psalms 91:4 is my current favorite. The wording is a little different, depending on which Bible you use. My Bible has a more literal translation in an attempt for accuracy.
With his pinions, he will cover you, And under his wings, you will take refuge. His faithfulness will be a large shield and a protective wall.
Personally, I prefer the new international version, with the word feathers instead of pinions. A Pinion is the outer section of a bird’s wings. Although a pinion is very specific to what part of God’s wings will cover, pinion is not a regular part of my vocabulary.

I love this scripture, because of the thought of being protected by God. I love the visual of being safe, tucked under his wing, like a baby chick. Conjuring this image in my mind brings tears to my eyes. It’s like getting a hug from Jehovah.

Do you have a favorite scripture?

Previous Week: 52 Project, Week 13: Kindness
Next Week: 52 Project, Week 15: Hobby
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July 21, 2015January 2, 2018

Wishing for Happiness

As a very young child, I would wish for different things, a fun new toy or a special treat was probably what made the top of the list. Life was simple and sweet. As the years wore on, I learned that life wasn’t quite so simple. I learned that living in this world could sometimes be very hard. People and animals were suffering and dying. Not all people were kind, compassionate and empathetic. And sadly enough, that there were horrors that were beyond the scope of a little girls imagination.

I remember coming home from elementary school one day, horrified that some day the Earth would end in a fiery ball called a red dwarf. I went to my Dad worried sick about all of the people that would die. My father tried to reassure me that it wouldn’t happen in my lifetime. The sun wouldn’t explode for a loooong time. Still, I worried about the people who would be alive when the sun engulfed the Earth.

I started to worry about everything. I would find hurt or dying animals and bring them home to save them. Often, saving them was beyond my skills and I would bury them in my yard. My pet cemetery grew blackberry bushes over it as a gift from my fallen friends.

I worried about the children in other countries who were dying from starvation and disease. I worried about people hurting and polluting the Earth, our home. I worried about the amount of salt we ate and the amount of coffee my Dad drank because my school told me they were bad for our health. I’d lie awake at night thinking about all of the horrible stories I’d read about concentration camps. I’d worry about strangers trying to kidnap me or get me to buy drugs.

Eventually, I started wishing on stars and birthday candles and certain times(12:34 and 11:11) for something other than treats and toys. I started wishing for happiness. I wanted to be happy. I was so sad and worried all the time that I was quite a serious child. I wanted the whole world to be happy. I wanted everyone to be safe and healthy, loved and happy.

It wasn’t until recently that I realized I had stopped wishing for happiness. It has been so long that I don’t even remember the last time I made a wish. Why? It’s because I AM happy. What a wonderful thing. So I came to this conclusion:

Happiness is the result of finding purpose in life.

I’ve spent most of my life wishing for happiness. It wasn’t until I stopped searching for happiness and focused on finding purpose that I realized I had also found happiness.

For me, my solution has been finding and getting to know God. My aspiration has been to learn as much as I can about God through the bible. I have been studying the bible for the past 5 years and doing weekly bible studies and going to Sundays services for the past few years. I have never in my life found anything else that gives me as much satisfaction, and purpose as this.

If you haven’t yet given the bible a chance, you might ask why? I honestly never used to give much thought to God and the bible. I thought God was like a Santa Claus for adults. I thought the bible was an old outdated book of stories, mere fantasy like fairy tales.

The idea that some benevolent, omnipotent spirit created the Earth seemed far-fetched to me. I had been taught evolution in school. The world taught me to scoff at the notion of believing in things I couldn’t see. I was extremely critical and predisposed to evidence-based facts.

In spite of this, I was searching. I wanted peace on Earth. I needed answers to fulfill my spiritual side. I researched peaceful religions and people who seemed to have answers. I wanted to find answers to the questions that seemed burned into my very being. Why are we here? What is our purpose in life? Why is there such evil in the world? I wanted to feel complete.

I liked to think of myself as open-minded and tolerant of all religions. Although all of the religions I researched had bits of wisdom, a lot of them had things I was skeptical about. I never felt fully committed and invested in them. In my search, I even tried reading the bible by myself once or twice. Unfortunately, it was all over my head. I gave up and didn’t bother to try again.

Then one day, a girl showed up at my door and asked how I was coping. At the time, I was dealing with a stressful situation. Wary of strangers, especially with the modern prejudices of strangers carrying bibles, I was polite but hesitant. Those I knew cracked jokes and told me what they would do if someone showed up at their door with a bible. They gave me advice on how to be rid of this “problem.”

I was unsure of what to think. I was curious about the literature left by this sweet girl and yet, everyone I knew made a mockery of such things. I must admit that I wasn’t ready to commit to anything more than friendly chit-chat. My sweet Jehovah’s Witness continued to stop by and bring me new magazines. She didn’t give up on me and for that, I am eternally grateful.

I have heard this quote that makes me think of my journey to find happiness. Why wish on stars when you can pray to the one who created them? I no longer wish for happiness on stars because I have a relationship with our heavenly father, Jehovah. Through him, I’ve found all the happiness I’ll ever need.