Melanie

Hi! I'm Melanie. I am so glad to have you visiting my website.

My life has taken an unexpected turn. I've been diagnosed with a chronic illness called Dysautonomia. You can read more about it by clicking on the Dysautonomia link. You will also find some important information on how this illness affects me. Many of my church family and friends have asked me how they can help. I will try to share ideas on my Updates page.

Though many things have changed for me, God continues to be very important in my life. My personal relationship with Jesus has carried me through these last three difficult years. If you'd like to learn more about what I mean by "personal relationship"

You can also read about my spiritual journey by

I was recently thinking and praying about how I could keep in touch with all my friends and church family and how I could reach out and help others. God answered my prayer by graciously providing me with this web space. So I hope you will be blessed by it, and that you and I can feel better connected.

For those of you who don't know me, let me tell you a little about myself...

Bill and I have been married for 22 years. Bill is currently one of four pastors at Gateway Community Church. We have three kids - one in college and one in High School and one in Jr. High.

I have lost most of my past activities like teaching preschool dance classes, gardening and tennis. But, being a person who has to have something creative to do, I've found new outlets for my creativity. Some of my current activities include painting, jewlery making, and knitting. I have an art gallery you can browse through and I also sell some my art. I made beaded jewlery for almost all of our relatives this past Christmas and I have made myself an assortment of beaded bracelts that attach to my medical tag. I've also decided to make and sell beaded medical bracelets since those silver chains are just not as attractive! You can find these by clicking on my Art Gallery link.

I also enjoy reading, although lately, it's been easier for me to listen to books on tape. I always have a candle burning and love to listen to music. Some of my favorites are my Solitudes CD's (music with nature sounds), Enya, Michael Allen Harrison, Kathy Troccolli and my old time favorite - James Taylor.

I still occaisionally work on some writing, and Bill and I still do pre-marital counseling together. I am hoping that I will also be able to minister to others through this website.

You'll learn lots more about me and the work God is doing in my life as you read through the different areas of this website.

Hope you enjoy your visit!

~Melanie