Tattoos and stones?
Unusual combination, or totally related?
For me . . . they are totally related. My tattoos serve as stones of remembrance.
Let’s take a look at two examples of stones of remembrance before I relate them to
Melony – Great job and such an encouraging video! Through Christ and the word of our testimony, we will overcome. (Rev 12:11)
Very cool friend! Loved looking at all of the Overcomers. I didn’t realize you had interviewed so many until I saw them all together. That’s a lot of work- a labor of love I know! Awesome!
I think i recognized every one of these trails!!!
Great story Melony! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for these beautiful thoughts friend. As I was reading, I was imagining that I was walking the same paths. The one that resonated with me was the detour. I read once that grief, which we all experience at some time, is like a detour. You’re going along, living your life, and then it happens. You’re forced to go through a period of grief. Similar to going down the road, you see a detour sign and have no choice but to take it. Then at some point, the detour meets back at the main road, but the road is different. Like grief, at some point, you come back, but your path is very different. I’m on this detour now, and oh how many new experiences I’ve had already. I’m learning things and making decisions I never imagined I’d be strong enough to make. God is good, and He’s leading me gently through the detour. I hope this encourages someone who may be going through their own time of grief.
WOW!!!! I love this!!! I, too, can relate very well to this and my love for being out on the trails! It is so peaceful and an incredible place for reflections on my daily life. My mind is always more clear when I’m on my nature walks/runs! Thank you for your beautiful metaphor!!! 🙂
I love your connection of nature walks and the journey of life! I am a “Let’s go outside and play” kind of girl and always have been. I’ve also felt God’s presence as I walk through His creation. I’m reminded of His love for me and His promise that He will never leave me. And boy, do I need to remember that fact as I maneuver through some of the difficult walks of life! But as with some of the most challenging hikes I’ve taken, the view is worth it!
Beautiful… I love the great out doors and nature has a way of making everything seem less complicated.. loved your article and I’m glad you are getting a few weeks off to enjoy God’s creations..great read.. really enjoyed it.
Thanks for sharing your on-going story, Melony. Thanks for using your passion for writing to enlighten us on your pathway with TIA.
Blessings,
alan
Melony,
I had no idea that you had to go through this again! I praise our God that you were able to overcome once more and remain with us here to inspire us with your writings! You are a blessing to all us overcomers! BTW…I love your tattoo! I pray you never have to add another flower! Love you!
Hey sweet lady — one of the most beautiful feelings in the world is to feel loved (key word FEEL). So I hope you feel all the love pouring out to you to support you, to believe in you, to pull for you and to abundantly pray for you. You are always so busy writing about others and, regardless of your plight, it is good to hear the honesty and details of your story. Two of my favorite sayings are “The power of one” and “It takes a village”. Sounds like you are doing the “one” part — eating right, exercising, drinking ugly colored health drinks. Through your sharing, the “village” can now go to work. Let us support you, be there for you, pray for you & love you so much that you really feel it. Hang in there, stay strong, depend on God and know that you are loved.
My love & blessings to you —- Linda
Baby! Thank you for sharing your story in a transparent, authentic way . I love you!
Thank you for sharing your latest opportunity for overcoming, Melony. You are truly an inspiration to all who know and love you. Stay strong!
Love you,
Kay McDaniel
Oh friend, thanks for sharing your journey so openly and honestly. Andy Stanley’s recent message included the challenge: “See adversity as a gift with a purpose and a promise – the purpose may yet be determined, but the promise is, “My grace is sufficient for you…”2 Cor. 12:9. You are a beautiful example of living that promise out everyday. Love ya lots : )
You are an amazing woman to have gone through what you have and to have done it with a smile on your face . . . always. May God continue to shine down on you and bring you health and happiness.
One of the things that I love most about you-you get this weakness and uncooperative body thing. For us-its just living everyday and normal. Other people often don’t get it…and its hard to explain. I was beyond excited this weekend to find a pair of mismatched shoes on the clearance rack-mismatched to my feet. It won’t fix my lack of balance and stability on my right side….but it will help. Some anyway 🙂
This is why God brought us together–you take my left side and your right side and TOGETHER we could conquer this world!!!
Man I miss you…..
Melony – You are an overcomer! (love the tattoo:) Sorry you are having fatigue and health problems. You know what to do – Be good to yourself, receive from God and others who want to help. The Lord’s love for you is endless! Blessings, Maureen
You’re amazing Mel! Praying for you and hope the ink remains as is :-). Love you!
I am thanking God for our chance (not) meeting today neighbor and now friend, after all these years (14 here for me since 2003). Wow, I never would have guessed, I saw nothing of this today!!! Praises to God for His Jehovah Rapha healing hand on your body all these years!!! My prayer for you will be many more years of exercising your body and those glorious spiritual gifts God has given you, that you are using, not only for His Glory but, for the encouragement it brings to all us OVERCOMERS!!! I have not yet read all the stories but look forward to them!!! PS 46:10 is special to me and I can’t wait to share the Hebrew meaning of STILL with you, in case you don’t already know, remind me. Our Lord bless and keep you,
what i think will be very cool is to check in with these kids down the road and see where their creativity takes them, or better yet, see how their writing impacts them!!
Congratulations to you all! What an amazing opportunity you have to be poured into by one of the most encouraging women I know. Thank you Melony Brown for giving so generously of yourself.
It wasn’t too long ago that someone told me I would never amount to anything. Mrs. Brown made an enormous impact on my life and I am now in my second year of college studying for a master’s degree in Sociology. My scholarship recommendation came from my Comprehension and Rhetoric Professor for an essay I wrote. Mrs. Brown was my editor!
Just remember that you can only fail at what you do not try!
Love to see the creative juices flowing! As their computer teacher, I know what they’re capable of when they use their God-given talents. Good thing we’re practicing our typing skills to help with future writing! This is a great group of 5th graders that I’m proud to teach : )
i cannot wait to see the final results of all that each of you accomplished. Learning to write well starts by making the effort to accomplish and you have completed that task. You accomplished one of your goals – to write!!!
As you head into writes and rewrites, be encouraged seeing your creation blossom. We all have thoughts to share. Seek what God has for you — you are God’s unique creation and he has gifted each of you differently. Reach for God’s direction.
As their Reading and Language Arts teacher, I could not be more proud or more thrilled by the results of this National Novel Writing Month. It was amazing to come to school each day and have students beg me for “Nano time” during class. The students truly thrived during this month, carrying their writing journals and pencils everywhere they went, bouncing ideas off of each other, and worrying more about the story they were writing than about what grade they would get. I loved seeing their creativity blossom over the course of that month. What an incredible opportunity to be a part of! Thank you, Melony, for your continual encouragement and teaching this to the kids! This is something I am already looking forward to for next year!!
Hey… I did this!! This was my 4th one! 🙂
How fresh and exciting!
Melony, It was a privilege and especially a blessing to partner with you in this writing adventure! For us to see and be a part of one of your passions, we were honored. I was pleased with the final products as well, and can’t wait to open up Bartlett’s NANO coffee shop again!
Great reflection Melony! I love it! Thank you for sharing this!
Wow, that’s a great method of remembrance. Another amazing story. Thank you for sharing with the rest of us!
That’s my daughter always thanking God for everything in her life. You are such a great example to your mother. May God continue to richly bless you for your love for him.
You are such a Overcomer! I am so happy that the Lord put you and your wonderful family of miracles in my path. And when I say family I mean all of us as Overcomers, so that we can build off each others strength! Love you and May God continue to bless you!
Thank you, Teressa! I’m thankful YOU are part of the Overcomer family. Your story inspires and encourages others on a daily basis with your passion of being there for others who have faced sexual abuse. Love you, too!
Awesome, Melony. Thank you for this.
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18275215_10155204410845987_605591404830412232_n.jpg?oh=5630d7d948156a0e8a5cb0ab2a7de1ec&oe=59B72578
My tat in remembrance of my wonderful Aunt Sue whom gave me the strength to keep going when I did not know where I was or even who I was. She passed away from cancer two years ago. She was the real mother I never had growing up.
A beautiful remembrance of overcoming struggles!
Keep fighting Melony! You have believed God through all of it. I’m so blessed to know you!