Reading the material below will ruin the surprises in More Great. Please come back and enjoy the updates after you've read the whole story.
Special Note
Read the story as it happened. Starting with the first e-mail Melody sent to her family and friends, we've compiled Melody's updates that she wrote as the story unfolded. Take a few minutes to experience More Great as those who love her did.
I’m getting ready to leave the country, but I want to shoot you a quick update before I head out:
1. Can you believe you’ve been reading these updates for five years now? On November 1, I’ll celebrate five cancer-free years. Stastics show that people who don’t have a recurrence of breast cancer in the first five years usually don’t have a recurrence ever. So this is a big benchmark. Thanks for celebrating it with me.
2. I’m leaving for Ukraine tomorrow. I’ll be playing guitar, singing and sharing my story in a handful of churches. Please join me in praying for the people of Ukraine.
3. Baylor Magazine asked me to write a little article about myself. If you’re a Baylor alum, it should be in your mailbox soon. If you’re not a Baylor alum, you can read it here. I’m sure you won’t be surprised to find a Psalm right in the middle of it.
Thank you so much for all of your prayers and encouragement throughout these five years. You’re a big part of this story.
“My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul. Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let your glory be over all the earth” (Psalm 108:1-5).
You probably don’t know the whole story. It started long before I wrote that first e-mail update I sent you. But I feel like you’ve been right here beside me for at least half the journey. And I’m grateful–so grateful I’ve even mentioned you in my book. I wrote about how you prayed for me, and I nodded at you in my acknowledgments section.
If you’d like to read the whole book, you can download it for free at moregreat.com. You can also reread all the updates there, check out some bonus materials, and tell the world your own story. I’d love to hear from you.
Melody
“All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:16).
From the front of the book:
Some may call this a story of suffering. Others may call it a leap-of-faith adventure. But for me, it was a knee bender. Even now when I read it, God speaks humility and hope to me, and I bow again. I don’t know what’s going on in your life or what’s to come. But I’m praying that God’s grace in these pages will overwhelm you and you will bow with me. And I’m praying that you will be able to say what Martha said when her brother, Lazarus, was dead: “Yes, Lord, I believe” (John 11:27). Then, like Martha, watch what happens next.
I’m calling this my Sabbath place. There’s not much else to do in this small town besides rest. And over the summer, I had about six weeks when I barely worked at all (oh, the joys of freelance), so I got even more rest then. During that time, the youth group at my church let me hang out with them. They let me drive them to Six Flags and a Braves game, the beach in Panama City, and a white water rafting adventure in Tennessee. They were my ticket to invigorating fun while I was off. I also used that time to work on my book. You may remember that I wrote my story for my seminary thesis a couple of years ago. I’ve been working on revisions, and in early November, I hope to have it available for you to read. Keep watching for that.
These days I’m working mostly for the North American Mission Board. I’m some sort of assistant for the People Groups Strategist in the Church Planting department. Because I’m a contractor, I don’t have an official title. I call myself a research assistant, but ”Third Hand” or “Extra Brain” might better describe my job. I guess I’m like an intern or a graduate assistant, except I get to work from home.
I’ve been here in my Sabbath place, for nine months now. There are times when I look around and think, What in the world am I doing here? How did I end up in this tiny town? When the culture shock hit hard this summer, I asked, Seriously, God, why am I here? He took me to Ezekiel 20:12: “I gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between us, so they would know that I the LORD made them holy.” Holy. That’s why I’m here. Because I am holy, set apart for God and His purposes. This is my time to learn that and believe it. I’m His. Not because of anything I’ve done or haven’t done; not because of anything I’ve been or haven’t been. Just His. And in the future when I forget that, this time and this place will be a reminder, a memorial, a sign to me that I am holy to a Holy God.
Right now Sabbathing looks like getting a lot of exercise. I’m running the streets and making friends at the gym, and I’m even attending a yoga class. I’m also reading books, and I’ve started a reading plan that will take me through the whole Bible in a year. I’ve just finished teaching a women’s class on Galatians. Now I’m leading the 5th & 6th grade choir at my church. I’m spending time with women from other generations. I’m dating my parents. I’m walking the dog. And sometimes I’m just sitting on the beach. But the most important part of this Sabbath is when I lay down my idols and the chains that enslave me to them. In that freedom, I find rest, and I show the world that I am holy to a Holy God.
Sabbathing,
Melody
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10).
The movieChariots of Fire made famous Eric Liddell’s decision not to run his best event in the 1924 Olympics because it fell on a Sunday, the Sabbath. It was his way of honoring God, and what a sign it was to the world that he was holy to the Holy God. On October 16, I’m running my first 5K. I’m using the occasion to raise awareness and support for OneVerse, a division of Wycliffe Bible Translators. OneVerse encourages people to donate $26, the average cost of translating one verse of Scripture into a new language. If you want to sponsor one verse (or more) to be translated into Rutara, a language spoken by 200,000 people in Southeast Asia, go to www.teamoneverse.org and click on my page on the right. Thanks.
Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, and he ended up in Egypt running Potiphar’s household. Potiphar’s wife accused Joseph of assaulting her, and he ended up running the jailhouse. He interpreted some dreams for his fellow inmates, and one of them recommended him to Pharaoh. Pharaoh promoted him from prisoner to the number two man in the country. And in the next few years, Joseph had two sons. “The second son he named Ephraim and said, ‘It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering’” (Genesis 41:52).
I came to Austin intending to be fruitful. I quickly discovered that a seed has to die before it bears fruit (John 12:24). I didn’t expect to see this much suffering—or bear this much fruit. The last 3 ½ years seem unreal. Did I really walk through that? And why did all these wonderful people chose to walk through it with me? How did I get to this amazing city in the first place? I can’t believe God planted me in such a remarkable church and surrounded me with a community of friends I never could have asked for. What an undeserved gift. God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.
He has made me so fruitful that I don’t even see this as the land of my suffering. I see Austin as my healing place. Here God has healed me physically, emotionally, spiritually, and socially—in places I didn’t even know I was broken. He has removed cancer and death from more places than you can see. God has gone deep into my heart to remove idols and fears, and He has replaced them with a joy that springs from faith in His love for me.
As I was reading the Joseph story a few months ago, I was also praying about where God wanted me to live next. My roommate got married last month, and our lease ends next month. That puts me in transition again. While I read about Joseph bringing his father and brothers to live near him in Egypt and I wondered about my own housing situation, God reminded me of something He’s been telling me for years now, “Love your parents.” Usually I ask him how. This time His answer was to move right into their lives—like He did to mine (John 1:14). And He’s made it easy for me to do that. My work-from-home job is mobile. Medically, I’m down to check-ups. And the seeds I’ve been planting are ready to be tended by others. It’s time to love my parents up close and personal.
So in a few days, I’ll throw some boxes in the back of their SUV and head to my new home. Before I do, though, I want to thank you for being a part of my growth here in Austin. Thank you for being a part of that wherever you live. I’m asking God to make you fruitful too, even in the land of your suffering.
Melody
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” (Jeremiah 17: 7-8).
My church is amazing. You know that already, but I need to brag again. On Easter Sunday we watched a video of how the gospel is changing lives at The Austin Stone Community Church. I was honored to be included in it.
I’m grateful to be a part of this church and humbled to be loved by such an incredible God. His gospel heals everything that’s broken.
Melody
“For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power” (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5).
(Here’s the Easter video my church made for the children.)
When I started taking seminary classes, I knew that with a full-time job and a long commute, it would take me ten years to graduate. But I figured I’d be ten years older anyway; I might as well be ten years older with a degree. Five years into this plan, I decided I needed to finish faster, because, by golly, God had a plan for me and I’d better get on with it. So I got a job with a more flexible schedule and finished my classes within the next two years. All I had to do now was write my thesis.
At that point, I moved to Austin, and life changed. Cancer became my teacher and taught me more about God than I could ever learn in seminary. In the middle of all the surgeries and chemo, many of you told me I should write a book about my life. My advisor agreed with you. He let me write my story for my thesis. I finished it this summer, and this Friday I’m graduating–half a year early.
You’d think that after 9½ years I’d know why I was getting this degree and how I planned to use it. I do have some plans, but none of them requires a master’s degree in Communication. I’m helping LifeWay Christian Resources and the North American Mission Board do some research on working with immigrants. I’m doing some freelance editing, and I’ve enlisted some friends to help me edit my thesis so I can publish it next year. When I’m not working on any of those projects, I babysit, volunteer at my church’s office, and, of all things, play hostess at a model home. What kind of degree do you need for that?
A few weeks ago, God did give me a specific directive on what He wanted me to do with my degree. “Trust Me,” He said. Apparently that’s a life-long job, a job I’m still learning how to do. But these last 9 ½ years have certainly helped prepare me. It sounds like God has a plan for me, so, by golly, I’d better get on with it. I hope to see you along the way.
Still learning,
Melody
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
I’ve recovered from the shingles and rescheduled my last reconstructive surgery. I’ll go in tomorrow (Tues). Today I’m working through my typical pre-op to-do list: laundry, bank, airport (Mom), pharmacy, phone calls, emails, bills, cleaning and anything else that will require arms or a brain for the next two weeks. Because tomorrow my arms and brain are going on vacation courtesy of Seton Hospital.
Surgery feels like overseas travel. You wear yourself out preparing for it. When the day finally comes, you willingly submit yourself to an agonizing flight that leaves you barely able to function the next day. It can take a week to recover. But you know the exhaustion, brain fog and discomfort are worth it, so you press through it. Eventually you find yourself in a new normal. And yeah, it’s worth it.
My Seton Hospital flight departs at 11 AM tomorrow. Thanks for praying.
Melody
“[God] doesn’t scrimp on his traveling companions. It’s smooth sailing all the way with God of the Angel Armies” (Psalm 84:11-12 The Message).
Some of you know that I was scheduled to have my last reconstructive surgery this Tuesday. My plastic surgeon called this afternoon and postponed the surgery because I have the shingles. Yes, the shingles. My mom calls them Job’s boils. After they clear up we can reschedule the surgery.
The good news is my parents will arrive any minute. Now I can spend the week playing with them here in Austin. Should be lots of fun. But if you see me out and about, please don’t hug me. It will hurt. And if you’re pregnant or you’ve never had the chicken pox, don’t even touch me. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/shingles/DS00098/DSECTION=symptoms
Some of you also know that I had a polyp removed on Thursday. I’m doing well and should get the biopsy results on Tuesday.
Thanks for praying. And thanks to those of you who had already signed up to bring me meals.
Y’all are the best!
Melody
“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21).
I’m back on drugs again (I told you I had problems with New Year’s resolutions). For the first time ever, I had to get prescription meds for my allergies. Cedar fever took me down. But steriods up my nose brought some relief. And I’m about to take more drugs. I’m going under the knife again. This time I’m starting the reconstructive process. My first surgery is Tuesday, March 25.
If you live in Austin, please hug gently.
Thanks,
Melody
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
