November winds a blowing ....and snowing...

It’s November!  Oh my goodness!  Where has all the time gone?? If you would like to get monthly updates and stories about my new adventures, send me an email!  I'd love to connect.  What exactly do you do? It's been two months since I started working for Immerse and it has been an amazing ride!   As Director of Ministries of Immerse’s ‘Effective Track’ (leader development), I meet with leaders 1:1, mentor, develop policies, and help lead lots of Prayer Resolutions sessions.

What is Prayer Resolution? Great question, you!  I've always thought you were incredibly smart and good looking  Check out this video for more information! So after 2 months what do you think of your job? I LOVE working with the Prayer Resolution tool!  Oh my goodness, I may have been created to do this type of ministry. I get to use my gifts of encouragement, and my innate tendency to ‘dive deep’ with people. I get to watch God heal people every.stinking.day. I have the honor and privilege of crying with someone as they face things that have been done to them and then honestly look at what they've done to other people. I get to watch as Jesus uses the power of his sacrifice to wash them clean, make them new, and restore their minds and hearts!

It’s like watching people who have been dead come back to life! I honestly feel like I am standing outside of graves and yelling for people to come out, Lazurus style. The words I speak sound nothing like "Come back from the dead!"  but more like "You're worth crying for.  Your heart is important.  That shouldn't have happened to you. Would you like to bring that to your Heavenly Father?" but the effect is the same. Prayer resolution also provides an opportunity to see some of the deepest desires of my heart fulfilled.   For as long as I can remember my heart has ached over the large issues in our world - poverty, sex trafficking, devastation from war, racial injustice, starvation, kids who have been abandoned, etc.. I almost got swallowed up by the ache when I was younger.  Perhaps you can relate?  Luckily, I’m starting to understand that I'm not asked to do 'all the things'.  But I can work with God as he heals people so that THEY can  become fully alive and equipped to be the lovers this world needs.  The numbers For all you numbers folks, here's what that looks like: 372 hours total = 46.5 hour work week 189 hours of Prayer Resolution 60 hours of Effect Track Meeting times 64.5 hours of administration and policy writing 33.5 hours of individual meetings 25 hours of miscellaneous tasks Partnership Opportunities Would you like to partner with me in this life giving ministry?  There are several ways you could participate!  Go to Substance Church’s monthly class on Forgiveness   Learn more about the main building block of Prayer Resolution and how to apply this life giving tool   Become a Prayer Partner Would you like to pray for me and my coworkers?  I cannot overemphasize the need for prayer support as we engage in the battle for people’s hearts.   Give financially  Prayer Resolution is funded through donations. If you would like to give a spontaneous gift or set up a monthly donation, please visit Immersedisciplship.com or click the "Donate" button below. After signing in, please write "Melissa Lundquist" under special Instructions for the recipient.

Thanksgiving for the broken hearted

It's Turkey Day. That once a year feast that Americans are so fond of where we binge in the name of plenty and toast our relations for being smart enough to connect their world to ours. Thanksgiving blogs will pop up like after dinner pie- sweet and served up to those already overstuffed with goodness. Some will count their blessings publically, some will have a patriotic flavor, some will point out hypocrisy and decry (legitimately) the problems with this holiday. This blog is not about that. 

This is a blog for the broken hearted, the isolated, the silent. This is a blog for those that are sitting among family and friends and still feel alone. It's for those going to work today to hide the ache. For those who will plaster on fake smiles while desperately trying to hide behind the piles of stuffing and gravy. Feeling....less than thankful. 

This blog is for you.  You are not alone in the quiet. Here is what my heart has to say to yours today: 

I.  You don't have to be thankful. And you don't have to feel guilty about it.  It's ok to feel the feels. Thankfulness has to do with gratitude  and gratitude is difficult in the middle of grief and sadness. 

2. Be kind to yourself.  You are so important. Please treat yourself as you would treat a dear friend. 

3.  Allow someone else, the universe, God, to be thankful for you. You are a gift to this world, whether that beautiful, shining gift of you is recognized or not. 

So dear one, whether this finds you among friends or in solitude, I pray that you would find peace and space to honor your hearts needs. 

Love,

Mel

**If you are struggling with suicide or depression please don't go through this alone. There is help and there is hope. in MN call +1 (612) 379-1199 or nation-wide 1 (800) 273-8255. 

One week in: Learning ALL the things....or not.

Hat's off to my first week "on the job"!! Last week was a beast job transition wise, but so amazing! Here's a peak into what this has looked like for me:

I've had a lot of people ask me what does transition from a 9-5 job look like?  My answer: I have no idea.  I don't feel like I've transition so much as slammed  into a brick wall called "days off". Followed by a few days where I've been trying to clear my head of the impact and get myself together.  To shake off the cobwebs and allow myself to "coast to a stopping point" I reupholstered a couch, re made a room divider, transplanted some plants, wrestled up a new filing system, gave it a makeover and did 8 loads of laundry in 48 hours. Slowing down isn't something that is a natural process for me. But I'm' learning. Cuz it's needed ya'll. Actually learning is probably my theme right now and for the foreseeable future. Here are some of my highlights.

1. I'm not going to get it "right" all the time. With any job, there is a learning curve and grace and humility is needed in large doses.  I've bombed a couple of things already.  And it really stinks, especially as those things can effect others.  But I also have an opportunity to practice self love and acceptance while encouraging myself to grow in new skill sets. Go team me!

2. I get to be a "door opener". Over the last 5 business days, I've had 6 meetings with people and I love it!  Whether we've chatted about life, the opportunity to join a leader cohort in Immerse's Equipping and Training program, or been in the middle of a Prayer Resolution session I find myself looking for doors and inviting others to step through them into new possibilities.  This is so much fun!

3.Structure is my friend, especially in the mornings.  Check out this helpful article here: Business Insider . What I took from this article was the importance of a sustainable and consistent morning routine.  I've also tried to put into practice "no screen time" until I sit down at my computer. #lifeonpurpose.

4. Sabbath Rest and Boundaries are my new love language. It is crucial for me to STOP doing ALL the things.  Seriously.  Stop it for 24 hours.  There are times in life when this isn't possible for me, but it cannot be a lifestyle. I'm learning how to coast into a rhythm that looks manageable and good.  One where I make coffee in the morning and take time to pray for my friends. I took exactly 24 hours off last week and this beautiful rest cozied up and settled in all around me.  I might call it quiet, or 'the peace of God', or both.  It was like a sweet fragrance that infiltrated my day. Now, I catch a whiff of it every morning as I rest, pray, and make my coffee in the morning.

So much learning, but its happening.  Coffee helps.  Rest helps.  And you guys help a ton too. Thanks for all of your text and encouragements this last week.  Excited to see what next week brings!

Exciting changes!!

 
Hi, friends!
 
I am so excited to tell you about changes that are happening in my life in the next few months!  To save you time, here’s the skinny:  1. I’ve been hired as a Director of Ministries at Immerse Discipleship!   2. I need to raise my own salary – will you help me?

I’ve been working with Immerse for over two years in a volunteer capacity.  In January, I realized I needed to make a choice: either cut back on my Immerse activities or seriously consider a change of vocation. I love my current job as an Academic Coach at Capella University!  It would take something pretty amazing to entice me to leave.   But after prayer, counsel and planning I believe it’s time to take the plunge!

 

Here’s why this organization has captured my time and passion: Immerse’s mission is to Serve the Body of Christ so that it can be as Mature, Healthy and Effective as possible.  This type of growth takes time and unfettered investment in the life of an individual. We believe that people are worth it!  The learning, growth and individual transformation I’ve seen in those who’ve gone through Immerse resounds deeply with my own spiritual DNA. Helping the Body of Christ ‘grow up’, ‘wake up’ and ‘come alive’ is the calling on my life.  This job is more than a fit, it’s my next God-given assignment.

Each of Immerse’s goals of “Mature, Healthy, and Effective” are an individual track one could participate in. I have been hired to work as the Director of the “Effective track”. My job description is pretty big; here‘s what I’m excited about.

Leader Collaboration:  Leader Collaborative Groups are 8 week groups that provide a place for leaders from churches across the Twin Cities to connect, invest in their spiritual growth, learn from one another and gain new tools. The prayer, discussion and practice times have been incredibly powerful during our summer group.  While I am sad to see our group conclude, I am look forward to refining this group process as we launch another Leader Collaborative in the spring of 2016.

Equipping and Training:  This track will be launching in one month! I will be helping build up and grow all leaders serving in Immerse. My goal for these amazing people is that they will become more aware of their gifts and the calling on their life as they experience the life changing power of God.

Prayer Resolution:  This one is my heart, y'all. Prayer Resolution is a tool that helps a person bring their hurts, traumas, and unhealthy patterns to their Heavenly Father and find freedom and resolution! God has used this tool to change my life in dramatic ways and I am beyond thrilled to use this tool in a "full time" capacity.  I will be focusing tow weeks out of every month on just Prayer Resolution sessions.

 



Questions? 
I'd love to connect with you

This is my new day job!  I am not sure it is possible to be more excited than I am right now. Will you partner with me to make this a long term reality?  Any amount is helpful, especially if you can partner with me financially on a monthly basis.  Your donation is tax deductible and can be set up online in less time than it takes to read this letter.  You can also use the form below to send in donations. Not able to give?  I would love your prayer support as well!

 

Click here to partner with me financially

*please add my name in the special instructions section

See below for more info!

 

 

 

Melissa Lundquist

Director of Ministries

Immerse Discipleship

http://www.immersediscpleship.com

Mel@immersediscipleship.com

 

 

 

"Serving the global Body of Christ so that it can be as Mature, Healthy and Effective as possible."

 

Thanks for your support!
 

 

Here’s a couple of ways you can participate:

 

Send me an email to sign up for prayer requests and updates!
Meljlundquist@gmail.com
 

 

1.       Go to www.immersediscipleship.com

2.       Click donate

3.       Enter the amount, 

4.       Check the “Make This Recurring” Button (if applicable). Sign in to Pay Pal.

5.       Once you sign into PayPal, click the ”Add Special Instruction”. Write "Melissa Lundquist" in that field.