Toby's debut performance!

Toby had his very first program! He had to stand in front of people and sing songs WITH movements - the whole 9-yards! Knowing Toby as I do, I knew this was going to be interesting to say the least!!!!

Escuse the camera work. Very shaky! It was our first time. In this first clip - (Toby is wearing a brown polo with blue stripes) He literally covers his face and shakes his head! Bear makes his vocal debut in this clip as well.


Toby's Program from Melissa Hendrix on Vimeo.

In this clip - he just decides to turn his back on everyone! This is classic!


Toby's Program 2 from Melissa Hendrix on Vimeo.

That's what friends are for...

I am making a point to write a normal, non-depressing blog. Balance is healthy! And I count myself fortunate when I examine my life and the ladies I am honored to share it with. I must declare proudly (and somewhat arrogantly) that I have the BEST friends ever known to man.


It starts with my girls from childhood - Britt and Emily. I have had the pleasure of knowing Brittainy for, I'd say, over 20 years now. I remember blazing through the '80s in excellent nerd fashion with that girl. We have since gained a sense of style and full-blown families to boot. Britt has twins that Toby absolutely loves. She is one of the only other women that can make my Toby shake in his boots! She has that boy in check! More power to her! She'll need that firm hand this summer while he is terrorizing her house from 8 to 5! Love you girl!
Then, there's Emily. She expanded me and Britt's dynamic duo and brought some new excitement. Never a dull moment with that girl! She was a wild child through high school and we got into more trouble than I will EVER admit! You'll never get it out of me! Promise Em! Now it's hard to recognize that girl with all her "baggage" - I say that lovingly. Emily has 3 of the most beautiful kids! Man, when did we grow up? It's such fun! And we will have to continue to take trips to the zoo with all the kids! How stinkin' fun was that? What a ride?!

ALL the kids, plus some nephews

Then, we move on to the "college friends" - as Britt likes to refer to them. Dallas Baptist sure did produce some of the best woman! These are the women I am growing old with. We are breeding like the end is near and laughing like we don't care. Every moment with these women is a JOY. Angelique, Cathy and Kassie are my prayer warriers and my strength in hard times - and we have shared many a hard time. We also, however, are able to revert back to teenagedom in less than 60 seconds. It's a proven fact. They are my good balance of common sence, godly wisdom, and just plain fun. I was more of a guys girl before these women. Always thought girls involved entirely too much drama that I wasn't willing to take - then these ladies came along.


Above from L to R: Me, Kassie, Angelique and Cathy


Then there's the fab 10! Yes I said 10! With the 3 girls mentioned above, then throw in a few of our suitemates and some volleyball players and you have the most down to earth, loving, easy-going women I have ever met. Among the 10 of us, we have 14 kids! Yes 14! And I CAN name them all! Not in order of age though. It's humorous actually. No wonder we need girl time! I went from childhood with 2 close friends to adulthood with a whole slew of wonderful women lifting me up daily! I count my blessings for sure.

Above NOT pictured: Lana and Kassie

Not done yet! We can't finish up this blog without acknowledging God's impecable purpose in placing me at this church (where I am the Financial Secretary) in His perfect timing. I am surrounded - and I mean surrounded by wonderful women who are currently my crutches. I am struggling with each day after the loss of my mother, and in every weak moment I see the loving face of sweet Janelle or Melissa or Michelle or Krystal or Jennifer. The list is endless! I am in awe of the warriers I have struggling in prayer for me and crying sincere tears for me and with me. Sweet Janelle and Michelle get an earful on a daily basis and I will always look back on this hard time in my life and remember their sweet words of encouragement. I love these ladies and look forward to sharing many seasons with them.

Above pictured: Krystal, Lib (holding Bear), and Janelle

Above pictured: Krystal, Melissa and I

Out of the mouths of babes...

My 3 year old is nearing 4 years of age! His birthday is in June and he is getting so much wiser in his old age. Tonight he sang me a song that floored me...It goes like this:
What a mighty God we serve.
What a mighty God we serve.
Angels bow before Him.
Da na na adore Him. (He didn't remember this line too well)
What a mighty God we serve!
I can't say why this particular song has had such an impact on me other than the fact that I am struggling with the recent loss of my mother. I had previously written about how ill she was and on April 22, the Lord took her (at the young age of 57) to be with Him. Writing this seems so surreal. I am still picking up the phone to call her only to realize I can't. I am still laughing at jokes and thinking, I can't wait to tell mom that one. It just isn't real yet. People keep asking how I am and I in turn reply, I'm good. I keep saying that the Lord is sustaining me, and I assure you He is. BUT, when Toby sang this song to me in his innocent voice it hit me like a powerful sermon. We DO serve a MIGHTY God! The SAME God that healed the blind, that parted the sea, that walked on water, that brought Lazarus back to life...the very SAME God. I have read Isaiah 40 and Psalm 104 enough times to know we serve a BIG God. He holds the nations like a drop in a bucket. So WHY then is saying I am sad an understatement? I feel alone...like a part of me is missing. I guess it's all part of the mourning process and I hear how depressing I sound. I don't mean to put this out into the world to make everyone sad, or gain sympathy...honest. I just desire to deal with this, and quickly. Whatever can make this process more healthy or less painful...I want to try it. I've heard it said that writing things down is good for the heart, so hear it is. My mother was a WONDERFUL woman. She had a childlike mentality, and literally, wouldn't hurt a fly. She loved unconditionally and it was a good thing because I gave her heck when I was a teenager. She, along with my sister, have become my best friends and I knew her as well as I know myself. She knew me better than I know myself. She was a wonderful Nana! She loved Toby and desired to get to know Bear with all her heart. I thank God for allowing her to be present at his birth and now I thank God for giving her peace and healing her by taking her to be with Him. She is much happier and it DOES comfort me to know that if given the choice, she wouldn't choose to come back. She is healthy now in her beautiful heavenly body. And, I await the day I will meet her there. Until then, I am forever changed and forever humbled by this experience. People say to cherish your loved ones while you have them, and it goes in one ear and out the other. Well, I am getting busy cherishing.
God is still walking me through this season and I am learning. I am taking it all in and will be a better minister because of it. People in Africa deal with loss everyday. I feel so deeply for them and do not claim to relate to them. I can not wait, however, to minister to their innocent hearts stuck in a world wrought with despair.
Praise the Lord for hope in Him! Praise the Lord for 3 year old wisdom! Praise the Lord for life after death!