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A letter from Melody
May 18, 2000Dear Brothers & Sisters from LDM,
How I wish I could be with you for this gathering! There are so many great and funny and uplifting memories we could share -- and laugh about (and perhaps cry about) together. I feel very sad that I can't be there with you, but as I'm sure most of you already know there are some difficult circumstances that just make it impossible for me to attend at this time.
Even though I can't be there to tell you this in person, I do want to tell all of you how grateful I am for you -- and the way you gave so much of your hearts and your lives to serve at LDM. Without you, and lots of others like you, it just couldn't have happened the way it did. We still get so many letters from people who continue to be impacted by the messages, concerts and Keith's music. And many write to say that it was through LDM in some way that they received their call into ministry, or got serious with God, or through us that God revealed Himself as a reality.
Interestingly, many who write are teenagers and young adults. And speaking of young, it still amazes me that Jesus could accomplish so many incredible things through such young and inexperienced people as we were... but I guess He was looking at our hearts to serve, not our ministry expertise.
I really want to encourage you that your efforts, no matter where you served in the ministry, have born much fruit that has remained... and fruit that continues to be birthed afresh. Nothing done for Jesus goes unnoticed by Him, and I think sometimes when we are in the middle of something it is easier to see our flaws (which were many) than it is to understand how powerfully we are being used in spite of them. I think it is just part of God's amazing grace. I just know something was accomplished at LDM for the Kingdom of God that can never be duplicated. It was a special season, a special time, and a special call --something that I feel very privileged to have been able to be a part of.
There are several of you that I have seen recently, and so you know more first hand what has been happening with LDM. But for the rest of you I am really happy to share that the Last Days Magazine is being re-launched and is probably at the printers as you read this. Also a new LDM website is up and running. It is still a bit rough around the edges, but continually being upgraded. I am quite sure the Lord still wants His heart shared with this new generation through "LDM eyes" so to speak. It is a really exciting time and the initial response has been overwhelmingly positive.
We are just taking it one step at a time and letting the Lord unfold it as He wants to. With the technology we have today we're able to have offices in three different states and still work closely together. We don't have a volunteer staff or live in community as we did before, but I believe LDM's impact-potential can be just as large when it comes to the scope of outreach. And the seeds each of you sowed into LDM at the beginning, have helped make what we are doing today possible. So I hope as LDM gets going again you'll feel a sense of accomplishment and even pride (the good kind) in your spirit.
As for my family, Rachel is 17 and living with me in Southern California and Rebekah who will be 19 in July graduates from nine months of discipleship training in June. They have both grown into beautiful young women who love the Lord. I am forever grateful for all those years of community as they were growing up. They have life-long friends scattered around the globe and many years of seeing a radical Christian lifestyle lived out before them. l just don't think it gets any better than that.
I am still loving and trusting Jesus for all things. In fact, a few more things than I thought I'd ever have to. I'm sure you are continuing to grow in your faith as well. I am continually challenged by our dear friend Leonard who said, "Are the things you're living for worth Christ dying for?" And to quote someone else we all loved, "I can't wait to get to heaven. when He’ll wipe away all our tears. In six days He created the whole earth. But He's been working on heaven, He's been working on heaven, He's been working on heaven six thousand years!"
When we all get to heaven we will finally be in the presence of the Lord forever, and we'll see in whole, not in part... and that is something I really look forward to! In the meantime, there is still much to be done while it is light.
I am very grateful that each of you have been a part of my life. I know you'll have a wonderful time of fellowship together at the reunion. My desire is for God's richest blessings to be upon each of you, and that you continue to fulfill your destiny as you finish your stay on earth.
I love you very much,
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