Kelli Trontel

Today I remember Melissa. I remember her everyday, but today would be the day that I would call my sister and say HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

I ran across this photo on my phone this morning and it took me back to the very place we were at- Summer ’09 |Starbucks | Virginia. It was just us. We sat outside in the sunshine and just talked. I love this memory.

What memories are you making with your family? How will they remember you? Our greatest commodity is TIME and how are you spending it? Pastor Levi [from our church here in Whitefish, MT] spoke on this very topic a few weeks ago::

Death forces us to look at life & have wisdom in our remaining days. We are writing our Eulogy now.”

I know that I need more margin in my life. I definitely need to stop “multi-tasking”…I really don’t believe that “multi-tasking” is even legit….something always suffers. Yesterday I took a “technosabbath” [as Levi put it] and it was really good for my soul. To be present. To CREATE.

I challenge you today to be intentional about your TIME. We don’t have a lot of it….and we will all surely die. What will people say about our life? And most importantly….What will the Creator of our souls say to us when we meet Him face to face?

This was my birthday post to my sweet sister Melissa last year…..feel free to read it.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Can you believe the New Year will begin in less than 24 hours already?!?! Have you made a list of goals yet? I’ve started my list, but plan to refine it today.

Well, what I loved most about Christmas this year is that Reed and I didn’t have to travel and we were able to stay HOME…and start our own traditions. Ever since we have been married….we have either traveled to Idaho or Montana to be with family. Although I have loved visiting family….I was definitely looking forward to waking up on Christmas morning in our own bed and making our new home a cozy, wintery wonderland!

Below is a preview of what our Winter Fort looks like right now……
XOXO

I pray that you all had a wonderful Christmas. Thank you for the love that you have poured out over me this year- you are such a blessing.

This was our Christmas card this year…..and I included a few lines from a song that my friend/pastor [Dale Evrist] in Nashville wrote, titled “You Reign.” I sang this song at both my sister and dads Celebration Service this year. Theres so much HOPE, POWER and TRUTH in these words. May you be encouraged…..

“Over all that’s small and great, both in gladness and in pain, Hallelujah He reigns!”

Wow. Never did I think that I would lose both my dad and younger sister within five months. It seems like yesterday when I received the call about my dad [on June 15th] and was completely shocked to receive a call about Melissa [on November 14th]. The image above is the very last photo that I took of my sister…just this past August. Isn’t she beautiful?!

I wrote a blog about my sister last January- on her 30th birthday- you can read it here.

Melissa was a warrior and a lover of life. She knew how fragile life really is and rarely put anything off “until tomorrow.” Goodness, such a lesson that I want to learn and take seriously. Even though the odds were stacked up against her from the day she took her first breath on this earth- she lived each day to the fullest. The doctors even spoke death over her life at birth. However, this did not dictate the way Melissa would choose to live her life. There was no other option other than to live it. And to live it well. To endure whatever may come her way.

Melissa has finished her race and is now in the arms of Jesus. She has been reunited with our dad and her body has been made new. She is whole. She has received her healing!! My sisters and I were really believing that this year would be a BIG one for Melissa, but little did we know how big it really would be. She has seen the face of God and is in His presence! Pretty incredible.

I wanted to THANK YOU all for loving me [once again] through this season in life. These are the moments that you think you can never make it through, but I am. God is Faithful and He is Extravagant Love.

Melissa loved that I did a video blog for my dad….so I thought it was only appropriate [and an honor] to record a video for MY SISTER. I’ll be posting the video tomorrow….so be sure and check back!

I pray that you all have a very Merry Christmas and be intentional about all of your relationships. Life is short. So very short.

XOXO

I am so excited to help launch the latest fabulous project by Creature Comforts, the Gifted Magazine. Ez has become a sweet friend and I was honored to receive the call to contribute to this BIG IDEA.

My contribution was another fantastic collaboration with my dear friend, butterflyspArks!

We spent a few days here in Whitefish, Montana to create an early “Woodland Wonderland.” We could not have done this without some of our favorite etsy sellers! A BIG THANK YOU TO::

Red Velvet Art

OhMyDeer

Love, California

Monkeys On The Roof

The Fabled Needle

Jane Joss

LayerXLayer

My Adobe Cottage

Kitschy Galore

Slave of the Passions

Mema

Monkeys Always Look

Ez, I love everything that you dream up and create. You are a true artist and one that is constantly inspiring me. Thank you for this opportunity. It was an honor to collaborate with you!

**HURRY! Go and check out the festive projects, awesome freebies, delightful interviews, and a mega gift guide that will hopfully inspire and delight you throughout the Holidays!

XOXO