I am officially 26

My best friend Stephanie, from High Point told me a month ago on her birthday that she thought 26 was going to be a great year, and I agree! So far it has been so exciting, we have been celebrating my birthday all week. I even bought myself some candy corns and Joe bought me these beautiful fall colored flowers! I love yellow

Oh Where Oh where could the Motts be...

Hola!! It seems we have neglected our updates a bit and we are sorry, but it has been an exciting and very full month. Speaking of which, we can't believe it is September!
I am always amazed at where God leads us and how he provides for us. Over the past 5weeks, Joe and I participated in 3 more Rock the River events in St Louis, Quad Cities, and Minneapolis/St. Paul. The Holy Spirit worked wonders in all of the cities giving Franklin grace and guidance in his talks as well as the band members. Lacy from Flyleaf was so awesome, she is so articulate!!!!
I(Melissa) started my job at the end of July. I am working as a field assistant with the BGEA. It has been very different and exciting from what I have done the last 2 years, but I praise God for answering our prayers and providing me with a job with-in the Project.
We signed the lease and opened the My Hope PR office August 12. Their are currently 5 staff trained and working, with 2 more in the process of being hired. We are still searching for a few more but we have a great team so far. We have loved getting to know them and work with them.
Several weeks ago we also had a photo shoot with Puerto Ricans for our materials, and those pictures are currently being placed and worked with by a graphic designer who is preparing all materials for printing.
This project has had many firsts for Joe and I, though it is our third project together, we have never been a part of planning and follow through this early on. In other countries we arrive to staff and a office that is already functioning. We know that God only gives us what we can handle and that he uses things, people, and instances to stretch and deepen our faith, and for each of those we are so grateful. We always knew he didn't promise it would be easy and it has truely been some very trying moments at times, but as long as we are faithful, he provides!!!

I hope all of you will join Joe and I in praising God for all he has done in Puerto Rico already, but also we are asking for your prayers....
Please pray for the finance team, for continued unity in the office, travel and safety (I will be travelling to San Diego at the end of the week, to spend some time with my sister Bethany and my grandmother. And Joe will be travelling to the Dominican Republic in 2 weeks)
For God's guidance with a production company in Puerto Rico/Dominican Republic.

We thank you and love you all!!

Rock the River: Baton Rouge

Joe and I were given the awesome opportunity to help out at the Rock the River tour in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. For those who don't know, "Rock the River is a high-energy music tour traveling up the Mississippi". RTR(Rock the River) is hosted by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association(BGEA). At RTR Baton Rouge they had a ministry tent to help with awareness of all the amazing ministries the BGEA fosters to bring the Good news through evangelism for God's Kingdom! Whoo, with that said, Joe and I got to share with people our passion of My Hope all day. The event was a hit. They had seven hours of great bands including Flyleaf, RED, Mary Mary and others! Franklin brought the message of Jesus in a clear and relational way that impacted many and planted seeds in numbers we may never know. The turn out was over 11,000 and over 500 decisions for Jesus Christ!!!! In saying it was such an awesome experience for me, does not begin to express some of the comments left on FACEBOOK by those who were also there, one wrote..."well even the protesters couldn't stop the amazing power of Jesus.... if only 1 person was saved, then it was worth the heat, sunburn, and sprinkles. God also painted a glorious sunset across the sky - who in their right mind could say there is no GOD. The thunder & lightening stayed in the distance, just enough sprinkles to cool everyone down." The lightening she was referring to actually occurred behind the stage as Flyleaf was beginning and added chill to the praises they were singing. We are heading to RTR in St. Louis in a little less than two weeks and are so excited to see God work there too. Please Join with us and pray for the upcoming cities: St. Louis-Aug. 2nd, Quad Cities-Aug. 8 and Minneapolis/St. Paul Aug. 16. Please pray for the staff, the weather, the message(Franklin Graham and the testimonies from the bands),and for those traveling to and from the event! Also know that if you are within a do-able distance of these events, COME!! Bring friends, bring family, bring the neighbors kids!! Please also know that they are still looking for volunteers in the remaining cities! For more info and to sign-up go to http://www.billygraham.org/RTR/RockTheRiver.asp. Here are a few photos to get you excited(please know some of these photos were taken from flickr, and I have no ownership rights to them)

Meagan is Married

This weekend was so amazing. My younger sister got married. It was so wonderful to get to see my older sister Bethany and her husband Aaron who live in San Diego, so we don't get to see them often! Also my aunt and uncle and their not so young kids (they are teens) and other extended family came! While home we were able to get to know and spend more time with Eddie, Meg's new hubby. Though it was so much fun, it was also bitter sweet I think. This was my parents last child to get married. My mom had wedding planning down to a science! What chapter in life comes next? Well many say pets, though Bethany and Meagan already have them and Joe and I probably never will(we move too much). Kids? Yikes! Not for us anytime soon unless God has other plans.
The cute couple!
Bethany and Aaron
Aunt Gigi and Uncle Tony
At the rehearsal dinner!
Me, Mom, and Bethany

Joe and I with his parents

They were threatened not to smash cake on each other!
Father daughter dance
These two had so much fun dancing!
Grandma (She is the one who always threatens about the cake smashing, it has become a tradition beginning with my moms wedding)
My cousins Jacqui and Jon

Super quick update

Last week, Joe's friend(and really he is my friend too now) Drake came to visit. Drake is so great, so far he has visited us everywhere we have been except for one. I will post more on his visit soon. But today I am rushing for the airport headed home for my little sisters wedding! Yeah! I am so excited to get to see my WHOLE family! Some how we always wind up in helmets with Drake!?!


Hiking in El Yunque rainforest.

La Noche de San Juan

Last night was "La Noche de San Juan", Saint John the Baptist Night. John the Baptist is believed to have been born on June 24th, so many countries celebrate this day on the eve. Here in Puerto Rico, it plays out as hundreds of thousands of people flock to the beach for what can only be described as a Puerto Rican Mardi Gra or Spring Break beach party. At midnight all those participating flop backwards into the water, like they are being baptized....it is to ensure you have good luck for the next year. Some people may flop once, others, several times. Joe and I ventured out last night to see what all the fuss and traffic was about....Perplexing,interesting, as it was, like Carnival last year in Brazil. Luckily for Joe and I we believe in faith and not luck.

They apparently plan on sacrificing the sand alligator to John the Baptist also...

This is real video I found on YouTube from 2 years ago, but if you listen closely you can hear the countdown and then see them all flop! Kinda Funny.
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And this clip is even more interesting..."Ace, uniquely Puerto Rican detergent, commemorates Puerto Rican tradition of San Juan night when the island residents dive into the ocean at midnight. Even when you are far away from your homeland, your pride of being Puerto Rican will make you follow Puerto Rican traditions."(quote taken from the person who posted the clip)
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Play date in Old San Juan