Ivana Melissa R.

I know some pretty amazing women. These women are driven, filled with faith, and I feel there is so much we can learn from each one and her personal journey. These church ladies break all molds and reflect God beautifully in so many different ways.

When I think of Ivana Melissa, I think of her smile. She has one of those smiles that stays with you forever. She is a go-getter, an amazing singer, and unofficially a model– truly one of the most photogenic people I know. She is an incredible friend. Each morning she shares a faith-filled thought with me to start off our day together, inspired. Joining us from Paraguay, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to this incredible business woman of faith, Ivana Melissa.

Ivana Melissa R.

Biblical inspiration of the moment: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

Spiritual growth focus, at the moment: Faithfulness and becoming spiritually mature.

Profession: Working on my MBA 🙂

One sentence bio: I was born, grew up and I continue growing serving the Lord, singing, smiling, playing sports, involved with Pathfinders and doing my job as a professional. I spend a lot of time with the Pathfinder club, which dedicates itself to community service, leadership training, and camp activities that are recreational and spiritual in nature.

When did you first encounter God? I encountered God differently in 2009, when I broke up with my boyfriend. The break up affected me deeply. I was so stressed out and anguished that I often couldn’t sleep. When I couldn’t sleep, I would stay up and copy passages from the Bible, and God would speak to me through David’s Psalms; I really felt identified with David’s anguish. That helped me so much.

“When I couldn’t sleep, I would stay up and copy passages from the Bible, and God would speak to me through David’s Psalms…”

What has helped you grow spiritually in this season? Suffering

Currently reading: I Kissed Dating Goodbye, by Joshua Harris, and Promises for the Lasts Days by Ellen G. White.

Top three essentials: Prayer, smiling all the time and traveling. I really want to visit the Maldives, Bora Bora and Ireland (they are next on my list!).

“[S]miling all the time…”

How has God spoken to you recently? Through a Portuguese song that a friend of mine from Dallas sent me.

A hobby? Singing, playing sports, and also camping. Singing renews my spirit; it comforts me, it motivates me, and it recharges my energy and faith. It gives me hope and a desire to live. Music is therapy. Music is medicine. Music is life.

“Music is therapy. Music is medicine. Music is life.”

Top three tips for staying spiritually strong: Singing, praying, and sharing our feelings and experiences with a friend/brother/sister in faith.

Favorite person in scripture: Queen Esther

What do you want people to learn about God when they look at you? I want them to have faith, to feel love, happiness, strength and hope.

“I want them […] to feel love, happiness, strength and hope.”

Favorite season: SUMMER (said with emphasis).

Favorite holiday: Easter because I can spend time with my family, and people disconnect from the world for a bit, and we focus on the death and resurrection of Christ.

A special tradition you and your family engage in or keep: Having lunch all together, Sabbaths after church.

Question you will ask when you get to heaven: Why God let poor and weak people suffer and be killed or murdered.

Thing you want to raise awareness about: Deforestation and signs of the last times (before the second coming of Christ).

What do you usually do before 9 a.m. (Mon- Fri)? Wake up, pray, read my devotional, get ready, and I leave to work.

On your nightstand? Books like my Bible, my Sabbath School lesson, my prayer book, pencils, a cup, and coins.

For more Ivana Melissa:

Insta: @ivanamelissa

Until next time, keep witnessing!

XOXO