It's my birthday!

and I'm excited!

I'll be posting much more later in the week as I'm totally unmotivated to sit in front of my computer right now!

I find this couple enchanting...

Question

A topic was discussed in our community group that I've confronted in the past, and now I'm pondering...

Background... Jesus spent a lot of his time with people making sinful decisions without ever compromising his values, and he was also able to build relationships and trust within those circles.  A perfect example.

As a Christ follower, you find yourself in situations in which people are doing things or saying things that you choose not to partake in.  This is the point that the tables are turned.  You're labeled the goody goody, the person that doesn't understand, too good for the group.  Without making any judgements towards anyone else, you're the one being judged.  How is this avoidable?  I'm not sure it always is, but there is something to be said for loving words and non offensive body language.  When trust and relationships are developed this isn't normally an issue but unfortunately sometimes it is.  No one said it was easy to do the right thing.

Updates...

1.  I had a fantasitcally wonderful weekend.  (Because this is my blog, I can make up words as I wish!)  Blair, Disa and Kylee, all friends from Iowa, came to visit me in Madison. Although I've hardly seen a day without sun since I've moved here, the weekend was a bleary drizzle.  It didn't matter, it was lovely to spend time with friends that understand me and my quirks!  Blessed.

2.  Gophers won both games!  They'll be moving forward to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen this weekend and even more than that, it's being held in Minnesota!  I'm doing everything in my power to make it to the game on Saturday ;)

3.  I turn 30 next week.  I'm writing this because there is a need inside me to come to terms with this before it happens!  I've actually been excited for it until this week.  A few conversations have caused me to dread it.  Trying to change that.

4.  I had a lovely friend invite me over for dinner tonight.  She made an amazing meal and in the midst of a horrendously stressful day, busy week and sluggish mood, I was able to enjoy the presence of an organic relationship that I thoroughly enjoy.  There's something about sharing a home cooked meal together that is intimate.  Thankful.

Go Gophers!

The University of Minnesota women's soccer made the NCAA tournament this year!  I'm so proud of my sister for many reasons but mostly because she sets such a good example for her teammates and the little girls that look up to her.  She's stronger than peer pressure and it almost sounds cliche to say she's a hard worker with great determination, but I can honestly say she far exceeds peoples expectations.  

I love my sister! Good luck this weekend Gophers!

At first I thought it was so funny that all these people wanted her autograph.  Lets be honest- it's not because she has great penmanship!  haha. But I want these girls to look up to her and know that there is value in integrity. 

Block your eyes!

So I had a really fabulous weekend!  It included loving friendships, beautiful weather, the last farmers market of the season, painting a friends room, Trader Joes, deep conversations, church at the Majestic in downtown Madison and the NYC reunion!  It sounds like a lot, but I had Saturday night open and protected it for some "me" time.  Which is really lovely if I do say so myself ;)  So I got a text message from some of my small group girls back in Iowa, and they asked if I could skype in with them.  I was so excited so I logged on right away and almost instantaneously I got a chat message that popped up.  I didn't have a clue which of the girls it was so I said hello and asked.  Before I got an answer, the same person that chatted was calling for video.  I turned it on smiling from ear to ear anxious to catch up.  As I was expecting to see 10 of my girls sitting there, it threw me off not to see them and it took me a minute to figure out what I was looking at. All of a sudden I realized that it was a guy that I do not know trying to show me parts of himself that he must be really proud of.  As soon as I realized what was going on I dove to the floor so I wouldn't be on video and I was pounding at my computer trying to hang up with this nasty man!  As soon as I did he kept trying to call back.  I couldn't help but fall on the floor laughing and call my sister to tell her what happened.  I think she said it best.  "Megan!  How does this stuff always happen to you?!"  We laughed a lot that night.  So as disturbing as it was, I keep picturing myself taking an instant dive to the floor to duck out of the camera.  Lesson learned- never answer a skype call if you don't know who it is!!

At the Table

By Tim Mackie

“Tell me what you eat, and I’ll tell you who you are,” says Anthelme Savrin, a renowned French chef. He’s more right than he knows. What and how we eat, and who we eat with, express not only what we think about food, but how we see our relationships to other people. Meals are a way of showing who we care about, who we choose to include in our lives.

Jesus knew this and challenged His followers to foster a different approach to meals (Luke 14:1-14). He envisioned mealtimes as an opportunity to embody the good news of the kingdom, an invitation to those who are not on the VIP list. Inviting someone into your home and sharing what you have is a picture of God’s own generosity and His gift of grace.

The early Christians were known for their distinct eating practices. In Acts 2:42-47, we’re told that the first Jesus communities in Jerusalem began growing rapidly by a ministry of meals. People without resources were invited to the homes of Jesus’ followers, and were included in the sharing of money, food and goods. This, as Luke tells us, was their way of celebrating the story of the Gospel - not only with words, but by living out the story in the making and sharing of meals.

Having someone over for a meal is a tangible way of inviting him or her into our lives. The slurping, the wiping of mouths and pouring of drinks fosters an atmosphere of commonality and openness that is hard to create anywhere else. The act and experience communicate much more than words can say.

As part of our Love Where You Live theme at Blackhawk this year, we want to recapture this early Christian ministry of meals with a challenge to our whole church. This month,think of someone in your day-to-day world of work or neighborhood whom you wouldn’t normally have in your home and invite them over for a meal.

Think of it as an expression of grace, a giving of your food and time that the other person would never have expected, with no strings attached. That’s agape, an action done for someone else regardless of their response. It may result in a new friendship, or it may not. But, if the gospel teaches us anything, it’s that intentional acts of agape and grace are like seeds thrown into a field. You never know what will spring up as result.

Letters from Juvie

I receive letters from Juvie fairly often from a student for whom I have a soft spot in my heart.  He's made bad choices.  He's well aware.  We've sat in meetings with correction officers, ditched gang members, shared personal stories, fought hard and laughed harder.  This student grew up in a home devoid of love, honesty and discipline.  Maybe "home" isn't the right word.  Although his bad choices need to be owned by him, his childhood circumstances were out of his control and provided him with a sense of reality that made success difficult.  His heart longs to do good and every poor choice digs him deeper into a hole that makes it harder to escape.  I pray that this season in his life will be temporary.  I'll continue to cherish every letter I receive.  It makes my heart especially happy when he tries to hold me accountable for my personal time with God.  In this case, I will always hope for happily ever after.

hmmm...

There are times that I struggle with purpose.  Wanting to spend more time making a difference in our world.

I've never been out on a tour and felt ready to come home.  It doesn't matter where I'm at or the people I'm with.  I love the adventure of being somewhere new.  It's crazy constant adrenaline and pure joy when I'm traveling.

There are days that I'm so drained after work that I come home and do nothing, knowing full well that I would gain energy from being active and getting things done.

I love to read and don't do enough of it.

Knowing that I can get caught up in reality tv, I purposely refuse to buy extended cable.

I don't bake as much as I would like to because I live on my own.

I'm terrible at directions.

Occasional rainy days are dreamy.

In the Heights

A picture of Courtney and I after the show!

IN THE HEIGHTS

"In The Heights" performed by Corbin Bleu

In The Heights - "Breathe" featuring Jordin Sparks

In The Heights

I love broadway.  It totally sucks me in, and as I sit in my seat I become immersed in the show.  Part of the performance.  In the Heights was no exception, and it quickly became one of my favorites!  A story of relationships, overcoming adversity, perfectly placed humor and music that had you dancing in your seat!  Courtney was brilliant... she always is!  Jordin Sparks was one of the leads so that was fun for everyone as well.  I will see this show again and whether or not you're a broadway lover, this show is a must see!

Jordin Sparks and I

New York City

It's taken me awhile to post because I'm looking for the words to do it justice.  This trip went beyond my expectations.  Our group of 13 included the most lovely, deep, gut laughingly funny girls that kept me on my toes in the most wonderful way.  I went on this trip not to see New York (what a fun benefit!) but because I knew a trip like this would allow me to a part of inside jokes, deeper conversations and serve as the perfect opportunity to build trust which is integral to lay a foundation.   I look forward to being a part of these girls lives for awhile if they'll have me ;)  In addition, the fact that I took a few days of unpaid vacation (We have to wait 6 months to take our vacation) to spend two nights on a bus and hang out with 180 high schoolers raised some questions in the office.  What a perfect opportunity to share my story!  Be a blessing, leave a legacy.

This is the most accurate pic of our group that we could get ;)

PDA in the all girls group haha! (I come up with the worst ideas sometimes!)
At least we thought we were hilarious! 

United we stand.