One Crazy Month

February 2011 was one of the busiest months I've had in ages! February is usually a very busy month in Master's Commission, but this one was beyond busy for me in a great way!

It was also full of surprises. If you know me well you know that I L-O-V-E surprises! Here's a recap of my favorite February in years! This is going to be a lengthy post, so I'm including pictures for those who do not care much for reading;).

2/10/11
I pack two bags: one for the Texas trip with MC, and one for my Tennessee trip for Summer Joy's wedding.

2/11/11

The Master's team loads up and heads to Wichita, Kansas. We spend the night  there with Bethany Cooper's mom, stepdad and adorable sister.

2/12/11

Back in the van heading south to Brownwood, Texas! I drove us through the STICKS of Texas... There was tumbleweed and everything!

Upon arrival we attended a FANCY church banquet in t-shirts and jeans. Well, I had jeans on. A few of the students were wearing sweatpants! Poor kids.

After the banquet we got to spend some quality time with the incredible Pastor Kelly and Donna Crenshaw of New Beginnings Church . God is doing big things in their lives and church!

2/13/11

Masters ministered at the morning service at New Beginnings Church. I taught the high school Sunday school class full of very special young people! The service was amazing, not because we are so great, but because the Holy Spirit of God SHOWED UP and moved!

After lunch we headed to Arlington, Texas and met up with Pastor Matt Davis (MCKC graduate and friend)! He took the team out to BDubs (one of my favorites!) then we got settled in with our fantastic home-openers.

2/14/11

First day of Master's Commission Conference! The weather was beautiful!

I reconnected with old friends and met some new ones, too. I even got to do the Cupid Shuffle and Electric Slide at the Rec night after service! But my favorite part of the day was a breakout session for MC staff members where Pastor Jay West shared EXACTLY what I was needing to hear. Gotta love when that happens!

2/15/11
Second day of MC Conference! Just as great as day one. Pastor Lloyd and Joey Alcala spoke a message on our Unlimited God and His power at work within us.

2/16/11

Fun day with Pastor Matt Davis. We had a picnic lunch at the park, then went to Dave & Buster's compliments of our generous Pastor-Friend.

In the evening we ministered at the Vine Fellowship's youth ministry. Once again, God was SO FAITHFUL to show up and pour out LOVE on us all. I was so proud of our team for really pouring out what God's been pouring into them. We met some great youth and young adults there. I LOVE TEXAS!!!!!!!

2/17/11

Piled back in the van to head home to Floyd. Some time today my sister tells me we should road trip to New Jersey next week. Zach tells me I should go! I drove for a looooong time then surrendered the keys to Zach. Got home around 8:30 p.m.

Sometimes I get road rage. Nibs (our mascot) does too. (Ps, Zach's face in the background of this is priceless!)

2/18/11

Got in my car at 4:15 A.M. to leave for Lebanon, Indiana. Met up with my girls Charity & Brooke around 1, got in Charity's car, then headed to TENNESSEE for Summer's wedding weekend!!!!!!!

Upon arriving in Knoxville we had dinner with Summer and Bruce's families, then had some girl time on Summer's last night as a single lady.

Summer is excited to be a wife!

2/19/11

Summer becomes Mrs. Wiggleston! All of us gals slept in, ran a few errands, grabbed some Panera and headed over to Bruce's parents to get Summer ready for the ceremony.

She was absolutely radiant! She and Bruce got married outside at a beautiful park with closest friends and family present.

Brooke and I pouting about being single;)...

...but I caught the bouquet a few hours later. YESSSSS!

I was so glad I was privileged to attend Summer's wedding. She has been, is and ever will be one of my dearest friends!

2/20/11

Drove back up to Lebanon, Indiana with Brooke and Charity. We of course stopped for Dunkin Donuts on our way:). Blueberry cake donut, mmm. Spent the night at Charity and Andrew's house.

2/21/11

Had a buckwheat pancake breakfast with Charity then headed off to Lafayette for a few days! Had lunch at Scotty's with Miss Vicki Young (BEST buffalo chicken wrap!), caught up with Pastor Adam and met the new guys on staff at the church, had coffee with Sarah Faulkner, then dinner at the OG with my dear friend Joseph Howe. Stayed with the Loveall ladies:).

2/22/11

Had breakfast and Panera with Matt and Brittany Speaks and shopped around Borders. Had lunch at Moe's with Bekah and Hannah Loveall then went antique shopping. Took Hannah to work, then Chris Allen, Bekah and I went to JAVA ROASTER!

2/23/11

Had a brief McDonalds coffee and yogurt parfait date with Sarah Catron. Love her and am proud of her! Had lunch with Becky Deere and her beautiful daughter Hannah, then headed back to Lebanon to hang with Charity before the next leg of my fantastic February! My sister and nephew London met me there to drive together to New Jersey!

2/24/11

Final road trip in my Nissan (sad...). No better people to have "the last hoorah" with than my sister and nephew! Arrived in Jersey around 9 p.m.

2/25/11

Slept in, visited our dear friends Alicia and Tim and adorable son Landon. Got together with Matt, Steph, and Carmen to plan surprise details for Sunday night's service at Bethel: Pastor Joe and Robin's last night as youth pastors!

2/26/11

Had lunch with Alicia, Melissa, and Wendy at the Meadows. Love that place and love these girls!

In the afternoon we had another exciting happening: praise and worship practice with our old praise and worship team! Ahhhhhh, memories! 

Had dinner with my Dad in the evening then hung out at Matt & Stephanie Royce's place. "The original" Steph Royce, Matt and Carmen made a video about Speed the Light. It's worth a watch:).

2/27/11

Sunday! Skipped church to keep the element of surprise for the evening service (Pastor Joe and Robin didn't know we were in town). Had lunch with the family, then went to Nifty Fiftys for a milkshake with my friend Ciara I met last summer. Then I was off to church for Pastor Joe and Robin's celebration service!

Robin squealed with shock when "Josh & the Jericho's" walked on stage! She was surprised, and I was delighted! (photo by Will Mendez)

A graduate from each year wrote a thank you note to Pastor Joe & Robin for their impact over the years. (photo by Will Mendez)

Had a reunion with lifetime friends. We took a shot like the one above in high school when Eliott hated all things pertaining to life. Dave and I had to tickle him to get him to smile back then! Now he's getting ready to be a Marine! SO PROUD!

Got the old "Extreme Force" crew together for a picture on the old sanctuary steps. The last time I was in one of these pictures, Abby (the young girl in front) was just ONE year old! Oh how time flies!

After service some of us stuck around and reminisced. For hours. It was so refreshing and fun and just... sigh... home.

2/28/11

Last day in Jersey. Hung out with my siblings and nephews, then went to the Bell's house to watch videos from our many fun adventures in high school. Not sure why, but I didn't get a picture of Jacob, London and I all together.



3/1/11

Mel and I drove from Jersey to Lebanon to spend one more night with Charity before parting ways.

My mom gave me her car and traded mine in. This was a bittersweet happening, as my Nissan was my first car and the first major purchase I had ever made. Here's to many new adventures in my SUV!

3/2/11

Drove from Lebanon to Floyd, arriving in time to co-lead some praise and worship with Beka Fox!

THAT was my favorite February in a nutshell.

Believe me.

This IS the nutshell version.

Here's to Wild Goose chases and the surprises of life!

*megan