U2

Hello friends!

Blogging via e-mail today. Not ideal, but I'm on holiday so it is the only option!

Tonight I get to see one of my absolute, all-time, most favorite bands: U2! They've been around longer than I have, and they still make some pretty sweet music. I'm putting on the waterproof mascara today- I'm almost certain I'm going to cry tonight!

There's something quite epic about live music. And I like that!

What's the most spectacular show you've been to (and why)?

*megan

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

I use the words "septic tank" in this post, so you know it's gotta be good...

Tonight, I'm sharing a poem about the kind of week month I'm having. Sometimes you just gotta get in touch with your 10-year-old self and write a silly but tragically serious poem. So, here is a little insight into my relationship with God these days:).

When You take the lead

This dance simply flows

When I take the lead

I step on Your toes

ouch

When You take the lead

My story is epic

When I take the lead

Life ends up in the septic

tank

When You take the lead

The results are fantastic

When I take the lead

I'm stressed out and spastic

ick

When You take the lead

I can confidently chase

When I take the lead

I need to press the backspace

button

When You take the lead

I'll admit I get antsy

But I trust that Your plan is

Much, much, much more fancy

than mine

And when You take the lead

Worry has no place

So here I wait again

Nestled safely in Your grace

...sigh

Even in a season when it is very difficult to wait on the Lord and be of good courage I am thankful for laughter and joy in His presence. Whatever would I do without Jesus?

Anyone else right here with me?

*megan

solitary in families

My birthday was wonderful! I must admit I had my doubts about how the day would turn out. Sometimes I get sad & lonely for the ones I'm not with and places I can't be. Just one of the drawbacks of living such a transitory lifestyle, I guess. But I am very thankful that God knew what I needed and blessed me with such a special day.

I spent it with family... (best nephew ever!)

And with a few best friends... (Katie & Mel!)

Sweet, sweet Lindsey Hall bought me a cake! All my favorite colors;).

God is relationship-oriented. It's something I really like about Him. He blesses us with companionship with Himself (WOW) as well as with the fellowship of other believers. Together, we make up a great big family.

I had the privilege of spending my evening with spiritual family. I was blessed with a sense of belonging that I have been missing. The entire Olson family joined us for dinner then had us over to their home for a wonderful time!

It was a perfect summer night. Hot & humid- my fave! After watching HILARIOUS videos (laughed my head off), playing a game and hanging out inside LaFawn suggested taking the party outside to "make memories". And that we did! Sam caught a huge frog and I gave it a birthday kiss. Why not, right? :)

I held its little webby hands and it wrapped its webby fingers around my thumbs. I must admit, it was pretty cute, even for a NON-animal-lover like myself!

A scripture I couldn't let go of that entire night was Psalm 68:6- "He sets the solitary in families..." It is amazing how much healing God ministered to me from just a few hours spent with a Godly family. Sigh.

I'm very thankful to be serving a God who cares about my emotional and relational needs. He is so faithful!

*megan

Summer Begins...

It's a little after midnight on June 9th.

My summer begins officially today! (after 6-7 hours of sleep, I hope!)

Floyd MC's graduation was Sunday and I've spent the past 3 days doing laundry, spending time with friends, packing, loading my car, giving things away, uploading pictures, saying goodbyes/see-ya-later's and drinking an inordinate amount of coffee.

The past few months have been crazy busy between MC and personal obligations, so I am ready to R-E-L-A-X for a minute or two! I could pursue many things this summer: leisure, travel, family time, a phenomenal tan, friendships, entertainment. None of these things are bad in and of themselves. But focused pursuit of God is what I'm about this summer!

I don't really have any solid summer plans. Lots (and I mean LOTS) of ideas are stirring in my head and in my heart, but I know I must begin in the place of prayer and pursuit of the Lord.

Tomorrow I'm heading to Shawnee, KS to spend some time with my sister, bro-in-law and favorite human a.k.a. my nephew London. I plan on spending as much time as possible at the International House of Prayer. I'm not sure how long I'll be in Kansas or how much traveling I'll get to do this summer. But one thing that's for sure is this is a time marked out to spend quality time first and foremost with Jesus, the One who loved me first.

This summer is a Season of Pursuit. Expect to see me "hash-tagging" this on Twitter.

How do you plan on connecting with God this summer?

*megan

Mind-Clutter

My mind has been majorly cluttered!

For some of April and most of May when I've tried to sit down to read, write, pray, think... My mind just goes 100 mph in several directions at one time.

This whole mind-clutter thing didn't alarm me at first. I figured it would pass when I wrote to-do lists and starting packing and accomplishing tasks, but in fact it has only gotten worse, even to the point of impairing basic decision-making skills on a few occasions.

On Sunday afternoon I decided to take control of the situation. Though I "needed" to work out, do some packing, finish a few assignments for a class... I grabbed my ipod and sunglasses, LEFT MY PHONE at home and headed outside.

I walked to the river and found a sunny seat by the kayak course. I got as comfortable as a girl can be while sitting on rocks, leaned back onto a boulder and just breathed. At times I focused on the words of the worship music I was listening to. Other times I focused on breathing deeply. I focused on the goodness of God and recalled moments of tangible faithfulness this year. I focused on everything EXCEPT the to-do list that has been looming over my head. I took my time. I went home and accomplished more in 2 hours than I had for days before.

On Monday evening I set out for more de-cluttering time and found a shady, grassy area by a quieter part of the river. I did take the phone this time (So I could listen to some Gospel choir music on Pandora) and captured this scene:

He leads me beside the quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. (Psalm 23, TNIV)

Have you ever experienced moderate to severe mind-clutter? How did you banish it? :)

*megan