Love blogging

Thank you Casey for having this link up challenge! 

I just started this whole blogging thing- and to be honest- Its really difficult for me get all into it. BUT when I do it- I love it. Why?

*Because it lets me put my feelings on "paper". 

*Because if I actually wrote them on real paper I would either loose the paper or wouldn't be able to read my writing. 

*Because when someone reads what I have to say- I hope that their faith will be impacted. 

Sometimes I just start typing and my fingers keep going and going and going to a point where I don't even know where the thoughts being typed came from!

*I love reading other peoples blogs.

*I love seeing how creative people are. 

*I love seeing joy and positive messages being sporadically placed throughout the internet. 

*I love seeing friendships made. 

*I love people living life. 

I want to thank the few bloggers that I came across- you girls have inspired me to start documenting adventures and thoughts. I always think- wow it would have been so cool to have documented college and to be able to go back through and almost "re-live" the hilarious moments and laugh at the annoying ones. So- I need to a) start taking pictures b) learn how to make my blog "cute" and c) get this going!

PS. anyone that has any blogging advice- well- you know where to find me :)

30 day challenge

I cannot stop smiling. I put myself to the 30 day challenge- never forgot to spend my time with God EVERY day- never got too "tired" to finish a workout strong- and resisted from eating cookie after cookie. :)

it was all about- FAITH. MIND. BODY. you wont BELIEVE the impact changing one little thing can have on your life. I remember hearing that it takes somewhere around 11 days to turn a task into a habit- and in my case- I feel like it took 30 days- but boy am I glad I stuck to it!

FAITH. Now- I cant imagine not spending 30 mins or an hour or two hours or however long I can make- with Jesus. Diving into his word, reading books about Him, learning how to grow in my faith, and talking to Him every day changed so many aspects of my day to day life. Yes- I have had a relationship with God for as long as I can remember- but its so true that your relationship can always get deeper. Not only did it bring me closer to God, but this time spent with Him brought me closer to myself and it brought my husband and I even closer.
MIND. I am just going to throw it out there- getting through a hard workout is a mind game. Sure- theres a physical component where you might not be ready to run a 30 mile trail, or you may not be able to lift 150 lbs. But- find the point that your body can handle while still being challenged and follow it. When you're supposed to do 30 squats- do 30 squats. 29 doesn't equal 30. For me- the toughest part about a circuit is the middle- but I know that when I push through it- the last rounds are that much better.
BODY. Haven't you ever heard "you are what you eat?"- hear it. take it in. use it. I am drawn to sugar- I swear my body used to be hard wired for anything with chocolate in it. I couldn't go a DAY without a cookie or cupcake or ice cream or something- DIS.CUS.TING! I made alternatives for myself and did the annoying, gross, sweet tooth habit ever break! SAYONARA oreos. BIENVENIDO greek yogurt with fat-free sugar-free pudding mix and sugar-free vanilla syrup and Cinnamon with some graham crackers. YUM. Its all about clean eating. Even my husband (who wouldn't dare go near a sweet potato in his life) was eating roasted sweet potato "fries" (aka fresh wedges i seasoned and stuck in the oven for a little while), green beans and chicken.

BELIEVE.  A struggle needs Jesus to overcome it. A goal needs Jesus to help you achieve it. A blessing pours down from Jesus. A trial needs Jesus to show the light. A sin needs Jesus to forgive it. Believe that He is with you. UNDERSTAND that you are not alone. BE uncomfortable and let Him show you that He is Lord. KNOW that a challenge is a good thing. CHALLENGE yourself and see the BLESSINGS that pour down. GOD shows up when it is uncomfortable. so GET READY my friends!

Now- get out there. write down some goals. and start going at 'em.

side note...

I want to make my blog "cute" and I want to start adding pictures and documenting our adventures in life. If anyone can help me with that...that would be great! :)

I think I am going to start with some wedding posts and stuff like that :)

Storms in life

This week has been a roller coaster...and its just crazy how God orchestrates it to get  crazier and crazier until I realize (for the billionth time) that I need to take a step back and spend time with Him. When I take just 30 minutes of my time in the middle of the crazy storm- He works His magic.

A few days ago we had a so-called "storm" in Houston- now...being a Southern California girl, I used to think a 15 minute thunder storm was practically what a hurricane felt like. I am now proud to say that 3 hours of thunder-lightening and 3" of rain fall is nothing! (minus the fact we were able to leave work and go home and I snuggled on the couch with our dog..) Anyways..I was sitting at home, watching the rain POUR down and listening to the news (really...jsut the tornado warnings all through this part of the great state of Texas) and I just broke down..broke down I tell ya. I was so THANKFUL that we were all sent home from work, I was thankful that God sent that storm- because it was a physical reminder of how there is calmness in a storm. I started reading The Word and it was almost as if God was telling me "Megan- your in a storm right now- physically and emotionally- but get in shelter and focus on ME."  I needed that day to come back to how He wants me. He wants me constantly thirsty for the Word, always Hungry for His name and as ready as ever to wrap Him around every little thing that I do!

We are a busy generation- we strive to do as many things as possible- add as many experiences to our resumes...take as many classes as possible..volunteer as much as we can..workout to be as healthy as we can be..be the best parents we can (if you are a parent) and serve as many people as we can. Amidst the hussle and bussle lets make sure we dont forget how we got here and why we are still here.

We are still here because HE allows us to be.

Even in the storm, there is calmness. Even in the terrential downpour of life, there is a way to stay dry. Even in the lighting and thunder of decisions, there is a quiet place. And even when the wind gets to be too much, and you just want to let go and let it take you away- He is there holding you down and letting you choose how you will proceed.

 Friends I want to challenge all of us (definitly myself included) to never loose sight of why we are here. Take time to focus on Him- let Him change your attitude- let Him make your day more successful- and let His wisdom resignate within you. When it feels like you cant do anything else...thats when God comes in and gives you the strength...You just need to be avilable to let Him in!

2011

As this year comes to an end....I have been reflecting on all the things that God has blessed us with..and all the promises He has kept..all the new experiences He has allowed..and all the lessons that He has taught us.

2011 was a year in which God revealed himself to me in ways that I could never even dream of. He reminded me that he is King of Kings and He put me in challenging situations where He prevailed!  God performed a miracle this year, He lead me towards where He knows I need to be and He made it possible. God always has something better in store for us. As long as we keep praising him, relying on Him and focusing on Him- He will do the unthinkable!

Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31

Recap of 2011:
Life as a newlywed..2000 miles away from my husband (for a month); a phone call that revealed God's miraculous capabilities (I still remember where I was, when it was, how it went down, and the phone calls I made right after in TEARS because I was so excited about the news); Travis began his life in Houston; first valentines day as a married couple; a new family member joined our clan (Hello Ziggy);
March 11, 2011- the phone call that changed my life forever. It practically brings me to tears thinking about this- I am so grateful for how the Lord maneuvered me towards His plans for me. It is so true that when you're in the bottom- you must keep praising him- and when you're on top- keep praising Him. In all things- PRAISE HIM!

He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen. Deut 10:21

Family time in Texas; CA; Family time in Michigan; our first christmas as Mr. & Mrs.; one year anniversary; my birthday....

PHEW! 

 I can not wait to see how God works in our lives in 2012.  All we know is- 2012 will be full of "new"- New country/state/city, new responsibilities, new challenges, new rewards, new blessings, new experiences, new degree's, new jobs..new new new.

STAY ENCOURAGED. KNOW THAT 2012 IS THE YEAR FOR OPPORTUNITIES, THE YEAR FOR RENEWAL, THE YEAR FOR CHANGE, THE YEAR FOR FORGIVENESS, THE YEAR FOR CHALLENGES, THE YEAR FOR OBEYING, THE YEAR FOR BLESSINGS and most of all....2012, like 2011, gives 365 mornings to give THANKS and to ALWAYS, no matter where 2012 may take you, remember WHO YOUR PILOT REALLY IS.

Cheers to all the memories {good and bad} from 2011....and here's to making 2012 our best year..and to walking next to the One who {no matter what} holds this promise for us: 

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Ephesians 3:20 (MSG)

We are in it (together)

Here I am sitting and reading “The Way of the Shepherd” for at least the 14^th time. This small book has taught me some of the best skills about leading and serving others. I have been to many leadership seminars and have participated in leadership courses, with countless large texts but no classroom text has impacted me like this book has.

While reading this book today, I kept thinking about how every single person you meet in your life is important and impacts it in some way shape or form.  On the contrary, we impact every person we encounter. Even if it’s a person at the store- give them a smile- you never know how much they need that smile. And lets be honest- even when you don’t NEED a smile, you need a smile. 

Show your friends and family that they are important to you, tell them that you need them. Sometimes I am so busy running around the place that I forget to look up- I have my head set on a mission and I am after it! I could have walked past 7 people who NEEDED a smile, NEEDED encouragement.

I have made it a goal to let each of my friends know how THANKFUL I am for them, to tell my husband how I couldn’t do LIFE without him, and to let my family know that they, even from 2000 miles away, have a VITAL role in my life.  Lets make it a goal- everyone- everywhere- lets show them love, joy, happiness, and excitement.

Even when you don’t think about it- you will change someone’s day- you may save someone’s FAITH- you could change their PERSPECTIVE on life. We have the power to CHANGE the negativity that seems to be increasingly circulating through society. 

God didn’t put us on the earth to be blessed, thankful and happy by ourselves, in our quiet cubical, our quiet apartment, our car running errands…NO He put us here to SHARE IT with those who need it!

 I am on this earth to share my excitement of life, shine my light of God and to show the world that He is LOVE.

Oh and umm...ps....there is no such thing as a “bad day”- did you wake up this morning? Are you breathing right now? Did you eat today? Are you reading this on your computer/iphone/smartphone/ipad/i-whateverelseyoucanreadthison?  I am assuming you are/you did…. compare that the portion of the world that may not have one, or ALL, of those luxuries.....

 You, my friend, are blessed.

You, my friend, are alive. 

You, my friend, have a purpose. 

And YOU, MY FRIEND, will make someone’s day GREAT

never forget that everyone has a story, and everyone needs ENCOURAGEMENT, and everyone can use an extra smile. 

(Google search: source mosaic-seattle.org)

He is with us

In everything he did he had great success because the Lord was with him.

1 Samuel 18:14

I havent blogged in a LONG WHILE.  I am thankful that the Lord has blessed me with being this busy. It is amazing how life can take a complete dive for the worst when you are focused on the wrong things. Yet...when 110% of your mind is pointed towards the Lord and towards seeking His wisdom, no matter how much you have on your plate- life is always looking up. Its all about perspective!

When we are solely focused on the Lord our accomplishments feel even better and our trials seem trivial. The best feelings I have ever had are those when I accomplish something and can take a deep breath and just say "Lord..that was a journey..thanks for being there with me and most of all THANK YOU for taking me to where I am." Speaking from someone who is living a God given dream, dream something un-real, dream up something that everyone else says is crazy, dream up a dream that is commonly un-dream-able! (I think i just invented a new word..) Anyways- don't be scared of failure! Instead- be EXCITED for success, be READY for accomplishments, be PREPARED to hit milestones and be CONSISTENT with you are giving the credit to. 

David was a man who lived a life of success because of the Lord- This success came with fear and at times, failure, but in the end, when you keep your walk STRONG, God makes your dreams within REACH. He is always gearing you up- don't be preoccupied with all the logistics that you are unoccupied with thanking Him and recognizing His grace and his miraculous abilities.