Searching for the Truth...

Though the calendar today says January 29, 2007, the 2008 presidential elections are practically upon us. At least that's how the media is making it appear.

It's true that candidates are busy forming exploratory committees, visiting key states, and schmmoozing with all the right people. Some have thrown their hats into the ring, others are playing coy...but rest assured, the mudslinging and sensationalizing has begun.

Just today I was chatting with someone who told me some information about Barack "Hussein" Obama that I was previously unaware of. It seems that Mr. Obama attended a Muslim school in Jakarta, Indonesia, as a child. The story I received purported that he was, in essence, a closet Muslim parading around as a Christian in order to gain the approval of American voters. Perhaps you've read/heard a similar story like this one.

But after perusing the internet a bit more, as you may have also done, I found articles and editorials such as this, from writers at Newsweek who balanced the story I had originally heard.

So now what? Who do I believe? Who's telling the rest of the American public, and myself, the truth?

After working the 2006 election cycle I learned a number of things--among them, the power of information and the media, and the manner in which the media can manipulate information to serve their agenda. It makes me think of that new John Mayer song, Waiting on the World to Change:

"When you trust your television
What you get is what you got
Cuz when when they own the information,
They can bend it all they want "

It's quite annoying really...to know that we can't trust our media to provide us with accurate and honest reports of the issues and items that are pertinent to our lives. I often complain about the hordes of uninformed citizens scattered throughout our land, but if they have quasi-factual stories with which to inform themselves, is it really so awful that they aren't aware?

Clearly, an issue such as this demands a response. But what, and who, and when and where and why? If enough of us would make a fuss, would Fox News, MSNBC, CNN, USA Today, The New York Times, Newsweek, NPR, Rush Limbaugh, or any other network/commentator/source, really stop and change the manner in which they bring us the news?

I'd like to believe that the truth is out there, and that it is within our reach. I know of a book, a really good one, that says this is the case. So I suppose I shouldn't abandon all hope. I suppose I should continue to educate myself through a wide spectrum of sources, that I should continue to sift through the chaff to find the nuggets of fact buried within. I suppose I should continue believing and hoping and praying that the truth will indeed...be revealed in the end.

And if I grow weary and I find that I'm not able to continue doing all that I've pledged to do above, I'm just going to call Richard Branson and move to space. Feel free to join me if you'd like...preferably those of you who enjoy talking about politics...

Right Where I Need To Be

Last night I was out to dinner with some friends and I ran into an old acquaintance from high school. She was in town with her sister for a girl's weekend, and we took a couple of minutes to catch up. She is married, about halfway through her 1st pregnancy, and her younger sister is newly engaged. After congratulating the both of them on their respective accomplishments, I began to reel off the list of pregnant friends that I have in my high school town where they live. There are currently five, and upon commencement of my list, the younger sister made an interesting comment to me.

"Well, I guess you're a bit behind the game."

To which I promptly replied (with a bit of humor, sarcasm, and arrogance--if that combination is possible)...

"No, I like to think that I'm a bit AHEAD of the game."

*insert smile and a nonchalant laugh*

To be honest, I wasn't really affected by this statement. I'm quite accustomed to constant questions about my social life, lack of boyfriend, and the like. But my friends who I was eating with were greatly annoyed, and there were a few eyerolls upon the subsequent telling of this story.

Those of you who know me understand that I am completely okay with this phase of my life. I'm finishing up school after a slight hiatus, I'm dreaming about moving to the city and embarking on a new career, and I'm expectant and excited about the things that lie in store for me... I know that this is NOT a good time for me to, a) look for a serious relationship, b)settle down, and/or c)Heaven forbid-have children.

I'm okay with my life, but sometimes I feel like the rest of the world is not--as though it is waiting for me to catch up in the race to marriage, kids, and a white-picket fence. Does our society view those that are single, divorced, unattached or otherwise as somehow incomplete, less than whole, or wanting? Because that's silly. Really silly. Maybe it's just a small-town midwestern frame of mind...but happiness and wholeness can be found apart from having a significant other, and I find it interesting that our culture has adopted the belief that it cannot.

Now don't get me wrong. I am NOT trying to stand atop a "single" soapbox--cuz that's not what this is. I love relationships, and I love my friends and the relationships that they are in. I love those that are single, dating, married, pregnant, parents, and everything else in between. I appreciate the different places in life that we all find ourselves in, and I am grateful for the multitude of perspectives that I gain from them. Someday I do look forward to settling down, getting married, and maybe even having some kids. But that one day is not now, it won't be tomorrow, and it may not be for a couple years. I am enjoying where my life is at, just as I hope the rest of my friends are enjoying where their lives are at. Different circumstances, situations and stories--but all good places.

Life hands us different courses, varying paths, and lots of forks in the road. Some lead to adventure, others to fame or fortune, and others to love. My only hope is that at the end of the day we would all find ourselves...right where we need to be.

Sundays at the Mall

Every Sunday I go to the mall. Not to shop, as my traditional, conservative parents would fear, but to go to church. Yeah...church at the mall. Sounds weird, but true nonetheless. Mars Hill Bible Church is an extraordinary place that I have been able to attend over the past few years. Due to the massive growth it has experienced, it relocated to an old mall a couple years after it began. It is now home to over 10,000 attendees every Sunday.

Much of the expansion of the Mars Hill community is due to the teachings of Rob Bell. Perhaps you've viewed one of his 15 Noomas, a series of short teaching DVDs that are popping up in youth groups and churches across the country and around the world. He has an incredible ability to teach and inspire, and I have benefitted greatly from the words he brings. Though he has received much criticism for his progressive ideas and views, I have found his insights to be honest, truthful, grounded, and Christ-centered.

Worship is an amazing part of the Mars Hill experience on Sundays, and this past Sunday was no exception as the David Crowder Band paid us a visit. They are a phenomenal group, and I loved the energy and passion that they brought to our service. Their style is a bit unorthodox, and probably a bit frightening for a few of the Mars Hill members, but it was wonderful having them with us.

Before beginning our time of singing, Rob spoke briefly about why we sing. A number of reasons were entertained, but one in particular stood out to me: we sing because we need to put great words on our lips. In an age of complexity and confusion, war, terrorism, scandal, and moral deterioration, sometimes I need great words to remind me to be hopeful, optimistic, and secure in the knowledge of whose hands the world truly resides in.

Here are some great words that were on our lips last Sunday. Feel free to offer any of your own...

This is my Father's world.
O let me ne'er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father's world:
why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad!

A Special Day...

Today is a special day. It is the day that my parents celebrate 43 years of marriage.

Amazing. I know.

How blessed I have been to witness the devotion and commitment that my parents have exhibited throughout my lifetime. I know that there are many who have not been afforded this same luxury. It's comforting to know that marriage can, and in some cases, does still work. Gives me hope for the couples that are so dear in my life, for my fellow single friends who have yet to find "the one", and for all those in between.

I tell people that 43 years seems like halfway to eternity with me...it's practically forever in my mind. In talking with my mother about this momentous occasion today she told me that sometimes she just looks at my dad and thinks, "gosh, I really do love that guy."

I don't think it really gets any better than that. There's not much more I could wish for after 43 years.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad. Love you both...

I'm Back...

Now I know what you've all been thinking. Where on earth is Megan? Has she died? Left town? Runaway with a tall, dark, mysterious man? Fallen off the face of the planet? Well, the answer to all of those questions is no. I've just been lazy, and not at all feeling any motivation to update my blog. But I'm back now, and ready to report on the happenings of the last couple weeks or so. While I'd love to write about all of the stories, I'll spare you and use some pictures instead.


There was a wedding that I went to with my roommate Andrea, her boyfriend, and one of her boyfriend's friends...
There was Christmas cookie decorating at my mother's house with my sister Michelle, her girls, and my sister-in-law Amy. Haven't I been learning well from the Food Network?
There was some quality bonding with my nieces...the older one, Olivia, decorated cookies all by herself! I was so proud :)
There was some cuteness from my four youngest nephews in the Christmas pajamas my mother made them... Adorable, eh?
Ah yes...and then there was the New Year's Eve party that my roommates and I hosted. It was a quasi-theme party: Fairytales and Disney characters (for those who dressed up). I was the Princess and the Pea. Also present was...
Old Mother Hubbard and friend...
Tinkerbell and the Princess and the Pea (note the can of peas in hand)...
And Paul Bunyan and the Princess/Fairy/Butterfly and the Pea...

All in all it was a good break. I took some time to breathe, appreciate others, and appreciate life in general. Stacey and Jason were in town, our friend Joe who teaches in Colombia, and a whole host of others. Good friends, good family, good parties, good times. Thanks to all of you who helped make the last couple weeks quite fabulous!