David Crowder

I've been a terrible blogger lately, and I apologize. It's not that I don't care about you all, because you know I do. There's just been a lot on my plate, on my mind, on my heart.

And so, because there is too much in my head to articulately convey to you all, today I will leave some lyrics from the David Crowder Band. They're pretty amazing, and far more thought-provoking than any of the nonsense that I might produce.

Enjoy. Oh the glory of it all...

Oh the Glory of it All ~ David Crowder Band

At the start
he was there, he was there
In the end,
he’ll be there, he’ll be there
And After all our hands have wrought
He forgives

Oh the Glory of it all is:
he came here
For the rescue of us all
that we may live
for the glory of it all
for the glory of it all

All is lost
find him there, find him there
After night
Dawn is there, Dawn is there
After all falls apart
he repairs he repairs

Oh the Glory of it all is:
he came here
for the rescue of us all
that we may live
for the glory of it all
oh he is here
for redemption from the fall
that we may live
for the glory of it all
oh the glory of it all
the glory of it all
oh the glory of it all

After night
comes the light
dawn is here
dawn is here
it’s a new day
it’s a new day
everything will change
things will never be the same
we will never be the same
we will never be the same
we will never be the same
we will never be the same

Oh, The glory of it all is
you came here
for the rescue of us all
that we may live
for the glory of it all
Oh you are here
with redemption for us all
that we may live
for the glory of it all
for the glory of it all
oh the

You know your life has gotten a little out of hand when...

you unknowingly leave your car running in the church parking lot for the duration of the service. With the doors unlocked. True story.

This morning I arrived at church, just in time to meet my friend Wendy for the 11:00am service. Seeing a car waiting to pull into the spot next to me, I quickly grabbed my purse, jumped out of my car, and hit the lock button (or, so I thought). Upon slamming the door, I realized I didn't have my keys in my hand...or my coat pocket. Crap. Keys. Locked. In. My. Car.

Realizing that nothing was going to be done at the moment, and being quite excited for the morning service, I headed into church with the resolve that I'd deal with the issue afterwards. I met my friend Wendy, told her what happened, and was reassured that she could bring me to my parent's home where I believed an extra set of keys resided. Thus, I forgot about the predicament for a bit, enjoyed another amazing service at Mars Hill, and set about finding a solution after the benediction was given.

A call to my parent's house revealed that no extra keys were to be found there, but that relocating to their home would probably be the best solution for the time being. Just to double check, Wendy and I walked back out to the parking lot and headed in the direction of my car in the hopes that I might have dropped the keys near the car, left it unlocked, or some other lucky course of action.

As we neared the car, our hopes were heightened at the sight of a small key-like pile of something lying near the car. All hopes turned into incredulousness as our eyes shifted two feet to the right.

"Wendy, is that exhaust coming out of my tailpipe?"

"Yeah, I think it is."

"Oh my gosh Wendy, my car is unlocked. I left my car unlocked and running in the church parking lot, and nothing happened to it. HOLY CRAP! I am so lucky..."

Yes friends, your generally smart and intelligent friend, Megan, left her car running for over an hour in the parking lot of church. And she drove to tell about it :) Apparently, the fact that my brain is usually three steps ahead of where I actually am at that point in time, is starting to catch up with me.

And though I wish I could report this ridiculousness as a one-time incident, I cannot. The same thing happened last summer when I ran into Meijer for margarita ingredients (because, who can really have a Mexican-themed dinner party without margs?). That time the car was left in the supermarket parking lot for 45 minutes--and remained completely unharmed.

Anyways, I suppose an incident of this nature should indicate that it's time to slow life down a bit--that it's time to breathe deeply and focus on the present state of things. But I'm just so eager to take it all in...there's not a moment to lose for this queen of randomness.

Life keeps moving...
and so must I...
with or without my keys, car, or otherwise...

The pitter patter of tiny feet...

A couple weekends ago we celebrated the impending arrival of Baby Girl Dickinson, daughter of my high-school friends Matt and Christina. It was a fabulously girly weekend in Traverse City with my best girlfriends and all things PINK! Thanks to the ingenious idea of Lacey Rae, we decorated with miniature "clotheslines" strung throughout the room with every item of pink clothing imaginable. Needless to say, this baby is going to be one spoiled little girl...

One of many clotheslines, plus pink punch, pink tea cookies, and Christina's favorite Banana Butterfinger Cake from TC's own Underground Cheesecake Company.

One of the hostesses, my dear friend Jessica, with her adorable niece Joey
who helped us hand out presents for the day.

The fab four from high school, with our hands on the future arrival.

In case one belly isn't enough, Jessica's two sisters, Kristen and Bridgette,
are both expecting as well! It's going to be a busy spring...

My New Economist

Imagine reading this headline tomorrow morning:

"More than 20,000 people perished yesterday of extreme poverty."

The stories would put the stark numbers in context--up to 8,000 children dead of malaria, 5,000 mothers and fathers dead of tuberculosis, 7,500 young adults dead of AIDS, and thousands more dead of diarrhea, respiratory infection, and other killer diseases that prey on bodies weakened by chronic hunger. The poor die in hospital wards that lack drugs, in villages that lack antimalarial bed nets, in houses that lack safe drinking water. They die namelessly, without public comment. Sadly, such stories rarely get written. Most people are unaware of the daily struggles for survival, and of the vast numbers of impoverished people around the world who lose that struggle.

The words above are not my own, but those of Jeffrey Sachs--my new economist who I've just picked up by way of a fine recommendation from Bono. I've just begun reading his book, "The End of Poverty," for a social justice group that I've joined, and I think I should give everyone a fair warning about the blogs to come in the next few weeks. They may tend to be a bit emotionally-charged, some may involve the rantings and ravings of a young idealist, a few might disturb the status quo of our American lives, and I'm sure to climb on my soapbox a time or two. But hopefully, if nothing else, they will give you a bit of insight into the mind of Jeffrey Sachs and the innovative economic theories that he is currently flooding the air with.

"This book is about ending poverty in our time. It is not a forecast. I am not predicting what will happen, only explaining what can happen. Currently, more than eight million people around the world die each year because they are too poor to stay alive. Our generation can choose to end that extreme poverty by the year 2025." ~p. 1

I feel like my life, and those of many of my friends, is reaching a difficult crossroad where the reality of what we've been given, and what the rest of the world lacks, is made undeniably apparent. It is at this intersection that the lines blur and the mass of gray confounds me. We are passionate about saving the world, but also about designer handbags and flat-screen plasma televisions. We want to buy fair trade, but we also want to buy those labels that may have come from dimly lit factories in southeast Asia.

How do the Haves reconcile their lives with the Have-Nots? What are realistic expectations for our generation and our society at large? And are those expectations truly noble enough for the calling at hand? Do they really take into account the potential that our talents, giftings, and resources hold?

Clearly, there are lots of questions. But sadly, few answers...for now anyways. I'm looking forward to hearing what Mr. Sachs has to say about some of these things. I'd love to hear what you might have to say as well...

Love

"Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
its jealousy unyielding as the
grave.
It burns like blazing fire,
like a mighty flame.
Many waters cannot quench love;
rivers cannot wash it away.
If one were to give
all the wealth of his house for love,
it would be utterly scorned."

~Song of Solomon 8:6-7

Food for Thought...

In an age of political correctness, here's another helping of some interesting food for thought...

"The Racial Politics of Speaking Well" - New York Times

Do you recognize the power in the words that you speak?

Hooray for the blizzard of 2007

I've been whining about the cold for the last couple weeks. Some of you may recall that I whined about the warm weather in November and December. I suppose I'm just getting a taste of my own medicine...but this past weekend, seriously. What did I do to deserve days of subzero temperatures, grey skies, and blizzard-like conditions? The roommates and I made the most of it, rediscovering our movie collection and bonding like a frozen little family. We even braved the elements...

...for about 20 minutes or so until it was too cold to play outside. I think we had more fun running around the house and getting our snow gear on than when we were actually frolicking in the fluffy white stuff. But I suppose that's to be expected in our house. You never know what treasures we'll find lurking in our closets and the attic. It's like a giant dress-up box, which we love. Cuz we're girls. And we do. You've seen our theme parties. You know it's true. I'm sure you all have secret stashes lying around your homes too. Come on, fess up...

I'm in Love

With this shoe... Pawla, to be precise. I scooped her (and her matching mate) up from a lovely little sale at Macy's the other day. And since I am "a bit behind the game", I just might spend my impending Valentine's Day with the both of them and a sparkly glass of wine.

If you have any other fine suggestions for this day, do let me know...

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!

The Great Secret...

The great secret...

Is not having bad manners or good manners...

but having the same manner for all
human souls.

In short, behaving as if you were in
Heaven
Where there are no third-class carriages,
and one soul is as good as another.

~George Bernard Shaw

Oh Christmas Tree

Yesterday was picture perfect. After birthday lunch for our roommate Andrea (hooray, she's 21 and legal!), we hiked out to Grandpa Troost's Christmas tree field and picked out our lucky blue spruce amidst the falling snowflakes. Upon getting it home and drying it out, we set about decorating. Below is the result:



I know the picture is a little dark, but that way you can't detect the gentle lean that our tree has going on. Those tree stands are a pain in the neck!



We had a great time putting on the bulbs and our favorite sparkly silver stars. My favorite ornaments were a pair of glass stiletto heels that my friend Samara sent me a couple Christmases back. A bottle of Fizz from the L. Mawby winery in Leelanau was a perfect compliment to the evening.

Hope all of your tree decorating festivites were as enjoyable as ours!

All Is Not Lost

Well, there I go opening up my big fat mouth and this is what happens...



Snow. Lots and lots of snow. But it does look quite pretty, especially along the Rogue River in Rockford where my roommates and I stopped to shop this morning.



This is my roommate Meghan and I on the dam. It was a gorgeous day with lots of sunshine. Seems like Mother Earth is feeling like her old self again...

Strangeness...

Today is November 29th and it's 60 degrees outside.

I'm not going to lie. That really freaks me out.

I live in Michigan...we should be covered in snowdrifts by this time of the year. Not that I love the snow, but seriously.

I think I'm going to be jumping on the Global Warming bandwagon. Anyone care to join me?

Now Thank We All Our God

Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done, in Whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts and blessèd peace to cheer us;
And keep us in His grace, and guide us when perplexed;
And free us from all ills, in this world and the next!

All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given;
The Son and Him Who reigns with Them in highest Heaven;
The one eternal God, Whom earth and Heaven adore;
For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.

*******************************************************

May you be overwhelmed by the knowledge of the magnitude of blessings in your life today.

And may you know the gratefulness that I have in my heart for the blessing that you are to me.

My kind of town...

This past weekend I took a much needed vacation to Chicago to catch up with friends and breathe for a little while. My four days were packed full and I had a FABULOUS time. There wasn't much catching up on sleep, but whatev...sleep is overrated anyways.



My little adventure started with starry-eyed staring at some beautiful buildings. That one in the back with the green roof is the R.R. Donnelly building on lower Wacker. It's my absolute favorite. I practically want to cry when I see it all lit up at night--the most gorgeous lines you'll ever see.



This was the crew that attended the Grey's Anatomy soiree. I'm happy to report that everyone followed the "no talking during the show" rule, and I'm also very happy to report that no bottle of wine was left undrank...er...um...i mean...



Despite the ridiculously crappy weather, the girls and I braved the elements and went dancing at the HanggeUppe downtown. Good times, and props to Joanna who did us proud in her impromptu dance-off. It was like "Save the Last Dance", only in real life.



Saturday morning was brunch with the ladies at the Heartland Cafe in Rogers Park. Delicious meal and fantastic company to share it with!

There were further activities that Joanna and I partook of on Saturday evening, but it may be better that we have no pictures of those. Just kidding...we're good, responsible, respectable girls :)

All in all, I'm so blessed to know such good people in such an extraordinary city. Thanks so much to all of you who contributed to my wonderful weekend. I'm already looking forward to my next visit...

The Fat Lady Has Sung...

Well friends...the strained melodies of the fat lady have been heard, and the 2006 election cycle is officially over. Though some ballots are probably being recounted as we speak, for the most part, decisions have been declared in Michigan and Megan can now attempt to salvage her youth.

I'm happy to report that all three of the State Senate campaigns that I was working closely with (VanWoerkom-Muskegon, Hardiman-GR, George-Kzoo) pulled through with hard-fought victories. Tuesday night was certainly an evening of celebrations, and for that I am extremely grateful. And even more so than the victories themselves, I'm grateful that I did not have to stand around sobbing during any concession speeches.

Thank-you to all of you who have put up with my poor communication, incessant whining, random political ranting, and the utter chaos that was my life for the past couple months. Though exhausting, it was an extraordinary experience and I am so grateful for the opportunity.

Though at times it seems that the government and its workings are completely out of our hands, please know that this is not the case. Ultimately it comes down to people. To me, to you, and everyone else in between. You DO have the power to create change in this crazy country. Your voice IS the one that counts. Never discount that fact. You were put on this planet for a purpose. Make your purpose known.