I MAY BE ADDICTED

I nearly have my whole wedding planned . . . though I'm not engaged (much less even dating anyone). I keep forgetting that I'm NOT an interior designer . . . in spite of the fact that I have countless amounts of housing and decor items picked out. I think that I should have my own craft room given all of the cool craft ideas that I've collected . . .  although I've only made roughly three 'crafts' in the past year. And, I find myself feeling like quite the chef due to the tasty recipes I now have access to . . . when, in reality, I tend to make the same thing over and over again [aside from this apple, peanut butter, and granola sandwich -- yum!]:
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Truth be told, my name is Megan and I am a "pinning" addict.

Whew. That feels better now that I've admitted it.
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And, since accountability is key, I'm stating here and now that I intend to overcome curb my addiction by becoming a "doer" instead of just a "pinner." Hold me to it.

Perhaps then my love for all things Pinterest will be justified. Perhaps. . .
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COINCIDENCE? I THINK NOT.

I stepped outside this morning and was met with the most absolute silence that I've ever heard. Perhaps it's because this is what it looks like out there:

That, my friends, is a nice, thick, wet blanket of snow. In the Seattle area? Yes, yes indeed. And, since it is a bit of an oddity here, and just because I love snow in general, I figured it's a great day to hunker down by the fireplace, with my trusty computer and some good reads, and enjoy the beautiful sight outside the windows.

With the fireplace all aglow, and before jumping into a mindless chick-lit book [what can I say, they're a guilty pleasure] I had a little one-on-one time with God. The devotional that I read this morning touched on God's desire to see fruit in our lives, and prompted me to ask how I might be more fruitful. Immediately following that, I opened up a Bible study book that I had started many years ago, intending to just read back through the parts that I had highlighted before, but, lo and behold, when I opened it up to where it was bookmarked [at the next section I was to read in full, at some point] my eyes fell on the title of that chapter, "To Be Fruitful." Ha! Oh, God, You're a smart one in how You catch our attention in order to provide us with Your answers and direction. Alright, alright, I get it that You want me to have a better understanding of how to bear fruit in my own life. .  .

Gotta love such a start to the day!

I hope that each of you see God revealing Himself to You in some way or another today, whether it's in the beauty of His creation, in interactions with others, or in seemingly coincidental instances, may He pleasantly surprise you -- He certainly likes to do that.

MAY IT BE THE BEST ONE YET

From the headlines that I've seen in the newspapers, to the words that I've heard out of the mouths of friends, family members and acquaintances, it's evident that calling 2011 "a bit of a rough year" may be an understatement. It was a year wrought with all sorts of woes: unemployment, deaths, divorces, health scares, unwanted moves, natural disasters, uprisings, and so on, and so on. For many, it is a year that's end could not come quick enough.

And, while I certainly endured my share of downs in 2011 in my own life, it is worth noting that there were also a considerable amount of ups along the way to be grateful for as well:

- a much needed sojourn to Santa Fe, NM
- visits from (and, subsequently, sight-seeing with) all of my siblings while living in Colorado
- new/lasting friendships that were forged
- marriage and engagement celebrations for dear friends
- indulging in recreational activities, theater productions and rock concerts
- surprising my sister for her 30th birthday
- a week with family at our beach cabin in the summer
- the chance to dote on some of the world's cutest kids
- precious, farewell moments with my Colorado buddies
- a pre-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving dinner with my closest friends once back in WA
- being able to spend the holidays with my family
- a temp. job to put some money in the bank
- the most adorable new addition to our family, my beautiful, one month old niece, Paislee
- AND, the continual emotional, mental, and spiritual growth that is a direct result of everything that I've endured/experienced this past year

So, for me, I look back at 2011 with appreciation for everything that came with it, both the ups and downs. And, I look forward to 2012, knowing that whatever may come with it is all a part of the adventure of this life.

May 2012 be a year of unexpected surprises, of increased fortitude and of fulfilled hope for us all. May it be the best year yet!

Happy New Year everyone!

LOOK WHO'S BACK, BACK AGAIN

(that last one's a little hard to make out but, although it looks eerily similar to the picture before it, it does in fact say Washington)

What's in store now? A different, new type of adventure in life. That's what. What that looks like? That is yet to be seen. Here we go, again.

THE MEANING OF HOME

Awhile back I found myself meandering through an apartment parking lot here in Denver while taking some dogs for a walk. As the dogs and I sauntered on, I started looking at the license plates of the cars that had been parked there. . .cars from Wyoming and Nebraska, Michigan and Louisiana, and as far away as Maryland and California; in total, I counted at least 16 license plates in that singular, small parking lot that were from places other than Colorado.
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Whether by choice or circumstance (i.e. job placements, etc.), "home" seems to be more and more in flux for a large number of people these days. And while I may think that my nomadic life is an oddity, the truth is, several of my own friends and acquaintances have made their home in a different city, state, or country at one point or another [for some, multiple times as well]. I think that it's fair enough to say that, in this day and age, "home" is a bit more of a subjective term and may apply to a variety of places.
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Which, in turn, reminds me of the fact that our true home is not to be found here on earth. As I, and others, have experienced, it can be easy to find things that we love about the places that we call home here. Even then though, it would seem that there's still something within us that is inclined to search for OUR place, where we feel like we fully and truly belong. Well, folks, as C.S. Lewis once said, "If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." Or, in other words, "But there's far more to life for us. We're citizens of high heaven!" (Philippians 3:20a [from The Message]).
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We may wander from place to place, building community, creating a home environment, but will we also cling to the reality that we were created for something, somewhere, even more? Will we remember that the homes we find ourselves in here are only temporary, and that another one that is permanent, and exponentially better, is awaiting us? More importantly, will we find solace in the fact that if we feel as though we haven't found where we belong here. . . it's because we don't belong here, we belong somewhere far more amazing?! I don't know about all of you, but I look forward to the day where I can settle into my one true home!
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Until then though, I will keep on enjoying my other homes here that God blesses me with. I hope that you do the same, wherever that may be.
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BECAUSE EVERYBODY LOVES ANALOGIES (OR ATLEAST I DO)

"What if what I think is great really is great, but not as great as something greater?"
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[Yes, I did in fact quote The Wedding Planner right there. I'm not even ashamed]
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What a thought to ponder. . . what if we're destined for even greater things than the greatness that currently surrounds us? Should we just remain where we are and enjoy the good stuff that we have, or should we take the risk and step out in faith to see what else there might be? Perhaps something even more wonderful?
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This past week I ventured out on a small-scale hike in the foothills. The particular trail that I was on led to two different ruins' sites: one being the mountain home of John Brisben Walker, and the other being what was left of the humble beginnings of Mr. Walker's attempt to build a summer home for the U.S. presidents. After hiking in and surveying the bits and pieces that remained of Mr. Walker's former residence, I headed back out on the trail for the nearly mile-long walk to get to the summer home ruins. But as I started heading further away from where I had originally come from my mind caught up to me and started formulating thoughts along the lines of: 
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"Am I really going to go that far just to see a cornerstone of a place that never got built and no one really cared about?"
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"I know that there's a closer view of Red Rocks all the way out there, but I think that I can see them pretty well from here. . ."
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"Is it going to be worth it?"
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In spite of my questioning I decided to trudge on with hopes that my effort would not be in vain (even though I did consider stopping along the way at a couple of places that had decent views of the metropolis area or the surrounding foothills), and, you know what? It was most definitely worth it!
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The cornerstone and the rubble themselves weren't anything too spectacular, but that didn't matter because I was overjoyed at the location that I found myself in! A location that boasted far better views than those which I had second-guessed passing by, and that provided the most perfect spot to sit and enjoy the beautiful surroundings and feel God's presence!
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Had I turned back when I first started questioning whether to continue on or not I would still have had a great experience. Had I decided to stop at the other inviting places along the way, I'm sure that they would have been great. But if I hadn't pushed on as I did I certainly would have missed out on something far greater, something that felt as though it was created just for me and that moment in time. True, there was the possibility that it wouldn't be anything too special, but even if that had been the case, at least I would have taken the risk . . . and could always return to one of the great places that I had passed in the process.

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Why does this seemingly simple hiking experience elicit such an elaborate explanation from me? Because the reason that I ventured out to this spot in the first place was to take the time to weigh out a life decision -- of the "should I stay, or should I go?" nature -- and I can't help but liken the experience to my decision-making process.

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Life in Colorado is good, really good. It's beautiful, has the amenities of city-life and nature, and I've made some quality friendships here with wonderful people. But is it enough to keep me here? Or is there something greater that I need to step out in faith to walk towards, not knowing what lies ahead?

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The hours that I spent thinking and praying, lofted above the earth on my personal, rocky precipice while looking out to the snow-capped mountains provided me with my answer . . .

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I'm moving back to Washington.

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I may find myself wanting to be complacent, to dig in my heels and just stay here, [aside from the lack of a job] it would be easier on one hand. And yet, I feel the same stirring within me to trudge on, leaving behind the good, and pushing on until I see what the adventure before me holds, whatever it may be. And maybe, just maybe, I'll find myself faced with something even greater than I thought. I think that it may be worth it. . .

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"A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." ~ Proverbs 16:9