Wake up...and LIVE

Came across this awesome quote today from Bob Marley. I don't think I really know anything about him except that he was a musician. Anyway...

Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you're riding through the ruts, don't complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don't bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality. Wake Up and Live!

Penetrated with joy

When you have become penetrated with the joy of God, all of your sorrows will turn into joy, all of your trials will be graces; you will recognize your faults, you will be sorry for them, and they will be forgiven so that they may become happy faults. They will remind you only of the goodness, the tenderness, the joy with which God forgives them.

::Louis Evely::

It doesn't matter what is going on in our lives, we should always have joy. This does not mean to just push aside feelings and bottle them up, but we are to still have joy. Joy doesn't depend on our situation--it is continual, it is perpetual. Paul wrote the book of Philippians while in prison, but yet that book is filled with only encouragement. He isn't burdening others, he is lifting others up...with his joy.

Life Lessons from a stuffed creature

This little guy is my favorite...thing-that-makes-me-smile right now. His name is Domo. As evidence by his nametag. I gave him to my roomie. Isn't he just precious? I think his surrounding is perfect with his facial expression. Completely surrounded by homework and countless other things. Surrounded by chaos. Life is chaos. But we still need to have a smile amidst it all. I think Domo is still working on that whole smile thing. But he gives me a smile every time I see him.

So, thank you, Domo. Thank you for being who you are.

Thank you for reminding me to smile.

I prefer blessed

I think people that have a brother or sister

don't realize how lucky they are.

Sure, they fight a lot, but to know

that there's always somebody there,

somebody that's family.

-- Trey Parker

New headers

I was having fun and decided to attempt my first try at web design. (Okay, its like the smallest part of web, but the point is that I did something :) Anyway. I designed the header on this page and on my photo page too. --> merbele-pics.blogspot.com <--

So check it out. Leave some constructive criticism. And by the way, speaking of my PhotoBlog. I will be making a much more conscious effort of posting there. It's time to get off my duff and get my creative juices flowing again!!

On Single-arity

So I forgot about the single life. I've only had about a year in 21 years of residence of Earth where I have not been single, so you wouldn't think it would be SO unusual right?? Um, wrong. I'm not unhappy with it at all. I have so much more time for everything (I even applied to work on campus at the library). I am able to completely focus on school, and hang out with my friends so much more. Which is really good, because my roomie will be student teaching next year and not living on campus! Sadness. I've lived with her for the past two years. It's amazing how close you can get with someone in that time. With you through all the good, bad and just sheer ugliness of life. Anyway, singleness.

I have decided to call this point in my life, 'single-arity.' After making up this term, I deemed it necessary to check trusty Wikipedia. But it was some logic/science/mathematic definition. I'm not really a fan of logic, so I decided to make up my own definition.

Singlearity: a time of no romantic encounters from someone of the opposite sex. This time period can last a whole lifetime (if a gift of yours is celibacy) or for a short time. Singlearity is something to be embraced, not taken lightly or for granted. It is to be used as a special time that can never be taken back. It is sacred

Um...I don't think Webster would like that definition, but I'm new at this (actually writing up the definition, not making up words :)

[Andrew and I at Grandpa and Grandma's ranch]

So yeah, I'm embracing my newfound life of single-arity and

letting God control my life, not me.

It's all Him.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

EDIT: Hi everyone.

So, I really will try to be posting more (I know my promises on blogger don't count very much anymore).

Kinda big story here. Listen up.

I am not engaged anymore. It was not a healthy relationship. I feel that God will bring me through the scars that were left through this relationship, through family, friends and His Word. God has already proved His presence in my life. And I believe this is what He wants for me. But more importantly what He wants for His glory. My friends have been phenomenal and helping me all through this (along with my amazing aunt, who works here at the school). Never thought this would be in the plan, but I can already tell this is for the best. I had grown so apart from God. He wasn't personal to me anymore, & reading my Bible and praying was not an everyday thing. To top all this off, after this happened, I got an email from 'God' via facebook. It said that I needed to go back to David. And that he (God) was contacted through prayer on social networking sites. [So for those of you wondering why I got off facebook, this is why]

Oh, I have therapy. Every Friday. Another thing that I thought wasn't in the plan.

So while I was really committed to my relationship, at this point I was more committed to just staying together. It was my first relationship, and I wanted my first relationship to be the one with my husband--so it got out of hand. Also, I don't think I was really mature enough to have this serious of a relationship, it went way too fast.

Girls, don't let this happen to you. If you are being abused in any way, get out. If you think you can handle the abuse (whether physical or emotional) because you are strong, you are wrong. It takes more strength to leave. Trust me on this. Yes, you will cry. I can assure you of that one. But wouldn't you rather want the chance of pleasing God by marrying the man He has chosen for you? Instead of settling on someone that you could probably live with the rest of your life?

If you want more details email me, and I will disclose more information. It just isn't completely appropriate to be sharing everything via blog. goldfish.megan@gmail.com

I want God's best. By the way, I really hope this is making sense to everyone out there, I'm not trying to come across as giving up is an option. Giving up isn't an option, but knowing you aren't doing what is in God's plan and acting on it, is.

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.

Psalm 31:24

Fail Us Not,

1000 generations

Attn Bloglinites

If you use the fabulous website known as Bloglines, then you should hop on over to see my 'new' blog :) And for those of you who don't use Bloglines, go there NOW. Sign up. It will save you sooo much time.

bloglines.com

Bam!

no excuse now

Dear Self

For a long time, I have struggled with not liking my body-slash-appearance. I know that each one of us has a unique body, created by the Maker of the Universe. You think that would change my outlook, right? Well, I decided to write a letter to myself today about aforementioned discrepancies.

Dear Feet,

Thank you for taking me everywhere that I need to go. Thank you for forgiving me even though I don't lotion you enough and I always wear those blasted no nonsense socks, which results in your own suffocation. Thank you for not having a bunion from wearing high heels. (I'm sure you much rather prefer my usual flats now)

Dear Legs,

You take me where I need to go, as well, and I thank you for that. I'm sorry for itching you after a long day and sometimes leaving scars, especially by my ankles. Please pass along the word. Maybe let Feet know that I apologized as well. You and Feet seem to have a connection.

Dear Stomach,

I'm sorry for complaining about you so much. You are probably what I complain about the most. And really, God made you. You aren't the one responsible for the "pooch" after holiday meals, I am. I am trying to eat healthier around you. Thank you for letting me eat everything I eat. Other Stomachs reject certain foods, but not you--you take it all.

Dear Arms,

I am sorry for not lotion-ing you. I will try to be better about that. Thank you for taking all the abuse that you have gotten. You have gotten burned countless times, and as a result, white 'freckles' now rest on your shoulders. Thank you for being a nice to size--not too wimpy (I don't give you enough credit), but not too big either--I am able to lift most things that I need.

Dear Hands,

I try to keep you well trimmed (cuticles), but I end up just biting my nails. I am profusely sorry for that. It's a hard habit to break, but I will try. Thank you, Hands, for always being there. Thank you for no arthritis after typing innumerable papers. Hands, if you didn't exist, I wouldn't be able to take pictures, my lifelong dream. I will try to protect you this winter by buying better gloves and actually wearing them outside. You are very important to me, Hands.

Dear Hair,

We've been through a lot together. (4-letter word known as lice) I have tried to change you in so many ways. I have changed your appearance in color and in the way you look at first glance. I try to straighten you by applying hundreds of degrees of heat. I complain about your wave. I should just let you do what you want (to a point). I'm sorry, too, for putting you back a lot, as well. A sloppy ponytail is no way to show you off. And when I just let God does what He wants with you, it is pleasantly surprising.

Dear Face,

Thank you for being you. Thank you for being mostly acne-free even though I don't take care of you. I don't wash you regularly, but put make-up on instead. Thank you for being beautiful without make-up. Thank you for your pale complexion, it really is a nice shade as much as I complain about it. And thank you for the natural blush.

Dear Eyes,

Thank you for being a lovely shade of blue that changes color. I do wish I wouldn't hide you behind glasses. Perhaps I shall try contacts again. Thank you for still working even though I strain you a lot, because I "forgot" to turn the lights on, or just because I didn't want to stop reading in fading daylight while traveling.

Dear Ears,

Thank you for being so incredibly unique. One lobe unconnected and one connected. It is the one thing that I have always felt makes me unique. I am sorry for blasting music in you. I'm sure I have killed you a little bit while listening to my iPod.

Dear Nose,

Thank you for being there. I am rather fond of you on my face. The only time I really complain about you is during cold season, and it isn't even your fault that I have a runny nose. Thank you for the lovely freckles, reminders of my wonderful childhood.

Dear Body,

You are a temple. And its time I start treating you like such. You deserve more rest time. Instead of staying up so late, you should get beauty rest. Help me to remember to take care of you.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

::Psalm 139:13-18, 23::