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::

Bridal Profile

Ceremony pictures

Reception

I decided to do a separate post for just their reception. One more forthcoming.....

The beautiful decorations!

I loved how the head table was raised up!

The beautiful cake!! Fondant is so picturesque :-)

This is terrible picture quality, but how fun was their entrance?!! Complete with secret service.

:-)

I like this picture the best out of this post :-)

Bethany the Bride

I am so glad that I had the privilege of seeing Bethany's wedding. It was absolutely beautiful. As many of you may know, I don't cry very easily, but I had tears in my eyes at the ceremony. The whole wedding was so refreshing--totally focused on God. It was simple, but so very beautiful. Thank you, Bethany, for allowing other people to see the beauty of your relationship with Dan. And for leading a beautiful and glorious life, both in your single life and in your courting days and now into married life! I pray it will be a grand adventure!

More pictures to come soon.....

Thanksgiving post

Yay! Finally, my Thanksgiving post is up!! :-)

Crazy Andrew

Grandpa!

So adorable!!

Me and Andrew :)

Packing!

Randomosity

....the high in Lehr for Monday is now -2. Yes, the high is below zero. Oh how I miss ND. :-) And on Monday at my grandpa's house the high will be 83. How is this fair? Despite these temperatures, I am stoked for my arrival in the small Bismarck airport! My mom will be the one picking me up!! (she took the day off work :) So maybe we can go shopping....... ;-)

Christmas break starts tonight, but it really started last night. Last night I got to bed a little after 1. Wow! That was amazing. I really haven't slept at NIGHT this week, so it's a

new concept that needs to be re-introduced to me. I started liking coffee. I'm kind of sad that I have conformed to the ways of this world.So, over Christmas Break, I will be at my grandpa's house for two weeks!!! :-) First, we will go to the wedding in Nebraska though!!!! :-) Super excited about that! =)

I just finished packing. Wow, that was difficult. I thought about packing two suitcases. (I am a girl needing clothes for a whole month after all. ) But no. United Airlines would then like to charge me an extra 20 dollars for that. They aren't getting my money! Ha!! It took a lot of work. The cliche' sitting on the suitcase? Yeah, that was me. For my carry-on, I'm bringing my queen size blanket I am crocheting, my beautiful mac, and my camera bag. Maybe I'll take a picture.

This is Pastor Jack after our Advent Service.

I am so excited to go home!

And guess what? The day I fly home, the high is supposed to be 22! Whooo!!!! Better leave the sandals at school! ;-) One week and I'll be home! I'm super-duper excited!! Oh, hopefully I'll do a Thanksgiving post of family soon. Finals aren't too bad so maybe this week. If not, I'll try to squeeze it in while I am home. :) YAY HOME!!!!!

I love my family. Can you tell?

My Christmas list.

want  [wont, wawnt] –verb (used with object)
1. to feel a need or a desire for
2. to wish, need, crave, demand, or desire
3. to be without or be deficient in
4. to require or need
-----------------------------------

I want to dance.
I want to sing.
I want to take a nap.
I want to finish all my short stories.
I want to learn how to play hymns well.
I want to photograph a wedding.
I want to write a song.
I want to learn how to play guitar.
I want to figure out computer mumbo-jumbo.
I want to lay out in the leaves all day,
without a care in the world.
I want to read all day.
I want to take a road trip to North Dakota,
just so I can take pictures of the beautiful prairie.
I want to read my Bible, all day, without stopping.
I want to write letters.
I want to communicate.

And yet. And yet...


Homework.

Phooey on you.
-----------------------------------

want  [wont, wawnt] –verb (used with object)
1. to feel a need or a desire for
2. to wish, need, crave, demand, or desire
3. to be without or be deficient in
4. to require or need

A new leaf

I want to be a real woman of God. One who desires His will to be done before mine is even close. That I will be willing to put aside my own wants and "needs" to further His kingdom. I have been noticing my own negative attitudes toward people and have realized that they need to change. Finally, today I was listening to "What if His People Prayed" by Casting Crowns and realized that I haven't really been praying fervently or even with a passion for God's people. WE NEED TO PRAY! We need to have a passion for God and his people. They might make us really upset and drive us crazy, but God still loves them. I might not personally love everyone, but God still does. (I really have no idea how He does it!)

This fall has been an interesting one indeed. It has had twists and turns in the road. Even some tears shed. I love this fall. Jumping in the leaf piles. Seeing the leaves turning. Seeing me turning too, into (hopefully) a woman after God's very own heart.

Sorry....

Wow. It has been forever and a day since I last posted. Goodness, I'm sorry (though I probably don't have any more readers, so I don't even know why I am apologizing). There is lots going on right now, but God is in control. He'll handle it all.

^I wrote that about a week ago. Oops.

Um....doing some wedding planning. Almost have the details of bridesmaid dresses picked out. I really want to try my dress on again..... :-) One of my friends (my maid of honor, actually :) has been looking at wedding stuff because she will be getting married this coming October. :-) Guess who gets to be her MATRON of honor. Wow, that's weird. I'll be married! Pretty stoked about that. Not much is going on at school. It's November. Did you know that? And know what that means?! I GET TO SEE MY FAMILY in a little over three weeks!!!!!! I'm a tad excited. They are pretty awesome.

PhotoBlog

You should check out my new photoBlog.

Hopefully, I'll be more devoted to it. My intention was to put up a picture a day on it. But I have been "too busy."

More comments=more posts?

http://merbele-pics.blogspot.com

Help Portrait

Oy vey.

Sorry its been so long since I last posted!! I've been enjoying using all my apple purchases. :-) Quite lovely. Enjoying classes (except for one...I tend to zone out when listening to Professor Naw). I'm really stoked for Exploring Creativity. Its going to be amazing!! Our current project is making an alligator out of paper and string. Those are our only guidelines. I'll try to post a picture when I'm done with it. I'm going to use silly string.....

A picture from my backyard....[happy sigh]

iHappy

So, exciting things are happening (I'm not even talking wedding plans). I just bought enough apple stuff to stay away from the doctor for years! :) I got a 13-inch macbook pro, free iPod touch (8gb) and the standard Creative Suite 4.

My engaging life

So my readers want to know the story, eh?

It all started with wii bowling one night in October…. Its true. Well ok let me back up. David’s roomie was Ben and my roomie was Brittany (the parents of our “family” : ) Britt asked if I wanted to come wii bowling. (the previous year I had gone off campus maybe four times except for church if that shows you how much fun I allowed myself :) I reluctantly said yes. Well, our family formed from there and eventually there got to be about 8 of us who would hang out, going bowling etc. David, Ben, and the other ben played as the worship band at IBC (Immanuel Baptist church). Well David was texting me one night saying that I should sing with them. First response: NO WAYYYY!!!! For pretty much anyone who knows me, you know I don’t consider myself to have a good singing voice. Sure its fine if I sing in a group. But in a band? As the only girl??!! :) Oh boy, I was not up for that. But it was a really small church…hm, oh the dilemma. So I went to a practice thinking ok no big deal, I’ll just listen. But they got me to sing!!

Anyway, so David and I got to know each other that way and through the “family outings”. :) Eventually he got outcast because I was a daughter and he was a son and we couldn’t be having any incest in the family! lol

So he came to visit my family in December for about a week. Played some wii. J Couldn’t really go outside though, because it was so brutually cold. But he got to spend a week with my family. The boys loved him, took him on as their older brother and my mum had coffee with him for three hours one morning (I slept in, lol).

Then it was back to school, and then this summer working at Riverwoods. Working at Riverwoods was quite the experience. I’m so glad he was there working too, because I doubt I could explain it to him. Its really just something you have to be there for. Well, a couple weeks ago, he called my family’s cell. My family was in Medora that day, so he talked to my dad and asked for permission to marry me and all. Mum said it was all in God's timing, because they had stopped and were overlooking the beauty of the badlands.

After we finished work on Saturday, August 1^st, David told me to get all gussied up because he was taking me on a date. We went to Lonestar to eat, then David practiced his violin with Donna (a lady at the church David had a duet with). So yeah, listening to two violins was beautiful. After they were done, Donna gave us ice cream. J Then we went to see Ice Age 3. After that, I was really glad we had a fun date, but ready to go home. Not David. He suggested going to the church. I was tired and against it, but said ok. Well we went to the Sunday School room. He asked me what he first asked in that room months ago.

“You asked to start going out with me??”

“Well, what did I ask specifically?”

“To start dating me???”

Then he pulled something out of his back pocket. And I thought, “Hm, that’s weird.”

Suddenly, he was down on one knee, asking to marry me.

“Yes.” [screams]

:-D

And now… it’s smiles all around. :-) The wedding is this summer, June or July. Mum and I are planning, planning, planning. Susan, Mum and I are going dress shopping tomorrow. So exciting! But it’s finally hitting me.

i.

am.

getting.

married.

So...

i

am

engaged.

Cuteness.

So today started out a normal day. Devos at 7. Then get ready for the day. Well I take my shower in the maple complex (same building as my "office") because my cabin doesn't have a shower or bathroom. First I decided to drop something off at my desk. When I saw a piece of paper that said "I love you Megan. Love David Wehr" Awww. Ok I thought it was really sweet. But now today I keep finding notes that say "I love you and can't wait to see you again." (He went with his teens to a waterpark for the day) So far, I have found eight notes at my desk, not including the note that he wrote for me on my computer. He put one of the notes in my camera bag (I thought that was pretty smart--he knew I would find that one! :-) So yeah, I'm just bragging on my man...once again. :)

Oh dear.

I have been a horrible blogger. I'm sorry. Life has been full as of late. Work has been busy and when i do have a break, I generally take a nap. I work until ten at night some nights. And as soon as David shows up, we go for a walk. :) Thus, no blogging time. I'm sorry. This poor blog. I'm surprised it doesn't just take its URL and leave. "Good riddance Megan! I've had enoguh of you!" But its still here.

Well, I'm really excited. I get to go home in two weeks to see family. :D I love North Dakota, and I miss it so much. Can hardly wait. Then two weeks at home (one of which David will be there :). And school starts. I'm kind of excited (always am for like the first...month lol). The classes I'm taking are Man and Woman (upper English Lit class. I get to read Little Women!), Exploring Creativity, Video Production, History of Civilization 2, and [drum roll please] Personal Fitness Training. Yes, I'll actually be exercising. I'm doomed. Oh, and I'm going to start working (hopefully off campus at Dunkin' Donuts), seeing as I only have 13 credits. No studios, granted video production will take lab time.

(I just had to. We've taken pictures of us like three times since we've known each other lol. We really need to use the self timer more often.)

Oh, David has a partner with his teens. And she claims that she is his wife. So I have to fight off another woman!! lol Oh, I've really gotten attached to one of David's teens. She and I really hit it off last week, it's awesome. :)

Ceana

She blends into her environment...

She's always got something to say.

A sense of certainty

We say, then, to anyone who is under trial, give Him time to steep the soul in His eternal truth. Go into the open air, look up into the depths of the sky, or out upon the wideness of the sea, or on the strength of the hills that is His also; or, if bound in the body, go forth in the spirit; spirit is not bound. Give Him time and, as surely as dawn follows night, there will break upon the heart a sense of certainty that cannot be shaken.

Amy Carmichael

I just want to say

...that my guy is so awesome. We went for a walk last night and my flip flop broke when we were coming back. He offered me his shoes. I didn't really think they would fit so I declined. Know what he did then? He took off his shoes and socks and "suffered," as he calls it, right along with me. :) I love that guy they call David Wehr.

=)

Morally right

The world has enough women who know how to be smart. It needs women who are willing to be simple. The world has enough women who know how to be brilliant. It needs some who will be brave. The world has enough women who are popular. It needs more who are pure. We need women, and men, too, who would rather be morally right than socially correct."

-Peter Marshall