Christmas, Edition 2014

So we can all just move on and ignore the un-finished Give Thanks challenge, right? Life gets busy and the thankfulness didn't stop...it just didn't managed to get documented here. ;)

Okay. With that out of the way...

Merry Christmas =)

Our Christmas season has stayed blessedly busy with a variety of activities....

::buckeye rolling

::tree picking

Molly & Mom, the tree selection team 

Dad, who kindly held multiple trees while we made our selection

::a trip to Ohio for Melissa and I to see the gang that I worked with on the CPE3 project

the group having an impromptu meeting

::the annual town parade with Molly's jump rope team

dressed & ready to jump

::surprise creations (no pictures of the works-in-progress...they were surprises after all!)

::seasonal gatherings with our church family

Family Photo before the Christmas Eve Service
Photo Credit: Dad/Kipp

...and we are topping off the season with a beautiful day at home =)

an impromptu "couple" picture

capturing the "sister selfie"

Molly's gift of "sister" notebooks with personalized lists of what she's learned from Melissa and I

Presents were opened this morning and now various family members are relaxing in their own unique ways -- Molly practicing some Hobbit songs courtesy of Melissa who gave her the Hobbit piano music book and Melissa is spending time with a new book. Meanwhile, Mom and Dad have ventured outside for a walk before eating more food ;)

There were beautiful gifts, but my favorite theme this year was watching Dad open multiple gifts and seeing the picture come together more and more clearly:

First, the golf club appeared...

Then the very nice and fancy bag with a built-in stand...

The matching jacket was the next addition...

...and the sunglasses completed the outfit :)

God's been teaching me a lot lately...unrolling the picture of sending Jesus Christ to earth as a baby for the salvation of the world. In many ways, the deeper understanding I have come to this year is much like the revelation of Dad's golfing outfit in the pictures above...

...clear, but incomplete.
...wonderful, but only on a surface level.

As more and more is unveiled, the picture is made whole and ever so much more amazing than it was just to start.

God's been teaching me more aspects about himself and giving me situations where I am forced to seek out the Biblical response. This search, albeit painful, has showed me what it means to forgive and just how deep the pain and how great the gift of forgiveness is.

It seems like more of an Easter lesson, doesn't it? After all, when it comes to the story of the life of Jesus Christ, we think of his miraculous birth at Christmas and save the forgiveness, salvation, and reconciliation stories for Easter.

But what is Easter without Christmas? If there was no baby, then there would be no forgiveness...no heavenly example...no hope.

The lesson that I've learned this Christmas is just how powerful and just how pricey my salvation was. God's taken me beyond the cute nativity sets...and awwing over the youngest baby playing Jesus in a live nativity. He's shown me the price that Christ paid by coming down into my dirty world to offer us hope. He didn't have to do it. He wanted to do it.

That is the miracle of Christmas.

"Tears are falling, hearts are breaking
How we need to hear from God
You've been promised, we've been waiting
Welcome Holy Child
Welcome Holy Child

Fragile finger sent to heal us

Tender brow prepared for them
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born
Unto us is born

So wrap our injured flesh around You
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sin and make us holy
Perfect Son of God
Perfect Son of God"

~Excerpt of lyrics, Welcome to our World (Michael W. Smith)

Family Life // Give Thanks ~ Day 18-20

As of today, we are only 4 days behind in the Give Thanks challenge and we should be caught up before Thanksgiving actually arrives =)

Today was a productive day, albeit filled with constant comings and goings of our household. Dad, Mom, and I took two of our cars and RV for some maintenance and repairs. Molly volunteered for an emergency drill at a local senior-living center and Melissa headed over to our community college for a nursing lunch and study session.

As I type this, Mom and Dad are just pulling in the driveway from a date night while Melissa and Molly compete for the title of 'writing-the-most-words-in-an-allotted-period-of-time'...aka. a word war for NaNoWriMo. Before sitting down at our computers (me to blog and the girls to work on their novels), we once again dived into the buckeye process and this was the result...

round chocolate + peanut butter + powdered sugar goodness =)

{I'm posting this^^ just for my CollegePlus, Ohio friends to be jealous of}

Mom
::having all my girls home
::10+ sweet years with our dog, Emily
::encouragement from my family
::God's mercies in our suffering
::our veterinarian
::sleep
::coffee
::comfort in loss
::pots and pans
::bluetooth
::easy dinners
::afternoon walks with girls
::RV
::friends
::National History Day
::Molly's Greek teacher, Mr. Spotts
::haircuts
::kombucha
::kleenex
::water
::happy family

Megan
::the cars that God has blessed our family with
::8 consecutive hours of sleep
::texting with friends to share memories and get through the missing part of coming home
::the grace my family gives me as I re-acclimate into the family culture
::hugs and smiles from Molly as she shared the family news
::walking with Melissa (even if it was a little cold!)
::compassion
::Emily, our dog
::Melissa's strength and matter-of-factness in difficult situations
::sharing tears and hugs with Mom
::a nap to help with the sleep-deprivation
::girls' only calls to share life and pray for each other
::our family's thanksgiving tree
::laughing and dreaming with Mom and Dad (so grateful for the way you both invest and disciple the girls and I!)
::a home-day to catch-up on projects
::Mom's pumpkin muffins
::Scriptural reminder to "rejoice in all things"
::the four years we've had to live in Maryland and explore the East coast
::the two-hour drive to & from church with Melissa -- lots of girl time
::our pastors and church
::fellowship with believers committed to following Christ

Molly
::songs
::sisters
::parents
::eyes
::solemn faces that make me laugh
::Emily
::computers
::timers
::rope
::buckeyes
::masterminds
::November
::colors
::volunteers
::smiles
::poems
::precious moments
::spreadsheets
::teamwork
::recklessness
::private jokes

Sunday Stories // Give Thanks ~ Days 15-17

Happy Sunday =)

After our typically busy day, the three trays of buckeyes were remembered after prayer time this evening. We had planned to dip them tonight, but their storage location hadn't stayed as cool as needed. Due to our freezer layout, we have traditionally chilled the buckeyes in the backseat of our cars as this time of year usually has the garage at or below freezing. However we've had an unusually warm couple of days and the buckeyes were softer than needed :(

We pulled them out and decided to wait till tomorrow morning to complete the chocolate dipping stage. However that didn't stop all of us from consuming a few of the powdered sugar + peanut butter balls. From my typing vantage point of the kitchen table, I think I've counted at least a dozen balls disappear...

The tray that with a few new "holes"

Perhaps we'll make a second batch tomorrow to make up the lost-in-production difference ;)

Mom
::snow
::warm coats
::hot tea
::rolling backpacks
::sister talks
::clean desk
::salad
::Sunday mornings
::Sunday school
::Colossians
::drive to church
::last day of membership class
::warm clothes
::worship with my family
::productive Mondays
::wise spiritual counsel
::my daughters' voices
::walks in the rain
::tea
::vacuum cleaner
::washer and dryer (thanks, Kipp!)

Megan
::hot water
::Christmas music singing sessions
::ice skating trains
::friends who point me to Christ and whisper "I'm praying"
::doing a mall scavenger hunt (and winning!)
::Skype messages, texts, and emails from Mom encouraging me when I missed my family
::honesty
::new mornings each day
::radio dramas
::Mrs. Subra's awesome cooking :)
::going to church with the CP gang
::singing praise God in unconventional ways
::snow fights
::re-enacting memories from previous gatherings
::having friends who pull all-nighters with you
::getting a few extra minutes with Emily & Charity before they had to board their flight
::reviewing the whole gathering with Andrew
::talking and texting with Mom and girlfriends the whole way home
::Mom and Dad picking me up from the airport
::a safe arrival home
::selfie wars

Molly
::rain
::heaters
::cousins
::autumn evening chats with said cousins
::greek making sense
::elves (Tolkien ones that is ;))
::chocolate graham crackers
::mugs
::black and white
::restoration
::ribbon
::poems
::pain
::bookmarks
::snowmen
::whiteboards
::teapots
::pens
::Heaven
::coats
::pumpkins

Buckeyes // Give Thanks ~ Days 12-14

I think it's time to return ;) Thank you for your patience...coming home from a CP gathering involves exhaustion, some serious missing, and a stack of responsibilities to make me want to run for the hills :P But lest you all begin to wonder why I go to such events... they also result in some pretty amazing memories which I hope to share over the next couple days here on the blog =)

While I begin the process of catching up (not a one day deal), I'll enjoy eating some of these little holiday treasures...

Buckeyes awaiting the chocolate-dipping phase

Melissa & Dad, our awesome buckeye-rolling team!

And let's also get serious about our Give Thanks challenge...Today, we'll cover November 12-14 :)

Mom
::fun surprises
::laughter
::homemade cookies
::long-distance friends
::family connections
::health
::Megan's blog
::consignment sales
::frozen yogurt
::Friday nights
::completed to-do list
::God's peace
::organization
::help with shopping
::our pastors
::bar-b-que
::Skype calls
::cousins
::friends
::my family
::movie night

Megan
::helpful airline ticket agents
::that my delayed flight gave me a push to do some Bible study
::extra sleep on my flight
::Dad's transportation services (complete with lovely conversations!)
::teasing texts
::Melissa and Mom letting me raid their closets for this trip
::sunshine
::chats with Melissa to keep me updated on home life
::texts from Dad and Molly
::posing in the Des Moines sculpture park
::Mr. Subra's entertaining lesson on the 12 tenets of the Bible
::Josh's driving
::sharing a room with two of my dear CP friends
::talking listening to others talk about music and gaining a whole new playlist
::Catherine calling just to encourage me
::sharing hearts and feelings with the girls at the gathering
::getting to do more English Country Dancing (thank you, Emily!)
::Drew's willingness to share his swing knowledge
::the gift of friends who share memories, fun, and laughter
::the Subra's willingness to open up their home (and furniture!)
::sweet emails from Mom teaching on God's work in our lives

Molly
::His story
::language
::learning
::dishwashers
::time
::reasons
::hugs
::Skype
::conspiracies
::snow
::gloves
::new friends
::teachers
::volunteers
::trees
::walks
::church
::clearance
::babies
::jump rope
::(mostly) catching up on NaNoWriMo

Packing // Give Thanks ~ Day 11

It's 9:33pm. I have a final music playlist syncing to my phone. I'm wracking brain of any items I haven't packed yet. And my family tells me that this is impossible considering the size of my bags (wasntme)

Mom comes in to give me final words of wisdom (yes, I will wear my purse cross-body tomorrow. promise) and ask for as many pictures as possible.

Melissa reminds me that she wants to be woken up and given a proper hug in the morning. Molly sadly says goodbye and reminds me that I'm only on loan-out for a week. She wants me back after all.

My whiteboard reminds me that the day has come. And my google messages with Dad this morning show evidence that one can never be excited too much ;)

My whiteboard which was creatively decorated by sisters about 45 days ago

I have the typical goodies from Mom. Tomorrow I leave for Iowa (where the temperature is less than half of ours). I'm going to see 20 of my fellow CP students -- and among them, some of my dearest friends =)

Mom is awesome about giving each of us a little something when we travel!

{as a note... We do definitely plan to keep doing our thankful lists. Whether or not they get posted depends on my ability/time to devote to the blog. Just bear with me and expect some long lists when I get back :P}

Mom
::God's constant presence in my life
::donut dates with Molly
::crockpot
::my computer
::friends
::heater
::inspiring music

Megan
::surprises being revealed
::google messages with my Dad
::beautiful fall-ish weather to enjoy before the cold
::goodies from my family
::blessing of resting in Christ
::a car to drive
::the excitement of this trip to Iowa

Molly
::beauty
::faith
::love
::kindness
::a new day
::squiggles
::seat warmers

Give Thanks ~ Day 5

I honestly cannot speak for Mom, Melissa, and Molly's day -- as I was hardly home. I spent much of my day at work. Once home, we ate a lovely spaghetti dinner, while discussing our daily Bible study passage, Mark 13:1-13. After dinner, we watched Jill Duggar's wedding -- more accurately, we talked through the wedding, discussing various traditions and things we hope to emulate... or avoid ;) I finished out the evening by talking to my dear girlfriends, Catherine and Bridget =)

Mom
::access to medical care
::hot chocolate
::homeschooling
::girl time
::Megan,  who inspired me to make this list
::Molly, who inspires me with her creativity
::Melissa, who inspires me with her passion and drive

Megan
::a job with so much flexibility and variety
::the gospel message, full of hope and grace
::time with my mom and Melissa
::a family that lets me travel, but also misses me dearly
::heat and warmth
::special calls with my girlfriends
::prayer

Molly
::God's creation
::God's sovereignty
::numbers
::worship
::opposites
::love
::hope

Productive Days // Give Thanks ~ Day 3

Meet some of my CP friends =)
Photo credit: Stephen P.

I spent much of my day working on a variety of computer projects -- applying to a few interesting positions, answering emails, and talking to some of my dearest friends (see the crazy picture above taken of my "black gob" of a friend during our afternoon hangout party). Melissa spent her day at clinicals and then preparing for yet another nursing exam. Molly stayed busy studying and I believe that Mom has to study twice as hard to stay on top of her study. Homeschooling is certainly a journey where the teacher learns just as much, if not more than, the student herself!

Work was accomplished today so that classes and a potential outing to the park to see our "little" friends can happen tomorrow.

Mom
::Kipp
::warm, comfortable home
::new seasons
::family traditions
::the end of laundry days :)
::leftovers
::God's patience with me

Megan

::new music releases

::parents who counsel and support me as I attempt to figure this "life" thing out

::hot chocolate

::Swagbucks

::daily Bible study with Mom, Melissa, and Molly

::friendships focused on sharpening each other with Scripture (Proverbs 27:17)

::that I am daily a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Molly

::pencils

::inspiration

::music

::good conversations

::chocolate

::Converse

::Amos

"Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever."

~Psalm 107:1

The Week That Was CPE3

For the past several months, I've spent Tuesday (and Thursday, and Monday, and even the occasional Saturday morning) talking to these awesome folks...

L-R: Jordan, Aubry, Rusty, Richie, Enoch
Bridget, myself, Kasey

We were drafted chosen by CollegePlus in late January to be leaders in the student community. Primarily, our role as leaders would involve planning a four night/five day student event. The focus of the week, speakers, marketing, and organization of the event were left for us to decide.

We met in February for a three day intense planning meeting. It was there that we decided on the focus of the event as well as the name, CPE3. We wanted to plan an invigorating retreat that would leave students feeling excited about their potential as cultural leaders and also empowered by the connections they had made with other students and CollegePlus staff.

Officially CPE3 stood for a tri-fold focus:
Engage -- helping students how to engage with our culture, and with each other
Equip -- giving students the practical tools to do the above
Empower -- providing students the motivation and "power" to go out and be Christ-focused leaders

Picture Credit: Aubry S.

After months of hangouts and more calls, emails, texts, and Skype messages than we could ever count the week of September 15th was upon us.

The cabinet flew in early and we spent the weekend prior to event hashing out final session details (secret: the cabinet is full of a variety of opinions and it's rare that we ever have a unanimous vote to anything!), creating student packets, decorating the camp, and enjoying some team bonding time.

Part of the Cabinet
Photo Credit: Kasey L

Each day was unique, but in the end it all blurs together as memories -- distinct, but too interrelated to split into days.

::OCD moments with registration tables

Photo Credit: Stephen P.

::Dances and more dances

dancing in an open-air barn
Photo Credit: Sam G.

::Live music for those dances

L-R: Eddy M., Pierre D., David Y.

::Staff vs. Student Basketball game

The final score of the game

::Not enough sleep

There were moments when I wished I was under 10 and could sleep during sessions

::Morning devotions surrounded by fellow believers

::Engaging Speakers

::Impromptu Skits

The cabinet re-enacting a typical cabinet hangout

::Random Music Sessions

Photo Credit: Kylie W.

::Spending a week talking and sharing life with my college coach

Photo Credit: Lydia N.

::Official CP Graduate Recognition Ceremony

::Daily Recap Videos & Newsletters (available here, here, and here)


My Least Favorite Moment:

::Saying goodbye

No amount of pictures, music, skype messages, or calls make the distance go away. But I am grateful for the close friends that God has given me through events like CPE3 and other gatherings. I am also grateful when they fall less than 8 weeks apart and that there are weekly hangouts to lessen the distance during that time.

{Pssst. Less than 8 weeks, means that in exactly 11 days, I will be seeing some of these awesome people again =)}

CPE3 was not just an amazing week of fellowship with some of the coolest people I know. It was also a chance to develop my leadership skills and gain a vision for the power of motivated Christian young people impacting our current culture for Christ.

Unless otherwise noted, the picture credits belong to Atalie Bale, our official event photographer.

Surprises, Birthdays, and Southern Hospitality

Last weekend was a special getaway trip that actually began in mid-February...

Mrs. K called several weeks ago and invited me to Catherine's birthday party. Catherine and I have become friends thanks to CollegePlus. While we met via Skype 18 months ago, we've gotten close in the past year through several student body activities (including two in-person gatherings!)...

Catherine and I in Dallas for the Official CP Texas Gathering last December

Normally birthday invitations aren't that big of a deal. But this party involved four flights and a change in time zones :) This trip was a complete surprise to the birthday girl, Catherine... Mrs. K and I had lots of fun keeping the secret (although it was difficult at times).

Finally it was Thursday -- the arrival day. After I worked a few hours, Mom drove me to the Washington Dulles airport for a 5pm flight. I texted Catherine in between flights and knew that she had no clue I was coming.

"I'm on my way 
Yes, I'm on my way" 
~ On My Way (Phil Collins)

At 10pm, I landed in Louisiana... As I headed for the exit of the Alexandria airport, I caught her eye through the glass windows -- and the shocked look on her face is one I will never forget.

Our first hug :)

Moments after meeting

We stayed up late Thursday night grinning at each other and catching up on life as the past few weeks had been pretty crazy for us both with school and other commitments.

"Hello, hello 
My, my, my, what have we here? 
What a surprise
What a surprise" 
~Hello, Hello (Elton John)

The next day started early as we were both still so excited to be together :) We messaged a few of our CollegePlus friends before rousing to make breakfast and eat with Catherine's sister, Rebekah. After our breakfast, we headed outside for a walk in the warm Southern weather. For me, it was quite a change to go from the freezing-cold, snowy Maryland weather to the mild, humid temperatures in Louisiana.

Catherine showed me many areas where she usually walks, but one of the most interesting sights was this house:

The Confederate flag is not a typical sight in Maryland :P

We ended up walking around for close to 3 hours... Time flies when you're having fun with best friends! After a quick dinner, the whole family plus me headed to Bye, Bye, Birdie that evening at the local college. It was a fun musical that elicited laughter from all of us...

Saturday became our visiting day... Both sets of Catherine's grandparents live in town and they were kind enough to allow us to visit them both for a little bit :) At one point, while Mrs. K and her parents stayed inside to talk, Catherine, Rebekah and myself enjoyed some time outside...

We also met up with another local CollegePlus student, Victoria for some frozen yogurt.

L-R: Catherine, Victoria, myself

The next day involved getting up "early" (at least for girls who were staying till midnight or later!) for church. Catherine's family attends a small gathering of believers and it was so much fun to meet more of her local friends and talk on the car on the way there and back =)

Random picture after church

We enjoyed another afternoon walk on Sunday while her family rested and enjoyed some down time... Luckily the threatening rain held off until we started walking down her street. As the afternoon drew to a close, we began to realize that the weekend was almost over :(  For our final evening, we settled in Catherine's room with a laptop and watched Trouble with Angels. We were both struggling to stay awake when it ended, but at the same time we couldn't imagine falling asleep and ending our last full day together...

"Don't say goodbye
Cause I don't wanna hear those words tonight
Don't say anything tonight
If you're gonna say goodbye"
~Don't Say Goodbye (Skillet)

The next morning was full of packing, eating, and preparing to head back to the airport...

After our tenth "final" hug, we finally let go and I went through security. But in such a tiny airport, I still had twenty minutes to kill before boarding time. Catherine found a window to the gated area and we decided to have some fun :D

We couldn't hear each other through the glass, so we pulled out our phones and typed messages to each other... The weird looks from the people walking past us just made it all the more fun!

By the time I made it home late Monday night, I was tired. But also grateful for the special weekend! Catherine is one of my closest friends that I've been so blessed to meet and get to know through Skype, the CollegePlus forums, and other social media =) I can't imagine everyday without talking to her and sharing life, school, and work.

"I'm glad you have been my friend in the time of our lives..."

~Time of Our Lives (Tyrone Wells)

A Glimpse of Life

These are always kinda fun to do =) And since I am between semesters right now and have a bit of time, why not?

Right now I am....

Seeing... emily's awesome post about a CollegePlus student gathering last fall
Hearing... miss catherine's grooveshark broadcast.
Smelling... cherry blossom hand lotion to help with the cracking hands.
Tasting... my favorite throat coat tea.
Needing... to send a dozen emails. clean my desk.
Wanting... to sew a new jean skirt.
Regretting... how late I stayed up last night.
Feeling... my desk chair which just isn't as comfortable after living in it for the last 12 weeks.
Wishing... I could get my CollegePlus friends together and pause time.
Thinking... about God's blessings in my life.
Laughing... at Molly's unique facial expressions.
Recovering... from finals' week.
Believing... that God is sovereign.
Anticipating... a trip to Texas next month.
Dreaming... about another CollegePlus student gathering.
Praying... for my friends.
Reading... Building a Godly Home by William Gouge.
Singing... 'On My Way' by Phil Collins.
Wearing... a comfy jersey skirt and layered turtleneck/t-shirt.
Preparing... for my next set of classes.
Remembering... an icy weekend in Texas with 80 CollegePlus students.
Trying... to be patient with my overwhelmed computer.
Questioning... the future.
Loving... my awesome family.
Googling... tax return forms.
Choosing... joy.
Working... on typing this post.
Emailing... some new CollegePlus students.
Texting... my dad with a Swagbucks code.
Considering... taking a walk in 21* weather.
Reducing... the time I waste checking social media.
Longing... to feel heat from the sun.
Recognizing... that God is the King of Kings.
Checking... my class grades.
Organizing... my school notebooks.
Reckoning... that I should start on my sewing project before dinner time.
and
Smiling... because I have Christ as my Savior and I'm blessed by an amazing family and close friends =)

Thanks to Olivia for the idea behind this post!

Goals

"Welcome to Life

I hope you enjoy it

In between yesterday and tomorrow

Welcome to Life

I hope that you get it right"

~Welcome to Life

This song was introduced to me by a dear friend and over the past several months it's become one of my favorites as it reminds me that life won't suddenly start one day -- I'm living it right now! In a time of year when life is evaluated and resolutions are made, I've been thinking about goals for my life...

Credit: Google

I've always been a girl who set New Year's resolutions, but, like many, I've generally ended up falling off the wagon when things got difficult. After all, lofty goals that require extreme and immediate change are usually a bit difficult to keep :P But over the past few years, I've discovered two things that are absolutely essential to accomplishable goals...

First is the acknowledgement that life change is possible only through the power of Jesus Christ. Recently I read Isaiah 64:8,
     
    "We are the clay, and You our potter;
     And all we are the work of Your hand."

God is the molder and changer of lives. He is the only one who can bring about change in my life. When I find myself seeking to improve little aspects of my character in my own strength, I realized that I have failed to remember that I am not capable of working any lasting change. What I do without dependence and trust in God, I am doing in vain.

The second item is that of accountability. While I set a goal, I communicate with the people in my life -- my parents, siblings, CollegePlus coach, and friends. Goals not communicated usually end up forgotten about and pushed aside in the busyness of life. However when I communicate my goals, I make a commitment, not just to myself, but to others and this accountability helps me stick to my goals in the difficult times.

I will never get life perfectly "right" as the song puts it. However, I do seek to honor Christ through my life. This involves challenging myself to deeper levels both in my spiritual walk and in the more practical areas of life and setting "goals". I hope that through this blog, you too are encouraged to,

"...walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light." ~ Colossians 1:10-12

Happy New Year!