Factual Friday!

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Welcome to the first of my new weekly blog feature, Factual Fridays! In an effort to add some regularity to my blog, I wanted to have a weekly entry that allowed you, my readers, to get to know me and what I’m interested in. My hope for Factual Fridays is to offer you a fact about me or a piece of trivia about something I’m interested in then expound on that in the rest of the entry.

A BIG thank you to my best friend and fellow blogger, Holly, for the inspiration for these posts. Check out her blog, Gypsy Feet, and her weekly feature, Music Mondays.

So here we go!

Fact: I have a hurricane tracking sheet and the list of names for 2009 in my cubicle at work. Whenever a Tropical Storm forms, I put it on the chart with its name and update it twice daily.

I can remember the moment that I fell in love with meteorology. I’m not sure where we were driving back from, but in the eighth grade I was riding in the car with my mom on our way home as the sun was setting. I remember looking out the window as the sun shone from behind a cloud and told my mom that it looked like God shining down on the world. (For those interested in the technical, scientific name of what I saw, they were crepuscular rays.)

Weather is so central to our lives. It’s the first thing we check in the morning before we get dressed, there’s an entire TV channel dedicated to it, and it’s a popular conversation topic. We plan our activities and weekends around it, pouring over the forecast for days in advance to see what’s going to happen. Believe me, I know. I’ve been watching this weekend’s forecast for the entire week. I rejoice every time the percent chance of rain for Saturday night drops (currently stands at 30%). Even the Bible is filled with stories of how weather impacted people’s lives (the Flood, storms on the Sea of Galilee, etc.).

But what if the weather is more insidious than it seems at first glance? And I’m not just talking about tsunamis, hurricanes, and tornadoes. Awhile ago, this article from Boundless got me thinking. Here’s an excerpt (the entire article is great too!):

“You don't have to be an "angry person" to have a problem with anger. There's an anger of the garden variety that's often expressed through complaining, grumpiness, a cutting remark, sulking self-pity, and turbulent frustration.”

“Take commonplace complaints about the weather. Complaints about the excessive heat or cold can either be a form of small talk or a form of unbelief in God's good providence. We don't typically think of complaining as anger, but when framed with the providence of God we are pressed to consider our motives.”

Whoa. I know I have definitely complained about the weather before. Who hasn’t? But “a form of unbelief in God’s good providence”? Whoa.

If God wills it to be hot and muggy one day, who am I to argue with him by complaining? If He has decided a certain day should include thunderstorms that interfere with the plans I had, why should I not acknowledge that maybe He changed my plans for a purpose and a reason far beyond my understanding?

So while I will still be checking the forecast for this weekend and praying that it doesn’t interfere with our (outdoor) plans for Saturday night, I will try to remember that God is sovereign...even over the weather.

2 Dozen Trips Around The Sun

“So how does it feel to be another year older?”

This question makes me smile. I can’t help it. It amuses me. :) As if the distinction between two days is drastic enough that I can express the difference between being 23 years, 364 days old and 24 years old. My answer is typically something along the lines of: “About the same as yesterday.”

Birthdays are an occasion to reflect, to look back on the past year and remember everything that happened. Twenty-three was quite the rollercoaster for me. I was living and working in Germantown when I was abruptly laid off. I found another job and moved back home with my family. I vacationed at a farm in Pennsylvania by myself and helped with farm chores. Around Christmas time, this wonderful man started pursuing me and we started dating in April. :) I visited two new states (Tennessee and Michigan) and got to meet one of my favorite authors in person (Ted Dekker). I saw good friends from the Focus Institute at reunion in Colorado and had the chance to meet new friends during my trip to Michigan. We also added a member to the family as Chelse’s adoption was finalized!

All in all, a wonderful, crazy, beautiful, exhilarating year that God blessed and watched over. Can’t wait to see what the next year holds and how God will work! :)

Soli Deo Gloria!
Meghan

Another Little Angel

Today, I write to you with a sad heart. In my Technology Blues post, I introduced you to my co-worker, John, and his twin grandchildren, Ashley and Tommy, who had a genetic disorder. At the time of that post, Ashley had already passed away and the family was preparing for what time they had left with Tommy. Following is the e-mail we received yesterday, August 17 (last names have been removed for privacy):


To my friends and family, It is with a broken heart that I have to tell you that Thomas (Tommy) Carter G------ has joined his sister Ashley and Grandmother in heaven. Tommy left us at 11:45 AM today. My beloved wife Peggy has both her grandchildren with her now. I will let all of you know what the arrangements are and the charity that my daughter Kitty and Son (Son-in-law) Jaime have chosen. It is best Tommy is not suffering and now can be free of the restrictions his earthly body put on him. God Bless all of you

John


Please pray for this family as they go through the tragic loss of two young lives so close together.

More on Cooking

Just wanted to post a couple of links related to my last blog on cooking :) Sorry I haven't posted much this week. Life has gotten a little more complicated recently. I can't really discuss everything going on but just know that I haven't forgotten about you, my readers! Hoping to be inspired with more blog posts for next week. In the meantime, enjoy these links, courtesy of Dr. Al Mohler, about the fading art of cooking. "The Cooking Creature -- A Call for Recovered Wisdom" - Dr. Mohler's blog on the subject "The Lost Art of Great Cooking" - Dr. Mohler's radio broadcast with guest appearances from his wife and daughter Enjoy! Soli Deo Gloria, Meghan

Pot Roast, Anyone? :)

I went grocery shopping today! :) It felt so good to be getting groceries again. I enjoyed strolling up and down the aisles. I had my list, I knew what I needed to get, but there was something so enjoyable about not having to just pick up stuff for my lunches at work. I got to buy raw materials to put together dinner tomorrow night. It felt good! When I moved back home after being laid off in November, I went from sharing a kitchen with a housemate to occasionally tinkering in my mom’s kitchen. I have had the chance to do a little bit of cooking at home, but it’s usually whatever my mom has planned for dinner and I’m simply throwing it in the oven or taking over when she has to go to Bible study or run an errand. Tomorrow night, I set the menu and I will cook the meal. :) I’m really looking forward to it. I may not be the best cook, but I do like to experiment when I get the chance. Cookbooks are some of my favorite books. I have a small collection of them with most of the recipes untested. Currently, my favorite kitchen appliance is my Crock-Pot that I got for my birthday last year (currently in storage) because it has 3 different size bowls that fit on the same base. It’s basically 3 Crock-Pots in one. :) The next piece of equipment I’m looking to acquire is an immersion blender so any recommendations would be nice. I hope that this weekend you get to do something that you enjoy as well. Whether it’s going for a leisurely walk, working on your car or in your yard, or maybe spending time with your family, I hope God blesses that time as you employ the gifts and talents He has given you. As for me, I’ll let you know how the pot roast, “mashed potatoes”, and strawberry sorbet go over. :) Soli Deo Gloria! Meghan

So Many Books, So Little Time

I love a good read. There’s just nothing like the feeling of getting wrapped up in a story and being mentally transported to other times and places. My dream is to one day have a room in my house that I can dedicate to being a library filled with all sorts of books. I’ve been trying to intersperse my non-fiction and fiction reading lately to keep some variety in my library. Sometimes it’s a lot easier said than done, but I’ve enjoyed some good books this summer that I might not have otherwise read until much later. The traveling I’ve done this summer has helped too since I seem to be able to read more when I’m on travel than when I’m at home. After being in Colorado for a reunion this past weekend, I have added to the collection of books that make up the “unread” portion of my library. While I’m thrilled at some of the deals I got (used books for $3!!), this segment of my library makes me a little sad. There are several books in that pile that I can’t wait to get to but then I also have books that I have already read that I want to read again. This has recently come up as I have watched Dan discover one of my favorite series of books…the Circle Series by Ted Dekker. Black, Red, and White are the current titles with the final chapter, Green, being released in September. I’ve already pre-bought Green and have signed up to be part of the Forest Guard (promotional street team). As we’ve discussed the Circle series, I’ve discovered how many details I simply don’t remember from my first reading of the books. Oh, I remember the overarching story line and some of the major plot points and twists, but nitty-gritty details seem to have slipped my mind. So while I debate the feasibility of reading the Circle series again before September, another question has taken up residence in my mind. How much more should I be desirous of God’s Word? In a world where others have to hide in order to worship and hear Truth, or single pages of Scripture are passed between believers because of their lack of freedom, what excuse do I have? Answer: None. There is no excuse for why I can’t keep a consistent quiet time. I have my moments where my valiant efforts pay off and I get in several days of quiet times to journal but then I fall flat on my face again. Thank goodness God forgives and reaches down to lift us up! So here’s to another attempt by a fallen sinner to study God’s Word. May He bless my efforts as I seek to delve deeper into Truth. “So many books, so little time So many hunger, so many blind Starving for words, they must wait in the night To open a Bible and move towards the Light” ~Michael Card, “So Many Books” Soli Deo Gloria, Meg

4

Four months ago today, a man stepped out in faith and a woman responded in trust. Four months ago, we started on a new adventure and a new chapter in our lives. Four months ago, Dan and I started dating. These past four months have been such a blessing and sometimes I stand in wonder at God's provision and providence in bringing Dan into my life. There are moments when I am simply blown away by God’s work in my life and His sense of timing. So here’s to four months of walking this path together. Looking forward to many more to come! :) Soli Deo Gloria! Meg