Factual Friday: Rain drops keep falling on my head...

Fact: This October was the wettest and third coolest on record in the United States.

Yes, I am a weather geek and yes, this is another Factual Friday about weather records. What can I say? :)

Here are some temperature highlights from the NOAA summary report on the month of October 2009:

Oklahoma recorded its coldest October on record while the month ranked in the top five for Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

Florida was the only state to record an above normal temperature average in October. It was the sixth consecutive month that Florida’s temperature was above normal.

So, apologies to my friends in Florida. If it’s any consolation, Georgia and Alabama were pretty close to their average temperatures.

Some of the precipitation highlights include:

The nationwide average precipitation of 4.15 inches nearly doubled the long-term average.

Iowa, Arkansas, and Louisiana recorded their wettest October while only Florida, Utah, and Arizona had below normal precipitation.

About 45 percent of the contiguous United States had moderately-to-extremely wet conditions at the end of October, according to the Palmer Index. This is the largest such footprint since February 2005.

And snow records already, too!

Cheyenne, Wyo., tallied 28 inches of snow in October, making this the city’s snowiest October on record. North Platte, Neb., recorded 30.3 inches of snow, making October 2009 the snowiest month ever for the city.

For those interested, the report can be found here.
 
So 2009 has been a pretty interesting weather year! Well, if you exclude the unusually quiet hurricane season. The leftovers from Ida passed our way as a Nor’easter 2 weeks back. We actually received somewhere in the region of 5 inches of rain in 3 days! I won’t be surprised to find out that November is a high precipitation month as well when they come out with their report. Hmmm...ideas for another Factual Friday? ;) Stay tuned!
 
Soli Deo Gloria,
Meghan

Happy Thanksgiving!

**This entry is being automatically posted as I am actually on a Disney Cruise Ship somewhere in the Caribbean!**

I hope you all are having a Happy Thanksgiving! What a wonderful time to set aside the busy-ness and craziness of everyday life, take a step back to see the big picture, and give God thanks for all that He has done and continues to do in our lives.

The Israelites had many feasts throughout the year to remember God’s provision and ask His blessing in the season to come. The annual feasts were centered on spring and fall planting and harvest times in order to remind them where their food actually came from and that the land belonged to God. At the end of harvest, it truly would have been a time of thanksgiving for God’s goodness.

As we reflect today, what are you thankful for this year? I know I am thankful for a mighty God, my health, my family, a loving, godly boyfriend, a good job, and wonderful friends. God has provided so much this past year that sometimes it’s overwhelming to think of but I am so glad that I serve the good and perfect Lord and that I get to see Him work in my life and the lives of those around me.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Soli Deo Gloria,
Meghan

Factual Friday: 6000 and counting...

Fact: I currently have 6048 audio files on my iPod.

Earlier this week, I decided to simply put my whole iPod playlist on shuffle while I was plugging away at work. It usually just runs as a soundtrack to accompany the click of keyboard keys and the glow of the monitor but I typically only choose one album or a smaller playlist to play, not usually the entire assortment.

It was really interesting to see what came up over the course of a couple of hours. Some of the files I skipped over because they were radio programs and I wasn’t in the mood to listen to someone talk for half an hour or they were books on CD and I would rather not listen to only one chapter. Sometimes, though, a forgotten favorite would come up. There were the songs I wish I could’ve sung at the top of my lungs like I do in my car and others that made me want to get up and dance right there in my office.

Have you ever forgotten that you have something and then are pleasantly surprised when you rediscover it? It’s one reason that I look forward to one day going through the storage unit that houses over 80% of my belongings. I know some of the things that are in there, including books or clothes that I occasionally wish were not in storage and that I had easier access to. Rediscovering all of those things is going to be a trying but joyful journey.

I also love rediscovering God’s promises in Scripture. Sometimes in the midst of trials or choices, it can be hard to recall what God has said He will do. I know I often forget what He has done in my own life when I go through new challenges.

Forgetfulness was one of the reasons that God had the Israelites build memorials along their journey to the Promised Land. After He would tell them to build one, it was followed by an admonishment to remember what had occurred there, usually so they could tell their children about what God had done for them. It was the reason they piled the stones after crossing the Jordan River and why they celebrated Passover each year, among other things.

Have you thought recently about how God has worked in your life in the past? Maybe you’re going through something right now where you need to remember His faithfulness in previous situations. Maybe God is trying to remind you of something in His Word. His Promises are true and God is good...ALL the time.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Meghan

Day off!

Hi everyone,

So today is my day off. I'm in Germantown visiting Dan. I was in training at work all day Wednesday and Thursday. All of this to say...there is no Factual Friday post today. Have a wonderful weekend! :) I know I will! ;)

Soli Deo Gloria,
Meghan

Factual Friday: 2 Week Countdown!

Fact: 15 more days until our family leaves on vacation!

Since 2003 was such a big year for our family (my 18th birthday, Josh’s 16th birthday, parent’s 25th anniversary and my high school graduation), we decided to celebrate by taking a big family vacation over Christmas. We flew to Florida and spent 3 days at the Disney Parks then boarded one of their cruise ships for a 4 day cruise. The trip was a hit but we made the decision that from now on we were only going to do the cruise and avoid the parks.

In December 2005, we returned for our 2nd cruise, this time for a week. We spent New Year’s on the boat which was amazing. Christmas in 2003 had been nice but we have so many family traditions that it really felt like something was missing. But New Year’s was great! They really knew how to throw a party. It was also great being on the ship for a whole week. Not only did we have an extra port of call, but an extra day at sea as well so we could explore the ship.

And now we have reached the countdown to the next trip, leaving November 21st. This is our third cruise and third holiday with Disney. This trip was actually supposed to happen a year ago but God had other plans when He brought Chelse into our lives. We postponed a year in order to finish the adoption process so that she could go with us.

Taking this trip every 2-3 years is becoming tradition in our family. It’s something that we all look forward to with great anticipation. Other members of my family started counting down after the last one over a month ago. The excitement has grown in the past few weeks as we have booked excursions, talked about meals and activities, and started to think about packing. I even bought two underwater cameras earlier this week to take on my snorkeling excursions.

There is something special about sharing anticipation with those around you. It multiplies the joy and excitement surrounding the event. It’s one reason that surprises can be so hard to keep sometimes. We want to tell the person because we want them to share in our anticipation and excitement. We want them to share in the joy.

In the Christian community, we are called to share our lives with one another, but not just the joy and anticipation. Galatians 6:2a tells us to “carry each other’s burdens” as well, not only in good times but in bad. Anticipation is not always happy and joyful. Sometimes, it can be sorrowful. But even then, we are called to a higher standard, to rejoice when brothers and sisters rejoice and to weep when they weep.

Look around you today and reach out to someone in your circle. Maybe it’s to share in their joy about upcoming events in their life. Maybe it’s to comfort them as they go through a hard time. Either way, come along side them as you walk together this week.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Meghan

“Mama’s Song”

So this song made me tear up. I love Carrie Underwood and was so excited to see that she was coming out with a new CD (released today). One of my favorite country stations had the entire CD up on their website to listen to so that was my soundtrack for the day. This song in particular spoke to me, especially since I’m going through a similar time in my life as the one described in the song. :) I pray one day I handle this transition period as well as my mom seems to be. Just thought I'd share...

Soli Deo Gloria,
Meghan

“Mama’s Song”, from Carrie Underwood’s new CD “Play On”

Mama, you taught me to do the right things
So now you have to let your baby fly
You've given me everything that I will need
To make it through this crazy thing called life
And I know you watched me grow up and only want what’s best for me
And I think I found the answer to your prayers

And he is good, so good
He treats your little girl like a real man should
He is good, so good, he makes promises he keeps
No, he's never gonna leave
So don’t you worry about me
Don’t you worry about me

Mama, there’s no way you'll ever lose me
And giving me away is not goodbye
As you watch me walk down to my future
I hope tears of joy are in your eyes

‘Cause he is good, so good
And he treats your little girl like a real man should
He is good, so good, he makes promises he keeps
No, he's never gonna leave
So don’t you worry about me
Don’t you worry about me

And when I watch my baby grow
I'll only want what’s best for her
And I hope she'll find the answer to my prayers
And that she'll say

He is good, so good
And he treats your little girl like a real man should
He is good, so good, he makes promises he keeps
No, he's never gonna leave
So don’t you worry about me
Don’t you worry about me

Mama, don’t you worry about me
Don’t you worry about me