Blessings

Hi all, so it's been two weeks-ish since my last update and I promise it wasn't that I forgot, it's just been really busy. So lets see, last week was great, my chem class started and that is a little overwhelming, trying to balance time and such is hard sometimes between work, school and project. But for the most part last week was good. We had a beach themed party, we played ships and sailors then all the leaders surprise attacked with a water-balloon fight (I got some pretty good shots in). Last saturday a group of us drove to Rocky Mountain National Park, it was BEAUTIFUL. We spent most of the day there taking in the sights of the mountains we tried to drive to the top of a 14,000 foot mountain but only reached 10,000+ feet because the road was covered with fresh snow. So after we got off that mountain we hiked 3/4 up another until a storm blew over the mountain and we started to get snowed on. I pulled the leader card to head down for safety reasons... then we hiked a waterfall! I just have to say although there were some disappointments God really blessed my time in the bible that day. I read Luke 18 and really impressed upon me how AWESOME God is! Loved it. I also got to play doctor quite a bit these past two weeks which is fun but I wish people wouldn't get hurt... I kid you not three people got injured in one night. That ultimate frisbee man I'm telling you is dangerous.
This week has been a little rougher but God has blessed me without ceasing. I had my first chem II test that did not go in any way how I wanted it to and the whole process of trying to take the test was really frustrating, but Jesus provided and I was able at least to take the test even if it wasn't the score I wanted. Some of the ways that really encouraged me was not having to cook two nights this past week, encouraging notes from all the wonderful people here at project, being able to talk to some good friends that I haven't talked to in a while, being encouraged at work, lots of prayer and help preparing for my test. Also God gave me lots of good sleep this week when I have been really tired lately so I was super grateful for that. Yesterday evening and today two people from FOCUS (missions organization) came to do a little conference about mission work and it was really uplifting to hear from them. And now I'm updating you guys. I'm not sure what I'm going to do for the rest for my afternoon but it's nice to just relax a little bit since it's been go, go, go for the past two weeks with not a lot of time to just be. Tomorrow a family from the church we are going to here is going to take us out for a little adventure :) I'm excited for that, then it's time to study chemII and get ahead of the game!
Work has been really good as per usual, I love it and I am convinced more and more every day that I want to serve others with my life and career. It's been wonderful to go in and build relationships with the different patients I work with and really hear about what is going on in their lives. One of the soccer players and I have built this sarcastic little relationship, it's always fun to work with her. Definitely love the people I work with also, the staff it just great! Hopefully next week I'll have a story to share with you all from the clinic.
My girls are growing wonderfully in their walks with God and is exciting to watch that in their lives, I'm truely proud of the maturity and the eagerness to learn I see in them. So keep praying because it's making an impact.

Thats all I have for now, just know that I really appreciate you all taking the time to read this. It really encourages my heart.

Highlights:
1. FOCUS speakers
2. RMNP (national park)
3. Movie night last night
4. Great fellowship
5. Talking to my baby brother, Erika and Shelby
6. Amber got a JOB!!
7. Making cinnamon rolls post chem test
8. Loving notes from people

Prayer:
1. All the injuries people have sustained.
2. My brother is in Costa Rica till July 4th so please pray for his safety, that he would be intentional in impactful with how he spends his time there and also that God would really work in his life.
2. My Chem II class; need lots of prayer on that one.
3. That everyone at project would get good rest.
4. That I would find areas that I can maybe manage my time more effectively.
5. That I would be an encouragement to others.
6. For Mary, Stephanie and Amber; that they would continue to grow deeper roots in Christ.

In Him Always,

Meg

All of us at above 10,000ft; it was cold and there was about 3-5ft of snow on the ground in some areas.

RMNP

That is where we started our hike...

Snow storm coming over the mountains

This is what we got snowed on with

Waterfall

Amber & Joanna

The Week of Hand Shaking is Over

Hi all! So this past week definitely had it's ups and downs. Got a little bit homesick but that is to be expected. Then I just had some personal struggles with past insecurities that satan likes to knock me down with once in a while. Seriously out of the blue for two days I really felt pretty crummy about myself... nothing some prayer and soccer couldn't fix though. I'm not the only one either; some of the project kids and leaders are getting sick  and just feeling kind of down. SO if y'all could pray for that it would be awesome!
Work is going wonderfully, I love it more than ever! I have really started taking on more responsibilities besides making hot packs and setting things back where they belong. I'm working a lot with patients, creating mini work outs (such as abs or cardio) that are a part of the larger portions of training and therapy. My most recent project was to come up with six new balancing exercises for a patient that I have worked with for two weeks and they couldn't resemble any of the ones we had already done which is pretty much all the ones I had ever heard of! So that was fun! I came up with six exercises and it was great figuring it all out a creating them. I like the fact that they are challenging me; so far so good :) I like to be challenged.
My girls are great; I'm happy to be their leader whether or not there are trying situations or peace. Tomorrow my chemistry 2 class starts YIKES!! pray that my book gets here soon! For those who don't know Chem and I are not exactly friends, much needed prayer for comprehension and a passing grade!
This past weekend we had our women's conference, we stayed at a house in Boulder, CO (one of the staff families lives there) it was nice getting to know some of the other girls and the view on the way there was spectacular! (there are pictures below) such an amazing display of God's beauty. We had three sessions where we talked about where we as women find our worth, guarding our heart, and modesty. Here is the website link for our modesty talk, lots of stats it's interesting http://www.therebelution.com/modestysurvey/ While we were in boulder we spent some time on Pearl St. again, saw more interesting things that I didnt see last weekend and ate some really, really good Tibetan food!! If you are ever in Boulder go to Sherpa's (825 Walnut St) Then we ended out retreat with a Q&A session and homemade pizza! we got back saturday night and then sunday was pretty chill. Went grocerie shopping and had a great leaders lunch (so thankful for them) and then a leader and staff dinner (also wonderful). Thats pretty much a summary of the week. Today is Monday and I'm ready to go! Can't wait to see what God does this week!!

highlights:
1. My best friend from home got ENGAGED!!! :) so happy for them
2. I LOVE my job and all the challenges I am presented with
3. I heard from my dear little Shleby
4. Been encouraged by some wonderful people
5. Ladies retreat
6. Indian food is delicious
7. Drive to Boulder was so beautiful there are no words
8. Found out one of the staff kids who is a 5 year old girl, love to rock climb and wants to go climbing with me! so presh
9. getting to know the project peeps better

prayer requests:
1. All the project people who are feeling sick/ dishartend
2. The leaders are leading over Isaiah 53 tomorrow
3. That I would glorify God in all that I do
4. I've been getting migraines a lot from knots in my neck and shoulders :(
5. That my time with my small group girls would be fruitful
6. That Amber would find a job; she has been working SO hard, she has till friday!
7. That stephanie would be challenged, humbled and feel Gods love for her
8. That Mary would be filled with Joy
9. CHEM CLASS!!

Pictures

sunset on the way to boulder, pictures don't even do it justice

Stephanie, Amber, Lesha

God is Beautiful

My favorite picture; I didn't take it but it was taken on my camera. Shout out to Erin!

Mirror Man

Tibetan Restaurant  

Mmmmm... Dessert

Wow

Okay so Colorado is AMAZING... seriously I might never leave.
I got here a week ago; the day after my dear friends wedding (so happy for them) and ever since then it's been pretty non stop. I started my internship on the 31st at Next Level Physical Therapy and Athletic Training. In the past week I have learned so much, I LOVE it, it's most definitely what I want to do for the rest of my life and it really great to have that reassurance from God. I have worked with some really cool people and I am already working with patients a lot. It's so much fun that at the end of the day I don't want to leave and I look forward to work every day :) it's such a great learning opportunity, I'm stoked to say the least.

On another note I have had such a wonderful time getting to know the three girls in my small group! They are all so unique and different; it has truly been a blessing getting to know them this past week and I cant wait to witness all that God does in their lives this summer; it's going to be legit. God is already working in all of our hearts and it's super encouraging.

This past weekend I took my first little adventure to Boulder, CO went hiking with my girls (Stephanie, Mary and Amber) Mary is a city girl but she was a CHAMP on our 5 hour hike up the flat irons. Amber was a trooper and encourager, she set the pace the whole way, Stephanie provided the comic relief and I tried to make sure no one fell off the side of the mountain. It was a great hike and totally worth not being able to feel out legs. Surprisingly none of us were sore the next day, my knee didn't even hurt (praise Jesus). After that we walked down pearl street which is closed off for pedestrians at one end, there are a lot of fun shops and interesting people on pearl street. There were bongo players, guitarists, performers... it was pretty unique. Then we had dinner walked some more and then ended our evening listening to live music at The Laughing Goat Coffee Shop, the band (John Heart Jackie) was really good, as was the coffee. Definitely going to go back to Boulder again. Great area for hiking, the national park isn't very far from there either, thats a definite must!

High Lights of the Week (no particular order):

1. My baby brother graduated from high school :) BOOMER SOONER
2. Getting to know all the project peeps especially my small group
3. I LOVE MY JOB
4. Boulder is legit place
5. I <3 the outdoors
6. Visiting the REI flagship store in Denver; I was like a kid in a candy shop, I could have stayed there for HOURS. I was so giddy to be there Mary was laughing at me the whole time... what can I say I'm an outdoor dork :)
7. Colleen is coming to visit me for my birthday :)

Love you all!

In Him,

Meg

Here are some pictures.

REI Flagship Store climbing wall!

Admiring the view at the top of the hike

Me at the top of the hike

The Royal Arch we hiked to 

Hiked in my Chacos, it was great but my feet were DIRTY

Amber, Mar and Stephanie

 

see that flat iron on the left? yeah we hiked that!

The view from the Royal Arch

The Royal Arch

This chipmunk tried to steal my lunch

This guy played entire classical pieces by memory, it was insane!

Jammin on Pearl Street

Oh My Soul Faint Not

There is a song that stumbled across the other day that I cant seem to get of my heart... not that I want to. It's called Faint Not by Jenny and Tyler (check them out, they are great) and the lyrics go like this...

Faint Not  

the problem’s not a gun, not a color, not a hundred dollar bill
we think the struggle can be won with simple thoughts like 'come together be good willed'
the gap between the rich and poor is spreading out all the more or so they say
we ignore the claims

o my soul, faint not, no
faint not | o my soul, keep up, up
in love

it’s not that we don’t know or we’re not shown the proof of poverty
it’s not that we don’t have the tools to go to break this yoke of slavery
we quit because it’s not an easy fix and then forget that they are even there
we forget to care

o my soul, faint not, no
faint not | o my soul, keep up, up
in love

where there is hatred, let me sow love
where there is injury, let me pardon
where there is darkness, let the Light come, come

o my soul, faint not, no
faint not | o my soul, keep up, up
in love

o my soul, faint not, no
faint not | o my soul, keep up, up
in love

faint not
faint not

Lately I have been struggling with not trying to take control and figure things out for myself for example fundraising and job searching for Project, just worrying about what if things don't work out... What and if are two simple words, but when combined together are a threatening source of worry. I have been leaning on Romans 12:12 which says, "be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Simply put I have been sining this song a lot, all the time praying that my soul wouldn't be faint when things are unknown. 

Tonight while driving home I was singing this song again and I thought of another verse, Galatians 6:9 "Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." And that is what this song is really about and my summer. This summer i am going to be exposed to a whole new group of friends who don't know that we can have a relationship with God and how loving and amazing He is... oh my soul faint not.    

Please pray that as I am preparing for the summer that my heart would also be preparing to not grow weary and to not faint while pursuing whatever God has planned for me.

In Him,

Meghan

p.s. Awesome news today!! My home church donated money to support me going to Denver (HUGE blessing) AND I had and internship interview today that I am really excited about and it's kind of exactly what I want to do with my life :) I will find out within this next week whether or not I am accepted so prayer that it would all work out would be SUPER appreciated!!

 

Psalm 27

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation -
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life -
of who shall I be afraid?
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
Though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.
4 One thing I ask of the Lord,
this is what I seek;
that I will dwell in the House of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to seek Him in His temple.
8 My heart says of you, "Seek His face!"
Your face Lord I will seek.
13 I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord
be strong, take heart
and wait for the Lord.

I have been clinging to this and psalm 23 the past couple of days. The world hurts, disappoints and makes me want to cry at times. Christ never said following Him would be easy, He just said it was going to be worth it. I made a decision to follow Christ when I was 16, I have never regretted that decision, it was and is the BEST decision I ever made and has transformed my life ever since.  

Getting Started

Hi all! So I'm going to Denver, CO this summer with an organization called project impact. Project impact is a mission/ discipleship training program were we live and work in Denver. While we are there we will be getting a lot of discipleship training, how to effectively share the love of Christ with those around us, real life skills such as budget living, conflict resolution, work ethic, how to find a job, and build a resume. I am STOKED (really excited) to say the least!! I'm pumped to live in Colorado, it's a place I have always wanted to live; ever since the first time I saw the beautiful snow capped mountains, I fell in love. So what is my role in this adventure? I am going to be a leader on our Project team; I will be living with and mentoring four younger girls (freshman and sophomores in college) my title is small group leader. I truly enjoy working with younger girls and watching them grow in their walk with God, it's going to be good. Right now I am in the process of looking for a paid summer internship with a physical therapy clinic or some sort of athletic training facility. So far I have one internship offer but it is unpaid... we shall see what God has planned! I am also in the process of raising $2,000 dollars in support, oh man I really need prayer for that. If I don't raise support I can't go. So if you guys could be praying for my small group girls, raising support and finding a paid internship that would be AWESOME and much appreciated.

It's time for bed... night y'all

Amazed by God's love,

Meghan