Home.

Home.

People always tell me

Home is where the heart is.

I've left pieces of me,

Pieces of my heart

In places where I've been

In places where I can only hope to return again.

People always tell me

I use the word home too loosely.

That I don't know what it means,

That I'm a wondering soul,

An inhabitant of this earth

Who sees the whole world as an open door.

But if life is a journey

Then isn't every stop along the way,

Every place we rest our head,

Every place we connect to,

Every place we fall in love with

In a sense, our home?

Home.

I can't put a label on the place I grew up,

The place I lived my childhood

The place with so many memories.

Meaningful they are,

But it will never be my one home.

People always tell me 

Home is where the heart is.

But if that's really the case,

I won't ever be home til' the day that I die.

When I can meet the One who made

All of the places I temporarily call home.

Until then 

I'll keep exploring this earth.

Keep opening new doors,

Keep flying through the sky

To new places -

 To new places I can call home.

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Life Update: Well, can I just start this out by saying, IT'S SUPPOSED TO START SNOWING IN AN HOUR. We'll see if that happens or not, but as of no, the sky is looking pretty promising. Not that it impacts my schedule at all (I still have to go to work.), but I just really would love to see snow again!

Last week, I left you off as I was about to head to work on Tuesday. (By the way, I'm going to go ahead and apologize for any typos because literately every 5 seconds, I am glancing out my window.) So yeah, last Tuesday. I went to work and was there later than intended because of some cleaning stuff, so I just came home and went to bed. 

As usual, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday were pretty typical - school (accompanied by some quizzes), work, and a bit of hanging out with friends on the side. We also had our first group DT before Wesley on Wednesday, and, let me tell you, I am excited for this semester. Friday night is the night to party, right? Well, if you consider sitting on the couch with my dog watching the Australian Open, Harry Potter, some House Hunters International, and The Princess Diaries a party, then, yes, it was quite the party night for me.

I had to work on Saturday too, so it wasn't that exciting. But Laila and I did make a late night Sonic run while jamming out to some good old county music! (And it was Callie's 21!)

Sunday. AUSTRALIA DAY! So, Rafa didn't win the Aussie Open men's final, but that's ok because I honestly couldn't have thought of a better way to spend Australia Day. First, we went up to the service at Free Chapel to end the 21 day fast, and then we had lunch at Outback (complete with shrimp off the barbie, of course). Afterwards, my mom and I went to Amicalola Falls to see it partially frozen over - what a sight! We happened to drive past some sheep getting herded on the way back, so we stopped to watch that...reminded me of New Zealand :) When I got back to Athens, we had a roomie dinner to finish off the day!

Lunch at Outback

Hittin' the Trails

At the Base of the Falls

Looking Over the Falls

 Monday, yesterday, I had my first 2 classes cancelled, so I didn't have to go in until noon, which was really nice. After 12, though, my day was on full force until about 8:30 with DT, Restoration dance practice, homework, and Pre-Vet club.

And that brings me to now. Writing this post, waiting for snow, and trying to not think about the fact I have to go to class/work later in the freezing cold.

Here's to the possibility of SNOW!

Megan

Video of the Week: Sam Burchfield's American Idol Audition

Yummy Smoothie Recipe

This post is a bit different than my usual ones, but I wanted to share this recipe I discovered a couple of days ago. I kind of looked at some smoothie recipes and then threw some stuff I had in the kitchen into the blender to get a drink that turned out quite yummy!

You might want to wait until summer comes around to try it, or if it's summer where you're reading this, try it now!

Strawberry, Banana, Kiwi Smoothie

1 kiwi, peeled and halved
1 cup strawberries, cut up
1 banana, peeled and halved
1 cup H2O
6 ice cubes

**blend 30 seconds, pulse 15 seconds

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Life Update: Oh goodness, another week has gone by! Someone please tell me where this semester is going...

Last week consisted of the usual classes, work, Wesley, and random other things throughout the day. On Friday, though, Laila and I hung out all afternoon and got SO MUCH accomplished. We went to the zoo, went to see the tree that owns itself, took pictures around north campus and downtown, rang the bell, ate Thai food, went to the Gym Dawgs meet vs. LSU, went to Dawgs After Dark, rode a mechanical bull, played in a band, pet a magic bunny, saw a hypnosis show, play mini golf, and drank Kefir for the first time. I'm probably leaving something out, but let's just say that it was quite an eventful night for starting out with absolutely no plans.

Good Ol' Herbert

Classic Arch Picture

Proof.

I went home on Saturday for the rodeo, which was loads of fun, by the way! 

At the Rodeo!

I went to church, studied, and got to hang out with the fam on Sunday. Also, Monday, yesterday, was MLK day, so I got to hang out for an extra day at home. And I registered to take the GRE! AHHH...graduation and life beyond college is quickly approaching! We did a little shopping and a lot of talking on Monday, and the weather was perfect!

I drove back this morning before class, and now I'm sitting her typing this as I wait for my shift at work to start.

Cheers! Have a great week!

Megan

Video of the Week: Hard Science - "Biking Across a Pool of Cornstarch" 

That Common Ground

When I first met someone, I tend to struggle to find that area of common ground. That thing that when we talked about it, both of us would light up. That area of similar interest. That thing that can lead you to talk to one another for hours on end without feeling like a second has gone by.

There's nothing to say that's a bad thing. In fact, it's great to look for similar interests with other people. (It's also great to hear new points of view from people.)

But there IS something I was wrong about.

See, we're supposed to go into that first conversation already knowing that common ground. 

That common ground is that we both share the same Creator. 

And it goes further than that. Not only do we share the same Creator, but we're ALL made in His image. (Genesis 1:27)

Imagine if I were to go into each introduction, each handshake, each hello, with that mindset. Would that impact the way I shaped my words? The way I shaped my thoughts?

Imagine if you were to go in with that mindset. How would our interactions change? Would we begin to adopt a culture of honor, of respect?

That's some food for thought. 

...

And if I go in with that as my mindset, everything else is just a way to build, a way to further connect. A way to further get to know one another beyond that unique and special bond that we already share.

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Life Update: Here's to another Tuesday, and for making it through the first week of classes! 

With 17 hours of class and 13 hours of work each week (plus other things I'm involved with), I don't have too much free time in my schedule, but I'm determined to make the most of what I do have.

We had the first Wesley of the semester last Wednesday. This series is focused on the future and God's plan for our lives, something that's on the mind and heart of nearly every college student.

I started the semester with a bang with a 100 on my first quiz on Friday. I also went to the first Snack and Chat of the year - the puzzle welcome back. It was a blast, and I made two new international friends and got to reconnect with some old friends.

I worked the lunch shift on Saturday, went out to dinner with a friend, and FINALLY SAW FROZEN. It was about time. And it was so good; I understand why some people have seen it multiple times! Sunday consisted of Athens Church, lunch with the housemates at Shane's, and a nice hike in the woods with my dog, M.J., and one of my housemates, Areshia.

A Nice Sunday Stroll Through the Woods

Yesterday, Monday, I had my first DT of the semester after my classes. Then, we kicked off the ISM Restoration Dance this year with the info meeting. I'm so excited for this year! I also had my first IMPACT course meeting last night (in case you were wondering). Oh, and indoor stargazing IS a thing, especially in the Wesley chapel.

Cheers!

Megan

Video of the Week: Frozen (Soundtrack) - "In Summer" 

What is Love?

If you first thought of the Haddaway song when you read this title, you're not alone...I've pretty much had that song stuck in my head ever since I started writing this post.

I've been debating about writing this post for a while, so I figured no time is better to do it than now. 

First of all, I want to share a bit of God's humor and perfect timing. So, the first church service I went to this year was at Athens Church, and the theme of the message was "The One Thing" with a focus on the song "One Thing Remains," and I really felt like that's what God wanted to reveal to me during the year of 2013. Not only did (and do) I need to focus on my one important thing here on this earth, but He also desires to constantly show me (and all of us) just how much He loves us. The last Sunday of last year (aka: Dec. 29, 2013), I went to a service at Stevens Creek, and they closed with the song "One Thing Remains." Call me crazy, or write it off as a coincidence, but I'm pretty sure He was saying something and reminding me of His promise. 

This blog post is kind of inspired by that song and some of the things that He's been revealing to me over the year.

I want to start by defining love. Where do I begin? 

The world has so corrupted our perception of what love is that it can be hard to define...that is, unless you know Love, the One who IS Love. 

The Greeks had 4 different words to describe love. (Thank you, Westminster education, for teaching me something that I can blog about. haha) 

(1) Eros is used to describe sensual love based upon beauty. 
(2) Storge refers to a family bond, the love felt by a parent for a child. 
(3) Philia is used to describe friendships. Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, is a current example of a word that branches from this particular Greek word. 
(4) The final and most important form of love is agape. This is love in its purest form. It doesn't have to be earned and isn't based upon anything. It's truly unconditional. And it's the love that God has for us.

Now that we have a bit of a background on where the word "love" comes from and what it can mean, I would like to offer up my own personal definition of love. 

Love. (n) A force that humans will never be able to fully understand but that will continue to bind and unify us as a humanity. (And us as children of God, as members of His body.)

And now to flip the coin. Along with the ability to love comes the ability to hurt. I know this is something we don't like to focus on, especially in church services. And it's not just an issue with other people; we also have the capability to hurt God. 

In Ephesians 4, Paul writes that the church can "grieve the Holy Spirit." He then lists out some ways this happens. I'll let you open up your Bible to read more. Since this post is about love, I want to focus on that, but I did want to just shed some light on the fact that love is powerful. And so is a lack of love. But that's where forgiveness and grace come into play.

So then, what is love? 

Is it what we see in those romantic Nicholas Sparks novels? Is it what we watch in those ridiculously addicting Hallmark movies? Is it what we feel when that cute guy/girl in class glances over at us? Is it what we taste just after we order two scoops of our favorite flavor of ice cream?

What is love?

God. He is the perfect definition of love. God is love. The answer is right in front of us.

1 John 4:8

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Life Update: So I ended our post last time with the zoo trip. Well, last Tuesday was New Year's Eve, so we had a bonfire and toasted to 2014 with our lovely sparkling cider. The night's festivities were followed by a wonderful Wednesday in Charleston. (Yes, we did get in the freezing water at Isle of Palms. No, it wasn't a smart decision. Would I do it again? Probably.) Here are some lovely pics:

[left to right] Me, the Madre, and Lauren at Isle of Palms

Charleston Time!

Lauren Modeling in Charleston

I hung out with the family and some friends Thursday, Friday, and Saturday to conclude the break. We took a trip to the mall and had some fun game nights!

I drove back up to Athens on Sunday, and my mom came up here to go to church with me. After church, we drove through the older part of a cemetery here in Athens so I could get some pictures with the fog around. I spent the rest of the day unpacking and mentally preparing myself for classes starting on Monday. (And partially praying for it to snow and for classes to get cancelled...which, by the way didn't happen. They sent us an e-mail.)

Yesterday, Monday, officially kicked off the beginning of the semester. It's going to be a crazy busy one. Goodbye world, hello notes and textbooks for the next several months. I'm going to have to remember to try and have a life outside of all these articles and papers and studying. And try not to freeze with all these single-digit temperatures - so not used to this!

Today, I slept in...cause I can on Tuesday...and cause it's currently like 9 or 13 or something like that outside! I'm about to head to my first class at 2, but then I have to work until 10 afterwards, so here goes the day...

Cheers!

Megan

Video of the Week: Kristian Stanfill - "One Thing Remains" 

[FYI - In case you didn't notice, I'm changing up the blog "format" / "template" to make more sense, I think.]