I hopped out of my car at Starbucks, eagerly anticipating coffee and the new Swell Season album. I wore my boots for the first time this fall, and as I click-clicked down the sidewalk, I admired the cloudy fall weather and contemplated my impending coffee purchase. As I walked toward the door, I saw a man with a long beard sitting at an outdoor table. Interrupting my coffee thoughts (pumpkin spice latte or peppermint mocha? Is it too early for a peppermint mocha? I don't want to get tired of them before December) came an abrupt question from the man at the table.
"You're a Christian, aren't you?"
I was startled. I thought he might have seen the Ichthus on the back of my car, but my car was around the corner.
"What?" I managed to blurt out.
"A born-again believer. A Christian."
"Oh... yes, why do you ask?"
"Something about you, your mannerisms, when you walked by, I could tell."
I was completely taken aback. I didn't know what to say. He went on to say that he went to church nearby, and he spoke about how God equips us all with different gifts, and that they need to be exercised. He told me not to be afraid to speak truth into the lives of other people.
Mainly, I just nodded my head. Normally, these kinds of situations would freak me out. But oddly enough, I was incredibly encouraged. He let me go on my way (and first prayed for me), but I was just so surprised by that encounter. I think he's part of a church whose character is much different than that of
my church, but his words were full of scripture and humility. I was just really glad to have that conversation with a total stranger.
Currently watching: Once. Very halloween-appropriate, huh?
Obsessively listening to: The Swell Season's new album. Beauuuuty.
Currently wanting: to be more confident in sharing what I believe. I fear misrepresenting the Gospel/appearing ignorant. SO much. There is so much I don't know or understand.
Currently reading: Crazy Love by Francis Chan. It's pretty fantastic.
with love and an uneventful halloween (except for that I dressed up as a gangster rapper yesterday with dreds and all, that was pretty fun, except apparently I looked more like Avril Lavigne... fail...),
Megan
"This is what I was made to do."
I've never had that feeling before. Ever. During college, I always second-guessed my choices of majors. (Photojournalism and psychology? Really, you're going to find a job with that dynamic duo?)
I didn't really want to work for a newspaper. I didn't really want to do weddings forever (as much as I love them, I just don't feel a strong passion that will keep me in that field for very long). I wasn't sure about pursuing counseling, because that's a lot of schoolin' and money for a job I'm not sure I want to do forever.
This week, all doubt is removed from my mind regarding what I will be doing for the next two years, and maybe beyond.
Job title: writer/editor/photographer
Location: the Czech Republic
The job itself is going to be freakin' incredible. And beyond that, God has totally put European peoples on my heart recently. I think eventually I would like to be in Stockholm. But for the next two years, Praha, I'm yours.
Fact of the day: the Czech Republic is the most atheistic country in Europe. With its turbulent history, I am a bit overwhelmed.
This week I had the privilege of meeting a lot of really great girls and guys with the same heart for the nations. I've never experienced anything like it, and this diversity-loving lady was PSYCHED to see God orchestrate their passions and destinations.
I am way excited about the days to come. But way sad to think that in three months I have to say hundreds of goodbyes.
with love and purpose,
Megan
Baaah I leave for conference in two days!!!
To do:
Budget for these next two weeks, pay off credit card and take into account the fact that I will be without a week of income!
Read, read, read, read like a maniac!
Laundry!
Pack!
Travel playlist!
Go to work!
Oh boy.
And when I come back, I run ten miles! I have proven to myself that I CAN make it this far, so I'm way stoked.
With love and excitement,
Megan
To be honest, few things really offend me. But this made me furious all day long.
A customer came in to the store today with an iMac that didn't work. He told me he worked for a particular church. I told him that we do repairs by appointment basis, and that I could book him the next available appointment in two hours.
Initiate freakout. This customer went on a self-entitled rant how an appointment system is stupid, how Apple doesn't care about its customers, and then proceeded to call his co-worker and loudly give a diatribe (making sure I could hear him) about how I was being "snooty."
Of course, he eventually calmed down and took the earliest available appointment, and made a weak attempt to cover himself ("You were just doing your job... but Apple is just practicing bad business, blah blah blah")
So he went on his merry way, and I was totally angry. It's one thing for a customer to be rude-- this happens on a very regular basis. But for you to tell me that you work on LEADERSHIP at a CHURCH, and then proceed to loudly insult me on the phone to your friend... that is NOT okay.
What an awful representation of the gospel. I hate that people experience this all the time, because it is not fair, and it is not Christ. I know we're imperfect people and we are inevitably going to be somewhat hypocritical because we represent a holy God... but come on. You've gotta work harder than giving childish tirades when your wants are not immediately accommodated.
Just a rant. I'm done now.
With love and wanting to make a t-shirt that says "be nice,"
Megan
My best friend is engaged!!!!!! It's about freakin time :)
We are some high-class broads. This picture was taken like 5 years ago; perhaps we've matured since then?
Nah.
Also, I was a second-shooter for a wedding this past weekend. It was nice to shoot again for the first time in a month or so. Maybe one day I will format photos for web. Instead, they are a bit washed out. Oops!
I know a lot of people don't like reception photos because of low light and such. But I think reception photos are my favorites!! I love how everyone loosens up and becomes more expressive and comfortable. Including myself, because I don't have to worry about being a distraction during the ceremony or posing shots. I can just walk around and have fun and document.
(He spun her around. It was adorable.)
Fin.
With love and now my text is centered but I'm way too lazy to do anything about it,
Megan
I know I'll be ok.
I went through a lot of crap this summer. It was all self-inflicted. And God is mercifully showing me just how broken I am, and how beloved I am. And, even when things look entirely bleak and miserable, they do get better!
And what an inexplicable joy it is to now be in pursuit of God instead of running from Him, to actually reciprocate in this love-relationship with Him. And I'm starting to feel a refreshed love for Europe and for the gospel and for life. God, help me to remember how much I need You.
I can't wait for candidate conference!
With love and books (I have made far too many book purchases this week),
Megan
I keep starting the beginnings of blog posts, but then I save them as drafts and move on.
I feel as though I have nothing very important to say.
Currently, I am feeling: a bit overwhelmed, a bit unprepared, a bit sentimental because I know my time at home is winding down.
I feel the need to read anything that comes into my path. My thoughts and insights are not enough, and I am hungry for perspective and diversity.
Bleh!
I hope you enjoyed reading this mix of incoherent sentences.
With love and new glasses,
Megan
