Ok, heading back to Ga now to meet up with Steve for 30 hours at the ATL airport… haha don’t ask. The Lord works in mysterious ways, and through all the curves and mishaps of the past 24 hours, we’ve managed to find that God has given us 30 hours instead of 18 to be together. Now, that 30 will be spent packing for China and running errands, but hey- we are used to being on the go.

Praying my flight goes smoothly, and praying perhaps I can get a standby ticket for sometime earlier today.

Talk to you lata alligata’s…and by later I mean from either L.A., Hong Kong, or when I get back in mid August. !

xoxoxoxo- God Bless- email me! But remember the Correspondance Guidelines!

meginlea

Well Hello Friends. I am coming to you live from Folly Pond Road. So much has happened in the last few weeks. I’ll just start with getting home from the cruise. Wow- 5 days with 17 family members is insane. I needed a vaca after the vaca. I can’t even explain. I love them, but not in large quantities for more than a day :). I did, however, have a total blast with Candice and Crystal and Brook and Olivia and even little Robbie and Justin (all my cousins that is). The Aunts, on the other hand, were annoying :). I got an amazing facial though, and met some cool crew members, and got hit on by a 13 year old, and sang in the talent show, and got myself a million diff. tan lines. :).

When we got home, the AC had broke, so it was hot as hell in our little GA home. I started packing for China immediately only to be surprised by none other than Billy Wood that he had bought me a ticket to fly up to Boston to see Steve for a day before I left for China. Everything was put on hold so I could do that. That’s why I am here, but in the mean time Steve’s flights from Alabama back to Boston were cancelled, so now he wont get in until around noon tomorrow, and I leave tomorrow night at 8. That is nothing short of a bummer, but I am greatful for the 7 hours with him that I will get. Seven is better than nothing ya’ know! God is good, and we weren’t expecting to see each other until August, so this is a blessing. Although, I am pretty dissapointed and mad at the stupid airlines. I’m praying that time will go slow while we are together, and that it will be the best 7 hours of our life!

After I fly back to Ga, I gotta drive from ATL to Augusta and finish packing. I leave for China on Tuesday morning bright and early. Oh, btw- I won’t be living in Folly Hill next year. Dannae, like the majority of my other friends, is moving to the Charlotte campus. Everyone hates Boston and me ;). So….I wont be here. I’ll move somewhere else that I won’t have to sign a year lease at. I don’t want to leave my apt. I love it, but I also know I won’t be living here next summer, so I should give it up now rather than pay for months that I won’t live here, and I’m pretty positive I won’t have the funds to pay for it next summer. I do not, however, enjoy this stress on me the day before I go to China. I wish she had told me like a month ago when I was here and could have looked for a place to live and a roommate, but that’s life. I am praying that God will provide. He has actually answered 2 of my prayers with this situation all ready, and I was very worried about the lease. Should I live alone? I would like that, but I’d get lonely. Plus, it might be cheaper to live with someone, but I don’t want to deal with other people’s messes, and sometimes I think I just want my own space. I’m outgoing enough to still get out even if I don’t have a roommate. Well, that will all be decided in August. For now, I will pray over it while in HK.

AHH IM GOING TO CHINA. I’m a little nervous, especially having to leave so hectically. Is that a word? I don’t know. I’m gonna miss Steve so much I can’t even explain it. This whole thing is all so new to me; that’s all I’ll say about that. I have to trust God. His hand has been evident, and also I have seen how he does not allow us to do what He does not want us to do because we have tried, and He has reoriented us majorly.

For now, I am gonna sleep. I have only gotten 10 hours sleep combined in the past 3 nights. I’m gonna take some Tylenol PM and drink some wine and head to bed. I get to see S in the morning at 11:43 and I’m praying that I will not let my dissapointment over “lost” time affect me. Lord, change my heart and spirit. Help me confront the curves of life with a Christ-like attitude. Help me be greatful and not want more than you give me. Help me be content and abound. Lord, fill in the gaps with this China trip. Fill in what I have neglected. Make this your trip- do your will. God, sustain me. Be in my heart and fill it. Give me strength and endurance and excitement for this trip. Teach me and mold me and change me where needed. Make me more into the image of your son, and let nothing in me or that I do prevent you from bringing me exactly to the place you want me on August 7th, when I return from Hong Kong. Take over all this- take it all from me, my life in Augusta, in China, in Boston, take it. I cannot do a thing with it. I love you Lord and once again lift my voice to worship you. You are my King.

Love,
meginlea

These colors are the colors of the ocean out here :)

I know I know- I haven’t posted in ages. I’m sorry. But, I have been busy. Since the last time I posted, I went to NYC for the weekend, came home and packed up my room, drove to Ga with Steve, spent 2 days with the family, drove Steve to ATL to catch his plane, unpacked, packed, and headed to Florida to catch a ship. Now, I’m in the middle of the ocean headed to Key West with the family. Seriously, and when I get back, I’ll have 3 days until I leave for Hong Kong. That’s a lot of packing and unpacking and traveling. That’s a lot of driving and a lot of flying. But, I’m having a blast. I had an amazing time in NYC, GA, Boston, and now I’m loving the middle of the ocean, but only because my internet and cell phone keep me connected back home. Now I need to make a list of everything I HAVE to do before I leave for China. It will be a busy three days. Ok, time to shower and get ready for dinner. I don’t even know where to begin to tell you about all that’s going on. I’m staying with my cousins Candice and Crystal (ages 18 and 19) and it’s awesome. There are 17 people from my family here, and Carnival cruises rock. Ok, gotta go my friends. I’ll start regularly updating when I get back to GA. Miss you!!!!!!!

Love,
meginlea

Good Morning Sunshines! I got up this morning and ran a new route!  I broke through the barricades in our complex and explored new seas (or asphalts). It was kinda freaky just because I felt like it was some hidden world to whiche “they” don’t want us to get. At one point, the smell of the air, rain, and whatever else reminded me of mornings at my Grandparents when they lived in trailors off of Two Notch Road. That sounds really Redneck, but it’s the truth. I was immediately 8 years old again exploring Grandaddy’s garden and playing on his wooden make-shift fence behind the shed. I used to pretend I was some captive princess held in the dark woods exploring. I think I used to also imagine there would be a prince waiting for me just beyond that gate; we little girls are so acculturated it’s funny. (and pretty). Anyway-

After my explorations and regression to childhood, I came back and packed for NYC. It was hard. I am so freaking obsessed with NYC on so many levels, and one of this is undoubtedly fashion, so everything I picked out I was like holding to an unbearable standard of beauty. Dannae laughed at me a lot while she did Greek on my computer. Oh well. I finally just yelled at myself and packed some dang clothes. I’m not going to admit how long this whole process took me, but lets just say I haven’t done much else this morning.

Now I’m waiting for Dannae to shower so I can. I am not going to get to go to the mission today and meet with Kim. I called earlier and the times just aren’t going to work, and plus, she’s leaving earlier than she had originally said. I really enjoyed talking with her though, and I pray that we can still keep in touch. I hope she will email me; I’m gonna email her. Working at the mission confirmed so much to me. I’m really glad I didn’t stay in Augusta and work at the Children’s center.

So it’s been freaking raining so much the last few days. I don’t like rain. I’ve been really moody too. Rain and moody do not mix. I’m glad the sun should be coming out, and then I’ll be in GA where it is really hot and sunny all the freaking time :). I can’t wait for a Hong Kong typhoon this summer though. It’s not Hong Kong unless we have a typhoon and the city shuts down. I love it! haha I have such great memories from the previous 2 years with typhoons. “Megin, you cannot go to McDonalds in the typhoon!” (Stephanie) “Yes I can! I’m hungry, and it’s just like a little storm!” (Me) …. year two: “Megin, you cannot go to McDonalds in the typhoon!” (Bekah) “Yes I can; I went last year! And Titus did too!” (Me!) haha

FYI- I cannot write good songs that are happy. All of my good songs are depressed and dark and usually in minor keys. All my semi-ok songs are happy. What is wrong with that? Can I not express happiness? I’m so confused. For once, I want an amazing happy songs. The only amazing happy songs I can write are about God, but not even about like God in my life…just more so about God. Like I have a great Christmas song that I play at church every year but none about the good things God is doing in my life. I suck at happiness. Hmmm-

I finished the CDs and everything for China. All I have left is buying a few classroom supplies and figuring out some devo material which I will do while on VACA with the family. Sitting in the sun, sipping margaritas, and planning devos. That sounds amazing! But first, I get to hit GA!

Ok, well D’s getting in the shower. First one in days- j/k. I’m gonna eat some food and then take my turn with the water! We need a better hot water heater!

Love love!
m
p.s. I could update about yesterday … but I’m not gonna because I was in a bad mood for the majority of the day. Bad moods should be kept underwraps lest people think I am not perpetually happy ! ttyl my friends!

Whitesox colors? Not that pretty-

So we weren’t raptured, or at least, the Presbyterians weren’t. I figured if anyone got left behind it would be the Reformed folks who picketted the whole Left Behind Series. It’s ok- I like who I’m left with. Soooo looks like the books Titus saw in the store were false, along with the Newspaper articles. Good thing Steve didn’t put off starting on that paper. I told him the odds were prbbly in God’s favor that we couldn’t predict the rapture…if indeed, such a thing exists. Gasp! 🙂

So I must admit that yesterday and today I have been productive like nothing else. I’ve gotten so much done! I finished my semlink and support raising- the full amount is in! Praise God! I ordered tshirts and made CDS- I sent out a butt load of emails for China stuff and got a whole heck-of-a-lotta addresses down. I ran errands and cooked dinners and ran and went to the gym. It’s been great! I love productivity. Tomorrow I have a list of a few more things to do. I have to pack for NYC this weekend, and then as soon as I get back from NYC, I have to pack for Ga! I can’t believe my little Boston sojourn is all ready over. I’m working on Friday at the mission. It will be my last day until the fall. I’m glad I will get to meet with Kim and Amanda that day. I can’t wait to start more regularly in the Fall.

I’ve been playing the backwards game a lot recently, ya’ know the game where you trace your steps backwards in order to see God at work. I love playing this game. The best advice I can give anyone right now is to wait- wait on God. It is amazing. Wait through pain and misguided steps- wait through brokenness and lost hopes. Just wait- God comes through! And when He delivers something that you haven’t tried to find or to make… that you haven’t even asked for but that He just gives, it is beautiful. God truly does know us better than we know ourselves. The things we want may be the things that kill, and the things we never imagine may be the very ones that give us peace and joy and comfort. I honestly didn’t know something like this could ever happen to me. It’s unlike anything else in the entire world. It’s just right, and I pray that as God brings home the “rightness” of it, He will also comfort and strengthen those along the way that it discourages.

Today I got offered an apartment to live in next year all by myself and the rent and stuff would be cheaper. Hmmm, I’d feel bad leaving Dannae, but living alone like a real freaking adult for cheaper could be fun. I just don’t know. Our lease runs out in August. I don’t know that I want to sign another full year lease. I need to talk to her about that tomorrow and find out if she wants to put the lease in her name or what. I don’t see that I will be living here next summer. I’m pretty sure I won’t be. Could I leave D though?????

So I’m stoked to travel back to Ga on Monday evening. I’m kinda excited about the cruise, but sad my brother won’t be going. I’ll chill with my cousins. Hong Kong- I’m getting nervous today. I’m afraid that I am gonna be a crappy team leader and not be able to get everything done that needs to be. I’m afraid I won’t know what to do. Yeah, I’ve got a lot of fear going on. God has not given me that spirit of fear though. He gives one of courage and strength. I have to remember that. And, He is glorified in my weakness. If I could do it all on my own accord, what room would there be for God’s glory?

Ok- that’s all for now. Two more cd’s to go and I can hit the hay.

Today, I ran into many pieces of equipment at the Bennet Center, hit my head on a light, and acquired a strange bruise. I don’t know where it came from. It is just me, or are Noah and the ark visiting Boston Mass? I’m so confused. This is not summer. It was 58 degrees outside!

All….right- night night!
Love,
mlea

Watching Steve type a paper: Talking to Derek about Calvinism:

FYI- I’m severely disappointed with my lack of comments lately. I mean, does anyone read me? Does anyone care about me? Does anyone exist? Yeah like I have any room to talk. How many phone calls have I returned recently? Ummmm next to none. I finally talked to Mom, but she like got off the phone within 10 minutes. Ummmm thanks mom. I miss you freaking too!

So today my pedicure finally gave out, but I spent a long time perched on my carpet administering a new fresh coat of beautiful hot pink. It’s very summery. Steve laughed and took pictures of me being girly. Sorry I can’t wear backwards ball caps and sweat all the damn time. He put his sunglasses on in the apartment today – …. – …. I’m not ok with that. I love my new toes though, but man, I think the 30 bucks pedi was worth it. I might just have to do that again and again and again…when I get super rich. Maybe in August WGC and CAW and MLW can take on Princess Nails again. ;-D!!!!

Today I did a lot of freaking errands for chin-er. I went to Radio Shack and Best Buy and Target and Bath and Body and the mall :). I got a makeover at the mall from an Este Lauder Clown lady. She was really sweet, but she kept telling me “oh I use this color all the time,” and I’m not gonna lie. I was scared. This woman had a lot of make up on! I went to BR but withstood the desire to shop. I did, however, buy a much needed black skirt at Ann Taylor. I feel like I spent a lot of stinking money today, but it was all on stuff I needed before China. Like: new voltage adaptor, body spray (yes I need that), toiletries and meds at target, a black skirt, new blush and eye liner. Ok… some of that isn’t exactly a need. I still have to get supplies like decorations and all. Everything today took me longer than I expected. It was a strange game. I kept getting distracted.

In other news, I proofed my case study and added all the footnotes. I’ll print my papers tomorrow, and as soon as dang semlink approves my online interactivity, i can completely finish this dang class. I thought about starting Life Of Jesus now so I won’t have as much to do next semester, but I don’t think I’ll have time to do anything before or after Chin-er really. Hmmm- I don’t know.

Today I ran up by Gordon College. I’ve wanted to run there all year and FINALLY did. I loved it. It’s so much cooler than running in my neighborhood. I might just drive up there every day this week and run. I like my pilates ball more than the Bennet Center though. Gyms are cool, but I feel weird about doing pelvic thrusts in public. And…btw- what is up with all the girls there who go and just follow their boyfriends around? I was so confused. It’s like they dont even work out…they just follow these guys around. Ummm- come on girls. You make us look like losers! I did, however, get in for free today without buying a month membership. I flirted with the guy at the desk. j/k- he just didnt know how to write up a membership so he let me in. EROCS-

Today I learned that being a Calvinist makes me infinitely hot. Awesome!

When in Rome; that doesn’t really apply here. Talk to you later my friends!
Love,
mlea

So Stephen Jay can’t come. I got a call from his dad today, a few to be exact. He’s in the hospital (SJ not Mr. JS) for his tonsils. Mama always said SJ needed them out, but he never listened. He’s really sick again with another bacteria infection, and he’s having to get them out. He wanted to still come; his family and I talked sense into that stubborn as hades boy ;). I’m sad, but God is sovereign. That’s such a reformed seminarian response my friends! Hmm I did finish a lot of work though and was looking forward to shopping for China with SJ since my friends here all have school and Steve’s gotta major paper to accomplish. I suppose I could go on the BRM retreat tomorrow now, but I felt it was once again sovereignty that SJ’s visit was going to keep me from going. Some big theological problems would ensue with what we would be doing on Monday. I don’t know. I might go up to the mission all day Tuesday. Anyway-

Church today was phenominal. Worshipping God was so much deeper than it has been in such a long time, and reflecting on God’s mercy which even gives me this ministry, yeah something definitely needed. After that I hit up Gospel choir and then went shopping with S downtown. Technically I’m supposed to be cleaning the apt for SJ to come, but now since he’s not, I’m updating here. I didn’t make the phone calls I was supposed to, but I am calling a lot of people tonight. I’ve set aside time for it. I’m the worst phone call returner. I’m worse than a deaf person with no fingers to dial with. That was a terrible thing to type, but there is much truth to it.

Am I a Tiffany’s girl? I’m definitely a champagne girl!

My feet hurt. I didn’t think about my shoe attire today before I went shopping. I walked around the Colony mall barefoot most of the time. I also broke other rules about taking pictures and asking the security guard to take pictures.

My friends, why is it that sin can control our lives so much even when we loathe it? Sometimes I feel like if I don’t give into it, I might die. When, in actuality, giving into sin is death. My repentance recently has been amazing as in I’ve been forced to repent of not even wanting to repent. I’ve been forced to repent of not even being convicted of all that I should be convicted about. Praise God for his grace that convicts me and that won’t let me live the normal tainted life.

I’m super stoked about going home in a week. I mean, I love Boston, but there is a lot waiting at home, and I seriously can’t contain my exhileration over it.

Confession: Confession is amazing. Confess my friends; it’s freeing, and when you find someone that you truth with whom you can confess, the grace and forgiveness from that person is like the picturesque portrait of God. I can’t wait to run in the morning. I don’t usually run on Sundays. I’d like to run today, but I’m gonna wait.

What should I eat for dinner? Any suggestions? Hmmm I don’t know. I’m drinking some wine right now that Jill brought us from Chile. It’s good wine. I haven’t had wine in like 2 months. I love white wine. I need to work on developing my taste buds for red since I also love red meat. White wine and red meat are too redneck for even me. Although, most people in the south prbbly dont even know that you drink different wines with different foods. Sometimes I think the Southern idea of wine is bud light in a wine glass. haha.

Ok, that’s all for now. Talk to ya’ lata alligata’s 🙂

xoxoxo
mlea

A Prayer:

when the clouds have parted

and i see god in the whisper

my heart weighed down with joy

turns alone to thee.

my Lord you are the wisdom;

you are the guide and patient

one who holds the waters

that cleanse and clutter me.

i want so badly to

the shore to find my station

and your will is ever

holding holding fast to be

the anchor hope and holder,

sustainer planner calm,

the giver and the taker,

the blesser and blessing.

Lord Jesus, I give you back what I cannot keep, the joy you’ve brought so strangely, the thing of which I’m undeserving, the door which remains so open. The door my sin could close. This is your life inside me; this is your life around me. You are the only focus which stays my tiny heart. I love you more than life and can’t find words to praise you. Oh God you captivate and hold me; I love your sanctifying. I love your grace and guidance, your perfect broken roads. The narrow rather than the wide. Sustain us on this path; sustain us with the glance of you amidst the parting clouds. Lord lead us to our new hope. Beauty and security still finds me in utter dependence upon your breath of Spirit to breathe each day for me.

meginlea

So I’ve been pretty crappy at updating recently. I apologize for the inconvenience. I seriously do NOT know how to spell that word. Right now I’m sitting in front of the fire place at Panera in a big comfy/coushy chair. I just finished proofing for the final time my readiness for ministry paper. I’m starting my final proof of my self-reflection paper. Then I have to finish the case study and I’ll be done. I’m looking forward to being done by next week ;). Stephen Jay is coming. Score!!!!!

Today I went to the beach. I’m falling in love with being able to go to the beach. It’s going to be so hot in China. I’m stoked about my next road trip back to Ga in a few days:). I’m glad to have company on it too. Gracie Belle is nice, but I want company that doesn’t try to sit under my gas pedal and track cat litter all over my car. –

So today I went to bank of america with a friend of mine to open up a savings account. Ummm we seriously made the bank lady’s day. I don’t say this arrogantly either. I mean, she was freaking laughing the whole time…or were we laughing? yes, I think that’s right. We were laughing and she was laughing at us laughing at ourselves. Anyway- at least I got a lot of good life-saver candies out of it :).

I looked at tshirts today to get for my China team, but I’m having a hard time. I can’t find pocket tees anywhere, and I want a pocket tee. Pocket tees are like so totally more amazing than anything else in the entire world. I also really want to buy all the pretty shades of pink tees I see, but I can’t. The poor guys and maybe even the girls are not going to want to wear pink. I think I’ll go with red and white since they are Hong Kong colors.

Steve cleaned my car out for me. AKA- he won my Dad’s heart; that’s for dang sure. I ate so much at Panera that I feel like I am about to burst at the seems. Whenever I come here it’s like open season for Megin-feeding. I need help my friends.

Ok, that’s all for now. There is a lot going on right now, but it takes time to update about. I don’t have time. Call me. I think I’m going to Cape Cod on Sunday to visit Bekah. I’m so stoked. I haven’t seen her since Thanksgiving with Titus and I love me some Bekah Edilson !

Thank you Jesus for blessings that I don’t deserve. Thank you for miracles; thank you for good gifts; thank you for taking all of me and not letting me go. I love you Lord and I lift my voice.

Tomorrow night I’m singing at the boston rescue mission. I’m a little nervous. I always get nervous when singing in front of more than like 2 people. I pray that God will use my voice and my song to speak to these people. I don’t care about sounding good. I just want God to work; I could seriously give a crap about myself any more in these types of situations. Lord, bless these individuals, and I pray that you will use me and my meager tasks as a part of that blessing. If I am not consumed and used by you, I am nothing.

Back to proof reading. Lots of love!!!!!! xoxoxo
meginlea