megmcgreg's Xanga

Fun times!!!

Sat, 24 Feb 2007 06:16:43 GMT

All images copyright and courtesy of Joy Jensen, www.joyjensen.com.

Skiing, skiing, skiing!

Sat, 17 Feb 2007 04:27:17 GMT

On Wednesday afternoon my sister Kristi and I left for Colorado. We spent Thursday shopping in downtown Boulder and then headed to Silverthorne where we're staying in a rental house with friends. Today we were up bright and early to ski at Copper Mountain. The road conditions were terrible. On my way to the mountain, I saw several vehicles in the ditch, but the worst part was the wind would blow the snow and for a few seconds everything was white. I'm used to driving in snow, but I had never really experienced whiteout conditions quite like this. The winds were so strong that around noon Copper closed all their lifts but one and by 2 pm the resort had received 11 inches of fresh powder. Sometime during the late morning I-70 was closed west of Copper Mountain up to Vail and also east of Silverthorne toward Denver. They didn't reopen the interstate until around 4:30 or so tonight. I'm so glad that we weren't planning to ski at Vail! The fresh powder was wonderful (to say the least)! Kristi boarded for her first time in Colorado (second time ever) and did extremely well. I was so impressed.

Thoughts from a Friday Afternoon Conversation

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 03:06:34 GMT

Last Friday I had a conversation with a coworker that I’ve continued to ponder. It was around lunchtime when I headed down the hall from the administration suite to another part of the building. On my way I ran into one of the nurses, smiled, and said in an offhanded way, “only four and half hours till the weekend.” She said, “Oh, you do that too?!? _____ and I were just commenting on how we spend the whole week waiting for the weekend!” I laughed and went on my way. Yes, I was definitely looking forward to the weekend (in spite of having to begin rough drafts for two papers!), but as I had been walking down the hall before this conversation, my thoughts had been on how much I like my job, how non-stressful it is (as long as I don’t make a mistake and pay an employee too much or too little!!!), what great people I work with and for, and what a perfect fit it is for this stage in my life. It is an incredible blessing to enjoy your work!

Modern Christian and secular culture has placed an enormous emphasis on finding purpose and a lifework that is immensely fulfilling. There is definitely value in having a sense of purpose, knowing your own skills and talents, and finding something that is the right fit. However, I think that putting that much emphasis on it leaves people with a wrong set of expectations. I know that it did for me. It causes a person to expect to find a place in life where they will be perfectly fulfilled and completely happy. It causes a person to seek satisfaction and fulfillment in circumstances, relationships, achievements, a job, and especially in ministry and Christian service. While all of these are wonderful things and do bring a measure of fulfillment and happiness, true and lasting fulfillment can only come from a relationship with Christ. Because of sin here on earth, it will only be possible to experience it completely when we reach heaven and live in unbroken fellowship with God. I used to think there was something wrong with me when I couldn’t find total satisfaction in life. Now I know that I can attempt to seek it from many sources, but the ache and yearning is put there by God to draw me into an ever-deepening relationship with Him. Because of this, I want to live life to the fullest, enjoy the moment, and have a grateful heart for my job, friends, family, and the goodness of God! I want to “bloom” wherever God plants me!

Well, now it's time to stop rambling and get some sleep so I can work on those papers before work tomorrow morning . . .

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 01:26:00 GMT

This past weekend my parents were out of town, so Kristi and I had a fun Saturday night with our friends Rachel, Rebekah, and Liz. On Sunday afternoon we headed to a local ski hill kind of on the spur of the moment and joined a group of our friends for skiing and boarding and then out to Pizza Hut afterwards. It was a full, but very great weekend!

Monday, January 22, 2007

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 01:32:25 GMT

"Finding What You're Not Looking For"

From time to time the topic of success comes up for some reason or another and I reflect again on what it truly is. Normally I don't expect to be inspired by my textbooks. Learn, yes, but be inspired? Probably not. However, yesterday as I was desperately trying to finish up so I could go out to lunch with a friend, an article caught my attention.

The author, Michael Michalko, wrote, "Whenever we attempt to do something and fail, we end up doing something else. As simplistic as this statement may seem, it is the first priniciple of the creative accident or "serendipity." We may ask ourselves why we have failed to do what we intended, and this is the reasonable, expected thing to do. But the creative accident provokes a different question: What have we done? Answering that question in a novel, unexpected way is the essential creative act. It is not luck but creative insight of the highest order." The rest of the article gave examples from history of people setting out to do one thing and making a different important discovery in the process. Some of the stories had to do with failed projects being recycled into something new.

I was completely shocked to learn that Michelangelo's sculpture, David, was the result of a failed attempt by another sculptor. In 1463 a sixteen-foot-high block of marble was acquired by the cathedral of Florence. Two well-known sculptors worked on a sculpture, gave up, and the badly mangled marble was put into storage. Other sculptors were asked to work on it, but refused because of the shape the marble was in. They said they couldn't produce art out of a mangled block. Forty years later, Michelangelo took the marble out of storage and carved it into David within eighteen months. Although the sculpture is not a personal favorite of mine, it is widely recognized as one of the world’s greatest statues. What struck me were the attitudes that emerged from the account. How many times do I refuse to do something because it isn’t as great, wonderful, or lofty as I want it to be? Obviously I am not about to craft a masterpiece out of less than perfect marble, but I do wonder what I will miss if I’m not willing to accept opportunities that I deem less than perfect. God is not looking for perfect opportunities or perfect lives. II Cor. 12:9-10 sums that up when it says, “And he said unto me, . . . my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. . . . for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

A weekend in Iowa

Wed, 27 Dec 2006 03:23:36 GMT

The weekend before Thanksgiving I went to Iowa to see friends. I promised that I would post pictures, but it's taken a while . . . We had a marvelous time and made lots of great memories!!! Joy Jensen created a fun slideshow of the weekend. Thanks, Joy!

The Charles Schultz Philosophy

Thu, 21 Dec 2006 03:40:27 GMT

Today I had to read "The Charles Schulz Philosophy" for an assignment. It was a timely reminder about what is truly important in life so I thought I would share it here.

The Charles Schultz Philosophy

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions.

Just read the [questions] straight through, and you'll get the point.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.

Pass this on to those people who have made a difference in your life. "Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia."

(Charles Schultz)

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Tue, 10 Oct 2006 02:43:18 GMT

The last few weeks have been very fun and busy! Several weeks ago, Kristi and I went on a trailride with our riding instructor and other owners of Tennessee Walkers. Actually, my dad and Kristi drove to the state park on a Friday night and I met them after work. We camped there with our horses that night and then everyone else came out Saturday morning. The day was beautiful and just perfect for a long ride.

Kristi and Houston getting ready

Three weekends ago, Jamie McCloy came and visited me for a few days. I really appreciated the fact that her husband encouraged her to come. Her visit was just what I needed and we had a wonderful time shopping, talking, and then talking some more!

The next weekend Ben came home to celebrate his birthday. We hadn't seen him since Labor Day so it was good to have him home.

Last week Kristi and I tried rock climbing. I'd tried bouldering walls in the past and always found them extremely difficult, so I was a little apprehensive about going. She was dying to try it and I didn't want to disappoint her. One of the two largest indoor climbing gyms in Kansas City is about 10 minutes from our house. With it that convenient, it did seem like a shame not to go try. The day before we went, I realized again that I don't like doing new things when I'm not sure if I'll be able to do it. I had to keep myself from thinking about it, take a deep breath, and make myself go. And wow, am I glad I did because we had a fabulous time! I think we climbed for about 2 hours after finishing the safety course. It was great!

Kristi getting instruction

My first climb

Kristi on the bouldering wall

Monday, July 17, 2006

Mon, 17 Jul 2006 03:53:03 GMT

Several people have made it known to me that I should update on Xanga, so I thought I'd post a few pictures. The last few months have been tons of fun with out of town friends coming through several times and lots of picnics and get-togethers with friends here in the area. It's been fantastic!

Other than that, I transferred depts. at the medical center where I work. Now I'm in HR/Administration training on two different jobs: payroll assistant and employee benefits. The change has been great and I'm enjoying the new challenge.

Tara and Nori came to visit recently and we spent a Saturday in downtown Kansas City. Here we are on a street in the Westport area.

We visited an interesting tea shop for bubble tea.

Last Saturday we went on a trail ride with a bunch of our friends (L-R: Audrey Maher, Kristi, me , Rachel Spratt, Rebekah Spratt, Jon Spratt, Isaiah Maher, Anna Maher, and Liz Spratt). Thanks, Noah, for taking the picture! Uh, and where are the horses???

The Notorious Triangle Got Me

Fri, 17 Mar 2006 03:32:58 GMT

Every day on my way to work and on my way home, I drive through a notorious triangle of expressways in the Kansas City area. Around twice a week I usually experience slow traffic due to accidents. Usually I try to leave anticipating that I might (maybe I should say WILL) hit some slowdowns. This morning started out like every other morning except that I was actually ready early (that's probably only the second time in my life!) and time to sit and eat my cereal. I drove to work while enjoying a daily broadcast of Focus on the Family. It had just finished when I hit the triangle and then entered a construction zone. Since I was about 4 miles from my exit, I was in the far right lane and still clipping along at an amazing 65 mph for that area. All of sudden I realized the car ahead of me was breaking and as I hit my breaks too, I looked in my rearview mirror and prayed, "Oh, Lord, please let that lady be able to stop!" To my surprise, she stopped just fine and so did the truck behind her. I was thanking God and still looking in my rearview mirror when I heard a huge impact and saw a vehicle slam into the truck which slammed into the car and I knew I was about to be hit too. Sure enough, I was.

The impact wasn't terrible although I definitely knew I'd been hit. Fortunately, I did not hit the car in front of me. I was shaking just from knowing I was in a five car pile-up. There was an SUV in the middle lane that looked totaled. I think that was vehicle #4. Both the front and rear were crunched in and even the roof above the driver's side was crunched. I still can't figure out how that happened. All of the other cars had at least damaged bumpers. Miraculously, only my bumper was scratched and I don't think it's even permanent. I was 45 minutes late to work and when I left the scene of the accident, only one lane of traffic was open. The other two were still closed.

God is so merciful . . . it could have been much worse in so many ways. In fact, one of the paramedics said to me, "Wow, you sure made out well. I think I have more hail damage to my car from the storms this weekend than you got from this accident!" I'm sure he was right. It made me think about how good God is. But He would still be good if I had been hurt or the one with the totaled car. His goodness is not dependent on circumstances, but circumstances can certainly be blessings from the Lord! Last night at Bible study we talked about how our lives are not surprise to God, but that He has each step planned and ordered even though we cannot see the beginning from the end.

The Lord has been deepening my understanding of what truly matters in life, and I think the accident today was just another part of that. I live in a great area and work in a very affluent suberb. It's so easy to get caught up in chasing after the "good things" of life. I want to come to the point where I am consistently grateful and happy with the life God has given me exactly as it is. Without adventure, travel, some amazingly wonderful purpose that I am passionate about, or whatever else it is that I seek at times. I keep having this pressing thought that life is really truly only about Jesus and that when it's all said and done, nothing else WILL matter to me.