tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58519148177626857702024-03-05T00:22:47.980-08:00Tiny Steps to RomeNobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending. ~Maria RobinsonMeghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545842746772442030noreply@blogger.comBlogger158125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851914817762685770.post-89881298447487583382014-09-04T20:06:00.001-07:002014-09-04T20:06:07.720-07:00Its been almost three years since I wrote anything here. Absolutely nothing is the same. Except Jesus. And He knew the whole time. There is nothing about my life that resembles the life I thought I'd have. This isn't what I envisioned. Its not what I longed for. I dreamed of being a missionary, overseas, telling people the Gospel for the first time. I dreamed of house churches that looked more like dinner parties. And digging into the Bible with people for the first time. I dreamed of raising my kids as missionary kids, and living this life that wasn't comfortable, but that revolved around Jesus.<br />
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That's not what our life is. My husband became a teacher. We live in the suburbs. Our house has a three car garage and a fenced in back yard, four bedrooms, three point five baths. I could say that God's plan was so much better than mine, but I don't. Mostly because I don't want the 'better' to be translated as our perfect little comfortable American life. It is. But that's not what's 'better' about His plan. <br />
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I struggle here. To find and live joy in this American dream life I'm living. Because it wasn't my dream. But it was 'better.' It is 'better'. The 'better' is being in the center of God's will. I've found that there is so much more joy, immesurably more, in being in God's will. If we were overseas missionaries I'd probably be happy. But that's not joy. God has been so affirming, over and over and over again. This is where God has us. And I have joy in that, in the knowing with my whole heart that I'm where God wants me. The alternative might be 'my dream', it might seem like the great Christian thing to do, but if I was always wondering, uncertain if this was truly God's plan, that's not joy. <br />
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And do you know what? Our lives still run towards Jesus. He's here with us everyday. In my parenting, in my friendships, in our interactions. We do our best, I do my best, to point the people around me to Jesus. I fail over and over again. But He's still there.<br />
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<br />Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545842746772442030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851914817762685770.post-10096781675669106532011-12-03T20:07:00.000-08:002011-12-03T20:07:03.356-08:00SeasonsGod brings people in and out of our life. There are few people who we will share our entire life with - mostly these people are family. or a few select group of friends. But then, there are so many people who are only in our lives for seasons. Long seasons. And they make footprints that run so deep, years later their memory brings us to tears and pulls at our hearts. They are no less important. And just because the season is over - we still may have a connection with them. Facebook. Maybe a Christmas card. But there time of being ever present in our life has passed. Sometimes those are the people that pushed us the most.<br />
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I've been blessed throughout my life with women who loved me, mentored me, invested in my life and molded me into the person I am. A few I had from eight to eighteen. I had a few join that group from twelve to eighteen. But then I went to college and my world changed. Fewer during those years. But so thankful for that person. And thankful for flights to Phoenix for a fresh perspective and a few simple truths that sustain me for months. <br />
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Now I'm married and in this whole new world with new people. I hope these people will last through several seasons. But God moves us. And the people don't always come with. But they're still here. And the footprints are still made on our lives.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545842746772442030noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851914817762685770.post-13544326541976409592011-11-23T13:02:00.000-08:002011-11-23T13:02:03.936-08:00November's ThankfulI love reading everyone's daily facebook updates on what they're thankful for - its such a great way to remind us of all our blessings, especially going into the Christmas season. I've thought for a few days about joining in, but I just know that I'd forget days eventually. So, my solution is, I'm going to list 30 days of Thankful here on my blog - all at once. Maybe that means I'm cheating, but I'm still Thankful!<br />
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November 1 - Thankful for all the love we received from family and friends in Virginia. Its so hard to leave them all!<br />
November 2 - Thankful for a church that preaches the truth and strives to make a difference.<br />
November 3 - Thankful for my loving husband who cleaned the house the other day without even being asked!<br />
November 4 - Thankful for such encouraging coworkers.<br />
November 5 - Thankful for God's answering of prayers, and the way He speaks to us!<br />
November 6 - Thankful for all those facebook friends who pray for us at the drop of a hat when we need it.<br />
November 7 - Thankful for our amazing small group.<br />
November 8 - Thankful for each and every one of our supporters who has been so faithful in coming alongside our ministry.<br />
November 9 - Thankful for the outpouring of prayers and support we've received from coworkers today.<br />
November 10 - Thankful for a home that I love. Even though a house is such a dream and desire of ours, we love what we've been provided.<br />
November 11 - Thankful for mentors who willingly invest in my life.<br />
November 12 - Thankful for friends scattered across the globe and the amazing ministries they're a part of! Their stories of the Lost coming to Christ are an inspiration.<br />
November 13 - Thankful for talented friends and their beautiful artwork!<br />
November 14 - Thankful for our space heater and warm blankets.<br />
November 15 - Thankful for a husband who looks forward to my birthday as much as I do.<br />
November 16 - Thankful for a husband who enjoys cooking for me!<br />
November 17 - Thankful for the opportunity we have to visit friends and family.<br />
November 18 - Thankful for the next two months of being at home, without traveling and being apart from one another.<br />
November 19 - Thankful for an awesome marriage conference with Dr. Gary Chapman.<br />
November 20 - Thankful for lunch with friends.<br />
November 21 - Thankful for God's provision of days, times, and seasons of rest in my life.<br />
November 22 - Thankful for the trials of 2010 & 2011, for the ways in which the Lord draws us closer to Him.<br />
November 23 - Thankful for email, Facebook, Skype and Vonage which allow us to keep in touch with friends living far away and overseas.<br />
November 24 - Thankful for God's provision of everything we need and so much of what we want.<br />
November 25 - Thankful for four day weekends to relax and enjoy family.<br />
November 26 - Thankful for grocery stores, sales, and a stocked pantry and freezer.<br />
November 27 - Thankful for the availability of everything I need (food and gadgets) to make a full on Thanksgiving dinner without too much hassle.<br />
November 28 - Thankful for new found motivation!<br />
November 29 - Thankful for new opportunities.<br />
November 30 - Thankful for May 22, 2012. The day when the newest edition to the Baldwin family is scheduled to arrive!<br />
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*We're still not facebook official - so send me a message instead of posting on my wall, please.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545842746772442030noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851914817762685770.post-28278828847575519122011-09-26T12:08:00.000-07:002011-09-26T12:08:15.107-07:00Funny StoryOk - since I haven't posted any funny stories in Way too long, I thought I'd share this.<br />
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I totally locked my husband out of the house last night. Not on purpose either. No marital discord to be found here. And then? I went to sleep. Yep.<br />
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See, Josh goes on a walk every night. And lately, I'm too lazy to stay up past 10 pm. He took his keys, because its just not smart for me to go to sleep in an unlocked house all by myself. But...even though he had his keys, our door has thing little thing. I don't know what it is but it flips over the door so even if someone had a key they couldn't open the door if this thing is closed. Truth be told, I never thought it would really work if someone tried to open the door from the outside. Apparently, it does.<br />
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So, last night, if you drove by our house, you would have seen Josh standing on the doorstep, pounding on the door, for about 45 minutes. I was asleep! And, of course, my phone was dead after the weekend.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545842746772442030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851914817762685770.post-9031668992607509772011-09-19T08:05:00.001-07:002011-09-19T08:05:32.200-07:00Job Posting...End to an EraWe're posting my job in October.<div><br />
</div><div>Weird feeling.</div>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545842746772442030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851914817762685770.post-14741592956617250162011-09-14T13:19:00.000-07:002011-09-14T13:19:13.090-07:00What He's Been TeachingIf you've been reading my blog for any amount of time, you know that this past year has been the hardest of our lives. Between support raising, infertility, and the many other demands and expectations of our time and energy, its been an uphill battle every day. I sat in church a few weeks ago, and realized what exactly it was the God has been trying to teach me this year.<br />
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To pray. To pray about everything and give it to Him. To pray as an act of worship, to pray intentionally, expecting results. To pray constantly. To take up prayer as my work where I am. <br />
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Can I just say that this lesson has been amazing. Though I still worry sometimes, I find my inner voice reminding me to stop and pray. Its a constant choice - to truly truly trust the Lord and believe my prayers will be answered. To be real with the Lord, praying from the heart, and not use the words that I think I'm supposed to. Sometimes its crying out to God with my pain, my disappointment, my worry and my doubt. Sometimes its pleading with Him. Its praying from the heart, not from the head. <br />
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Its a decision. Being in a constant state of prayer. One I'm learning to make.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545842746772442030noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851914817762685770.post-10840058426622768712011-09-07T12:15:00.000-07:002011-09-07T12:15:00.743-07:00Done.Somedays, I'm just done. I'm done with the endless tasks and emails and the 'work' never ending. I crave a 9-5 job for my husband, and a working at home life for me. <br />
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But - we were called to ministry. I was called to ministry. And this means more than 9-5. This means eternal consequences for the work we do. Ministry never ends. Worship never ends.<br />
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So, when I say, "I'm done" give me thirty minutes. Or a day. Or a massage. Or a perfect Chai Latte from Starbucks. I'll be back when I've gotten a 'perspective check' from my Lord.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545842746772442030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851914817762685770.post-35307166105316496842011-09-06T10:36:00.000-07:002011-09-06T10:36:14.058-07:00Oh My InformationLast week, team Italy iv (that is - us and our teammates) attended at workshop here in Kansas City. It was Sharpening Your Internpersonal Skills presented by International Training Partners. This workshop was designed for missionaries, to develop and strengthen (sharper) one's ability to work/communicate/and communicate on a deeper level with individuals around them. At least that's my take on it.<br />
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Anyway, to sound a bit less like a textbook, it was great. Well, great in a completely exhausting, information overload, pressing, stretching sort of way. It was a lot. That coupled with being surround by people, some who I knew, some I'd barely met. And not sleeping well. And having two doctor appointments during the workshop 45 minutes away, and not feeling good for about 36 hours - it was great. We also spent some time talking about margin and managing stress. Ahem. Missionaries - stress? Raising support - stress? Say it isn't so. Yeah about that. <br />
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I'm not sure what all I learned. Except that I interupt people A LOT. (That was one thing we talked about.) It was a lot lot lot of information. I'm processing. After rediscovering my brain after that wonderful amazing fall is coming three day weekend. Maybe I'll write more about this training later. We'll see.<br />
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Oh!! Another thing - pray for us this weekend. Friday and Saturday we're having a garage sale, all proceeds going to our ministry in Italy. So pray for good weather and lots of customers!<br />
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And you can also pray for our upcoming doctor's appointments next week. We'd appreciate that too.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545842746772442030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851914817762685770.post-12793781003046277222011-08-24T09:04:00.000-07:002011-08-24T09:04:36.619-07:00FamilyA year from now we'll be in Italy. Well, actually a year from today we might possibly be in Germany for All Europe Conference. Or maybe on vacation since absolutely nothing is open in August in Italy (so I hear). Anyway, the point is, I won't be in the States. <br />
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This will be a year of lots of family trips. I find that we're craving time with family more than ever before. Being intentionally about dropping by for Sunday afternoons on the porch with Linda & Tim. Taking the time to travel to Wisconsin even though its inconvenient and often expensive. Committing to see ALL the family at Christmastime - Missouri, Wisconsin, and Virginia. Investing the legwork and $$ to plan some 'last hoorah' family vacations (that ones slated for February - we'd love to see you, please come).<br />
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Hopefully we'll get tons of family time in this year. It will take sacrifices (like unpaid time off from work, cash, and LONG car trips). But it will be so worth it. There will come a day, very soon, that we won't have that opportunity. So, for now, to all of our families, we love you. We miss you. We're really excited to see you. And we agree that it stinks a bit that we'll be separated for so long. BUT. You're always welcome to crash our flat and get a (cheaper) European vacation.<br />
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Come visit.<br />
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(Oh - and that goes for all everybody. Family. Friends. Feel free to do a bit of house crashing.)Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545842746772442030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851914817762685770.post-80276750761788797942011-08-23T10:28:00.000-07:002011-08-23T10:28:28.698-07:00Infertility Etiquette<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">I read this article today and thought it was so important, so I thought I'd share. Infertility is something that is still taboo to talk about it. Mostly because the majority of Americans are uneducated about the facts. For decades its been a private struggle that women/families have had to bear alone. But as Christians we were created for fellowship and community. Infertility should be no different.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Borrowed from <a href="http://www.resolve.org/support-and-services/for-family--friends/infertility-etiquette.html">here</a>.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The pain is similar to the grief over losing a loved one, but it is unique because it is a recurring grief. When a loved one dies, he isn't coming back. There is no hope that he will come back from the dead. You must work through the stages of grief, accept that you will never see this person again, and move on with your life.</span></i></div><div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></div><div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The grief of infertility is not so cut and dry. Infertile people grieve the loss of the baby that they may never know. They grieve the loss of that baby who would have had mommy's nose and daddy's eyes. But, each month, there is the hope that maybe that baby will be conceived after all. No matter how hard they try to prepare themselves for bad news, they still hope that this month will be different. Then, the bad news comes again, and the grief washes over the infertile couple anew. This process happens month after month, year after year. It is like having a deep cut that keeps getting opened right when it starts to heal.</span></i></div><div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9 Things Not to Say, Plus 1</span></div><div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10. Don't Tell Them to Relax</span></div><div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. Don't Minimize the Problem</span></div><div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. Don't Say There Are Worse Things That Could Happen</span></div><div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. Don't Say They Aren't Meant to Be Parents</span></div><div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. Don't Ask Why They Aren't Trying IVF</span></div><div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Don't Complain About Your Pregnancy</span></div><div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Don't Gossip About Their Infertility</span></div><div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Don't Push Adoption</span></div><div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Let Them Know You Care</span></div><div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And...</span></div><div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Remember Them on Mother's Day</span></div><div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Believe it or not, all of these things have been said to me (except number one, which would have been a good thing.) If you don't know what you say, this is a time when saying nothing is better. Because, the well-intentioned remarks of friends end up hurting more deeply than you can expect.</span></div><div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And another thing, from my personal experience:</span></div><div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The reason you remember that friend of a friend who tried to conceive for ten years and it finally happened and now they're happy? The reason you remember it is because it happened once. Think about how many women tried for ten years and it never happened? Why don't you remember that story? Well probably because that woman couldn't share her story for fear you'd tell her to relax. </span></div><div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We're out here. No one talks about it. </span></div><div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have a few friends who are absolutely amazing. They ask how our infertility is going (which I love). And, they probably don't know what to say. Yet they have the best possible response. "I love you. I'm praying for you. And I hope you get pregnant."</span></div>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545842746772442030noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851914817762685770.post-74502219263758301782011-08-19T12:09:00.000-07:002011-08-19T12:09:55.390-07:00What if your blessings come through raindrops?I love this song. It makes me smile. Though I'm not really at a place where I can be thankful for the raindrops, I know that someday I'll get there. <br />
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Eight years ago, my father died without knowing Christ. Even at that time, though it was painful, I knew that God would use that experience in my life. He used that event to call me to the lost and teach me the urgency of sharing the Gospel.<br />
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Right now, I don't appreciate our struggle to start a family. Its the most painful thing I've ever experienced. But someday, I will see its value. Someday this experience will enable me to minister to others. Maybe there is someone in Italy, right now, who is where I am. Maybe I'll meet her in a year and my story will help her see God's love.<br />
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Without the valleys there'd be no mountaintops. Without the rain, we wouldn't know the warmth of the sun. Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545842746772442030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851914817762685770.post-21752651812978979532011-08-16T22:11:00.000-07:002011-08-16T22:11:16.791-07:00Through the TrialsThe Lord promises to bring us through the trials...not out of them. How many times have I prayed to be delivered out of a trial. <div><br />
</div><div>Pray for us. We're in the midst of several trials right now. The hardest things we've ever done. On any given day we can't decide which is harder. We're 18 months in, and there's no end in sight. My prayers have more often been to be delivered from these trials. </div><div><br />
</div><div>This morning I woke up, and it was the first time I thought about giving up. I'm thankful for a husband who can be strong when I am not. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Pray for us. For our hearts. Strength. Encouragement. Arms wrapped around us.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Because its really, really hard.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The best thing about the valley, or the only good thing, is that you know somewhere, someday, there's a mountaintop. </div>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545842746772442030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851914817762685770.post-83030498079630481882011-08-16T12:21:00.000-07:002011-08-16T12:21:26.042-07:00StarbucksWhy oh why is it always, always freezing in Starbucks! Its freezing. If I didn't need power I'd move to the patio. Oh, that, and having to pack up all my stuff. And I have a lot of stuff here. My purse, two drinks, laptop, pile of folders, open notebook, stack of papers, 4 highlighter, two pens, two sharpies, my iPod touch (calculator, needed), phone, and power cord. Its like my own little desk taking up 1/3 of this 8 person table. (I'm at the Plaza Starbucks in case anyone wondered.) There isn't enough room for 'my desk' outside <br />
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But its freezing! And, I have a hot drink. Its not even touching how cold it is in here. There are people with shorts on outside, perfectly comfortable. I'm wearing jeans and just put on my sweater because its so cold.<br />
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Oh - and the same women has come in here three times since I've been in here - with a double stroller. A nanny is my guess. But seriously, she's getting pretty good at manuvering that huge thing around in here.<br />
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I'm seriously shivering and have goose bumps. And I have to pee. But than I'd have to pack up all this crap I'm surrounded by.<br />
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When's my lunch break?Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545842746772442030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851914817762685770.post-1360519962084806282011-08-07T08:48:00.000-07:002011-08-07T08:48:01.922-07:00Some DaysSome days are easier than others. Some days I want to get rid of all my stuff an move into a hotel room until we leave. Other days I want to stay right where I am in my comfortable, homey home; keeping all my things until we buy our plane tickets.<br />
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Some days are easier than others. <br />
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The thought of Skype is all I need to be okay with leaving my friends and family - some days. Other days I tear up just thinking of saying goodbyes. <br />
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Today was one of those not so great days. Satan whispers doubts in my ear. The emotions of it all catches up with me. I miss the landscape of Wisconsin and the beauty of Wisconsin winters. I want to keep my oh-so-comfy couch until we buy our tickets. I doubt want to sell my stuff at a garage sale. Except maybe all those mountains of clothes that don't fit.<br />
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Today was one of the hard days.<br />
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I wonder why even just one area of our life can't be easy. Or normal. Or comfortable. Or not so stretching. But that's not the life Jesus called us to. (And I'm not just talking about missionaries.) He called us to the uncomfortable. He called us to live counter culturally. He called us to take up our cross.<br />
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The hard days are the days that glorify God and He shines through us.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545842746772442030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851914817762685770.post-81194687456777553122011-08-05T10:14:00.000-07:002011-08-05T10:14:10.601-07:00The First GoodbyeOur life will be full of goodbyes. But today was the first. Saying goodbye to dear friends, some of our closest friends. They're leaving for Mexico next month, and we won't see them between now and then.<br />
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I wasn't really prepared for this goodbye. Its the first of many. <br />
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They'll be in Mexico for at least five years. Next year we move to Italy for our five years. So six years from now I might see them.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545842746772442030noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851914817762685770.post-68509542853025952432011-08-04T16:28:00.000-07:002011-08-04T16:28:26.368-07:00Can you say scatterbrained?Well I think we can say its official - I'm on my way to losing my mind.<br />
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I lost a file today. Or, I should say, that I lost it two weeks ago and remembered I needed it today. When The Boss asked for it. Today. As he went for coffee. I proceeded to look for it in all the rational logical places. Of course, it wasn't there. So I took the next obvious step - freaked out to Linda about where on earth it went. She helped me look, while suggesting I label my files. (I DO label my files, but it doesn't help if I don't put them away :) ). Then Linda and I decided that it was all because someone made me clean off my desk two weeks ago and That's why I can't find anything. <br />
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But she found it - on top of my cabinet. Which in my defense isn't visible from my chair and BARELY visible if I'm standing up. So, it wasn't lost in the first place. But the search was quite entertaining. Especially when Jon walked up behind me and stood their patiently, very quiet, until I turned around and about jumped out of my skin. I may have screamed. Can't quite remember that one.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545842746772442030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851914817762685770.post-37288761347729627522011-08-01T21:27:00.001-07:002011-08-01T21:27:40.805-07:00Project 52Check out the new "My Project 52" page. We'll see how this goes!Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545842746772442030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851914817762685770.post-1550636170064566172011-08-01T12:12:00.000-07:002011-08-01T12:12:36.757-07:00BusynessI'm not quite sure when I got so busy. (Well, honestly, it was June. When Josh finished his Masters and life was supposed to slow down. Right.)<br />
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I'm convinced the next time I'll have a free evening is the day we step off the plane in Italy. Except that I'm pretty sure we have dinner plans with Troy and Penny Taylor that night. <br />
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Support Raising definitely makes us busy! That and the whole 'I'm moving to another country' thing definitely does not help! Dinner appointments, errands, meetings, team meetings, full time job, family, marriage, ministry, fellowship, and relationships. Not one of these things would I trade (well - that full time job maybe) as we make our way to the field. Still, I remember all those sermons on Rest and eliminating the Business from our lives. Apparently I stink at that.<br />
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To all of those who have waited patiently as I was late for appointments, etc, I apologize. And I have been late - a lot. <br />
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Are you ever late? Tired of being so busy? Me too!!Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545842746772442030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851914817762685770.post-34363579955662872882011-07-30T15:43:00.000-07:002011-07-30T15:43:08.315-07:00RetirementSeriously, my brain might explode. And I'm one of the three people who were in the meeting that understood what all those investment bankers were talking about. I know what a mutual fund is. I actually picked the funds to invest in (without closing my eyes and pointing). But I'm still spending my afternoon looking over forms and trying to decide if we even can make it work to save 5-15% of our income for retirement. Roth? 403b? Which to contribute to, and who comes first? <br />
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Apparently this is what I do on a Saturday when my husband is 1000 miles away.<br />
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I need more diet coke.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545842746772442030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851914817762685770.post-44219803240236088512011-07-12T11:26:00.000-07:002011-07-12T11:26:05.728-07:00Another Day Another DollarC.O.P. is here again. That's Avant's Candidate Orientation Program for all those not fluent in 'Avant speak.' What is this? Our two week boot camp for all those hoping to serve as full time missionaries with Avant. My department coordinates and puts on this event twice a year, in January and July. This is my 5th round of COP and I'm pretty sure I've got it down by now. <br />
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I ended Day 1 with some of Al's cooking. (Serious, I gained ten pounds when I attended COP as a hopeful missionary.) Then, I'll headed home to collapse in a food coma on the couch. A 30 minutes power nap followed. So maybe that's why I was up til 1 a.m.?<br />
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But, since I didn't complete mess anything up, or hand out outdated schedules, and everyone made it to their interviews, I'm considering the day a success. <br />
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How's Day 2 going? I need caffeine.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545842746772442030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851914817762685770.post-87272384831883894742011-07-12T09:54:00.000-07:002011-07-12T09:55:43.544-07:00A thought from today.I heard some of the following quotes concerning Short Cycle Church Planting today. Food for thought.<br />
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"True, 150% community, living itself out in a cross cultural setting: Short Cycle Church Planting<br />
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"None of us have ever been a part of a team to the extent of a SCCP team."<br />
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Challenging, humbling, the hardest work we've ever done. It will not always be fun.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545842746772442030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851914817762685770.post-13761413331504431562011-07-07T21:47:00.000-07:002011-07-07T21:47:19.360-07:00Ministry BlogGod has really been working behind the scenes throughout our deputation, but in June we got to see some of His results.<br />
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Want some details on our ministry? Check out our <a href="http://baldwinsforitaly.blogspot.com/2011/07/june-recap.html">ministry blog</a> to see an update on this whole missionary thing.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545842746772442030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851914817762685770.post-19820234389998459542011-07-07T13:49:00.001-07:002011-07-07T13:49:59.136-07:00My Base<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Having a home base is a wonderful feeling. When you can retreat to the people who know you and love you best. You can rest in the comfort and safety of home. You won't be rejected here. Well, more often than not, I think this Home Base is made up of people. What if your people are scattered to the winds?</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">We visited our base this weekend. Some of our dearest friends, who we met during college and now live in Phoenix. It was a feeling that can't really be explained by words. I could vent my problems, and be understood. Each one of us was lonely in our new cities. Struggling to make friends as we're surrounded by opposite thinking. Not fitting in. Lonely in a crowded room. Climbing uphill and wondering why on earth God brought us to this point. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">There were no blank stares in Phoenix. They get what I'm talking about. They are right there with me, feeling the same things. In our heartache we were bonded once again. No amount of distance, whether today or a year from now, will keep us from returning to our Base.</div>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545842746772442030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851914817762685770.post-25454814392361226392011-06-20T20:03:00.000-07:002011-06-20T20:03:26.112-07:00It Will HappenSomeone said to today, "It will happen" with such complete belief. I struggle with worry. And desire for control. But, it will happen. We'll get to Italy. Our supporters hearts are still being molded. God knows. And we'll get to Italy. Why? Because He promised us. <br />
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Side note on that, when God speaks to your heart: listen, act, now. Because God's been prompting me for months to do this one thing. But (surprise) I was worried. I did it. And following God's leading always leaves me with a peaceful heart.<br />
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It will happen. For us. For you (Lowes, Waltons, Taylors, Italy 4). It will happen.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545842746772442030noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851914817762685770.post-77439458466126827242011-06-20T09:46:00.000-07:002011-06-20T09:46:39.439-07:00the papasan chair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheURvHH3MEmHBB2bIiZPeEXnlgbgs-KqpBjSdncwooBTRMd8O0s46W18RBs03KgQFCciex_k6DL8OJbjzFlrmzui1kwZmlrPoPMM65KsLa4_-90IowDQuBFs7eRdfecCaLGItBsq-1uqY/s1600/papasan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheURvHH3MEmHBB2bIiZPeEXnlgbgs-KqpBjSdncwooBTRMd8O0s46W18RBs03KgQFCciex_k6DL8OJbjzFlrmzui1kwZmlrPoPMM65KsLa4_-90IowDQuBFs7eRdfecCaLGItBsq-1uqY/s320/papasan.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Josh sold my double papasan chair this weekend. I say he sold it, even though I told him to list it on craigslist, because I seem to have a strange attachment to that chair.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The lady sat in it, to gauge its comfort level, and I was silently hoping she wouldn't like it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I actually cried after we loaded it into their van and watched the couple go on their way. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Weird, I know. Its not even like I used it much. But I'm strangely attached to that chair.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We're one step closer. Thanks Steph.</div>Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03545842746772442030noreply@blogger.com1