moving on...

I suppose it's been time for a while now to make a new blog. "In Malawi" doesn't seem to quite fit my current situation. Seeing as I'm very far from Malawi right now. Thanks for journeying with me through the last two years. I made a new blog, for those of you who would like to keep up with me.
Here it is:

Take A Moment And...

Megan meets the South

Once upon a time I traveled almost 3,000 miles to visit a special person. We had lots of adventures. Here are a few pictures:

We went to New Orleans. It rained. We had to buy ponchos. Cool souvenirs, huh?

Before it rained it was a beautiful (but hot) day. That is the cathedral behind us.

This is at the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama!

Spanish moss and an oak tree.

Andy standing on the top of the shrimp boat. Cool picture, huh?

Andy meets Oregon

Andy was in the Great Northwest for a couple of weeks. Seeing the sights, meeting the family, you know, things like that. Here are a few pictures.

Umm, wow. Sunset over the Wallowa mountains.

Our traditional picture spot. Now things are really official.

Me and my daddy!!

Boys will be boys. They rolled this stump down the canyon. Why? Because it was there.

Listening to a concert at the Grand Lodge. Good times.

Now I'm in Alabama. Pictures coming soon.

working hard

I have the best summer job in the world. I get to hang out with kids and do fun things. Like rock climb. Here's the little guy I'm working with this summer!

That's his innocent look. Don't be fooled.

Candid shot! He's so loving. Most of the time.

No limits! Rock climbing is for everyone!

The program I work for is part of Adventures Without Limits. Click here for the mission statement. And a picture of me that I didn't even know existed. Much less that it was on the internet. Cool.

you say goodbye...

...and I say hello.

After all of my sad (and some tearful) goodbyes were said in Malawi I had a lot of hello's to look forward to here in Oregon. My family teases me about how I like to stay busy and get bored after a couple hours of not doing something. It's pretty true. Here's a few pictures of what I've been up to in the past few weeks.

SNOW! In June!

Kristy's getting married!

Carol, Em, me...I love them!

Carol and I at the late night food carts. Yummy crepes!

Sagina and I on the way to the rodeo. Yeehaw!

The girls going to the rodeo. Laura and I missed the memo about wearing pink and purple....

an "f" crisis

Since moving back to the states I have been overwhelmed by the media attention, and the anxiety that is the reality of the economy in the United States (and the world). There really is a feeling of constant anxiety here that I'm assuming I am not the only one feeling. The past couple days have been particularly stressful. As I have been thinking about it, journaling about it, and praying about it, I have come to the realization that I am indeed in the middle of a crisis. It's not the financial crisis that I hear so much about, but it is an f-word crisis (no, not that word, silly). It's a faith crisis.

Sometimes it is so easy to trust that God's plan is best, and that he's got it all worked out and has since the beginning of time. Sometimes it seems impossible. Right now, it seems impossible! I feel like I have big decisions to make that affect more than just me, and I don't know the right answer. I feel like the problems I have are too big to have a happy solution. I'm sure many, if not all, of you can relate. But do you know how ridiculous that is? The notion that something is too big for the God of all Creation? I clearly don't actually KNOW how ridiculous it is. I just know.

Why can't I just sit back and trust that he is in control? Why do I make decision making so hard on myself?

Oh, Lord, refine my faith. Make it real, make it true. Remind me that it's not about me. It's all about YOU.

Psalm 19

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.

There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.

still blogging!

I'm not quite ready to let go of my Malawi blog. So, I'm going to keep blogging. Plus, it's a lot more fun when the internet works so fast!

Continuing on with the things I miss about Malawi....I'm sure most of you have heard from me or through the grapevine, that there is someone special in Malawi. He obviously makes the list of things I miss! Here are some pictures from the past two years.

Just friends (no, really, just friends) at Claudes, September 2007

Just friends (for real!) in Cape Town, March 2008

Just friends (maybe??) in Zanzibar, March 2009

More than friends (and already matching- scary!), May 2009

Oh so cute at Lake Malawi, May 2009

At the Stauffacher's the day I left (:-(), June 2009

He is a pretty special guy, I'm quite fond of him. We would definitely appreciate your prayers as we move forward in our relationship and away from Malawi.

home again home again

I am not quite recovered from the long flight (26 hours, just in the air!). America is very different than Malawi, which I think goes without saying. Please pray for me as I adjust back into life here. For now, I'll continue with my things I love about Malawi posts. Life got a little too crazy before I left for me to finish. Today's most loved item: The McDonalds!

I spent two Christmases with this family, countless Saturday, evenings and potluck. LeAnne has been a wonderful friend, Sam a great teacher, and the girls like nieces to me. At least this goodbye was made slightly easier, since I know I will see them again. In hopefully not too long (*wink*).

Closure 2

Another thing I will miss about Malawi- the crisis nursery. I go every Friday to hold and feed and love on the babies. It has been a great way for me to end my week for the past two years. It reminds me that there are bigger things going on in the world than the stress of my own life. Such as- babies who don't have parents and who are sick and who are one of 25 in an orphanage and who don't get as much love as a baby needs. Plus, I love babies and cuddling these little Malawian babies makes my heart happy! I hope you enjoy the pictures of my little lovelies!

One of the new twins. He/she (not sure which one this is) is about 4 weeks old.

Aww.

This is Rachel.

She was born at the end of January. That makes her 4 months old and her arm looks like this:

My room mate Vicki goes with me. She likes the babies too.

This is the little guy I captured a great smile on a couple weeks ago. This is the room where they all play and eat.

What's up?

Hanging in the laundry basket.

Closure

Two weeks. That's sad. As is natural during times of transition I have been spending a lot of time walking down memory lane. I thought I'd take you with me on a few of those adventures. Today's feature that I will miss about Malawi: my students!! Teaching such a diverse group of kids has been such a wonderful experience. And they're pretty darn cute, too.

First Grade 2008-2009

First Grade 2007-2008

Charlotte (USA), Lisa, Tiwonge (Malawi)

Trent (S. Africa) and William (Malawi)- best buds!

Mina, the Pharoah (Egypt, just in case you forgot where Pharoahs are)

Tawile (Malawi), Hannah (S. Africa), Tayamika (Malawi)

Keith and Zizwa looking like babies- they are almost in 3rd grade now!

a little of this and a little of that

Here's what I've been up to for the past few days- in pictures.

Lake Malawi on a beautiful day.

With Andy. :-)

Loving on babies at the crisis nursery.
Finally captured his beautiful smile!

As a side note: Please pray for Malawi as they hold election on Tuesday, May 19th. There is no reason to expect a problem, but this is Africa and anything can happen. We have the day off of school to allow everyone to cast their vote. Pray that the election will be free and fair.