A Ruby Heart...This is going to be a long post!

Once I had a teacher who taught a lesson about obeying God and this part has always stuck with me."God says it once, listen.He says twice, ya better take note.He says it three times,ya need to just plan take a hint!Four...Well He shouldn't even have to say it that many.But God repeats Himself numerous times in the Bible.Why do you think that is? Cause God wants us to obey Him, & He calls us His sheep for a reason.Its cause sheep are dumb we can pretty dumb at times." I never forgot her saying that. Not cause she called us dumbs but cause the point she made is so true. Well I found my repetitive message.

WAIT. Just wait. Take my foot off Life's accelerator & let God put it at His speed."Let Jesus take the wheel."When I was 14 I went to a "True-Love-Waits" program and I read this story about a girl watching an author write out a love story and she got so frustrated with the waiting for the main character taking so long to meet the right guy, she took the pen from the author & re-wrote it to speed it up. She wrote the wrong guy into the story instead of the prince & spilled ink & tears all over the beautiful pages & hand writing the author had spent so much time on.She starts crying and the author hugs her & says,"I can fix this if you'll let me take over." She hands the pen & book back over & later in the story you find out the author was God & He was writing that girls story. I read this long ago but lately I can't get it out of my head. How we mess everything up when we try to take our life in our own hands.

See my parents bought me a ruby-heart "purity" ring about a year ago(it similar to the one in the pic)to wear on my left hand and the day I get marry my dad will take the ring and give it to my future husband and then the man I am marrying will put the gold band on.For while I got out of the habit of putting it on everyday,cause I take it off in the morning when I'm washing my face etc cause soap gets the cracks and then it looks nasty.Well for awhile it didn't phase me I didn't wear it.Well all of sudden I felt so guilty for not wearing it,because of what it stands for. Also my Sunday school teacher bought me a key and heart necklace to wear.Plus my dad bought me a t-shirt that says,"A girl needs to be so lost in God that a guy must seek HIM to find her." Plus for Bible Study & Sunday School we are going through the women of the Bible and covering how they were a positive or negative influence on their family,and about even though some messed up they were still considered Godly wives. My teacher wanted to make a point so they have been having the women of our church coming in and giving their testimonies on how they met their husbands and what God has brought them to where they are today. See a pattern?

Today I wore my new "Lost in God" shirt to Seussical rehearsal & I had several girls come up & tell me they loved it & a couple had the same shirt. It was really neat when I had guys tell me they liked it. So my head has been swirling lately with all this stuff. This weekend I spent a lot of my time with my dad and it was wonderful. We had a nice talk about boys,life,vacations,everything.

So far for the testimonies we've only had 2. But they were both,"Awww!A true fairy tale story." One was Ellen.Her family and mine are very close.She was a lot like me. "The goody-2-shoes who was the church sweetheart and got teased for being lil miss perfect." Well she took her studies very serious and didn't look around for a guy till she was a sophomore in college.She didn't meet any one and said,"Alright.When you're ready I am." That summer she went to Texas to visit a friend and her friend tried to set her up with this boy named Jeremy who was the same age as her. They spent some time hanging out and talking.They exchanged e-mail addresses and phone numbers. Ellen was so excited.She thought she had found the one.Jeremy seemed so perfect. A whole school year went by and she never heard from him.She was heart broken.Well she went back to visit that friend and guess who was there waiting for her.Jeremy.She wanted nothing to do with him at first but he found his way in her heart.What had happened was Jeremy was feeling pressured into dating Ellen and he wanted God to bring her along and not date a girl just cause a mutual friend thought they should. They spent a year e-mailing and spending time on the phone,even though he was in southern Texas and she was in Pennsylvania. The next year Jeremy asked her father permission to date Ellen and for him to be able to move to Pa. Her dad said,"You're an adult.I can't tell you what to do." Jeremy's response was,"All due respect sir.Yes you can.She's your daughter.You don't like me and want me to scram,I will.But I want a relationship with Ellen.But if you are not comfortable with it and do not believe God wants us together I will not disrespect yours' and your wife's wishes." Well Jeremy went back to Texas,packed up his stuff and was back in PA a few days later. :-) Think he was in love? HA! They were engaged a few weeks later. Now they have 3 absolutely gorgeous girls who I love to spoil and babysit for.Hallie-5,Heidi-3, & Hope-1. :-)

Patty.She was raised in church but her father was into all kinds of evil and dirty dealings.Her parents got divorced when she was 11.Her grandparents were Godly people and always watched out for them.When she was 16 she met a guy who was very wealthy and very charming.She got swept up in it all and decided to date him. Well he become very controlling and was a very short tempered guy.She decided he was too much like her father and wanted nothing to do with those kinds of men.He didn't like the fact they broke up and did not want no for an answer.He was drafted into the army,but after 9 months he was kicked out and was hanging back around.Patty still wanted nothing to do with him and he became stalker-ish.Breaking into her house and following her around. He called her grandparents one night with out her knowledge and told them,he and Patty had plans to take them out for their anniversary. He then called Patty and told her what was going on.She was not comfortable with it but since he had already told her grandparents to be expecting them she went along with it.On the way home he stopped for a coke and was insistent he go in to get them.She thought was strange but finally said,"Ok.Whatever." Next thing she remembered she was waking up in a hotel room. The drink had been drugged and the guy was laughing about it thinking it to be a joke.She got out of there and got herself out to visit a aunt in another part of the states,so she could hide out a while.She was clueless on what she should do.She was scared. Well a few months later,right after her 18th birthday she found out she was pregnant.Abortion was now legal and a tempting option.She had a friend who was persistent she went to church with him and she finally surrendered her life to Christ.She kept her daughter.2 years later she made a list of what kind of man she wanted.A month following that she met her husband.They had worked in the same building all this time but never crossed paths.Her future husband,Tim had gotten out of church just from being so busy with college and work and was just getting back in church the time this happened. He asked her out and a year or two later they were married.

See,I've been surrounded by this lately.Proverbs31:10 "Who can find a virtuous woman for her price is far beyond rubies."Get why its a ruby heart? :-)

I hope you all enjoyed this post.
God Bless and Always,
Megan Renee

Salsa,Swing,Showcase,& Seuss!

Alrighty!This past week was great! On Friday I had Seussical rehearsal and the turn right back around had it again broght and early Saturday morning.I had rehearsal from 9-noon then from 1-3:30 we had an extra practice for Salsa for showcase and then from 7-11 we had a fund raiser for our inprov team to go to nationals in July.It was a swing dance.lol! So needless to say I was exhausted come Saturday night. But I will back up and give you details! :)

I rode down with Sara to rehearsal casue I did not feel like driving alone.Of course Michael was at reharsal and talked to me quite a bit.One time I walked by him in the green room and he had laid down on the floor and 2 girls he was talking to ended up using him as pillow. I stopped and gave him a look of,"Uh-huh.Nice." and he got all embarrassed,"It's not my fault I sware!I laid down and they decided I'd make a good pillow.Their idea.Not mine!" I had to laugh and sat down to chat.
Saturday rehearsal, Michael was workoking so I didn't get to talk to him.My friend Miriah was going to the salsa rehearsal and the dance so I got it worked out where I spend the day with her.So after stopping for some lunch at Wendys' we headed over to the church where we were holding practice. We originally had 4 dances but Toy finally said"Alright.We'll cut it down to 3." So we had a lot of re-choregraphing to do to re-work new poeple into the dances. After we were finished my feet hurt so bad.My whole body was sore. We went to Miriah's house to relax before getting all dolled up for the dance.
We got there shortly after 7.As soon as I sat my stuff down there Michael was telling me he was glad I made it and that he wasn't sure if I would casue of the drive from my house in St.Jo to the studio in Gladstone. I told him how I spent all day with Miriah and he laughed."Nice!Atleast it worked out for ya." The dance was so much fun.We had a 30 min lesson or so on how to do the Charleston.A type of swing dancing you can do on your own,with a partner or as a group. If you can get a large group of people who are really good it looks so cool! So after doing that I thought I was done dancing for the night.Haha. Not so. I ended up getting up there doing the charleston with friends for several more dances.Towards the end of the night I was sittign at a table with Dani and Rachel.(Rachel is a former CYTer was was visiting for the night.) Michael walked by me twice and gave me this look of he really wanted to talked to me but didn't want to do it infront of Dani cause well..She's his ex. I got the feeling Danielle saw the look too.It got that awkward silence for a few moments I made my exit stage right to go check my phone to see if my sister had called.As soon as I sat down at the table where my purse was and checked my phone Michael came over and held out his hand,"Care to dance?" I gladly accepted. We danced for 2 songs. I know how to swing dance but not that well.Michael taught me some new things I didn't know. My smile was probably a mile wide.:D lol!The rest of the night quickly pasted.Fuul of dancing,talking to friends,teh swing dance competition etc. I didn't enter the competition. I went over for some punch and one of the moms asked me how come I wasn't out there practicing before the dancing started. I told her I didn't have a partner.She said,"I don't know why.You and Michael looked good out there.You two were really tearing it up." The comment was very akward.For one reason.She was Dani's mom. Like I said.Akward. At the end of the night I went up to Michael and told him my dad would be there shortly to pick me up and I was wondering if I could dance with him one more time before I had to leave. He smiled and and took my hand to exscort me to the floor. It was such a wonderful night.

Monday was showcase for CYT classes.

Here are videos from it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doTSOeVdIVU Our first dance. Towards the end I started to get lost*face turns red* and the floor was slick.Heh heh.As you'll see at the end I hit the ground.oops. But was un harmed exceppt my knee and elbow which slammed into the ground.That hurt. Featuring Reid and Bekka.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fyuSiTM5OQ Our Second dance featuring Sam and Brooke.This was a fun one.Just watch and you'll see! :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYq06PZGAR4 Our third dance & final salsa dance.We free styled it.This dance was just for fun and we had fun doing it.Featuring our teacher Toy and Rebecca.

LOVE YOU ALL!
Always.
Meg Renee

I just wanna say thanks!

To everyone for listening to my rantings lately and and my "weird funk". I've been feeling so over whelemed and just really down.This week was hard as well but God used it in so many ways.It was like I was running on "empty" physically,emtionally,etc. I let my bad attitude get the best of me. I was talking to Jason this week and something he said got me thinking.About enjoying my life where-ever I am. I try to go with the flow and be happy where ever I am,but again..I seem to have forgotten that some where in the past week.

God gave me a hug from heaven this week.I wasn't able to go to CYT on Monday or Tuesday and the weather was too nasty to go to church on Wednesday. I felt even more lonely and sad.Thursday I took some time to really reflect on what is important in my life and to refocus what I am doing. God and I are at Peace again. I had become so wrapped up in stumbling over myself on what "I" want to do I forgot to stop and say "God make it obvious..Keep it simple I'm stupid..You know what is best..." I prayed about it but I was still trying to figutre it on my own. That was wrong and stupid.I accomplised nothing,exceppt wasting my time,energy, and sleep. I talked with my sister and that always helps.She had some great advice. She's so smart.

Friday night rolled around and I was hanging with Karis,Hannah,and Sydney before rehearsal,catching up on the week. He came over and gave me a hug with out me having to say a word. "Hey Megan." "Hey how are you?" "Doing good.You?" "Doing alright.Hey...Michael..I have a question for you." "Sure.What is it?" I then told him about the up coming formal and how I was wanting to bring a friend to it. I asked him if he would like to go. He said,"Yeah,sure I would like to go with you!Just let me know as soon as you know the date for sure.There shouldn't be a reason why I can't go." The rest of the night him and I were able to stand next to each other for most of rehearsal. He and I were constantly flirting with each other.I admit it, I enjoyed fliriting back. :-) Heh heh.One time that night we were even holding hands. 0:-) See...We were in singing room and he was standing behind where I was sitting. I leaned my head back and looked up at him. He said,"How ya doin?" I told him good but kinda depressed. He asked why and I told him about my brother not coming from on ship till after my graduation.He said,"Man,that sucks! I am so sorry!" He put his hands on my shoulder and I placed my hands over his.He then turned his hands to where he was holding mine, and said."I hope he get home safe...Hey! When is your graduation?" I told him June 1st and he repeated the date to himself a few times than the music director called for everyone to settle down and get to work on "Horton VS. The People." the final song. Michael stepped back and let go.I had to sigh.LOL! The rest of the night was like that.

On the way home I told dad,"Hey Daaaaaddd...." "Hey what?" "I have my first date." *stops chewing and swallows his egg roll whole.*Cough*Uhummmmm....Excuse me!?!?!?!" "Yeah..I told you about asking Michael." "I heard you and your mom talking about it,but NOONE cleared it with ME!" "Heh heh.Oops.." "What did he say." I then told dad about my conversation with him and that he should be able to go.*exceppt I left out about the hug,holding hands, and flirting.0:-)* Dad then changed it to,"Man these things are spicy..Should of got the chicken."

I also had a 5 hour salsa class today casue showcase is in 2 weeks and we still have so much to learn.Showcase is just that.The various dance,acting and singing classes showcase what they learned in that semister for CYT. I got to dance till I couldn't any more. It felt great! Dancing is one way I let stress out.Popping in a dance CD and rocking out till I collaspe on my bed and am ready to let all the feelings out by writing,crying or whatever. Michael was there today but he was in the hip-hop class so we barely got to talk.However, there was one time he came over to see how I was doing and just held me,letting me use him as something to rest against while I caught my breath. He's a sweetie like that. I know he tends to flirt with other girls,but in a way it doesn't bug me. Like I said..I'm at peace about everything. Thanks again! I love you all!!

Ecclesiastes 3:4 "A time to weep,a time to laugh, a time to mourn, a time to dance..."

Always,
Meg Renee

A memory..Who I Am Today...

* a picture of grandma and grandpa and all the grand and great-grand children with the excepption of Jason,Jeremy and my brother Chris who are all absent.*



Back row~~Michael,Joseph,David,me, Grandpa
Middle row~~ Jonathan,Sara *holding her son Jayce but you can't see him*Grandma, Julie (David's wife) Rachel, Steven
Front row~~ Ashlyn,Caleb,Hannah*Micheal's kids* Nichole, and Austin.



Here in a couple months I will be graduating from high school. I can't believe it. Last night I was going through pictures looking for pix for my friend Logan. He is turning 21 and wanted to know how many I have of him, because he is making a slide show for his birthday.He was over here constantly through out all of school and knew I had tons of pictures of him here for Rae's birthday parties, and just general shots of him hanging out with us. While looking through the many pictures we have in drawers,albulms, and every where else, I found quite a few of myself. I couldn't believe how many photos my parents had of me growing up. They had everything from when I was first born,to the embarrassing baby pix,school years,every vacation we went on, birthday parties,holidays,etc. I realized how bless I have been growing up. Our family has had their rough times like any body but I was always well loved. I wish I had a scanner to put some of them up. I found pictures of my sister trying to feed me pudding, me in one of my mom's formal dresses when I was about 9, me on a swing and hanging up side down, me and my crazy hair I always had on Chrismtas morning and so on. I sat and talked to Sara on the phone telling her about the Logan pictues I found and for awhile I would sit there saying,"Me and Rachel when we were little....Branson picture...picture of me,Rach, and Chris.... A picture of Jim Stafford..... a school picture.... a Silver Dollar City picture... us with our grandparents,...Ohh look!A pictured from Legeneds...Wait..How come it seemes like I'm finding almost nothing but Branson pictures?" I started laughing and said,"Dang! I've got alot!" Mom and dad asked "alot of what?" and I told them and they just looked at me and said, "Yeah..And?" It was pretty funny.

For the longest time I was the youngest out of dad's whole family.Alright...I admitt it. As the youngest I got spoiled.lol. Everyone looked out for Megan. I was the cutest and I knew it. haha! When my cousins Michael had kids I was about 9 or so. I made sure everyone knew I was still the youngest grandchild.Now there was just great-grand children.Then my Aunt Linda had a boy..Still the youngest girl.Then she had a girl.My reign was over.Oh well.haha. I was looking at pictures of my and my cousins. Those were the days.When we found the funnest places to hide eggs. In the mailbox, in a tree,burried in grandma's garden, in a car tail pipe....It got fun. It was always boys against girls and the boys would stuff the mailbox so full that all teh eggs came crashing on top of us when we opened up the lid.(My grandparents mailbox is mounted up high on the side of the house.) When we would play uno and decide who gets all the draw 4 cards.One time we got Joseph so bad! He had to draw about 30 some cards....At once! Gotta love house rules... :-) Ha!

Looking back my family truly did make me who I am today.Now I have my cousin David in Chicago, Joseph in Michagin, etc. Thanksgiving was not the same missing so many people and my grandparents. When we found out Grandma had cancer it hit the family so hard. When I found out I just wanted to curl up and sleep till it was over.Been over a year now.*sigh*

Growing up I was very blessed...Well I need to skedattle...Later!
Always,
Meg Renee