Living Life From Above- About It All

I was looking though my journal from last year and I came across something that well to say the least is sooooo... Margaret

I went on a mission trip to The Bahamas last May and until this trip I had never been on a plane, so naturally I journaled on during the flight.

Some first time thoughts on a plane

"Leaving for The Bahamas, May 31st.

I have never been on a plane before and at the moment I am feeling very sick, lol. It looks so small, EVERYTH, ohh we are shaking...ING is SO SMALL! If you have the biggest house or the smallest house... they all look small from above! All the cars look the same! Wealth on earth means nothing, we are all the same and equally as small in Gods eyes. Yet He lets us show His glory! How AMAZING! Like oh my gosh, I got a window seat, and looking out, it goes on forever! There are so many clouds! and it is all so beautiful, and so still. This feels like a sneak peak into what God looks at. He sees everything, yet he is so close to me.

By the way, when you get up here- There are so many baseball fields. I thought that was interesting. The sky is so blue man. I am so excited about this trip."

if you every wanted to know what Margaret thinks about...boom there you go

invisible bridges

all the people that I love

 and all the people who I have a harder time loving

their names somehow find a way into this book

during the day; Jesus and I take a look

we pray for those who are celebrating

and for those who are simply just waiting

maybe waiting to find their calling

or maybe just waiting on a call

after it all 

I normally end up balling

I cry because I love them

I wouldn't be who I am without them

I believe that these prayers do not just bounce off my poorly insulated walls

but shine like beacons even when my faith becomes small

prayers? more like invisible bridges

connecting us to The One full of forgiveness

Every single day I

want to become more

like you God.

-Teach me things.

-Teach me how.

-reveal, through these people

who you have put in my life.

Help me run from jealousy 

and toward

-JESUS CHRIST-

{love

joy

peace

patience

kindness

goodness

faithfullness

gentleness

self-control}

Every Single Day

take a little time to look back 

-a father that listens to my prayers-

 -the ability to write them down to help me remember how faithful he is-

- payton-

 -the excitement of visiting home this weekend- 

-RAIN- 

-and what rain reminds me of-

-laughter-

-being able to entertain myself in the middle of the night because my sleep schedule is forever messed up-

-my prayer journal-

(Have you ever tried to write a poem? Lol please try it!!! Honestly I had so much fun being a little poet tonight. Pretty therapeutic if you ask me.)

Sal Gal

I don't know if you have had the pleasure of spending time with Sally Wolfe, but she is honestly the most incredible woman I have ever met. Let me explain why I like her so much...

She is an example of patience. 

When I lived in Lyons with my family, almost every night my Mother would make us dinner. I really enjoyed our time at the table. If I am honest one my favorite memories would come at the end of the dinner. Sally and I are such slow eaters that we would always be the last two left at the table. Which we really did not mind! We liked talking to each other!

But it is so interesting to me how impressionable children are. Now that I have come to college and even throughout high school, I have noticed how mothers really do influence their daughters. Maybe that sounds obvious, but I am so thankful for the Godly influence of Sally Wolfe!

She influences me to be 

-kind

-patient

-loving

-fun

-and generous with my time

Everyday I find myself doing something and then I think..."Oh my goodness... I am my mother!"

When someone makes me angry I honestly think "How would Sally react to this?" Why can I say that? I can say that because my mom reacts like Jesus! Now she isn't perfect, but if I had to say who most reflects Jesus in my life, Mom is pretty high on that list.

I mean isn't this just the cutest picture you have ever seen in your life? She said that snails remind her of herself and insisted that I take a picture of her beside her favorite animal.

Here is a little more about my Mother. 

"I am a spiritual director, writer, and retreat leader. I received a bachelors degree in Religious Studies from Brown University. While contemplating seminary, I served in youth and children's ministries, married my dear husband, Victor, and then devoted myself full time to homemaking and to being a mother to six amazing children. In recent years, God has graciously led me to several wonderful educational experiences: I am a graduate of Upper Room's marvelous Two Year Academy for Spiritual Formation; I received excellent training in spiritual direction through Sustainable Faith's School of Spiritual Direction (Years 1 and 2); I love being an Associate of Green Bough House of Prayer and completed their life-changing nine month centering prayer course, "The Common Contemplative" in 2015. I am a member the Fellowship of United Methodist Spiritual Directors and Retreat Leaders, ESDA, and SDI. I am deeply encouraged by Psalm 46:10 and hope others will also discover beauty even in brokenness and that each of us is God's beloved: Be still and know that I am God. Be still and know that I am. Be still and know. Be still. Be. Be loved. Be love."

The amount of love that this woman pours out amazes me. She has always been so willing to help me, I mean help me with anything! She has helped me figure out how to do life. I can always rely on her to pray for me and support me in anything that I do.

This picture was taken on Christmas Eve 2015, I think it is a true representation of who she is! I told her that she looked adorable in her apron, and asked if I could take a picture of her. It is pretty hard to get her to take pictures sometimes, but she agreed as long as she could stand by The Nativity. That is such a Sally thing to do hahaha.

I also truly think that she is really funny. She always says that she loves watching me play soccer because I "run so gracefully", which really cracks me up. I mean that is coming from the most graceful lady ever! To be honest though I have only seen her run once in my life and that was a slighttttt jog... and we were crossing the street. 

She also sings pretty much constantly around the house, not really in English. It's kind of like her own, English/French/Gibberish language. But it always makes me laugh. She is just so full of joy.

I don't know, I just thought I would share a little bit about this cool lady.

Mom if you are reading this, sorry for bragging on you, I know you don't like that haha. 

Love you.

Fresh Start

"The women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything."

1 Timothy 3:11

I really really really don't like the word malicious. If anyone ever described me as a malicious person I would absolutely be crushed by that! The word malicious means "intending to do harm". 

I think it is pretty evident that I really do love to talk, but one thing that I have struggled with is talking too much. I think sometimes malicious talking comes from mindless talking. Talking just to talk. Or talking without thinking of the effects that you might be making on others.

I have really strived to be a Christ centered leader. This week as I was reading 1 Timothy 3, I came across this list of things that are basically good attributes of a Godly leader:

above reproach

temperate

self-controlled

respectable

hospitable

able to teach

not give into drunkenness

not violent but gentle

not quarrelsome

not a lover of money

and then I got to the "not malicious talkers" part. WOAH, hold up, because I do consider myself a "talker" but I never intend to hurt someones feelings. Do I? I hope not! These were some things that were going through my mind. I have really been praying to be more mindful of everything that comes out of my mouth. I truly only want to build people up, genuinely encourage the people that I am around most.

I do really love that list of things, when you look at each one individually they are really hard things to obtain. Yet Jesus is the perfect example of all of those things! Anyway, this post is kind of all over the place, but all in all I think it is time for me to be even more mindful of the things I say.

One more thing, there is one thing from high school that really bothers me. I was not a very trustworthy friend with information. One of my friends would tell me something, and before I knew it I would of told someone else. This really bothers me, I want to be THE BEST friend I can be. I think that this really ties into the whole watching what I say thing. I want to be a trustworthy friend. 

Am I building someone up by what I am saying?

Am I speaking life?

Is this a true representation of who I am?

Just some things to think about...

This is a cute little picture of baby Marge. Isn't it kind of interesting to think that this was a point in my life where I had never said ANYTHING?! I had never said anything malicious! I'm going to pretend like today I am that little baby again! I just want a little bit of a fresh start :)

Amazed and Overcome

.talking with Mallory.

.kyle fabacher.

.my strong grandfather.

.everything finding a place.

.support wherever I go.

.the ability to take a final.

.thanksgiving (even though its a tease).

.the fact that christmas is almost here.

.pickup soccer games.

. the church I go home to.

Keep On Loving

"Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters..."

Keep On

Keep On

Keep On

That is a verse from Hebrews 13:1. The Lord has taught me so much about who I am. In my life he has shown me that I am an encouraging person. He has shown me that I was created glorify Him through serving others.

He has put Encouragement, and Service in my heart!

People know that I will choose to forgive them no matter what they do to me, they know that I will love them through anything! Often, people will treat me in a certain way, knowing that I will "get over it" because of what I believe. This does not happen all the time by any means, but when it has happened...

It has been hard for me to deal with.

There is this thing about being a human! I don't know what it is called, but when you give love freely, there is a part of you that wants to receive that love back! There is something in the back of your head that tells you "Margaret, you were so nice to them, and they never treat you the same way, be bitter sister!" Jesus teaches me to treat others like I want to be treated, but NOT ONCE does he promise me that they will treat me in the same way that I treat them! THAT CAN HURT!!  I have been hurting from that lately.

BUT, this is the Truth, I read more and more in The Bible about the way I would be treated, I was shown how Jesus comforts me and loves me with such amazing return. He cares so much for me, so much more than these people who are around me. Now, these are amazing people, but they are people. They are not perfect, beautiful, but not perfect.They will never be able to love me in the full way that Jesus can.

This can be an exhausting cycle, if I am not constantly abiding in God, I get so overwhelmed. But when I remain in Him, He gives me strength to do what He has called me to do! He simply wants me to trust in him, He will provide everything.

What a friend I have in Jesus

This is where I will stop today, I just want to say that I am going to Keep On Loving, because I have such an amazing friend in Jesus. No matter who hurts me, I know who God is calling me to be, and I am going to be obedient.

And I encourage you guys to Keep On Loving as well, take some time to be alone with Jesus, and think about those people in your life who you feel like you pull all the weight in the relationship, friendship, marriage...whatever it is. Pray for your relationship with them! I will be praying too!

Choose to forgive, through the power of God, and Keep On Loving.

I do not expect anything in return 

Bitterness does not hold me back, instead The Lord leads me in Love.

Amazed and Overcome

.House Church.

.Meeting new friends.

.Being able to go home.

.BJ.

(Im sorry for forgetting the water)

.a soccer ball.

.my health.

.the realization that I can do this.

.Brittney Cameron.

.William.

.Tami.

.rest.

Drawing Near

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you"

James 4:7&8

-submit-resist-come-

My days look a lot different than they use to. In my small town I was very involved in my church and my school. I didn't have an abundance of free time, I didn't realize until now but I loved the structure! I liked knowing what was next, school, homework, church, whatever it was! Now I have moved into my college apartment and things look different. I am in a new place, and I am not scared, I just don't know where to start! I lived in the same town, in the same house, my WHOLE life! Is that rare?! I don't know! But I will tell you what, I didn't have one complaint about that little town! I loved knowing people! I loved knowing everybody! If you really know me, you may know that I have never been super comfortable with change. I love GROWTH, and to grow, things have to change. That process can sometimes be very difficult for me. I did not have very many sudden changes in my life, I was just always growing at a steady, yet slow rate. It was for the most part very comfortable! This difficulty with change, I don't like admitting this! This is a weakness haha I feel vulnerable! Yet I feel like it is very important to share this weakness with whoever is reading this. That fear of change is my struggle, and this is what God has shown me about myself these past few weeks.

He wants me to lay my comfort down, and let my fear be overcome by faith.

He wants me to submit to Him so that I can experience the true freedom He has for me.

He wants me to live in accordance with His will.

The song, O God Forgive Us, by for KING & COUNTRY has been my favorite song since the beginning of this summer. At the end of the song, there is a monologue and this is my favorite part of it, and ohhh lorddddddie, get ready. This is some good stuff...

"Run Wild: to risk everything, to hold nothing back, to lay it all on the line; your reputation, your success, your comfort. It's that moment where fear is overcome by faith. 

Live Free: it's not the liberty to do whatever you want, whenever and wherever you want; but rather, it's living in accordance with the author of humanity. And finding freedom by connecting with the creator who conceived you."

You see, I always thought that I didn't like change, but the more I know God, I realize that He knows me so much more than I even think I know myself. I understand more and more that these next few years, my college years, will be a new season! A new season of growth. I took me a few weeks, but now I know, growth takes change, and change is beautiful.

And it turns out, although I am still uncomfortable in such a new situation, I am so willing to trust!! To submit and trust that He is with me and that He will direct me. Now that I have put my trust in Him, Oh my goodness! This is going to be FUN!!!

AMAZED and OVERCOME

.Kyle reminding me that there is beauty in vulnerability.

.Newness.

.My church praying for my sickness.

.Healing.

.Time to rest.

.My Hebrew class.

.Emily Combs.

.Taylor Fabacher.

.Cassidy Long.

.Camilla Frost.

.Kennedy Wright.

.Sam Thompson.

A Quiet Soul

 Psalm 131:2

"But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content."

I believe that in this very fast pace world, we NEED calm, we NEED quiet. 

This verse, I mean yeah it's kinda weird when you first read it, but oh my goodness, how beautiful. When a child is still nursing, when it is in its mothers arms, it knows that it is there for food. But when it is weaned and in its mothers arms, it is there for comfort, just enjoying that moment of calm, that moment of protection.

When we come to The Lord, knowing that He is God, and he has us in His arms. How powerful man...

HE is the ultimate source of peace, calm, and quiet. When I just sit and enjoy that, like a "weaned child", not coming to ask for a ton of things (MILK!). But coming saying, "God, thank you for being God! Thank you for allowing me to come and be still in your presence!" That to me is just so beautiful.

Because we are designed to be still in the arms of God!

We are wired for Him!

We are the object of his obsession!

We are designed to be alone with God, designed to enjoy God,to be near Him, to experience Him!

Like a weaned child, enjoying just being with Him

Father,

Thank you for giving my soul room, to expand, so it can breathe again, so it can rest. Thank you for always being a good Father, thank you for revealing yourself to me in a new way today, in a very calm, comforting way. It is so awesome to me that you are holding me in your arms, just wanting me to be still, so that you can comfort, so that you can bear the load. Father the peace that you have given me these last few weeks blows my mind, thank you so much, because if it was up to me, at this point, well you know, I would be freaking out. I would be worried, jealous, and scared! But you have filled me with PEACE. Hallelujah.

amen

AMAZED and OVERCOME
.Judah Smith.
.healing my sickness today.
.my desk.
.quiet.
.Jacqueline.
.prayers answered.
.drawing bigger circles.
.forgiving.
.strawberries.
.simplicity. 

check out Judah Smiths podcast, from The City Church! It's what got me thinking about a lot of this tonight! It's awesome.