Revelationsss

On the last day, Jesus will say to those on His right hand, "Come, enter the Kingdom. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was sick and you visited me." Then Jesus will turn to those on His left hand and say, "Depart from me because I was hungry and you did not feed me, I was thirsty and you did not give me to drink, I was sick and you did not visit me." These will ask Him, "When did we see You hungry, or thirsty or sick and did not come to Your help?" And Jesus will answer them, "Whatever you neglected to do unto one of the least of these, you neglected to do unto Me!"

What do I want to hear?

hmm.

It's So Forever

How good does it feel to cross paths with a Good Samaritan? How good does it feel to be a Good Samaritan?

We're all called to be Good Samaritan's, right? But, most of the time, we're too wrapped up in ourselves to notice the opportunities passing us by.

But that doesn't matter. The point it that every single relationship and encounter we have is meant to be that wonderful. How awesome is our God, that He would provide us with the opportunity to fill each other's lives with so much joy.

I've had this Beach Boy's song stuck in my head all day. John Stamos does an excellent job of it. Most definitely worth watching.

If every word I said could make you laugh
I'd talk forever
I ask the sky just what we had
Mmm It shone forever
If the song I sing to you could fill your heart with joy
I'd sing forever
Forever
Forever
I've been so happy loving you

Let the love I have for you live in your heart
And beat forever
Forever
Forever
I've been so happy loving you

We Have Already Won

Bad days. Suck. So. Much.

I've had the "We have already won" song from YC stuck in my head all day. It's really reassuring, don't you think? What we're going through now is already taken care of. We just need to get through. We have already won.

I got this forward today. Read 'em.

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness,
you are more blessed than the million who won't survive the week.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 20 million people around the world.
If you attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than almost three billion people in the world.
If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.
If your parents are still married and alive, you are very rare, especially in the United States.
If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.
If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder, you are blessed because you can offer God's healing touch.
If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read anything at all.
You are so blessed in ways you may never even know.

The Sun Will Come Up Tomorrow

This weekend was absolutely wonderful in every way. My mom treated me like a spoiled little girl, and I got to hang out with my cool aunt and lots of my cool cousins. All visits should be made of what this one containted.

I was looking at the empty seats as I sat watching my cousin's hockey game at Mile One Stadium last night. I picked out where I had sat for most of the YC 2005 sessions and where I sat for the Will Graham night. Man, I'm so frigging lucky. I'm only eighteen, and I've done, seen, and known so much. Hippocampus, you are my favourite body part.

In conclusion, I'd like to send a big thank-you to AJ, who guarded my sanity and entertained me tonight. Wendy's and downtown driving, shweeeeeeeeeeet.

Today

So. I call my mom, but she's en route to Corner Brook. My mom calls my aunt. My aunt calls her son's girlfriend. Her son's girlfriend calls me and asks what I'm doing tonight.

<3

And that, my friends, is why I have the best family in the world.

Sola Scriptura

Hey, Snow? Where'd the road go?

Robyn, Josh, and I stayed up way too late last night, and school today was incredibly slow. Chemistry, math, physics, all painful.

However, the conversation in sociology - the group, not the class discussion - was absolutely inspiring. Both of my group members are extremely intelligent in their own right, and I fell in love several times over. Between the three of us, we represent the Mormons, the Pentecost, and the Salvation Army, which is interesting in discussion, but, above all, reassuring and quite awe-inspiring. The group ahead of us presented their view of university culture as involving excessive drinking and pub crawls. On Monday, our group is going to talk about how we represent a counterculture which rejects the accepted practices of university society. Ha. They're going to throw vegetables at us.

Three members of my family are here this weekend, and we spent the afternoon at Costco. New swimsuit, noodles, cheese, and pie for me, shweeeeeeeeeeet.

And Mother Nature decided to throw up on us tonight, and our plans for a randompeopleparty pretty much fell through. Sigghh. Maybe next week.

That's it for me tonight. FUN DAY OF SHOPPING AND EATING AND PRETENDING I'M ON VACATION TOMORROW, HECK YAHHH.

Hope This Feeling Lasts the Rest of My Life

Touch is both the alpha and omega of affection.

There's a group of people - mostly guys - that hang out at the UC in the afternoons and evenings. They're of some different ethnicity, and they tend to be a little loud and obnoxious. As I was waiting for Rob tonight, I sat and absorbed the group from across the room. I listened to them laughing and joking in a language that I didn't understand, and I watched them lean on each other's shoulders and high-five each other repeatedly. As one guy got up to leave with his girlfriend, he grabbed each of his friends' hands and, one at a time, kissed them on the cheek. You might think that that's the most sketchy-gay thing you've ever heard, but I thought it was beautiful.

Can you imagine life without a hand on your shoulder, a hug, a kiss on the cheek, or a lingering touch?

From eduPASS, a guide to studying in the USA:

Interestingly, the average personal distance varies from culture to culture. Americans tend to require more personal space than in other cultures. So if you try to get too close to an American during your conversation, he or she will feel that you are "in their face" and will try to back away. Try to be aware of this, so if the person to whom you are speaking backs away a little, don't try to close the gap.

Also, try to avoid physical contact while you are speaking, since this may also lead to discomfort. Touching is a bit too intimate for casual acquaintances. So don't put your arm around their shoulder, touch their face, or hold their hand. Shaking hands when you initially meet or part is acceptable, but this is only momentary.

Seems weired, but only because we live in a society obsessed with personal bubbles. I really think that, in a perfect world, we've got our priorities mixed up. We'd all love a little more if we weren't so afraid of the blessing that was meant to bring us closer together.

Mouths of Babes

"I'M SO CONFUSED I DON'T KNOW WHO'S COMING TOMORROW AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING ON SATURDAY AND SARAH WANTS ANDREW TO COME AND HOLLY HAS A BOYFRIENDDDDD?"
- RMcH

Jeremiah 5:30, 31

A horrible and shocking thing

has happened in the land:

The prophets prophesy lies,

the priests rule by their own authority,

and my people love it this way.

But what will you do in the end?

Holy cow. Thousands of years ago my butt.

Think of Nothing Tonight

Soooooo what pisses Meagan off? When I watch John freakingamazingtrombonist Williams walk freely into concert band ten minutes late every second day, but when Meagan hasn'tmissedonerehearsalyet White quietly arrives twelve minutes late for reasons unbeknownst to the conductor(for the first time!!!), he drops his baton and starts in on a lecture about the ridulousness of "band members" arriving at eighteen minutes to six. uugghh. Music school sucks.

So, who wants to know why I was late? I had homework club. Secretly, we got back to school at 5:10, so I went to sit with Kayla at the UC for a few minutes. Somehow I was there for fifteen minutes. We had a bonding moment, and it was nice.

Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.

We Could Change the World, We are the Loudest Ones

I want to go. Right. Now.

You are world changers and history makers. You are our nation’s future. We believe in you and we believe in your dreams. I'm so glad you're in my world. Make every day count. Refuse to be average.

Go MAD! (Make a difference)

Make Them Love You

Heaven on Their Minds

So, my mind has done a 180 about this whole retreat thing.

I sat with the Sal kids today at lunch, and they told me what was planned. Games. Dance parties. Saturday Night Live. Etc, etc. uughh.

I've finally realized why I don't fit in. It's not the people; they're all pretty awesome. It's me. I love my friends gladly and fully. I love doing ridiculously immature things. I love meeting new people. I love learning to love new people. But this whole forced hyperactiveness with people I don't really know makes me want to run to my mommy.

And all the things I seem to be missing this weekend aren't helping. I want to have another fun girls' night a la Sarah's. I want to have a movie night with Holly et al. I want to go to that Mexican Samba thing and see what happens.

And I want an attitude check.

I See No Bravery In Your Eyes Anymore

My blogging inspiration has been a dud over the past few days. Tonight isn't much different, but I'm making myself write something. So don't get too excited.

So, the past few days?

Well, I really liked band this week. We don't have anything coming up, so it was a nice hour of running through familiar songs without drilling things into our brains. It's been a while since I've just relaxed and enjoyed playing. Sarah, nerd duets soon?

I've been doing a lot of reading lately and it's awesome. The books I've read have been cleansing-feel-good ones, and I'm enjoying myself very much (need to stop reading books where the beloved stepfather dies in the library, thoughhh:[). I'm on the 4th Sisterhood book now. Yayyyyyy Ann Brasharesssss.

Today was one of my crazy long days, and the thought of not getting home until 7 depressed me so much that I left physics early and went home for lunch. But it turned out that my chemistry lab ended early, so I actually got to go home twice. Bonus.

Tonight, Robyn, Andrew, and I went to Tim's and shared a half dozen donuts. hehe. I'm sooooo fullllllll.

And now I'm mellowing to James Blunt. I know how much you all approve. But it's a James Blunt kind of night. He knows me too well.

Anyway, as far as deep thinking goes, I was sitting at the computer yesterday and, after checking my blogs and a couple other random sites, I ran out of things to do. I ran out of things that interested me.

And that's the scary-yet-cool thing about life. Technology will keep improving. They'll keep coming up with new toys and games and things to keep us entertained. But the only thing that we could ever want or need, and the only thing that will ever keep us satisfied, is love.

The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved.

If We Are the Body

The church is hypocritical. My church is hypocritical. You know what? No.

My world is one of ipods, computers, televisions, pianos, clothes, and cars, while two-thirds of the world lives underdeveloped and poverty-stricken. I drift from day to day in blissful contentment, while I conveniently ignore the everyday people who need love. I've learned to be selfish. I've learned to indulge. I've learned to be lazy. I've learned to become apathetic. I've learned ignorance. I've learned cowardice. I've learned not to care.

My flighty complaints are only excuses for my unsettlement in my own conviction. What have I done to give me the right to criticize other Christians?

Why aren't my arms reaching?
Why aren't my hands healing?
Why aren't my words teaching?


The biggest hypocrite is myself.

You'll Notice that Meagan is African-American

So.
I'm driving home from church yesterday.
(For the record, I drove because my brilliant landlords showed up to work on my heater while I was in my pajamas twenty-five minutes before church started and I was in super rush mode.)
And I take the right turn into my driveway really hard
as usual
because, between the house and the neighbouring car,
it's a crazy one.
And as I'm turning
my back door flies open
and hits the house.

A passer-by jumps and runs.

The end.

My Dream is to Be Free

We went to see Freedom Writers tonight. It showed racial tension in a no-nonsense, real way; people are born into conflict, and have no other choice but to protect their own. Tragically eye-opening.

The main character in the movie is a teacher who takes it upon herself to change her apathetic, gang-ridden class. "You're blessed with a burden, my daughter," she is told.


Indeed, we all are.

Super Trooper 1

Today was good in every way.

My math professor picked my name to explain a problem in front of the class and I got it right.
Mexican Guy once again shook my hand when he came to class and he came to talk to me at lunch when he saw me sitting by myself.
I gave the kitchen and bathroom thorough cleanings when I got home and I felt satisfied.
I called Heather and, together, we absorbed the ecstacy of my pitiful heart.
We made pizza for supper and it turned out really well.
Beached whale bonding was rekindled and it was beautiful.
I completed two special post-it missions.
And I did a headstand and cartwheel and fell on my butt both times.

On days like today, I'm more grateful than ever for all I've been given.

I Can't Believe You Smelled My Clothes

Meagan has an unhealthy addiction to reading blog archives; somebody stop her now, please. Thanks.

Today was perhaps the worst band rehearsal of my life. I was tired and useless and our guest conductor kept aiming not-so-subtle jokes like "As a retired bandmaster would say, 'That's pathetic!'" at the trombone section.

For anyone who cares, Latin/Spanish Guy is actually Mexican, and he shook my hand when I came to class today. Awesome.

Finally, some wisdom from Lifted Up By Angels:

Amish people are not perfect, Leah. We separate ourselves from the world, but what is easier? Giving up something you've never done, or choosing to live plainly after you have tried the English way of life? What good is a sacrifice if it isn't truly a sacrifice?

Give Light to My Eyes

Ever feel like we're moving backwards?

You Probably Think This Song Is About You

Today is a happy day, because I bought the last Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants book. Now I have two awesome books to read asap. I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to keep up with Robyn's reading of the Sisterhood so we can discuss it without stopping the Angels book. This is going to be intense.

So, what does everyone think of angels? I don't know if it's just me, but it seems like they're something we don't think about often. God? yah. Jesus? always. But I kind of forgot about angels. They seem so far-fetched. There was a whole section of The Angels Trilogy that described angels on earth from the Bible. Apparently, they have no souls, and they often take on the appearance of a person. “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels”(Hebrews 13:2). It's awesome to think that some of the people who have walked in and out of my life could have been angels. But the whole idea confuses me.

Anyway, here is why we'll be friends for life.

Robyn and Meagan Olsen

and

Heather's true feelings

The synching is messed up. But enjoy.

When We Stray You're Stong to Find Us

Back to school, eh? No way.

Physics labs don't start until next week, so today was pretty slack for me. My day started with chemistry, which, to my disappointment, I'm still disliking just as much as ever.

My math class turned out to be an unexpected party and there are a tonne of us who know eachother. My professor is a hilarious little Chinese(I think) guy whom we are to refer to as C. Z.. "The 3 is a sheet destuba, so we get rid of it." Oh, that class is going to be fun.

And sociology, I'm thinking, is going to be awesome. If we attend 80% of the classes, the lowest of our two 25% midterms will be dropped. And our final exam is only on the last two topics. Ahhh score. My professor is from Stephenville, so she must be pretty darn cool. And the guy who sits next to me is of some kind of Latin/Hispanic ethnicity that I can't figure out and he keeps thanking me over and over when I tell him which sheets to take or ask him to join our group.

Danika, Ashley W, and some other West Coat people and I had a wool jacket/brown loafers meeting somewhere between the inco and science buildings today. We talked about graduate stuff and it was somehow really helpful.

And, oh yah, guess who forgot to take her breakfast and lunch out of the freezer for tomorrow again? Me.

Have I Ceased from Walking Close Beside Thee

Have you ever felt like an entire service was created just for you?
That's how I feel right now.

I've made a big life change about church. I don't always feel welcomed. I feel like so many people are there for the wrong reasons. I feel like no one would even notice if my friends and I left. And, in this, I know I'm definitely not alone.

But this rut I've spent the last few months in is only hurting myself. Yep, a lot of peoples' intentions are messed up. And I'm not always going to feel joyous at church. But, if I look, there are so many amazing people there who already love me and who, I'm sure, would be devastated if they knew how we felt.

So if they want me, fine. If they don't want me, that's ok. Going to church isn't about me.

Have I ceased from walking close beside Thee?

Have I grieved Thee with an ill kept vow?

In my heart of hearts, have I denied Thee?

Speak, dear Lord, O speak and tell me now.

It's a Bittersweet Symphony, That's Life

So I head back to the big city tomorrow (or, I guess, later on today). Christmas in Corner Brook has been absolutely amazing. My parents are amazing. My friends are amazing. My familly is amazing. My Jesus is amazing. My life is a whole lot of amazing.

I was going to write a summary of my resolutions for life in St. John's this year and the things I want to change, but it doesn't even matter. Love more, be happier. And everything else will fall into place as it's meant to be.

On a less all-about-Meagan note, today, January 6, is Old Christmas Day, known to many as Epiphany or Three Kings' Day. It's a day to remember the awe of the Magi as they beheld God's son in child form. To me, Old Christmas Day contains more of the meaning of Christmas than Christmas Day itself. Sometime today, take a minute. Christmas isn't over; it lives on.

Come and behold him,

born the King of Angels.

Oh, come, let us adore Him,

Christ, the Lord.

If You Knew How Happy You are Making Me

Meagan lacks updation? Yah, I know. This computer sucks a lot. And, thankfully, I've been really occupied. :)

Heather and I had our super sleepover last night(Robyn joined us for a while, but didn't stay). I'm sorry to report that I was absolutely exhausted, and I actually fell asleep while Heather was talking to me. Wow. That's weird for me. We'll do foot soaks and manicures in February!

Tonight we hung out with loveofmylife Adam Stevenson. Hah. Blast and a half, as we all expected. We must do this more frequently, Adamadam.

In other news, it looks like the McWhiteson household will be as it was this semester. Amen, yes?

So, I'm really, really happy tonight.

And I know why.

:D

It's Just the Weight of the World

Today has been a day of decision.

Problem # 1: Courses.

As we all know, I recently decided that I most definitely don't want to study engineering. Today, I decided that I'm probablyyyy going to end up majoring in psychology. Why? Well, I know I'm going to do a science degree. Engineering is definitely out. I don't want to major in anything as faceless as math or physics. I hate biology. And, although I'm warming up to chemistry, I definitely don't want to major in it. What's left: psychology.

So, now I'm taking psychology, physics, and chemitry as my sciences (requirements, minus the psychology, for engineering). For psychology - what I'm most likely to major in - I need psychology, biology, and either chemistry or physics. I thought I'd just stick with the chemistry and physics and do biology later, but I'm afraid it's going put me behind and I'll end up having to do intercession or something. ugh. No intercession. So, biology it's going to be. Drop the physics. Case closed.

Problem # 2: Campus?

Bluntly, being home for Christmas has done everything for me but make me want to go back to St. John's. I had always intended to finish off the year where I started, and then figure out September later. But what were my reasons for needing to go back again? Well, not wanting to give up music, that was a big one. And since I'm pretty sure I'll have to come back again in September, moving out seemed like too big of a hassle. And, oh yah, my friends in Corner Brook are dropping like flies.

But Christmas made that stuff not seem to matter anymore . . .

But when I was looking up course offerings today, I realized that Grenfell offers only core subjects. Out-of-cycle courses aren't offered. I wouldn't be able to do the biology that I've spent so much time deciding on. Or my sociology elective that I'm excited about.

MUN it is.



Of course, I dropped chemistry, psychology, and physics, added a new chemistry and psychology class, but, for some reason, couldn't register to biology. So I tried to add my physics again, but I can't do that either. So I'm currently registered for four courses. Excellent.

I'll get this mess sorted out tomorrow.

Anyway, today was awesome. Students for the Arts reunion. Ice cream with Heather and Meredith. Boy/book talk with Sarah. Chip and dip. Surprise thoughtful amazing Christmas gift from other Sarah. Pizza Delight with the Sally Ann kids. Virtual golf with Josh. And planning skiing in the morning with Ali.

And, as I head back to St. John's, I'll be keeping this in mind:

I am soooo blessed to have such a structured group of friends, there is always someone there for me, all I have to do is look . . . So next time you're feeling sorry for yourself, sulking in a pit of despair, take a look around. At least you're not cleaning tables in a food court.

- S Sm

I'm really feeling the quoting these days.

Bringing Sexy Back

Oh, Meggy moo.
We're going to have a good year, I know it.
I am always going to be there for you.
Remember that there is no one in the world feeling more like this than me right now.
We're in this together.
And don't forget that you can always always come back to this place.
University is only temporary- it doesn't mean that you have a new home.
Anyways, I love you, and you're going to be just fine.

- RMcH, August 2006

I Believe that We're Meant to Fly

I realized yesterday that the things in life that affect me the most do so because, sometimes, I don't have the faith to believe that they'll get better - that I'll do better next time; that he'll come around; that October will come again; that I'll be swept off my feet; that, someday, we'll be reunited.

Try it sometime. Believe that tomorrow will be brighter.