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god is awesome.

July 19, 2012

i hunt for sunflowers.
every summer.
i am a sunflower addict.

i mean really….just try to tell me what is happier than that?!!
nothing.
it is the best site to see.

every detail amazes me.
LOOK at that!
it's about 8 inches across and hasn't even opened yet….it is B E A U T I F U L !!!

sean held annie up to see a bug inside that one.
they had a blast running around this old farm.

this brings me joy.

{{{{ sigh }}}}

three of my favorite people in one of my favorite places….it's enough to make me cry.

GRASSHOPPER!!!

i didn't see that in my lens….or when it uploaded….i noticed it when put it on the blog.
i absolutely LOVE that picture!

only about half of the flowers were open when we came by.
which made me giddy just thinking about coming back.

my kids asked if we could build a house right here so we could see the flowers and climb that tree.

talby took this picture of the lady bug!
amazing.

i am not prejudiced….i love dead sunflowers too!

one of the things i love about sunflowers is that they are solid and study.
they have big leaves….they have layers and layers of seeds and petals.
God creates each one so intricitly.
His creation is so detailed.

she found her twinsie in size.
🙂

thank you Lord for reminding me of how detailed You are in the world.
every seed.
every petal.
Thank you God for caring about every hair on my head….every tear…every hurt….every joy in my life.

and for showing me that in a field of sunflowers.

God is awesome.

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Mary - LOVE all of these pictures(the grasshopper one totally blows me away), and i love even more the fact that God IS so awesome! how humbling to know that He’s all about the details, in each of our lives.
super awesome, great, wonderful post. 🙂

katey - Your grasshopper picture is totally my favorite. I think you could have that published!!!! Love it!!!

elizabeth highsmith - He sure is! Thank you for passing on a beautiful reminder!

Chrissy - Gorgeous pictures (and children!)!
Thankfully, someone pinned something from your blog and I have found you. 🙂
ReadWriteSing

Natalie - the grasshopper… AWESOME!!! Since you love sunflowers, I knew I had to share… The tornado that drove thru the state of Alabama, “April’s Fury 2011” missed my home by about a mile. It was devastating. At least TEN families in my church lost everything. It was life changing, physically and spiritually for our state. Months after as families still tried to make sense of the disaster and families searched, rebuilt… The coolest thing EVER happened~ all over, in the most random spots, popped up the most beautiful SUNFLOWERS! Apparently seed from different bird feeders were scattered EVERYWHERE! To me, it was this great sign of HOPE, growth! IT was BEAUTIFUL! You would have loved it!! GOD IS AWESOME! 😉
Enjoy your stories!!! Blessing to you and your family!
Natalie

Sarah H. - God is awesome! You don’t know me from Adam, but we planted sunflowers in our garden this year and every time I look at them I think of you and your love for sunflowers! My sweet 5 year old daughter and I love our’s too. I love, love that grasshopper. That is print worthy for sure!

Lisa - I’m blessed to drive by a sunflower field every morning as I take my son to day care. A big field of big happy sunflowers, basking in the rising sun, every one of them facing the east like lines of sunflower soldiers. So beautiful. Must remember to take my camera one day soon.

ira lee - i love sunflowers too. i meant to plant some with my kids this spring but i forgot. ive heard they are easy to grow!!!

elisa - These are great! Love 🙂

Melissa - Sean seems like such a great big brother!

Robin - Thank you for this post! Your photography is unbelievable – truly magical – especially the grasshopper – the best photo I have seen! I am always so inspired when I read your blog – it is one of three that I MUST visit EVERY day! That grasshopper picture belongs in National Geographic, or the National Gallery of Art!!!! It is truly spectacular!
What kind of lens do you use? Your pictures are always so clear and vibrant.
Thank you for the joy you bring us every day. Yes, God is amazing.

cath w - Good grief.

Jenn B - I Love this post! Sunflowers bring me joy too. We have one growing in our yard that is taller (by almost a foot) that my husband and he is 6’2″! They are huge and truly God’s amazing work. My favorite picture is the grasshopper one. I love that you didn’t even know you got it. Awesome!

the.mrs - indeeeeed! i feel the same giddy feeling looking at bananas. I know, weird, right?! But next time you open a banana look closely, they’re glittery. 🙂 I mean seriously, God loves glitter as much as I do. And they break into 3 right down the middle. Unless you’re lucky and get one that breaks into 2. God’s creation rocks.

Jessica at Me Sew Crazy - wow. Just wow. Amazing photos, amazing praise, and amazing grasshopper. I am pretty sure you found Jimini Cricket.

Becki - Beautiful!

jeannett - sigh…
love it.
all of it.
missing you.
owen said he needs you to cuddle him.

Lisa - Love everything you said

Heather - “Thank you God for caring about every hair on my head….every tear…every hurt….every joy in my life.
and for showing me that in a field of sunflowers.
God is awesome.”
Thank you for a beautiful post and an important reminder. I needed that today. So Much!

Rachel Spin - Love your pictures. Do you have a flickr account? My fave is the grasshopper photo as well as many above. I also love that the sunlight is composed right at the face of the flower. Awesome light and cute little bug.
God’s creation always inspires me and to grab my camera. His glory surrounds us every day.

rachel - lovely captures! 🙂

karen gerstenberger - God is awesome; I agree. Your grasshopper photo reminds me of the books by Eric Carle, especially “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” Did your kids have that one? It’s adorable, like you and your family.

Flower Patch Farmgirl - That grasshopper pic is the What-What! I fell in love and didn’t notice the grasshopper until I scrolled down. Tricky dude.

Mindy Harris - such a sweet post, megan

nat - what an awesome post. i actually just bought a huge bunch of sunflowers at costco today. they are so happy to me.

roganne - great pictures! God is great and you can see his love shining through your camera 🙂 thank you for today’s post!

kerry - Oh how AWESOME! xx

Lori H - Thanks for sharing these photos. I love sunflowers too, but usually have to find mine in Trader Joe’s 🙂 I love love the photo of the grasshopper…he looks like he is at home in his apartment, looking out!

Angie - Absolutely beautiful photos!
A gentleman down the road used to have a field of sunflowers and I always smiled as I drove by. They are a very cheerful flower!

Suz - great photos! God is a creative GENIUS! And weird to think that we live in a fallen world that is not even perfected yet…really something to look forward to…I can’t even imagine!! xoxo

shannon - Pretty sunflower pics. They are perfect Summer and Fall flowers. Great pic with the three of your cuties standing infront of them.

Kirsten W - I feel the same way as you do about sunflowers! They are really awesome!! And your photos are just fantastic – love, love the one of the grasshopper!

colleen from alabama - I needed that today. I have sunflowers on my table and i need to be reminded that God is in the details… especially the painful ones right now. Thanks for helping me to see things a little differently!

Amanda - I love sunflowers! Your pictures are so beautiful, and you are correct, God is awesome! 🙂

sandee prince - great post meg!

Kristin - just joy!

Carla TV - Amen! Thank you for sharing the beauty. 🙂

sara @ it's good to be queen - i love how you notice and appreciate God’s creation as His expression of love for us. what a gift.

Beth K. - Just the reminder I needed today – God is awesome!! I just lost my job today of 15 years with no forewarning – devastating! Trying to stay positive and find something new to help support our family of six. Thanks for providing this wonderful post for me today! Just what I needed! God Bless You Meg!

Jen Brandt - Beautiful flowers. Beautiful children. Beautiful God.

Jodi - The Grashopper picture is SERIOUSLY AWESOME! Love it!

Cathy - So beautiful! God really is so awesome…always!

Laura - Love the hiding Grasshopper!!! Fabulous pic!

Trish @TheOldPostRoad - Nature makes me feel sorry for all of those who think everything just ‘evolved’ without God. Honestly! This beauty around us just could not ‘appear’ out of no where without our amazing God! Thanks for the reminder!
-Trish

melodee - I love them, too! your pix are amazing and just ooze summer:) and so true…God IS so awesome!

Robin Canter - Makes me want to bust out singing “I’m walking on sunshine, whoa… and it makes me feel GOOD!”

Dani - Love this post!
This past weekend we were driving home from a conference and I saw a field of sunflowers. Immediately I thought of you! Your pictures are amazing. I felt like I could reach out and touch the flower!

Alisa - With the gift of the little grasshopper peeping out…..it was kind of like God was saying, “Thank you for enjoying what I have made.” Love.

stephany - Sunflowers are my favorite!
When we got married the florist asked me what I wanted for flowers and I said, “There HAVE to be sunflowers. I don’t care about the rest.”
My husband calls me “Sunny”.

Sarah Syhakhoun - Gorgeous post! Every summer I look forward to your miraculous sunflower photos. They pull at my heart – each and every one of them!
I have to admit that I’m a little creeped out when up close to a sunflower, but they sure are beautiful!

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - Amen!
We need to name the grasshopper.
He is adorable!

seriously sassy mama - So what I needed to read today. I love sunflowers. I almost changed my whole wedding after seeing sunflowers in a Martha Stewart Wedding mag. I love how earthy and yellow they are.

Ruth Elder - I would love to be able to get a copy of your 7th. picture blown up through that picture-to-canvas service you post about. Is there a way to do that?

Kelly Henderson - Thank you for such wonderful morning inspiration… I’m heading out on a walk with a happy heart (I’ll look for sunflowers;)

Casey - Wow, simply gorgeous. God is, indeed, awesome 🙂 I love that grasshopper shot – how amazing!

Kristin S - Love, love, love!
Also love Annie’s sweet pose in the threesome pic.
Love a sweet big brother giving sister a boost.
Love taking time to enjoy the little (big) things.
Thank you Meg!

Kimberly Dial - Meg, your pics are always awesome, your kiddos adorable & your words inspirational … thank you for sharing! (Sunflowers are pretty wonderful!)

Terrie G - Sunflowers make me weak in the knees!
I hunt for fields of them!
They are one of my favorite things to photograph…
besides the grandson! LOL!!
Well Done!

Niki - Amen and amen!! I am so taken with how deeply God knows His creations…be it flowers or people! I love that He KNOWS me inside and out! I have nothing unknown and He loves me anyway! 🙂

Heather F. - Thank you for the beautiful pictures. I love the surprise grasshopper! That would be a great tree to build a house by. Your kids have a great eye.

Lindsey@ Piecefully Home - God is awesome and so is that tree! I want to climb it. 🙂

tara pollard pakosta - BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!
these are just gorgeous!
love them all!
tara

Jen - Amen!! Well said.

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thinking….

April 27, 2012

the winner of the Alexander Creative Family Rules poster is…..

Love this! Thanks for the opportunity!!

Posted by: sharon y. | April 20, 2012 at 02:17 PM

send me your info sharon y. and i will hook you up with Ryan Alexander!

now if you didn't win….go get your own!!

{ poppyandpinecone }

so i said yesterday i was missing pam and dreaming about going back to africa.
it's on my mind everyday.
i feel like…. i am in some kind of pull between what i know is right and what i do anyway….like shopping among many other things.
i know that spending money on "things" that mean nothing is not right.
meaning: it's worthless.
but i like those things….cute clothes….shoes….new jewelry.
but it means NOTHING to God.
and shouldn't i care about what God cares about?
shouldn't i want what HE wants for me?

i know that He does not want my time and thoughts and money to be spent on clothes and nothingness.
even if i do look super cute…i can't take it with me when i die.
going to africa to visit pam doesn't mean i can't go shopping…it's not that.
it means i feel messy in my heart and mind and can't make sense of it yet.
God is the only one who can resolve this issue in me.
and He will keep working on me i am sure of that.

then i got these books….and i'm done for.
i am on chapter ONE of katie's book and i canNOT stop the tears.
the entire time….every word….crying.
have you read this book? after only chapter one i would say YOU SHOULD.
and her blog?
it will wreck you.

and i am scared to read seven.
very scared.

pam and i email each other quite a bit.
her emails are so special to me.
i read them over and over.
once i read them out loud over dinner because she and i were coresponding back and forth right then.
i wanted my family to be amazed at what God is doing through them and for them.

her son wrote a book and it's on kindle!
he is so talented.
we downloaded it on sean's kindle and he loved it!
sean said "that is so cool that jake wrote it AND it's on kindle!"
it inspired him.
it's called The War Horn….you can download it here for $2.99
he's using the funds to help raise money for a trip back to the US to go to a writing camp….awesome.

way to go jake.
i am so proud of you!

and now….on a completely DIFFERENT subject

i am going to take the year off from taking family photos.
i just can't get it all done.
it makes me sad but coming to that decision has been a relief.
there are things i want to do but haven't because the photo season loomed over my head.
thinking "i won't have time once pictures start up again"

i did do one session.
love them.
levi and griffin are just plain cute in every way.
and tickling works for smiles when the chickens were too distratcing behind me.

🙂

thank jess and joel for being my only clients this year.

ha!

i have a lot of you ask about my lens and camera.
i use a Canon 50D and i only own one lens….canon 24-70 f/2.8
so every picture on this blog for two years now has been with that lens.
unless they are my phone pictures.

tom petty was really good.
his voice sounds exactly the same as it ever has…it was pretty incredible.
he was so gracious "thank you so much!" after every song and sounding like he deeply meant it.
it is so crazy to sit at a concert & look at the performer that wrote a song that i have been singing my whole life.
to watch them sing it!?
it's surreal.
i LOVE that about live music.
he didn't play wildflowers though….my most favorite….bummer.
but it was a great show.

and i liked being there with mr. duerksen.
he's my my real most favorite.

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Lauryn - 1. Never allow a love (photography) to become a burden. It sucks the joy out of it, and there are so few things in life (other than family) that bring true joy. Take the time off and enjoy life. Photographing beautiful families will be there next season 🙂
2. Tom Petty is amazing. I saw him a few years back and was blown away by his sound. I loved his show. Seeing him live was awesome. Glad you enjoyed it 🙂

Sara - You were right that reading Katie’s blog will wreck you. I just read two posts and watched the About Katie video. I might just have to sit on my couch and cry for a few minutes. I have never seen such radiance and joy on such a beautiful face. What an extraordinary young woman, so obedient to the Lord. My heart is quickened and cut with conviction.
Thank you for creating a blog worth returning to over and over.

heather loschiavo - i had to read Seven twice because it hit me right where God has been talking to me for the past few years. and i love the way she writes, its like she’s just talking to you.

Jess - So exciting to hear what God is doing in your heart, Megan…even if you are not quite sure what to make of it yet. Keep sharing. And THANK YOU for taking our pictures. You are the best. I love the one you posted and can’t wait to see the rest.

ira lee - we just talked about being idolators in church. shopping, tv, gadgets, anything that takes our focus away from God is an idol!!!!! agreeing with what you said, its not that shopping, or having tv time is wrong, but if the need, addiction, desire to do or buy those things blurs your dedication to the lord, then that is putting those objects or activities above God, which is idolizing! he just laid it out there and it just really clicks!

Alicia @ La Famille - convicting post especially after i just spent a boatload of $$ at ikea this weekend. i struggle with the “how much is ok” and the “how often is ok” questions…it’s hard because i know me and i’m a person that loves to fluff her nest. that requires shopping…so ya. i’m afraid of both of those books. my friend is reading 7 and its got her all convicted…eek! wise decision with the photo break. you are smart to do that. happy monday, ms. meg 🙂

the whyte house - i took the year off from doing photos, too. granted i only have two and a less hectic schedule, but with my husband deploying…well, you really don’t have to give an explanation after saying that, right? 🙂 i like having less to plan around, too. leaves more room for random trips out of town and such.
i see jess every now and then after her bible study(my son is in pre-k at the church)and i tell myself i’m going to say hi to her and then chicken out. not that i really have any reason to say hi, but sometimes people appreciate it…i hope. 🙂

gayle - I am 69 and live a very blessed full life. I have everything I could desire but I don’t desire worldly goods any more. I wear what I have, I don’t follow trends, I give freely and I feel good! You are good and you will do what is right for you. I don’t think God wants us to deprive ourselves when we have worked hard to achieve money and success. It is a constant thought provoking issue. I am having a conflict now, it seems the more Christian people I know are always unhappy, frustrated and in a state on confusion. Can’t we all be more serene?

tammy kay - But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
I needed to read that this morning. Not sure if you did too.
I’m scared to read 7 too. 😉

amy jupin - this is an awesome post–starting with kisses from katie (which i haven’t been able to finish yet because i sob like a newborn baby and can’t get through some parts) and ending with that pic of jess and her adorable fam.
i get each and every part of this post.
i get it.
i am full to the tippy top with these same feelings.
maybe it’s our age…maybe it’s just the point of our lives where we start to realize just how big the world is and how tough parts of it are and how much we desperately want to make it better, and ourselves better in the process.
maybe it’s because we are over the me-me-me-me part of our lives.
and maybe it’s because we know we need to lean on His understanding and not our own.
idk.
…
i love that pic of pam and her family too.
i know you must miss her so much and want to be there in africa too.
did i tell you i worked with a guy that got married last year.
somehow we were talking about africa and he told me that his wife actually went to africa as part of her medical training–in sierra leone!
i just looked at all your pics again so i could spell it right and now i have big fat burning tears in my eyes.
anyway, i just wanted to say, after all this rambling, that i miss you and i understand.
all of it.
i wish, beyond wish really, i pray that one day soon we can sit down and have some coffee and talk.
for hours.
because i think it is exactly what we need.
🙂
xoxoxo.
(and let’s invite kimberlee and laura and chicago jen too!!)

erlfisher - We saw Tom Petty, too! Such a fun concert…and Wildflowers is my favorite as well! If I had known you were going to be there, I would have looked for you – HA!

Jennie - LOVE Katie’s book. She’s from Brentwood, where I live. Pretty amazing what God has done through her!!

Tracy Sheehy - Oh yes I have read both of those book and Seven will also wreck you and kick your tail at the same time!! 🙂

Cindy - I tear up just thinking about Kisses From Katie. I actually got it from the library earlier this year and mentioned it to a friend and she said, “Rats! I was thinking of giving that to you for your birthday.” My response…PLEASE! I can think of nothing I’d like more than my own copy so I can highlight it and write it it, respond to it, take notes in it! I was afraid that when I read it I’d feel so inadequate! How can I compare to giving up everything and moving to Africa? But it completely inspired me…to love like that…right here, right now, even in my own family. Selflessly. As for 7, I’m on the last chapter right now. Can hardly put it down. Another book I want to go through again. More slowly. Truly digest. Change.
As for family photos, so sad (yet happy for you) that you’re taking the year off. Would love to have you capture my family again. But ever so grateful for the photos we got last year!! They are still my favs!! Can’t wait to see all that you’ll do instead! 🙂

Karen F. - Reading 7 right now. Wrecking me. Awesome.
Kisses for Katie has caused me to pray big prayers for our family, especially our daughters. I want to be the kind of parent who says, “I hear God calling us to go to ________. We’re going.” I want to be the kind of parent who hears from her daughter, “God’s calling me to ___________.” and I say, “Let’s go. We’ll get you there.”
Less of me. More of Him. Every single day.

Heidi - FYI. Seven is going to rock your world. Be prepared. It’s good, all good, but be ready. 🙂

Lisa Currie-Gurney - Go for a long walk on your quiet road.
Take a deep breath or two.
Let Him sort through all that is in your head, and on your heart.
Know that you are prayed for friend.
Hugs From My Heart

Julie - Oh my gosh. I bought Kisses for Katie last night in my Kindel. A.MAZ.ING. So inspirational. She is amazing. Thank you for the recommendation. I’m off to tell everyone I know about it.

Su@TheIntentionalHome - I have both of those books on my bookshelf.
I LOVE Kisses From Kate because it is a reminder of what happens when we say yes to God.
It is another reminder that God does not put an age limit on when He starts using you. . or when you can hear His voice. . .or when He gives you a “call on your life” (I read the book aloud to my 3 older kids ages 14, 12, and 11.)
And it is another reminder that God can use ordinary people to do extraordinary Kingdom work. (YES!!! I wonder if that is the pull so many of us feel. . we were made for big, extraordinary work!! And when we are not in the midst of it, we feel unsatisfied).
And 7. . .love Jen Hatmaker. I love her blog post After the Airport. You gotta go to her blog and read After the Airport. . that blog post makes me cry (and laugh) everytime I read it.
Jen Hatmaker recently adopted a 5 year old and a 7 year old from Ethiopia. i too (9 months ago) adopted a 7 year old from Ethiopia.
Her post affirmed me and made me feel not alone. Her post also convicted me. I want to love like she describes in the last few paragraphs of this blog post.
You gotta go read After the Airport by Jen Hatmaker, because even if you have not adopted, we all have many realms of life that can be full of that initial euphoria followed by hard, hard work and times that call for dogged perseverance through many difficulties and challenges.
That post is what made me buy 7 and although I do not like the writing style of the book. . I love the heart. And it made me look around to see where I could live woth less so I could give more.
Oh, what a long comment. . .just got so excited about those 2 books you are reading. May God use them to speak to your heart.
My problem is I read those books and get all excited and moved and inspired and then it wears off and I am back to focusing on decorating my home. Ugh.
Oh, I am excited for you! God has big plans for the Duerksen family. Ya’ll 7 were put together for a reason.

Kelly - I found Katie’s blog awhile back… it wrings your heart out. I follow another blog about making knitting and crocheted squares called Knit A Square and I remember once reading about a little orphaned girl and her wish was just to have someone tuck her in bed at night… I think about almost every night when I tuck my kids in bed. I breaks my heart to think that probably millions of kids go to bed every night with just that one wish… so I’m crocheting squares and wondering what God is calling me to also… but you know, God’s timing is perfect and you will know at exactly the right time (just like me, I’m hoping 😉 what exactly that calling is about… for me, I know that it’s just not quite here yet… Just keep putting one foot in front of the other, Meg. You don’t have a messy heart, I read your blog and I see a very pure heart God-filled woman… I would say you’re just experiencing a calling…

Jacci - Ditto what Laura Phelps said.
I’m reading a book edited by CJ Mahaney called “Worldiness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World”. Here’s an excerpt on the chapter about things – “This may be confounding to you, but it was far easier being a Christian in the poverty of Uganda than in the affluence of the States. Prosperity tempts my laziness; it lulls me away from dependence on the Lord. The affluence draws me toward passivity. It’s a daily battle for dependence upon God versus dependence upon my own strength.”
One of my favorite things about the book is the last chapter, “How to Love the World”. Because it’s not wrong to praise God for our earthly blessings – that our children have food to eat and warm, dry beds. That we have children and a husband at all. That our land isn’t wracked by war. But, we *are* the rich in the world. Every last one of us reading this blog. And we are CALLED to share and to give generously. What does that look like? How do we do that – glorify God in all things, even dressing cute? Good read.
I’ll pray for you (and me) tonight. To not be lulled, but to be alert and vigilant… and generous.

Lorie - The Africa print is gorgeous! And good for you for making a decision for you and your family, even if it meant temporarily giving up something you love. I am sure when you go back to it next year you will be even more passionate about it!

Debby - Got to see Kate at BrookHills in Birmingham earlier this past year when we went to see Mindy. David Platt, the pastor did an interview kind of thing with her. And as she spoke, she would at times look lovingly down in the audience at a couple of her kids that she brought with her and she would wave her fingers at them. You could just see the love she had for them. So cute! And darn, Meg. Jill and I were talking about when the family would all be together for a family shoot. But I totally understand!! Life can be too hectic and we have to decide what is important. Another year, maybe when the little munchkin will be a little older. I LOVE the photo shot of the girls and it hangs in my livingroom. LOVE, LOVE!! I can’t believe we will have 4 granddaughters and 1 grandson. I’m not that old am I???

JD in KC - First – thank you! Thank you for keeping it real. You find a way in every post to make a connection and I so appreciate it! I read your post and want to DO something – read my Bible, take more pictures, call the people I love, hug my kids and husband or just sit on the porch and enjoy God’s creation. Thank you for inspiring and loving and living out loud!

Mama Zen - I would love to see Tom Petty!

tiffany gardner - once again…. i. love. your. blog. me too… to all of that. the last thing you said about pics… even me too. i have an 8, 6 year old and 15 month old. thinking of starting this photo season makes me uneasy. i’m questioning several things and want to know what God is wanting for my life. thanks for reminding me to keep searching. xoxo

Toni :O) - I LOVE that picture of the Macs…sooo adorable…that family just warms my heart to no end. I’m glad you made the decisions you have, your family will appreciate it I’m sure. You actually inspire me to want a simpler life…some days I hate working and hate having such a busy life…never know what the future holds but someday I hope to have that simpler life. Your heart is joyful, cause it bleeds colors onto this blog…we all get that and I know I feel blessed to read what you have to share. Keep smiling and sharing those bright colors!

Lori H - Oh my. Kisses from Katie rocked my world. My comfortable, safe, suburban world. Months later and I still hear her “voice” in my head. I haven’t read Seven and I am a little afraid to, honestly. Katie is amazing! How many high school girls would go down that path? I think about her, and I feel lazy and not-finding-my-purpose. I felt the same way, to some extent, after reading the fiction book, The Poisonwood Bible. One of the main characters has that same dissonance when she comes from living in Africa for years back to the U.S. I love your honest sharing, Meg. I wish I didn’t live so far from you (VA….Kansas).

Suzanne - Oh Meg, I know the messy heart feeling. I have had it for several weeks now. It is so disconcerting and frustrating. You are not alone, sister! I have heard of Katie’s book, but I haven’t read it yet. It is now on my list, along with Heaven is Here. Have a great weekend!

traci - I never comment but the firt part of your blog is the best thing you have written!!! I think about this OFTEN also! How easy for American Christians to go off to Africa for a short time and come back to their pretty life. I share those feelings so often!!

Tina Jacobsen - Oh Meg!! I read Kisses From Katie a few months ago and I don’t think I ever cried so much!! I follow her blog also and wow she is sooooo awesome!! I too have a constant battle of the wants of this world and what God wants of me! Yup..messy heart girl right here!! I want and need to read 7!!
Tina

Jill - Meg, don’t be scared of 7, you will LOVE it. I’ve known Jen for as long as I can remember and she sounds in the book just like she does in real life. It is a safe place…she shares her successes and her failures during each month – which makes her REAL. She shares in such a way that it will make you think and want to take the challenge right along with her, but without the fear of “what if I mess up and don’t do it right” – if you are taking the chance to change your way of thinking like she has done, it will take you amazing places…and you’ll laugh and cry (sometimes at the same time) along the way. Definitely an awesome read. I would also recommend her Interrupted and Ms. Understood. Actually, I’d recommend all of her books, but those are my faves. 🙂 And I LOVE Kisses from Katie…have been following her blog for a few years. I love that girl.

megan@contentedsparrow - reading katie with the kids right now.
and my head and heart are always a mess over the dichotomy over what i want to do and what i do (or don’t do).
joining you in really listening for His leading.
He’s always speaking.
may we have ears to hear
and hearts that trust and obey.

amy cornwell - I’ve followed Katie’s blog for a long time and read her book in January. It’s fantastic. A lot of her blog posts are in the book but it’s neat how they put it together. Definitely makes you think! I haven’t heard of Seven – let us know!

Katie - I am so glad for you, seeing from a distant that God is moving and working and guiding you. I love that you are saying no to one thing for a season and allowing God to doing something different for a season. God is good.
We are selling our house and moving out of state for my husband’s dream job – that is BIG! God is definitely moving…might run into you on the beaches in SW MI cause that is where we will be living!

Terrie G - I so get what you mean by a messy heart…I’m right there with you. I’ve been struggling with it for a little while now. God is slowly allowing me to clean up the mess…but I really wish I was back ‘home’ where I could worship with my girlfriends who ‘get’ me. I miss not having someone I trust to talk to.
Can’t wait to try the book! Been looking for something new to read.
All these pics with one lens…nice work!
It’s my favorite lens too. If you ever want to check out a lens, let me know. I have several different ones! Think I’m taking a photo workshop in ‘N’ town this summer!
And sometimes, you just need to take a break and do what’s right for you & your family.
Good for you! Enjoy whatever endeavor you do next! 🙂

Betsy - Both books… Incredible, prepare to be challenged! 7. Is soooo good!

Sarah @This Farm Family's Life - such a touching post! it’s awesome that you and pam stay in touch and that is so cool for her son! I too am considering taking a year off from taking pictures. It is just too much and I often feel like my family gets put on the back burner. In our little town there is a photographer who has been in business for 30+ years. His wife recently passed away from cancer. I often look to him for advice and he said that he and his wife regret not being present for a lot of things while there kids were little. I don’t want any regrets. Kudos to you for making that decision. I’m sure it’s a huge weight off you shoulders.

Trish - speaking of spending money on things we don’t need. i had told my 6 year old she could take her money and spend it on something she would like at Target. she has a real hard time saving. she just said, “no thanks mom… i shouldn’t be worried about stuff on the world. i should be worried about Heaven. besides i already have jesus!” wow… i have been thinking about that statement for the whole week!

sandi - i asked for her book for christmas… and read it quickly. our seven year old has *always* (you know for like, three years) wanted to be a pediatrician like her aunt brittney. after missions week at school in the fall she came home wanting to be a missionary ~ then she clarified that she would be a doctor who would spend her vacations traveling to other countries to help those in need. as i was reading the book i could so relate to the parents in giving their daughter the freedom to do something so extra-ordinary.

Rachel J - I’ve heard so many things about Kisses From Katie. Life changing things. I’m almost finished with 7, it’s good. Like really good. And I think you will love her candid, wittyness. 🙂
Happy Friday Megalicious! Haha!
Ps. I emailed you for your address, several moons ago. I would like to send you something. A happy package 🙂 Let me know girl!

twitter.com/takingheart - You have me weeping with just a click & looksee of Katie’s blog. Seriously? My day wasn’t supposed to go there… but God has a special way of jilting people like you, who in turn jilt people like me into another world of amazing grace… amazing. Grace.
Thank you. Oh my heart.

Jennifer@beautyinbloom - Oh Meg. Consider me wrecked. I clicked over to Katie’s blog and instantly teared up at her blog header. I am in trouble. Thank you for sharing. 🙂

MommyKnitsJen - Kisses from Katie was the first book I downloaded when I got my Kindle for Christmas. I sat in the debris that is post Christmas and cried at all we had and all that we took for granted. I really started thinking about what we NEEDED and what we just wanted. I think maybe I need to reread it I’ve been on a declutter and simplify rampage lately and I think I need to focus that energy.

happygirl - I booked marked Kate’s blog. I look forward to following her ministry. I have to say, I smiled a little when you said you were too busy to do family portraits. I am CONSTANTLY amazed at how much you do. When do you sleep?

Laura Phelps - This is my CONSTANT pull
and I do mean CONSTANT
want vs need
empty vs full
and really, what is my purpose?
what does God want me to do?
How does He want me to use my talents?
Am I missing something?
how I spend my time and my money has been a HUGE part of what has been on my mind in the last year
it has been a huge test
a test of will…not MY will..but HIS will
a test of self control
discipline
being the person I am created to be
learning not to act on my FEELINGS
doing the right thing
and you are right!
we don’t take ANY THING with us when we die
I remind myself daily to stop worrying about my OUTER APPEARANCE…and focus on the INNER…
MY SOUL
I too want to look cute
I love things
clothes
lattes
iphones
furniture
magazines
but what I want MORE is a clean soul
Oh Meg…you are not in this struggle alone
keep on praying and asking God what you should do
He has all the answers to our BIG questions
then pack your bags and go to Africa…:-)

Lindsey - I found Katie’s blog last week. After reading it and learning her story, I just felt that so much of my life and problems are petty compared to what some people suffer on this earth. Her story is amazing and inspiring. She is my spiritual role-model! What a servant of the Lord! I, too, deeeeeeeply want to go to Africa. It has been in my heart for several years now.

Brianna - I read 7. It’s awesome. And instead of doing everything for a month at a time, I did a version of it doing a week at a time. AND my good friend is visiting Katie from Kisses from Katie RIGHT NOW in Africa. Crazy timing!
Thanks for your thoughts and reminders. You’re great!

Kelly - God is stirring in you! Exciting! Thanks for sharing your journey with us! We can learn so much from each other. It is so good to see into other’s thoughts sometimes. I think it helps us process ours. I have both of those books on my reading list. I’m scared to read both I will admit.
You picked a great family for your one shoot and good for you for picking priorities in how to spend time. It is HARD but one of the biggest ways God can work in us I think. Blessings on you!! Kelly

Dani - I am taking my son to the book store tonight for his b-day. I think I’ll take a look at this book.
Your heart is amazing. God works through you. I am touched each time you write because I see Him. You are an amazing mother, friend, blogger, etc.

Jen - I’m super bummed that I won’t get to see your cute pictures this year but being a photographer myself I completely understand how increadibly time consuming it is. I constantly feel like my passion and my priorities are playing tug of war. Laundry or editing? Uno with the kids or editing? Calling in sick to work to finish editing…Ugh.

seriously sassy mama - For awhile now I have really strived to live a simple life. I am going to add this book to my reading list.

colleen from alabama - I looked at this book today at our church bookstore. I want to read it to my kids this summer. My 12 yr old daughter, who usually rolls her eyes at most of my ideas, said she thought that book would be reaaallly good. Don’t know how my 9 yr old boy will feel. Sometimes i just have to be the mom because they need it! I am praying this book will bring the reality that i know into my children’s hearts. We live in a society that has fed us all the lie that more is always better. Thanks for choosing not to believe the lie. I choose with you. Even when it is painful or seemingly weird. We are living right side up in an upside down world!

Wendi - MY thoughts when reading this…1) I get the debate between having nice things or using $ to help others, but someone like Katie always convinces me to give. 2) YOU don’t need stuff to be cute 🙂 3)God gives us more blessings than we can buy 4) It is so exciting for me to read about what is stirring in your heart and I am looking forward to see what he does.

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - Hugs to you. You are precious. And I think your heart isn’t messy. In fact, it is quite beautiful to me.

Kristin - Meg, my daughter is reading Kisses for Katie. She’s a HS Sophomore. She texted me from school, crying. She was definitely convicted! We found her blog and after one read of her beautiful thoughts, it’s changed my ways of working, thinking, BEING.
Crap just doesn’t matter.
You don’t know me.
I feel like i know you.
I’ve been reading you for a while.
Hang in there!!!!

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SNAP…a small recap.

April 24, 2012

i took no photos of people.
it's probably a nervous thing….right?
all the pictures in this post are of things i saw this weekend and have nothing to do with my words because that is the only option here!

well… as almost all nerve wracking, fear of the unknown situations are….everything was fine.
like all of YOU knew it would be.
it was me who was doubting.

i really don't like being the new girl.
the one that no one knows….or in this case the one who knows no one else.
i was walking into a weird and new experience for me.
but it was GREAT!
everyone was SUPER nice and kind and friendly.

(side note: dont you think this couch could not be more perfect for the craft house????)

i had FUN roommates.
we laughed the entire time.
it was such wonderful girl time for me.
lindsey, jeannett and maggie were even better than i hoped.

the entire conference was done so well.
we were entertained….spoiled….and taught.
i was so impressed with all of it.
i looooved the Queen Bee Market!
it was my first time to get to see so many of these handmade products that i love online….in person!

my session was with jeannett and ethan and moderated by amy.
i felt like it was just right.
i spoke from my heart.
and as always….i cried.
only in the beginning.
it was a relief to be actually speaking the words i had been going over in my head for weeks…months.
to get them OUT and not have to worry about messing up any more.

speaking them out loud brought my passion alive again.
fanned the flame.
getting to share what is deep in my heart felt awesome…like it was stuck inside and then released!

God sent so many women to give me words of encouragement all weekend.
they were all so kind and gushingly sweet.
it was humbling.
they made me feel so good all day long.

i got to meet blogger friends in real life…
mique, kami, tauwni, jess, andrea, heather, alissa, patty and kim to name a few.

the sponsors were generous!
our swag bags were extreme.
this was about a quarter of the loot…seriously…they rocked it.

so….my thoughts on what i got out of the conference.

1. it was a wonderful break from the everyday of mommyhood.

2. meeting bloggers is awesome.

3. speaking makes me nervous and yet i really LOVE doing it.

4. girlfriends are such good medicine.

5. i was reminded again of what i am in this corner of the internet….and i like it.
i first realized it first when i was in Atlanta for the coca-cola social media conference surrounded by big
bloggers filled with business mindsets and big goals and plans for their blogs.
at the end of the day….i just want to glorify God.
in my words, in my photos, in my home, in my relationships and definitely on my blog….every day.
and that is a work in progress.
it's a journey.
i still mess up a lot.
i still react poorly sometimes often….i am normal.
but i am here in to serve God with JOY and do my best every day to let His Light shine through me.

i loved SNAP.
it was awesome to be asked to be a part of it!
they know how to throw a party!

hey….how about if YOU were at SNAP and you took your picture with me….send it to me!
i have no photos of you or me.
it will make a great post. :)
pleeeease.

thanks!

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Brittany Shea - I am in love with this blog. What exactly is SNAP and I need this couch in my life. Does anyone know where I can get in touch with this vendor???

Tauni - This is a bit late, but I love you…That is all. xoxo

Patty Palmer - Nice meeting you in person, Meg! I saw that sofa as well and knew straight away that I don not have nearly enough color in my house. Great photos of Snap!

Kelli @ Lolly Jane - MEG! You rock. Loved chatting with you at SNAP. Our quick convo put things in perspective and made me feel better about saying no to a sponsored trip to NYC. Thanks girl!
ps: See Sandee Prince up there? My sister! She’s your stalker…in a good way. Love her 😉

Katy @ Live Laugh Love Craft - Soo.. I got an email last night saying that I was randomly chosen to come to Craft Weekend.. I had the same feelings that you were having about SNAP. Nervousness, fear of the unknown.. But you know what? I am COMING to Craft Weekend! And I am so excited!! I know I would have kicked myself, had I not accepted the invite.. See you in August!! 🙂

Christine Ishmael - It was great finally meeting you Meg! I wish I could’ve heard you speak because as soon as you were done, my friend (who was there) texted me and said it was so good, she was bawling! Keep up the good work! Christine of This & That Creations!

Brooke - the red/pink tulip picture is BEAUTIFUL! Do you sell your photos? This picture is the perfect jumping off point for my toddlers new big girl room!

Meagan - Oh my goodness, you NEED that sofa and all it’s pillows for the craft house. Absolutely. It’s perfect. I’m so bummed I missed SNAP this year. It would have been great to see you again.

kami @ NoBiggie - I’m so glad I got to meet you! I just sent you a pic of us.
That lace necklace is so pretty! I wish I had a full day all by myself to take in the Queen Bee Market, so many pretties.

Amy - Well said, Meg! Our sole purpose in life is to bring glory to God. It’s amazing when we strip everything else away and simply see life through that purpose. I needed that reminder today. 🙂

ko. s - You made me tear up! I love that you were speaking at Snap this year! What a source of creative strength you are! I may just have to see if we can fly you out for our Women’s retreat!

Suzanne - First, of course you did wonderfully! Second, couch = a.maz.ing! Third, thank you for being who God made you to be! Glorify God and be joyful in your life. What an amazing outlet you have to share in!

Lorie - I barely took pictures of people either! Too much going on and too many great people to meet! I never made it into the Emporium to shop, but that couch is amazing!

Jessica Johnson - i knew you would do great! also, i see you on instagram! kim and i need to fly out for a tutorial.

Stephanie - I was not at snap but I feel the same way that you do about blogging. I want to honor and glorify God with my life. With the thoughts that I think, the actions I do and the words I say or blog. I definitely fail but glorifying God through everything, the good and bad, is the most important thing.
And- completely random but I had a dream that I was at one of your craft weekends! I have seen the pics on your blog and it looks like so much fun! I may have to come one of these days! 🙂
I love your blog!

Lea Carter - ” i am here in to serve God with JOY and do my best every day to let His Light shine through me.” and that, my dear, is what it is all about! Love your blog and your heart!

happygirl - Your images are beautiful. I love turquoise and brown combination. Why is that such a gorgeous combo? You are so brave to go to things like this. I have no courage for meeting new people.

Lori Austin - Love the tulip picks. Glad all went well. I’m sure you looked super cute in those fantastic outfits 🙂

Sarah Wolfe - Would have loved to have been there to hear you speak… What did you talk about? Sounds like a great weekend… 🙂

Jamielyn@iheartnaptime - What beautiful pictures! That couch is to die for! I’m saving up for one of your craft weekends. How fun would that be?! They sounds AMAZING! I really enjoyed meeting you Friday night. You are so sweet and down to earth. Plus your outfits were fabulous! Wish we could of chatted more. Hopefully we’ll be able to keep in touch! XOXO

tyranid - I’m glad that you had a great time with your room mates. You give your house a new color by doing your crafts and share it with others.

Kerry - so happy to hear it all went well meg!! And that COUCH!!! Good grief – its to die for… 🙂
Knew you’d rock your sesh 🙂 Kerry x

Kate B. - Andrea from knittybitties is the one that made the little walllet I sent you a while back! How fun to meet her in person!

Marie - It was so fun to meet you in person!! Bummer I missed your session, sounds like it was a gooooood one!! And great photos, even if there isn’t any of faces!! I loved that handmade market!

Becky - It was so great to meet you and chat at the queen bee market! Now I wish I had asked to take a picture with you. I was too embarrassed to ask 😉 you are awesome! Someday I will come to craft weekend… where did you find that couch?!
-Becky Blood

Krissy - So glad you had a good time!! And I totally love your blog, you’re the only one I really read because I feel I can really connect with you! Loves and prayers coming your way! <3

Jenna@CallHerHappy - wow wow wow! what cool pictures! if i was at snap, i would be thinking, “man, meg would love this!” glad you got to go 🙂

sandee prince - you know I will have my little sis send the pic of you and her…. the one she sent me that I made her get with you……a little creepy I know 😉 lol She is at the hospital helping her twin push out her baby boy RIGHT NOW!!!
Check LollyJane later today and I am sure there will be a sweet little blessing on there for you to go ga ga over. Can’t wait to meet my newest nephew!

Karen Gerstenberger - I’m glad to hear that it went well and was fun (& re-energizing). Blessings to you!

jen - that is so awesome you go to be a part of it. glad you got something out of it.

Tina Jacobsen - That couch is amazing!! Glad you had a great time!! I love your blog and how you use it to glorify God!! I always smile when typing megduerksen.typepad.com!!
Tina

Kristy Call {DavesWife} - Meeting you was DEFINITELY a highlight for me! I LOVE your little corner of the internet, and how you use it to inspire us on a daily basis. ♥ DavesWife

Katie - Just keep posting photos and writing something as always and we will keep coming back! God does show through on your blog

Valerie @ Chateau A La Mode - I wish I could have gone. It would have been fun and probably the encouragement I could use. Your words have encouraged me today. I’m kind of in a blogging slump 🙁 Not really knowing why I’m doing this and then I read your words and I’m feeling better about my little corner of the internet too. You rock Meg! Glad you had a great time. You deserve it!

Flower Patch Farmgirl - People were tweeting quotes from your speech (that seems like the wrong word. whatev.) like mad fools!!!
From what I saw, you nailed it. And I would have cried, too.

Jen Brandt - Beautiful post, Meg. Congratulations! I’m glad it went so well.

Dani - So glad you had a great time.
I saw that couch and immediately started trying to figure out how I could make that and how I could talk my husband into letting me put it in the living room.

Jill - I am so glad you went and had so much fun! It is awesome to be refreshed in the Lord and have our focus renewed isn’t it. You have been a true blessing to me from just reading your blog, in fact, it is one of the few tabs that pop up when I sign online. I don’t expect perfection from you – just honesty and from all that you are – encouragement. Thank You for taking this opportunity for yourself so that you can continue to allow God to use you for folks like me.
Love and prayers!!

Kirsten J - I love how much clarity you have. Your focus is maybe why I adore you and your blog. And, really? You got to spend quality time with that WIWW cutie Lindsey? Happy you got a fresh spark –

Terrie - I heart your heart for God! I’m sure you rocked it!
Glad you had a good weekend!

Heather | Cookie Mondays - I bet you have fabric scraps to start piecing together a slipcover for your couch 🙂

Kimberlee Jost - To God be the Glory great things He has done…and what more will He do?
🙂

Jenny Joy - I’m so happy to hear that you got a chance to share your passion with all those amazing people! Sometimes, there is no better medicine in the whole wide world than being surrounded by like minded people who share your vision.
Oh… and we all knew you could do it… the speaking engagement, I mean. Rock on with your bad self!

Jenn - It sounds like you had a great time. I would love to be able to meet other bloggers.
By the way, I love your blog. It’s the first one I check every morning.

Pink and Green Mama MaryLea - Starting a piggy bank in hopes of attending next year — maybe we could be roomies! : )
xoxo
ML

Wendy - So many cool things! Do you have any info on the couch? It’s fantastic! 🙂

Kristen Duke Photography - I enjoyed SNAP as well, my sentiments are the same–enjoyed meeting and making new friends that understand this bloggy world. I hadn’t heard of your blog before the conference, and I sadly didn’t get to go to your panel, but now I’ll be checking in. Funny you have non people pics, I have WAY too many in my just published post! I wish I took a few flower pics, those tulips were amazing!

ellen keeton - how fun!!! could’nt agree more about the couch fr the craft house!

Megan - I’m so glad it went well and that you loved it.
I love your honest heart and the way you strive to honor God in all you say and do!

Melissa - Oh, how I wish I could’ve been there to meet you and all those other amazing ladies!!

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girls day

April 7, 2012

i brought my two littlest girls up to my parents for a short visit.
there was no school and it looked like it might rain again and after that LONG rainy spring break we just had i was done with that…so we packed up and left.

and today we had a girls day.

🙂

breakfast at Wheatfields.
biggest french toast i have ever seen.

wheatfields has tiles all over in beautiful colors made into a mural…so so pretty!

trying on glasses.

IMAG0590-14

pretty dress for mommy that did come home with me.

IMAG0591-1
rainboots that i REALLY wanted to come home with me…..badly….the zig zag ones.
but they stayed.

i tried to convince my girls to pick these earrings and they went with milk and cookies earrings instead.

a little shopping at Gap…40% off shirts and leggings!!
score.

visited my MOST favorite fabric shop!!!
sarah's fabrics has an unbelievible selection of all the beautiful fabrics you want to see in real life…not just online.
camera fabric?!
adorable.

lunch was Sylas & Maddy's…local ice cream shop.

ice cream for lunch is perfectly acceptable for girls day.

pretties at urban outfitters….also loved their rugs.
did not love getting asked "can i help you with something SIR?"
excuse me?
what?
never happened to me before….we had quite a laugh about it all evening.
so many comebacks i could've had.

my mom and i stopped by to see my grandmas.
one was doing great and one wasn't feeling too well.
my girls were quite entertained by the fish tank at the home.

home to my moms….my sister showed up with her girls….we sent the kids off to play and had grown up girls time.
my mom found this wine in south dakota…home of sturgis…..oh my.

yummy dinner and off to the park till it was dark.

so much better than stuck at the farm in the rain.

yep.

i hope you have a beautiful Easter weekend.
we'll probably dye eggs today.
then i will head back to the rest of my family today so we can have easter together.
with a starbucks midway home…there is ONE starbucks exactly middle of the road between me and my moms house.
we frequent it…every time.

happy easter.

HE IS RISEN.

remember this video?

i still love it.

sunday's coming.

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Stephanie - I’m not sure how I stumbled onto your blog, but I’m so glad I did! I’ve been reading for a while now and, while I love your everyday posts, the Kansas-centric ones have my heart. I’m a Lawrence native who has now lived all over the world with my military husband and you give me a dose of mid-America just when I need it. And to see someone else’s view of my AWESOME hometown? Perfect. Thanks for sharing.

Alicia D - wow, what a great day! these photos are aMAZing!! im jealous of your camera… and your eye.

Mary - wow!
that VIDEO! i’ve never seen it!
but i love it! thanks for sharing!
xoxo
ps. i totally need a girls day. for SURE!

Alicia @ La Famille - was JUST thinking to myself that i need a shopping day! i need new running shoes and some summer stuff. call me next time, k? 🙂 also, I am from sd (currently living in nc, but still) and i’ve been to sturgis during the ralley so i get that whole label and all that craziness. kinda cracks me up you were drinking south dakota wine…how was that anyway?? 🙂 happy day to you!
xo,
alicia

ko. s - Now that is a fun girls day! I could use one of those! Happy Easter to your sweet family!

Londen - Looks like a perfect girls day! Happy Easter to you and your family Meg.

Connie - Love the rain boots…where did you see them?

happygirl - He is Risen, indeed! Happy Easter, my friend and the girls day looked MAHVALOUS

Jane@Kenwood BM450 - Looks like you all had a fantasic time. Happy Easter to you all, and don´t eat too many Easter eggs.

Jacci - Care Bears! awesome 🙂
Happy Easter, Meg. Hope you have a joyful day celebrating.

Mary - Starbucks in Emporia, KS!! We stop there everytime we visit from Colorado; inlaws in Salina and my parents in Garnett.

lorel - Had such a nice time with the girls! Just exactly what I needed. Love you – Happy Easter!

Amy Schulz - Prairie Berry Winery! Another wonderful wine is Red Ass RHubarb….. delicious, and again another odd name.
Happy Easter!

Candy - We love Lawrence! Some day I am going to be walking down Mass, and see you and start screaming! So, just a warning, hope I don’t freak you out too much! 🙂

Sarah{Handbags*N*Pigtails} - Looks like a fun couple of days. Have a blessed Easter Sunday with the family tomorrow. Sunday’s comin!!!!! Praise God! 🙂

Heidi DeGroot - I found your blog about a year ago and have been keeping up ever since. I have never commented before, but it really surprised me to see South Dakota on here! I am from Brookings, SD originally and live in Aberdeen, SD currently. I have not tried Prairie Berry wine yet, but I do love the Schade` Vineyard wine. The vineyard is in Volga, SD where I went to high school. Their rhubarb wine is very good. Love all the neat stuff you find on your adventures:) Happy Easter!!

Amy - LOVE LOVE LOVE the pic of you, your Mom,and Grandma…so much joy. Happy Easter!

April R - oh I wish I had a sister and mom to visit with and all that – thanks for sharing!
so thankful that
Sunday is coming
Sunday is coming
Sunday is coming

Melia - I was going to ask if the wine was from Prairie Berry and then the next pic showed the label! I’ve never had that one, but I adore that winery. If you ever have the chance-go! Love “Gold Digger,” “Calamity Jane,” and “Red Ass Rhubarb.”
Long time lurker…love your blog 🙂
Melia

Kristy - Love the dress! Where is it from?

Brooke - we’ve been watching that video all week. 🙂 my two year old’s have been saying “it’s Friday…but Sunday is a comin’!”
happy Easter!

Molly - Mmmm… Sylas and Maddie’s. I’ve been wanting to go there…

Kerry Wiebe - I have trained the girls well of course they picked milk and cookie earrings 🙂
Have a great Easter my sister!! See you in church!

Heather B - Oh gosh, I love Sarah’s Fabrics. That store is my grown up candy store! I love shopping on Massachusetts St! And you are so fortunate to get a picture inside Claire’s. My 13 year old daughter and I got thrown out of Claire’s for taking a picture of her wearing some of their glasses! The manager said we could have been stealing creative ideas! We just laughed and went somewhere else.

sullyj - Thank you for the video…a great reminder for us all. Hope you and your family have a great Easter! And I would LOVE to know where you saw those zig zag rainboots! Would love to get them as a birthday gift to myself 🙂

rae - haha, i’m cracking up at the sir. my husband got called ma’am once, and he has a buzz cut…and is 6’2″, and looks nothing like a woman! we still laugh about it!

Jennifer@beautyinbloom - He is Risen, Indeed!
Happy Easter!

Melissa - Thank you for sharing that video, I hadn’t seen it. What a wonderful reminder! Happy Easter to you and yours! It looks like you had a great time on your girls day – I have two kids, both girls and I can’t wait til they get old enough to have eating out/shopping/fun days with me. Right now they are still a bit young, my youngest is 18 months and the older just turned 6. She enjoys a good Mommy & Me day, but the younger one still doesn’t really enjoy leaving the house. Someday! 😉

shannon - Shopping, Ice Cream, Wine, Family, Park, Love your girls day, it sounds perfect!
Hope you and your family have an amazing Easter!

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the etc.

February 14, 2012

our local thrift shop is called The Et Cetera Shop.
the town i grew up in had one also so it's been part of my life for a long time.
i donate LOTS of stuff to it every year. (kids out grow out of clothes so fast!)

but i buy LOTS of fun stuff there too.

i stopped in yesterday for their grand re-opening after remodeling….ya know….just to peek.

i left with a box almost too big to take to my car myself.
oh my.

this seriously heavy duty fish shaped bottle opener could not stay there all alone.
it needed me.
it was lonely….it had traveled all the way from Moses Lake, Washington!

a little spray paint….
a little oxi clean….
maybe some RIT dye for the chenille…

another chalk board.
i just can't resist them!

and if they have a green painted chalk tray….forget about it?!!!
it must come home with me.

talby came home and said "what does thrifty mean?"

thrift·y/ˈTHriftē/

Adjective:

(of a person or their behavior) Using money and other resources carefully and not wastefully

Synonyms:

economical – frugal – sparing – saving – economic

craig may disagree that i am "thrifty" BUT at least i enjoy a bargain when i find one.

pottery in the perfect shade of turquoise….
teeny red cardinal salt and pepper shakers to be saved for a craft someday…
a silver dish to hold bracelets in my bathroom….

and a handmade blanket that screams "happy valentines day!"

a weathered globe….
and a yard of sweet heart fabric.

it was a fabulous day at the thrift shop.
i love those kind of days.

we are painting this after school…because….it's pretty!

(source…)

and i can't wait.
it looks completely relaxing to paint that.
pattern and color over and over…..ahhhhhhh.

do you have big valentine's day plans?
i will be honest with ya'll….i don't celebrate Valentines.
i don't decorate.
i don't make treats.
i buy the $2 box of cards for my kids to take to class…with Victorious and Angry Birds.
i am sure if craig was one of those guys that went nuts with gifts and flowers for valentines i wouldn't object to that but seriously i just don't really care.

i know i am loved everyday.
and my kids know it too.

here is my ode to valentines….from the Lord.

thank you Lord for that kind of love.
amen.

******************************************

don't forget to enter to win a $100 gift card to the Olive Garden HERE.

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Jeeva - These are really funny. I would be esatctic to get the knot one in the mail. Also, a note, I’ve been reading your blog for a while, don’t think i’ve ever commented, but wanted to tell you I have really enjoyed reading your post.

Imran - these are so uber cute and special!!! Thank you so very much for srnihag!!! When I do a new blog post I will link these to my blog—I think that’s how you’d term it—-(I’m new at this)—be blessedBeyond Measuretammywww.bbbm.weebly.combartlettpair4atmsndotcom

Mehran - Oh I am ALWAYS out of ink… I think my Printer literally dinrks it before I can ever use it.. LOL!! These are Really Cute… I seriously need to learn how to use my photo elements that I bought Two years ago still sitting in the Original Box Unopened because of FEAR!!! .. 🙂 But thankfully there are WONDERFUL people like you who offer such CUTE Free things to print.. 🙂

Terrie G - so, how did you like the geodesic dome? My husband’s cousin made it. It’s like setting up all the dominoes…I wouldn’t have the patience for it!

Kristin S - Ugh, our thrift stores are so lame! Tempted to drive all the way to Kansas…

Bethany - Ah… I saw that afghan in their facebook pictures. Dreamy. But I didn’t make it up that way for the reopening. Glad it went to a good home. 🙂

Karen Pittson - I found that EXACT “Bless our Home” plaque at the Goodwill. You can see how I transformed it here http://alilbird.blogspot.com/2010/08/gussy-up-your-80s-plaques-and-crazy.html Loved the pretty pages of hearts, and your darling girls. Thanks for sharing your life with us 🙂

Brandi - I made the Oreo pudding poke cake for my kids on Valentine’s Day. It was a huge hit. How could it not be, right? I’m going to try the water color craft later today. If it turns out like your daughter’s, it will be a framer.

elisa - I love vintage chenille. Love. And that pink and red blanket!!!!

megan - whoa. i’m kind of dying over your thrifty finds.
fabulous!
and
i don’t decorate for valentine’s either.
and, perk #142 of homeschooling? not having to make valentine’s cards. 🙂
i’m kind of a valentine’s grinch.
the Mr. and I did leave the kids home alone to go out for an early dinner, though.
xoxo

Sarah @ Handbags*N*Pigtails - P.S. I also meant to say that I had this exact same globe(your newest one) when I was in high school. And I actually used it for school:) If only I had known then that Id want them years later…

Sarah @ Handbags*N*Pigtails - Im jealous of that chalkboard. I have one in my home that I made over from a cheap, gold frame of a full length mirror. It turned out great but Id love a huge rectangular one for my kitchen wall. We just repainted in there after the fire and its so much brighter!(Ive cooked meals almost every night since we repainted…a sure sign that its more fun to be in there now than when it was red:))
I recently scored a globe at a new thrift store here in town and it was still in the box! I got it for $7.

Vonda - You know how some things take you by surprise!? Well I just got the mail and my daughter gets Popular Photography and as I laid it on the counter YOUR picture was on the back. I was like “I KNOW HER”. lol. Been following your blog for a long time. It was a nice surprise!!! 🙂

denise@victory rd. - i never have such luck when i go thrifting. never. love the globe. i am so in the market for globes. found some last week for $50-$60, used! that’s not thrifty.

Lisa - I can’t believe someone could part with that beautiful crocheted afghan! But what a score for you! I have one just like that in yellows, oranges, & browns that my grandmother made for me when I was a teenager . . . with a matching pillow! Sentimental love! And who can ever pass up chenille anything! Looks like a successful treasure hunt.

Yby5 - I would have wrestled you over the globe and chalkboard..I have the same love of those as well 🙂
what a great day you had!!

Jenn - That’s awesome the the fish bottle opener came all the way from WA :). I am using your comments to find people who live close to Moses Lake since I live (semi) close to there too. I like other WA bloggers. So thanks for that! As for Valentines, nothing big, usually just a sweet note to one another and a bottle of good wine. Simple and fun.

Melody - fun finds! My mom grew up in Moses Lake WA so we were there MANY times over the years visiting family (and still have some there to visit) 🙂

Lori Austin - Great finds! Love the bowl and the chalkboard….I’m waiting patiently to find some older (character filled) chalkboards in my town. No luck so far.
Love V-day. Start the day with heart plates and yummy breakfast with a couple of special surprises by my kiddos plates. Worked the party at my daughter’s school. Home to make our “special family dinner” with small valentine mailboxes filled with cute little items. Pink, purple, red color everywhere. Love it!! (plus my hubby one up’d the flowers this year and came home with the 2nd season of Downton Abbey on DVD. Woohoo! 🙂

Mindy Harris - i love all of your finds. wonderful wonderful. i may hafto make a special trip to ETC. ha. happy heart day.

Amy @ www.littleforalittlewhile.blogspot.com - At first I thought that box was full of things you were TAKING to the thrft store and I thought “Why would she get rid of all that awesome stuff?!”. Makes so much more sense the other way around 😉 Happy heart day!

Wendy - My girls went to school with their Valentines this morning without the accompanying lollipops … bc they ate half of them last nite 🙁

Kristin - Oh my what good finds! We don’t celebrate Valentines Day either, our anniversary is a week later. 🙂

Valerie @ Chateau A La Mode - Hello Miss Meg, Happy Valentine’s Day to you. Just letting you know I “borrowed” your 1 Corinthians verse for my blog. Hope it’s okay. I didn’t think you would mind. P.S. Love the fish bottle opener 🙂

Carrie - wow oh wow what an awesome thrift store day!! the globe is awesome!!! jealous of it all!!! 🙂

Juli - I have that exact chalkboard! Yours originally had a green rope that went through the holes. Mine hangs over my son’s headboard and currently reads, “I love you, Jackie poo-poo”, a “love note” from his sister! HA!

kristin - ha! i had that afghan in my arms for about 10 seconds and put it back….feeling overwhelmed by my growing box.
: )

Rebecca - rad finds Meg!!! love that blanket!

Mary - I bought that exact same Bless Our Home sign last year at Goodwill! I painted mine turquoise and orange. And I’m thinking about repainting it again. So fun!

Marianne - Love the turquoise bowl!! We have a white and charcoal grey kitchen and I visit second hand stores to collect colourful dishes to display! I have come across some real lovelies but now that my open shelving is getting full I am becoming more choosie. I don’t think that’s a word but you get my drift… 🙂

Kerry - What an awesome name for a shop! You got really thrifty there Meg – I can spend HOURS at the charity shop – buying stuff for ‘What if’ and ‘Just Maybe’ Great finds 🙂
I don’t really celebrate Valentines either, but I got a bottle of Jimmy Choo perfume, so I’m all smiley anyways xx 🙂

Jen - Oh that red and pink afghan is AMAZING. Wish I could find one of those!! We had heart shaped pancakes for brunch, but we don’t do much else… I’d rather celebrate love all year long than just today!

Margo - I am so happy you found such great things! As we put the store back together on Saturday I saw that globe and totally thought of you! If I had even had time to really look around that bowl may have been mine….ha!

kirsten - if only I could find stuff that cool at my local thrift shop.
i read your last post right before bed last night, and then dreamed that i came to visit. it was SO much fun visiting you in dreamland. 🙂

Amy - Moses Lake is right next to where I live….we go to their water park during the summer and they’ve got a great pizza place! let me know if you want more fish for your sea…. 😉
I made homemade nutella poptarts this morning for the kids….with strawberries to look like hearts! that’s it folks! I’m actually wearing black today….oops! Love the family and the hubby everyday!!

happygirl - I love your thrifty ways. It makes reading your blog so much fun. I don’t make the treats either. I’m glad I’m not the only one. 🙂

Maria - Ugh, auto correct… A night off cooking…not alight…just ignore any other typos…

Maria - We keep it simple here. We order dinner out instead of the whole, grab a sitter,wait, wait wait with everyone else. I’d much rather just have alight off cooking and just relax at hometown catch up on the DVD together.
Flowers…if I don’t pick them out at SAMs myself (I can’t help myself sometimes), I’ll usually see a simple bouquet brought home, which is fine. This year I gave a big hint on which ones I wanted from SAMs. We’ll see…otherwise I will get them myself later this week…
As for candy, I have to pick up brachs candy hearts ( the big ones) every year….in fact, I already bought them…i am addicted to the orange ones…my kids get the rest…mostly.
Happy Valentines Day!

Ashley - Oh, how I wish we had an awesome thrift store like that! My grandparents have that Bless Our Home plaque. I have always loved it.
The boys helped make treats for school, valentines from balloons for friends, and we open small gifts with the kids. My favorite was my oldest’s pair of Night Fury sunglasses from the store. Just a small, fun gesture. It’s always been kind of big for me because it’s when the hubby asked me out nearly a decade ago. Sentimentality, I guess. Showing the love daily rocks, though, an that’s exactly what we strive to do! 🙂
Have a happy day!

sara @ it's good to be queen - yes, love the etc. shop. you better believe that is a must stop whenever we’re in kansas. it is SO CHEAP!! way better than goodwill. i got a huge box of goodies over christmas. milk glass for a quarter? yes. please. i love all your finds. so great. happy day!

mandy friend - okay, your state is the place to thrift! we NEVER find cvool stuff like that in oregon…or if we did it’d be in an antique stor for lots of $! i paid almost $40 for the globe i was finally able to find!

shannon - Oh my goodness those goodies you got!!! I love the globe and that blanket is perfect, especially for today 🙂 Your thrift store looks amazing, ours is not so great. Hope you and your loved ones have a great Valentine’s Day

Meg Duerksen - thanks so much dana!!!

Dana D@BoysMyJoys - Here’s a link from my pinterest page for the heart print- http://pinterest.com/pin/71142869083511516/
And here’s the link for where she sells the print in her shop- http://www.etsy.com/listing/92537572/small-v-color-study-print
LOVE all your great finds!

Ali - Oh my goodness!!! I seriously would have bought every single thing you did. I loooooooove it all!!! Awesome 🙂
Happy V-day!

geneva - I agree about Valentines Day! Just a commercial holiday to make $. Treat your love and loved ones the same way everyday! Who needs a “made up” holiday!! ;)Anyway, my love’s birthday is today! 🙂

Jolene (Homespun Heritage) - I do NOT normally DO Valentines Day…its just not a “holiday” with much meaning to me…we love our family daily and don’t let the media or the masses tell us what day we have to set aside to show them that. So, imagine my surprise when the hubs comes home for lunch with a bouquet and a balloon?!!? It *IS* extra special simply because that is a rare treat and I love him surprising me! (He usually does that sort of stuff throughout the year and not ON V-day).
I told him I planned a nice family dinner but I can’t gift wrap the pork chops very well!

Lori H - Valentines is no big deal at our house. My husband knows not to buy the overpriced roses…I love the tulips from Trader Joes ($4.99). Now that my kids are older, they don’t take cards to school. Just a Hallmark Holiday in my eyes. Love your thrift store finds. Gives me the itch to go hunting!

Laura Phelps - you are so thrifty 🙂
Nick is in LA for a while….
but cupid left treats for the kids
and I am off to do some fun baking
i do like valentines day
its my moms birthday
and well…
love is just so darn hard
so I am happy today to have so much of it around me
I dressed the dog
ha!
in a heart print dress
its killing me
tonight I think it is frozen french bread pizza for the kids and a little writing for me
yup
romantic
love to you and your family
xoxoxoxoxox

Amy@BuffaloRoam - Very cool finds! Love me some thrifting. 🙂

Whitney - Good thrifting!
Such a cute painting, I can’t wait to see what the kid’s versions look like!
Happy Heart Day!

Kerstie - You so scored at the thrift shop. Valentines day IS over celebrated. Showing love threw buying flowers and chocolate… not my thing. We do do heart shaped pizza, heart cookies, and cards the kids scribble on. I am a crafter soooo some V-tines day crafting does happen. 😉
Happy day!

Tiffany - Oh man, that art is cute & simple, i like that, we may have to give it a go too. Thrift days are like that, feast or famine. And you know what they say about men and thrifting…A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs. A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn’t need, it’s sooo true in my house, sounds like yours as well. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Jenn A. - I am sad that anyone ever got rid of that handmade blanket! But it is balanced out by the fact that it now has a loving new home. It’s gorgeous and so very HAPPY!

Mary - i love your blog, i visit often but don’t leave comments much, i figure with so many it’s just one more to read…:)
but i want you to know i look forward to each new post.
grace and peace

Seriously Sassy Mama - Valentines is not big at our house either. I tell my girls it is for grown ups. I get my husband a card every year, and the girls the $1 Russel brand chocolate box at Walmart, plus a tiny craft. This year it is a bead heart necklace I got for %50 at Hobby Lobby. I spent $1.50 on each child and they loved it! Personally I would just like someone to do my dishes today, and clean the girls toilet. That would be a great gift! God’s love was the first thing I thought about this morning when I started reading everyone’s Valentine stuff. Have a happy day painting, and yeah to your thrifting.

Molly - 1. love the verse!
2. we don’t go all out for valentines either. And that is fine with me! I do like to give the girls a little something special….like heart shaped marshmallows:)
3. Love the thrift store finds…makes me want to go be thrifty!
4. I had a dream about you last night….my family was driving through Kansas and our car broke down. You tried to fix it with your hair dryer. But we needed a place to stay and you said we could stay with you even though it was craft weekend and your house was already full. I think you even got my husband to do a craft.
5. I am pregnant with #3 and have been dreaming alot:)

Mandy - Love the fish bottle opener!!!
I just painted valentines day cards for my co-workers and it was very therapeutic! Highly recommend diving into that painting above….

Kim - i vote yes to your thrifty finds.
fun, fabulous, and educational too! 🙂
i LOVE that bless this home sign.
LOVE LOVE LOVE. that is a diamond in the rough for sure.
and i’d be snuggling with that valentines blanked 24/7. i love a good pink and red combo. throw in some chevron and you have a big winner. 🙂
happy valentines day!

Lisa McCracken - We celebrate Vday around here, just a little. But I think it’s “over”-celebrated to some degree. But it’s fun!
Can you tell us where you got that amazing print of I Corinthian’s? Is it something that can be purchased?
Thanks! and Happy Valentine’s Day! 🙂

Kim - Nice finds! We really celebrate Valentine’s Day here – it’s my daughter’s birthday. She is such a sweet girl, having a b-day on Valentine’s Day really suits her. So today I am busy making lasagna and brownies, wrapping presents and all that fun stuff.

courtney casper - moses lake?! haha teeny tiny town..right next to my husbands even teenier and tiner home town!
good find!

Holly - love a good thrift store day!

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MONDAY!!!!

February 13, 2012

i had a great weekend!

did you?

my little girls had their first indoor soccer game of the season.
annie never stops wiggling, dancing, jumping or kicking the entire game.
oh and also she hugs.
her teammates.
🙂

talby scored a goal….played tough.
she loves soccer!
how about those lime green shirts?! wowza.

my mother in law took annie and scott with her onto sean's tournament where craig already was.
i had a quiet afternoon of organizing in the craft weekend room.

folding all the fabric again and seeing how much i have.
organizing it by color.

this order came this week….new fabric is just the happiest package to get in the mail.

i found some new material at hancocks fabric this week too.
i love this one.

i know it looks like nursing scrubs from the pediatrician's office.
BUT it is happy and sweet and i love it anyway.
🙂

done.
folded….sorted….cute.
CHECK.

i feel much more ready for this Whatever Craft Weekend than the one just last month.
it is a great feeling.

i took talby to a volleyball clinic late saturday afternoon.
then everyone came back home and my mother in law took three to her house for a sleep over.
i love when that happens!
they love to go and it's nice to change it up around here.

with all that childcare….craig and i were WILD and CRAZY!
we sat on our computers and balanced bank accounts, recorded mileage and organized things for taxes.

pretty hot right?

smokin.

our sunday was church, watching club volleyball for lauren and basketball for sean and some arby's drive through for lunch and pizza hut for dinner.
and a two hour nap….sooo good.

i hope i can share the sermon from sunday with you soon.
i thought it was really good.
i was challenged.
and i laughed really LOUD.
do you ever get the giggles when it is completely NOT appropriate?
i used to do that a lot but now i am mature.
ha!
totally kidding.

my bible study this week with BSF has been on 1 Corinthians.
i have enjoyed spending more time with God this week.
i was missing that.

don't hold back.

and this morning i woke up to SNOW!
i love snow.
it makes me happy (in the beginning 🙂

happy monday.

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Lasso the Moon - I get the giggles at the worst times. Especially at church. I wrote a poem about it a few years back that you might think is funny:
http://lassothemoon.typepad.com/lasso_the_moon/2007/02/poetry_wednesda_1.html
Just catching up on your blog after a few weeks away. It’s so homey and inviting.
Thanks
Anna

catie - i just love when everything is all organized and pretty looking! love the fabrics all together, makes me want to create something. and, hey, i recognize the town name on those soccer shirts, my husband works there! 😉

Jacci - by the way, i’m loving your Ta Dot stash. I think that’s my favorite right now… the stone. Perfect.

Jacci - love the (new?) white buckety bins for the fabric. The bright white is so pretty with the bright fabrics. especially with the silvery insides & rim. good job getting on things ahead of time! it’s nice to feel organized. i think. not sure i can actually remember the feeling. ha.
the rainbow fabric made me think of Care Bears and 2nd grade. I had a slumber party for my birthday that year and got Birthday Bear… and one of the slumber party guests STOLE him. At least, I never found him again after that night.
Happy Monday!

Becki - I love all the fabric, and I love the Scripture too. It does feel great to spend time with the Lord…

Julia - Youre totally about the scrubs! So funny – I would have got in anyway too.

Kim from Miracle-Round - I so love organizing everything by colour! It’s so happy!

Jen Brandt - Happy post! Love your new fabric! Sounds like a busy, but fun weekend. Here’s to a continuation of fun and great. Oh, and your hot night sounds a lot like our hot dates.

amanda peters - Hey so I got my latest copy of Popular Photography in the mail today and YOU were on the back cover!! Congrats!!

Kimberly Dial - Looks like you all had a great weekend! Your fabrics are fab … I love all the bright colors. I’m a little afraid of color but I’m trying to be brave & add pops of it here & there … Just thinking about taxes makes me feel short of breath (I wait until the very last minute EVERY year) CW always looks so fun … I’m hope to make it there … some day! 😉

casey - I LOVE reading your blog everyday! It’s like sitting down for a quick cup of coffee with an old friend (c:

Sarah @ Handbags*N*Pigtails - Fabric pictures always make me a happy lady:) You should see my stash here. I could host my own CW sometime. Wanna come? I can host and you girls who normally slave over everyone else can be pampered:) You’d feel right at home in my house…big and old like yours:)
Have a great night!

Amber Bray - Meg, where do you buy your fabric online? The idea of it worries me because I can’t put my hands on it and know its a decent quality, but we only have two small quilt shops and a joanne’s here. I need more funky cool stuff! : ) Thanks in advance!

happygirl - I’d be so interested to hear about the sermon you heard on sunday. I skipped church. It was snowing. I was tired. excuses, excuses… My husband and I worked on our taxes. sexy.

Whitney - I’m in love with all of those fabrics!!! 🙂
That is a HOT weekend… 🙂 Kinda sounds like mine 🙂
Thank you for this verse, my friend (really) has been down today and I know that this one will perk her up! I love your blog MEG!

Marianne - Ha ha ha. Can’t wait to get our tax preparation on around here…

Kelly - Would love to know more about the bible study that you are doing?

Christy - Sounds like my kind of weekend! I think you were plenty organized for our craft weeekend. Is it bad that I’m jealous of the new crafters?!? I want it to be my turn again! 🙂

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hi…..

February 9, 2012

i want to make this cake….my kids would LOVE it.

a commenter yesterday told me about this site.…a Childs Own.
i was in awe.
the poor girl is so swamped with work though. i wish i could help her out!
she is an amazing artist!
my kids loved it too.
they kept thinking of which of their drawings would be the best to send in.
🙂
i think they think it's a contest….
annie quickly drew this picture for that blog.

a rainbow bus!!! love that….and those cookies too.
mmmm.

i am sitting here in the crafting/dining room….surrounded and nearly buried in the things to prepare for the Whatever Craft Weekend #3.
i had a successful day today getting supplies and using my time well.
(that can be translated as….i had time for starbucks without having to speed on my way to the bus stop)

do you see i found cupcake fabric that is glittered?! hello?!!
(brother sister design studio fabric from hobby lobby) (and my planner is from erin condren)

this is my little crafty cave.

——————————————–——————–———————–————————-———————

so this has been on my mind to share with you lovely ladies…..

i was driving in my car and listening to a christian music station.
the DJ came on and said who the song was by and then said something like:

"there are so many people that think they need to change before God will love them"

they say that in church, in books, on the radio.
i have heard that probably over a hundred times in my life.
but all of a sudden

I HEARD IT.

and i felt so sad in my heart.

do people REALLY think that?
Are there people that think that God won't love them if they are flawed?
That they have to be fixed and pretty and better before God would want them?

if that is you….if that is what you were taught or what you have told yourself….

IT IS NOT TRUE.

You cannot do anything in your life to make God love you more.

You cannot do anything in your life to make God love you less.

HE IS LOVE.
He loves you….right now.
in your mess.
in your heartache.
in your despair.
in your mistakes.
in your anger.
in your grief.
in your fear.
in your depression.
in your loneliness.
in every teeny tiny corner of your very being…..

HE LOVES YOU.
no matter what you did ten years ago, last month or today.
He is ready to welcome you into His open arms.
all you have to do is ASK.

i hope you know that deep and unfailing and unENDING and never changing LOVE from God and Jesus.

"Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." Matthew 9: 12

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28

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Helen Wall - Wow Meg. Thanks for the God’s love reminder for all your blog readers. What a great way to share the Gospel of Jesus!! Bless you!

kids shorts - I think there’s a truth that with every little things that you made for your little kids they appreciate it without you knowing.

Amber - Love this. Pinned it!

Victoria - Well said! I was one of those people in the past….thankful that I know the truth now! 🙂

Sonya - Lil' Soak + Friends - thanks for the encouragement. BTW, I love your crafty cave. I wish we had a big enough space to have one…..so loving it!

beth - What a lovely, heart-wrenching, beautiful reminder.

zina zraikat - HI Meg, great post. Love the link to the Childs Own Studio, but did you read how asked if we could NOT share her site right now? she writes ” Let’s keep Child’s Own Studio a secret for a while? Don’t share this website with your friends, pin me on Pinterest, post about me on facebook or blog about me. Yes, shhhhhhh….until I catch up.”
Please dont take me the wrong way, i mean no rudeness or disrespect by this comment. Just wasn’t sure if you’d seen it.
xx
Z

Jenna - I needed this: the happiness of the softies (wow!) and the message. Thank you!

Nicolle W. - I am reading a new book and just read this line last night, and it hit me like a ton of bricks. I loved this. It might have changed me forever…….
Jesus loves us not because we’re perfect, but because He is perfect.
so simple, but so profound! 🙂

Kristin S - 1. Thank you Meg for this sweet reminder.
2. Read the cover of your planner and realized you and Craig have rhyming names. No wonder people can’t learn English! In what world are “aig” and “eg” the same sound.
3. That cupcake glitter fabric is ridiculous. Has Annie seen it?

Tonya Blais - Thanks for allowing God to speak through your heart… to mine!

Lisa Currie-Gurney - <3
HUGS FROM MY HEART

Molly - Thanks so so so much for sharing! Aint that the truth!! It doesn’t matter…HE loves you!!
Oh and btw where is the yellow chevron from…love it!!!

Valerie @ Chateau A La Mode - What a beautiful post Meg!

Jill - AMEN Meg! AMEN! <3

Blakeley - I saw these on Pinterest and thought of your family. Rainbow pancakes!! Don’t they look awesome?? I can’t wait to try them.
http://iambaker.net/rainbow-pancake-sugar-cookies-winnie-the-pooh

bread and jam - There’s a verse in Romans…too lazy..can only move my fingers to type right now…it says something like…if God loved us when we were sinners (and His enemy) how much more must He love us now….that’s right…when we’re messed up and lost and broken down wrecks, He REALLY loved us, so, wow, He must REALLY REALLY love us when we accept Christ into our hearts.

Kristyn - Thanks for linking to my Oreo Cake. I really think your kids would LOVE it… so easy and good. 🙂
Also saw that you will be speaking at Snap! So fun – I will be there. We have to meet. 🙂

meaghan - boom! that’s right! now how do i follow you on pinterest?!?!?! can’t find ya!

Marla Rae - wow that’s all just wow! 🙂

Sarah @ Handbags*N*Pigtails - I have a question: Ive been looking for one of thos (pink/purple) suction handles for my sewing rulers for ages. Where did you find them?
Also, did Singer sponsor your CW now? Or did you have to buy all the machines for the ladies to use(Im just bein nosy on that one):)

Gale - AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂 I’m so glad you said all that – and I’m even happier to know that our Father would be happy, too – and He loves that we love kids and cupcakes and Craft Weekend and glitter and Him. So glad we all share the same family 🙂
I keep crossing my fingers to be chosen for CW.. LOL!! I can drive there – woohoo!!!! 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful, wonderful time!!

Tina Jacobsen - I love this post!! I love how you use your blog!! I love cupcake fabric!! I love that rainbow bus!! I love cookies and cake!! But most of all I love Jesus!! Thank you Meg!!
Tina

Whitney - Thank you! & AMEN! This was such a good and sweet post!
I love that fabric and that notebook!
I agree with the other lady’s comment asking you to walk around with your camera so that we can all feel like we’re there! 🙂
Have a wonderful weekend Miss Meg!

Mae - Thank you for speaking TRUTH.

Cindy - WOW! I went to Child’s Own! She is amazing, right?! I saw today she has said she is SWAMPED, but I’m still going to share w/everyone about her. She is amazing. So are you…thanks for reminding everyone about God’s grace and God’s love.

Lori Austin - God is using you in great ways Meg!
p.s. l-o-v-e that cupcake fabric.
Have a super weekend.

julie f. - thanks for sharing that, megan!

Wendy - meg- Nailed it. you always do. Thanks for the blog. love this thought. The blog world is rocking my world today. Now to live it! Thanks again. your craft weekends look amazing!
Still am so in love with my family pics that you took! Thanks again for that. Can’t wait to sign up again next year.
-Wendy
🙂 🙂 🙂

angela - you are AHHH.MAZING!
i love your blog – i feel like i know your fam and you. but seeing your message today about HIS love was exactly what i needed to.day.
i used to BELIEVE that. a year ago, i endured one of lifes biggest heartbreaks and my friends kept inviting me to church. i went.
and it CHANGED my life.
but even after going for a few weeks, i still felt NOT WORTH God’s love. a meeting and several classes later with my AWESOME pastor and i got it. I GOT IT.
you and all your GLORY reminded me of it!
thank you from the BOTTOM of my heart!

Lee Ann - Oh and did you see this cake? 🙂 http://www.flickr.com/photos/emily-weaver-brown/4827840735/in/faves-38319530@N03/

andrea - Thank you. I needed to hear that. I have been trying very hard to get back to being close to God again but the devil keeps butting in. Haven’t felt this lost since college. I know in my brain He loves me but needed to hear it in my heart again too. Thanks again, this was what I needed to hear today.

Lee Ann - Thanks for posting that and using your blog to speak TRUTH.

Toni :O) - Continue to love your blog and adore you…your posts are always so relevant and fun!!! Have a blessed weekend cause you are just a rockstar!!! :O)

Kirsten J - Well said, Megan – I have a little story – my mom went to Catholic school until high school and was always pretty strict with us kids about church. Lots of Catholic rules. And we went to confession quite regularly. Finally, somewhere in my teens, I told Mom I had always struggled to find something to “confess”. And Mom said “oh Kirsten, God knows you are good, God is kind and loving. You don’t need to go to confession if you have nothing to say, or to receive God’s love”. I tell you what, I have had such a different perception of God ever since. Absolutely freeing and so much love. I’m happy for you that you got some time to play with crafty stuff (and oh so jealous of those who get to go to CW3)….and aStarbucks run 🙂

Seriously Sassy Mama - I have always loved that verse! Thank you!

Midwest Magnolia - Melissa Lewis - Thanks for sharing this!
My heart has been so heavy the past few weeks with people who have been believing the lies that they need to change for God to love them, or that they aren’t worthy, are that they are all alone. I have 2 dear friends who are suffering from depression, one just checked herself into a facility, afraid of where she was headed, and another (a fellow pastor’s wife) is now in ICU because she wanted to die and almost allowed herself to do so. In the last two weeks, we had two 14 year olds commit suicide. And today, found out a local, unnamed girl, is planning on an abortion for tomorrow at 10:30 am. We are reaching out to her through FB to let her know how in love God is with her and only has good planned for her, that she isn’t alone in this, and that the enemy wants her to believe these lies.
I feel like I want to do something to shed light on this. To let the world know how much God loves them to be aware of the lion that is seeking to destroy. Don’t believe these lies! God is madly in love with you, YOU are his prized position!
Sorry for the long comment Meg, but just interesting to see your words here with the timing of everything going on!

Liana - Amen! One of your best posts, ever.
And I second the flip tour request! 🙂

Charlene @ Adventures In Mommy Land - Oooh love that cupcake fabric….my eyes were drawn straight to it LOL! I only wish we had a Hobby Lobby close by.

Jill - I am so encouraged when you follow God’s leading with your blog! I’ll be praying that everyone hears this the way you did…

Kimberlee Jost - Such truth.
So good…and needed.

Jaime @ Queen of the Creek - Beautiful…. for all of the above. ♥

Heather R. - Amen.

sara @ it's good to be queen - you preach it sister! yes, yes and yes. this is a good word today. God is doing good things with this here blog of yours. blessings blessings, sara

Christy - <3 this post.

jennyonthespot - Cupcake. Glitter. Fabric. BOOM.
P.S. Just thinkin’ of ya, friend… *blows kiss*

Amy G - I love the way you let God speak through your blog.
You are such an inspiration to me in so many ways.
Blessings to you!

Sarah - Yes. Just yes.

Jody - Wow. You’re like a friend I just called & who told me what I needed to hear…I am in the midst of reading “Crazy Love” and feeling like I am coming up very short on the person I am for God. These were kind words to hear – and for some reason – you wrote them just when I needed to hear them.

Alicia - Thank You for your post on Gods love. You have made a difference in my life.

Stephanie - God is love! So true! We actually don’t have to do ANYTHING… not even ASK. He already LOVES US SOOOOOOOO MUCH that He sent Jesus, to die on the cross for us. He loves us…whether or not we are loving Him. And He is and always has been there for us. Some are just rejecting Him. Its like if someone told you they just put $1000 in the bank for you, and all you had to do was go and get it… you would never reap the benefits of that if you just said “nah… you didn’t really, that’s funny though!”
Believe. God DOES LOVE EVERYONE. And its not because of anything we have or haven’t done. We don’t have to do a thing to be loved by God. It is already true and always has been, since before we were born. God loves babies… they haven’t asked for it. God so loved the WORLD… 🙂
Thanks, Meg! 🙂

tara pollard pakosta - I love this post so very much….
love IT> it’s so true, but I forget that all the time,
I think, I can’t go to church because God only wants perfect people there….ugh. need to stop feeling that way.
tara

Laura Phelps - I read this last night
11 minutes after you posted it
It made me cry
a lot
like…A REAL LOT
like..the UGLY cry kind of cry
glad everyone was in bed and didn’t witness it
maybe the wine and exhaustion had something to do with the ugly cry
quite possible
but either way
what you said…
it struck a chord in me
it opened up something inside of me
I know God loves me beyond comprehension
I know how forgiving He is
my trouble is… forgiving myself
a weekly, daily, sometimes minute by minute struggle…
a cross I carry…sometimes beautifully, but most times, with great difficulty
I’d like to toss that cross of mine in the woods out back and set it on fire
but well, that would not teach me anything, now would it?
nope
its mine to carry
its mine to love
its mine to be thankful for
its mine BECAUSE God loves me
anyway
it is morning now
no more tears
but the message is still with me
thank you, my little crafting bundle of awesomeness
love you

Trish - do you ever wonder how many people you will meet when you get to heaven that found their way to Jesus through your blog! won’t that be a fun day?!

Jenn - Its been said before, but its so true….AMEN, Sister! God IS Love! We can’t hear that enough. Thank you and love to you for having such a positive and loving blog.

Katie - nice encouragement!

Laura - Beautiful, Meg! Very well put. Sadly, yes, there are many people who think that. Hopefully fewer because of your post.

Anna - Girl this post rocks! Love it – the glitter cupcake fabric, but more importantly your message!
It irritates me to hear people (esp. Christians) say “We must change, this must be corrected”. While it may be true that changes need to be made, and it does matter to God, the truth is that his love is not conditional! As a believer this should be super simple, but to non-believers it’s hard to get this message across when they may be apporached with criticisms that they need to change just to be loved by God. – So not true.
Thanks for the Message!

Danett - I really needed that today — I really heard it. Great scripture!! Thanks!

tina - So glad I stopped to read your post today!!!!

Kristen - Awh Meg, you’re heart is just pure sweetness with sprinkles all over. I love your spirit.

Kate R - I’ve been lurking for a while (don’t even remember how I found your blog…) but had to stop and comment on this post. Thanks so much for sharing this thought today. I love reading blogs where God is a real part of people’s lives and yours is one 🙂 Thanks!

Catriona - Amen, sister! The world is all about sorting yourself out, but God is all about Jesus having done it all for you. Simple and radical all at the same time.

SaraG - Amen and Amen.

Tracy Fisher - Thanks for your words today. They were appreciated more than you know. Tracy

Ashley - I am so thankful that you posted about this.
I needed to hear it, even if in my head I know it to be true…tonight you spoke to my heart.
Thank you!

Jacci - loving this. thank you 🙂
i have a thought… i wondered if maybe you would consider doing a little flip tour of your house all set up for the next craft weekend (?). Like, before the ladies arrive, you just walk around with the ol’ flip and show us how wonderful it all is 🙂 so we can pretend we’re there, too! and ooh and ahh and want to come to the next one even MORE.
not trying to add to your plate or be demanding… just throwing out a post idea.

Theresa - You are a awesome women of GOD. It is so great of you to post this. I feel inadequate because I am not knowledgeable of scripture so that I can speak of him to others with wisdom. What you have said has helped me…that he loves me anyways. In time I will learn because he has put this on my heart. You posted this right when I needed to hear these words! Thank you!

Lisa - You worded that so beautifully! Praying people “hear” it!

Nikki - What beautiful encouragement! I needed to hear it today.
(also I think I will hunt for that fabric this weekend. Glitter cupcakes.Too fun!)

Heidi Jo the Artist - So true. I think the hardest part is to forgive ourselves, well, at least for me. I too hope people don’t think that God won’t love them until they change.
Oh, that drawing of Annie’s is so awesome! You are pretty awesome at sewing, I bet you could make one of the rainbow bus in 3-D! I want to make so many things with felt right now that I might have to give it a shot! And if you are stretched for time, I bet you could use that rainbow stripe fabric I’ve seen around…since Child’s Own Studio seems kind of backed up. Plus, I’m sure it would be so much meaningful since you made it for her.
And of all people, I thought you would appreciate this! http://pinterest.com/pin/159244536793917916/

Amy @ www.littleforalittlewhile.blogspot.com - Thanks for the reminder:)

Stephanie campbell - <3 love this post.

Tara Provence - just got off the phone with a friend talking about the exact same thing! He IS love. no matter how freakin’ flawed up we are. ♥

Robyn Farmer - Amen! Thank you for sharing that.

Katy @ Live Laugh Love Craft - Oh, FREAK! I gasped when I saw that cupcake fabric. Thank goodness I already scheduled a trip to Hob Lob tomorrow. 🙂 MUST.HAVE.

Jill - You’re the sweetest.

Barbara - Oh, your words are sooooo true, Meg. That He loves any of us is the biggest mystery. Thanks for sharing them!
And I bought the cupcake fabric from HobLob, too. I love it!! I’m making napkins as a gift for my GF’s bday.

Tina I - Thank God (literally) that He loves me, flaws and all!

Alicia - Such a cute idea- kids’ drawings turned into soft toys!
(And also, we have the same Erin Condren planner! Except mine has my ‘teacher name’ on it)

Jill Tracy - So VERY true and what a great reminder for us all. I read your blog religiously and those words may just have been the best I’ve read. Cause really, in the end, that’s what matters most…our relationship with God. Hope your message reaches many 🙂

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - Amen.

DanaD@BoysMyJoys - I sure needed to hear that reminder tonight, Megan!
THANK YOU!!!

Terrie G - Oh.My.Goodness!!! That is ONE TaLenTeD lady!! What a cute idea! I’d love to help her too…but I don’t think I’m that talented!
That is a lot of craft loveliness!!
You are so right about God not loving us more than where we are right now! Thanks for sharing!

Janelle - Thanks Meg…I don’t really think that but I do wish I had a deeper faith…and I often feel badly that I don’t. Thanks for the little pick me up before I go to bed 🙂

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