About time

I got this album!

After hearing a few songs this past weekend, I began searching for Metrics new Albume "Fantasies". You know when you want something, and the more you can't have it the more you want it?! Yep that was what this was. Sunday I looked for it at the future shop and the HMV in Abbotsford. After the second attempt failed I couldnt' leave empty handed so I bought Ok Go's Oh no album. *good purchase but not what I wanted!* Then monday on the way to Walnut Grove to watch 17 Again *loved it!* I stopped in at the Best Buy in langley...no such luck, but I had no time to go to the mall or anywhere else. So once again I was disapointed.
TODAY I was still determined to get the album so I phoned HMV....it was in! So I went and I am currently listening to it... so far so worth it.

Today I listened to three of my friends express how they are frustrated, confused or incredible hurt by a guy(s). Then I heard another say that they are not focusing on a "relationship" until after the summer.

My heart actually aches for one of them. I'm sorry they are feeling broken.

Full day.

Lost = awesomeness

Sun = blessing!

Job = exciting

Single = thankfulness

Music = glory

The End.

Inspiration..

This will forever be one of my favorite songs.

Dandelions

By Five Iron Frenzy

In a field of yellow flowers,

underneath the sun,

bluest eyes that spark with lightning,

boy with shoes undone.

He is young, so full of hope,

reveling in tiny dreams,

filling up, his arms with flowers,

right for giving any queen.

Running to her beaming bright,

while cradling his prize.

A flickering of yellow light,

within his mother's eyes.

She holds them to her heart,

keeping them where they'll be safe,

clasped within her very marrow,

dandelions in a vase.

She sees love where,

anyone else would see weeds.

all hope is found.

Here is everything he needs.

Fathomless your endless mercy,weight I could not lift.

Where do I fit in this puzzle,what good are these gifts?

Not a martyr, or a saint, scarcely can I struggle through.

All that I have ever wanted,was to give my best to you.

Lord, search my heart,create in me something clean.

Dandelions you see flowers in these weeds.

Gently lifting hands to heaven,

softened by the sweetest hush,

a Father sings over his children,

loving them so very much.

More than words could warrant,

deeper than the darkest blue,

more than sacrifice could merit,

Lord, I give my heart to you.

SHUT UP!

That was the reply I gave Colin Ashton *the sr.high youth pastor* when he said the elders wanted to know if I'd be the perminent middle school pastor at Central Heights Church.

I quickly recovered with a resonding YES!!

I got the call half an hour after I left the Elder interview.

So there you have it. It's official I can now take the "Interim" off my title.
Weird... I'm a perminent, pastor.

Praise God! I have confidence in where I am at because of how the Lord has lead me here. It's been a long journey, but it's amazing to know that you are walking in the path that the Lord has set out for you!

So the adventure continues!!

SHINE....

...make them wonder what you got, make them wish that they were not, on the outside looking in!!

No I'm not going to write about the Newsboys song, however I am going to post a little something about my weekend on the retreat I took 21 of my middle schoolers on. . .

SO here they are, aren't they lovely?! Almost normal looking right?! Yeah, that facade doesn't last long for any of us....

It really was a great weekend. To be honest I was freakin' out a tad about it. I was nervous as it was my fist leading a group of youth on something out in the "world" for that amout of time, traveling, and with other groups, and and and yeah just a lot going through my mind. And the first time I was wondered how I was going to make it to Sunday and well I did make it and rad things happened! I love these crazy youth I really do... even after being sleep deprived ... God is Good.

..so tired, brain ceasing to function, eyes stinging... bed calling...

April 15 !?!?!

DANG YO! This year has been soo crazy ridiculous, I can't believe it's alreayd mid-april!! This time last year I was gearing up to graduate from college, and be starting to work at camp! That was a year ago already!??!?!?!?! I'm seriously floored. What a roller coaster of a year man! HUGE lessons and learning curves...

I think I've added learning German to my list of "To Do's"

...that was a LAME post haha.

Sunday's post. Well it feels like Sunday!

EGOCENTRIC

e-go-cen-tric [ee-goh-sen-trik, eg-oh-]

–adjective
1.
having or regarding the self or the individual as the center of all things: an egocentric philosophy that ignores social causes.
2.
having little or no regard for interests, beliefs, or attitudes other than one's own; self-centered: an egocentric person; egocentric demands upon the time and patience of others.
–noun
3.
an egocentric person.


This culture. our culture. is very aware of issues in the world. it's one that is set apart for a desire to reach beyond our own front door. to help others. social justice is something that is being more than talked about but acted out. we want causes worth dying for. we want to do more. be more. not just have more. it's a beautiful thing. yet. we are so. ego.centric. many may argue. and sure most often i would to. but i'm just rambling. but we are. atleast i am. sure i love others. spend time with others. often put aside my own "things" to care for others. but at the core of it. it comes down to me. when i'm not cared for. it's about me.


oops rant got interupted so it's over.

this post makes me seem horrible. I am not I.I . I ..I .. I am only expressing something. It started out thinking how others were egocentric. then i thought about why i'd thought that. the answer. because they werent really listening..... to ME!

HA!

Learning once more.

"I love you more than life" this lyric echoed through my chest and mind as hillsong helped me enter into worship...yet this lyric didn't roll of the tongue as it should, didn't slide into place in my heart allowing it to resonate in my soul.

Instead it rattled around.

"I love you more than life" ...could I honestly sing that? And truly mean it. Did my life reflect it? Does my heart cry it?

It almost scared me to think that I couldn't sing that... I mean really sing that.

Then yesterday during the closing session of the youth workers conference I was at. The key note speaker echoed this quesiton. Do you love Jesus? Do you REALLY love Jesus.

I know I "love" Jesus. I always will, my heart belongs to him. But yet this question has depth.

This morning as I prayed with the other pastors, I prayed that we would discover what it means to love Jesus again, that we would kneel in his presence and learn what it meant to love him.

"There is love that came for us.
Humbled to a sinner's cross you broke my shame and sinfuless you rose again victorious. Faithfulness none can deny through the storm and through the fire there is truth that sets me free Jesus Christ who lives in me.
You are stronger you are stronger.
Sin is broken you have saved me it is written Christ is risen Jesus you are Lord of all.
No beginning and no end You're my hope and my defence you came to seek and save the lost you paid it all upon the cross.
So let your name be lifted higherBe lifted higher be lifted higher"

As we repeated the chorus I felt compeled to be on my knees, and before I knew it I was there. In his presence, on my knees...just as I prayed.

I'm learning to love once more...

I'm beginning to feel like I'm bragging..

...but I just found out that SNOWPATROL is opening for Coldplay. Oh gee SO ridiculous! I'm so ridiculously stoked. Although Not as stoked as showing you these pictures of Emmy, who is now 8 days old!!



This foot right here...is fresh! Minutes after he was born.




TA DA. I didn't hold Emmy right away because I wanted Mandy and Nate to have their time, so I took this when I came back that night, after I held him. He's ridiculsouly cute.

















Blurry but beautiful!!

My Insane Concert Roster!!!

JUNE 20TH!!

JUNE 29TH!!

JULY 16

(FLOOR!!)

AUGUST 5TH!!

It's a BOY!

GABRIEL EMMETT MINION!

I got the call 1:30am Tuesday morning. I drove Mandy and Nate to the hospital, dropped them off at the door parked and ran in. Oooh it all felt like the movies. We wheeled her into the maternity room, her breathing short stout little breathes. Anyways I'll save you all the details and end at 4:14 out comes little Emmy *I'm tryin' this nic name out...what do ya think?* It was one crazy, powerful experience! Mandy did awesome, and was so funny, polite and apologetic during labour. But still... I choose adoption haha.

I was going to put up a few pics...but I'm ridiculously tired and it doesn't want to seem to load!

But trust me, he's cute!

Past week Randoms. I've...

- asked a stranger to marry me *see last post*

- dropped my iPod onto lappy's screen and put a wee mark in it that I continuously forget is permanent and try to scrap off.

- drove to Baker again to board...hurt way less this time

- bought the movie Twilight...anyone want to buy it from me?!

- walked out of a movie *I got a free movie pass*...I love you, man = ridiculously crude

- thought to myself twice in one day that I needed a hubby ...related to someone to vent to

- bought three Cd's....

1. Mercy Me - newish one... it's alright, nothing too exciting

2. The Classic Crime - The Silver Cord - so far so good! Totally enjoying it! I think I will enjoy this album more than the last one I have of theirs. The lead singers voice and style is reminding me of the panic at the disco dudes voice.

3. Jon Foreman - "Spring & Summer" - I could listen to track five on the spring album over and over again. "Your love is strong". this song was epic while drivin' to the fort with the mountains bathed in sunlight! Seriously look it up.

- Baked a cake *from a box*

- Laughed, and really meant it, a number of times.

- practiced what I preached...literally, and it can be difficult at times.

- disappointed friends while trying to help others

- acquired another novel ..."Catch 22" ...thanks mom

- felt important, overlooked, rejected, accepted, acommplished, tired, unappriciated, confused, joyful...

- received this picture from a friend...

...they are a true friend indeed.

It's still wednesday to me!!

I'm all flustered now, I had thought of a bunch of fun, random, thought-provoking, love promoting things to write over that last few days and now...

I give you this picture...

...your asking me to have faith

...how much?

This constant pull from within is crashing against the interior of my heart. It will be silenced for now. No not silenced but hushed into a gentle colapsing wave. I will have faith. This faith will grow, expand and dwell within, consuming the empty ions that are searching for doubt. Their hope falters as my faith expounds.

SO CLOSE

So, I had this opened, yet had not begun writing before midnight.

And here is why.

I got a call at like 11:20 from my brother in-law

"Are you still awake"
"Yep! I sure am!" - I begin to get excited, thinking, could this be it, is Mandy really having little buddy now?!! *She is due on the 22...but really it could be anyday now!*
"Ok good..." ....oh man it's time! You see, Mandy said there was only two people allowed in the delivery room. Nathan and ME! "Because I really have to pee" ...what the?! is this really Nathan. "And we can't get into our complex because there is a billion cop cars, there was a shooting in our cult-e-sac and it's all blocked off"
"What?! Seriously? Ok sure come on over!"

Isnt' that crazy! Freakin' four houses down from Mandy and Nates house. A shooting. So crazy.

Anyways. I was SO CLOSE to getting this writen before "thursday" and SO CLOSE *so I tought* to having another niece or nephew.

Aight, time for bed. Peace and much much love.

OOoh if only you were closer.

I found the cutest...bakery ever!

It is on the way to Mt.Baker. It is ridiculously wonderful with glorious tasting muffins and well quasi good hotchocolate. haha. The hot chocolate bit didn't really fit in there.

Anyways it's this small old school house done all brilliantly. Inside it's tiny, bright and eclectique with three or four tables all cozied together. There is a display of muffins, cookies and random baked goods and a short but very chatty man who runs it. If I lived by it I would go there weekly, if not daily to hang out.

*Sigh* it is wonderful and made me feel jousous. Almost as joyous as the day at Baker made me feel.

Thinking and Thoughts

I just finished reading Dans latest post...I tend to read his before catapulting myself into my own writing process. Perhaps looking for some motivation and inspiration.

Tonight he wrote on the fact that he likes to think...to spend quality time processing and contemplating. This got me thinking...how funny would it be to know what people were thinking all the time!

I'm sure it would be super awkward and disturbing at times...but just think about how hilarious it could be at other times! Oh thinking of this reminded me of that movie "What Women Want" with Mel Gibson. And how there were really funny moments in that, and the joy that it brought him knowing what others were thinking... and then he knew what the woman he was interested in was thinking. Good AND bad.
It could definitely be hurtful to know what people were thinking all the time, and the thing about that is, people change there mind so fast that if you only caught a glimpse of what they were thinking then you may miss the conclusion...results could be catastrophic.

I love the fluidity of thoughts, how your brain synapses can rapidly fire one thought and catapult it into another, and another and another...an endless cycle.

These cycles can be ridiculously amusing and intriguing, and that is why it would be fun to know what others were thinking at random times.

OK enough thoughts.

...funny how fast pictures of me become dated. This was taken early Nov. I no longer have that hair colour or those glasses.

If you google my name this will be the #1 thing found.

Megan Hazelton [Middle School Pastor]

It’s funny to think I’m considered old by some, mid twenties to a middle school youth is ancient, while I’m considered young to others. This is why youth ministry is the place for me; I get to be an adult but act like a youth because it’s my “job”! Acting weird, being ridiculously loud and doing crazy things are not the only reason why I love what I do. I get the opportunity to walk along side and support youth who are starting to discover who they are in Christ. Whether they’ve known Jesus all their lives or have yet to call Him saviour it is an awesome adventure to journey with them!

Some answers to frequently asked questions:

• No, I do not remember my natural hair colour.
• Yes, that is my real laugh.
• I went to Columbia Bible College where I got a BA in Youth Work.
• I Have three brothers, three sister in laws, one sister, one brother in law and eight nieces and nephews!
• My parents live in Fort Langley in the house my siblings and I grew up in.
• I enjoy reading, the theatre, visual arts, long boarding and traveling!
• Sushi
• I love music and have a large, eclectic collection. If you were to look on my iPod for recently played you’d see: One Republic, Adele, Snow Patrol, Kanye West, Jonas Brothers & Relient K.

...God only knows if this will be there come June!!

"My soul followeth hard after thee....

...thy right hand upholdeth me."

While reading the first couple of pages of AW Tozers "The Pursuit of God" I was so interested that at this time, early 1900's, he writes about how we need to chase after God, how people are getting caught up in the programs, and getting so busy and yadda yadda yadda. This is not a new struggle! He talks of how we need to hunger and thirst for the Lord really "follow hard after him". I've read Psalm 63 a ton, it's one of my favorites. A couple of weeks ago I got stuck on verse 8 "My soul clings to you" I just loved that imagery, it's not just a desire but a strong sense of necessity, a longing. Then Towser wrote the KJV "My soul followeth hard after thee..." So beautiful.

I was today of what a beautiful picture this verse is of our relationship with God. We are to pursue God, thirst and hunger for him, to chase after him...yet we're already with him. We are to long for his presence yet are already there. We are in his right hand. We are saved, we are righteous in his sight, not by works but by who he is. He holds on to us as we cling to him. It's like a beautiful oxymoron, we chase yet we stand still. We are saved but our salvation doesn't end with a prayer, it begins. We work out our salvation in fear and trembling as we enter into the throne room, yet we are free to sit.

I was thinking about that image, and how it seems pointless...we're chasing and pursuing but not getting anywhere. I knew this wasn't the case but thats how it sort or reads. And I thought of a treadmill, because you run and run and run, but you don't get anywhere! You're stationary. However you still feel the effects of it, it is still healthy, you work your muscles, you strengthen your heart. . . . I followeth hard after thee, thy right hand upholdeth me.