tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45347809400139614672024-03-05T05:34:45.564-05:00Working Teacher MamaJesus Follower. Perfectly Imperfect. Wife. Working Teacher Mama. Magan Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366973046380610925noreply@blogger.comBlogger154125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534780940013961467.post-87426084522196135482016-04-12T22:12:00.000-04:002016-04-12T22:14:29.677-04:00Faithful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Bryan an Kim Rogers are those people for me. Fifteen years ago my world was turned upside down when my parents divorced. When I was fourteen they moved to the church we attended from Texas. My dad actually helped bring them to our church. I very quickly became close to their family...babysitting, hanging out in my free time, and of course getting to know them through our youth group gatherings.<br />
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From the time I learned that my parents were going through a rough season until I went away to college, Bryan and Kim were always there for me. I recall sitting on their front porch, and Bryan reminding me of who my Heavenly Father is, that He will never leave us, and how much He loves us. There were many times Kim did the same. We had many conversations of this sort during my high school years. We also talked about normal teenage things...where I'd go to college, boys that I liked, and high school drama. Bryan and Kim took me on my 1st mission trip and my 2nd. They were a huge part in molding me as a young girl who loved Jesus.<br />
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When I was a freshman in college, they moved their family back to Texas, but this did not change our relationship. We kept in touch quite often, and I even went to Texas once to chaperone a trip for their youth group. Over the years, life has been busy, but we've still kept in touch.<br />
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It's been over fifteen years since my parents divorced and fifteen years since I experienced any huge trial in life. Recently I wrote a post about my current battle with anxiety. I wasn't sure about putting myself out there for the world to see, but I'm so glad I did. The next morning I woke up to a message from Kim. "Hey Magan, I read your latest blog about your anxiety experience. I found myself thinking I was reading Bryan's words." As I continued to read, I was reminded of Bryan's experience and was very quickly drawn to her invitation to give Bryan a call to hear his story.<br />
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Fast forward to tonight. I just got off the phone with Bryan. I am seriously in awe at how the Lord works. Once again, He has reminded me of His goodness. As I listened to Bryan share his experience and encouragement, I could not believe that the same things I'm experiencing, so did Bryan. It was so encouraging to hear how Bryan overcame his struggle in the same ways I feel the Lord is encouraging me to overcome mine. Waiting is not easy, but God doesn't promise easy.<br />
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I am so very grateful for how the Lord provides when we need it. Fifteen years ago God brought this sweet family into my life and used them to encourage me. Now, as Matt and I struggle through this current battle, God has used Bryan and Kim to encourage me again.<br />
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As I finish my post, I am reminded of something Bryan used to say... It might sound cliche', but it's true...God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.<br />
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Mama Kim & Daddy Bryan, I am forever grateful for you!<br />
<br />Magan Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366973046380610925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534780940013961467.post-37336057566088472712016-04-06T22:15:00.000-04:002016-04-06T22:15:40.182-04:00Good Shepherd I was really unsure about writing this post. In fact, I waited a few days to be sure it was the right thing to do. I am usually a pretty open book, but sharing our struggles isn't always pretty. However, I do know that the Lord can use my story to help someone. I've talked to many friends recently that have shared their<i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>story, and it has helped me so here we go...<br />
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I was recently sitting on my back deck, soaking in the sun and enjoying a quiet moment to myself while listening to Amanda Cook's station on Spotify. I was planning to sit and journal a little, but was intrigued by the lyrics of her song "Shepherd." As I sat and listened to the song, it was like God was speaking directly to me. Every lyric describes exactly how I feel about my current season of life.<br />
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Without typing out my life story, I've had a recent bout with anxiety. I've always been a pretty high strung person, but I've never experienced anxiety the way I have the past few months. I'm not 100% sure if I'm where I am because of a reaction to a medicine that my doctor gave me, or if I really do struggle with an anxiety disorder. Nevertheless, I am where I am, and I know that God's going to see me through.<br />
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"Shepherd" </div>
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In the process<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />In the waiting<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />You're making melodies over me<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />And your presence<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />is the promise<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />For I am a pilgrim on a journey<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />You will lift my head above the mighty waves<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />You are able to keep me from stumbling<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />And in my weakness<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />you are the strength that comes from within<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Good shepherd of my soul<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Take my hand and lead me on<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />You make my footsteps and my path secure<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />So walking on water is just the beginning<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Cause my faith to arise, stand at attention<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />For You are calling me to greater things<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Oh<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />how I love You<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />how I love You<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />You have not forsaken me<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Oh<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />How I love You<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />how I love You<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />With you is where I want to be</div>
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It's been a while since I've felt like I was in a hard season of life. There are days I hear clearly from God that He's got this, and there are other days that I don't hear or feel Him, but I know He's still holding me. This journey has taught me many things, and I've just recently been able to find joy and thank the Lord for what He is teaching me. I've memorized a lot of Scripture. I've learned what it looks like to surrender my life to the Lord on a daily basis (sometimes several times in one day), I've learned to literally take my days one minute at a time, I've learned to slow down and to listen, and I've learned that God really does give us exactly what we need for each day. </div>
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My overflow is pretty much nonexistent right now. I don't have a lot of extra to give away, but as the days progress I feel as if He is teaching more and more about His goodness. He's teaching me more and more about the person He's called me to be, and I am confident that soon my overflow will be plenty. I look forward to that day. I look forward to being able to be myself again and to love people and serve people like I know I've been created to do. </div>
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One of my favorite verses that I've read recently is Hebrews 10:23 and it says "Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise." I know that He promises to never leave or forsake me. I also know that I will never fully understand His love for me. </div>
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His promises get us through the stormy seasons. He loves us and is <b><i>ALWAYS</i></b> with us. Our hope in Him gives us peace and strength to get through each day whether it's a stormy season or not. He is <b><i>THE</i></b> good Shepherd. </div>
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Magan Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366973046380610925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534780940013961467.post-57253003674676673172016-04-03T20:48:00.000-04:002016-04-03T20:48:02.651-04:00In the Middle of the StormIt's been a hectic season for our family. Probably more of a stormy season than a mountain top... I've been dealing with some health issues, and Matt has been slammed at Journey. Our poor kids somehow seem to flawlessly survive whatever is thrown their way, and they are thriving.<br />
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This weekend was no exception to our busyness because I had to do April meal prep, and Matt had some extra work that had to be done at Journey Saturday and Sunday.<br />
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Friday, we had a babysitter and a date night. We left here at 5:30 on Friday evening with zero clue as to what we were going to do because we hadn't had time to plan anything. Matt drove without really even thinking about where we'd go, and we ended up downtown at Chuck's. Chuck's is our favorite burger restaurant downtown. We ordered our favorite burgers and fries (all homemade with dipping sauce), and I broke my no soda rule (been trying to stay away from them) with a glass bottle Cheerwine. Afterwards we headed to Jubala (our favorite coffee shop) over by NC State. We enjoyed our favorite lattes and walked around Hillsborough Street to catch up on life. With things being so crazy lately, there hasn't been time for sharing deep thoughts. It was so nice to be able to have a conversation about what God's teaching us, where our heads are, and what's going on without little voices interrupting (we do love our kids...promise).<br />
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Saturday after breakfast I spent some really sweet time with the Lord while enjoying the rain on our front porch. The rest of Saturday was spent calendar syncing with Matt, April meal planning, grocery shopping, and squeezing in a nap for the kids. Matt spent most of his day at the church working on a project that had to be finished before Sunday services. When the kids woke up from their nap we headed to Lowes to purchase things for our very first little herb garden. I have NO clue what I'm doing, but we're excited to give it a shot. We bought our favorite herbs (not starting from scratch this year since I'm a beginner), and the necessities to get our little garden started. The kids also enjoyed some tractor time while were there.<br />
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Saturday night we hung out with friends from our early Journey days and enjoyed catching up on life. We were out super late, and Matt didn't get to join us until 10:00, but we had a really great time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvZOxW8iCicjJnkRqHkdK-4dLDa2a8upkg0P5tRKPRf-EcouMtGUKBHOCC0syFSZhfllahiEf9FtH2DwjIvnV0KNyo2wdjDgN37XMe5hIw8CdUMRkHvNNm3Bd-zrLPuHsGNdWezXW/s1600/IMG_0115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvZOxW8iCicjJnkRqHkdK-4dLDa2a8upkg0P5tRKPRf-EcouMtGUKBHOCC0syFSZhfllahiEf9FtH2DwjIvnV0KNyo2wdjDgN37XMe5hIw8CdUMRkHvNNm3Bd-zrLPuHsGNdWezXW/s320/IMG_0115.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwICU3E5v8_Z3O9nEwYEWyUBrUjM1i2WKhP4W6iRcsF022FuoySQhjC1mlj3av41L7QjsrmDyhEFmRYPglcbWj9_JazrlJoZbeOYW5WfYhenWMaVJbo-767HGRF4R4jyiSHT35oi0h/s1600/IMG_0132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwICU3E5v8_Z3O9nEwYEWyUBrUjM1i2WKhP4W6iRcsF022FuoySQhjC1mlj3av41L7QjsrmDyhEFmRYPglcbWj9_JazrlJoZbeOYW5WfYhenWMaVJbo-767HGRF4R4jyiSHT35oi0h/s320/IMG_0132.JPG" width="240" /></a>Today was busier than a normal Sunday because Matt had to stay late at the church to work on a stage design. He didn't get home until 5:00 this afternoon, so the kids and I enjoyed lunch on the back deck and they took a nap while I graded papers. Once Matt got home, I left for a long overdue "run" (aka fast walk). I've been trying to find some balance between me time, family, school, and everything else. My exercise time has become a sweet time of solitude for me in this season. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1graqZVLqoZcPqdFrGqGtXsEERhnvF7hllx2CQ0_QXLLon6oINfQ_pZgdMGBrbm0E-RuHsmfKuRwyWV9x0Zf4uCnZwGcnvdptieGrBfpMQIR__m6t7EZVHWVX8aG0ABoLc6xXsYA1/s1600/IMG_0131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1graqZVLqoZcPqdFrGqGtXsEERhnvF7hllx2CQ0_QXLLon6oINfQ_pZgdMGBrbm0E-RuHsmfKuRwyWV9x0Zf4uCnZwGcnvdptieGrBfpMQIR__m6t7EZVHWVX8aG0ABoLc6xXsYA1/s320/IMG_0131.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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I'm not really sure why I felt compelled to write a public post about our weekend, but I do know that it sure does help me realize how grateful I am for my sweet little family and the life God has given us. While I feel like we're still in the midst of a storm, I can say that God certainly has blessed me in so many ways. Tonight, as I prepare for another week of teaching/momming/wifing, my heart is full and my blessings are overflowing. God is good friends. In the midst of chaos, in the midst of the unknown...His love is unending, His grace is sufficient, and He is constant!<br />
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<br />Magan Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366973046380610925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534780940013961467.post-4500327801826777582015-09-21T09:58:00.002-04:002015-09-21T09:58:24.040-04:00Journey10 years ago Matt & I started dating. 10 years ago Journey Church was established. I always thought this was the coolest thing...but it's really not a coincidence. It's the plan God had for us all along. This post isn't about us though...<br />
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Over the past few weeks our church, Journey Church, has been celebrating our 10th anniversary. Our Sunday services have been full of laughter, memories, looking ahead, and LOTS of tears. I can't help but to think "what if.." What if God had not brought us to meet our friends Pam & Daniel Gardner through Camp Caswell? What if we had not had said "yes" to visiting with them the week after our wedding? We have been forever changed because we chose very early on in our marriage to make Journey a part of our lives. This post isn't about Journey either...it's about Jesus and how He has been so good to us and to our church. I am blown away by His faithfulness and goodness...<br />
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Matt & I both grew up in Southern Baptist churches. We knew about the Gospel and both accepted Jesus as our Savior early in life. However, it wasn't until we were older that we learned about what it meant to have a relationship with Jesus. It wasn't until attending Journey that we actually learned how to live it out.<br />
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We started out as volunteers on Sundays at Journey...Matt served on the tech team and I served with elementary kids. We never in a million years thought that within a year of attending Journey, Matt would be asked to join the staff as the tech director...which is something he always dreamed of doing, but was never sure how it would happen.<br />
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When I took a break from teaching, or what I thought was a forever break from teaching....ha, I never thought I would serve on staff for two years. I loved every minute of what I did at Journey and God taught me a lot about himself and who I am in Him...it was not just a coincidence that they had an opening for this job when they did. I thought I was going to quit teaching and become a stay at home mom. Within 6 months of Laney being born, Matt and I knew that staying at home wasn't an option for me. I was bored and we needed the money. In a random parking lot conversation with my friend Lisa, I learned that they were interested in me working on their team. Before I knew it, I was working as an administrative assistant to the next steps team. In the two years that I worked at Journey, God reminded me that He had given me a passion for students and for teaching. As much as I would have loved to stay in my comfortable position at Journey, I knew I had to get back to the classroom. Now I get to work with girls every day and allow Him to be His hands and feet through me.<br />
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Not only have both Matt & I been impacted by what God's doing through Journey, we've been able to begin raising both of our children there. Both Laney and Ben LOVE going to Journey on Sunday mornings and are learning that God loves them and He wants to be their friend forever.<br />
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I have never been a part of a church that cares so deeply about sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with people. It's not about Journey, or about how big Journey gets, or even about how many people come to know Jesus at Journey on a Sunday morning. Journey is and has always been about reaching a city for the sake of Jesus and about reaching the world for the sake of Jesus. I could write all day about the countless stories of God's faithfulness and how He has used Journey to bring people closer to him...from Africa to South America, to right here in our city God is at work.<br />
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Matt & I are forever grateful that we get to be a part of a ministry that is not about themselves or about their own agenda. We are grateful for the leadership and that they aren't scared to make changes when necessary and speak truth into our lives. You guys are like family to us and have impacted our lives, our marriage, and our family in so many ways. We are humbled that God would chose us to be where we are and doing what we are doing, for His sake, in our city.<br />
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I know that our lives would be completely different from where we are now had we not have said "yes" to Jesus 7 years ago. I cannot wait to see what God is going to do in our city over the next 10 years at Journey and I am excited to be a part of it!<br />
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<br />Magan Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366973046380610925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534780940013961467.post-74258003024882660692015-08-30T17:46:00.001-04:002015-08-30T17:46:52.072-04:00Meal Planning for the Keith'sI feel almost kind of silly sitting down to write a new post. It's been quite a while since I've kept up with this little ole' blog of mine...I do wish I had more time to write, but more important things call these days...<br />
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I did want to take a minute to share how I've been planning meals for my family lately. It's really nothing genius...just something that needed to be done for several reasons...<br />
1. We have a grocery budget and we need to stick to it.<br />
2. We have a restaurant budget and we can't be lazy with it...if I don't plan meals, it's easier to come home on those days that are rough and just not feel like figuring out what to eat for dinner...then Matt feels bad for me, and we end up at our favorite Mexican restaurant. Before we know it, we've spent way too much money eating out. Plus, I'd much rather feed my family a home cooked meal than go through the drive through or take my 3 and 4 year olds out for dinner.<br />
3. I really wanted to make sure that I'm feeding my family healthy meals...<br />
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So last school year I dappled with the idea of doing freezer meals at the beginning of the month, and I did do it a few months, but was never super successful with it. I'm certainly not a "pro" at it, but I successfully plan and make 14 crockpot freezer meals for August. I actually took it a step further and planned all of our dinner meals for the month. Yep...I used my planner and planned out our menu for the week.<br />
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Then each week when I went to the grocery store, I only had to buy a few things (breakfast items, fresh veggies & fruits, etc.) And the best part...I was able to stick to our $400 grocery budget!<br />
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So many people have asked what I do...and it's really not that hard. I sat down and made a list of things my family likes to eat, plus I searched Pinterest for ideas. Then, I packaged all of the ingredients in labeled ziplock bags. On the day we are going to have the meal, I take it out of the freezer, empty the frozen ingredients into my crockpot, and set the timer (generally for about 8 hours on low). I'm still tweaking a few meals and the times that they need to cook... When I get home from work, if there are any sides that need to be fixed, I make them (and my kids help me...maybe I'll write a post about that later).<br />
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Here's a list of the freezer meals I made for August and a couple of the recipes I used:<br />
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1. <a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/forgotten-jambalaya">Jumbalya</a><br />
2. <a href="http://life-in-the-lofthouse.com/crock-pot-creamy-italian-chicken/">Creamy Italian Chicken</a><br />
3. Homemade Spaghetti Sauce (Not a crockpot meal, but I freeze it and set it out the day we're going to eat it to unthaw and warm it up on the stove in less than 5 minutes while the noodles boil.)<br />
4. Italian Chicken<br />
5. Teriakyi Chicken<br />
6. <a href="http://life-in-the-lofthouse.com/?s=beef+stroganoff">Beef Stroganoff</a><br />
7. BBQ Chicken<br />
8. Hamburgers (Not a crockpot meal, but Matt can throw them on the grill and cook them quickly.)<br />
9. <a href="http://thrivinghomeblog.com/2013/10/slow-cooker-cilantro-lime-chicken-recipe/">Cilantro Lime Chicken</a><br />
10. Chicken Tacos (I just freeze the chicken, tacos seasoning & water...then I just put it in the crockpot for 8 hours on low.)<br />
11. Salmon (Not a crockpot meal, but again, another easy thing to throw on the grill.)<br />
12. <a href="http://life-in-the-lofthouse.com/crispy-southwest-chicken-wraps/">Southwest Chicken Wraps</a> (I make the chicken and stuff the wraps before we eat.)<br />
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We eat a lot of Mexican...at least once a week, and obviously a lot of chicken. There are other meals I make (Roast, Soups, Chili, Stuffed Potatoes...I'll post those recipes another time.)<br />
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It takes me about 2 hours to prep everything, an hour and a half if Laney & Ben aren't running around. Once I've prepped the meals, I sit down with my calendar and plan out when we are going to eat the crockpot meals (usually nights when we have something going on or if I know Matt has to get the kids because I have to work late at school). Then, I fill in the other days with meals that are easy to prep on school nights and save the longer prep meals for the weekends. I also make 1 night a week "leftovers night," because Matt has band rehearsal on Thursday nights. The kids and I enjoy a movie and eat leftovers on Thursday...it also helps us clean out the fridge without wasting food.<br />
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Anyways, there ya go...my little "secret" to cooking for my family every night while working a crazy teaching job. This also allows me the ability to spend some time with my kids because I'm not slaving away in the kitchen every afternoon.<br />
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I also make mason jar salads and do some other food prep...more on that another time. For now, it's time to go play bouncy ball with Laney! :)<br />
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Happy Sunday friends!<span id="goog_915609895"></span><span id="goog_915609896"></span>Magan Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366973046380610925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534780940013961467.post-71363581409702392322015-02-22T13:53:00.001-05:002015-02-22T13:53:07.107-05:00TiberiusI had planned to be able to blog everyday, but the internet connection here in Tiberius isn't great, and uploading pictures to my blog hasn't been very successful. Instagram & Facebook posts will have to do for now...<br />
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Maybe I can try again when we get to Jerusalem at a different hotel.<br />
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<br />Magan Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366973046380610925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534780940013961467.post-76455047889570584902015-02-20T13:39:00.001-05:002015-02-20T13:39:14.000-05:00Day 1: Tel Aviv<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">We finally made it to Tel Aviv about 3:00 pm this afternoon, 8:00 am North Carolina time. I don't have much to write about today, as we came straight to our hotel, rested, had dinner, and are about to go to bed. </span><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5;">We'll be up bright and early tomorrow for a full day. </span><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5;"><br /></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5;">I did promise a post though, so below is a picture of Tel Aviv (the capital of Israel) from our plane, and the Mediterranean Sea (taken from our hotel room). The weather here is rainy and about 55°. It's so crazy to think that I am on the same ground that our Savior once walked, much to take in and see over the next few days. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5;">Tomorrow we'll visit Caesarea & Megiddo, stay tuned! </span>Magan Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366973046380610925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534780940013961467.post-5121837228418210792015-02-19T11:08:00.003-05:002015-02-19T11:08:31.974-05:00Israel 2015It's been a while since I've written anything on my blog, but I wanted to be able to post updates and share our experience with friends and family while we're in Israel. I don't know how frequently I'll be able to post, but blogging is relaxing for me and I promised my students I would be blogging for them, so I hope to share a lot while we're there.<br />
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<br />A little back story...I never in a million years could have dreamed that we would have been given this opportunity to travel to Israel. When I was a little girl my grandparents shared pictures and stories of the many times they had traveled to the Holy Land, and I always dreamed about how awesome it would be to get to walk the lands that Jesus once lived. Back in September Matt took a trip to Israel to film a sermon series on the life of Jesus (you can check that out here...). When he returned we were presented with the opportunity to go together. We prayed about it, and knew that if we were going, the pieces would have to fall together quickly...place for our kids to stay, the okay from my principal, the funds to go, etc. Within about 3 days, everything came together and we knew that this was the right time for us to go! As I write, we are getting ready to leave. I still cannot believe that we are going to Israel! I know that this will be a life changing trip, and that it will be more than just a trip to another country. I know that I am about to experience just a glimpse of the things we read about in the Bible, and that the Holy Spirit is going to do things in me that I cannot even fathom while we are there. I cannot wait, and I cannot wait to share this experience with you!<br />
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Below is our itinerary for the trip...<br />
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<strong style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">Thursday, Feb. 19th</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">- Travel Day! (It's a 11 hour flight from Philadelphia, PA!)</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">Friday, Feb. 20th</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">- Arrive in Tel Aviv Israel</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">Saturday, Feb. 21st-</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"> Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Ceasarea, Mt. Carmel, Megiddo</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">(Visit a monastery, Roman Theater, Aqueducts)</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span font-family:="" font-size:11.0pt="" quot="" sans-serif="" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" tahoma=""><strong>Sunday, Feb. 22nd-</strong> Cana, Nazareth</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">(Visit a synagogue, several sites important to Christianity)</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span font-family:="" font-size:11.0pt="" quot="" sans-serif="" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" tahoma=""><strong>Monday, Feb 23rd-</strong> </span><span font-family:="" font-size:11.0pt="" quot="" sans-serif="" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" tahoma="">Tiberius, Capernaum, Banias </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">(Tour of Tiberius, Boat ride on Sea of Galilee, Synagogue, Church, Golan Heights, Caesarea Philippi)</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"><span font-family:="" font-size:11.0pt="" quot="" sans-serif="" tahoma="">Tuesday, Feb 24th- </span></strong><span font-family:="" font-size:11.0pt="" quot="" sans-serif="" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" tahoma="">Jericho - Bethany</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">(Monastery, Abraham's Tent & Camel Ride</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span font-family:="" font-size:11.0pt="" quot="" sans-serif="" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" tahoma=""><strong>Wednesday, Feb 25th- </strong></span><span font-family:="" font-size:11.0pt="" quot="" sans-serif="" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" tahoma="">Dead Sea - Masada</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">(Dead Sea, Qurman Caves, Visit Jewish war sites, King Herod's Palace, Synagogue)</span><span font-family:="" font-size:11.0pt="" quot="" sans-serif="" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" tahoma=""><br /></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span font-family:="" font-size:11.0pt="" quot="" sans-serif="" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" tahoma=""><strong>Thursday, Feb 26th- </strong></span><span font-family:="" font-size:11.0pt="" quot="" sans-serif="" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" tahoma="">Jerusalem – Old City </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">(Mt. of Olives, Eastern Gate, Garden of Gethsemane, City of David, Western Wall, Dome of the Rock/Temple Mount, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Greek Orthodox of Patriarchate, Church of St. Peter)</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"><strong>Friday, Feb 27- </strong></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">Bethlehem - Jerusalem – New City </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">(Rachel's Tomb, Church of the Nativity, Israel Museum, Garden Tomb)</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span font-family:="" font-size:11.0pt="" quot="" sans-serif="" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" tahoma=""><strong>Saturday, Feb 28 </strong>Return<strong> </strong>home! (13 hours to the US)</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" />Magan Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366973046380610925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534780940013961467.post-36302905869686054122014-01-05T16:39:00.001-05:002014-01-05T16:57:56.960-05:00This IS Why I TeachI haven't posted in forever. However, I got an email from my principal today...like I always do on Sunday afternoons with a link to a video for me to watch. It made me think and I felt like it was blog worthy. This video was titled "Every Student Needs a Champion." As I began to prep for my week ahead, I watched it...as I always do and it was a good reminder as I jump into 2nd semester.<br />
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This past week we had dinner with some new friends from church and they asked me why I left my job at Journey, if I liked it so much. My answer: because I missed the kids. I've been asked that question a lot lately. It seems so bizarre to so many people that I would leave a job that was so amazing and so flexible to go back to the "trenches" of teaching. The truth is, I do miss my job at Journey. I miss the awesome people I got to work with everyday' and I miss the front row seat that I had to watching God change lives. I know it would have been selfish for me to stay there though because it was comfortable.<br />
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Going back to the classroom was not easy for my family. My husband has sacrificed a lot, my kids have sacrificed a lot (although they are little and don't know it) and I have sacrificed a lot. I've had to learn to balance my time all over again...and 6 months later I still am, although I'm doing better than I was in August. This school year has been a learning process, but we'll get there. My laundry may not always get done and my house is usually not clean...but I do get time with my family and I am determined to not miss out on my babies being young. Going back to the classroom has taught me dependency on God like I've never known. That's a whole different post though...<br />
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I am so very thankful I said "yes" when God told me to go back. I absolutely LOVE getting up every morning and seeing 57 young womens' faces. Sometimes some of them drive me up the wall, but they're worth it. Here's a link to the video if you're curious....<a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/rita_pierson_every_kid_needs_a_champion.html?utm_content=awesm-publisher&utm_campaign=&awesm=on.ted.com_RitaPierson&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=on.ted.com-static">TED</a><br />
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This is the kind of teacher I pray Jesus makes me to be and that He uses me to point every student to Himself. Of course teaching them to read and write is important, and making sure they know the ins and outs of history...it's why I do what I do. There is deeper meaning though, to teach them and love them to the best of my ability so that He can be glorified when it's all said and done.Magan Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366973046380610925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534780940013961467.post-3687067626145871832013-08-11T23:07:00.002-04:002013-08-11T23:09:35.492-04:00In Honor of Returning to School Tomorrow...Well, I wasn't sure this day would ever come. When I walked out of Wendell Middle School two years ago, I wasn't sure if I'd ever step into a classroom to teach again. There are many reasons why I had that thought, but we won't go there.<br />
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God has taught me a lot over the past 2 years and I'm stepping back into the classroom tomorrow a completely different person. For that...I am grateful. I am grateful that I got to work at Journey Church with the most incredible staff and encouraging team. I got to be on the front lines of seeing people come to know Jesus on a day in and day out basis. I still remember the conversations I had with Lisa Bauer about the possibility of coming on staff. Tears come to my eyes as I sit here and try to write. I was really bitter when I left Wendell two years ago. I was tired. I was frustrated. I'm not sure I was a very nice person. But...I trusted Jesus. I trusted that the experiences I had there were for a reason, I trusted that he had next steps for my life in being what I thought was to be a stay at home mommy. And he did...I don't think I can put into words the gratitude I have for what the Lord has done in my life over the past 2 years. He is so good, just so good. I've learned a lot about myself...some good & some bad. I've learned what my strengths are and what my downfalls are, which cause me to trust Jesus even more so that people can see through the ugliness of my sin and selfishness and see Jesus.<br />
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I could keep writing, but I would probably just ramble. I actually wanted to write this post because I came across <a href="http://petalsofjoy.org/?p=728">another blog post</a> on Facebook (which by the way, I never read blogs people post on Facebook) that really caught my eye... This is it. This is why I teach.<br />
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When I sat down with Jimmy (our pastor) a few months ago to tell him I was stepping down from my position on staff at Journey to pursue teaching again, he said to me, "I thought you hated teaching?" I did...but I didn't hate who I taught and that was the root of my desire to return to the classroom. I love students. I love giving myself away to them and I love allowing the Lord to use me in their lives.<br />
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Never in a million years did I think I would be stepping foot into a classroom with 60 young 6th grade middle school girls staring at me. Just waiting for me to speak, waiting to see how I will act, waiting to see how I will treat them. Yes, I said it, GIRLS. I am teaching at an all girls public school. I never thought they would want me there...not with the little experience I have, but God is bigger than my 3 years of experience. What I hope that they see tomorrow and for the next 179 days of school is Jesus and only Jesus. That's what it's all about. Of course the skills I will need to teach them are important and I will do the very best I can to teach them what they need to know, but I pray for changed lives. I pray that somehow, even though legally I can't speak the name of Jesus to them, they see His love in me and that seeds are planted. And for the parents, siblings, colleagues...I pray the same. That they would see Jesus and only Jesus...<br />
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Magan Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366973046380610925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534780940013961467.post-45322406777059675202013-04-17T13:35:00.000-04:002013-04-17T13:35:00.070-04:00About MattMost wives think their husband is great, or at least they should think he's great...but my husband is REALLY GREAT! You see, I've been in bed sick with a sinus infection for the past 24 hours. I've only been up and about once and that was to take Laney to the doctor. Matt has taken care of both kids, meals, snacks, playtime, medicine for Laney and medicine for me. He has kept the house clean and even took the kids out to run errands this morning so I could sleep since I didn't last night.<br />
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Not only does he do this stuff when I'm sick, but we share chores & responsibilities all the time. He helps me keep the house clean, he plays with the kids, he helps me with the kids bath & bedtime on top of all of his other responsibilities in life. I seriously could not ask for a better husband!<br />
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Not to mention he's funny, smart, we have a lot of fun together & pretty hot (ok, you can go throw up now, but I can say that because after all...he is my husband!)Magan Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366973046380610925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534780940013961467.post-26518907475823690272013-04-16T12:20:00.001-04:002013-04-16T12:39:54.948-04:00A Sick DayI woke up feeling just awful yesterday, but I was determined to go to work anyway. We have so much going on at Journey and I'm going out of town for my sister's wedding next week, so I was just determined to get through the day. About 11:00 I got a call from Laney's babysitter that she had a fever of 102. Poor girl, this made the 3rd time in a week and a half that she had been sick...1st it was a stomach bug, then it was pink eye and now this...so I immediately got in the car & headed to pick her and Ben up. I called the doctor and made an appointment because really, 3 times in a week and a half...we had to get my girl better. We found it out was an ear infection, so we got her meds and put her to bed. Matt came home from work about 6 and then he made me go to bed...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2iv00B0iFa3GryYg8oHAsgP_AqTn6HtTu9vCTaQyhxpyY7bFcFz_8Toqol7cQrJ7PcH4QwZ_eQeg0EZmgCILZY_333FIyHAyPCAz2UvJmxXL2qvW-kzUAfJUGJ4_zaZj9qHA9nbg/s1600/photo+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2iv00B0iFa3GryYg8oHAsgP_AqTn6HtTu9vCTaQyhxpyY7bFcFz_8Toqol7cQrJ7PcH4QwZ_eQeg0EZmgCILZY_333FIyHAyPCAz2UvJmxXL2qvW-kzUAfJUGJ4_zaZj9qHA9nbg/s320/photo+(4).JPG" title="" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't this the sweetest? </td></tr>
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<br />
I slept awful last night and have decided I will NEVER take benedryl again...it has the opposite effect on me. I thought it would knock me out last night, but instead I found myself watching the news at 3 am.<br />
<br />
I've been sleeping most of today & I'm finally starting to feel a little better. Laney is still a little whinny, but she has been playing hard since she got up this morning, so that's a good sign. We're praying that Matt & Ben stay healthy. There's so much sickness going around, we have friends with strep throat and the doc said the flu is going around again...seriously!!! It's April!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5HWuQk54wP1uH0x1rtYvFCDeTLfdwVnl27Cor08mFdPwRWBN8knU-VE_KXvvIBbAr2YEvyECUDaJCS25Fm2346C6DbR8VYlHE2voybF5er70TimZGiHkQGcxZyMHSOmpyoJA9TDj/s1600/photo+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5HWuQk54wP1uH0x1rtYvFCDeTLfdwVnl27Cor08mFdPwRWBN8knU-VE_KXvvIBbAr2YEvyECUDaJCS25Fm2346C6DbR8VYlHE2voybF5er70TimZGiHkQGcxZyMHSOmpyoJA9TDj/s320/photo+(3).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Despite the sickness, I got some quality time with my girl today.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I guess we just needed to slow down, it's been a rough month for our family. Looking forward to getting better and enjoying wedding festivities next week! Magan Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366973046380610925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534780940013961467.post-19298211398594198302013-04-13T10:38:00.000-04:002013-04-16T12:40:06.577-04:00Debrief & Time With JesusI sat down to spend some time with Jesus this morning and just could not clear my head. So much going on around us...it's spring, so I want to be outside but the pollen is so bad my allergies can't handle it. We are attempting to potty train because Laney has decided she doesn't want to keep her diaper on, my house is actually clean so I want to go do something fun, I have a laundry list of things I want to do around the house (paint the table on the deck, find a rug for the living room, paint the guest bathroom, plant flowers) but all of that requires money and we're paying off debt right now, so I have to wait...We haven't had a date night in over a month, so I need some intentional time with Matt, we're going out with family for my birthday tonight so I'm thinking about that...<br />
<br />
Also, we're coming out of a LONG month and a half of busy busy...wedding showers for my sister, bridal portrait for my sister, Easter, Connect Party prep, group life organization for our spring trimester at church, our new life group, Laney being sick, Ben starting baby food... only to go back into another busy 2 weeks...Refuel worship event this coming week, my birthday, Matt's going out of town for BDT training next weekend, my sister is getting married in 2 weeks...<br />
<br />
SO<br />
<br />
MUCH<br />
<br />
STUFF...<br />
<br />
Yet, I'm trying to quiet my head & my heart to spend a time with the Lord this morning. I feel like we're debriefing this weekend only to be busy another 2 weeks. Not that this is the only time that I've spend time with the Lord, it's just that I have so much going on in my head that spending time with the Lord is difficult this morning. I'm thinking about the past few weeks and prepping my head for another 2. So, I decided to write before I dig into my quiet time. I'm sure none of this is making sense, but I needed it before I could focus.<br />
<br />
I have a <a href="http://tashavia.blogspot.com/2013/02/so-much-to-say-part-2.html">good friend</a> who wrote about her time with the Lord recently, she's actually the one that gave me the idea to get my head & heart quiet by writing or making a "to do" list before I spend time with the Lord. Whatever it takes to focus on my time with God is what I do before I dig into scripture every day...<br />
<br />
What do you do to get your mind & heart right before you spend intentional time with Jesus every day?Magan Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366973046380610925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534780940013961467.post-70771493194999835832013-04-08T21:28:00.002-04:002013-04-16T12:41:50.619-04:00Little BallerinaI can't post any pictures of my sister's bridal portrait shoot this past weekend, I don't want to tempt her fiance' Jeremy too much...I will say that she was absolutely stunning though :)<br />
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I can show you a sneak peak of the flower girl all dolled up for a picture with her Aunt Anna and she was ABSOLUTELY adorable!<br />
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My mom, sister & I had a blast with the photographer, <a href="http://www.kateashbrook.com/">Kate Ashbrook</a>, who also did my wedding. She is fabulous! I can't wait to see the pictures, 4 weeks until the wedding!<br />
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<br />Magan Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366973046380610925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534780940013961467.post-67455042433488981802013-04-05T10:00:00.000-04:002013-04-16T12:42:43.239-04:00This WeekendThis weekend we are heading home for the day on Saturday. In 4 weeks my little sister is getting married, so I have a few errands I need to run at home...get my bridesmaids dress fitted, get Laney's flower girl dress fitted, get Matt's measurements to the shop for his tux and most importantly Anna is having her bridal portraits made, which is the real reason we're heading home. I can't believe my sister is getting married, so weird for me. Just yesterday we were pulling hair & fighting over barbies. Guess it's probably weird to her that I'm married with two kids...anywho, here's 2 fun pictures for memory sake...I'll find some older ones of us to post closer to her wedding...<br />
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Anna & I her junior year of high school, 2006. (16 & 20 years old):<br />
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Anna & me at my dress fitting 5 years ago...(19 & 23 years old):<br />
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What are you doing this weekend?Magan Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366973046380610925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534780940013961467.post-51867405705582726082013-04-04T21:06:00.004-04:002013-04-16T12:42:59.422-04:00Writing Again?Over the years my blog has been a "hodge podge" of writing for me...it started out as an online journal and when we got married and bought a house, it became a place for me to document the fun things I did to decorate our house and our adventures as newlyweds. Believe it or not, I love DIY projects and I love to travel...however, when we started having kids things quickly changed. I just don't have time...not with 2 small kids under the age of 2 and a full time job. So, I quit blogging for quite some time after I had Laney. I just had no time, even though I wish I had documented Laney's 1st year a little better. When I was on maternity leave with Ben, I started writing again but as soon as I went back to work, I didn't have time anymore. I miss it. I miss documenting our life...whether it's something fun we did on a weekend, something the Lord is teaching me, or some project I'm working on in our house. I don't even know who reads my blog and I never really did it so a bunch of people would read it anyway...I just did it for me because even though I'm not the best at it, I do like to write. When I moved away from home, it also became a way for my family to keep up with me.<br />
<br />
Anywho, I have recently gotten the desire to write again. I don't know what I'll write about or even if I'll be good with keeping up with my blog...but I'd like to give it a shot. We'll see...Magan Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366973046380610925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534780940013961467.post-54923099834022062562013-04-03T21:28:00.000-04:002013-04-16T12:43:30.835-04:00Fighting a BattleIt's been one of those weeks, you know...where you wish you could just twinkle your nose and get through it...I knew it was going to be a busy week and I thought I was prepped but goodness! We have connect party this coming Sunday, which is a pretty big event at our church. I have a huge responsibility in doing a lot of prep work to make the night happen. In order to make this week go smoothly, I did some extra prep work last Friday (which is normally my day off) and even though I have a lot to do this week, I chose to take Monday off to get my house back in order after a crazy week last week so that my husband could fly solo with the kids when needed. I had a plan and I thought I was ready to knock this crazy week out...<br />
<br />
As soon as I got to Journey yesterday it all started...I had to make a change to the book I needed to print 1,000 copies of in just 3 days. That threw the copier off, which turned into 2 hours of wasted print time. My wonderful hubby finally got me up and going about 1:00, only to realize at 4:30 yesterday afternoon that I had been printing with several errors (that in my panic to get my copies going totally missed.) Lets just say that by the time I got home last night I was DONE for the day.<br />
<br />
When my feet hit the ground this morning, I began praying over my day...over my family, over the copy machine at Journey and over the many tasks that needed to be accomplished. Matt took the kids to school this morning and I got to Journey at 9:00, double checked my book and set the machine to print. I was on a roll until I got a text from our sitter that Laney had a 102 fever, REALLY? My poor baby being sick is never a good thing, but THIS week? Attack. That's what I felt...Satan was trying to get me all upset and freaked out. Trying to feed me lies that I wouldn't get everything done for this party, that I always make huge mistakes and there's probably someone better that can do my job, someone who is more efficient and that most of all I was a bad mom because my husband had to go get Laney. I immediately wanted to freak out and then was quickly reminded that none of this was true...God had this. Scripture says NOTHING is too hard for the Lord (Jeremiah 32:17) and that with Him all things are possible (Matthew 19:26)... that means my tasks for this week, my child being sick and my time being limited.<br />
<br />
In Ephesians 6, scripture talks about putting on the full armor of God so that we can withstand the enemy. It's so important that we do this daily. Tomorrow is a new day and I might face challenges and more set backs, but you know what? I'm okay with that. The battle has already been won, the enemy has been defeated. I know that no matter what I face this week, our connect party will happen Sunday night. I know that God already has a plan for the people that will attend and He will get the glory. I don't know what you're dealing with this week, but if you are a child of God He has already won your battles. Are you giving Him your struggle this week or are you listening to lies and stumbling over obstacles from the enemy?Magan Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366973046380610925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534780940013961467.post-49221820003513789112012-11-18T21:14:00.000-05:002013-04-16T12:43:49.705-04:00End of a Journey, Beginning of a New One: Part 2<span style="font-size: small;">I hope everyone had a great weekend! We went home to hang out with my family this weekend and it was a short visit, but we had a great time. I'm looking forward to spending more time with them over Thanksgiving. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">So last week, I ended my post talking about how I decided to take my maternity leave and really focus on my relationship with the Lord, my family & myself. One of the things I really felt like God was asking me to do to begin this process was something I didn't want to do, but really felt necessary. I stepped down from my "quad." I
love these ladies very much and I love meeting with them, but I really felt
like God telling me to take some time to really work on me, to step down from
something that was in my comfort zone. It doesn't make a lot of sense, because
I love being with those ladies, but I really felt like God was telling me to
take a break. So...I did and like I said...it was hard, but now I sort of know
why. I haven't had to depend on those ladies to keep me accountable in my walk
with the Lord. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I was once a self feeder, meaning no one had to tell me to spend
time with the Lord daily, I just did it...because as Christians, that's how we grow in our walk with Chris. But...when I began my teaching career
my time with the Lord became less consistent and I didn't open God's word on a
daily basis. Because of that, I flew by the seat of my pants...meaning, I would
lean on God when days were hard at school and that was it. It got me through,
but that's not how it's supposed to be. This is why I feel like many areas of my life I once excelled at went down hill...the belief in myself
diminished, my leadership skills went to crap, and my walk with Jesus...in my
words, "was a HOT mess!" (That's for you Patience :) ) My life was
"a HOT mess." </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
can honestly say now, that taking my maternity leave and starting this process to allow the Lord to "work on me" has been the best time in my life. I kind of
consider the past 8 week as a "boot camp" for me. Sounds kinda crazy,
but I have allowed the Lord to work on many areas of my life during this time.
I'm by no means "all better" and living a perfect life...but goodness
gracious, I feel like myself again. Like the Magan I know God is calling me to
be, I haven't felt like this in probably 4 years. It's like I began depleting
as a person, the person God has called me to be & this past summer was the peak of the awfulness...now, I feel
like I'm climbing the mountain again.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
feel like I need to list out the things God has changed in me over the past 8
weeks...can you bare with me? I won't be able to do it all in this post...but I'll give it a start. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">1.
I've finally started depending on him daily...for the 1st time in about 4
years. You know...I've walked the walk for most of my life. Surrendering it all
back in 2007 when I learned what it was like to live in a daily
relationship...but somewhere in the past 4 years, I forgot how important this is. I seriously do not let my feet hit the ground in the mornings
without thanking God for another day and surrendering my day to him. The bible
says we need to take up our cross daily, and we cannot live the life we are
called to live as Christians without doing so. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">2.
I'm still working on this and it'll be a change come next week when I go back
to work...but I'm finally really digging into God's word and studying it daily.
Not just having a little quite time and being done...but being a student of
God's word. When I left my "quad" back in September, I had full
intentions of just not doing anything in terms of a study group. I really just thought
I was leaving to spend some time with Jesus on my own and I have...I've learned
to depend on myself all over again, without friends asking me if I'd done my
study. I've been sitting down to journal & read God's word. Asking
him to show me what he has for me daily. But, after Benjamin was born felt like
God was telling me to join a ladies bible study at Journey on Tuesday nights.
The group was already 5 weeks into studying Joshua & Ephesians (which is
what I'd just spent the past 7 months studying with my girls), but I really
felt like I was supposed to go. So, I went and I've been going for 8 weeks now.
I'm studying God's word in a different sense though. I'm not using this study
as my quiet time. I'm having my personal time with God everyday, but I'm
learning to balance this study...like school work, except I want to do it. It's
not really deep, it's pretty surface level but that's why I like it. When we
finish, I will have finished tearing apart 2 books of the bible. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This group has
been good for me as well, in the sense that I'm not leading and there's no
pressure to share. I've been allowing God to transform me, get me back on
track. I love my quad ladies<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>and I miss my time with them, but God has
allowed this time for me to get back to relying on myself to have time with him. I
know that sounds weird...but remember, I said I wasn't happy with who I was, so
I haven't had to wear a mask. No "Magan the Journey staff girl" or
"Magan, our friend" or "Magan, the working mama." I've just
been me<span style="font-size: small;"> and <span style="font-size: small;">have gone some weeks just listening to what other<span style="font-size: small;">s share about <span style="font-size: small;">what the Lord has taught them.<span style="font-size: small;"> I<span style="font-size: small;">'ve also met a lot of <span style="font-size: small;">ladies<span style="font-size: small;">, which is another stretch<span style="font-size: small;"> f<span style="font-size: small;">or me. I'm not always one to step out an<span style="font-size: small;">d carry on a conversation<span style="font-size: small;"> with just anyone...I <span style="font-size: small;">used to be<span style="font-size: small;">, but over the past few years I've <span style="font-size: small;">be<span style="font-size: small;">come more of an <span style="font-size: small;">introvert<span style="font-size: small;">. I don't like being an i<span style="font-size: small;">ntro<span style="font-size: small;">vert, but not being happy with yours<span style="font-size: small;">elf wi<span style="font-size: small;">ll do that t<span style="font-size: small;">o a person. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I me<span style="font-size: small;">ntione<span style="font-size: small;">d lea<span style="font-size: small;">dership earl<span style="font-size: small;">ier in my post.<span style="font-size: small;">..I love to lead and <span style="font-size: small;">I've been ask<span style="font-size: small;">ing God for qui<span style="font-size: small;">te sometime to reveal to me wh<span style="font-size: small;">at he has for me in this sense. <span style="font-size: small;">I feel like a lot of my leadership skills have been damaged as a result of the past 4 y<span style="font-size: small;">ears. </span></span>I<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">would really love to lead some kind of <span style="font-size: small;">young <span style="font-size: small;">women's gro<span style="font-size: small;">up at Journey, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>but <span style="font-size: small;">I'm not sure exactly what that looks like. Taking this time to focus on who God is calling me to be is helping me to learn to just wait on God and<span style="font-size: small;"> just be obid<span style="font-size: small;">ient one st<span style="font-size: small;">ep at a<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>time. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I know that transitioning back into work is going to be a chall<span style="font-size: small;">enge for all 4 of us in my family. But <span style="font-size: small;">I know one thing...I must learn </span></span>to juggle t<span style="font-size: small;">hese <span style="font-size: small;">lessons that I've learned over the past 2 months. My relationship with the <span style="font-size: small;">Lord must be first and foremost or I won<span style="font-size: small;">'t be a good wife, mom, <span style="font-size: small;">friend or assist<span style="font-size: small;">ant to Paul and Lisa. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I think that's i<span style="font-size: small;">t for tonight friends...<span style="font-size: small;">I know it's a lot to read. Thanks for be<span style="font-size: small;">aring with me...more to <span style="font-size: small;">come tomorrow or Tuesday. :) </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Magan Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366973046380610925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534780940013961467.post-87479644224468071532012-11-15T13:52:00.001-05:002012-11-15T13:55:28.177-05:00End of a Journey, Beginning of a New One...Part 1: History Behind My Maternity Leave Book Camp<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I promised I'd be back soon with Part 1 of my series of how God has changed my life this year. I feel like I need to fill you all in a little secret. I've got a lot of strongholds that I've failed to give to God and because of that, I've become quite the miserable person over the past 4 years. I haven't really shared that with many people...except for Matt & a few close friends. I've done a good job at putting on a mask, so I didn't have to really open up to anyone and hear someone else tell me to give it to God. I knew that I needed too, I just wasn't allowing God to work...always making excuses.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You
see coming out of my teaching career to be a stay at home mom over a year ago
was out of my comfort zone. I loved teaching and I thought I'd be a career teacher...you know, 30 years and then retire. Having a baby was out of my comfort zone, even though we thought we were ready to start a family. When I got pregnant with Laney, I felt called to quit my teaching job to stay home with her. However...this wasn't God's plan. He had something else for me...a job at Journey Church. Starting
a new job as an administrative assistant to a team of people team who helps people follow
Jesus was out of my comfort zone. However, God did place a desire in me 6 years ago at Caswell to work full time ministry as an assistant...I thought I would be in youth ministry. Maybe it will happen one day, but not for now and that's why it's a little out of my comfort zone..because I never thought I'd be assisting people who help adults follow Jesus...and I was completely blindsided by this job being opened to me after having Laney. Having another baby was out of my comfort zone, we were certainly not planning to have another child so quickly. All these things have a theme...they weren't MY plan. That's where we have a problem...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My teaching career made
me become a person who didn't really know who she was anymore. My life was
teaching & coaching with a little Jesus & Matt sprinkled in. I was a
selfish person, very selfish...I was a bitter person, I was a negative person,
I didn't like to be around people and I wasn't happy with me. I didn't appear
that way on the outside though...like I said that earlier, I did a great job of putting on a face for
people. None of those things were me before my teaching days though...I was a
very bubbly person (just like the face I put on a lot of times), I loved being
around people, I would have considered myself a pretty selfless person and I was content with me. My
walk with Jesus was pretty solid too. My priorities really got messed up when I
was teaching & so did my perspective on life. Matt & I did spend a lot of time together doing what we wanted to do, when we wanted to it...which is good because it was just he & I and I wouldn't change that part of our time without children. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I make my 4 years as a teacher
sound so dreary, but I really drained myself of who God had called me to be
during that time. Not all of that time was a waste, God taught me a lot about
depending on him during that time and there's no way I would have gotten
through it without him because I dealt with some pretty crazy situations during
that time. But, I feel like masked myself so much and didn't deal with issues that a lot of things built up and in the past year...exploded because I didn't let them out.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So
fast forward to today...well, the past 9 months. Once I got over the shock of
being pregnant again and was excited about having Benjamin, God began to show
me that I was missing out on a lot of things in my life because I had become
such a bitter person, that wasn't happy with myself or a lot of things in my life. He began showing me back
in August that there was a lot in me that I needed to let him redevelop & refine...like
the leader I was during my high school and college days, the happy person I was
4 years ago, the person who believed in myself because I knew God had something special for me. So back in the spring... I began praying that he would open my eyes to these things that made me so miserable, so that I could give them over to him. I was sick of trying to do things on my own and I knew that I was not really giving these things over to God like I should.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I truly believe that the 1st part of this change for me began before I was aware. God blessed me with a job at Journey a year ago, this week actually...I get to assist 2 really awesome people, who
help people follow Jesus and in reality...I'm helping people follow Jesus by
assisting them. This is what I love to do, I did it at Caswell and it's a
passion God developed in me. I have a lot of potential to grow in this job, but
I have to allow the Lord to work in and through me. I'm finally in my element...using the gifts God gave me and I get to do it as a job. For the 1st time since my summers in college, I enjoy getting up and going to work. Sometimes I think about how blessed I am to be able to get paid to help people follow Jesus. (Little disclaimer here...I am not cut out to be a stay at home mom...I tried it for 4 months and it's not me, I truly believe I felt called to quit teaching because God was preparing me for what he had for me at Journey. I love my kids, but I thrive and am a better mom because I am out of the house.) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">God began stirring something within me back in August...I had no clue what, but I knew I needed to make some changes in my life and like I said let go of some things that were holding me back. With all of that being said, the people I work with encouraged me to really take my maternity leave for myself...to do whatever I wanted and to enjoy being a mom of 2, after all this is the only time ever that this would happen. So, I took that advice to heart. I committed the past 8 weeks to rest, read, snuggle with Benjamin and do whatever I wanted to do, I'm so thankful I did. I wrote a little about this back in <a href="http://www.maganskeith.blogspot.com/2012/10/new-seasons.html">October </a>when I had Benjamin...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This post is getting a lot longer than I ha<span style="font-size: small;">d</span> planned, I guess I'm a girl of many words today ;) Literally! More to come...promise! </span></span>Magan Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366973046380610925noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534780940013961467.post-30877054731929242192012-11-15T12:14:00.000-05:002012-11-15T12:31:39.394-05:00End of a Journey, Beginning of a New OneMy blogging during maternity leave has been a little more sporadic than I wanted it to be & my Friday Flashbacks didn't happen as I wanted them to, but nevertheless today seems like a good blogging day. I feel like I have a lot to write about this morning, my quiet time turned into some reflecting time. I'm not good at sharing my thoughts aloud, but I can sure write about it...maybe a bad trait to have, but I'm working on it. <br />
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Today is what seems like the end of a journey for me. You see, 11 months ago I found out I was pregnant and honestly, I wasn't thrilled at first. I was kind of confused as to why God would give me another life to care for so soon after having Laney & going back to work (after thinking I was just going to be a stay at home mom). I didn't think Matt & I would be able to handle it. Today I can honestly say I don't know what I would do without our little blessing, Benjamin. My pregnancy with him and the time I have had at home with him has completely rocked my world...Jesus, once again has rocked my world. I'm not a crier...I'm not, but I'm in tears as I write this post. God is good and knows whats best for me and I'm so thankful for that. I'm glad I'm not in control. He's changed my perspective on so many things that I don't think I could possibly write about all of them in 1 blog post. I am grateful and I'm feeling so overwhelmingly blessed this morning. <br />
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I go back to work next week and Ben goes to "school," as we call it around here. It's been an amazing journey, these past 11 months. But it's really just the beginning of what God has in store for me, as I feel like a new person. Well, like myself again for the 1st time in 4 years. This year has been a pivotal time in my life. I've been letting him really work on me, especially for the past 8 weeks. I've decided to turned this 1 time blog post into a series of posts that I'll share over the next several days to celebrate me going back to work, the next part of my journey. Maybe someone will be able to relate and maybe God will use my story to change someone else's life. If not, that's okay too...he's changed my life and I'm grateful that I can get it on paper (or on my blog) as a way to remember.<br />
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I'll be back soon with a little history of why I needed to allow God do a little "boot camp" in my life during my maternity leave. For now, Ben's crying...time for some snuggles! <br />
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<br />Magan Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366973046380610925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534780940013961467.post-47458997358846309752012-11-07T11:05:00.001-05:002012-11-07T11:05:32.778-05:00God of this City...Nation...and WorldI am a HUGE fan of history...especially American history (hence the reason I taught NC & American History for 4 years) and I like politics...to an extent. I'm not going to get all political on you...don't worry...but I think a lot of people, including myself sometimes, forget what really matters in life. <br />
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I was at bible study last night & we sang a song called "God of this City," it's an older song...written by Chris Tomlin. As we were singing, the words could not have been truer for the day. Election day...ultimately, no matter who became president for the next 4 years or governor of NC. HE is in control and whatever happens, will happen to bring him glory. This morning the song is stuck in my head and as I began doing my quiet time, I continued to sing them.<br />
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Here's the lyrics to the song: <br />
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You're the God of this City <br />
You're the King of these people <br />
You're the Lord of this nation <br />
You are <br />
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You're the Light in this darkness <br />
You're the Hope to the hopeless <br />
You're the Peace to the restless <br />
You are <br />
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There is no one like our God <br />
There is no one like our God <br />
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For greater things have yet to come <br />
And greater things are still to be done in this City <br />
Greater thing have yet to come <br />
And greater things are still to be done in this City
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There is no one like our God <br />
There is no one like our God <br />
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For greater things have yet to come <br />
And greater things are still to be done in this City <br />
Greater things have yet to come <br />
And greater things are still to be done here <br />
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There is no one like our God <br />
There is no one like our God <br />
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Greater things have yet to come <br />
And greater things are still to be done in this City <br />
Greater things have yet to come <br />
And greater things are still to be done here<br />
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Christian brothers and sisters, we have work to do. We are not called to sit on our butts and rant and rave on Facebook about why our favorite candidate did or didn't win. We are called to make Jesus famous in our CITY, NATION, and WORLD. There is still work to be done. The bible is very clear about our responsibilities. Matthew 28:19, says to go & make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Father, Son & Holy Spirit. There are greater things to be done, Christ has not come back yet and it is our responsibility to make him known until he returns! <br />
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Magan Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366973046380610925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534780940013961467.post-82433795315075955672012-11-01T10:28:00.002-04:002012-11-01T10:28:10.889-04:00UnleashedI've been meaning to write about the devotions I've been working through this week. Our church is currently doing a series called "Unleashed." Our pastor is preaching on our calling as a church, to individually do our part in making Jesus famous. He challenged us with the question "What is God calling you to?" In his sermon this week, Pastor Jimmy said that he believes that we are all church planters..not that we are all called to actually plant a church, but to help in the mission of making Him famous. Along with Jimmy's messages, like I said...our church put out a devotional to work through over the next 30 days or so. I've committed myself to work through these and really focus on what God has called me to.<br />
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I'm asking myself 2 questions..."Who has God called me to be" and "How can I be that person & pursue my calling?" I think I already know what he has called me to...Matt & I work at Journey and so we have a HUGE task on our hands, but am I doing it as efficiently as I should? Am I juggling my calling as a wife, mom, and assistant as efficiently as I should? I'm really trying to focus and zone in on these questions. Maybe there is something else that I'm ignoring, but I'm pretty sure this is it. I've got to learn to balance my responsibilities at Journey with my new family of 4, plus all the other things in life.<br />
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This week I've been challenged with my time, am I using my time efficiently? There's dishes to be done, shopping for our family, kids to take care of and laundry to be done (of course there's more...this is just the short list and when I go back to work in 3 weeks, there will be more) If I'm not spending time with the Lord before all of these things, I'm trying to do it on my own. I know this...I've known this since surrendering my life to Christ. But I must surrender daily. I've already learned that I can't do these things on my own...not to the best of my ability...and I'm certainly not glorifying the Lord with these tasks of life if I'm not giving the day to him. Someone will make me mad or something will irritate me and I will lose it... If I'm a heir to the throne, I must act like it...(Ephesians 1 & 2) This means my life must glorify the one who gave His life for ME. So, this week I'm working on my priorities. In Philippians 3:8, Paul writes that "everything else should be considered garbage when compared to the infinite value of knowing Christ." Ouch! I certainly don't prioritize my life like this...if only I had the faith that Paul had. He goes on to say in verses 12-16 that he knows he isn't perfect, but that he strives to be like Christ until he finishes the race." I have so much to learn and a long ways to go in order to be like Christ, but I'm thankful for the calling that I have and that is to get to know him more so that I can be like Christ.<br />
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I've rambled enough, if you get a chance, follow along with our sermon <a href="http://www.takeajourney.org/media">here</a> and the devotions <a href="http://www.takeajourney.org/unleashed">here</a>...I promise you, your life will be changed! Magan Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366973046380610925noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534780940013961467.post-10336852535309104742012-10-29T15:00:00.000-04:002012-10-29T15:00:01.285-04:00No Land, No Animals, Just God...I recently did a study on the book of Joshua with my quad & now I'm doing it again on my own (along with a study on Ephesians) but today I read Joshua 13 and it really hit home. There's no sense in me writing about it though, my friend Tasha (also in my quad) already wrote about it and she did a far better job writing about it than I would, so check it out here: <a href="http://tashavia.blogspot.com/2012/10/no-land-no-animalsjust-god.html">http://tashavia.blogspot.com/2012/10/no-land-no-animalsjust-god.html</a>Magan Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366973046380610925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534780940013961467.post-57672817833645304882012-10-29T11:14:00.000-04:002012-10-29T11:14:05.522-04:00Friday Flashback #3...on Monday: A PictureIt was a busy week last week and when Friday got here, I was just ready to spend time with my family so my blog got neglected. For my Friday Flashback, I wanted to share a picture of one of my favorite things I did with Laney this summer:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6nN61aGEWTQqygbnUUoDLr4Kp2DSj5KsdU-DXChssQAs1NRSzyDmiXH3xR9D9gPnPBgeyY4m1rbM03Gf5h52SXzLeab7NIulQIr4UWsxDADsRFHHCTSowQFiTxxmcQZtdVGmzIUz/s1600/pooldays.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6nN61aGEWTQqygbnUUoDLr4Kp2DSj5KsdU-DXChssQAs1NRSzyDmiXH3xR9D9gPnPBgeyY4m1rbM03Gf5h52SXzLeab7NIulQIr4UWsxDADsRFHHCTSowQFiTxxmcQZtdVGmzIUz/s320/pooldays.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yep, play in her kiddie pool. Almost every Friday Matt & I didn't have something going on (because Friday is family day and we tried to plan fun things to do with Laney) we filled up her pool and spent most of the day in the backyard. As I write this on such a dreary & cold Monday...I'm missing that pool time. It's going to be a great fall/winter, but I am looking forward to those warm spring & summer days that we can put Benjamin & Laney in their kiddie pool and let them splash around. :) <br />
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ps- Look how little she looks! She has grown so much in just 4 months...time flies WAY too fast! Magan Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366973046380610925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534780940013961467.post-12512289568771516252012-10-25T09:59:00.001-04:002012-10-25T09:59:28.236-04:00Do I Really Love and Serve That Way?One of my favorite ways to worship the Lord is through music...unfortunately, I am a terrible singer. My family swears I'm tone deaf, although I'm not THAT bad but I'm definitely not gifted in that way. God often teaches me things through listening to worship music.<br />
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This past week I heard Chris Tomlin's song..."I Will Follow." I have heard this song a million times and I actually wrote a<a href="http://www.maganskeith.blogspot.com/2010/10/i-will.html"> blog post</a> about it about 2 years ago. It's one of my favorite worship songs, but when I heard it this past week God really spoke to me on one particular part of the song.<br />
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Part of the chorus says "Who You love, I'll love and who You serve, I'll serve and if this life I lose, I will follow You" When I heard that, I began asking myself "Do you really LOVE the way God loves, do you really SERVE the way He serves?"Over and over, I felt like God was saying "Magan evaluate yourself...you do a great job of acting like you really LOVE people and serve them, but do an attitude check. Do you really LOVE people who hurt you, or do you act like you do, but "secretly" have an attitude about it. Do you SERVE people even when they do nothing for you? It's not about getting something in return...its about glorifying MY name and making me famous." Wow! He's right...my attitude towards people who don't necessarily do me the way I think they should is not always great. I do like to serve people, but do I always do it with a grateful and cheerful heart? I was really convicted. <br />
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His word says "If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and a servant of ALL" (Mark 9:35) and "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." (1 Peter 4:10) It also says to "serve the Lord with gladness." (Psalm 100:2) This means with a happy heart & with love. Speaking of love, He does not call us to love only those who treat us right, or those who we choose to love. In fact, one of His greatest commands is to "LOVE one another" (John 15:12 Matthew 22:39, & 1 John 4:11) This seems so simple, yet it's not. It's one of the hardest things. Sometimes I don't understand why I have to LOVE people who hurt me or treat me the way I think I should be treated. Well, it's because HE loves ME and I don't deserve it. He died on the cross for MY sins. He calls us to take up our cross daily and FOLLOW him. Not when it's easy, not when we want to, but daily...and this means showing people love and grace, just like He did for us when he died on the cross. This is something I know I struggle with. It's easy to serve and love people I don't know...but what about people who I do know. It's not about what I want or what I can get out of something....it's about a LOVE far greater that I will ever comprehend. Jesus gave his life for ME so I could LIVE for him...and this means sucking up my pride and my selfishness to LOVE and SERVE like he does, even when "I" don't want to. <br />
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We all have those people in our lives. Who is that difficult person to love and serve? WHO will YOU LOVE and SERVE today? That's the question I'm asking myself today, ask yourself the same. Magan Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15366973046380610925noreply@blogger.com0