25 Things

This has been floating around facebook for a couple weeks now and I got tagged and decided to give in. Here goes:

Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you. (To do this, go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.)

1. I'm completely 100% addicted to diet coke. and I'm not ashamed.
2. I sleep with a stuffed animal. he's a cow, and his name is cow. I can't sleep without him.
3. There is only one person in the whole world that knows this but...i've been writing a book for the past year.
4. I'm a high school small group coach to 7 of the most amazing sophomore girls. my life wouldn't be the same without them.
5. I think music can cure the soul. You can tell alot about me by my favorites.
6. I have a blog. www.meagangibson.blogspot.com. it's nothing too special, but i like it.
7. I miss cheerleading almost every day.
8. I have exercise induced compartmental syndrome in both of my legs. simply put: my calf muscles will explode if I run for too long.
9. My dream job is being a stay at home wife and mom.
10. But i would also love to be a Publicist for a band or athlete.
11. I download music illegally.
12. I've been going to church since I was born and my parents have been on staff at a church since I was 5 but to be honest I really started believing in God in September 2008.
13. I do not EVER want to be without Him again.
14. My college small group has become my best friends. I can not imagine my life without them.
15. I have a shopping problem. Which is now a debt problem.
16. My favorite place in the whole world is where the 17 and the 10 meet and all you can see is downtown Phoenix.
17. I want to move far far away and start a brand new life.
18. But really I just want to run away from the hurt and pain.
19. I used to cut. Ever since I found TWLOHA I haven't.
20. I fantasize way too much about things that will never happen and therefore set myself up for failure with people.
21. I read alot. and by alot I mean ALOT. I would rather read than anything else in the world.
22. I would be lost without my planner. Most people don't know I have one but it's kinda my lifeline.
23. I'm addicted to Soapnet. I watch it every day.
24. I can belch like a man. No, worse than a man. Even with my mouth closed. It's super attractive.
25. “I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you for the part of me that you bring out.” -Roy Croft

Music Video of the Week

A new element I'm adding to my blog is Music Video of the Week or Song of the Week. I love discovering new bands or finding fun or unusual songs so I thought I'd share.

This weeks video is "Thinking of You" by Katy Perry. Katy is most known for her hit single "I Kissed A Girl" and most people stop there. I wasn't a huge fan of that song but i loved her voice. It was so unique and different than most girl singers these days. So I downloaded 2 of her CDs and found out that she is an amazing songwriter as well. She has her upbeat in your face songs such as "Hot N Cold" "Ur So Gay" and of course "I Kissed A Girl" but she also has some great down to earth songs titled "Fingerprints" Simple" and "Long Shot." If you're a girl looking for an album with every type of song and something to listen to in the car with your girlfriends I definitely recommend this record. A few songs I strongly recommend are "Fingerprints" and "Waking Up In Vegas."
I saw Katy Perry at Phooson a little over a month ago and for her performance actually got moved up to 3rd row. It was so cool being that close. The energy was so high and everyone was jumping around singing and screaming and then she grabs an acoustic guitar and the rest of the band stops and she beings to sing a slow song and everyone was mesmerized. I remember I was turned around talking to someone and then I heard her sing and turn around in amazement. And I'm not even exaggerating. She tore the house down with "Thinking of You." Now that the music video is out I had to share. Enjoy:)

Prayer Guide for President Barack Obama

At work I open up like all of Global Outreach's mail and today I opened one from an organization that we support here at Central and inside was A Guide to Prayer for President Barack Obama. I read through it and am totally compelled by it.
Whether we like him or not doesn't matter. He is the President of the United State of America. And for that he deserves respect. So instead of complaining about him or his administration, why not pray for him? I attached the guide so if you want to keep him in your prayers you can pray for these things. I know I will be.


1. Pray for Obama’s protection. We already know that some misguided, racist fanatics in Tennessee plotted to kill Senator Obama during his campaign. Let’s pray that racist hatred is not allowed to spread. Let’s cancel every assassin’s bullet in the name of Jesus. May civility triumph over bigotry.

2. Cover his wife and daughters in prayer. It is not easy to live under constant media scrutiny. Pray for Obama’s wife, Michelle, and their two daughters, Malia and Natasha, as they face invasive cameras, nosy reporters, maniacal fans and dangerous enemies. Obama is not only a politician, but also a husband and a father.

3. Pray that Obama will govern with God’s wisdom. God rewarded Solomon because he asked for wisdom instead of wealth, long life or vengeance on his enemies (see 1 Kings 3:11-12). Pray that Obama will order his priorities like that. Despite Solomon’s tragic character flaws, his legacy was wisdom. We can ask God to give our president the same grace.

4. Ask God to keep our president humble. Many great American leaders became corrupt after they moved to Washington. The fatal attraction of fame, wealth and power proved irresistible. The only thing that will guard a man or woman from this pitfall is humility. May God deliver President Obama from the curse of pride.

5. Pray for wise and righteous advisers to surround him. Godly leaders cannot do their job alone. Even the best leaders have failed because they trusted the wrong people. Pray that Obama will not select his counselors based on party, race, pedigree or political cronyism but on godly character and proven wisdom. Pray also that he will not allow secret traitors into his inner circle.

6. Ask for the spirit of reconciliation. Some segments of our deeply divided society want nothing to do with Obama now that he has won the presidency. Even some Christians will be tempted to harbor resentment and nurse political grudges throughout his term in office. Pray that God will grant forgiveness and healing so that leaders on all political levels can have constructive dialogue.

7. Pray that Obama will adopt pro-life convictions. Many politicians have changed their views on key issues while in office. In the 1800s some leaders who favored slavery later denounced it. In the 1950s some who opposed racial integration later became champions of it. Even though Obama won approval from many voters because he sanctions abortion, God could soften and change his heart.

8. Bind all evil forces assigned to manipulate our president. The specter of Islamic terrorism looms over the United States, and dark forces are ready to infiltrate. Our only hope lies in prayer to the God who is able to expose and outwit the schemes of the wicked. This is truly a time for spiritual warfare, and intercessors must not come off the wall in this hour! Pray that no foreign government, terrorist organization or demonic principality will use Obama as a tool. We must stand strong against the spirit of antichrist that promotes dictatorship, persecution of Christians and hostility toward Israel.

9. Pray that Obama’s door will remain open to the church. The loudest voices of secular culture—from god-haters in Hollywood to atheists in academia—would be happy if religion were removed from public life. Pray that Obama, who claims to have a personal faith in Jesus Christ, will unapologetically welcome Christian leaders into his company and seek their counsel. And pray that false religious leaders (who claim to know Christ but deny His power) will not have his ear.

10. Pray that our nation will enjoy God’s peace and blessing during the Obama administration. The apostle Paul instructed early believers to pray for all in authority “so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Tim. 2:2, NASB). God’s will is for America to experience peace and prosperity so that we can continue to export the gospel to the nations. This must happen whether a Democrat or a Republican is in the White House. As we cry out for God’s mercy on our wayward nation, pray that He will allow us to be a light to the world as we finance global missions, feed and heal the world’s poor and share Christ’s love at home and abroad.

(reprinted from Life in the Spirit Ministries. 7spirit.net)

Whirlwind.

I don't know where to start to be honest.

I have so much on my mind and so much on my heart. First and foremost, I need to acknowledge the fact that I am so in love with Jesus Christ right now its incredible. It's such a comforting feelings knowing that my entire life is in good nail-pierced hands.






This past weekend I went up to Williams, Arizona to a camp called Lost Canyon.



I have been there twice before. Once as a student, once as a worker and now as a coach. I can honestly say that going up as a coach was the best experience there. I lead a group of 7 amazing and beautiful 16 year old high school girls and i had the privilege of coaching 6 of them this weekend. It's alot of hard work and a huge time commitment. And sometimes its frustrating and feels like your wasting your time. But this weekend all of that paid off. I got to see the benefits of all of it.
One of my best friends, Ashley, is a coach as well and we ended up in the same cabin(only after a little persuasion of course:]) and we both had 6 sophomore girls so we decided to combine our small group and it was the best decision we made all weekend. Our girls got along so well and encouraged each other through it all. We were like a little family. During small group time the girls just blew me away with how vulnerable and honest they were. But also with just the things they were saying about wanting to follow Christ. Hearing those girls talk about how much they wanted to dedicate and live their lives for God brought goosebumps to my arms and tears to my eyes. NOTHING is more rewarding then hearing someone you've been trying to lead say that they want God in their life.
Another rewarding aspect of the weekend was my time with Ashley. We were close before but this weekend just brought us so much closer. I've had some rough friendships in the past and everyone knows I have a tough time getting along with girls. But Ashley and I are so much alike and just get along so well, its so refreshing. Most of the friends i've had who claim to be christians do not live their lives that way but it was amazing to be able to lead along side of her and know that we both mean exactly what we are saying. Teaching and training those girls together was totally awesome because we got to learn from each other and also experience each other's girls in new ways.
Although it was a high school retreat and I was a coach, I felt like I learned just as much as the students. Jeremy Jernigan, the 3F teaching pastor, was our speaker and even though I hear him every week and know him on a somewhat personal level, I learned more from him this weekend than I ever have before. He has a way of making God feel so real and so alive in your daily life. It's remarkable. Also, the 3F band rocked so hard. And they are all some of my closest friends but they totally brought it. Worship is such a huge connector to God its so cool. If you ask any student what their favorite part of the weekend was I guarantee you most of them will say worship. But besides the production and all of the hype, I can just say that God was so present. If God was visible he would have been standing right in the middle of that camp spreading his arms out to the farthest corners of the camp.
This weekend our main point was trusting God with our lives. This is something I've always struggled with. I'll give him the majority of my life but i'll keep parts to myself and tell him I'll take care of those areas. But lately I've learned its so much easier to just throw it all at him. He knows whats best for me better than I do so why not let him handle it? It used to be such a hard concept for me to grasp but now it seems likes such an easy decision. Just give it to him. That simple. One of the questions in our small group time was; When you encounter a problem how much do you trust God and how much do you trust yourself to handle it? Most of us would answer this question the same. We trust ourselves. When we come across a problem we just automatically go into "me-mode" instead of stopping in our tracks and asking God for help. One thing I'm really happy about is the fact that I have been going to God right way lately. When I sense a problem arising or if I'm hurting or upset the first thing I do is drop to my knees and ask God to help me take care of it. After I do that a sense of calmness and stability hits and I know God's right there with me. I cant describe it but its such a cool feeling.
This weekend had its hard times but I think its exactly what I needed. Pretty much every aspect of my life was affected and there were certain aspects that needed to be affected. I got some confirmation and alot of hope. But all in all, this weekend was one of the best weekends of my life and I was nowhere near ready to come back to reality.

Reality comes back with its stresses and worries. Like I said, I have a million things on my mind and heart right now. I need to make some HUGE decisions really fast and i feel like I can't win any way. Alot of things are going to be compromised and people are going to be disappointed but like a good friend told me today if I make decisions based on other people's reactions I may not be doing the right thing. I've been told multiple times today to just picture the future and see whats really going to matter in the long run. There are really only two things I can picture in my future for sure and one is God, the other is a person. Everything else is up in the air and I don't know anything for sure. I'm feeling completely overwhelmed and overcommitted. I'm only 19 years old and I feel like I'm 46 and having to make huge life changing decisions. Life can be so hard and confusing sometimes. But I totally believe that everything happens for a reason. And although we may not like it at the time, God's plan will always prevail over ours. Sometimes he just wants us to trust him, which is exactly what I plan on doing with all these big decisions. I'm not ready to talk about what going on quite yet, but when the time is right I will reveal what God and I are working on in my life. Let's just say, I'm making these decisions for me, not for anyone else. I apologize in advance for letting anyone down or making a decision that you don't agree with but I committed my life to Christ so I will go where He leads me.

Worship Pastor=Get Chicks.

About 3 minutes ago, my friend Richard who is also the 3F resident here at Central showed me this video and I could not keep it to myself. I just had to share.

Venting.

I have really bad luck with parking and driving. Pretty much anything involving a car, I'm screwed. I've become a much better driver lately but thats after paying over $500 in speeding tickets. I have also paid probably near $200 in parking tickets as well.

Anyways, I'm trying to register for one more class at MCC the other day and it says I can't because I have a hold on my account. So I call financial aid today to try and figure out what the heck is going on and they say my check came in and I have no outstanding fees. The very nice girl transfered me to cashier services to see if they can figure it out and that lady tells me I have a $110 unpaid parking ticket. WHAT?!?!? So I get transferred to Public Safety because I had no knowledge of any of this until she told me. And first of all the Public Safety girl was SO RUDE. That bothers me because I hadn't even done anything to her..yet. So she tells me that I got a ticket for parking in a teachers parking spot. Which first of all is crap cause why would I do that? Like really? I know better than to do that. And so I ask her how I got the ticket- like in the mail or online or what and she said they put the tickets on the windshield. Ok- lets think about this. If you just put a ticket on someone's windshield how the heck do you make sure they got it? It could blow away or someone could take it off. It's a dumb idea. So I ask the girl if they send it any other way and she says that "after a long time" they mail it. "After a long time"?????? ok well now I'm racking up late fees on a ticket I didn't even know I had. I kinda feel bad cause i probably sounded like a total brat but I was so ticked. What a ridiculous system. I told her I wasn't paying it and asked to speak to a supervisor and she gave me the number to the Appeals supervisor but he wouldn't be back in til tuesday- and thats when classes start so how am I supposed to register for another class when he's gone until the day that classes start.

I hate MCC right now. I needed to vent cause this is absolutely RIDICULOUS.
UH.

Fearless.

So I'm really not a fan of Taylor Swift but I have to give the girl props. She is an amazing songwriter. For an 18 year old, she writes exactly what every girl at that age is feeling. Like I said, I'm not really a fan of hers but I ended up downloading her new CD Fearless and was blown away. I've heard so many girls say how her songs are like the soundtrack to their lives and I just laughed and thought it was pathetic. But now that I've listened to it, I respect her so much more because she is so talented at her age. And obviously she's doing something right if she's as big of a success as she is.
Her first self-titled album was mediocre. I remember hearing an interview with her about it and she said it was all written from her journals and personal experience. I have respect anyone who can share their personal life with the world surpassing their fear of rejection. Songs such as "Teardrops On My Guitar" she talks about a guy named Drew who was an actual crush she had in high school. Taylor says that you have to be careful if your in her life because she will use it as a song and use your name. I think that takes guts. Another song I was just told about was "Forever and Always" off of her new record which she wrote about her break up with Joe Jonas. (which is really the reason why I don't like her because joe jonas is my future boyfriend. haha.)
Anyways, her new record has a song for every girl out there. There are love songs, break up songs, sad songs, happy songs. It's like a rollercoaster of emotions put to music. Which I totally like, because I believe music can cure the soul. Music says the things we can not, so therefor I thank Taylor for saying the things I can't.
One of my favorite songs off of her new CD is "The Way I Loved You" I think its very well written and its a great song for a girl her age right now.

Rain, Rain, Go Away.

This week I've done alot of listening. Trust me, I've done my share of talking but I've really just tried to listen to other people, whether its for advice or just something that they have to say. It's actually really been beneficial. Its crazy how sometimes God will just put people in your life during a specific time and will just give someone the words you need to hear.

I've had some really good conversations with people I don't even normally interact with. It's kinda fun just getting to know someone or just having a total random conversation with them.
I feel like almost every conversation I've had this week has been relating to where i'm at in life right now. I've had so many signs jump out at me, proving to me that I'm going to be ok.

Some examples:

• For my bible study we are reading the book Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge. I have not been a huge fan of the book thus far, but the chapter we were on for tonight hit me directly in the face. The chapter talked about how God wants to be intimate with us. How we try and fill that intimacy void with guys because they are tangible. But God wants to be that for us. He wants to fill us with those feelings of excitement and awe. We don't need to have a man in our life to feel beautiful and loved because God thinks about us like that every single day.

-WOW. That is pretty much exactly what I'm going through. It was just really comforting to know that now that I am single again, that doesn't mean I dont have someone that thinks I am worth it.

• I man that I work with and I had another conversation about guys. He told me there is only 3 things every girl needs to know about men. 1.MEN 2.ARE 3. PIGS.
• In another conversation I was having with a guy I work with I asked him why guys were jerks and he said "because its easy." It was that simple. He said that its just so much easier for guys to be jerks and hurt girls because it stops them from confronting their own emotions. He said guys are just pansies and can't express their real feelings.

-Ok, here's my question: If guys know these things (that they are idiotic pigs) why don't they change? Why dont they give a little effort to being different. They all say they don't want to be like every other guy but in the end they are. Why don't they care enough to try and change?

• Someone else who I don't normally have meaningful conversations just went through a similar situation as I am in. We actually sat and had a good heart to heart about life and love and how the latter affects the first. I learned so much from this conversation and from the person. She really opened my eyes and made me realized that it's only life.
  
• I have had many people just send me random notes or cards with really encouraging messages even if they don't know about anything I'm going through.
  
• God has been jumping out at me through scripture all week as well. Every time I read something it can apply to something i'm going through right now. God is so cool when he does that.
• I've had alot of prayer this week too. For some reason I've had alot of people praying for me which is so encouraging. I believe that prayer can move mountains. Prayer is the most powerful thing we can do. Even in my staff meeting today I was specifically prayed for and lifted up. It feels so good to have people that really care about me and whats going on in my life.

I've just had a really bittersweet week. I've been braking and hurting on the inside but everyday I just feel closer and closer to God and to the people around me.

I guess you can't have the rainbow without the rain.

Tragedy.

Get This Quote - Find more at TVLoop

Favorite Songs of the Week,

Music is pretty much therapy for me. I can make any song relate to any situation in my life. Instead of posting blogs about each specific one that is basically describing my life right now I have decided to compile a list. Maybe someone else who is going through a similar feeling can find some healing.

• "I Don't Believe You" -Pink
• "It's All Your Fault" -Pink
• "Forever & Always" -Taylor Swift
• "White Horse" -Taylor Swift
• "I Get It" -Kate Voegele
  
• "Gives You Hell" -All American Rejects
• "Ready Aim Misfire" -New Years Day
• "That's What You Get" -Paramore
• "If I Can't Have You" -Jonas Brothers
• "Goodbye" -Miley Cyrus
• "Broken" -Secondhand Serenade
• "Different" -Acceptance
• "Over You" -Acceptance
• "Breaking" -Anberlin
• "If I Were A Boy" -Beyonce
• "It's Not Over" -Daughtry
• "Get Back" -Demi Lovato
• "All At Once" -The Fray
• "Men and Mascara" -Julie Roberts
• "Stupid Boy" -Keith Urban
• "All We'd Ever Need" -Lady Antebellum
• "Sorry" -Marie Mena
• "All Over You" -The Spill Canvas
• "Liar" -Taking Back Sunday
  
• "Make Damn Sure" -Taking Back Sunday
• "Liar-Liar" -The Used

Just Don't Stand There.

I don't mind it
I don't mind at all
It's like you're the swing set
And I'm the kid that falls
It's like the way we fight
The times I've cried
We come to blows
And every night
The passion's there
So it's got to be right
Right?

No I don't believe you
When you say don't come around here no more
I won't remind you
You said we wouldn't be apart
No I don't believe you
When you say you don't need me anymore
So don't pretend to
Not love me at all

I don't mind it
I still don't mind at all
It's like one of those bad dreams
When you can't wake up
It looks like you've given up
You've had enough
But I want more
No I won't stop
Because I just know
You'll come around
Right?

No I don't believe you
When you say don't come around here no more
I won't remind you
You said we wouldn't be apart
No I don't believe you
When you say you don't need me anymore
So don't pretend to
Not love me at all

Just don't stand there and watch me fall
Because I, because I still don't mind at all

It's like the way we fight
The times I've cried
We come to blows
And every night
The passion's there
So it's got to be right,
Right?

No I don't believe you
When you say don't come around here no more
I won't remind you
You said we wouldn't be apart
No I don't believe you
When you say you don't need me anymore
So don't pretend to
Not love me at all

-"I don't believe you" Pink

And It's EverythingThey Say It Is.

Eventually.

"I understand feeling as small and as insignificant as humanly possible. And how it can actually ache in places you didn't know you had inside you. And it doesn't matter how many new haircuts you get, or gyms you join, or how many glasses of chardonnay you drink with your girlfriends... you still go to bed every night going over every detail and wonder what you did wrong or how you could have misunderstood. And how in the hell for that brief moment you could think that you were that happy. And sometimes you can even convince yourself that he'll see the light and show up at your door. And after all that, however long all that may be, you'll go somewhere new. And you'll meet people who make you feel worthwhile again. And little pieces of your soul will finally come back. And all that fuzzy stuff, those years of your life that you wasted, that will eventually begin to fade."
-The Holiday