Annoying Beauty

I am annoyed.

I am annoyed with Americas obsession with beauty and perfection, that I personally feel has distorted the majority of women's thinking about what True Beauty is. You might not think yourself among this majority, but give me a moment to elaborate.

Our society is programmed to give privilege to those who fit the standard of beauty. To admire beauty, and extol those who meet the standard. I know this is true in many cultures, but I don't believe that all of them have as stringent a view on beauty as we do.

Beauty in America is synonyms with a perfect figure that sports no extra fat, love handles, or cellulite. It requires perfect hair and teeth. And a good amount of s..ex appeal must be thrown into the mix. It must be flaunted. Faces should be free of flaws, zits, acne...skin should be tan, but apparently without the risks of skin cancerous sun, and so money must be spent on fake tans to achieve that golden glow. Noses? Not too big or out of the ordinary.

This 'beauty' is presented to us from childhood. Even if our parents are careful with what we watch or see, we live in a society filled with the pressure of perfection.

I'm annoyed that each one of us- every single human being on this planet- is FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE according to the Word of God. And yet each one of us sees faults and imperfections in ourselves that are a part of who we are, and how we are created. We each have different hair, we carry our weight differently, we have different facial features...

I'm annoyed. Annoyed, annoyed, annoyed!

(And it's not just pregnancy hormones!)

I'm annoyed that this perception and pursuit of beauty has slunk into my heart and life, lowering my self confidence, and making me desire to be something I'm not. I'm annoyed that it tarnishes even little girls views of themselves. I'm annoyed that it drives teenage girls to diet, develop eating disorders, secretly loathe themselves, and in the less extreme but just as harmful: spend an excessive amount of time, money and effort on becoming beautiful enough.

And oh the selfishness that this breeds. The devil delights in this obsession with beauty because it requires one to dwell on ones self constantly. Maybe some wouldn't call it "trying to be beautiful" but "overcoming a fault or imperfection." No matter what we call it, we turn inward rather than turning outward as the Lord calls us. We waste excessive time on ourselves, and in the process, shortchange things that we could be doing for others and the Lord. We enter into bondage of self, and lose our freedom in Christ.

inward. Seeking opportunities to help others- the poor, the needy, the lonely.
Freedom is found in pouring out yourself for others. Finding ways to give. Cooking a meal for a family, giving financially if you are able, turning your prayers outward rather than inward.

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?

Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.

The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."
Isiah 58:6-11

Coming to an acceptance of who we are, and how we were created does not give us license to overindulge in unhealthy habits or stop pursuing healthy changes in our lives. And it doesn't give us a right to give up on our grooming in such a way that our husbands want to run right back out

the door when they arrive home. ;)

The Bible does not condemn beauty, but rather gives us a right view of beauty. First an foremost our beauty comes from within (stop groaning, I know you've heard that for years).

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised"

Proverbs 31:30

But beauty is not disallowed in scripture. Far from it! In Song of Solomon, the husband delights in the beauty of his wife, and she in her husbands beauty. Many beautiful women are mentioned in the scripture. I believe though, that beauty then and beauty now are two very different things. Beauty today is unrealistic perfection.

I don't write this to preach at you! Far from it. I'm preaching at myself. I'm pregnant, and gaining weight I don't want to gain! (laughing at self) If I complain after this baby comes that I'm not losing weight fast enough, you have a right to correct me and send me back to my own post about beauty! I struggled for years with my nose, because I felt it wasn't small enough. I have agonized about my weight going straight to my love handles, and that even when I was at my lowest weight when I was sick, they were still there! I'd have to be only skin and bones to lose them, because of my body type. And that wouldn't be beautiful at all!!

You see? Society's standards seep into even the most steadfast of minds. Let's change our hearts and minds about beauty. Let's teach our daughters the value of who they are before the world decides to teach them for us. Let's focus on others and not fall into the trap of self.

Let your light shine, for there is where your beauty is found!

In Love,

Megan

{My Adventure in Italy}

I didn't mention on here yet that my husband and I had the privilege of going to Rome and Venice last month. Amazingly, we arrived home only 2 days before the Icelandic volcano started erupting!


We had many adventures, and good times, but it was also a very challenging trip. I missed my kids terribly, and the stresses of international travel made me long for home!


I'd like to share some photos from our trip with you.


First off, on the bus, there were signs designating seats for the elderly, pregnant woman, infirm, and such...I found the photos highly amusing. One of my favorite things to take pictures of happens to be funny signs and illustrations.

Example:

Oh yes I love that one. It still makes me laugh.



In Venice, I spied a little bird helping himself to lunch at a fruit stand-


Here are my love and I in Venice, overlooking some of the beautiful landmarks. I have to say that getting this photo taken was hilarious. A young man who was by himself saw me with our camera (a Cannon Rebel) and knowing that I would know how to use his (something smiler, a Rebel or Nikon...can't remember) he askes me to take his photo. He had his "shot" all lined up, and asked me to stand in a specific spot. Totally understandable, I would do the same! I took several pictures of him, and he was very pleased. I then asked if he would take our photo. Well, let me tell you- this is a man who loved his camera! He was like a photographer for models or something! He was moving around, taking photo after photo, and really getting into it! Made me wish I'd been a bit less shy and put a little umph into HIS photoshoot!


Here is an angel that flanked the sides of a bridge, with many others, on the road that led across the river in Rome into the Vatican area. They were gorgeous, and each held a symbolic item that related to Jesus ministry or death.

And finally, I invented a rousing game, which I like to call "Slug Nun". No, I did NOT slug a nun, it was the equivalent of 'Slug Bug', and I (oh-so-gently) slugged my husband each time I saw a nun. He of course was allowed to play also, but being that I invented the game, I won each time. ;) And so, in tribute to Slug Nun- slug! Gotcha!

More photos and stories to come...Please share with me your adventures in travel!

-Megan

Digging in!

I'm in the middle of a project, trying to move my craft and sewing stuff to a place where I can actually USE it!

The question of the day is, Why on earth do I get motivated to do these things at such odd times? I have 2 additional boys over at my house for 2 days, and the inspiration hits me NOW. Oy.

So here I sit, typing a quick note, while my dining room table is COVERED with all my crafting, scrapbooking, and sewing stuff. Hmmm. The table at which we must seat 4 kids and 2 adults come dinner time. At least I have a deadline!

If it looks good enough for photos, I'll be sure to share. If not, well, I'll keep my mess hidden. ;)

Ok, I've really gotta get back to it. Bye!

Looking forward!

I love blogging.

I don't like being away from it, but sometimes I go through periods of time where I don't feel like I have a creative thought to share, a blogging drought seems to plague me.

Writing has always been a passion of mine, as has photography. So blog world is a wonderful place for me to be. But sometimes (confession) I feel a little overwhelmed. You all are so wonderful and inspirational! You have so much to give and share! You blog regularly, you make projects, your blogs pour out beauty, inspiration, and LIFE, from every word!!! And I wonder, what do I have to share? I'm chuckling at myself right now. This is no cry for pity. I just love your blogs.

Feeling confused sometimes, I wonder, who am I? As a mother of 2 small children and one on the way, sometimes I feel at a loss. I love my life right now (except those awful pregnancy hormone days). But I also wonder how to incorporate creativity and inspiration into these days? Very much lacking the time, energy, and desire to pursue anything other than getting my kitchen clean and forcing myself to tidy the house leaves me wondering...My crafts, supplies, and sewing machine have been packed into a closet since my daughter was a little over one year old, because monkey that she is, I can't keep them out in plain sight or they get pillaged. I craft by the "mess method" I need to have it ALL out, so that I can see it all! We don't have any extra room in our home to be able to keep it in sight. I need a creative home makeover! (Mom....are you reading this?? hehehe...)

On a brighter note, we will be 20 weeks pregnant on Monday! That means we will be halfway through this pregnancy! Yay! And as of about a week ago, I seem to have emerged from the I'm-so-sick-I-feel-nauseous-ALL-the-time, period of pregnancy. Double Yay! I feel human again. Which means a return to blogging more often. We find out on Monday (if the baby allows us to find out) the gender!

Perhaps it's the taste of summer that is teasing me- the desire for warmth and fresh berries, to soak up the sun while the kids play in our little yard, iced tea and pie....but I've pulled out The Farm Chicks book again and have been spending a little time each day flipping through its delicious pages.

Their annual Farm Chicks Antique Show is coming in June, and I REALLY want to be there! I have the blessing of actually living (slightly) near this event, as my little home is in Western Washington, and their fabulous show is in Eastern Washington. It's a bit of a drive (nothing to blink at unless your pregnant and have 2 kids, wink wink), but it still remains a possibility. They are even having a Giveaway to be there for set-up day and a special dinner. Oh please-please-please can I win?? I'll DEFINITELY be there if I do. ;)

Looking forward to spending more time with you this Spring and Summer my friends!!

-Megan

Opportunities to Give

I wanted to share with you all an opportunity to give to Haiti relief in a very personal way. My friends church in Madison, WI began an organization a few years back called "Beautiful Child". They support an orphanage called "Orphanage by Faith".

Please know that I don't post about this to provoke pity or guilt in anyone. I just want to share an opportunity where you can give joyfully if you feel led by the Lord.

The pastor of The Journey Community Church was able to take a team to the orphanage a few weeks ago to assess the damage done by the quake and the immediate and long term needs. The only things that survived were a wall that has a sign for the orphanage, and the one private outhouse. The kids temporary sleeping areas and kitchen aren't even what we would call sleeping areas or kitchens. Honestly (in my opinion), we CAMP better than the way these kids are living daily.

Above is the wall/sign that survived.

This is the KITCHEN they are using, and it is in the girls sleeping area.

This is a picture from downtown Jacmel, the city where the orphanage is located.

Praise the Lord that in the midst of their need and desolation, they are actually becoming a center for the community to gather, cook, ect. The children are cheerful, and the outlook, though a long journey, is hopeful. The needs remain intense, but there is hope and faith in it all.

You can support a child in a way that fits your budget at $32/month, $64/month, or more. To fully sponsor one child would be $128/month. It's ok if you choose the minimum if that's where you are at. Don't let guilt or feeling badly stop you from stepping out if this is lighting a spark in your soul.

You can also consider giving a one time (or more, your choice) gift to the re-building of the orphanage.

I want to let you know that the man who pastors The Journey is a great man, honest, and giving. He was my high school youth pastor here in the Northwest many years ago, and he also married my husband and I.

Please remember what Christ said: whatever we do for the least of these, we do for Him. We are also challenged in Malachi 3:10 to give to the Lord, and see how abundantly he gives in return!

Thank you for letting me share this with you. May the blessing of the Lord be with all of you!

-Megan

Baby on board!

I'm so happy to be able to share with you why I have been so bloggy-silent for the past weeks. Today, we are 12 weeks pregnant! I'm so thankful that the Lord has answered the cry of my heart for another child, and that this one has grown safely and is strong and healthy.

The past weeks have been filled with fatigue, 24/7 nausea, and more fatigue. It's been difficult to form a string of comprehensive words and thoughts together, so I've resorted to silence. :)

The Lord is faithful and compassionate to all that He has made. May His be the glory and honor forever!

-Megan

Thought for the day...

My kids produce enough energy between them to power the entire state of Washington...

Why doesn't the government try to harness THAT energy source? ;)

(Can you tell I'm tired today??)

Hope a little humor brings you a little laughter!

-Megan

Dream a little dream

Last night I had the strangest dream...

I was in the middle of an exhausting, frantic, overwhelming hide-and-seek pursuit. Someone was chasing me, trying to capture me, and I was doing everything in my power to escape.

I would run, and then hide for a moment in whatever shelter I could find, taking a moment to breathe. Then the chase would begin again as I was discovered. This seemed to go on and on, until I felt ragged and worn.

Then I came upon a room, filled with pleasant colors and a sense of calm, and I entered it. It turned out it was a refuge from the Lord, and the pursuer could not enter the room. There were two words I saw in the room- Joy, and Peace. And I knew that once I left the room, if I armed myself with those two things, I could not be captured or even pursued any longer by whatever evil that was after me.

Relief washed over me when I finally woke up. I felt spent from that dream! When I saw the alarm clock I knew I had a few more hours to sleep, and sure felt like I needed it! How can a dream make you so tired?

It has certainly left me reflecting on being armed with God's Peace and Joy. These two things are a result of being in relationship with God and filled with the "fruit", or benefits, of His Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 says "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

These are things that we cannot achieve on our own, but receive as gifts from God when we are in relationship with Him. If you feel like you are lacking in an area that is described in those verses, ask the Lord to fill you with the fruit that you need in your life. As 2 Corinthians 9:8 says "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." Having all you need.

I am also reminded about how we are instructed to put on the armor of God:

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication." (Ephesians 6:10-18)

Remaining in the Word of God, remaining in prayer, and being continually filled with the Spirit are key in putting on our armor.

I have days where I can clearly see cracks in my armor because I am not repairing it with the Word or prayer. Thankfully God is gracious and when I seek Him, He restores me.

Be encouraged that we have the armor and weapons we need to fight, and that the Spirit fills us with ALL that we need at all times!

{Journey of Faith}

I'm on a journey of faith,
Embraced with hope and love,
Entwined with compassion and grace,
Held by the Father above.
-Megan Philp

{Picture Love}

We've been playing!

Playing with our camera....

Enjoying one dry day without rain...And playing with digital altered art...Below is a combination of pictures I took in Hawaii last year, made into a collage. The main focus of the green berries? Those are coffee beans in their most original form!! How cool is that?

And below is a shot of Lala's boots, with several layers of other photos for texture and vibrance.

I hope you all enjoy your weekend! I'm not sure what we are up to yet, but I'm sure it will be fun. The hubby is home and being together as a family is what counts!

Feeling relaxed,

Megan

{Waves and Breakers}

Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.

By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me-- a prayer to the God of my life {Psalm 42:7-8}

Or, in the New Living Translation:

I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me. Through each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.

I have debated with myself about sharing an entry from my prayer journal with you. I offer this glimpse to you, as I feel led to share. We might have different things that we are crying out to God about in our lives, but I believe that this flowed from my pen not only for me, but for you. Please don't become distraught for me as you read, but welcome what the Spirit of God might want to say to you in YOUR heart and YOUR situation. After this time of prayer, I have had such a peace and gentleness surrounding me. I don't know how to describe it other than surrounded by His gentleness.

............................................................

Surrender.

O God, I ache, I ache. I struggle to free myself from the bonds of what I want. To completely release myself to what you want. Your will, Your plan. Surrender.

Longing...

...longing...

I'm longing for new life to grow inside of me. For the gently rounded tummy of new life. The newborn first cradled in my womb, then in my arms.

Aching...

...oh how I am aching...

My heart is throbbing with the pain of this hope continually deferred. Tears burn continually in the back of my eyes and throat. It has become a physical pain, this desire, this want. Dare I say this need?

Driven...driven to my knees...

...to prayer...

Ashamed that it takes struggle and pain to bring me to my knees in complete surrender. That it takes fierce need to come before you in complete submission.

I feel raw. Like I have been rubbed raw, the way pavement shreds away the skin on a deeply skinned knee. My insides exposed. And when that raw area is touched, I scream with pain inside.

It hurts Jesus. My heart hurts. I am raw Jesus, rubbed raw.

I have asked. Begged. Wailed. Pushed and pulled. Contrived. Striven to move your hand with my prayers, with your Word. If I could have forced you to move, would I have?

Repent...

...i repent...

I repent of the 'me'. My wants, my needs. Be it may a reasonable desire from an earthly perspective, from a heavenly perspective, what is it?

I come back to 'surrender'. You ask me to surrender

What does this mean? How does it look? Do I stop asking? Does the grieving stop? I don't think it will. And how long? How long do you ask me to surrender?

"Indefinitely."

Did you hear my heart gasp? Its sharp intake of breath? Indefinitely. Even if you choose to never return it to me. Indefinitely. Yours. Indefinitely not mine.

Indefinitely yours, even if this womb and these arms remain empty of another newborn- forevermore.

This tearing away of my will, how exposing.

How freeing.

With tears streaming I say "Not my will, but yours be done".

With heart breaking I say "Your Will, Your Plan".

In complete submission at your feet, I surrender.

I don't know how to live this day by day, or even moment by moment. Give me the grace to do so.

I surrender.

............................................

Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting of my hands as the evening sacrifice!"{Psalm 141:2}

You keep in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. {Isaiah 26:3-4}

Flounder, ears, art, all in a drive by!

Oh my goodness.

I'm floundering!

I started a fun digital art class, and am so behind in what I would like to be doing, but I just can't find time enough. Laundry. Kids. Dishes. Ear infections...

My son came down with an ear infection, his first one ever. We realized what it was when his eardrum ruptured. Eardrum rupture ='s blood. Not fun. But not dangerous either. Little guy is doing MUCH better after a visit to the Dr and some antibiotics.

I want to post pictures, I want to show art, I want to do my giveaway! I've almost reached my 100th post. I should have hit it much sooner in my 18 months of blogging, but alas, my time off while I was sick put the xnay on that.

All this to say- Dear friends, stick around. Your comments and visits are something I adore!

{Giveaway soon, art soon, more stories on life and faith...all soon.}

Right now? I'm headed out to take photos, let this kids play outside in some brief sun that we are getting, and try to have a little fun! ;)

See me leaving now ? I'm not even letting myself post a photo, even though this post looks drab!

Gone like the wind!!!
-Megan