Freedom in many forms

I know I know, it has been a while...I have been busy wrapping some things up and feel that I can shout now, FREE AT LAST, free at last, Thank God almighty, I'm free at last! It hasn't quite set in yet but I knew that it was a special thing to my spirit to be free of University of Phoenix. All you who still work there, you are there for a reason, but I felt that my spirit was being squashed there and I am so happy to be free of the money mentality. It has been 2+ years in the making and I stuck it out, but Thank You Jesus that you said OK, you can leave now!

So, a bit of an update - I did get medical coverage so prayers have been answered! It was a no stress type of thing with this new plan, they didn't ask any details on preexisting conditions so that was a bit of a relief. Although they still do not cover any preexisting conditions they couldn't rule me out due to past health issues. It was also almost $200 dollars less than the other plan, and this was a blessing as well. Keep the crown in your prayers, I go in for that this Wednesday...

Last Sunday we had a special time at the Gathering service with prayer and a bit of a "Megan presentation". It was an encouragement to see people's interest in my upcoming year as well as an outpouring of love and prayer. Honestly I wasn't sure how the evening was going to go...I find it difficult to ask my peers for support. I think I have sadly come to the thought that my generation is one without passion and I expect that no one will be interested or see the need for what I am called to do, but I am completely wrong in this. This is an area that I need to work on in my thinking. I hate it when others place me into a box and decide who i am without my input, but I all too often find myself doing exactly that with others and it isn't right and it isn't fair. The Gathering as a whole gave an outstanding amount of support, both financially and in prayer and I am thankful, so Thank you! Just stands to remind me to never underestimate anyone.

Okay, so I am going a bit out of order with my updates, but hopefully it all comes through okay ...just bare with me :)

Another huge blessing came to me this week in the form of a digital camera. I knew about this for a while but received it this week as a gift from a long time friend. Amazingly I had not expressed my want of a digital camera to anyone but only wrote it down in a list and the very next day received the news that this particular person felt led to buy a camera for me. It is great and I love the camera. I will now be able to post pictures of my trip and keep you all up to date with the latest fashion trends of Africa! :) Thank you so much for this! You have been a reminder of God's mysterious ways.

Emotional Update - I have been saying a lot of goodbyes...this isn't fun. I am hoping that there are no expectations of the goodbyes as I am worn out. I feel numb...and I am also at peace. A strange combination I must say, but I am not sad to leave behind what i have here...I am sad to leave those that I love - but I know that you aren't going anywhere, I know that those who love me will still love me throughout this year and will still be here when I return...all the rest - it isn't enough to make me stay, so I don't feel sad to leave. I need to do this and I am so excited to go and move into a place where I feel God has clearly led and directed me to. I get afraid when I think of all the possibilities, all of the unknown, but those things are also exciting and fill me with thoughts of adventure, challenge, and struggle. I love that stuff, always have. If it isn't hard, well then I'm usually not too interested. Ohhhh....why am I saying all of this?! I am just ready to go, but I cannot clearly communicate it all or describe the myriad feelings inside of me.

Last night and today in all of the services at Word of Grace Pastor Gary prayed for me. I went to each of the services and took part in the worship before the prayer and then was able to leave. At each service I left with tears in my eyes over the same songs. I felt that I was finally able to release some of the emotions I have been storing up inside of me and was relieved to cry. A man in the band played his ??Clarinet?? and played a beautiful arrangement of Amazing Grace. The solo started with high sweet tones plunging to deep clear sounds and I imagined myself freely dancing before my Savior, expressing finally outwardly my inner joy at his complete acceptance and overwhelming love for me. It was personal and private, the bride with her groom basking in His love and hearing His tender voice speak of the great Grace that He has given to her, a fallen woman, an adulterous woman who desperately seeks a true love, one true love. Oh the joy to know that I have found Him and that He accepts me as I am...and I danced with flowing garments of rich colors of boldness and redemption before Him. I danced to show Him my love for His Amazing Grace and I was filled with joy, it radiated out of my spirit and shone in His presence, and I loved Him...I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see. It was a sweet moment with Jesus!

This upcoming week will be spent packing and giving things away :) I am excited to downsize and de-clutter. Watch out Goodwill, your trucks will be filled to the top!