11 months to go!

11 months remain until Adam's and my wedding day!  Woooohoooooo!

As of this writing, all the vendors have been secured (well, almost).  I need to drop off a deposit check in the mail next week when I return from a work trip in Florida.

You know what the coolest thing about the vendors is??

The majority of them are friends from the Catholic Young Adults group I was a part of before moving to North Carolina.

Our photographer is the super awesomely talented Juliana Tomlinson!  I must find time to write about hers and my connection very soon.  It's a neat story.

Our DJ is a pretty cool guy I got to know through attending a Haiti Benefit Dance our friend Lisa coordinated a few years ago in May 2010 *this dance was on the night I made the decision to leave A and go to school in NC!!* where he was the DJ and the Malvern Young Adult retreats in May 2011 and May 2012.  I would have never dreamt we would be enjoying Jon's musical talents in a different way in May 2015.

A loving friend who attended the Haiti Benefit Dance with me four years ago will also be playing a super sweet role next May.  She will be sharing her culinary and baking creations with our guests and us!

The videographer, BC Productions Entertainment Event Videography, is the only vendor I don't know personally but through his detailed emails and prompt responses, Adam and I feel very confident and thrilled with our decision to go with his services.

All this planning and excitement aside, nothing compares to the happiness that comes with knowing come next May, we will be united in such a holy sacrament.  Something we learned recently is the priest doesn't administer the sacrament of marriage to the bride and groom but rather the bride and groom are the only ones who can administer the sacrament of matrimony to one another...pretty cool stuff!  I'm so so so thrilled to know that I will be able to walk down such a familiar aisle from one life to a new one at the end of it.  I can't help but think of the wedding mass each time I go to mass on the weekends.  With each church I attend while home, whether it be St. Ann's, Annunciation, or St. Ambrose, I feel grateful for the fact that we will be able to marry at St. Joseph's.  For while these churches are the churches I grew up attending and have that sense of familiarity and history from my childhood, they don't represent where I've been and where I'm going like St. Joseph's does.  For this was the church where I went to my first face-to-face confession as an adult (with an Irish priest no less).  This building was where I would stop by when driving from school to school to say a quick prayer then continue with my day.  Those four walls were the ones that guarded me from outside doubters and critical naysayers of my faith when living in York.  It was in that building where I started developing my love of volunteering, specifically at the Catholic Harvest Food Pantry in downtown York.  I also subbed for Adoration each Thursday while a parishioner there.  I learned about the opportunity to coach basketball cheerleading (something I did for 8 years myself) by reading the bulletin in one of the pews.  Following up on the ad, I was cheer coach my last year living in PA.  So many homilies, and songs, that I heard in that beautiful sanctuary spoke straight to my heart and struck a chord deep inside me.  I've been in that facility during the highs and lows of my time in York.  There were times I sat in the pew fighting back tears as I stayed after mass and sat in the darkened sanctuary but there were also happy days there with my little brother when he visited me and my parents when we would go to mass before grabbing a bite to eat.

Working in York during my early 20s...going with the flow...being the only practicing Catholic as had always been the case....then moving there in my mid 20s which caused me to discover St. Joseph's gave me the courage to get more involved with my faith and start branching out and meeting others in my age group who also were practicing Catholics out in Lititz, Lancaster, West Chester, and back in Harrisburg where I had left to go live in York.  This was a radical departure from my college years and young adult living.  I can see how these steps further helped me to make the transition to NC and branching out and joining several Catholic Young Adult groups down there and I guess you could say even prepared me for this major life change of switching from teaching in the secular world to teaching at a Catholic university.

I suppose some brides would tell you they chose a wedding location by tradition because it was where she grew up or it is where she met her groom, or some may say the church is in their dream location as in a destination wedding.  Yes, York is definitely very convenient from major highways and in the middle of several airports.  I love the rich cultural history the town of York has to offer not to mention my roots there.  Many of my former coworkers (co-friends) and some of my best friends live there or in the surrounding areas so it would be convenient for many of the local guests but also not terribly far away for out of towners (well, except for the West Coast family...).

While distance and time away over the last four years has changed several of those relationships (some more hurtful than others), one thing has remained a constant for me.  For the regular readers of my blog, you will recognize that change does not come easy for me, especially when it comes to friendships and relationships.  However, the other night I read an article that stated this:

People sometimes change," says the wise sage.
No, people always change. They never stop changing. Life is change. Everything is moving, everything is transforming. Everything is changing, all of the time. Life is more of a river than a stagnant, mosquito-infested puddle.

WOW...!  I need to embrace change more.  This author is so right.  I mean...without all the changes I fought so hard against and clung to so tightly to try to keep from changing....I wouldn't be where I am today ~ eagerly looking ahead to a future with the man God brought into my life.  What if I had been closed off to possibilities because I was so busy looking in one direction or trying to hold on so tightly to something I should have let go of....the quote from that article reminds me yet again of a song I've posted on this blog at least once.  How ironic I should think of this song since I first heard it at the Young Adults Retreat in Malvern in May 2011 when our DJ coordinate it.  Love God's way of bringing things full circle sometime!

 So back to the one thing that has remained a constant for me amidst the swirling changes in life....that is the feeling I get when I enter the brown church over on Kingston Road.  I guess you could say this bride chose the wedding location because of the church.  Again, while many other brides are preoccupied with colors, flowers, dresses......I never really daydreamed about that sort of thing.  For being a somewhat traditional gal, I've been unconventional in that regard.  The wedding mass has always been what mattered most to me.  So, when Adam proposed...in the days that followed, the first things that entered my mind when thinking about wedding planning were can we have it at my old church in York, can we have Father Vince from NC, and can we have Fr. Jack from Boston?  As Meatloaf would say, two out of three ain't bad and we'll miss Fr. Vince.  Thankfully the groom was on board for an opposite coast wedding with a bunch of out of state connections..ha!  ;)  While the church may not necessarily be his preferred style of sanctuary, hopefully he won't mind and will feel some of the same peace I feel upon entering that building. 

Whew, this ended up being a much longer post than I intended.  Thanks for reading my rambling thoughts!  Pax!

The Third Way

Love the Godicidences!!

It was a gorgeous sunny day today with the breeze blowing in through the windows and my Pennsylvania nephews keeping busy with playing, pushing cars, sharing smiles, and running circles around me at the dining room table as I worked on a syllabus and created eight (yes...eight!!) exams for one of the classes I am teaching in the fall.  Originally today was to be spent having lunch with a friend from back home and sitting out on a patio with a dear friend in the evening.  However, both of those plans had to be postponed due to not being as far along with schoolwork as I would have liked as well as having some family time with my twin and his wife.  Even though I couldn't leave the table for too long, it was still nice chatting with them.  I'm so glad I have this summer at my parents' to get used to being back up in the North again before heading out West!  I also know the time I'm taking now to get things planned out will pay off this fall when life gets busier than ever once I start at my new job.  Today was so full with schoolwork I didn't get to start talking with Adam until close to 1am...yowza!

When talking with Adam tonight, I shared with him a neat story from today.

Michaelann had texted me this afternoon a beautiful picture of her nieces and said, "We're at one of your favorite places!".  I knew immediately where they were in Maryland!!  Then she followed up that message asking if I knew if our friend, Lisa, was there too?  I texted Lisa out of the blue asking if she was in fact, at the Grotto, to which she said replied yes!  A three-way texting conversation continued as I realized two of my dearest friends who have been tremendous supports over the last four years were at the same place at the same time!!  The last time the three of us had a connection like this was when Michaelann and I attended the Haiti Benefit Dance Lisa coordinated in early May 2010.  The reason this night is so vivid for me is because it was when I had made the decision to attend UNCG and start working on the PhD that following Fall.  Michaelann was the first friend I told other than my roommate about this huge decision! 

Needless to say, the rest of the afternoon, while still productive as I continued to work, also found me lost in the memories from deciding to go to NC to recalling the countless hours spent talking with both of these girls.  As I told Adam and the girls today, in conversing with them via text about today I thought of something. The first time I was at the Grotto was on my way to York from NC the weekend before Lent started in 2011.  I had driven by dozens of times during my babysitting trips to NC but had never stopped.  On a whim that wintry day back in 2011, I pulled over, left Dusty in the car, and trekked up the hill. I distinctly recall texting Lisa from the base of the Mary statue saying I was in one of her favorite places (the same text Michaelann sent me this afternoon!). Then, that week, on Ash Wed. night, Lisa and Michael were engaged!!!  I can't help but think how the last pilgrimage I went on was in Colorado when Doris, Adam, and I visited the Mother Cabrini Shrine only to get engaged that night!!

In June 2012, Michaelann gave me the Jeremiah 29:11 journal that I used when praying specifically for a spouse using the three-part prayer Lisa shared with me.  I remember it being so hard trusting in God's will versus my own will.  The prayer from Lisa is one that I prayed for YEARS...and looking back I'm so thankful for the pruning of the branches even though at the time I didn't understand or see why it was happening. Here is the three-part prayer:

1.) Draw me closer to my spouse,
2.) Grant me eyes to recognize him,
and
3.) Repel from me anyone who is not!

What a good word that is at the end...REPEL.....deflect....turn away those who are not to be in my life....I can now see that the repelling was totally so so so good because it cleared the path to the right one!  Back to the journal from Michaelann and Jeremy, life got busy and I didn't really start using the journal again until the fall, which coincided with the Year of Faith starting in October 2012  during which I renewed my prayers for my future spouse.

I also credit both women with helping me to realize I needed to clear the path, and my heart, of those who were not meant to be my future spouse...specifically a certain gentleman from my past...so much so that I ended up cutting all ties with him for good in March 2013.

The days and weeks that followed were tremendously lonely and hard, some of the darkest I faced even when compared to previous years but I learned six months later in September at NCSC (through one of the speakers' presentations) that God was pruning the branches and even further preparing the way. Now, looking back, I'm so incredibly grateful and thankful for all that has happened and wouldn't change any of it...the heart break, the loneliness, the despair. When I do look back, Michaelann and Lisa both shine as especially bright beacons. Their love, talks, and support through the ups and downs helped me more than they will ever know.
 
Anyhow, fast forward to today where the days are speeding by filled with planning for the wedding, preparing the courses for teaching, learning how to be a professor at Franciscan, moving (again), getting reacclimated to being in PA for the time being (yippee!), and of course thinking about all the changes to come next year (nerve wracking yet exciting nonetheless)....it's easy to get lost in it all. However, receiving the sweet texts from the girls and hearing they both were in such a peaceful place today makes me smile.

I also realized, as I shared this with Adam tonight, that the last time I was at the beloved holy place was on St. Patrick's Day in March 2013 when I met my parents there for mass as well as took some pictures of the beautiful church.  Godicidentally, I recalled that my cover photo on my profile had been the picture with my parents in front of the church...so this was one of the first images Adam saw when he checked out my profile.  Pretty cool!!  I had also just finished the novena to St. Joseph that week and the name of the church where Adam and I will be married is St. Joseph's!  :) 
 
Anyhow, earlier today, when I was feeling sorry for myself at being stuck indoors and not participating in fun friend time, reading of the girls being at such a lovely site, seeing the beautiful picture sent to me on my phone, and hearing about their paths crossing in the gift shop, I'm taken back to my last visit at such a gift shop....the one at the Mother Cabrini Shrine in Colorado! As I browsed the gift shop and purchased some prayer cards to give to Adam and our friend, Doris, later...little did I know that after mass at the cathedral that night Adam would propose! It's funny how memories and experiences can all intertwine like this!!

 So I'm thankful to the girls for bringing some of that joy from early May in CO back simply by texting me about today's events!  I'm thankful for Adam and Doris giving me those memories of that day full of touristy fun things that ended with a bang!  I am also thankful for the realization that today's hard work will pay off in the near future just like all the trusting and having faith for so many years paid off in a truly spectacular way that not even I could have dreamt up in my wildest dreams! I also hope that by sharing parts of my story...those of you who may be struggling will grow in faith and trust!  Fiat!! 

 

All that glitters...

...is not gold. 

During my interview day, I was told the class sizes ranged from 12 to 20 students per class with the average number of students being 15.  I was overjoyed to learn this since I preferred teaching smaller groups based on my class size of eight students compared to the class of 30 students I had last fall.

However, as I prepare for the four classes I will be teaching this fall, I received an email a few minutes ago stating all of my classes are closed since they are at full capacity and that I would be teaching 25 students in three of my classes and 18 students in the fourth. 

Oh my....I just felt the weight of grading, scoring, teaching, reading, advising, and everything else that comes with classes of that size quadruple.

However, I also felt my gratitude and appreciation of all those who have been helping me increase exponentially too.  After weeks of working to sort the boxes I acquired from my trip out west in May, I have a draft of three of the four syllabi in progress.  I hope to get to the fourth class by the weekend.  Now that I have all four started and am starting to work my way through ordering the textbooks and piecing together the semester calendar, I'm feeling slightly better.  I am grateful for the job and am thankful in the faith people have shown in my abilities.  I did say I wanted a teaching college job and that's what I'm getting.....even if it is a lot different from what I envisioned based on information that was shared during the interview day.  Yes, all that glitters is not gold..but it can be pretty sparkly silver, perhaps coated in rhodium, making it even a better fit since I don't really care for gold as much as I do silver anyway!

I also know God would not have placed me into this position or in the direction I'm headed if He did not think it was a good fit for me.  Here's to a new year of more changes and working toward a successful first year of teaching capped off with marrying a HUGE source of support who will help me to get through this year along with my parents and other supports.  So bring on the challenges and throw 'em on top of the world...God's got this (with a little help from me and lots of hours of prepping ahead this summer....)!

Daily Doses of Happiness

Day 75
A friend posted this today and it brought to mind the fact that as we get older we realize who our true friends are.  Some acquaintances will fall away as life circumstances change.  Some were never true friends to start with...and others are brought into your life for a reason, season, or a lifetime.  I'm thankful for those in my life who accept me as I am and for all I am...as I do them.  We may not always agree on everything (let's face it, who does?!) but for the true friends in our lives we still respect one another and count each other as friends.  While the number of those who fall in this last category may decline, especially in the changing political climate and landscape, I am grateful for the real ones who have remained.

Day 76

Receiving fun cards like this in the mail have been so fun!  My mail is currently being forwarded to me from NC due to having moved to Pa for the summer.  There will be two or three days that will go by of not getting any mail and then I will get something like this which made my day today.  Love my thoughtful friends/family!!

Day 77

Tonight's happy moment came at Troeg's Brewing Company in Hershey when Melanie and I shared a yummy dinner of an Oktoberfest Pretzel (this has to be the largest pretzel I've ever seen) and the Mad Elf Cheese Fondue (Michaelann, you were right; I LOVED this yummy concoction)!  My Naked Elf Beer was delicious but most of all it was great getting to catch up with Melanie as we made up for not having visited with one another since Christmas!

Day 78
I finished reading one of the reports I have to read for work before I can move forward with planning for the courses I will be teaching this fall.  Getting through the two inch thick document was the highlight of my Sunday.  Now on to the smaller and much more manageable reports!  

Day 79

Unexpectedly, Mom and I wound up spending today working on flowers for the wedding.  Oh how I love colors & sparkles!!

 

Love my twin!

My twin shared an interesting article with with me.

I think my favorite quote was, "There's always knowing someone is there for you because they've been with you your entire life".

Yay for twins!

Lifted

• Last week, I blogged in the midst of confusion, feelings of being overwhelmed, and if I'm completely honest, COMPLETE AND UTTER PANIC.

  My back seat looked like this due to acquiring materials from the other professors and adjuncts who had taught the courses I inherited in the past (which also reminded me of all the organizing I need to do in the storage unit this summer as well).

  
  

  

  So in my car these boxes sat for the next several days.  They are now currently sitting in the dining room waiting for me to tackle (sorry Mom).  I did get to page 34 of the thick report I decided to start with in terms of familiarizing myself with the program and department yesterday.  If I'm lucky, I will complete it by today and move on to begin planning one of the four classes.  I would love to have a rough draft of the syllabi for all of the courses drafted before my conference in Florida in a few short weeks.  Then, I can begin planning out each class four times over.....eek!  Ok, back it up...let's just focus on the syllabi for the outline of the course.

  
  

  • Something else I have been focusing on in the last week is how truly blessed I am to have such an amazing supportive network, both online and in person.  By reaching out and posting the blog posting last week, I heard from several folks who helped to lift me up and keep the negative thoughts at bay.  I'm thankful for my new job's belief in my abilities even if I doubt them.  I appreciate Adam and my parents helping me to see the light and silver lining through the gray clouds.  Others have reminded me I've overcome what seemed daunting and impossible in the past and yet others instilled a dose of reality and empathy in sharing their struggles and how they have faced the challenges.  
  • What it comes down to is yes, I'm a teacher, through and through...and I should be jumping with joy at the chance to do it four times over and that I have a job waiting for me.  I get to work with up and coming new teachers who are passionate for not only our shared profession but also our faith.  This will be totally new for me as I've never been able to fully embrace being a Catholic teacher being employed by a public school system.  I am looking forward to carrying out my teaching, service, and scholarship as an authentic Catholic scholar.
  • Through reading a comment from my cousin, I realized part of my fear is stemming from the students not "liking" me.  I know one can't possibly satisfy everyone but my goal is to be one of those professors who not only gives back to the field through scholarship and service but also who is an effective teacher yet a caring one and I hope my future students will see that.  If I could have an impact that is even just a small sliver of what Dr. Compton and Dr. Klein have done for me then I can say I was successful.  Best way to do that is to be prepared and ready to hit the ground running come August.  So I better stop blogging and get cracking on the reading for today!
  • I'm also thankful for having these next several weeks to try to thoroughly and thoughtfully plan/prepare.  Can you imagine if I would have received this job the week before classes started this fall?  Oy voy!
  • On a related note, yesterday marked one month since Adam proposed.  In reflecting on all the huge changes that have happened since then and will happen before summer's end, I'm incredibly grateful for this time in Frackville.  Mom & Dad are getting a front row seat to all the ins and outs of planning for the wedding.  They are sharing in the frustration in vendors not calling back, dealing with reserving of hotel rooms, and finding out prices are too high....but they are also able to partake in the joy of snagging a good deal, pricing items at Michael's for reception decorations, and picking out colors for the wedding party.  Ok, not sure Dad is all that happy about colors and fashion but I know he's looking forward to the cake tasting later this month.  I can't even imagine trying to pull all the pieces together from a distance and while juggling my crazy teaching load this school year so am working faster than the speed of light to try to get everything wrapped up by late July.  Wish me luck!  
    

  
  

One Month

One month has passed since being asked a pretty big question.  SO much has happened since then!  If this is how fast the first month will go then the remaining 353 days will just whiz on by I bet! 

Here are the two announcements we created to share our exciting news!

Exciting Announcement!!

Once upon a time, in the Wild West during a trip to Colorado, Meg lassoed Adam.

Later that night, while in downtown Denver, Adam lassoed Megan with a silver sparkly ring.  They are getting married on May 23, 2015!!

             

To read more of the fun proposal story and learn more about the wedding, please visit their website.  http://www.theknot.com/wedding/Adam-Meg

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Exciting Announcement!!

 I changed my name to “Dr. Meg” two weeks ago…

... but even more exciting is that Adam and I are getting married on May 23, 2015, when I get to change my name again!!

  To read more of the fun proposal story and learn more about the wedding, please visit their website.  http://www.theknot.com/wedding/Adam-Meg