A few of my non-McGrail sisters...

Most of you probably know this, but when we first moved up to Duluth, I started working with the youth group at my church. Yesterday, one of "my girls" got married. It was so beautiful, so perfect. I journaled about it last night, I think I'll just copy some out of my journal...

"Kayla Kurtz got married today. Mr. and Mrs. Derek Whitaker, Kayla Whitaker. Crazy to think about these last years. Wild to think about the talks we've had, over coffee in Excelsior, in Belize, taking senior pictures. Kim Knuth thanked me today for being in her daughter's life [Sarah Knuth was the maid of honor, and Kristin Milbrath and I were bridesmaids]. I should have thanked her for making such a beautiful daughter, that I would have the opportunity in interact with such a beautiful soul. I'm grateful for the fact that these students' parents note my encounters with their kids, but really, if I could only share with them how truly blessed I am, how Kristin, Kayla, and Sarah enrich my soul. I think back on all of this, how I started hanging out with the students at Lakeview thinking God might be calling me into youth ministry. And He did, a slightly different kind that I first anticipated, but that He started me on that path so that I would cross paths with these girls, these young women, who have forever changed me and my life. Who challenge me to be a better version of myself, not only because they seem to look up to me [because I'm practically ancient to them], but because they are already eons ahead of me. Who may be young in years, but not in life. These young women are not my students; they are my girls, my little chickens, my sisters, my friends. I started down this path thinking I would help others, and I may or may not have succeeded in that endeavor, but I am full. My cup runs over. I guess this is what happens when you seek after God and what He wants; whether it ends up how you expected or not, He brings so much joy along the way. So many exceptional moments. So many smiles, laughs, and tears. Today was one of those exceptional moments. Congratulations Kayla, Derek, and Conner; thanks for being such a huge part of my life."

Your 1040 Headquarters

No, I'm not REALLY giving out tax advice. Anyone (family or friends) who wants a link to their blog, website, etc, let us know and we'll be sure to post it so we can stay updated on each other's lives!

Mike and Meg: Certified Adventurers?

For those who do not know much about Belize (including myself), it has the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world. Turns out one of my labmates has been to Belize before for some Scuba diving. While trying to figure out what to do for our one week off, he suggested becoming certified in open-water Scuba diving.

I have dove a few times when my parents took us down to Mexico, and I can say it was a blast for me. Becoming certified is definitely a dream of mine.

Anyway, I have been emailing some scuba schools in Belize that has PADI certification, and there is one that has classes during the week we have off. Not only that, but they said they would give us a good deal since we are missionaries. How cool is that! Meg is a little hesitant since she has not tried it before, but is excited to give it a go; we may be card carrying scuba divers when we come back from Belize.

Also, we recently invested in a digital camera so we can post pictures progress of our missions with Praying Pelicans and our adventures trekking around Belize. Stay tuned...same bat channel, same bat time.

Baby blues...

My little sister, Kate, is very pregnant. She and her husband James are due to expect their first-born, a boy, almost any day now. She's technically due June 6, that's right 6/6/06, and no, he will not be the anti-Christ, but the baby is getting so big, so fast, that as soon as she starts to dialate, they will induce her. Mike and I leave for Belize for seven weeks on June 1. I planned, back in March, to go to Indiana where my parents, next oldest sister, Heather, and Kate and James live, in the hopes that maybe the baby would be here. The stork has not arrived. I've never seen Kate look so beautiful or James so enthused and supportive. I love pregnant women, everything about them; their huge bellies, the glow that people always talk about, the way they eat everything in sight. I just want to hug every pregnant woman I see and rub their bellies. I realize that this is a societal faux pa, but it takes everything in me to resist such strong urges. Fortunately for me, Kate is very patient with me. She lets me pat the belly, talk to my nephew, reminding him that I am Auntie Meg, the best autie in the whole world (no offence Mandy, Heather, and Kendra). I'm so sad that I will miss this event. I guess this is what happens when we grow up. It seems that we encounter more pressing, important, lifechanging events, and, at least with the McGrail clan, the farther we live from each other geographically, and thus the less likely we are to share these things in person. Makes me want to live in a hippie commune with every significant person in my life, so I don't have to miss out on anything. Anyone willing to join me? Maybe I don't like growing up nearly as much as I thought I did...

Like a virgin...

So I'm not so computer literate. I leave that business to my husband Mike. I'm a little nervous about this whole blogging thing... Will I be funny enough? Do I really have anything that interesting to say? What if I don't update it enough? Will people like me? Do I care about any of the above? Maybe more than I would chose to admit. But I'm here, and you're reading... We must have found common ground. I've decided to call this blog "Mission moments with M & M" because life is a mission. Everything we do effects other people. You might hear about every day life here, you might hear about the saving of a soul. You might hear about Locette from a village in Belize, Central America, or you might hear about the girl named Marie who works in the office next to mine. My eldest sister Mandy once told me that with every interaction, we either direct a person toward or away from Jesus; talk about the weight of the world on your shoulders. But He never calls us to save the world; that's His job, just point to Him as much as we can so that He can do just that...