Saturday, December 25, 2010

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

It is almost 1o'clock on Christmas morning. I just finished wrapping gifts and watching a film with my brother.

As I put the last of our gifts under the tree, I was suddenly overwhelmed by the thought of some families not even having one gift to give or receive. I began to feel even more overwhelmed and saddened that I'm not sure if I even know any families like that. There is only one to blame for that, and that person is myself. Have I intentionally not reached out very much to the people in our town that are in need?...I don't think so. And yet, I feel that selfishness has had too much room over the years.

I certainly don't mean to put a damper on Christmas and having a wonderful time with our own families and friends, but it's always good to be reminded that everyone is not as blessed as we are. And so, what am I going to do to help change this area in my life? I don't know yet, but I do know that Christ Jesus was meant to be shared...not hoarded. I want Him to open my eyes to those around me that are in need spiritually and physically.  I hope that each one of us will remember to pray for the Lord to give us hearts of compassion and also motivation to do something about what we feel and see.

   On a lighter note....

We have a white Christmas here in Kentucky! Yay!

I hope you have a wonderful day with your families and that the Lord will bless your home with His presence. Not only is He the "reason for the season", but for everyday that we live on this earth.  May perfect peace fill your hearts. "God bless us...Everyone." ~ Tiny Tim.

Merry Christmas,

Megan



Monday, December 6, 2010

Baby Update #2

Malachi was born at 10 o'clock am on 12/3/2010 and weighed in at 6 lb. 4oz. and measured 19 inches long! Both momma and baby are doing just fine :)

They came home yesterday around lunch time and everyone if very happy to have them back. The hard part now is trying to keep Matthew from climbing all over them!  Jeremiah is already acting protective over his new little brother and loves to hold him. He is so gentle.

Thank you again for your prayers. We deeply appreciate it.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Baby Report: Malachi Mutiso Zurowski

Hello!

I just want to update everyone on how my mom's pregnancy is going.

Malachi has been a text book perfect baby, except for his weight. He was weighing in smaller than the doctor would like to see so instead of going in on Monday, December 6th she went in THIS MORNING! Malachi entered this outside world only a few minutes ago! I don't have anymore details just yet, but Dad's text said that he's beautiful. Thank you all who have been praying. We certainly do appreciate it!

More details to come!

Friday, November 26, 2010

Esty

Hey All!

Just wanted to announce that I have opened an Etsy account :) Please check it out by clicking the link on my sidebar and let me know what you think! Thanks!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

A little game of...

... catch-up. I feel like this game is an endless cycle with me. Maybe someday I will get a hang of coming up with something to write about on a daily basis :)

  It has been a bit over two months since I have returned from Thailand. And during this time I haven't been extremely busy, but my days have definitely been full.  And for all you curious minds, they have been mainly filled with re-capping the 15 months I was gone (which includes sorting out many different emotions), visiting friends and family, baking, making crafts, going to a weekly women's Bible study, helping with house chores (blessings!), running errands(Wal-mart should love me) and watching my little brothers.  Oh what bliss! My Lord is so good to me. I really couldn't ask for anything more. And yet, in some ways I do want to be busier. I have some ideas in mind that will hopefully solve that soon.

Inevitably, I have also been diligently praying and seeking the Lord about my future in the midst of taking each day as it comes. He has been faithful to guard me from worry and desperation to find an answer right now. Rather, I have been filled with much peace and though I do have my moments of impatience to know what the "next step" is, overall I humbly feel like I have never trusted the Lord as much as I am right now.

Many of my friends have mentioned that they have been praying for those exact things for me, so I know that our Great God is listening and cares about even the smallest desires of our hearts.

   Our home is filling more and more with anticipation and excitement as the day for Malachi's birth is approaching. Only three more weeks!!! Mom has been "nesting" the last few days. She washed all the baby's clothes and stored them away in a new storage unit that fits perfectly in the boy's closet. Today she has a doctor's appointment for a normal check-up and an ultrasound. She is bringing me with her because I wasn't here for all the other ultrasounds and this will more than likely be the last one. I am ecstatic! :)

   Well, I am running out of time this morning, so more will have to written later. Thanks for stopping by! God bless you!

Friday, October 15, 2010

Do not let your adornment be merely outward; arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel. Rather let it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

(1 Peter 3:3-4 NKJV)



Thursday, October 14, 2010

Jeremiah: Heart Check-up


For those of you who did not know, Jeremiah's heart has been fully relying on a pace-maker since he was 6 months old (he is now 4yrs.). The doctors told us that if anything was to happen to his pace-maker, he would die. Well, I want to declare that YES God does answer prayers!!! Jeremiah went for his yearly checkup in Lexington today. The doctor said that his heart is now able to beat 42 beats a minute ON IT'S OWN. And now if anything was to happen to the pace-maker, Jeremiah would still live.

We realize that it's not right to live in fear, but, needless to say I think we were able to let out a beautiful, deep breath today. I cannot even begin to explain the joy that is in our hearts. And although we don't really understand why the Lord is allowing Jeremiah's healing to take so long, one thing we do know is that He is faithful and our prayers have not gone unheard.

I want to thank those of you who been praying for Jeremiah for these past four years. You are great blessings in our family's life.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Here and there, this and that...


Sorry Folks, for the last month I have been hit with a sickness that no writer wishes to be in the grips of. It is called "Writer'sBlock". Blech. I'm not sure how or why, considering that life has most certainly not been the least bit boring. Well, maybe a little bit. But we won't go there ;)

Anyway, I'm back now! So, without further adieu, here is what I call the "updated version of Megan's life at present".

I left Thailand on September 1st and I have been here in the "Land of the free, home of the brave" a.k.a The United States of America ;) for over a month already! I cannot even begin to express how wonderful it is to be reunited with my family right now. It feels so good to be serving in our home again. I feel very blessed by all the sweet greetings from my friends here and from people that I had never met before, but heard about me from my family =) It has also been wonderful to be going to The Chapel. I love hearing my father preach every week!

The Lord blessed me with a record-breaking recovery from jet-lag which was awesome. It was nice to not feel like the room was constantly spinning around me. I haven't really dealt with any culture shock either! Although the amount of different Pop Tart flavors at the store was quite fascinating.

My focus right now is spending time with my family and friends and seeking the Lord about the "next step". Honestly, I kind of feel like I'm at a stand-still of sorts. Not in a bad way, but in a peaceful way. God is so good!

All I ask is that you will join with me in prayer. I believe that if it is God's will for me to return to Thailand in February that He will provide the means to do so in His timing. And if I am not, then I know He will also give me clarity and peace that I am making the right decision.

Thanks for reading my ramblings! I look forward to posting more often. Get ready to hear about some craft stuff I'm working on!

Here are some recent pictures of Jeremiah and Matthew :

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

As time goes by...



John has been here for 2 1/2 weeks now, and we are having a blast! The picture of the two of us is from the day John saw the ocean for the first time. It was a perfect day. Thank you for praying for him while he was traveling to come here. He is settling in just fine.

It is hard to believe that in one week, I will be standing on United States soil... Kentucky's to be more

specific!


Wow, how my time here in Thailand has flown by. A lot of emotions rolling around inside me the closer I am to leaving this land that I have been calling home for over a year. Five months to be away sounds so long, and yet so short to be home with my family. I am looking forward to seeing as many people as I can while I'm back. I just

know that my time in America is going to be a time of refreshing and more growth. I am anticipating to see what God has next.


I enjoyed teaching English more than I could have imagined. I don't like to talk in front of crowds, so teaching sounded quite intimidating at first. I'm thankful for Brian and Mary Beth's encouragement when I almost backed out. If I had, I know now that I would have missed out on a lot. Such as children's smiling faces, nervous laughs, eyes brightening when they got a question right and the opportunity to share the Gospel with one of my fellow teachers. Being able to be used by God to verbally share the Truth with a Thai person for the very first time since I have arrived in Thailand was one of the most wonderful and beautifully, humbling experiences that I have ever had. I am so thankful to have been able to be used for His glory.


Another plus for now having some English teaching experience is being able to come up with a lesson in 10 minutes. John and I were asked to teach at a one day English Speaking Camp in a town called Pattalung about and hour and a half away. We were originally told that lessons were already prepared and would be waiting for us when we got there, but, that was not the case when we walked in. Oh well! God's grace is sufficient in every kind of situation no matter how big or small, right?! We quickly came up with two different lessons and ended up having so much fun! I think I would do it again in a heart-beat. And John, who has never taught English, did great! The kids loved him.


After the camp we, along with the person we were riding with, went to a nature reserve nearby. It was actually a big lake connected to the ocean, and it was beautiful. I wish I had the pictures to show you. It wasn't a lake like we are used to seeing in the States, but rather more like our natural wetlands. It was completely open space and there were so many water buffalo and birds! An experience I will never forget =)

Monday, July 26, 2010

A New Little "Z"


Announcement!!! : The new baby is a ..........BOY!

Yes, I am going to have another wonderful little brother :) I am so excited!

Friday, July 23, 2010

Normal Christianity

'The moment we actually deny our self, pick up our cross, and follow Jesus Christ...is the moment we are surrounded with the power and presence of His Spirit - not just every once in a while, but every moment of every day.

We might admire women like Amy Carmichael and Gladys Aylward, but we will never showcase that kind of radiant, set-apart femininity unless we are willing to deny ourselves and follow Christ as radically as they did. ' ~ ( Set-Apart Femininity by Leslie Ludy pg. 69)

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Wild Olive Tees is giving away free stuff!!!

Check out Wild Olive tees giveaway! You could win up to $75 worth of their products. Their shirts are great!

http://www.wildolivetees.com/givin-it-away/

Happy Independence Day!!!



What makes a nation’s pillars high
And its foundations strong?
What makes it mighty to defy
The foes that round it throng?

It is not gold. Its kingdoms grand
Go down in battle shock;
Its shafts are laid on sinking sand,
Not on abiding rock.

Is it the sword? Ask the red dust
Of empires passed away;
The blood has turned their stones to rust,
Their glory to decay.

And is it pride? Ah, that bright crown
Has seemed to nations sweet;
But God has struck its luster down
In ashes at his feet.

Not gold but only men can make
A people great and strong;
Men who for truth and honor’s sake
Stand fast and suffer long.

Brave men who work while others sleep,
Who dare while others fly...
They build a nation’s pillars deep
And lift them to the sky.

~ Ralph Waldo Emmerson ~

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies

One of my favorite cookies are Chocolate Peanut Butter No- Bake cookies. They have been a favorite since I was a kid, so I have tasted quite a few and most of them have all been considered the "best recipe". Well, although ALL of those cookies were DELISH....I believe I may have just found the best recipe yet. No, it's not my own; I found it on the internet, wrote it down, made them, tasted them and now I'm going to share them with you! So why are they, in my opinion, the best? Well, you know how a lot of the time these kind of cookies dry out quickly and then become crumbly and messy? Well, these did not do that! They stayed together and also stayed chewy. Mmmmmmm

Sorry I don't have any pictures!

Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
4 tablespoons cocoa
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup milk
1 cup peanut butter
1 tablespoon vanilla
3 cups oatmeal
Waxed paper


Directions:

In a heavy saucepan bring to a boil, the sugar, cocoa, butter and milk. Let boil for 1 minute then add peanut butter, vanilla and oatmeal.

On a sheet of waxed paper, drop mixture by the teaspoonfuls, until cooled and hardened.

This recipe from CDKitchen for Chocolate Peanut-Butter No Bake Cookies serves/makes 24

P.S. I found that they keep better in the refrigerator!



Monday, June 14, 2010

"Someday My Prince Will Come"

A Prayer For My Future Husband ~ by Anne Connor


Lord I know there is someone,
In this world for me
Keep him safe from harm,
And from temptation help him flee

Make him a leader,
Who can guide me through the years.
Give him a loving arm to hold me,
And to dry all my tears.

Mold him to be a father,
As you have been to me.
Always keep him by my side
A right arm forever he’ll be.

Cause his love for you to grow,
And a true doctrine let him know.
And in his life forever,
Let your light always show.

Place him in the ministry,
So more can hear God’s word
And when the trials come,
Help us praise you Lord.

Give him a compassion,
Toward those who are orphaned
And to such as these,
Our home will always be open.

Finally Lord I ask you,
Help him keep himself
Because a Christian man like this,
Is valued above great wealth.



Divine Romance ~ Phil Wickham

Friday, June 11, 2010

Unashamed


My brother, John, just launched his new blog 'Unashamed' .

John recently recommitted his life to the Lord and is now using his new blog to share what God has been teaching him lately. It's really cool! Click here to hop on over to being encouraged to live an "Unashamed" life for Christ ~ Unashamed

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Today marks...

1 year ago today I landed in Thailand! Little did I know how this place and the people I've been with would be used to change my life. God is so good!

Today also marks my new little brother or sister's 13th week of growth! Mom called me on Skype the other day to show me the first ultrasound pictures! We are all so excited.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

1yr. in Thailand


Tomorrow (the 11th) marks one year in Thailand for me. I laugh when I think about how I was only supposed to be here for four months! God certainly has His ways of changing OUR plans, doesn't He? : ) I am happy to be able to say though, that this has been one of the best years in my entire life up to this point. I am thankful beyond words for my time here in South Thailand with the Stubenrauch Family, Garsee Family, Christina, P'Thak and the Thai friends I have made here. I don't think they realize just how much the Lord has used them to further mold and shape me into the women He wants me to be. I can only hope that I have been at least half of a blessing to them as they have been to me.



The month (April/May) I spent in Khorat with my dear friend, Margaret, and her family was wonderful. The Hoar family definitely knows how to make someone feel special. I have come home more refreshed and ready for the next months ahead. It was great to still be able to take Thai lessons while I was up there too. Khruu (teacher) Usanee is a Christian (My teacher down here in Hat Yai is not) so she was able to help get me started with learning how to use some higher vocabulary that I need to know when I talk about God. It was really neat.

And oh! Speaking of Khorat, Lake Lovorn is doing MUCH better! Thank you for keeping him in your prayers. At his last doctor's visit he was able to move his arm up to his mouth during his 'water therapy' session! Praise God!

Some special things are going on lately. Our team dynamics are starting to change now. Colton Garsee left for America a couple of months ago to go to Bible school, and just this past month our good friends and fellow missionaries, the Pruett Family have left Thailand to be led by God elsewhere. It was really hard to say goodbye to them, but we are all so happy that they are walking in obedience and faithfulness to the Lord.


Chase Garsee left the other day to go to a 2 month worship school. He'll be back in August, but even to say goodbye to him was somewhat hard because it's the start of a new season in his life, knowing he will be going back to the U.S. at the beginning of the new year for college. I kind of felt like I was saying goodbye to one of my younger brothers! I don't like goodbyes, even if they mean something good is happening!


I think above all of these farewells, the hardest one for me will be when my wonderful friend/former roommate, Christina leaves to go back to the States too. We have done SO MUCH together this past year. I can hardly believe it's all about to end. I cannot wait to hear about what else the Lord is going to lead her to do in the near future though!!!!

I love all of these dear people so much and I am extremely proud of them. I would also like to ask on their behalf that you would please keep them in your prayers, perhaps when you are praying for me? I know they would appreciate it immensely.

As for my plans, I am supposed to arrive in KY on September 2nd! Yes! I have my ticket :) But before that happens, in these next few months it looks as though I will be starting a "job" teaching English to some young students at our local wat (temple) school once a week. And my brother, John, is coming to visit for the whole month arriving on August 4th!!! We'll go back to the States together.

I am looking forward to coming home for awhile. Not only do I want to come home to visit the people I love, but I also really want to take the time to think, pray and re-cap. At this point I do believe that I am returning to Thailand probably in February after being able to help my mom with the new baby (YES! It's true!!!! Mom will be 13 wks along tomorrow!) as she recovers from her C-Section. But I do want everyone to know that those plans could be subject to change. And if they do, it will only be because that's how the Lord wants it to be. I have chosen to be completely led by Him. My life is His. And oh what a refreshing, burden-lifting thought that is!