A love letter

The "your turn" section of my devotion today read...
Write a love note to God. List at least 10 reasons why you love Him.


Dear God,
The #1 reason I love you is because you loved me first.  I know, a little cliche, but, seriously, when I think about how you gave up Jesus, knowing he would be tortured and killed...for me...man I am so undeserving. #2 I love you because each and every time I fail, which if we're being honest is ALL THE TIME, you still love me.  Not just love me, but forgive, without question, each.and.every.single.time.  #3 I love you because even in my undeserving state, you created for me, Brandon.  I still don't feel deserving of someone who is imperfect, yet, completely perfect for me.  Thank you.  #4  Thank you that each morning, I wake with a clean slate.  "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his mercies never fail.  They are new every morning, great is thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23  #5  I am thankful for your creation that I can enjoy each day if I chose to do so.  I love the green landscape, I love the flowers, I love seeing my kids play in your creation, I love a warm breezy day, I also love sleeping during rain.  I love your creation.  #6  I love how you continually surprise me with your provision.  Great examples of this are how you moved us to Plainfield when you did, getting Brandon out of retail, providing resources for Nolan, providing us a support with family and friends, how you continually provide for us financially when many would tell me to go back to work. Thank you for confirming by your provision, that your heart is for a mother at home.   #7  I love you for loaning Aubrey, Adelynne and Nolan to me for whatever time period you see fit.  They are life's greatest blessing and I feel undeserving to be there mommy.  #8  I love you because during life's most difficult times, You Alone provide inner peace that is literally indescribable.  #9  I love you because of Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you plans to give you hope and a future."  


You are good, you are good
When there's nothing good in me
You are love, You are love 
On display for all to see
You are light, You are light 
When the darkness closes in
You are hope, You are hope
You have covered all my sin

You God, are good, even when I don't understand.

#10 I love you God, again for loving me.  I love you God for filling the emptiness I tried to fill with other things that never even came close.  I love you God for healing my hurts.  I love you God for being my friend when life sometimes feels lonely.  I love you God because YOU are God and YOU are GOOD.

We're thankful for great friends

1 Peter 2:8-10  "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."

Brandon and I, in our almost 10 years of marriage, have always been in awe with how the Lord provides.  We've always been amazed at how He provides through the love and care of other people.  It doesn't always mean financial provision, but, when I sit back and list all the ways God has provided financially, I'm always amazed to tears.

For the most part, I've been open about how Nolan's diagnosis of Williams Syndrome, and everlasting list of specialists and appointments that are a regular occurance for him has affected us financially.  2 years ago, you would have found me in a panic attack over the laundry list of medical expenses that had come in, and in my mind I'd given up and was mentioning bankruptcy to Brandon.  In a matter of months, we'd racked up nearly $15,000 of out of pocket medical expenses (His cranial reconstruction alone was worth $200,000).  I don't throw the number out to shock or garner pity, but, rather, to declare the Lord's goodness that we are almost, nearly, medical debt free.... on a teachers salary folks!  By God's grace, this is possible by #1 My incredibly hard working husband, and #2 By God moving in the hearts of others.   I must also admit that while I was ready to toss in the towel, Brandon said, "No way, I'll work 7 days a week, 24 hours a day before we do that."  Not too long after that, the Lord provided the funds and opportunity to purchase our mowing business.  He's also moved in the hearts of others to help out.  And mostly, He's proven Himself faithful in that while we've been digging out of a hole, we've also never gone without necessities.  We've never gone without food, we've never gone without heat or AC, we've never gone without water or our home.  While it's been extremely tight with no wiggle room for much else, we're incredibly grateful and thankful.  Sorry, I'm rambling...

1 Peter 5:7  "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

This is Jess....

One more recent way we're seeing the Lord provide is through a very precious friend.  We've only been friends going on a few months now, but, in some ways I feel as though I've known her all my life.  Her name is Jess, and she is a Lia Sophia jewelry consultant.  She's also madly in love with Nolan. :)  She came to me with an idea about a week ago and has taken off with it.  She is holding an almost month long jewelry party (via the web) on behalf of Nolan.  She and her husband, Nate, have a strong desire to help raise awareness for Williams Syndrome through Nolan's story.  She is also offering to donate 100% of her sales commission from this party to Nolan's past, present, and future medical expenses.  It's so hard to verbalize how grateful we are to people who are so generous and loving to our family.

This Saturday May 5th through May 13th is Williams Syndrome Awareness Week.  Below is how you can browse the jewelry and place an order.

 To place an order, please visit www.liasophia.com/jessmiller then click "Browse Our Jewelry". Simply type in "Megan Paschal" as the hostess, and browse the catalog & place your order. Questions may be directed to Jess Miller via facebook, email (flowers.jess@gmail.com) or phone (317-828-4165).


Saying thank you just doesn't seem enough, but, thank you.  To God be ALL GLORY for the great things He has done!


"For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, for love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends."-Ralph Waldo Emerson

I'm recycling

I've found myself saying a lot lately, "You can't make people understand what isn't their reality."  I don't use this quote because I'm good at doing this, and I'd be misleading if I allowed you to believe this wisdom is my own because it's not...it's Brandon's God given wisdom.  I found him encouraging me with this in early 2011, and in April 2012, I find myself needing this wisdom again for myself as well as encouraging others with it.  It reminded me of a blog post I'd previously written.  As I read back over it, I decided to share again.   Call it cheating, call it a cop-out, I call it good ole' recycling :)

http://megsfive.blogspot.com/2011/01/so-youre-saying-im-one-with-problem.html

Letting go...

Shame...Websters Dictionary gives the following definition:


 : a painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt, shortcoming, or impropriety : the susceptibility to such emotion 

 : a condition of humiliating disgrace or disrepute

 : something that brings censure or reproach; also 

:something to be regretted 

 A few weeks ago, I watched the video of a dear friend, Lauren, give her testimony.  I was struck with her honesty and openness about things in her past...drinking, drugs, and overall depraved and dangerous lifestyle...one I'm very familiar with.  I was extremely thankful she was willing to describe these things, talk about them & admit them because in doing so, we're also able to see the amazing transformation God has allowed in her life, only possible because of Jesus.

Psalm 145:8  
"The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love."

Shame is a powerful tool in Satan's toolbox.


James 1:17
 "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."


We know that feelings of guilt, shortcoming, and disgrace are not from our Father.  I think Satan uses shame to  keep us from fully sharing how God has transformed us.  Not all of us have the same experiences as Lauren (or myself) did before we became a Christian.  We know that God's plans are different for everyone.  But, if we're all honest, we all find so much peace and comfort from the testimonies of those who have been so wretched, so seemingly unforgivable, unlovable; where they've hit a massive rock bottom, only to become fully broken laying at the feet of Jesus... desperately begging Him for a new life, purpose, relief.

2 Corintians 5:17
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" 

Satan wants us to feel shame, because in our shame we are quiet.  How can we possibly reach others for Jesus if we are quiet?  How can we make someone want the hope we have if we are quiet?  How on earth could we make someone see that even in their sin (our sin), Jesus loves them (loves me)?  Shame is a hindrance.  Shame is a roadblock.



I'm trading my sorrow
I'm trading my shame
I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord




Yes Lord, I will share what you've done for me.

I'm giving up the shame of purposeful disrespect growing up  (sorry Mom and Dad)....trading it for the freedom ONLY Christ gives.


I'm giving up the shame of not being spotless before my groom....trading it in because I am a new creation.

I'm giving up the shame of failing everyday as a mother....trading it in because of the freedom I have in Christ.

I'm giving up the shame of all the times I spent drunk or high...because as a believer, I am white as snow in the eyes of my Savior.



I'm giving up the shame of being angry with God for allowing Nolan to be born with Williams Syndrome...trading it because He knows my every thought & His ways are better than mine.


 I share these shamefulthings because I don't want to be a tool for Satan, but rather, a weapon for Jesus.



I'm trading my sorrow
I'm trading my shame
I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord




What are you ashamed of?  Tell Him... because He already knows, and He so desperately wants to relieve you from the burden.

You can have freedom from shame with a life lived for Christ.  Today, join me in letting go.

Galatians 5:1
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

We have a need

This is an extremely boring blog post, however, I felt as if this might be the best way to get the word out to the masses.  Brandon will be coaching Varsity baseball at Bethesda Christian School this spring.  We also own a mowing business that gets busy right around the same time that Brandon will get really busy with baseball games.  We have hired a very responsible teen to cover the mowing business for Brandon so that he can focus on baseball.  The Lord was extremely gracious in providing this answer to prayer.  Brandon will be traveling a half hour north to Brownsburg from our home here in Plainfield 5 days a week after school.  During baseball season, we would like to be able to leave our truck here at our home after school so that our teen can come and get it and do the mowing.  This means we are in need of another vehicle to get Brandon to and from Brownsburg during baseball season.  We have considered purchasing something, but, it currently seems silly since we will only need the vehicle for 7-8 weeks.  Also, our desire would be to eventually purchase another truck for Brandon that all 5 of us can fit in (our current truck only seats 3, which makes things a little tricky when the van isn't available), while leaving our current truck for the mowing business.  Trying to be good stewards however, we would like to have our van paid off before another vehicle purchase.

So, why am I blogging about this?  Well, if you know a family who has a college student who is away and their car is sitting, would you mention this to them?  Do you know an elderly person who can't drive anymore, but, they have a car that is sitting (my grandpa did before he passed)?  Or any other situation where a person might be willing to "loan" a vehicle for 7-8 weeks, would you mind passing this along?

We are not specific in taste.  We care nothing about what the vehicle looks like, how old it is, what color, etc.  We would prefer something with good gas mileage.

We've prayed at length about this, and will continue to do so. The Lord provided clear open doors, that led to us being in this situation and we know he will continue to provide.

The mommy in this picture is Natalie, and I "met" her on Facebook a little over a year ago.  We have two pretty big things in common...#1 We're sisters in Christ and #2 We each were chosen by God to raise a child with Williams syndrome.

The precious little girl in this picture that Natalie is holding is, Abby.  Abby's heart condition, due to Williams syndrome, had gotten bad enough that they will be operating on January 25th.

Pray for Abby's safety under anesthesia.
Pray for a successful and safe surgery.
Pray for John and Natalie that they would have peace and comfort during this time.

John and Natalie, Abby, Chandler & Micah, we're praying.

"Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:7

It's nothing genius really...

Sometime late November I started using this dry erase board in our kitchen for prayer requests.  It's on the wall to the left when I'm standing at the sink.  I've always been terrible about using a list when I pray.  I would write requests down but then rarely pull it from my Bible.  So, I started this.   I'd used the board last year when I had home schooled Aubrey, and then it's just been hanging there, blank, for months. 

It's nothing genius really...

I realize it's nothing impressive or ground breaking, but it is a rather fantastic idea...even if I'm not the first to do it.

As I looked over from doing dishes a few days ago, I became utterly amazed that this board really needed some updating.  Many requests had been answered...a few not...some not in the way I'd wanted or expected...but many had.  

The Lord is sufficient to meet ALL of our needs...and I needed some encouragement... encouragement in the form of seeing God at work.

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
 Philippians 4:19

The requests that are now circled in black are the requests that have been answered.  We're so thankful that the biopsy for Brandon's grandma was benign and that she's recovering well and starting back to work this week.  We're so thankful that our friend Chase, had a successful surgery and recovery.  We're so grateful the Lord has provided someone to take the over the mowing business while Brandon coaches baseball this spring.  One request was a closed door on a job opportunity, but, we're praying the Lord's direction and provision in that situation. 

I'm going to leave the board this way for a few more days so that my prayers can be of thanksgiving and praise for what God is doing.  He's always at work, even when I can't see.

Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.

In a few days, I'll be adding some new requests.  I would love to pray for you.