New Years Goals

Dear Meagan,

Hey there girl :) Sorry I'm a couple days later in the week than usual on the blog!  Just got back from Christmas in Miami... It was a lot of fun, and very warm, but I missed you guys for sure!

Well New Years Eve is RIGHT around the corner... it is time to reflect on 2012 and determine your goals for 2013 :)  Take 30 minutes to an hour and physically write down a few goals for 2013... make sure to include financial, spiritual, relationship/family, academic, physical, and any other personal! phew!

Once you have written down the goals post them somewhere in your room, where you can see them daily. It will really help to read them everyday so they are at the forefront of your mind.  Seriously review them about once a month and see where your at and where you need to go.

Things are getting better and better for you Meaggy and if you keep setting goals, you will keep achieving them!

Below is a poem to help you accomplish your 2013 goals! Love you girl! I'll see you Sunday for dinner :)

XOXO,

Brooke

Climb 'Til Your Dream Comes True

by: Helen Steiner Rice

Often your tasks will be many,
And more than you think you can do.
Often the road will be rugged
And the hills insurmountable, too.
But always remember,
The hills ahead
Are never as steep as they seem,
And with Faith in your heart
Start upward
And climb 'til you reach your dream.
For nothing in life that is worthy
Is ever too hard to achieve
If you have the courage to try it,
And you have the faith to believe.
For faith is a force that is greater
Than knowledge or power or skill,
And many defeats turn to triumph
If you trust in God's wisdom and will.
For faith is a mover of mountains,
There's nothing that God cannot do,
So, start out today with faith in your heart,
And climb 'til your dream comes true!

Holiday Love & The Christmas Spirit

Dear Meagan,

So the last kidney surgery was postponed but whenever it is rescheduled for, it will go well :) Now we just gotta figure out when you get to rock that thing out! 

I don't know if you noticed, but it seems that all of Michigan caught the Christmas spirit this year, and it's great isn't it! :) People are just in a better mood- and I have a non-professional theory! haha

I've told you about Gary Chapman's five love languages before.  In his books, he explains how people give and receive love in five different languages, and that it is important for families and couples to 'speak each others language.'  I'm going to argue that the holidays fulfill EVERYONES love language and therefore lead to the Christmas spirit and the joy of the holidays!

Here are the five love languages and how they are fulfilled by Christmas:

1) Receiving gifts- Ok, this one is very clear.  Holidays are a huge gift giving time.  So anyone who's love language is receiving gifts, is just on cloud nine at this time of year!

2) Quality time- Outside of giving gifts, another huge thing we do around the holidays is spend quality time with our families and loved ones.  I got to celebrate with you last weekend (which was awesome- thank you again for that amazing scrapbook) and people all over the world are flying and driving to visit their families.  Therefore, those whose love langague is quality time, are also feeling very loved around the holidays :)

3) Physical touch- Along with seeing family is lots of hugging and kissing and hand holding!  Also couples are probably getting a little intimate at this time of year as well :) haha... I dare you to count how many hugs and kisses you get at Aunt Lizzies on Christmas, more than any normal day I'm sure! So you can see why the physical touches are feeling extra loved as well!

4) Words of affirmation- During the holiday season bosses are thanking their employees, families are telling each other I love you, and strangers are wishing each other a great day/holiday.  On top of that, people are getting heartfelt cards and letters from November- January.  The words of affirmation people are definitely loved during this season!

5) Acts of service- Ok, think about the last month... true or false: more people have opened doors for you than the rest of year. I'm not sure about you, but I've really noticed it this year!  People are just more helpful during the holidays, whether it's offering to help with dishes or doing small favors for strangers like picking up a dropped pair of gloves. People just do things more for each other at this time of year- so the acts of service people feel loved too!

On top of all that, people everywhere have the opportunity to GIVE love using their love language during the holiday season, by doing all the above listed things... making them feel even more warm and fuzzy! It's a vicious yet amazing cycle :)

SO be aware of all this love going around and embrace it! Here's the challenge: bring it into the rest of the year! Imagine how different the world would be if the 'holiday spirit' was just the normal spirit of our town, state, country and world-- it can happen!  I challenge both you and I to keep the holiday spirit year round-- I think we can do it, and change the little worlds around us :)

Love you Meagan! Have a great Christmas-- I'm sad I won't be with you ON Christmas day but our celebration last weekend was amazing (& delicious)! I'll call you Christmas day girlie :)

XOXO,

Brooke

Moving FORWARD

Dear Meagan,

Congratulations Meagan Ann from Japan! You finished off your first semester of class since your diagnosis and I could not be MORE proud of you for doing so :) Raise your right hand.... and pat yourself on the back! hehe- I can't wait to see you on Saturday to give you a big congratulatory hug. You did a BIG thing this semester- you took a GIANT step forward- and there are so many more to come!

So we have ONE more 'obstacle' to tackle on Tuesday and then you are home free.  Just one more small gig to take care of this kidney thing once and for all!  As always- I'll be there by your side before, during, (well in the waiting room) and after. I wouldn't miss a chance to support you for anything in the world! As I've said time and time again your are a CHAMPION and a FIGHTER and this minor thing is cake walk at this point!

Before that thoughhhhhh we are going to celebrate family Christmas on Sunday! Woo hoo! I am super excited to see you and can't wait for some Kruse n Muer-- yummmmm-- get ready to eat like 5 lb of bread haha :)

So that's all for now chica-- I still can't believe how far you've come and more importantly, how far your going! Keep taking those steps FORWARD everyday!

XOXO,

Brooke

Carly Rose Sonenclar

Dear Meagan,

Thought I would switch it up this week and do something fun!!! Last week on the phone I was telling you about this AMAZING 13 year old girl on X Factor who is GREAT at what she does (singing) but I am also going to tell you what else she is great at!

But first watch her audition...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffyZNW7Ra7M


WOW RIGHT!!! Soooo amazing :)

The great thing about Carly is that she is not only great at what she DOES, she is also so LIKEABLE and genuine which makes her talent more 'effective' than someone who may have the same voice as her without that likeability factor.

The even better thing about Carly is that she is just like YOU :) You are also great at what you do (helping others/german/fundraising) AND you have the likeability factor! You are your very own X factor hehe :)

Love you Meag! Keep up the great work... now go watch some more Carly Rose, she's an inspiring little one.  Here is a couple more of my fav's:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OOSIec9ehk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75VM6vxQlk8

ENJOY!

XOXO,

Brooke