A Taste of 30

I'm 30 years old! I can't believe it! The amazing thing is that instead of dreading it, I have been able to embrace it. It is only by God's grace that I have this perspective. As I was anticipating turning 30, I realized that it was pointless to think about all of the things I'd not yet accomplished and expected to have experienced or accomplished by the time I was 30. By doing this, I think it would cause me to believe the lie that God has withheld good gifts from me, and that maybe, in the end, He doesn't really want me to be happy. This lie has gone on for FAR TOO long-starting all the way back with Eve when the serpant made Eve doubt whether God was withholding something good from her and Adam.

I had an INCREDIBLE time celebrating my birthday this year. I had dinner with Matt, Mel, Noah & Briley at Red Robin, games and cake at my sister's house, and a day-trip to Galveston with Melanie. Really each thing was perfect and I felt so loved and celebrated. The day-trip with my sister really could not have gone any better. It really was a simple day, but I believe that it really was blessed by God. We had such a fun time together even though what we did was nothing fancy or out of the ordinary. We went to a Mardi Gras parade (which was SO fun and we got over 100 bead necklaces), ate at a yummy Mexican restaurant, went and looked at some gorgeous old houses, went to Sonic, played on the beach and attempted to take some "jumping" pictures, and went to my sister's favorite place, Rita's Italian Ice, that we found on accident. We laughed so much and really just enjoyed time together.

My family and friends were also so generous with gifts this year. My favorite, hands down, was a book that my sister made that includes letters from my family and most of my best friends. It was really one of the nicest things anyone has ever made for me. Reading through those letters is so encouraging, refreshing, and is exactly what I needed when I turned 30. Those letters remind me of the blessings of friendships that the Lord has given me. I will never understand why the Lord has allowed me to have such dear friends, but I am so grateful for them. I want to continue to be a good friend and a friend that when I've left my time with someone, the other feels refreshed and encouraged. I want ANYBODY, whether or not I'm a close friend with them, to walk away from time with me and feel loved. I believe that is what God calls us to do.

God has blessed me in so many ways and really, I believe that He has a special plan for this new season of my life. I don't know what that is yet, but I know that it's going to be good. And I know it'll probably be hard at times and not what I expected for my life maybe. But I believe completely that whatever God calls me to do, He will give me exactly what I need.