Thirty? Really?

So this is the face of a THIRTY !!!! year old woman.

Do I look the same?? Different??

Thirty? Really?

I mean where did the time go?

Today felt just like my due date with Liyah- how it was loooming over my thoughts as this big horrible day that is just going to be weird and sad- today is actually turning out to be quite nice.

I confessed to Paul that I have been scared of this day in a way. Like thirty marks the end of certain things- like "youth" and "fertility" and "fun" and...  and the beginnings of other things like "wrinkles" and "frumpy clothes" serious "adult things"

...And I'm thinking, **when did I start to beleive these things??**

Who says that is what THIRTY means??

I don't know when, where, or how I came to think this way, but I have had to pray against it so much these last few weeks.  So here I am, at Starbucks (pictured above:) realizing none of those lies are true. God is happy that I am thirty, He still has lots of good things planned for me. Someday I believe I will have children, and hopefully while I am in my thirties :)

I still have my youth, not too many wrinkles, can still dress semi-fashionably and what's more: I have the priceless gift of family and friends who love me and aren't going anywhere.

I have been through a lot this last year, it felt like my heart broke into a million little pieces, but God has helped to put all those pieces gently and lovingly back together. While doing so He has sown in a new thread of faith and trust in His lovingkindness, and the promise that HE WILL NEVER LEAVE ME.

He has also reminded me that He hasn't forgotten me either.

What a gift.

God's birthday present to me I think is this :

I will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deut. 3:18

I think thirty might just be great :)

...especially with this guy by my side... :)



Mom's 60th Birthday and Night of Blessing

This weekend, my family and I got to celebrate my mom's 60th birthday.

About three years ago Paul and I were at a seminar called "The Ancient Paths" which spoke about the importance and power of blessing others. One of the speakers said something that stuck with me for a long time. He was speaking about blessing our parents and he said, "Don't wait till you are at their funeral to bless your parents. Do it now while they are still around to hear it." I knew right away that this was something I wanted to do for my mom. As her 60th birthday got closer, I also knew that this was the best year to do it.

So we invited 25 of of my moms closest friends and family and we threw her a birthday party and night of blessing.

I asked everyone to come prepared to give a a blessing to my mom. A special memory, kind words, a special scripture etc. So after we ate dinner my sweet husband started with his blessing then for 45 minutes, as each person felt comfortable they shared their kind blessings to my mom. It was so wonderful!!

I thought later what a priceless gift we can give to the people that we love. To bless eachother and tell them why they are meaningful to us. It doesn't cost the giver a thing, but it is a priceless gift to the receiver.

After the blessing ceremony we had cake and ice cream and my mom sipped coffee and got to open her presents while we enjoyed eachothers company.

I prayed that this night would give my mom new purpose and meaning for this next season of her life, and I think it has. She told me a few days after the party, I never knew that just me being me was touching so many other lives. How wonderful that she knows that now and can walk confidently knowing that she is meaningful, valuable and priceless.

A blessing is a powerful thing. I encourage you to bless someone you love today by speaking well of them and letting them know how much they mean to you. Thanks for letting me share about this special night :)

Happy Birthday Mom!! I love you so much.