What 30 has brought me thus far!

For those who don't know, I turned 30 yesterday! Yes, that's right. The age when you are 18 that you think is old. Well I've been 18 and remember thinking that 30 was old. Now I'm 30 and thinking, it's not so bad. I was in bed with a nasty migraine for the first part of the day yesterday, so the idea of being 30 didn't get to sink in. I have heard many people (women mostly) tell me how hard turning 30 was for them. I have even had a few men tell me it was hard. I thought it would be, I even joked about staying 29 forever, but I don't think it's so bad. What's 30, but a number. Jesus was 33 when He began His miracles, you can't be president till your what, 35? Seems being in your thirties is a good thing to me. Besides, I had one raging birthday party last night that let me know just how loved and rocking I am. Check out that cake! I had exactly four guests at my party and they were the only ones I cared about being there for my main event!

Turning 30 has made me stop and look back though. In the years since I graduated high school to now, I am amazed at the transformation from that girl, to this woman. I am ashamed of some of the things I have done, and disappointed that I didn't do some of the things I wanted. But overall, I am quite blessed to doing the things I'm doing now. God has blessed me with so much, that in my thirty years, I'm just thankful to be here, loving my family, serving God, teaching my children, and being open to what God brings next. Bring on 31!! (but now for 12 months please!) :) Smiles friends! Happy Tuesday!

My very favorite season

It felt so great outside tonight! This was the first day I've sat outside and didn't sweat! It was wonderful. I am so ready to see the leaves turning colors, the weather to become chilly enough for bonfires, camping, and piles of leaves in my yard. I love spring when the grass and flowers begin to grow, I love summer when the days are longer and I can swim with my family. I love winter, it means my Philippines trip is just around the corner and we celebrate Christ's birth, but I truly love Fall the best. There's something magical about the changing of the seasons. The brilliant colors that fall brings, is wonderous to see. I can't wait to pack up for the weekend and head to the campsite with the family for some MUCH NEEDED get away time. I see God in all of creation for sure, but when it's fall, I see His glory parading about in amazing colors. I can not wait to enjoy God's season of fall. Enjoy your Monday friends. Come often!

What I forget, is what God is reminding me of

I'm sure none of you ever focus on one bad thing and see none of the good things, but I have been so guilty of that today. We had an electric bill that was crazy high and it couldn't have fallen at a more terrible time. That was my focus today. It distracted me from a good day. I lamented to anyone who would hear. Why can't there ever just be enough green stuff to go around?? Ugh! Well, I read a blog as usual by one of my favorite blogger's and she quoted Spurgeon, whom I love incidentally. He said, "We can't be faithful and fretful." That's so true, we can not trust God and worry. That's like mixing oil and water, it just doesn't work. We either trust Him or we don't. When I forget that God's in control, He always has a way of reminding me. Kind of like when you knew the answer to a nagging question all along, but couldn't get it out of your brain, only when it stared you in the face did you remember you already knew it! So annoying by the way. Well, God reminded me much in the same way today, no not with money, that would be way to easy. HA! No, He showed me how blessed I am in other ways. Take my children for instance, I was fed up with Mommy, will yous today. It's Mommy will you all day long. Mommy will you get me something to drink, to eat, fix the computer, cut this for me, clean for me, etc., etc., etc.! Well, I'd had enough of that rounder of a 2 yr old, Mollie Jo and kept telling her to go to her room, and she finally climbed in my lap and said, Mommy I love you so much, your my friend. Boom, God said, you are blessed. Madeline wrapped her arms around me as I tucked her in and said, Momma, I like being at home with you, I love you. Boom, God says, you are blessed. My husband walks in the door and kisses me without a look at the dishes or Cheerios in the floor and says, I love you. I know, I am blessed. I sat down to begin working on my Philippines fund raising letter and watched the video from last year, I am blessed. God is taking care of us each day, we just fail to see those blessings sometimes, because we are looking for the blessings we want to choose. Sometimes, God's blessings are disguised in our children, our spouse, even I hate to say it, in our jobs. Yes, I have a job, the benefits are out of this world. I may not bring monetary gain to our household, but when I can keep my attitude in check, I add something to our home as well, security for our children, clean clothes for everyone, an education for my children, and so much more. Always, what I forget, is what God is reminding me of. I can not fret and be faithful at the same time. I must use my negative for positive. Thanks God for the daily reminder and for still working on me, to make me what I ought to be. Happy Monday folks and a blessed Tuesday. Come back often.