Only Comes One Time Each Year...

Today, I turned 26.
I didn't really know how I would feel this morning. I wasn't very excited last night about 26. Not because I'm getting older...not because I don't like the number 26...but just because one of my "goals" in life was not achieved in my 25th year.
Regardless, I woke up this morning quite content. I got to sleep in and relax and watch some TV. I did some cleaning, got ready at my own pace, and awaited my birthday dinner with friends. And, I got the BEST birthday present ever...a text with the ultrasound pic of a baby I am very much looking forward to meeting in about 7 months.
My birthday dinner was pretty fun. It was memorable...yes, that's the right word (we had an awful waiter and waited a LONG time for things. We were in Chevy's for over 2 hours...it was a little crazy). But, the best part was being able to spend it with some of the people I love so very much.

Gotta love the sombrero! :)

All of the people that went to dinner with us!
(I don't know why this picture has all these funny spots, though. None of the other pictures had spots.)

We then returned home for some cake and ice cream...and some Buzz Word. Those that weren't able to join us for dinner were able to hang out with us for that part. And, the festivities ended just before midnight...

My husband picked out a good cake! White w/ raspberry filling. Yum!

26 hasn't been so bad so far. I am actually pretty excited to see what God is going to do in this year. I think it's going to be fabulous...and even if it's not, I am ready to go down whatever roads He may take me.

From an Unlikely Source

I had a horrible morning.
I woke up with the worst headache...and fell back asleep. I didn't wake up again until 12pm. And even then, I still wasn't feeling much better. But, I figured it would be better to get up and eat something.
I read through the blogs I'm subscribed to this afternoon and came across this one. If you have time to read it...and to read through the blogs she linked up to...you will be doing yourself a big favor. I was in tears. And then my husband sent me the sweetest message and I was in tears all over again. But, the part that really got to me was what top of the page put at the end of her blog:

But truth be told, I kinda like being moved to the point where there's a lump in my throat and my eyes start to blur. That means someone else is speaking something precious about life. They took the time to write a script or a book or a blog post about the human condition in one aspect or another. We need the medicine of regularly opening our hearts to the stories around us. Letting ourselves feel what someone else felt. Really feel it. Drink it in.

Because when someone else's story pierces your heart, you realize you were following your story all along.

I find this to be so true in my life. It is so important for us to hear the stories of others and let them speak to our hearts. The Bible is full of the stories of others who dealt with all sorts of situations...and how they leaned on/didn't lean on God to get them through... We can learn so much from the things that other people deal with...and how they get through the good and bad times.
I think that is why I like blogging so much. I am constantly encouraged by the stories of others...even people I've never met in person...and may never meet.

Find encouragement in this:

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
(Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV)

Stronger Together (All About the Ladies)

This post has been brewing for a few days now.

And yet, I didn't know how it was all going to come together a few days ago.

I have had some very important, needed, sad, and hard conversations lately. And yet, the conclusion that came to my mind after each one was the same: women are stronger together. What does that mean exactly? Well, let me explain it a little...

No matter what category(ies) in life you fall into...
Married...
Single...
Dating...
Engaged...
Under 20...
20-40...
40-60...
60+...
Mommy...
Mommy to be...

You need other women in your life. No matter what you may think. Even if you have a man in your life who is your best friend. He's not enough (no offense to any guys reading this). And, you can't simply have any woman in your life...you need Godly women in your life. And, not just ones to have fun with or have surface conversations with...ones that dig into your life and allow you to dig into theirs.
Remember that verse I shared in this blog?:

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
(Galatians 6:2)

Women...well, we understand each other. We all have our off days. We all have those moments where we want to pull our hair out...and just need to vent to someone. We all have days filled with tears and sorrow...and just need a shoulder to cry on. We all have those wonderful happy moments where we are just bursting to tell someone...and have to call someone immediately. We also know when another woman genuinely needs space...and when she really needs some girlfriend intervention. And, if we are Godly women, we know when someone needs encouragement...and where to go to find those encouraging words.

I'm not saying at all that husbands or boyfriends are horrible or unnecessary. But, sometimes having a conversation about something super personal is just better with a woman. Besides, we just "get" each other...and sometimes the guys in our lives just don't.

I am VERY excited about some things that are coming up in my life that have to do with this very thing...women walking together through life...sharing burdens, fears, struggles, and the things that hold us back from living to our full potential. Because, we truly are stronger together. I know from personal experience, that the moment I allow myself to be vulnerable with another woman, or a group of women, I suddenly feel a lot more free. I don't feel like I have to hide anymore. I can just be open and honest...and not have to worry about being judged.

I am also feeling a much stronger burden to really be there for more of the women in my life. I am not working right now, so I have the time to meet with and talk to other women. Maybe this is the purpose behind me not working right now. Maybe God has me in this place for a reason. He's done crazier things in my life, so it wouldn't shock me a bit. I just really know that I have a lot to offer other women...and I know they have a ton to offer me. There is something so beautiful about women, that love God, spending time together.

I leave you with these words from James:

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
(James 5:16)

Beads, Blessings, and Busyness

I made a couple more necklaces today.
I went to Joann and used my coupon. They were having a MAJOR sale. I was able to get a ton of stuff, without spending a ton of money. I found some beads to go with the black ones I bought last week...and I made a necklace with them that I am quite happy with. I also made one as a gift for someone very close to me...who I don't think reads my blog...but I still don't want to say who it's for in case she finds out somehow.
I took some pics of them...but my camera batteries are almost dead, so they're not the best...but I think you'll get the idea.

I am really proud of this one. I didn't know how I wanted it to look, so I started experimenting, and this was the result.

The big black bead in the middle is one of the ones I bought last week that I had nothing to go with.

I really liked how this one turned out, too. It's very simple, but I think that's why I like it so much.

This at least shows a little bit more of the length of it.

I just kind of held this one up to myself. You can't see the whole thing, but at least you get an idea. The colored ones look orange in this pic, but they are definitely more of a pink color.

I think I may be addicted...and that makes me very happy. It's exciting to know that something you've been wanting to try is something you actually enjoy.



On another note, my life is about to get a lot busier...in a good way. I have a lot on my plate in the next couple of months...but I am excited for all of it. I am looking forward to the growth that is going to take place in many lives.
God knows what my heart needs...and He's been doing a wonderful job giving me opportunities to fill those needs. Or, maybe the opportunities have always been in front of my face...and I'm just now seeing them. Hmm...

Rollercoasters and My First Response

So much can happen in a day.

A lot of interesting conversations took place...a lot of fun times were had...and a lot of serious contemplation occurred.

Today was a mixture of emotions.

I am feeling so much for someone who found out something shocking this weekend.
I realized that sometimes I need to be more confrontational.
I laughed a lot at myself and with friends.
I realized how much like the Israelites I truly am.
I watched a TV show that made me sick...to think of how ridiculous, petty, selfish, and crazy some people live.

Yet, I need to learn to respond to every situation with prayer. If I don't like how someone is being treated or is acting, I need to lift it up to God. If I know I need to say something to someone, I need to ask God for wisdom on how to say it graciously. When I'm realizing how many times I turn my back to the ways of God and how much I hate it, I need to ask Him for the help to stop doing it. And, when I see things that make me sick, I need to pray for those people.

Too often, I just vent to Josh or someone else about these things. I know many of us are probably guilty of that...but that doesn't make it right. God put these people in my life for a reason, for sure. But, He knows the best way to handle things and gives the best advice...so why would I go to someone else first?

I really do want to pray more often. I really do want that to be my first thought when something comes up. I really do want to depend on God more. I think prayer is going to be my focus this year. I really want it to be an automatic response in every situation.

On to another day...

I hope my actions look a little more like Christ's this time around.