I'm 25... what do i think about that?
I was asked by several people today if i feel 25 or do i feel any different. Well to be honest i feel the same. In a lot of ways this birthday feels just right. For most of my life I have felt older then my age. I always did things sooner then others and have accomplished a lot in a short amount of life. And for the first time i really do feel my age. And I like that, I feel at 25 I am where I should be. I'm married to a man you loves me with all his heart, I'm a mom to the worlds cutest girl, I volunteer at my church (with the Youth Group), i started my own business (Moments Not Forgotten Photography), I became a teacher, I have wonderful friends and I have grown closer and built a great relationship with my mom and sisters. The list could go on and on, there are still so many things i want to do in my life, but I am very proud of what I have done so far and regret very few things. I don't think there is many people my age who can say that.
I remember being a teenager and thinking about what I was going to be like in my twenties and what would i have done by then. Although I love my life the way it is, when I was sixteen I had a much different plan for my life. I had wanted to be a missionary, living over seas and serving in far away countries. I had no plans are being married or ever getting married. I also didn't like children and thought that kids where not for me. I wanted to travel the world and go on adventurers. Wow! Was a wrong, although i still hope that some day i would be able to work in the missions field, I can't believe how different my life turned out. I was such a different person then. I can't believe i ever disliked children, being that i was a teacher for four years and love children and truly have a gift of communication with kids. I remembering being scared of kids and thinking i didn't understand them at all. It's amazing how little we know about ourselves when we are teenagers. Although I may not be serving as a missionary over seas, i do feel like I'm a missionary to teenagers in our area. Because if you have or know a teenager they do speak a completely different language. Although my life is much different then I had imagined it, I know it is exactly the way God had planned it.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to
prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Life isn't always they way we plan it, i love the saying, "We make plans, and God laughs". We have no idea what is in store for us. It took me a little while to be at peace with the idea of not having control over my life. But once I did, I felt a seance of calm that God is going to take care of me, so let Him do with my life as He wishes. I praise God for all He has given me. Life has not been a easy for me and I have learned to put my trust in God and to have hope in His promises. I am thankful for another year on this earth, and I hope and pray that i honor my Lord and Savior in all I do in the coming year.
I do want to thank everyone who made my birthday so special. I have been blessed with sweet friends and loving family.
Daniel has thought so hard about how to make me happy today and he has made me so happy. Just his love for me is a blessing everyday! But i most loved that he took the time to help Sienna make me a card, I love my card with her hand prints inside. I know he isn't a arts and crafts person and that it was tough to rangle Sienna down for a few minutes. But it meant the world to me! So thank you Daniel for being the most wonderful husband ever!
My mom for coming over after working a long day. I loved spending time with her and getting to be with her on my birthday. Because with out her I wouldn't be here. It wasn't until i became a mom that i realized how special birthday's were and how it's just as much your mom's day as your day. Because having a baby isn't easy. hehe! Thank you mom for loving me and spending time with me tonight.
My sisters, I love getting to talk to all of you! I also look forward to spending time with you guys seperatly later in the week to celebrate my birthday. Cameo, thank you for making time to talk to me on Skype, I know you're busy with school and the time differance can make things difficult, but i so enjoyed talking to you today! Dawn and Cristal thank you for being there for me all the time and putting up with my craziness!
My in laws, who are truly another set of parents. I love Mike and Rissa so much and never think of them as my in laws they are my mom and dad. I love that RIssa and I share the same birthday, and that i get to celebrate with her every year. I so enjoyed lunch with them on sunday and loved my time with them. Thank you for loving me like a daughter! I love you two so much!
My friends: Mary, Sherry, Katie, Erica and Veronique. You each made my day, with phone calls, songs and time spent together. You are each so very special to me and I love you all so much. I have a special relationship with each of you and love who you are. Thank you for taking time in your busy lives to make me feel loved. You are all wonderful women who I couldn't imagin my life without.
My Youth Group kids. Not only did they make a big deal at youth group about my birthday with dessers and ballons, serval of them came with me today to get my ears peirced. I love them so much and they all feel like little brothers and sisters to me. They are part of my family and it meant so much to me that they remembered and cared so much about making me happy for my birthday. God is good and as blessed me with a wonderful ministry! Thank you guys for letting me be a part of your life!
Thank you to all my friends and family who left countless messages on my phone, myspace and facebook. I felt an overwhelming amount of love today! Thank you!
I am truly blessed and that is the biggent gift of all! I am loved by so many people and just having that love is enough for me. This birthday has been one of the best. I have enjoyed counting my blessings today. I hope you stop on your birthday and every day to count your blessings. Because you will be blessed in seeing how God has blessed you!
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<3 Erica