The Gift of Life

Today is the day I turn the BIG three-OH! How old!

I really liked my 20's. It was the decade of travel with so many good memories:

Romania:
Played with street children
Visited the homeless
Made precious friendships
Waded in the Black Sea

Thailand:
Kissed a boa constrictor
Got an elephant massage
Lived with a Thai family
Wore a lotus necklace

Australia:
Listened to a Kookaburra in the wild
Smelled Gum trees
Saw Kangaroos in the wild
Looked up at night to see the Southern Cross

China:
Visited Beijing, Chengdu, and Urumqi
Walked on the Great Wall
Ate monkey brain (bleck)
Almost got left behind!

Though the traveling stopped, the adventures did not! I turned 28 on the 28th of 2008. At the end of that year, on November 28th, I married my best friend--what a Delight!

I am so excited about this new decade... Last week, John and I discovered that God gave me an early birthday present: a BABY! Lord willing, we will welcome our Precious Little One sometime in early October :-* I am Very Excited about this new decade!

I started a strictly pregnancy/delivery/baby site: http://www.godsknittingproject.blogspot.com/

The Gift of Friendship

The Gift of Mentors

My family has been an encouragement, blessing, and inspiration to me. What began with my mother and sisters, has been continued by countless women around the world, both known and unknown. They have taught me what it means to be a woman by their example. The richest nuggets have come from those with a deep and lasting relationship with Jesus. Their friendship has been a priceless gift! With these jewels on my heart these words came to my mind:

We are the Women

~

We are the daughters

Free from the world's expectations

Hope-filled, Diligent, Pure

Desiring to reflect Jesus in all things

~

We are the wives

In love with our husbands

Helpful, Respectful, Alluring

Delighted to share life together

~

We are the mothers

Tenderly nurturing our children

Happy, Unselfish, Patient

Preparing our darlings to launch out on their own

~

We are the Grandmothers

Surrounded by admiring grandchildren

Wise, Thankful, Content

Seeking to encourage generations of faith

~

We are the women

Smiling at the future

Industrious, Knowledgeable, Teachable

Confident God will complete the good work He has begun

The Gift of Work

John and I have been staying busy working on remodeling a house. The owners of the home moved south and hired John to spruce things up. After receiving permission, John gave me the opportunity to expand my skills and work there as well. I have removed baseboards (and the nails holding them in a way to protect the woodwork), removed carpet and pad, painted and primed exterior wood, and patched sheetrock. We track our progress through photographs. Here is a sample of my work:

The gift of Protection

Two weeks ago this Saturday, my dad went to the basement stairs to carry down a large crock-pot full of beans. When Dad got to the top step, his ankle gave out under him and he somersaulted down the wooden stairs to the concrete floor below. My mom heard the crash and went to investigate. She found her beloved moaning in a crumpled heap. I cannot describe the physical and emotional agony they experienced.

Despite my patent's youthful appearance, they are no longer young. It is a miracle from God my dad survived his tumble... Even more so, that he did not sustain any broken bones! He has bruises and sore places but no permanent damage.

Dad has a great sense of humor. He knows more silly songs and goofy jokes than any clown -- a constant delight to his grandchildren! This enjoyment for life and deep faith in God is planted very deep in my dad's soul. It is not parched by pain. I am so grateful we have more years to celebrate together!