celebrating

I turned 30.

30 years is just... a long time! I think I've spent a whole year thinking about turning 30 that when the day finally came, it didn't seem like such a big deal. I've actually thought of all the great things I've still to look forward to, and the things that I've come through already. I have concluded that I indeed don't feel 30, and that's what makes all the difference!

Matt and I went to Disneyland on my birthday, and it was very surreal. I was remembering family trips to this fantastical land, and times I've been with friends in college, and Matt and I were able to make some new memories of our own. We had so much fun, and definitely felt like kids all over again. Laughing, reflecting, envisioning...talking about family, about ministry, about business. It didn't really matter what we talked about, all I felt was LOVED. He surprised me with a room full of 30 balloons, and a picture frame of a collage of our family pictures through the last few years. Sweet!

Now I look forward to what's ahead. It's very easy to get caught up in what I haven't accomplished and the dreams that I haven't seen come to fruition...and there are many! The Lord is giving me right now a renewed hope for where He's taking me. He has removed the largest hindrance from my life this year...the fear of "man"...in other words, the deep desire to please people...that's gone. And oh how it held me back over the years!

The next 30 years of my life will be characterized by love...loving the Lord and loving each person. This is my dream, goal, purpose, vision, motto. And that I may live in the freedom that Jesus so costly bought for me!

I have been made new!