I did feel it was important to record a small project I took on. About 30 days before my birthday, I fell into the hype and began to feel mopey about what was my upcoming 40th. I had a chat with myself about how blessed I am and decided to come up with one thing for each day left of my 30's that I am grateful for.
In no particular order:
30. Forgiveness: From God and others -- without it, I would be nothing.
29. My Husband: God had a great plan for me all along.
28. Helaina & Indigo: They are beautiful (inside and out) and amazing. They drive me to be the best that I can.
27. Family: My mom always said if everyone put theirs on the table you would pick yours up first and she was right. I feel twice as grateful since I love the family I married into also.
26. Friends: I can't help but smile when I think of the great people I have near and far from all walks of life to call my friends. I have some that are life long and some that are seasonal and I feel loved for and by all of them.
25. Health: I wish I was more grateful on a daily basis for this. It's one of those things you don't think much of unless something goes wrong. It is wonderful when everything is working and you have no fears or worries.
24. Crown Class: Chris and I took this when we first got married and have been diligently trying to apply these biblical principles to our finances. I truly feel like we are seeing the results.
23. Rest: I don't usually do this well but I am glad that I have the option and it feels good when I do.
22. Prayer: I am baffled that I get to communicate with the same God that made everything and that He not only listens, but responds in various ways.
21. Bebe Dog: She has traveled through many lifetimes with me and has always been a loving constant companion for the past 12 years. (this is hard to type as today is her 1st day in her new home in VA)
20. Facebook: Although it has it's negative points, I love being able to have snapshots into close friends and associates lives that I definitely would have missed.
19. Growth: 90% of the times it aches but who would I be if I avoided all that?
18. Time: it heals, makes us anticipate, it reveals things, we get to spend it with people. It is such a precious gift. I love that we have 24hours periods too because God obviously knows we couldn't handle more than that at a time.
17. Pictures: I take a ton and I love to look at them. Unfortunately I only have a handful of my mom and I cherish each. My girls will not have that problem later in life (although I don't always love the way I look in them but I am suspect she felt the same way.)
16. Technology: Email, facetime, internet, I am fairly certain that this would be a much different move that we would be making. Keeping in touch is key to my sanity.
15. Our China adventure: I probably have every emotion possible about our upcoming move but I know this is the right thing and we will be grateful for the experience.
14. Books and reading: I love that you can learn about the past present or future and form your own opinion. Alternatively, there is nothing like escaping somewhere that doesn't exist.
13. Yoga: I can't express how much I have love this over the past 12 years. I can't imagine not doing this for the rest of my life (yes that is a double negative)
12. Food & Taste Buds: I know you are surprised to see this so low on the list - but I said in no particular order. I won't digress but if you know me, you know how much I like it. I am forever grateful for my family who has always had exceptional taste and a love for food!
11. Nature: from diverse landscapes to weather, animals and beyond. It's the most amazing canvas ever painted.
10. Modern conveniences: The kind that are everyday to us but not as prevalent or even non existent if you grew up not too long ago. Airplanes, diapers, sliced bread, washing machines, a/c. You name it, I'm happy about being born in the time I was.
9. Surprises: good ones anyway
8. MOM's group of Burbank and my Bradley group in Hawaii. What life savers and friends came from both.
7. Good Byes: Although these appear to stink, it means that you care for and are cared for by someone(s).
6. Music: all types!
5. The book Jesus Calling: this devotional keeps me grounded and in the word daily
4. Finally starting to understand how to have an opinion without being judgmental.
3. A Healthy Mammogram. woop woop!
2. Feeling younger than I thought 40 would feel. A wise person once told me that it's probably God's way of reminding us that we are his children.
1. lastly, I am grateful for being grateful. I can't help but feel blessed.
One of my favorite question to ask people on their birthday is something that they have learned this year. After reviewing the list, I wisely remembered that for many of these, my younger self was either completely or partially unaware of most. It's been an incredible ride so far and I hope I'm blessed enough to review this in another 40 years. I wonder how much will be the same.
Picture candy below: I know that's what most of you want ;o)
