Last year, I wrote out 32 blessings for my 32nd birthday (you can check out the May 6th 2008 blog entry), and it was such a wonderful way for me to celebrate the good gifts that God has given to me, so I wanted to start a 2nd annual tradition. I'm a few days late as my birthday was this past Wednesday, but I like to stretch birthdays out anyway, so its that much more fun to me. Just so you know, they are not in any particular order.
1. We got the House of Glory license to function from the Municipality on Tuesday! That is a wonderful birthday gift. We just need one more license, and its the big one, from Child and Family Services, and we will be open.
2. The Wards pool this summer-- while I was pregnant and very HOT!! Thanks Jim and Sara for having an "open-door" policy on taking a dip.
3. The ladies on my team celebrated my birthday and Lori's on Tuesday night at a fondue restaurant in a Swiss hotel-- very fancy. I'm so thankful for each one of them and how they care for me.
4. The Best Present of the Year- My precious baby Janna Hope- she is the most kissable, squeezable, delightful bundle, and I can't believe that she is MINE!
5. Bella- in all her style and vivaciousness. Her laugh makes my day.
6. my sweet Kayla- always helpful, kind, peacemaker, she loves to draw pictures and give them to me. She is creative and mature. That's right, she's 5 and she blows me away with the depth of her prayers and her questions. I love that girl!
7. my hubby who is surrounded by princesses all day every day, the way he loves and spoils each one of us in his own way. He is fun-loving with a servant heart. He is mine, all mine, and that's the way I like it.
8. The cool nights and early mornings-- it is unseasonably hot here still, but the refreshing breeze right around sunset is wonderful.
9. my little balcony outside my bedroom. I can sit out there in the mornings and watch the sun pop up over the mountain and start my day with my Savior.
10. Visitors-- it is such a blessing to have family and friends come to visit and to meet baby Janna. I look forward to each one before they come and miss each one terribly after they leave.
11. my friend and teammate Susan. I don't know what I would do without that girl. She constantly amazes me with her ability to continually encourage me and care for my heart in the midst of strees, mundanness, and general chaos of life.
12. my new Peruvian friends, our multidisciplinary team, lawyer, psychologist and social worker who are working with us at the House of Glory. They are gifted, passionate and loving sisters in Christ.
13. the song "Tu eres mi sombre en el dia, my luz en la noche, pastor amoroso, no me faltaras," with the hand motions, of course
14. family devotions on Bella's bed, family hugs
15. Jeremy giving Janna her milk at the middle of the night feeding so I get to sleep all night. (my mom and sister did that too) Sleep is the best gift for a mom of a newborn.
16. my new leather purse that Jeremy and the girls got me for my birthday
17. how great our car has run this year-- never take that for granted
18. how healthy our family has been (except for the past few weeks, and Kayla got hit the worst)
19. getting to go to the States for my sister's birthday last October- so much fun!
20. so many wonderful supporters and friends, praying for us, giving surprise gifts, seeing God provide over and over again.
21. Helena chocolates
22. the Vonage phone- our Mac computer which changes the world of Skype-- I love being connected to our extended family and friends in the States
23. being able to exercise again-- now if I could just make it happen a little more often.
24. feeling settled- our third year in the same house, that has to be a record
25. reading a book to my 3 girls
26. Saturday- my day off!!
27. seeing God do miracles even in the midst of the bureaucracy and corruption of the Peruvian government
28. my labor and delivery experience with Janna- definitely a memorable one in so many ways
29. ice cream from San Antonio's- our new favorite date spot
30. the diversity and adventure of missionary life- never a dull moment
31.Cala restaurant, on the beach, great food, great atmosphere (pictures in my sister's blog that she pasted here)
32. taking all 3 girls to the park
33. being a daughter of the King, an heir to His throne, looking to this next year with hope and anticipation because I have a good God who loves to give good gifts to His children.
Comments (2)
Late happy birthday! And what a great list of blessings!
Amen, sister!! I love reading your list of blessings.