Tuesday, November 3, 2009

It's My Birthday, and I'll Post When I Want To!

Yes, it is my birthday today. I am a whopping 33 years old. Some of you still may call me a "baby." I'm O.K. with that. I still feel like one.
A friend of mine who also recently turned 33, pointed out a fact that I had also been mulling; that this was the age of Jesus when He died. And resurrected!
This was a little sobering, but it made me think a bit. I don't find myself remotely close to Jesus' level of maturity. Then I remembered that He is, after all, God. I decided to cut myself a little slack.
My birthday is usually my time to reflect on the past year and evaluate myself. I'm not typically critical, but can sometimes use constructive criticism to point out my areas that need improvement. I don't make New Year's Resolutions, but sometimes give myself goals on my birthday.
I am very excited for this, my 33rd year! I will get to meet two new nephews someday! That will bring my grand total of N&N's to 13. That is a lot of love, and I love each one of them. I wish I could spend more time with each one, but God has us here for a reason, so I wouldn't change it. I am going to learn how to snowshoe. I have never done it, but it looks simple enough and I am out in the snow everyday anyway (that is, when it does snow - when is that stuff going to get here?!). I am hoping to finish a couple of projects: finish hanging drapes in our living room that have been in storage for a year and a half, knit myself a matching hat and scarf which have not been started but yarn has been purchased, and to complete all the books that I have started and not finished. I also plan to read through my new New Living Translation Bible that I bought yesterday. I hope that I can build up some business for my landscape design in order to donate my profits to Amazima (on my side bar). I also hope that God will continue to develop the Thursday night group and deepen friendships that have been formed. I would love to be able to get birthday/Christmas/other event cards in the mail on time this year, though I'm not too expectant of that one. I'm wanting to continue my 1st and 15th memorizing with Beth Moore, and might suggest that practice to anyone else who has struggled to memorize Scripture!
I am thankful for 7 1/2 years of amazing marital life! God has blessed this relationship more than I ever thought possible. I love the 11 little N&N that I have and so thankful for the times I get to spend with them. I adore my sister and can't believe how far our friendship has come. I'm so thankful God provided her with such a great husband! I am so proud of my brothers. They both have incredible (and gorgeous) wives that are clearly God's helpmate for them. I am more aware now of how special it is that we all not only get along, but all love each other. I'm also thankful for our parents. They gave us a pretty spectacular childhood and taught us to love Jesus from our birth. I have been incredibly blessed by my husbands family. His parents have given us support and lots of shared laughter! His sisters and their families have loved me and made me part of their family instantly. God has provided for our needs and much more. I've had more fun experiences and learning opportunities than I could possibly list. I've had an amazing 33 years.
So, yes, I have a collage of meaningful and less than meaningful goals that I have shared. I know this next year of mine will hold some very difficult challenges, much of the mundane, and some incredibly special moments. Throughout them all, I hope I can "Rejoice always. Pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for ME in Christ Jesus." 1 Thess. 5:16-18 (new international Meli version).

7 comments:

  1. um... there were no capital letters in the original manuscripts.

    Burp

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  2. Happy Birthday Meli!!!! How wonderful are the blessings from God in our lives, whether we are 33 or 61! :)

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  3. Oh dear....last Thursday when you said how old you were going to be, I think I said, "You're the baby of our group!" I sure hope that didn't sound wrong. I'm slightly envious of your youthful energy and outlook! I'm dragging my heels when it comes to aging! So glad that you followed God's leading and started our Thursday night group....your maturity in the Lord is inspiring!!!

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  4. Happy Birthday from you new bloggy friend in Sunny Arizona!

    I thought about you the other day when we had two days of snow showers up here in N. AZ. Can't imagine the snow you guys get. I had to chuckle about the snow shoeing.....Just to the left of my computer standing against the wall I have a really cool pair of antique (1943) snow shoes that I just love. Since I'm up here in the mountains I went for the lodge look and my old snow shoes look great! Don't have a clue how to snow shoe but they look good anyway, LOL! Let me know how the snow shoeing thing goes!

    Enjoyed reading all of your "blessings"! There's nothing like slowing down and counting the blessings that the Lord has brought into our life! And you have been abundantly blessed sister, PTL!

    Sweet Blessings!
    Jackie

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  5. Happy Birthday Melissa...If you didn't get any snow shoes for your birthday I have a pair you can have. We bought them when we lived in Colorado, but we don't get much use out of them here in San Diego. If you want them, just email me and I'll send them to you....rahyden@cox.net

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  6. I'm so thankful that you stopped in as you and I have a few things in common. 1. Birthdays in November, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 2. No children of our own and we are blessed to love others. 3. Jesus is our ROCK and the scripture memory with Beth Moore. 4. I'm learning to knit! 5. Love of books!

    I was blessed with a very short trip to Alaska June of '08, we went to Juneau and Skagway. Where do you live in Alaska?

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  7. Oh, I feel like such a clod!! I can't believe I let your birthday go by without realizing it. I hope you had a wonderful one!
    I love your personal blog! It really challenges me, and shows me your heart!
    What is the scripture memory plan you do?
    love you!
    Lesli

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