thirty

so, for the last few months i have not really been looking forward to that little word.

it just seemed kind of... well, old. but today i had to face it. i am thirty.

i have a close friend here in philly who was raised as a missionary child in africa.

she is part of my "young" married womens' prayer group,

and in the past few years, several of us have turned thirty.

and, every time one of us complains, she gently chides us.

in africa, she says, each year is a gift.

the older you are, the more blessed you are by God.

so last night those girls surprised me with a party, and

since she was here, i knew i could not lament my age as they asked me how it felt.

and, as last night became today, i realized thirty feels incredibly grateful.

as i write, there is a gorgeous, healthy brand new baby boy lying in my lap.

and, there are four other wondrously created, healthy children sleeping upstairs

with a daddy putting the finishing touches on bedtime.

and, yes, there are days i am guilty of spending more time thinking

about how exhausted i am feeling or how overwhelming parenting is...

but the reality is i am doing something i am loving...

getting to know uniquely created little individuals and shaping little hearts

alongside a husband who is loving and devoted.

and along with blessing our family...

God has been carrying us through a long, hard season, but now...

we are living in a house that is amazing for homeschooling

and joel is actually seeing God working at school;

we are making connections with lots of folks

in the neighborhood and homeschool community;

and, through all of this, i are more deeply aware of just how much i are loved...

by God and by so many people He has put in my life in these thirty years.

i know this is sounding really sappy by now,

but i don't think i can remember feeling so grateful in a long time...

not to mention how talking to your dad as hes reminiscing about your birth and

your best friend as shes recalling all of the birthdays you've spent together,

along with taking your fifth baby to your six week visit

all on the day you turn thirty can do that to a girl (do i have to say woman now :) ?)