September 30, 2013
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25.
(Delayed annual birthday post. Really delayed.)
Starting off year 25 was great! It was the first birthday I had to work like a real adult but was blessed to see and be with people that meant the most to me. I was going to spend lunch by myself but instead was welcomed by the Strayhorns (Ali and Mrs. …Anna was at work but came to my house after work) for lunch then headed home to a bonfire with my family. I couldn’t have asked for a better day. I genuinely mean that.
The day ended and life began to unravel….almost immediately. For some reason I had high expectations that year 25 would be special and I really have no idea why that is but I can tell you, it was difficult.
October, November, December were really hard. In the midst of busyness with basketball, I was the MOH in Emily’s wedding and pretty involved with Bethany’s wedding, as well as quitting my job with all that went along with that and the hardest part was losing a great friend (not by death). All in 3 months. Suffice to say 25 was off to a very challenging start.
It was a time where God really stripped me of things I loved and valued. I spent more nights crying myself to sleep than I can count. I cried more in the first 8 months of being 25 then I have in the last 10 years. But God used that time to further my dependence on Him. I was deeply hurt by someone I still love greatly and needed to forgive, even though she wasn’t asking. That was hard. Humbling. Mike Wittmer said it well at the last night of Forum (even though I had forgiven already, it resonated with me). “You’re going through life and things are well, then someone you love comes along and hurts you. Then all of a sudden you have a dilemma on your hands, now you have a spiritual battle within and you have to forgive to release yourself from the hurt that was unjustly caused to you. That’s the hardest part about being a Christian. It sucks. It may take years to fully forgive someone for the hurt they have bestowed upon you. But we have not been as hurts as we hurt Jesus and He forgave us. Not forgiving is not an option.” Hit the nail on the head, if I do say so myself.
This was a very difficult year. You know what happens in a difficult year? You grow, you mature, you’re refined. So it wasn’t the “special” year I envisioned but it was a significant year in my life. My biggest prayer was this: Lord, allow my faith to define my circumstances and not my circumstances my faith. And to learn contentment in the way Paul did.
I can’t say I always succeeded but the Lord is good – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. That, my friends, is Enough. The rest the Lord gives us are simply blessings. We don’t deserve them and when and if He takes them away, we need to realize that they were His in the first place. I feel like I should say more, clarify more but at the same time, I don’t. It simply isn’t necessary.
Some years highlights.
Took a concealed weapons class with my mom, grandma and aunt. (October)
Zac Brown Band with Connie, Jillian and Lydia (November)
Carrie Underwood and Hunter Hayes with Alexa (November)
Basketball year 2. (Nov-March)
MOH for Emily. (December)
Quit my job. (December)
Picked up skiing for the first time in 9 years (December)
Gave myself as a present to Joey (December)
Got a ring from Uncle Jim (January)
Long story – my ring I wore for 8 years broke in two a couple years ago and I’ve been trying to find something similar to it but I got it in Bolivia. My uncle was going to India and said he’d look. He came back with one that wasn’t really like it but it’s a nice, simple one that I like.
Visited G&G in Florida (March 4-8)
Started working at RBC (March 11)
3 funerals – Ryan – Scott – Glenna (April 6-May 25)
Had a crazy summer! http://frozenpenguin32.xanga.com/774389521/a-small-hernia/
Entered into ArtPrize 2013. http://frozenpenguin32.xanga.com/773886037/networking/
Moved out Sept. 13 (right before turning 26)…and installed ArtPrize on Sept. 14. That was crazy…insane. The last 2 weeks have been insane.Year 25 is in the past. (Thank goodness.) Onward 26.
Comments (3)
What did your nephews get you for your birthday? I remember seeing Beka’s status about going shopping for you. I’m interested to hear what they ended up with.
Sadie, I can’t reply with a picture…even though I took one. They made a bunch, A BUNCH of pipe cleaner rings and bracelets (I kept a few), Gabey got me camo paint which he put on me. I was actually semi-dressed up on my birthday but Gabey asked if we could wear our matching bball outfits, then he painted my face…awesome. Nathan made jewelry as well and got me a collapsable hand saw. That sits on top of my machete Gabey got me 3 years ago. Joey gave me easter eggs with marshmallows in them, well some he had already eaten and then he ate the other ones while I was opening and a pair of hunting socks (which is actually useful). Oh yes and Gabey gave me 20-some pennies in a shoebox. This I knew about a couple days before my birthday because he insisted I shake the box.
Beka:Boppy was just telling me she didn’t need any quarters, dimes or nickels but that she was out of pennies.
Gabey looked at me in wonder.
Me: It’s true, I really need pennies.
Gabey in sheer excitement while still trying to keep the secret. “OH boooy. You’re gonna…that’s exactly what…you’re gonna love my present.”
It was really cute. He was so proud that he got me exactly what I needed. I love how excited they get over my birthday and that Beka lets them. Seriously, it’s the only reason I even care to acknowledge it – they just aren’t exciting to me except for that.
haha, sorry for the mile long response.