Birthday

It seems strange that I am now 30 years old! I don't mind growing older (I certainly would not want to be 15 again!), but the start of a new decade is simply unfamiliar. After all, for 10 years I have been saying that I am "in my twenties"! My twenties were very good. I had the excitement of spending a semester in Greece and a summer in Venezuela, leaving college, getting my first job, living in Louisiana, getting married, getting my Master's degree, living in China, buying a home, and becoming pregnant. God has blessed me with an amazingly good and fulfilling life thus far, and I am excited for what the future holds.

For my birthday weekend, the entire immediate family gathered in Springfield at Mom and Dad's house to celebrate together. Daniel and I got there Friday evening for supper, Dan and Marnie arrived from Arkansas later that night, and Mike and Kristina came Saturday morning. We laughed, played games, ate, and talked. There was lots of music...both Mom and Dan played their newest compositions, lots of discussion about various issues, lots of excitement about the newest member of our family. And, of course, there was my birthday supper, cake, and gifts! We also, of course had to remember the time that "Dan ate the candles"!! I adore my family and am so grateful to God for all of them. I am so grateful for our closeness, for our common faith and passions. I know that so many people don't have such a wonderful family life, both immediate and extended, and that just makes me all the more grateful to God. It makes me so excited to introduce our little girl into this loving, close-knit family! It was a wonderful birthday weekend, and I look with joy into what this year might hold.