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I turned 29 today.

Even writing that feels strange. I thought life at 29 would look quite a bit different than it does today. I thought I’d be settled. Maybe married with a few kids. The old me would write the number 29 and want to cry, wishing that I had things that I don’t have now. In the world’s eyes, I am not successful. I don’t have the career, the husband and kids, the nice house with a white picket fence.

But honestly, I couldn’t be happier. Don’t get me wrong, I want a family someday. And I know that will come. But what I continually feel throughout these months is that he is fulfilling dreams. Dreams that I didn’t even know that I had are being realized and created.

My dreams are truly being lived out day by day. I get to love people. I get to meet and serve people all over the world. I get to live in a community with amazing friends who continually build me up. I get to travel around the world and experience amazing cultures that I knew nothing about even a few months ago. I get to have adventures and make memories that I will have the rest of my life.

I’m so thankful.

I’m thankful that the Lord is teaching me thankfulness. This is new for me. Even in really difficult moments he is giving me contentment and joy in ways that I have never experienced. I’m ready to open up my arms to my Father, give him this year, this life, and receive whatever he has in store.

I feel such favor from the Lord as I enter this year.


 

Today we all went surfing! I was so excited to get to do something that I love on my birthday.

As I was in the water, sitting on my board, waiting for a wave, it hit me how amazing the Lord is to bring me to this place. I’m surfing in South Africa for my 29th birthday. This definitely was not something that I had planned. But he gives us so much better than we can even think and dream for ourselves.

I’m so thankful.

 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance for our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion- to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.”
Isaiah 61:1-3