Fericit Ziua De NaÅŸtere!
(In Romanian)
…to me.
Yes, I just wished myself a Happy Birthday. Because it is, and because I'm in Romania, and because I'm turning 22 within a few hours, and because I'm excited about it. And yes, the font is green because it's my favorite color. Hope that's okay. 🙂
A part of me wishes that I could celebrate at home, could celebrate with "my people." You know the people, the friends and family who would join with me in being ridiculous, and would shower me with love. Those people.
But can I tell you a secret (that I don't really want to be a secret, obviously) ? As much as I love my people back home, as much as I want my mom to make me shrimp scampi and cheesecake, I'm okay. I'm more than okay. The Lord is doing huge things in my heart this birthday, and it's wonderful.
I'll be honest, I've sometimes been disappointed with birthdays in the past. I think it has to do with my expectations (I know it does). I love celebrating people and making them feel loved however possible; I especially love birthdays. So, in the past, when I haven't felt celebrated, I felt disappointed. My mindset was something like this: if my birthday wasn't absolutely amazing, it negated all of the love and everything that anyone had done for me the other 364 days of the year. Which is both unfair, and totally unrealistic.
So, this year, at the baller age of two and twenty, I've made a decision. I love my friends, and my family, but I'm releasing my expectations. I'm putting my hope and trust in the Lord, and I know that no matter what, He absolutely adores me. Want to know what he gave me yesterday as an early present?
The most beautiful sunset I've ever seen in my life.
And he told me: "Yes, Jenna, I love you that much. Your birthday is important to me, and I will celebrate with you, even if no one else does (but guess what? They totally will!) There are angels dancing in heaven, just for you. Happy birthday, dear one."
So, a new year begins. I'm one month into the 11 craziest of my life, thus far, and it's good.
I wish that I could celebrate with you, sing songs, eat cake, and enjoy this day. Fortunately, Team Beauty for Ashes is taking very good care of me and loving me well. And, also fortunately, I have more birthdays to come and will in the future be with you.
If you would like to give me a gift, honestly, my greatest desire is to be fully funded by the end of 2011. I have another $6000 to raise before I'm fully funded and would love and appreciate your joining with me in this. A million thank yous to all of you who have already supported me; I wouldn't be in Romania without you.
Check THIS for ways to donate.
If, however, you would love to give me a gift but aren't wanting to put it into my support account (which is totally fine), or just want to do something else, let me know. I'm just excited that it's my birthday, that God is good, that he provides, and that you're reading this.
With so much love,
Jenna
