Today I turned 30.
In Africa that means I am officially mature.
The question I get every year is, do you feel different?
I always answer NO because that was the truth.
For the first time, I can finally say yes to that question.
Last night I asked my team to pray over me.
To send my 20’s off.
To say goodbye to a decade that I spent running from HIM.
To bless this decade and year that lie ahead of me.
I can’t even explain how powerful that moment was.
They not only prayed over me, but they spoke LIFE into me.
They spoke truth into me.
They showed me how the Lord sees me.
They showed me that I AM LOVED.
Not for what I do, but for who I am.
Again, not for what I do but for WHO I AM!
They surprised me with this video today.
Not only did my new family surprise me with a video,
I also had a video from my friends and family from back home.
I can’t even explain how much this all means to me.
I am loved, and loved well.
As if that all wasn’t enough.
I got to spend my 30th Birthday at an African Wedding.
Yep.
An African Wedding.
We had custom hand made dresses and shirts tailored.
We got to see the traditional family ceremony.
We got to see the love of two families coming together.
We got to eat official Ivorian food.
We got to dance.
We got to dance more.
We laughed.
We praised Jesus.
We saw two becoming one in Jesus’ name.
We experienced African culture at it’s finest.
And then……
At the very end of the wedding.
I got attacked with hugs by all of the little kids.
They didn’t know it was my birthday.
But I know they were sent by the Lord.
Sent to remind me how much He loves me.
Sent to show me that love is contagious.
Sent to show me that I am EXACTLY where HE wants ME.
As if that wasn’t the icing on the cake.
The bride and groom surprised me with a birthday cake.
And a song of Happy Birthday.
Um, I have no words.
Only praise.
Thank You Lord for knowing long before I was born that this was how I would be spending my 30th Birthday.
Thank You Lord for always having WAY better plans for me than I could ever dream of myself.
Thank You Lord for never giving up on me.
Thank You Lord for loving me for who I am.
Thank You Lord for my amazing World Race Team.
Thank You Lord for 30 years of life so far.
Thank You Lord for everyone back home who loves and supports me.
Thank You Lord for calling me to this moment.
Thank You Lord for speaking truth back into my life.
Thank You Jesus for dying for me.
Thank You Jesus.
Thank You for this life.
Thank You for 30 years on this earth.
Thank You for chasing after me.
Just plain Thank You.
You never fail to AMAZE me.
Love, Kelli
