So this past Sunday, April 20th, I celebrated my 23rd birthday.
I was feeling a little apprehensive about it prior to the day, but had given it little thought. The biggest loss I could think of was no longer being able to have Taylor Swift sing a song about my life (feelin’ 22, anyone?).
The eve of the 20th I was laying on my bed, and I actually started thinking about what my 22nd year had been and what my 23rd year was going to look like.
So I recounted the year to myself- Last year I celebrated my big day at a huge music festival in Coachella Valley with some of my closest friends. Then I proceeded to finish off my senior year at the finest university ever, UC San Diego, and I graduated! I said goodbye to everyone I loved and knew, and headed out to Georgia to join a new family of brothers and sisters to love and be challenged by. We traveled together, laughing sometimes and crying other times, to Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, South Africa, Swaziland, India, Nepal, Romania and Moldova. I met and loved more people than I ever thought my heart could hold; I witnessed God moving through me, around me and towards me; I saw miracles happen before my very eyes. Looking back on being 22, I could not fathom how 23 could be better. Seriously, it’s been so good. So I had a little chat with God when I came to my wits end and concluded that there was no way I could make 23 better than 22…
“Ok, God. Take 23. Don’t let me take it back under my control; I don’t want it. Because there’s no way I can make it better than you made 22. So I’m just gonna have to trust you to take it and make it good because you promise glory to glory for your kids. So let’s do it.”
Feeling a little more peaceful after surrendering my troubles to God, I closed my eyes and went to sleep.
I woke up the next morning to a stream of loud “Happy Birthday!!” wishes and glorious sunshine streaming in the window onto my face. We had our own Easter service and I was reminded that this day is infinitely bigger than I am and I had so much to be rejoicing in, regardless of how “awesome” being 23 turns out to be. We then headed to church and listened to a beautiful service in Russian, had worship and communion. Just as church was ending, I heard my name amidst the Russian and our translator waved me up to stage. The pastor hugged me, and the worship band led the church in singing “Happy Birthday”. He then asked me to tell the church why we were all here, so I got to give an impromptu speech to the entire church body. I was pretty thoroughly embarrassed, but at this point on the race it didn’t surprise me much.
After lunch, I was instructed to put shorts on and we headed out the door. After walking for 30ish minutes and getting absolutely no hints of what was happening, I was blindfolded! I had no clue of what was going to ensue, but with one teammate on either side of me I walked bravely on. In my head, I tried to imagine the surprised faces and thoughts of the people we were passing trying to enjoy their beautiful Easter Sunday. I’m sure we were a sight.
All of a sudden we were going down stairs and I was commanded to remove my shoes. My blindfold was removed and I looked out to see a riverside beach!!! I could’ve cried I was so happy. I ran across the sand and put my feet in the icy, somewhat dirty, water but all I saw was sand, a body of water, sunshine and my friends who loved me so much they knew the best thing they could give me for my birthday was the closest thing to an ocean. I melted into the sand and simply soaked it all in.
In time, they managed to tear me away from my “beach” with the promise of a glorious dinner. I walked in the door and passed a gorgeous table setting, complete with matching plates and flowers. In a short while I was led back to the table and this time it was filled with delicious smelling, homemade Mexican food! The food that I have been craving and missing most the entire race!! I mean really, there were homemade tortillas and GUACAMOLE.
Once we had finished eating until our hearts could hold no more Mexican goodness, I was told to stay seated and relax. In a few moments I came face to face with a beautiful chocolate cake, candles and the voices of my teammates singing to me. Once the song was complete, it was time for me to make a wish and blow out my candles. As I sat there surrounded by people who loved me and filled to the brim with guacamole, sand and sunshine I honestly could not think of anything to wish for that could make me happier in that moment.
After dessert was finished we all sat around the table simply enjoying each other’s company, not even noticing the hour of the night had grown late and we had ministry early the next morning. Just when I thought that the birthday surprises were completed, I was called into the kitchen with my team and presented with one last gift of love and labor- chocolate covered strawberries. Something that is tradition for my birthday at home and I never fathomed would be possible in the place we are living.
The final touch to the perfect day.
As I lay in bed that night, reveling all the magical events of the day, I thought back to how I had doubted that 23 could top 22. I don’t know why I still doubt Him in His abilities to go above and beyond what I deem possible, but once again He proved Himself more than capable and myself dumbfounded. I am so blessed to have a God that cares about me enough to continue outdoing Himself in the way He lavishes His love upon me, and promises to keep them coming more and more.
Here we go, 23. More and more, please, God.
“Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.” Psalm 40:5
