I spent my 27th birthday in Swaziland and it was by far one of the best birthday’s I’ve had in a long time.
From the morning of until I fell asleep, I felt so incredibly loved. So loved, that I literally couldn’t stop talking about. And now…well I’m going to give you the full scoop on how I spent my birthday.
At 6 am, I got up to spend some time with Jesus. Yeah, I got him a cup of coffee too. That morning he spoke into my spirit. He reminded me of his love for me, told me that I pleased him, and that I can trust him. I envisioned him holding a huge birthday cake with 27 candles on top. Him and I blew the out together. Oh, and the cake had white frosting but the inside was chocolate on chocolate. Yes, the creator of the universe knows the way to my heart.
That morning, I was encouraged and felt lavished by my God’s love for me. A little later, I left to the preschool where my teachers and the kids sang me happy birthday.
Seriously, so adorable. Later, we took our teachers out to lunch. We wanted to bless them because they really blessed us this month. They were so happy we got to have lunch with them. They told us that was the first time a team had ever taken them out like that. It was so great knowing that they felt loved by us.
My teammate Katie bought my meal too! (Katie I love you !)
Wait, it gets better.
My teammate Ariane, shared with me a vision she had of the Lord and me. She envisioned Jesus giving me a present that was beautifully wrapped. She said that inside it was something that was symbolic to my worth and value in him. Puzzled, I just kind of stared at her in anticipation for what was in the box.
She told me it was a dress.
A white dress with pearls all over it. She said that I was loved and dearly valued by him.
What’s so funny, is that morning as I had spent time with the Lord, I felt him in my spirit whisper that I was his bride. White dress. Pearls. Bride. Makes sense. I also made mention that just a month ago, a teammate gave me a note that read that I am a pearl in God’s hands. MIND BLOWN!
Wait, it still gets better.
That the afternoon, I was able to speak to my mom, my cousin and my best friend who all wished me a happy birthday. Even though I am 7 hours ahead, people back at home still wished me a happy birthday.
When I got home, I spent some time with Jesus. Two of my amazing teammates started working on dinner and made one of my favorite dishes: Cheeseburger and French fries. True story guys, I love cheeseburgers and FRIES ARE MY FAVORITE! While they were throwing down in the kitchen, my other teammate decided to do a mini photo shoot of me and some of my other friends here on the race. My teammates are gorgeous seriously! But what’s even more gorgeous are there hearts.
Later that night, after eating that delicious meal, a group of my teammates prayed over me and gifted me with a pairing of earrings. Then I walked into the living room to find that the entire team was there waiting for me with balloons and a birthday cake!
My alumni mentor Lauren had given me candles with a letter she sent me to open up on my birthday, so I put those on the cake. It was perfect. Everyone sang happy birthday and I got to make a wish! It was absolutely beautiful…
It didn’t stop there though. My leader gave me a notebook filled with birthday notes from everyone in the house (20 notes to be exact). I felt super loved because I love when people write to me. We had a dance party in the middle of the living room and boy’ did we have a blast!
Later that night, I went to my tent and found that it was filled with balloons! One of my best friends on the race had put them there along with a present. Inside the bag was all my favorite candies: Chocolate, M&M’s and gummies! Yummmm!
Man, this was by far the best birthday I’ve had in a long time. My teammates have only known me for about 2 months now and they went out of their way to think about me. I was definitely surprised and I had so much fun. God gave me such an amazing team of people. This community here reminds me daily that I’m not alone, that I am loved, I am valued, and that they all have my back. So friends and family back at home, don’t worry about me … God gave me an incredible family here on the World Race. I love them all so much.
Most importantly I learned that…well, GOD LOVES ME! He made sure I felt loved and special on my birthday. Let me be honest, turning 27 was kind of daunting. Much of the plans I had for myself didn’t fall through the way that I hoped. But still, God has shown me time and time again that his ways are perfect, his timing is perfect and his plans for my life are so much more than I could ever imagine for myself. I’m holding onto this truth; MY GOD IS SO IN LOVE WITH ME.
Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday! It truly has been such a blessing celebrating my birthday in Swaziland! God you’re so great and I praise you for all that you’ve done thus far and all you will continue to do.
