Last Sunday, I turned 28. My good pal Nicole was here, and she helped me celebrate life in my late twenties. The night before my actual bday, my friends Kelly and Lisa hosted a game night at their house. I was happy to hang with all my teaching buddies.
For some reason, my birthday wish this year was to go for a run on the beach. Thankfully, I live in SoCal, and that wish can actually come true for me in the middle of February! Some people post about having school cancelled because of snow days...I go for a run in my shorts and t-shirt at the beach. :) I have been working out at the gym on and off for a year now, in addition to doing "backyard workouts" with my good friend Karen for about a month. Throughout all my body aches, I am always amazed at what my mind can convince me of doing. At the beach, we ran over 6 miles....which is a distance I have not done in a few years! I guess when you get the right setting (Huntington Beach, CA) and the right running buddies, you can do anything!
Ironically, there was another girl celebrating HER birthday on the beach....and her name the same as mine (spelled differently)!! This picture is kind of far away, but check it out!
My family, friends, roommate, and roommate's boyfriend spoiled me by giving me fun gifts:
I guess the word got out that I love Starbucks coffee, chocolate, good music, and candy. :) Thank you to all my loving family and friends. My 28th bday was a blast.
After a fantastic 3-day weekend, I had a pretty good week. I am still helping to lead high school youth group at my church once a week, and going to my small group every other week. At youth group this week we had a small party to celebrate the beginning of Lent, so we ate lots of food and had a few contests for the kiddos. Each week I am struck by how much I really appeciate these high school kids. They are super fun and accepting kids - they will be our leaders some day! Speaking of leaders...my teaching pals at my old school are gearing up for another trip to Jackson, MS this spring break. The past two years, I got to mentor student leaders and read this great book with them. Some new teacher chaperones are going on the trip this year, and I am so excited for them! What an amazing opportunity to learn and grow.
As I reflect on another year of life (I get to do that here since it's my blog and it was just my 28th bday), I am incredibly thankful. God has been so faithful in my life - from the smallest things to the big things in life. I thought that by 28 years of age, I would be married with a kid or two, and that I'd have this teaching thing down pat. I thought I'd be able to relate to my siblings by sharing stories of our kids, and I sort of thought I might be living down the street from my sister! But I never could have imagined the path that God has me on today. Sure, it sounds great to be married and have a kid or two...but I have definitely learned (and am still learning every day!) the art of contentment in my singleness. I always thought that 28 was OLD, and much to old to still be single. How wrong I have been. I feel like I am learning new things about myself and how I desire to live my life EVERY DAY...I am not even close to having it all figured out yet! This is not to say that those who got married before 28 aren't still learning and growing...of course they are...but for me, I guess I am just struck by how much I am still being shaped as an individual - and how challenging it is to mesh all of my "stuff" with another person. I can't wait until that day comes...of course...but for now, I am can honestly say that I am a content 28 year old single gal. :)
Deep thoughts for a Saturday afternoon! Time to get out and enjoy the sunshine. Until my next bout of free time/inspiration!
1 comment:
Oh, you'll be living down the street from me someday....
Post a Comment