Celebrating God's Faithfulness

Last year on my birthday, I woke up in Bolivia at 6:00 AM, and opened a card my mom had sent in my suitcase. I kept the lights off in my room, because I could already hear the girls moving around, and I didn’t want to announce I was up yet. I opened the card and “You’re a Shining Star” started playing from the card. The girls all knew I was awake, and started to fill into my room. They had never seen a musical card, and were in awe of its ability to play music. Inside of the card, my mom had sent tattoos and nail polish, exactly what I wanted for my 21st birthday. But the girls loved it!

I convinced them we needed to wait until after church to celebrate, and as soon as we got home, my room became a nail salon/ tattoo parlor with a 5 second clip of “You’re a Shining Star” playing in the background.  All afternoon I painted little fingernails, and applied removable tattoos.  It was a very different 21st birthday than I ever imagined, but I couldn’t have asked for a better one!

This year, I woke up around 9:00am in Denton, TX. I took my time getting ready, and then opened my mom and dads card. It didn’t sing this year, but it did have a Starbucks gift card! I got to spend the day with great friends, cooking out, and eating great food.

Over the last year, I have been reminded again and again that God is good, and He is faithful, no matter where I am on the globe. While I can’t wait to be back in the land where singing birthday cards are cool, and entire afternoons can be taken up by fingernail polish, fake tattoos and children talking to me in Spanish, I am so thankful for where God has me.

I am so thankful for your friendships, and encouragement, and love. I am thankful for the ways you have loved me enough to send me off, and to encourage me to follow where God is leading.

I am excited to go, and sad to leave. There are so many quotes that could say that more eloquently than I have, but for those of you who read this, know that I am thankful for you. I am so thankful that no matter what side of the equator I find myself on, God is good. He has put people in my life that reflect His goodness, both here in Texas, and in Bolivia as well. I can’t wait to see what God will do in this next year, and so thankful to be able to do whatever it is with all of you!