And it's been a memorable day, I must say! My mom made me breakfast and my parents and I had a quick celebration this morning, complete with my mom telling me my birth story again. I was born almost a month early and weighed just over 5 lbs and ended up dropping just under 5 lbs a few days later. The preemie diapers were too small and apparently I was carried around on a pillow because I was so small, such royalty for a King!
My coworkers took me out to lunch at one of my favorite spots-Cafe 336 (Bakers on Main) downtown Guntersville. I received some beautiful gifts--cross bracelet, picture frame, earrings, gift card to Baker's, and gorgeous flowers from friends, as well as numerous phone calls, texts, hugs, and wishes on social media, all of which I love and has truly made my day! I am one very blessed girl!
It was incredibly cold, but you endure because you're another year older, stronger, and ready to take on whatever life brings you--including social media viral challenges for a good cause--yes, I will donate to ALS! :)
I'm excited about this age and have some goals and adventures planned coming up. All in God's plan of course. I saw this story trending on the internet and it made me smile! Fist bump to all of us "choose-to-be-singles right now!
#TBT Birthday Edition:
This was my 20th Birthday with my sweet Maw-Maw!Lots of stuff has been going on this summer...
My coworker and sweet friend Beth got hitched at the Lake Guntersville State Park!!! She is a beautiful bride! Look at that watermelon!
The first part of August, I went back to college--for a week! I received a scholarship from Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association to go to Southeastern Tourism Society's Marketing College, held once a year on the campus of North Georgia University, a military college in Dahlonega, Georgia. It is a three year program to earn your CMP degree (Certified Marketing Degree). Check out my dorm room!
On the first night, we went to Wolf Mountain Vineyards on opening night--beautiful view from after the rain. My "freshmen" class had about 100 classmates from all over the Southeast.
Here's the view I had each day walking from the dorm to campus. So pretty!
And here's the view at night, when I would attempt to walk/run off all the yummy foods they fed us during the day. We had a cupcake bar one day during break, among other tasty foods, and I was determined NOT to gain the freshman 15 in one week's time!
I was in good company on the evening runs,though, as the military students would be running all over campus reciting their drills in unison.
The best part was there was no homework or tests and I had a lot of great ideas to implement on my job once I got back home. It was so fun to explore Dahlonega and it's "rich" history, meet new friends, and I'm looking forward to doing it all again next year!
On August 9, Mom and I worked the Main Street Music Festival gate--in the rain, but we had a fun time, counting clicks as people walked in. Did you know they totaled around 28,000 people for the two day FREE music festival!?! How awesome! Great job Albertville!
I loved hearing one of my favorite 90's bands, The Gin Blossoms! They rocked hits like "Hey Jealousy," "Found Out About You," and "Found Out About You," and "Alison Road."
God painted such a beautiful sky last night as I was on my evening walk at home.
Living Out the Plans:
So, God has really been teaching me lately. Things like how much I need to die to myself daily and put myself last. How often do we take "selfies" of our heart? It would surely be a scary selfie sometimes. As I turn another year older, I can't help but realize how little this life is really about me. The world tells us thousands of times each day how to make life about us and that it's really rewarding, but I disagree. When we turn away from ourselves and focus on our Savior, only then do we see life's big picture, that we are meant for more, glorifying the Father and living out love in this broken world. I'm not perfect and I'm thankful for Christ's forgiveness and my salvation is my greatest gift I've received. I don't want to take life for granted because who is really guaranteed tomorrow? Instead, I want to make the most of each day and focus on what I have now and how the Lord wants to use me for His purpose.
"I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith." Phil. 3:8-10
Thanks for reading y'all! Peace out on my first day of being 28th!
It's been a wild wet day but I've enjoyed every minute of it!
