blessings in every form...

Today, October 27, 2010, it is my 18th Birthday. Looking back, I've wondered what this day would feel like, how i would act, and what I would say and do, but never, never in a million years did I imagine it would feel like it does. Honestly, I don't feel older but for some reason i feel much more thankful than I did yesterday. I realize how blessed I am and how incredible life truly is! 
I can't believe the vast amount of blessings which have been placed in my life and how much God has continued to bless me, through my disobedient times, through my disrespect but also through times where I am walking in step with His plan for my life. 
And that is exactly where I am right now, at the center of God's will for my life, and I know it! I have no doubts that I am living the way God wants me to be and that I am being obedient in my decisions right now. As I continue to seek His majestic face and learn more and more about His word, He reveals himself more vividly and clearly. I never knew how amazing God's hand in my life could be but I am beginning to understand and experience what it feels like to allow God to control my life and to guide me and bless me when he chooses to. And he always chooses the appropriate times for things! He knows when I need to be sharpened, when i can handle the pain but also when I need encouragement and He knows exactly what that encouragement and love look like. He is amazing and I am so thankful for who my God is and all He is doing and continues to do in my life! 
God has blessed me abundantly these past 18 years, especially in my family and my home life! My parents are absolutely the most amazing people I have ever met and I am so incredibly thankful for all they have done for me, how they have invested into my life and how they have helped shape and refine me into the young woman I am today. I look up to my mom and dad more than anyone else on this Earth because they both have honestly lived out an amazing life and have been awesome examples to my sister and I. I am also incredibly blessed by my little sister! Her joy and silliness are both things that encourage me and keep me happy about life in general! The strength of our family life inspires me and makes me want to please them and reach high standards more and more! I love them so much!

There are so many more things in my life I am thankful for including, my friends, my school, the opportunities I have to do missions and to share the gospel, the amazing freedom to worship God and to learn about Him without being scared for my life..... ahh, the list goes on and on. I am just so amazed by Him and His awesome power and strength in my life. I also am so blessed by the little beauties in life, like sunshine, rain, smiles, laughter, music and ah, well just so many blessings are surrounding me...


Since God has blessed me so abundantly, I realize that He wants me to bless others as well! I need to be consistently be getting my cup filled by the Holy Spirit and other believers but also continue to pour myself out into other people's lives! He is so amazing and deserves to be exalted in my life, each and every day!


"I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints." -Philemon 1:4-7