twenty-nine.

That's me, today. Twenty-nine years old. And I'm excited about it. It seems eerily close to thirty, but I think I'm okay with thirty too, so I'm not going to freak out about its younger year, twenty-nine.

Rory and I are flying to San Francisco today to spend the weekend with our friends John and Shannon. John and Rory are both business owners, and speak their own language when they are together. Shannon and I both are seminary grads, and could talk or not talk for hours. (can anyone name that line? it's an all-time favorite movie quote of mine...) We're so excited to reconnect with these friends.

Mom, thanks for pushing so hard twenty nine years ago today. Mom and Dad, thanks for raising me in such a happy, healthy home and for living your lives and faith so fully and creatively. Mat and Annika, thanks for being my big brother and big sister. I love being the baby in the family. Rory, thanks for being the best thing that happened to me during my twenty-forth year of life.

Life is good, and I am happy. This is a happy, happy birthday.

the surprise tuxedo

My uncle Mark came to my wedding in a tuxedo. It wasn't a black tie event, but Uncle Mark saw a great opportunity to get to wear his tux and I found it pretty funny. He also wore his tuxedo to my sister's masters graduation ceremony.

On Sunday I called Uncle Mark and Aunt Jane and he told me that last Tuesday he got in the car and drove from St. Louis to Dysart, Iowa to celebrate my Great Aunt Stella's 92nd Birthday. (This is the same Great Aunt Stella I wrote about on Valentine's day.)

He arrived as a surprise to his aunt's house, and of course was wearing his tuxedo. After a while Stella's other nephew Jerry showed up with Stella's 93 year old brother-in-law. And then the four of them went to the nearby town for fried chicken at the bowling alley.

I am envisioning these four, Mark in his Tux, along with Jerry helping these two 90-somethings who rarely get out of their own homes, sharing a meal of greasy chicken in a hazy bowling alley. And somehow it completely works. Uncle Mark said the bowling alley attendant asked him if he was the entertainment for the celebration.

I called Aunt Stella after talking to Uncle Mark and she told me, in great detail, all about this most wonderful birthday party. She added that she was so pleased because she had wanted to turn in her income taxes in person, and her accountant was right next to the bowling alley. It was hard to figure out if she was more happy about hand-delivering her taxes or the fried chicken.

At any rate, she felt celebrated and I began to think more events need to be celebrated with a surprise tuxedo.

new favorite

I have been addicted to this banana smoothie lately. Be sure to freeze your yogurt...that's key for a smooth smoothie (no ice...this leads to ice chunks). And then add enough milk so it's not too thick. I think most of my life I have made my smoothies too thick and they're just not that good that way. Lots of milk makes it drinkable and the shake ends up so delish, it's hard to believe there is no ice cream in this thing.

And when you're checking out the shake, be sure to browse the site. It's called Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes and it has some of the simplest, healthiest recipes out there. Enjoy!

pajamas and crowns

I had a blast in North Carolina this weekend at the Wild Women Retreat at LutherRidge Bible Camp. I was called shuga, sweet thang, baby, and served grits for breakfast. The hospitality was above and beyond and I felt at home right away. The small group I was in was fantastic and wonderful conversation was shared all weekend long.

I was sent on this retreat to scout it out...to see what is going on that so many women sign up for this event (600 women registered within the first hour registration opened!). They then spread these women out over four different retreat weekends. What I found is that the retreat is led by the master of all retreat leaders. Pastor Mary is a remarkable storyteller and her attention to detail was astounding. I took notes the entire weekend and knew I was learning from the best.

The greatest part of this retreat was that I went with a professional objective, and immediately, the retreat became very personal. I needed a recharge, needed the time away to reflect and dream and pray, and somehow I ended up at a retreat that did just that. God is so faithful like that.

The retreat focused on dreams and visions, centered on the book of Revelation. We talked a lot about the dreams we have at night, but also the kingdom dreams God places on our hearts. It was powerful and I was grateful to be there.

ephesians