Sesame Street is turning 40....

Well we made it - through a crazy fall and busy holiday season and here we are screaming into 2009.

Christmas was exciting - my folks made their way up with short notice to save the day since Jeff was tasked to take a DV(distinguished visitor) to the dessert to see the troops. It was a short trip - but it covered the week of Christmas. We are so thankful for the technology of today - dad sat in Kuwait City and webcammed the whole morning with us. It wasn't the same as having him here - but wow what a cool alternative. The kids would open their presents and then run to the computer to show daddy - I'm going to try and post some pix.

I'm excited about 2009 - I'm sure you've heard by now that someone's turning 40 this month. Yep, it's true Sesame Street hit's the big "4-0" within days... let the parties begin! I've always loved Snuffleupagus myself - and he doesn't look a day over 25 if you ask me....It's hard to imagine Big Bird and the gang at 40. But indeed it's true.

Oh and yes I'm turning 40 soon too....and I couldn't be happier.

Jeff's got me plane tickets to Charleston to leave this Wednesday so I can enjoy a Seacoast Big Wednesday - and then he's letting me stay for the weekend. He's even gotten me a rental car with strict instructions to take my journal to the beach and have a blast!!! (That's certainly not his type of fun - but it's really high on my list).

I've decided for my birthday that I'm going to celebrate scars....scars from pain and trials and challenges of the last 20 years - and the immense gift they've become to me. I'm so excited about this monument of God's sustaining faithfulness. It's almost hard for me to believe - and I haven't missed a minute of this adventure.

You see if you knew the WHOLE story you'd be amazed that I'm alive, that I'm still in love with Jesus, that I still participate in the local church, that I have a solid, exciting marriage and 3 kids....it would blow your mind to put the pieces of my life together and come up with this picture. How significant He makes the insignificance of me...who does stuff like that?

If it weren't for Jesus.....

But oh this refuge of peace I find myself in now - the scattered confidence and excitement I see the future with, and the joy of celebrating survival and the miracle of me. Just the sheer audacity of it all is beyond words. Beyond the "why would He bother with me" business is the "wow He bothered with me business" and that's big.

If it weren't for Jesus....

It's going to be a good week - I can't wait to spend some quiet time with the One who has romanced me right through it all - He continues to pursue me even today with this intense longing to be with Him. He continues to amaze me with refreshment and redemption being poured into my marriage. He still moves me with grace and mercy in my role as mommy to do, say and be things I would never imagine possible. He's still bothering with me - that in itself is worthy of a celebration.

If it weren't for Jesus....

For my birthday I'm going to be asking God for some specifics. He and I do that - having a birthday so close to New Years is kind of invigorating that way. I want more of Him, I want a burning desire to pray more and talk less, I want to be more like Him and be "busied" for Him less, I want a continued unquenchable thirst for His word, I want His Holy Spirit to move in power and peace, I want to know in my knower that "I AM" is already there - and it is well.

You have not because you ask not - so I'm asking.

Happy Birthday me....and you too Snuffleupagus.

Happy New Year Friends....