thirty-three birthday moments of gratitude

I turn thirty-four tomorrow and I am excited! I truly believe that there are good things in store for thirty-four and that healing and many answers to prayers are on their way! I am excited to see what the Lord has planned for this coming year!

In my birthday post from last year I shared that while I know some people reflect on the past year during New Years I have always looked back on my "new years" in two different ways: (1) at the start of a new school year and (2) on my birthday. As I am about to turn thirty-four tomorrow I look back on thirty-three with so much thankfulness and gratitude from the past year. While I could list hundreds of blessings from this past year I wanted to share thirty-three moments of extreme gratitude that stand out to my heart from this past year (in no particular order).

one: the amazing generosity and kindness of so many people that have walked this journey with me and continue to stand by my side. Truly I am incredibly blessed. 

two: the humbling and over-whelming financial support to make the trip to California (April -May 2013) and receive life-saving treatment at the Whitaker Wellness Institute. I tried to put into words how grateful and thankful that I was but words can't express the depth of my gratitude. I know that without treatment there I would have died. Thank you so much for your support to make that trip possible. I am forever grateful.

three: my absolutely amazing family who has walked some very dark nights and some very dark lows this past year and has continued to remain optimistic & encouraging.

four: a trip to Disneyland in the midst of treatment in California from a friend who was incredibly generous and thoughtful. 

five: the opportunity to spend time with my best friend twice in one year! Once when she was so sweet to come out to California and then the Cruise!

six: the absolute blessing of the Lord's mercy and presence when when learning I had Cancer and being thousands and thousands of miles away from my family.

seven: Learning that against all human understanding the Cancer was not stage IV and throughout my entire body as was originally believed....and a doctor stating time and time again "I just don't understand... I just don't understand. Its a miracle." after surgery was completed.

eight: having the opportunity to meet one of my heroes and a lady I am so blessed to call a friend! Officially meeting Jen (and her amazing husband Ryan!) after being internet friends for years was an incredible blessing!

nine: Gorgeous Sunsets that spoke to my little heart.

ten: a beautiful wedding that I had the honor to be apart of and a weekend with friends who are like family. 

 

eleven: the precious realization that a season of new dreams was starting.

twelve: the beauty that comes with forgiveness and making peace with the fact that while some friendships change, shift, and end due to illness there are the friendships that grow so deep that you could never have imagined life without them.

thirteen: learning anew the truth that the Lord is everything and understanding at new levels the truth of this quote:
"I remember a summer in which I said: "It is the ocean that I need," and I went to the ocean; but it seemed to say, "It is not in me!" The ocean did not do for me what I thought it would. Then I said, "The Mountains will rest me," and I went to the mountains, and when I awoke in the morning there stood the grand mountain that I had wanted so much to see; but it said , "It is not in me!" It did not satisfy. Ah! I needed the oceans of HIS love, and the high mountains of HIS truth within. It was wisdom that the "depths" said they did not contain, and that could not be compared with jewels or gold or precious stones. Christ is our wisdom and our deepest need. Our restlessness within can only be my by the revelation of His eternal friendship and love for us. Lord, THOU hast been our dwelling place in ALL generations."

fourteen: for the beautiful answered prayer of friends who are like family, who give generously and beyond my wildest dreams, and for precious sunny days on the lake.

fifteen: for a book contract that only the Lord could have brought about

sixteen: the joy of celebrating the marriage of Brendan&Naoko and Rebecca & Ben.

seventeen: for scripture that only has grown more precious.

eighteen: for an evening ski that reminded me of days gone by

nineteen: for the opportunity to create &the dream of being an artist coming to fruition and becoming apart of the Twinery Design Team.

twenty: for the constant sacrifice that my parents have made to not only help me get better but for the ability to bring joy and laughter to each difficult day. 

twenty-one: for a sister who loves me so much and runs half-marathons for me. (and who created Rebecca's Run for me!)

twenty-two: for the beautiful reminder of a miraculous healing from eight years ago that gives me such hope in this battle!

twenty-three: for precious letters that are now threadbare because I have read them so much.  Thank you again sweet ladies!

twenty-four: beautiful new friends & the gift of the cruise

twenty-five: a grandmother who prays and prays and prays... and prays... and prays.... 

twenty-six: learning to see the beauty in EVERY year despite pain.

twenty-seven: for a family who is incredibly precious beyond words.

twenty-eight: Chalk and Pine

twenty-nine: stepping out... taking risks and learning to live fearlessly and with valor.

thirty: celebrating the joy of engagement and love with two of my dearest friends.

thirty-one: learning to be absolutely surrendered & dependent on others and then being able to walk again (with no wheelchair or help from any family member). *tears*

thirty-two: learning personally the truth of the Lord giving strength for each day...for every battle... and for this fight for my health.

thirty-three: learning that the Lord has a plan beyond my own little imagination.

Thank you so much to all of you who have made this past year such a blessing! I am so thankful for each of you in my life! Thank you again!