extravagant gifts

This weekend was the start of a birthday celebration that won’t officially end until next week when my dad comes for a visit. The birthday being celebrated is mine. And it’s a big one! Sshh, don’t tell anyone, but I’m turning 40!

And to answer the questions I’ve heard most over the past few days: Yes, I can believe it; and no, forty doesn’t feel old at all. I have some more thoughts on that, and hopefully I will find the time to share them before forty-one rolls around. But don’t hold your breath, or you might not see your next birthday.

What I cannot believe is how incredibly blessed I have been. The well-wishes have been lavish and the gifts have been extravagant. I am truly grateful.

And so today I’m counting the gifts of birthdays and everydays.

#897 – 918

• a special birthday
• special decorations

• cakepops; almost sis-in-law making them for me {oh my, these are SO good!}; dreaming up cakepop flavors; cracking up with my mom over our reaction to turn our favorite birthday cake combination into cakepops

• a party with family
• time to visit with one another
• lavish birthday wishes – in the mail, by phone, by text, on facebook and even twitter
• unexpected and thoughtful well-wishes, cards and gifts
• photography-related gifts
• a new lens; extravagant gift from my man – my photographer friends know the one
• receiving it early enough to take all of the pics in this post {I had know idea what I was missing!}

• mama duck sitting on her eggs

• little flowers

• a bouquet on a tree

• beautiful bokeh

• a peaceful backyard sanctuary

• hanging baskets

• old glory

• coach lights

And perhaps because turning forty causes one to be a bit introspective, I cannot help but think of the most lavish love and extravagant gifts I’ve received in Christ. For those, I am eternally grateful.

#919 – 924

• lavish love of God
• extravagant gift of grace
• my sin forgiven
• rebirth in Christ
• my name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life
• birthdays that will never really end

In hope,
Shelli

This post is linked with the Gratitude Community at Holy Experience
as I share my list of One Thousand Gifts.