Birthday Wishes & Thank Yous!

Yesterday I got to celebrate my birthday all day long! It sure was special. The day wasn't much different than any other, but the outpouring of love and birthday wishes filled my heart full.

I waited forever to celebrate thirty and did that all stinkin' month last year. (It was literally a piano-burning good time!) This year, thirty-one came way to fast! 

As time marches on and my Grampy (93) reminds me often that "today" is the youngest you'll ever be in your lifetime. I can't help but to ponder the awe of birthdays and celebration. Some could take it or leave it, but I love them! I love getting to have my own birthday and love getting to celebrate other's too. Why is that? Why are birthdays such a big deal? 

I think it's because of three things:

1) Birthdays remind us that life is a gift. It's important. It has meaning and purpose! You have meaning and purpose! You are a magnificent and uniquely created YOU and I am me. Life is valuable as we're not guaranteed tomorrow. We have this one life here on earth and it's up to us on what we're going to do with it. The Bible says that we were created in the image of God and each person is unique, valuable and loved and that's worth celebrating!

2) Birthdays allow us to take a moment to be thankful. As we close our eyes to blow out the candles, we need to look around and see the gifts that God has given us - even if our circumstances aren't ideal, there's always something to be thankful for. Let's commit to counting our blessings and remembering what we have.

3) Birthdays give us the opportunity to champion and cheer for those around us. Biggest cheers and best wishes for the birthday kid! We gather, we sing, we party, and we make wishes to celebrate those close to us and relish in the value (and gift!) of life.

Thank you for the birthday wishes, the birthday happies and adventures! I loved hearing you sing, reading your texts, and seeing your FB and IG comments. Thank you for making me feel so special and loved. I love y'all so much. 

Cheers to thirty-one! 
xoxo
Jes  

"Then God said,  “Let us make man in our image,  after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!" Genesis 1:26-27,31

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them." Psalm 139:13-16

Thirty-One.

deLinde Kids birthday dinner with Cali friends.

Birthday lunch at George's on the Cove in La Jolla.

Cake for breakfast with the Black Knights!

Mini birthday surprise with my Thursday night girls!

Leaning into the Wait

Last week I posted about change. My goodness, we love it and hate it all at the same time, but what happens when we are ready for things to change, but they're not. What do we do in the wait?

As I am trying my hardest not to rush this season of my life - it's fun and exciting, has its challenges, but comes with just-about-all a girl could wish for - yet there's still a part of me that is ready to move onto the next thing.

Have you been there? If I could only make it through this day. Or if only that sweet baby could talk or walk already. If only I could move into that new home or get married or have children, or get a new job, new car, new pay raise, or get to Friday, if only I could get a new ______ or to the next _____. If only.  

If only we didn't wish our life away.  

Waiting is part of life! Just as much as change is, so is waiting. 

When we start wishing ourselves to the next season (or even to the end of the week!), we begin missing things. We miss the joy. We miss moments and laughter or memories and lessons. We miss the opportunity that's only found in the "right now" in these circumstances or this situation.  

If we aren't careful our beautiful, bright world will quickly become dull because of all that wishin' and wonderin'. By all means, dream. Dream of the days, the sweet life and the goals, but let's not miss what is right in front of us right now. 

Lord, remind us that this season of life has purpose. It's special and put here for a reason. May we not get in too big of a hurry that miss the opportunity to stop and enjoy today.

Let's pledge to stand strong, be present and take it all in during this season of life because the next one will be here before we know it!

xoxo

Jes

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew‬ ‭6:34‬ ‭(NLT)‬‬ 

“Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah‬ ‭40:28-31‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

A Mother's Day Love

 "I love you to the moon and back" my Mom would always write me in her notes.

And I believed every word. My Momma loved us three kids and I am so thankful that we knew love at an early age. My parents have been amazing examples of God's great love and I hope that the boys and I continue to carry on that legacy. 

Today for Mother's Day I will remember and celebrate with a tender heart. I will thank the Lord for giving me a good Momma and wish that she was still here, but I will also remember the Hope that still stands strong in my heart. God didn't leave me by myself--He gave me a DeDe, a Memaw, a great Daddy, two brothers, and four sweet, sweet aunts that I love--and big family and a whole lot of girlfriends, neighbors and ladies from church who love and mentor me.

And God didn't leave you by yourself either. He loves you. In the Bible, Jeremiah 31:3 says that "And the Lord says, I have loved you with an everlasting love and have drawn you in with a loving kindness." 

So today as we recognize our Mommas, Memaw, aunts, and best friends take a moment to thank them for their love. We need them and they are so special. Also take a moment to pray for those whose hearts are tender today. Send a text and remind them as they wait, they hurt, or they wish that God is not done writing their story. And that you love them and so does He. 

I love y'all to the moon and back!

xoxo

Jes

 “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy‬ ‭31:8‬ ‭

 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11-13‬ 

Oh, Monday!

It's been a MONDAY! Seriously, a Monday. 

This morning I met one of my favorites for a morning walk and prayer knowing that I was going into the office later in the day. We walked, chatted, and prayed. This lady is sweet gift in my life; her mentorship is something I dearly treasure so to start my day with a quick date was awesome! After that, I went to look at a potential new condo and then made a pit stop at my favorite running route along the beach. 

I ran this morning with such thanksgiving in my heart. I was thankful for the day's flexible work schedule, the beautiful scenery, the sunshine, my family, friends, my cute guy, the possibility of a new place, the upcoming Bible study and leadership opportunities, the new year, and my job...my heart was overwhelmed and acutely aware of the blessings in my life. 

I hopped in my car and headed home to get ready for work. On my way home, I called a leasing agent to follow up on another condo that seemed perfect for my brother and I. It had everything we wanted (garage, two bathrooms, W&D, pet friendly) in a great location at the right price. To my surprise or demise, it was leased over the weekend. Oh my goodness! Talk about a punch in the gut and if that wasn't enough, I started to smell smoke in my car. I made it home safely to discover that my car was leaking copious amounts of oil. 

Within ten minutes my day had greatly changed. All with first world problems, but definitely problems! I was super bummed about the condo and the car maintenance didn't make it any better. 

And my attitude? I fought hard to keep that feeling of gratefulness and love for the Lord in the immediate situation. I took a couple deep breaths and made some phone calls. With no great solution and pacing with discouragement, I heard a clear thought that stopped me. It remind me that God was still the good Provider; He was still the same God of my blessing and the One that I was praising this morning. 

Do I know what's in store for the rest of the week? No clue. Today was a doozy! So I'm really not sure, nor have things greatly improved, but I did hear on the radio this afternoon that God knows and cares about every part of our lives--even the smallest of things. So in that promise and the verses below, I'll keep hoping and praying. Keep me in your prayers this week as I face the music, the moving and the car maintenance! Wish me luck as I get a head start on the packing today. :) 

xoxo
Jes

"Therefore we do not lose heart. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 16a-18. (NIV)

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 (NIV)