My Ebenezer, at 35

As I sit here catching up on This Is Us, this commercial keeps playing that reminds me “The best is yet to come.” Inspiring, right? Life gets better from here on out! Yay!

Sorry if I sound sarcastic. Part of me is, yes, but I am confident there will be wonderful times ahead and even more joy than I’ve known. But, as I turn 35 this week, I want to flip the coin a little and recount the good that has already happened. In the past, I’ve always done a list of things I wanted to accomplish before I reached the next milestone – 30 Before 30, etc., completely ignoring the things I’ve already accomplished. So, while it may be true that the best is yet to come, here we go with some of the amazing things that have happened in my life over the last 35 years.

1. I had an amazing college experience. I loved my time at Union University, studying journalism.
2. My sorority was a huge part of collegiate experience. It was fun, and challenging and taught me a lot. I got to serve as president, and I’ll always fondly remember those days.
3. My first job out of school was my dream job. I got to travel, write about the journeys and grow deeper in Jesus. It was such a blessing.
4. I’ve traveled to the US, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil. I’ve been to the UK, Northern Ireland, Germany, France, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Russia and the Netherlands. I’ve been to Hong Kong (for a layover) and Thailand. In total, 21 countries I can recall off the top of my head. 
5. I’ve made some very good friends, and some very good time period friends. In his goodness, God has given me community nearly wherever I am.
6. There were a couple of really sweet years where I lived alone with my dog and my turtles. Does that make me sound weird? Those years living by myself were such a sweet time of growing friendships, growing in knowledge of Jesus and growing comfortable with who I am.
7. I’ve only ever kissed one boy. Many think that’s not an accomplishment so much as a curse, but I love this fact.
8. I married that man. He’s absolutely my best friend.
9. Together we moved to Colorado (a goal of mine since college), and I love living here. Sunshine AND snow regularly? Fantastic.
10. I’ve discovered several things I love to do, and happen to think I’m decent at. I love to write and I love photography. These creative outlets heal my heart.
11. I’ve successfully supported our family at different times through multiple jobs and side incomes.
12. We lived the downtown life and lived to tell about it.
13. We bought a house in one of the country’s top real estate markets, and have made it a home we love.
14. I carried an amazing baby girl full-term with no complications.
15. I nursed her exclusively for 14 months.
16. After her birth, I went back to work, underwent a surgery, and gracefully left the corporate world with an ongoing monthly salary until my husband began working full-time.
17. I carried a big, healthy 8lb, 13oz boy. I gave birth via c-section, making the choice that was wisest for his health.
18. I nursed that baby boy for 18 months.
19. When he had trouble figuring out eating solid foods, I walked that kid through feeding therapy until he was a proficient eater (and not a choker).
20. Speaking of food, I led the way in us doing several Whole30s and then some. We got healthier.
21. I got my nose pierced as a reward for getting to a healthy weight.
22. We discovered the magic of essential oils. One of them got us pregnant….again and again.
23. I carried another healthy boy to term and had another c-section.
24. That strapping young lad was exclusively breast fed for 18 months.
25. All in all, my body grew threw healthy, smart and large kiddos, and sustained them with milk for a total of 5 years, 10 months and 3 days.
26. I “rescued” a turtle from the wild, rescued a domesticated turtle from being released to the wild and rescued a puppy from the shelter. Although Splash has passed on, and the other two pets now live at my in-laws, I’ve successfully raised lots of pets.
27. As a family, we also a rescued a homeless kitty. She’s a mess, but so dearly loved.
28. I fostered 5 puppies who all came down with parvo. I took care of them all, and I’m proud to say they all lived.
29. I found my forte to be dog-sitting. We have since welcomed 4 other dogs into our home with varying regularity.
30. We’re teaching our kids intentionally about Jesus and the goodness of the Gospel.
31. I held down the fort for 5 years while my husband worked an incredibly difficult job.
32. I’ve supported him and cheered him on as he started a non-profit and transitioned into a different role in the same sphere.
33. So far, I’ve successfully homeschooled my oldest. Preschool was kind of hit or miss, but we’re killing kindergarten 🙂
34. I stuck with Keto for 8 months and lost 30lbs.
35. As of October, we celebrated 10 years of marriage.

I don’t want to sound arrogant or like I’m tooting my own horn, but I think there’s a place to celebrate what God has done in my life. None of those things were done apart from His grace and provision and sustenance. Did I do any of those things perfectly or in ways that leave me without regrets? Hardly.

But, as I turn 35, I want to stop and reflect on all the graces and mercies of God in my life.  Here I’m raising my Ebenezer, where by God’s help I’ve come. And I hope, by His good pleasure, safely to arrive at Home. But preferably after another 35+ years on this Earth.