A Season to Thrive!

I admit it, I have believed one of the biggest lies one can encounter in their lifetime - the lie that you have to have you 'stuff' together.

Here I was thinking that by the time I'm 30, surely I will have figured out my life plan. 

I will have settled into a career, have the house, the family and the minivan. 

But life had a different plan for us and the danger of comparison has been alive and well in my heart.

As my 30^th birthday approached (February 26 - don't feel bad if you didn't send a card) I had this thought of myself as the little yodeler on the Price is Right. I am reaching the edge of the cliff trying desperately to check the boxes of things I need to do before I slip and fall to my impending doom….

Ok, maybe that’s a little dramatic, a slight exaggeration, and a lack of appreciation for the youth that 30 truly is.

The thing is, there was a sense of simmering urgency, and I don't think I'm alone. It seems that many people have this vision, this countdown of things they need to accomplish before they hit a milestone. 

So, imagine my surprise when it turns out life can be good, can be challenging, can be derailed and ultimately better than you expected when you release your expectations. This festering anxiety of needing to complete certain tasks, or be someplace in life is absolutely false. The key word is simply just to be and be present and open wherever you are.

My life is nowhere close to where I thought it would be, I’ve been blessed beyond measure and have been afforded amazing opportunities. I’ve learned that by confining my life to checklists I am limiting God. Regardless of where my path was directed I am learning to cherish the moments, the relationships and opportunities and not glorify the checklist.

Sidenote: Ok, I have another confession. I love the movie 13 Going On 30 and the quote "Thirty, flirty and thriving" has not only caused me to giggle like I myself am 13 again, but to realize what a fantastic season of life I am in! (I also fully expect some of you to send me a private message to discuss the true love that is Jenna and Matty).

Now, I don't think I could talk about my 30th without discussing a little bit about the celebrations.

Ken (he is truly the best man I know), not only planned a trip to Italy to celebrate, and not only surprised me with our friends showing up for the weekend in Rome, but he also collected video messages from friends and family wishing me a Happy Birthday. Ken knew my heart was really struggling with being away from home and friends and brought them to me... I cannot even begin to describe how wonderful a time this was.

Here are a few photos from our amazing trip #turning30initaly