I got up a little bit extra today, due to some help from some zealously eager birthday wishers =) but actually was thankful for the extra time. I decided to treat myself to a little Starbucks b-day treat (a non-fat, tall Chai Latte) and do some extra scripture reading and remembering. So this journal entry is dedicated to two things. The first is a look back at how blessed I have been this last year. Sure, there have been points where I didn’t necessarily feel blessed but it overwhelms me when I think back to all the gifts God has given me. Here is a Highlights Reel: Living in England, Working with an International Film Festival, dating an amazing friend, being single, saying good by to old relationships and hello to new ones, snowboarding, twice ;), spending real time with family in Auburn, Florida, and Texas, Learning more about myself and about God’s view of me, and of course creating an amazing, drop dead gorgeous web log! Mind you those are just a few highlights but God has blessed me so much that I think to often I take for granted what is a true gift and completely undeserved.
The second thing is not really a thing but rather a person. Ms. Nancy Norma. Auntie Norma died many years ago and lived in England. While not my real aunt, she and uncle Tony pseudo-adopted my parents while there were living in England. And I went back to visit her several times as I was growing up. I remember her as a soft-spoken yet firm English lady whose love for those around her nearly matched her love for the Lord. Not many people know this but for the first 48 hours to almost a week after my birth, the doctors were very unsure if I would live. I was both sick and early in my delivery; but I have no doubt that it was due in no small part to Norma’s prayers that God granted me life. I can’t wait to see her again and thank her.