My 21st Birthday

~ 21 ~

Well, what can I say? Yesterday I became an old lady...an older lady. (chuckle) I can’t believe I’m really 21! That sounds so old, but I still feel young...most of the time, anyway. 21...I thought I would be a lot smarter by this age. I’ve heard that the older you get, the more you realize how very little you do know. I’m starting to grasp this fact. As a little girl I had many plans and dreams that I thought would’ve already come to pass by now. Funny how your priorities change as you grow up… I see the world with different eyes. Things that I thought were important then aren’t so important now, and other things that I gave little thought to are now of utmost importance. I’m thankful for the valuable lessons God has taught me over the years and that He’s grown me from a little baby, to a young girl, to a teenager, and now to the age of 21.

Well, let me tell you a little about my day…

I woke up at about 6 AM feeling unwell. I went to bed the night before feeling really dizzy. About a year ago I had a problem with dizzy spells for several long weeks. It had something to do with my equilibrium being off balance…something like that. During that time I pretty much sat on the couch all day, because I was too dizzy to do anything. And then just as suddenly as it came, it was gone. There was no rhyme or reason to it. Weird! Anyway, I had hoped that getting some sleep would be the solution, but it wasn’t. After praying and thinking for an hour, I got out of bed at 7 AM and got a shower, thinking it might help, which it did. I think that also had something to do with me praying that the Lord would give me a little grace since it was my birthday. The Lord is so sweet! I heard Dad praying downstairs in the living room, but nobody else was up, on account that both Mom and Lydia had been up late preparing things for my birthday. So sweet! I put my hair in curlers and went back to bed, where I prayed more and dozed a little. I was so glad to be feeling better. What a yucky feeling it is to be dizzy!

At around 9 AM Lydia woke up and came over to my side of our room and gave me a birthday kiss. Then she sat on my bed and we talked. Mom got out of the shower and joined us on my bed. We had a nice little talk and then Josiah came in with a steaming bowl of garlic and very cheesy grits. I thought that was sweet of him to think of me. Everyone in our house is trying to get me to gain back the weight I lost. (chuckle)

After I finished eating, everyone went their own way, and I was left alone to read my Bible. The Lord showed me some neat verses in Ecclesiastes, which is where I’m reading right now. I love it when God speaks!
A little later, Dad found me in the bathroom brushing my teeth and hugged me. He said he’s glad the Lord has giving me 21 years. I’m glad God has given me 21 years with my precious family!!!
I checked my email and got several nice emails and ecards, which continued to come in as the day progressed.

Lydia began making breakfast, but she let me open my white shirt, which was one of her gifts, so I could get dressed for the day. I decided to wear it with the purple sweater I bought with money my grandparents gave me for my birthday. My crinkle, tiered denim skirt completed the outfit. (Yes, now you know I’m a girl--CLOTHES! Ha!) I just love the sweater; it’s pretty and thick and keeps me nice and warm. I’m seemingly always cold. Then I did my hair and was ready to greet the day! =)

After we all got showered and ready, we gathered in the living room and watched some news clips of Obama becoming president. UGH! If we look disgusted in this picture, it’s because we were watching him being sworn into office. If we look amused, it’s because of how he messed up. I must admit that I did chuckle a little, but then I vaguely remembered Proverbs 24:17--“Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth.” What a mess America is in! Like Israel, instead of turning to the Lord in repentance, America has foolishly demanded a king to reign over her. God only knows what awaits in the next four years… (cringe)

Lydia made us a delicious breakfast of eggs, turkey-ham, and cheese on biscuits. It tasted great! Lydia’s a good little cook. Especially when it come to making breakfast. It was noon at that point, so we were all very hungry. This picture of Josiah and me was taken just before breakfast. Do we look hungry? =)

Papa called soon afterwards. He sang to me and then asked if he should make a CD. (chuckle) I love hearing Papa sing! Then we talked about the weather and my sewing and Oma and many other things. He had me cracking up as he told a funny story about Paige--one of my little cousins. Then he told me about some interesting math problems he’s doing…just to keep his mind busy. I can’t imagine doing math solely for pleasure purposes! (chuckle) He talked about mathematically figuring out the easiest, fastest way to pull a car out of a ditch. I think I’m slightly blond. It mostly went over my head. But I nodded and smiled and tried to understand what was understandable to me. Papa is SO smart!

Then I finally got to open my gifts! Josiah gave me a Wedgwood gravy boat, which matches the dish set I bought with my graduation money. It’s very pretty! I’m so excited about that set!
Lydia gave me an Abigail Miller CD, called “I Can Go In,” and the white shirt I was wearing.

Mom and Dad gave me a pretty black knit cape, which I had absolutely NO clue about. (chuckle) Actually, Mom and I were out shopping several weeks/months ago, and I saw it and liked it a lot. I knew Mom got it for me. I also got an 8-gig mp3 player, 2 Eine Kleine Kaffeemusik Cds (II and III), 2 pink and yellow snack bowls for my “hopeless chest,” a cooling pad for my laptop (still coming), and a book called, America In Crimson Red (still coming), which is a book about the Baptist history of America. I can’t wait to read it! I got everything I wanted and more! I’m so spoiled rotten. As I mentioned earlier, I bought the purple sweater I was wearing with birthday money from my grandparents. I also got a pretty scarf made by a friend in the States and a gift certificate from Mischa for V&D. Everyone has been so sweet to me. At some point we’re still going to get together with the Kamps for a gift exchange, and the Maynards sent me something too, but I don’t know what it is yet. =)

The snack bowls...

The mp3 player...

Trying out my new Cds...

My gifts...

Lydia, on her perch. =)

Grandma and Opa called to wish me a happy birthday. We had a nice conversation. Then we all played a few games of Pit as a family. It was lots of fun! That game makes me miss my friends in Panama City. Then Mom and Lyd put the rest of the cake together. Yum! Mom always lets us choose what birthday cake and dinner we would like. I chose Banana Split cake, which is a recipe my mom made up. She’s a great cook! Mrs. Kamps called me, and we talked for a while, sharing details about our birthdays. Mrs. Kamps’ birthday is the day before mine. Then I made the pastry for the Savory Beef Casserole. I got more birthday emails as this day progressed, and I saw that a friend sent me birthday greetings over Skype. =)

We ate a delicious dinner--Savory Beef Casserole and salad--and then it was time to leave for church. At this point I started feeling dizzy again, for whatever reason. I felt sick but went to church anyway. At one point during the preaching I reached over to hold Lydia’s hand because I was cold. What’s new? This is really amazing to me, but just holding Lyd’s hand gave me energy and I even felt a little better! Lydia joked that she’s my dock. (chuckle) It’s something electronic… If you want to know more about it, ask my brother! He’s the expert! After the preaching people were talking, and there were no other church ladies to converse with, so I went in the back room, which we use as a nursery, and played the piano. I’m working on something…but it’s a secret!

Upon arriving home from church, we ate leftover casserole. Yummy!!! At lunchtime Josiah and I usually fight over leftovers. (chuckle) Then Mom brought my cake out of the kitchen and my family sang to me. The cake was so yummy!

The birthday girl...

Daddy and his two girls...

Lyd and me looking excited...about our cake...about being with each other...or other things. =)

After eating cake, I mischievously played a prank on one of my friends (I’m so bad! Ha!) and then the three of us girls chatted with Mrs. Chrissy. Meanwhile the guys went for a quick run. I sent out some birthday pictures and then went to bed at midnight.

It was such a pleasant day! I’m thankful for my family; they made it so special. And I’m especially glad that God gave me to such sweet parents. I am blessed!!!