Seven Days & Counting

In 7 short or long days as the case may be, I will "turn" 40. In many ways it is just a number, just another year, just one more milestone but in other ways it actually is a big deal. As I reflect on the last 39 years and 358 days I realize I have accomplished a lot of things: 1.) I was born. :) 2.)I went to preschool and survived the dreaded "daycare". 3.) added sibling rivalry to my life experiences with the birth of my sister in 1977 4.)I attended elementary school and managed to graduate from each grade. 5.) Learned how to be a big sister to a baby brother 1982 6.) I was a student at City High/Middle school for 3 years then became a student at East Kentwood High School for my sophmore year. 7.)Ran Cross Country for 1/2 the season & then served as the team manager at EKHS 8.)Met the Love of my Life... 9.)moved to Holt for my Junior and Senior years of High School 10.) got my first real job at Holt child Enrichment Center (stayed for 5 years) 11.)played characters in the musicals "Mame" and "Brigadoon" 12.)I was involved in P.A.L.s & S.A.D.D. 13.) graduated in the top ten class of 1991 14.)moved to Mt. Pleasant to attend college at CMU 15.) became certified to teach AIDs & HIV education classes 16.)graduated with a Bachelor's of Science Degree 17.) During Family Camp of 1994 I turned off the NBA Playoffs so we could have our last campfire of the week in peace 18.) Landed a job with the Blanchard Christian Academy in Blanchard, MI due to my bravery in event #16 19.) married my best friend in December 1995 20.) went to Disney world for our honeymoon 21.) became a foster parent and then guardian to one of my BCA students 22.) got hired by Loafer's Glory when my teaching contract wasn't renewed 23.) bought a house & became a video store co-owner 24.) Moved for the 4th time in a year 25.) gave birth by c-section to our first child in 1997 26.) dealt with jaundice & learned a new meaning for being dog tired 27.) Lost my beloved Grandpa Huston days after our daughter turned 1 year old 28.) Became a Branch assistant for the Chippewa River District Library System...was there for 10.5 years 29.) Went to Florida for Family Christmas 30.) Visited Disney with daughter 31.) 2nd child born in 2000 32.) Learned to multi task like no body's business 33.) Quit working at Loafer's Glory & sold Video Business 34.) 9/11 happened and the world didn't feel safe anymore 35.) became Stampin' Up Demonstrator 2001 36.) Added 3rd child to family in 2002...busy doesn't cover what we were 37.) Lost Grandma Eileen to Alzheimer's disease in 2003 38.) Home Church experienced a bitter & hurtful split 39.) Got named as a defendent in a lawsuit based on the church split--case dismissed because we settled out of court 40.) Experienced double immersion baptism with husband to gain new perspective and fresh beginning for Church family 41.) Became Second woman to serve as Elder @ home church...rotated speaking on Sundays & lead worship songs 42.) fourth child made family complete in 2006 43.) faithful dog Many died at 10 years old summer of 2006 44.) added yellow Lab Daisy to family in 2007 45.) Mother diagnosed with Brain Cancer in 2008 46.) took family vacation to Florida and visited the magic Kingdom and Epcot Center 47.) Grandma Helen was reunited with Grandpa Huston in March 2009 48.) we lost my mom to cancer in 2009 49.) moved to Jenison in 2009 to be closer to family and husband's new job 50.) started attending church at North Kent Bible Church...lead worship services & sometimes speak 51.) began working for KDL...there 3+ years now 52.) witnessed niece Taylor coming into the world July 2010 53.) Lost Grandpa Bud to Merkle Cell cancer August 2010 54.) Gained an all white, green eyed sweet heart of a femme-cat named Hercules in April 2011 55.) Grandma Bernice went to the Lord in sept. 2011 56.) joined Grand Rapids Chamber Choir in 2012 57.) Visited family during Spring Break in South Carolina 2013 58.) Watched Frankfurt Fireworks on Fourth of July 59.) Got surprised with Birthday cake up north...that doesn't happen often 60.) Turning 40 Originally I thought I would only have 40 things to write about my life...I guess there were more than that to share Some definite losses throughout these forty years...some wonderful gains...special memories...milestone moments...lots of firsts for me and some repeats. You might wonder what is it all for? I think ultimately it is for God's glory so that I can share my story and the evidence of grace throughout. I read a Bible verse today from Isaiah 61:2 "...to proclaim the year of the Lords' favor". I am going to spend this year of being 40 noticing, recognizing and praising God for His favor. Come along with me, I dare you!