Phillipians 1:6. A New Decade Ahead And Some Thoughts

Since today is my birthday and a new decade has dawned in my life (where do the years go?!!), I thought it fitting to use this Verve sketch with one of my life verses:  Philippians 1:6.

Oh how I love this verse!!!   Julee (owner of Verve) turned it into a Plain Jane and I can't thank her enough for doing so (hugs to you Julee!!).  I get encouraged and energized by it every time I read it.  Why?

Because I am a work in progress.  I have not arrived at perfection.  Each day, by the grace of God, He continues the work He began in me the day I gave my life to Him.  Some of my rough edges are being polished off, my character continues to be built through circumstances and experiences both in and out of my control, and slowly, ever so slowly, I am being transformed into the person I was created to be.  Unique.  Like no other.  My prayer is that I would submit to that work in my life, embrace it as it shapes me, and stand strong in the assurance that it will one day be complete :)

Fifty in of itself is not a number that has me wanting to crawl into a hole.  In fact, it is just a biological number and not what defines me.  As my hubby says, I still haven't grown up LOL.  I love living life, reminding myself to stop and smell the roses, love learning something new, challenging myself, and looking for the little gifts each day brings.  In addition, each decade brings new opportunities for one's experience and wisdom to be expanded, and hopefully a chance to pass that on to others, especially my kids.

Fifty has brought my life line into clearer focus, not in a morbid way by any means, but rather by fanning the desire within me to make my life count all the more, both inside and outside our home.  We'll soon have two teenagers in the house, and the reality of how quickly those years will pass has me wanting to pour all I can into them so they have a firm foundation to stand on and experience to draw upon when they head out to conquer life on their own.  That in itself should keep me pretty busy LOL!  It has also reminded me to reflect and act upon the legacy I want to leave.  All good things and lots to keep me busy over the next ten years :)

If you have stuck with me and read thus far, thanks for slugging through my thoughts :)  Hoping for a little crafty time today before my daughter's piano recital, a good work out (still working on my "fit and firm at fifty" motto) and ending my day with a family sushi feast - yum!  Tomorrow we have an extended family lunch at mom's and she's cooking one of my favorite meals:  chicken and dumplings with a sour cream/caraway sauce and a delicious cake for dessert.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it LOL!

Hubby gets big points for getting me a Kindle Fire for my birthday.  The only drawback right now is you can't download apps in Canada as it is not available up here just yet...patience....ugh!   Can't wait to see all it can do once we have full access to all the goodies.  Until then, I'll be very happy to read away :)

Have a fabulous day, and thanks for sharing my birthday with me (((hugs))).

Challenge:  Papertake Weekly



What's In It?
Stamps: Philippians 1:6 Plain Jane, Blue Skies (Verve) 
Paper: Brenda Walton Madeline (K & Company), Cream Linen, Mellow Moss, Vellum 
Ink: Black, VersaMark 
Accessories: Lacy Oval and Oval Nesties, 5/8" Sheer White Ribbon, Lace, Button, Twine, White Embossing Powder, Half Pearls, MS Leaf Punch, Recollections Rose, Glue Dots, Dimensionals