Saturday, January 21, 2012

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

29 comments:

Unknown said...

I didn't know!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARISA!! I LOVE your card and the verse is inspiring! The only number that I dreaed was 30. Once I woke up on my birthday and realised I wasn't any different, I've never been bothered. 60 came and went without comment! :) xxx

Newbie said...

HAPPY. HAPPY, BLESSED BIRTHDAY!!! Just wanted to say your card is lovely, very lovely! And I soooo enjoy seeing ALL the lovely cards you make! SOOOOOO wish I could make them like you, but I am still a beginner!

Dawn Easton said...

Happy birthday!!!!! I hope today is EXTRA special for you! I would NOT have guessed you were 50....lol.....nope ;) You look amazing!

Your card is wonderful! Love all those layers!!!!

Jilly said...

Happy Birthday to You! 50 is the best! I found 50 to be very "freeing" ... I could be "me" and stop worrying about what others might think. I'm free to be the person God created me to be ... and I'm so much happier. Congrats ... best wishes ... and God bless ya bunches! Jilly <>< P.S. Love your cards.

Vicki Dutcher said...

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you!! Sounds like you are going to enjoy it to the fullest!! Have fun~

ps - beautiful card too~

Anonymous said...

Happy, Happy Birthday! The Lord Bless you taday and everyday! Thanks for your thoughts and yes, I read them through. It is refreshing to hear that one is not alone in the ponderings of life and just what the Lord has for us all. I am 58 and still at the point in my life of wondering where the Lord will direct me too! It is all good and perhaps it is that patience lesson, I need tuning. God Bless you and Thanks for sharing!
Cheryl McAskill
c.mcaskill@verizon.net

Maureen said...

Happy Birthday!! I'm with you...it's just a number and there are so many other ways to count our blessings :) What a lovely way to think about the life you've carefully created for yourself and family...isn't it great to realize our blessings? I was so thrilled to see this Plain Jane too, knowing you'd be squealing in delight :) May your birthday wishes come true and enjoy those fabulous celebrations :) So glad my card made it to you in time :)

ChristineCreations said...

Blessings Marisa on a beautiful milestone, that you are approaching with a lovely grace. I see your heart and it's beautiful! And I know He'll continue that good work in you! Have a wonderful day today...and a very hopefilled year ahead!

And a fun and girly card too!

Vicki Burdick said...

Happy Birthday my sweet friend!! Your words are very inspiring as it that verse. Your card is a beauty!!! Hope you have a great weekend with your family!!!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday my lovely and inspiring blog friend! Your post is wonderful to read; your attitude to life is so positive and uplifting.

Your card is so feminine and extremely beautiful Marisa. Hope you've had a wonderful day.
xx

Ravengirl said...

I wish you a Very Happy Birthday! You have such clarity and focus and that is so admirable! Not to mention, you make amazing cards!

Vickie Z said...

HAPPY HAPPY B-Day!!! 50 IS just a biological number... I need to grow up myself, LOL!! Loved reading your thoughts.... you will give them a firm foundation but, I gotta tell ya' they will always be yours and will never go away (there are days when you want to change your name-- you know the "mom" name, LOL!!) Chicken and dumplings.... my mouth is watering, too!! Love my kindle fire!!

Vickie Z said...

PS.. Forgot to tell you that your card is just gorgeous!!! Love the colors and that butterfly is wonderful!!!

scrappingnana said...

Happy Birthday to you.
Love your beautiful card and great sentiment. Love the Plain Janes from Verve also. TFS

Quilting with Jannette said...

Happy birthday!! I'm glad to hear that it's been wonderful so far - and it just keeps getting better!
When you said that you'd hit a new decade I immediately thought that you'd turned 30!! (well, maybe 40...!) But as Jilly said, 50 is very freeing - you're more confident as a person, and the things that other people think and say just don't seem to matter as much. I loved 50 so much that I just might turn 50 again this year!
Wishing you God's richest blessings today, and all the days of this year!

Pam Speidel said...

Birthday Blessings to you, my special blog friend!♥ Your card is beautiful, as always! Have a wonderful weekend with your family!
Smiles, Pam :)

Holly aka Toy said...

There is no doubt in my mind that you are my soul sister. As I read your words, I find myself nodding in agreement. Your children are so very lucky and blessed to have such a mother.. with passion and faith that lights up the world. Oh, and did I mention the gorgeous card?! :)

Now, as for the Kindle Fire! YAY!! I was gifted one just a couple weeks ago. I absolutely love it. I am a bit confused as to why you can't download apps, though. We should talk, I bet there is a way around it.

Blessings to you, my beautiful friend!

Carol Hurlock said...

Happy Birthday Marisa. Congratulations on reaching a new decade and for sharing your thoughts with us. Sounds like you are going to be busy...lol Love your pretty card and the verse does touch ones heart. Just beautiful.

Denise Marzec said...

I love your post today, especially that third paragraph...well said!

Now about your card....it's AMAZING! I love the vellum butterfly paired up with the sheer white ribbon. Beautiful papers and I love the touch of crochet lace.

Tosha Leyendekker said...

Happy Birthday sweet Marisa!! You look FABULOUS!! And with your years you have much wisdom. Thanks for sharing it. Your card is both beautiful and charming. I love your sweet white butterfly, and of course I'm drawn to the lace.

Andrea Ewen said...

Arghhh...I'm late to the party! Well, I still want to wish you a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, my dear...and so many more! It sounds like you have the right philosophy on life and it also sounds like life is treating you well in return...I couldn't be happier for you! You are a truly wonderful person and I feel blessed that this "internet thing" has helped me to "meet" people that I would have otherwise not known. You are a very special person Marisa...and you honestly deserve every good thing that happens to you!
Now, onto your card...Ahh, it speaks of such romantic love! The pinks, greens and flowers...ahh...I love it! Gorgeous in every way!

Benzi said...

A beautiful card, Marisa, and a just as beautiful post. Age is just a number...until you're 91 like me...according to Pamzi. :-)

Dawn B. said...

Happy Birthday.. I LOVED your write up. I need to remember to not let my age define me as I am reaching that age too. It has gone so fast. Your verse is amazing and I have never heard it before. Great job. You are so blessed that your mom always fixes your birthday favorites. I miss my mom on days like my birthday.

Anonymous said...

Hi Marisa, me again with my 'official' hat on, lol! It's lovely to see you playing along with our challenge at Papertake Weekly this week! Good luck!
xx

Jodi Collins said...

I hope you had the happiest of Birthdays!!! This is SUCH a gorgeous card!!

Stacy Morgan said...

This is beautiful and I like the font used for this as well. Very feminine and beautiful.
I like what you wrote today and after the day I have had this made me smile. Thanks for the virtual hug!

TannyP said...

Yay! It sounds like a perfect day and some good learnings in your life so far =) Thanks for being you, Marisa!

Lee-Anne said...

Hi Marisa

A little bit late, but Happy Birthday. You share your birthday with my Mum :) I hope you had a wonderful day and I wish you all of God's blessings in the years ahead. Thank you so much for what you wrote in this post. So eloquent, and such beautiful words that I'm sure describe many of us.

Your card is just so beautiful too, such a lovely verse and amazing detail and colours have created a masterpiece.

Enjoy the week ahead. Love and hugs Xx

Amy Sheffer said...

I'm quite late with my happy birthday wishes -- so very sorry! Hope you had a fabulous birthday, and I wish you all the best in the year (and "decade") ahead!