Am I 28 or 29?

Funny story: A few weeks ago my mom said she was excited to see me on my 29th birthday. I politely corrected her (because no one wants to age any sooner than they have to) and we laughed  about it. I just thought she was getting old (sorry mom). Well, the other night our mom and dad called us on Skype and sang us Happy Birthday. After their glorious singing they showed us the card that was on our bassinettes in the baby nursery at the hospital. It said we were born 5/28/1984. So the great debate began: are we 28 or 29?!

My mom feels confident that Stephanie (my older sister) was born in November 1983. That means if we were born in 1984 my mom would have had 7 pound twins 6 months after having her first child. We ruled it out and decided we were definitely born in 1985. It's still funny that 5 months into the year the nurses wrote 1984 on our cards.

Anyways, we had a great birthday! We are 100% positive that we celebrated our 28th birthday. This is our Golden Year! 28 on the 28th! I love being a twin. I love celebrating with my best friend! Never a dull moment in our lives!





Our 1st birthday celebration!

28 years later!

Sunday mornings on the lake.

Last Sunday, Jeremy and I traveled about 30 minutes down the road to Lake Wateree Baptist Church. Jeremy will be doing their sermon/lesson in their 8:15 service each Sunday until Labor Day. It's a really neat opportunity. The church is located right on Lake Wateree and the 8:15 service is done kind of camp style. We sit on wooden benches right on the lake. We are looking forward to learning more about the congregation and just sharing in this experience with their church. They don't have a pastor right now, so that is why Jeremy is filling in for that part.

Jeremy taught on Amos 3: 1-7, which he said has helped and challenged him to become closer to Christ.

Hear this word, people of Israel, the word the Lord has spoken against you—against the whole family I brought up out of Egypt: “You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your sins.” Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?
Does a lion roar in the thicket when it has no prey? Does it growl in its den when it has caught nothing? Does a bird swoop down to a trap on the ground when no bait is there? Does a trap spring up from the ground if it has not caught anything? When a trumpet sounds in a city, do not the people tremble? When disaster comes to a city, has not the Lord caused it? Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.

The lion has roared— who will not fear? The Sovereign Lord has spoken— who can but prophesy?

It is going to be a great summer of lessons and learning. Feel free to come to church to hear him any Sunday (although this Sunday is the only Sunday Jeremy will be missing). We are going to make a nice out of town trip of it. You can even have breakfast with us at the Windmill Restaurant. I am looking forward to a great summer at Lake Wateree! :)



My view from the front row.

 

Our summer hobby

Every year Jeremy and I have a garden. It doesn't usually produce much. I think last year we got 1 tomato, 4 green beans, and a zucchini. Between the bugs and our poor watering skills, our plants didn't have a fighting chance. We have a lot of unused land, so we expanded our garden this year. I don't know the dimensions, but it's pretty large. We have planted 3 different kinds of tomato plants, squash, zucchini, watermelon, cantaloupe, okra, broccoli, cucumber, pumpkin, green bell peppers, yellow bell peppers, asparagus, sweet potatoes, blueberries, and some flowers to attract bees. Some we started as plants from the store, some we started as seeds. I always like to test my green thumb.

I love the idea of gardening. My dad is a huge gardener. I think it's in my blood. It's a lot of work, but Jeremy and I get excited every day when we go outside and see everything growing. This year we are determined to have a great year.

I snapped a few photos from Jeremy's phone (my phone is currently in the shop). We hope to be eating yummy fruits and vegetables from our garden soon!

Happy Mother's Day!

The other day I was in Target picking up some baby essentials for a few baby showers I am going to next weekend. As I walked through the aisles, looking at all of the little babies on the packages and all of the teeny, tiny baby things, I just started crying with joy for my friends. It was a mix of feeling: I can't believe my friends and I are at the baby age and I am thankful for my mom and the women in my life who helped raise me.

It felt like just yesterday we were all graduating from college and in the wedding phase of our lives. I am sure it is surreal for our mothers to have watched us all grow up and change from little girls to women.

This is a picture from our last college girl wedding. Columbia College Class of 2007.

The older I get, the more I notice how selfless, dedicated, loving, and kind mothers are. I don't stop to think about how many mothers are around me all the time, but you are everywhere! The best thing my mom ever told me was that I could be anything I wanted to be. No one could tell me different. She is who helped me get to Africa and find my passion in missions because she has always believed in me. I am thankful for my mom, my grandmother, my aunts, and all the other women who helped raise me.

Happy Mother’s Day to all you wonderful, beautiful, selfless mothers out there! I hope you have a beautiful day!

 

 

Happy Mother's Day, M!

 

Happy Mother's Day, Bink!

Happy Mother's Day, Titi Aixa!

 

Happy Mother's Day, Kimberly and Wuelita!

Happy Mother's Day, Yogi!

 

Happy Mother's Day, Sallie!

Happy Mother's Day,Melissa!

Happy Mother's Day, Grandma Sandy!

Happy Mother's Day, Pat!

Happy Mother's day, PY!

Happy Mother's Day, Hali!

 

And to all of the other mothers that I didn't have a picture of, Happy Mother's day!

 

 

When there just isn't anything to say...

There are moments in life where there just aren't words. Sometimes I just can't think of words to help me process how I am feeling. Today is one of those days. As I listened to these words I was reminded that God loves me and has the best plan in mind. I am thankful for that. Maybe you're having the same kind of day. This song encouraged me and maybe it can do the same for you! xo



Revelation Song:

Worthy is the, Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to him who sits on
Heaven's mercy seat
[2X]

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You

Clothed in rainbows, of living color
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be
to You the only wise King

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You

Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder
At the mention of your name
Jesus your name is power
Breath, and living water
Such a marvelous mystery
Yeah...

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come, yeah
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You