Journaling November 13th

Sunday, November 13, 2011

November 13, 2011

33rd Birthday

On my actual birthday I worked in the morning at Redeemer. I had already packed for my trip to South Africa (for the most part), so I went to coffee with Neil and Robyn afterwards. It was a pretty day and quite warm for a November birthday spent in New York City. I remember we talked about a lot of different things but one of them was dreaming about discipleship at Redeemer.

That evening a group of dear friends went to dinner at "Ditch Plains" on the Upper West Side. I was incredibly spoiled. I looked around the room and thought of how much each person had influenced me in the last few years in New York. I remember when I first moved thinking that I would never have community like I've known down south. The folks at this bday table have thankfully proven me wrong. Some of these people have been friends since I came to New York and some are newer. Some are folks I call when I am crying. Some that make me laugh like crazy. Some that talk to me about Jesus. Some that help me throw really fun rooftop BBQs. Some that talk to me about my past. Some that dream with me about my future. I love each one of you people!!

I got 2 covers to my new iphone and several other special gifts. Bethany organized a special book for me where friends wrote 33 things they think of about me or memories with me. I read it on the plane the next day. What an amazing gift! I will point out that almost half of them used the word SASSY to describe me....hahaha!

Thanks so much, Bethany!!!

Looking over this 32nd year, I have to reiterate by saying I have unreal friends. This year has not been the easiest year for me but I've seriously had a wonderful year in the midst of some deep pain. A few things to remember:

I ran my first half marathon in July in Queens .

I also decorated my apartment which was long over due but really fun to pull together. Thanks, Perryn!

A few other things to remember.....We threw a big 60th birthday party for my mom in September. Neil moved to Texas but just recently moved back...yeah!! I went to a lot of concerts this year...Sugarland, NKOTBSB, Dave Matthews. I don't normally go to many concerts so that was fun. I also got to go home to North Carolina in August to spend time with my whole family and celebrate my grandfather's birthday.

We also started having a few BBQs on the rooftop where we incorporated some prayer & praise times. I hope to bring that back in the spring & summer.

While I was already 33 when I got on the plane, it has also been a great year thinking and planing for the first Redeemer Team to go to Cape Town.

I'm one blessed girl and I'm looking forward to all God is going to do this year. I keep saying this is my "Jesus Year" because He was 33 when He went to the cross.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

November 13, 2010

32nd Birthday

Last year my fellowship group and several other friends spoiled me so much. The night before my birthday, we went to dinner at Almond in the Flatiron district. Also, my camera had broken and they all pitched in and gave me a new one! I was so surprised.

On my actual birthday, Bethany and Laryssa made me dinner and spent time just hanging out. It was a difficult day for me but my dear friends made is super special and memorable.

A lot has happened the last year or so. Jeff and Jenn got married in August 2010. Lisa Brown married Clint Eubanks. Maggie Dahlin married Mike Paulus. Ashley Lovell married Dominic Bagley. I went to Atlanta twice to work with Perimeter church on Children's Ministry stuff. I know so much more happened but it has been a challenging yet good year.

My verse this year is Psalm 116:7-9:

Return to your rest, my soul,

for the LORD has been good to you.

⁸ For you, LORD, have delivered me from death,

my eyes from tears,

my feet from stumbling,

⁹ that I may walk before the LORD

in the land of the living.

Friday, September 30, 2011

November 13, 2009

31st Birthday

This was an incredible birthday. Sandi & Bill sweetly had a small gathering for me at their apartment. It was really low key but just what I wanted to do. The cake was unbelievable.

On my actual 31st birthday, Ben took me to one of my favorite French restaurants in the village. Tartine. YOU.SHOULD.GO!! Get the spicy chicken & guacamole...YUM! This was an amazing night I'll probably never forget...even though it was rainy. After spicy chicken and curry clams (you can take the boy out of India but not India out of the boy), I had promised Ben he would get to taste a real donut. A Krispy Kreme donut when the hot now sign was on. So we headed to Penn Station to share some.

Also, I made this California boy dress like a real New Yorker. He pulled it off pretty well.

Tartine is just behind us.

Crystal came a few weeks later to celebrate Thanksgiving in the city. Then, two weeks after that she married Bradley!! Big year!

November 13, 2008

30th Birthday

This was a MASSIVE birthday for me. Yes, it was the big 3-0 but it was also my first birthday in New York. I was spoiled beyond belief for this birthday.

Kristin Greenslit (my roommate at the time) got me the day off of work.
KG created a day where I could pretend I was French all day.
KG collected money from friends to treat me to an amazing few days.
KG made me french toast for breakfast!
KG took me a European spa for massages and other interesting treatments (full.body.scrub).
We met some friends for dinner at Nice Matin (FRENCH!).
We saw a French Opera at Alliance Francaise.

At the French Opera with Kristin

I woke up Friday morning and lounged around. The buzzer goes off. I thought Kristin had ordered coffee from Columbus Gourmet. BUT, Laryssa had come to NY to surprise me!
We went to Pio Pio (one of my fave restaurants in the city for dinner). Then we decided to "stop by Bethany's" but little did I know they were throwing me a surprise party with friends from the Cate's fellowship group.