Skip to main content

36 Years of Blessings

When I was in Junior High, High School, and College, whenever I would think about the future, it always stopped at age 24 -- I imagined that by 24 I would be done with college, have a job, and married. I clearly remember sitting on my bed at my parents' house and crying on my 25th birthday -- I had finished grad school six months earlier, moved home to save money, just quit the job I got after grad school, and was dating no one. In fact, I had few friends in my life. I wasn't crying because I wasn't where I thought I should be, but because I had no idea what would come next. I had NEVER imagined life past age 24. I remember praying that God would just lead me and show me where to go because I had NO CLUE.


Now here I am at age 36 and I could never have imagined how amazing my life would be. As much as I imagined falling in love and meeting the right guy, I never knew how wonderful it would be to be married to an amazing man of God who sincerely loves me and cherishes me (it was worth waiting to find love until I was 27 and getting married at 28). I always knew I wanted children, but had no idea what a mother's love was until I became one five years ago.

I've mentioned a lot in my blog posts recently how my life has changed this past year...as my facebook wall filled with Happy Birthday messages yesterday from friends old and new, I was blown away at the number of people who have come into my life the past year and call me a friend.

God has filled my life with numerous blessings over the years. At times, it seemed like I was going in a different direction every day (ask me how many times I changed my college major, etc.) and there were times that trusting God's guidance was a real struggle, but I am where I am today, because God has lead me, molded me, held me, and never left my side. Our God is real and powerful and loving. God has never promised us an easy life without hardship or pain and I know those times will always be there in the future, but I cling to these blessings and to a God who loves me so much that he sent his son Jesus as a baby (Merry Christmas) to grow up and save me from my sins. Nothing compares to the blessing of Jesus as my Savior.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of my life recently or years ago. I treasure you and I look forward to seeing what God has in store for my life this next year.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

We Have a Date!

The wedding date is set: Friday, March 2. I've already booked our church, our pastor, and the reception hall. Whew. I've been busy. Luckily, I already knew where I wanted the reception to be held and since I'm doing a Friday evening, it was easier to book the reception hall. My mom, Kara (my sister and matron-of-honor), and I are looking at dresses this Saturday. How fun! I already found one that I REALLY like online at David's Bridal. So, we are heading there first on Saturday. Jess bought me a wedding planning book -- wow! I had no idea that there were so many things to do! Plus, most people start almost a year in advance and I'm doing it in six months. Oh well. The work is well worth the short wait. So, how am I doing with posting so far? Look, Amanda, two blogs in one week! You must be proud of me. Still no pictures as Walter has been out of town and I don't have a camera. Hopefully, I will have some for you soon.
5 comments
Read more

I'M ENGAGED!!!

Saturday night, on top of the John Hancock building in downtown Chicago, Walter asked me to marry him! I said, "Of course I will." The ring is absolutely gorgeous!! It's exactly what I wanted. (We didn't go ring shopping, but I gave him hints of what I wanted). It's a platinum solitare princess (square) cut one carat diamond. I'll take a picture of it and try to post it for you. It looks like our wedding date is Friday, March 2. I have to double check on some things, but most likely, that is the date. Here's the story: Walter was really low key about everything. We had already planned to go to Chicago that day to the Lincoln Park Zoo. I had never been there and we have a list of things we want to do. So, he picked me up at 11:30am on Saturday. He surprised me with a dozen+ (actually 14) red roses. We headed to Chicago and the zoo. Afterwards, we went to Frontera Grill where I have really wanted to go. It's incredibly difficult to get in, so he had call...
5 comments
Read more

A Legacy of Mothers

In honor of Mother's Day, I've decided to write about the amazing mothers that are a part of my family: 1. Helen Elizabeth Veerman (Grandma Veerman) Most of what I know about my Grandma Veerman are the stories that I have heard. You see, my grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimers when I was five years old. All of my memories are a poor picture of the woman she was. Helen Elizabeth (known to her friends as Betty) was an amazing homemaker and cook. She raised five beautiful children (four of them boys -- one of them my dad -- so you know she's a saint ;) ) and had a long loving marriage with Marvin. I know she was an amazing mother, because she raised my dad, who is pretty awesome. :) She passed away when I was 13 and I look forward to when I meet her in heaven and learn who she really is, not the Alzheimers version. 2. May Bright (Grandma Bright) When I think of my Grandma Bright, I think of laughter. Why? Because she was so funny and fun to be around. I...
Post a Comment
Read more