Celebrating a 16th Birthday and a 1st Birthday!

Lia's 16th Birthday happened over Memorial Day weekend - of course!  She was born just minutes before midnight the day BEFORE Memorial Day, so she shares her day with a holiday most years.  She had her "friends" party on the day of her birthday.  I didn't actually get together with her to celebrate until a week later.  But it was a really fun event for this Grandma!  If I gave you a list of the gifts that this girl was thrilled with, you would be surprised!  There were several "car" items (Think a brand new licensed driver!) including a car trash can.  And then there were many "organizing" items for her room.  

One of the most surprising items (to me) was a Lego Architecture set that she had mentioned wanting a while ago.  Yes, Lego's are still a great gift, even when they are 16!

In a rather back to back fashion, Doug and Susie had Jimmy's 1st birthday party.  It was a beautiful, cool day that allowed everyone to be outside.  Doug and Susie had decked out their back yard with plenty of tables and also lots of activities for all of the kids.  I loved this opportunity to snap some pictures of the grandkids all together.  Lia at 16 and Jimmy at 1 are the bookends!  And their birthday's are just 4 days apart!  

It was so fun to see everyone after two years of no gatherings (thanks to covid).  The kids had a wonderful time and the cake was a real hit!  

Jimmy was a bit unsure and actually cried after the singing but with a bit of encouragement, finally dug int the cake.  The funniest moment was when there was an attempt to remove the cake at this point.  And Jimmy was not happy!  Needless to say, they brought the cake back.. 

We ended the party with some photos inside and just a bit of family time.  It was a long day for Jimmy and for the rest of us!  I don't think anybody is used to parties anymore!  I was tired by the end of this day.

I jotted down some of my thoughts about being 16, in a short letter to Lia.  I realized that she is just at that point where it feels like there are some "big" decisions on the horizon and I am sure that can cause anxiety.  I wanted to remind her that you never know what life will bring your way and that the best plans just might not work out.  And the bigger thing is that God has a plan and purposes for each of us. Even if our journey is not a straight path, Jesus can always get us to where He wants us to be. It is unfortunate that somehow our young people today seem to think that they need their entre life figured out before they leave high school.  There are many kids spending hours playing sports, hoping to get scholarships to the best college for those sports.  Or agonizing over which major or career choice they should make.  I bet if you asked 100 people there would be very few who actually ended up in the exact place that they had in mind while making these choices as a 16 or 17 year old. But most people would say, somehow they just ended up in the best place for them. I know, through the many twists and turns of my life, Jesus was gently guiding and arranging opportunities, to get me just where He wanted. And he is still urging me onward! 

There was a song this morning in church called Becoming by Jason Gray that really spoke to me.  This is the last bit of the song.

It's progress not perfection, not arrival, it's direction

It's the living and the learning, not the finish line but the journey

I'm becoming,  who I am

I'm still becoming.  I'm always becoming

This is a good message - even for me at my age!  I am still becoming!  I am always becoming!  These are hope filled words for sure.  We can always change and grow.  We can totally turn around and go a different direction.  We don't have to be perfect, we just need to keep on, keeping on.  Those words I penned to Lia have been in my mind over the last weeks and now I understand why.  It's because I am STILL becoming!  I don't have to try to figure out what is ahead for me in this new season of my life.  And it's a great reminder for all of us, with Jesus, we are always becoming.  Until the end of our days here on earth, we are in progress.  Jesus can and does continue to challenge us to be His hands and feet and voice to the world.  Whether we are 1 or16 or 67 or 99!  Celebrating birthdays can really make you think.  And sometimes that is a very good thing.

Jesus, thank you for celebrations that bring us together with those we love. Holy Spirit, continue to challenge all of us to be bold to show Jesus to the world around us.  Jesus, remind us that you are always with us on the journey.  Thank you for the hope you bring to us each day.   Amen