Birthday No. 25

Last week marked the day that I turned a quarter of a century!!  Just a few years ago I'm sure I couldn't imagine being 25, but here I am already!

I had such a lovely day celebrating, and I'm so thankful for the family and friends who made the day a really special one.  I want to simply share my day in pictures here :)

My morning wake-up call... definitely the cutest birthay-wake-up call I've ever had! 

We woke up like this ;)

Birthday decor, a la Andre

My companion to Koorong bookstore

Birthday gifts courtesy of Koorong and Julia

Lunch with Janet :)

Yummy brisket pasta

Family hangs :P

Birthday gifts from Andre... PLUS tickets to see My Fair Lady!

Birthday cake at Food for Thought, a la Jacqui... SO GOOD

~Rachel

Sweet Sixteenth by the Sea

One of my closest friends celebrated her birthday recently... And it got me thinking about her 16th birthday party a few years ago - it was one memorable party! She did such an amazing job with the set-up and decor that I want to share some pictures here, that you (and I!) can perhaps use one day to inspire future themed birthday parties.

Enjoy Nicole's amazing handiwork!!!

The bestest little man. We love you, Timmy!

I couldn't do this whole post without including some pictures of the party-goers!

Happy birthday, Nicole!!! I love you, and treasure our friendship. May we celebrate many more birthdays together!

~Rachel

Two Parties!

In April we were blessed with many celebrations! Not too sure if our tummies quite need all of the goodies associated with parties, but...
Never mind =D

Apart from the most important day in April, which happens to be April 6, there were a couple other wonderful days as well!! ;-)

Earlier in April, Janet had a birthday, so we got a lovely roast meal that night! Mmmm-mm!!!

Beautiful Janet :-) She looked amazing on her birthday night!!

Birthday prayers - Toma and Janet

And then, just five days later, baby Andrew turned 100 days!!!! A Korean tradition is to celebrate every baby's 100th day. This is a really huge, important celebration in Korea. After the war, it was common for babies to die very soon after they were born - before they'd lived for 100 days. So babies weren't seen as really being born until they were alive and well at around 100 days... Therefore this tradition began! I really love it!
So we had a 100th Day Party for Andrew Jeon!!

This is NOT little Andrew - just another cutie ;-)

Speeches and prayers 

I LOVE the set-up of this special table! They are so creative!!

This is THE most beautiful family EVER!!! Jigeon, Amy and baby Andrew

Jigeon and Amy are SO beautiful!!!! I love them! I haven't spent much time with them or talked to them a lot, but they are two of the friendliest, smiliest [is that a word?!] people here at YWAM Canberra... And they happen to have two ADORABLE kids. Seriously. My heart MELTS every single time I see baby Andrew and his big brother Noah. The CUTEST kids!! Noah always waves "bye-bye" to me, now gives me hi-fives, and screams / giggles so loudly when I play peek-a-boo with him =D  AHHH!!!!! Love them! Shall I stop raving over these poor children?! ;-)

:-) 

~Rachel

20th Birthday Prayer

Yesterday was my 20th birthday! I can't believe I have left my teens behind! I remember how excited I was to turn 13 - to turn the page into a new chapter of life. It felt very grown up ;-) And now, I'm entering my 20's! Very exciting =D

I will share photos of my birthday, but first I want to share a prayer that I journalled yesterday. To be honest, part of yesterday was a struggle for me. This was my first birthday away from family and close friends, and that was pretty tough. I cried a few tears, but as I began to question the Lord and ask Him for comfort, He just began to speak to my heart. I want to share this with you today.

"I am here because You called me
Not to love less
But to love more
Not to throw away
But to hold on more dear

"Not to discount

But to appreciate more

Not to give up

But to keep, in a different way

Not to lose

But to gain

"And though it feels like my heart may break
Can I hold on to You?
Can You be my family?
Can You be my friends?
Can you have a party for me and with me, in my heart?

"Can you wipe away my tears

When there is no one else to?

Can You be my voice when I [literally] have none?

Can You shine through a smile; a touch?

Can I rest in Your arms all the while? -

as I wait on You?

"In my heart, I know You can

In my heart, I know You will

But my heart longs for home...

"Maybe I'm a little unsure where my home is now
Where it will be
In my heart I feel that my home cannot be a place
Perhaps not even people
Because I will move - I know I will
And times change
People grow
Lives fade

 

"Now I begin to realize why my FIRST love has to be You

Because You remain

You never change - never grow, never diminish -

except perhaps in my own human eyes

You live on in my heart, no matter where I am or who I am with

  

"Please be my Home, beginning today
This day that I exit my teens
Cry for my family and friends and home
Laugh with new friends
And bask in You

"Thank You for this vision

Of why You are my Home."

-dedicated to all the people in these pictures and many more... you are loved!-

~Rachel