Had a GREAT birthday – activities and dinner with the kids – fun fun – and I made it fun mentally for myself – it is good to be busy and good to count blessings…

The trunk and treat at a school that my friend helps with – that was fun – the kids cleaned me out of candy and rock painting – and it was non-stop for those who wanted to make slime and do another experiment…  it was fun – and I have no idea why they do competitions but this one I won 3rd prize – cute trophy – loved helping the kids (of all ages)…

Pop Pop Pop – I was shocked at the end of the 2 hour event that they were popping the balloons – when i was a kid, well those balloon displays were the best thing a little kid could share in – the balloons were sufficient for play – life was much simpler then…  pop pop – I thought it was a shame but at the same time everyone was under a time crunch and well you have to keep moving…  these people did a lot of work – and everything from a bounce house to treats to crafts to hot dogs – wow…

And what a blessing that my mom sent me presents too… simple and nothing major – but I do remember my mom, when I was a kid, let me have those balloons from the fun events we had… ah memories…

Making new memories now with my own kids – my dinner with the kids and the presents that they gave me were wonderful because I feel like they are “adulting” and moved up in the world and aware…  that is my best present … I also saw them (each separately) “adulting” with grown up and work decisions… it was not easy for them to be in those conversations but it was real and real problem solving…

Life is not guaranteed easy or perfect or simple  it is not… It is not the goal to work into wealth even though we like the cushion of comfort. Life is about loving – about love from God and for God and for each other – and in that realizing to count one’s blessings and being OK with being OK… An Abundant Life is not material things or people you hang out with – it is not even sunrises and sunsets – it is life IN the Lord – from the Lord – thru the Lord – counting blessings that He provides – and praising Him – only Him – for all that…

Abundant Life is a life lived close to God – what’s more to life than that???!!!

Amen

and so for my birthday 10/25  – the John scriptures of 10 and 25

John 10:10, 25 New King James Version

10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
…
25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me.