i know where i've been.

there are points in my life when i love to look back and see this twisty turvy journey that i have been on. it's amazing, really.

a year ago, could i have guessed that i would be living in dc, doing the city thing, living simply, having a compost, enjoying the cherry blossoms; working in an incredible job that i love and feel fully alive at, caring for and becoming friends with men and women who are dying; living in an incredible community full of incredible lovely and loving friends and brothers and sisters in the journey; becoming part of an incredible church community of people who are, to me, living out the gospel and the kingdom of God in the most authentic way that i have ever experienced; falling in love with an amazing guy who just serenaded me and cooked me a delicious birthday breakfast; seeing God and Jesus and faith and love in a whole new way? the answer is no. but i'm so grateful.

i always love birthdays, both mine and other peoples'. i get made fun of for loving holidays in general - i love wearing the crazy festive socks, the colors, baking the cookies (one of my co-workers said she didn't know it was presidents day because i didn't make president shaped cookies). but i just love having any chance to celebrate being alive. and birthdays are a great time to do that. so thank you to all who made my birthday beautiful. and who make my life beautiful.

because my life is so full of beauty.