Blessed...

Monday evening I had made a coffee date with my girlfriend Aly. At 6pm I was ready and waiting. My jacket was on and my purse was over my shoulder. I was anxiously expecting her to be at my house any minute to pick me up...what I WAS NOT expecting was the beautiful group of women that showed up alongside her!

My husband Paul had taken it upon himself to invite many of my dearest girlfriends over for a surprise 40th birthday party. I had a small idea something was up, I just didn't know what.

If I had known, I would have vacuumed my house and maybe even cleaned the bathroom.

I thought you might enjoy seeing some of the pictures.



"Hold that blow!" I tell the kids this when I am trying to take their candle picture.


Are girlfriends a gift from God, or what?!?


Men in the kitchen serving us girls. (Paul and his dad Paul)


Every single gal at my birthday is an exceptional example to me of God's unique giftings. Just on this couch alone there sits the gifts of hospitality, administration, joy, patience, faithfulness, teaching of the Word, godly parenting...



...the food just kept coming...


Good friends and desserts...am I in Heaven?!?


This picture is a very special one for me. My blogging pal Chelle from 'The World of Chelle' got a hold of my girlfriend Aly. These two were in cahoots and the fruit of that was that Chelle, even though she is in Pennsylvania, had a 'Starbucks' gift card there for me. Is she pretty amazing, or what? Chelle is the real deal...if you haven't been by her blog already, go there today. Her heart for the Lord will bless your socks off!

Friendships made through Jesus are eternal and no matter how far apart we are, His hands of love can reach. This is one of the reasons that I love blogging so much. Through this blogosphere I have found in so many of you, a beautiful group of godly women that even though I may not be able to hug in person, I will be first in line to hug when we meet in Heaven!

I am truly 'Blessed...'