Thursday, February 14, 2008

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...'



15 comments:

Beth Cotell said...

What more can you ask for...good friends, dessert and a loving husband to arrange it all!

You are one blessed girl!

Happy Birthday!

Zaankali said...

Argh! I just noticed that your slider door is wide open in one of your pictures. How ironic... mine is FROZEN SHUT.
-Smiles!

Fran said...

Oh that is just beautifully perfect! :)

What precious friends you have.
I send you hugs and love from TN and it is such joy to call you my real deal bloggy friend.

Blessings birthday girl!
Fran

Unknown said...

HAPPY 40TH, JOANNE!

How wonderful to have such a neat group of ladies...and of course a husband that threw you the party!

Would you mind emailing me your address, so I can send you a little something for your 40th!
I've enjoyed getting to know you a little!!!

Birthday hug!

Kim@Seasons of My Heart said...

This just tickles my heart.....God has TRULY blessed you with AMAZING friends.

Happy *belated* 40th. ;-)

Mari said...

What a special night - with your family and friends. It's the perfect way to celebrate. That Chelle' is something!

Chelle' said...

Ummmmm...maybe you can stop showing me pictures of sugared substances and show me something that I could actually USE... like a box of tissues.

You are tooooooo sweet to me friend.

Glad your party was a success. THe real "amazing" people were Paul and Aly. Couldn't have snuck my surprise in without either of them.

Love ya.

OH... and I LOVE all the pictures.

Jess said...

What a treat!! Looks like SO much fun! I'm glad you had a birthday every bit as special as you are.
(I think there's going to have to be some sort of special blogger section awaiting us on the other side!! Can't wait!) :)

~jess

Megan said...

This is soo sweet!!! Happy Birthday and Valentines day, by the way! Very special post, and your hubby did good, that was very thoughtful!

A Stone Gatherer said...

What a great party! Girlfriends are so important!!!

A Stone Gatherer said...

Just read the Precious moment about your daughter! WOW! Praise God! He is so preparing our children for the battle isn't HE! Keep on Praying!

Rebekah said...

Aint Paul just the sweetest. What a gift... girlfriends and dessert. And Chelle sending you that card.
Happy Birthday

valerie said...

Joanne,
Happy belated birthday!
Looks like you all had a great time with lots or great desserts.
Glad you had such a good 40th birthday.
Love,
Valerie

Melissa in Mel's World said...

Joanne, Happy 40th Birthday!

I would agree, you are MOST certainly a blessed woman! Go Paul for being so sweet, thoughtful, and creative. Forget cleaning, just sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Looks like you guys had a great time!!

Melissa

sharon brobst said...

I'm a little late...but Happy Birthday! Looks like you had a wonderful time! I can't imagine a better way than to spend the day with precious friends.

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