Happy last day of my 20’s, everyone.
Did you hear that?
Today is my last day of my 20s.
WHAAATTTT.
Can we all agree that after today, I’m officially no longer an age? Nobody believes my age anyway. Â I mean, at church this lady who knew me when I was little asked my dad if I was driving yet. He laughed and said I was almost 30 and she said I looked like a teenager. And then a few days ago, Kristen texted me this lovely picture of my 3 favorite Halter girls. Lucy loves her Duck Face.
Naturally, I had to send them a response. How much do you love my really big forehead? Channeling my inner Tyra.
Anyway. Lucy said I look like a teenager. I don’t really know what that means, but I’ll take it. I think I look kind of alien-ish.
Moving on. Today is my last day of my 20s. That’s the big point of that.This is a very special 5 on Friday.
5 Things I wish I could tell “today is my last day of my teens” Stephanie:
ONE //
There are children you’ll meet who will become your best friends. But they’ll start as children. Invest everything into them, because someday they will be the ones who see you at your very worst and somehow still love you despite that. Never underestimate what God is going to do in your relationships with children.
TWO //
Look at your MySpace Top 8. See that Ernie Halter guy? As of now, you’ve never met him. One day you’ll meet him. and you’ll become friends with him. and you’ll stay by his side through a lot of stuff, and he’ll stay by yours. When boys break your heart, you’ll turn to his voice – on the phone and through speakers. He’s going to marry an amazing girl, and she’s going to become one of your close friends. Together they’re going to create the most wonderful twins you’ve ever met and one day he’ll say “did you ever imagine you’d be sitting here at my house in Nashville with my twin daughters running around?” and the answer is a firm no.
Luckily Ernie is going to take a picture of you two within the first five minutes of meeting so you’ll be able to look at this picture and smile because neither of you could have ever dreamed up or imagined going from this moment to where your friendship is at now.
THREE //
God is so much more concerned with you than you could ever imagine. Right now you’re going through the motions. You’re playing the church game. It’ll take you awhile to become completely surrendered to God, and I don’t think you need to rush the process… but when you let go, when you step out of the boat… you are going to be shaken to the core of your being. You won’t understand it or be able to explain it, but you’ll feel the freedom and peace of a life surrendered to your Creator. It’ll happen in its own time, but it is going to be the best thing you currently have ahead of you.
FOUR //
You love Camp Arnold, but you are about to be a camp counselor for the first time… and your life is going to change. Your love for Camp is going to blossom into something that is so much deeper and wider than the word “love.” Over the next 10 years, you’ll work at camp for 6 of those summers and God is going to use those summers to completely rewire you. The hallowed ground of Camp Arnold will hold a lot of your tears. You’ll convince them to name an iced espresso beverage after you. During the off season, you’ll crave camp more than any other place. And spoiler alert: they’re going to tear down the a-frames, and it’s going to be okay. The new cabins are awesome.
FIVE //
In the next 10 years, you’ll be sitting at Dave Yaden’s house, eating a meal with him. Before he serves it up, he’ll ask you if you’ve ever had tofu. You’ll say no, and he’ll give you some words of wisdom about eating tofu that will carry over into so many areas of your life. “If you eat this and expect it to be like meat, you’ll be disappointed. So just eat it with no expectations.” Don’t get in the habit of building high expectations for everything within moments of the idea, the meeting, the conversation. Give things space and time and try to see things for all they are – the mess of the masterpiece.
Happy Golden Birthday, myself 🙂
Linking up with:
Five on Friday, Five things Friday
Happy happy birthday!!! Two years ago this guy asked me what school I went to. I told him I had just graduated (college). He said, “I thought you were 14!” #goodtimes
bahahaha we’re gonna LOOOVE it when we’re older, right? that’s what everyone always says 😉 && thanks!!!
“my inner Tyra” – haahhaah!!!
happy last day of your 20s! and try to have a happy birthday… 30 is OLD! 🙂
this is a neat post idea – i loved reading about things you’ve learned 🙂
bahahaha… i’m old. get me some depends or something ;D
&& thanks!!!!! <3
People always say I look like a teenager too. Really I just think they have no sense of age 😉 Happy birthday!!! I hope you have something fun planned this weekend!
dude i think nobody has a sense of age… probably because when we’re little we think 30 is OLD and you get wrinkly and can’t walk and then we see fully functioning adults and we’re kinda confused, haha. thanks for the birthday wishes!!! <3
I just came across your blog from Friday Favourites and I am SO happy that I clicked on your link! First off because you’re a camp person, and camp people (especially church camp people) fill my heart with SO much happiness and joy! I hope you have a wonderful birthday! I’m looking forward to reading more of your posts and following you beyond your 20s! 🙂
DONNA! CAMP!!! <3 <3 <3 i absolutely LOVE camp and one of my favorite people FROM my camp is named donna so hellooooo that is awesome!!! && thank you so much for the birthday wishes and for sticking around. i hope you're having a fabulous time at camp <3
Happy last day of your 20s and early happy birthday!
THANK YOU stacey!! 30 is pretty awesome so far. 😉
Awww love this! Happy birthday-eve, have a fabulous birthday weekend 😀
THANK YOU!!!! <3
Happy almost Birthday! I love this post!
Kristin
crumbsandcurls.blogspot.com
thanks kristin!!! <3
Have a very lovely birthday weekend!!
thanks astleigh! it was great <3
Wonderful post, Stepho!! Writing to your younger self is fun, huh? It gives you time to reflect on your life thus far. And what’s cool is even though it hasn’t been the smoothest road, it’s your road and you own it. Good on ya, sister. I hope you’re having the best time. Hugs to everyone for me. Make sure someone hugs you for me. Hello from over the bridge!!! <33333
it’s my road and i own it – love it. <3 <3 <3 got lots of hugs that i'm treasuring still!!!
Happy birthday honey!!!!! <3
thanks love <3
Happy, happy birthday, Stephanie!! What a neat idea to write that letter to your 19 year old self. 🙂 Turning 30 was one of my favorite times of life. It was so liberating to leave my 20’s behind, for some weird reason. I just loved it. I hope you do, too!! God bless you with a great birthday and many, many more!! 🙂
thank you cheryl! praying already for the letter i write to my 29 year old self – that God would ordain all of the lessons and everything that happens between now and then!! <3
OMG I THINK I HAVE A BIG FOREHEAD TOO! I read that sentence and had to comment immediately. I make so many forehead jokes to my students to show “hey guys I know I have a five head and I can laugh at it too.” And now, to more important things, finishing the rest of the post and wishing you a happy birthday: HAVE A HAPPY BBBDAAYYY!
#5headclub hahahahaha YAY!!!! THANKS!!! <3