Chapter 33

A Journey of Rest, Restoration, and Gratitude

Today, I turn 33. Thirty-three years of grace, growth, and the quiet unfolding of life in ways I never could have predicted. Birthdays make you pause—like standing at the edge of a beautiful overlook, seeing how far you have come while catching a glimpse of the road ahead.

If I could sum up this journey so far, it would be with three words: rest, restoration, and gratitude.

Life has not been a straight road. It has been a winding path, full of seasons—some bursting with joy, others calling for deep surrender. I have had moments where I felt like I was soaring, and others where I wondered if I would ever feel whole again.

Yet through it all, one truth remains: God is faithful. He has been present in every moment, writing a more beautiful story than I imagined.

Every year, I have learned that becoming is not about striving—it is about trusting. It is about slowing down enough to embrace the small wins, the whispered lessons hidden in disappointment, and the beauty of simply being here.

Rest: The Gift I Did not Know I Needed. For so long, I thought strength meant pushing through, doing more, showing up no matter what. But this past few days, God has taught me the sacredness of rest.

• Rest is not weakness—it is an act of trust.
• Rest allows God to move in ways I can't when I am too busy striving.
• Rest refreshes the soul, restores joy, and makes room for new beginnings.

This year, I want to honor Sabbath moments—to slow down, breathe deeply, and embrace the rhythms of grace.

Restoration: Beauty from Ashes. If there is one thing I know about God, it is that He is a restorer. He restores joy after sorrow. He restores purpose after seasons of waiting. He restores what we thought was lost and gives it back in ways we never expected. As I celebrate today, I look back and see how God has surprised me—with healing, with new beginnings, with gifts I didn’t even know I needed. His goodness truly has no end and I am excited for the days ahead to see what is in store.

Gratitude: The Heartbeat of This Season. At 33, my heart is full of gratitude—gratitude for:

• Love: I am blessed, I have a heart that beats hard for me, and hands to rub my feet when it's cold.
• Family: The greatest gift of all. Watching my children love each other, laugh together, and grow has been the sweetest reminder that love multiplies in the smallest moments.
• Friendships: I cherish the friends who have walked with me through every season—the ones who celebrate my highs, sit with me in the lows, and remind me of who I am when I forget.
• Growth: I am grateful for the lessons that have shaped me, the pruning that has refined me, and the faith that has anchored me.
• God’s Timing: It has never been what I expected, but it has always been perfect.

Lessons That are Shaping Me: Looking back, these are the truths I carry into this new year:

1. Rest is Sacred – Slowing down doesn’t mean falling behind. Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is pause and let God work.
2. God is a Restorer – What feels lost is never truly gone. He rebuilds, renews, and restores in ways that leave us in awe.
3. Gratitude Changes Everything – A thankful heart sees abundance even in the ordinary. Joy is found in appreciating what is, rather than longing for what is not.

As I step into 33, I do so with open hands and an expectant heart. God’s goodness doesn’t run out.

Psalm 65:11 says, “You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance.”

That is my prayer for this year—that every step I take will be marked by His goodness, and that I will walk in the abundance of His grace, love, and purpose.

To everyone who has been part of my journey—thank you. Your love, prayers, and support have meant more than words can express.

So here’s to today, to 33, to new beginnings, deeper rest, beautiful restoration, and overflowing gratitude. May this year be my most joyful chapter yet.

Happy Birthday to me! 🎉🎂💛