Today I turn 25. It’s weird how quickly it snuck up on me- there are moments where I’m sure I’m still supposed to be a freshman at Auburn just starting my college adventure. (Of course, then I spend some time with a freshman or two and realize they make me feel old…HA!)
I’ve had some rough birthdays through the years, like almost being hospitalized with pneumonia for my 21st, or singing at my grandmother’s funeral for my 24th, so last year I started a new (happy) birthday tradition. It’s a look back at my year – reflecting on 24 things I was thankful for during year 24. So- here’s the list! Feel free to add any good (or funny) memories I’ve forgotten in a comment 🙂
24 memories I’m thankful for this year: (in random order)
1- Traveling to India with my dear friend Lynette – where I fell in love with the people, culture, and the precious orphans there.
2- Helping Lynette shop, plan, & promote the new company she started: Corridor of Hope (they sell jewelry & scarves made by women rescued from the sex trade in India & Thailand, and a portion of the proceeds go back to help orphans in those countries!)
3- Singing for almost 13,000 people in India
4- Visiting the Taj Mahal- one of the Wonders of the World!
5- Worshiping in a leper colony – what an awesome experience.
6- Watching my little brother (Jaron) run cross-country (This was a huge milestone after almost losing him to ulcerative colitis a few years ago. He was hospitalized for most of 2 years, and had his entire colon removed! The whole time he had an incredible attitude and outlook. God has been so faithful and he is doing so much better now. I’m SO proud to call
him my brother!)
him my brother!)
7- My other little brother (Brent) graduating from Fire School! He’s a ‘real’ Fireman now! It’s his job to save lives and help people. I’m really proud of him too! 🙂
8- Leading my first mission trip to Africa (with the most AMAZING team EVER! I love you guys!)
9- Going to the BEACH in Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa (and getting to play in the Indian Ocean!)
10- Holding a baby lion.
11- Getting slightly mauled by a different baby lion (well – maybe it was just scratched really bad. And ok, not a happy memory- but still a cool story! 😉
12- Returning to Swaziland to see the children I love
13- Shooting our first orphan fundraising/awareness raising video with Rusty.
14- Meeting my future in-laws (they’re really great 🙂
15- Visiting Rusty’s hometown & college town, and taking him to MY hometown and college town.
16- Being a part of the last GCM Encounter service in Auburn. (they’re moving to Hong Kong! Keep them in your prayers!)
17- Mine & Rusty’s first Christmas & New Year’s together.
18- GMA Music Week – Going to the DOVE Awards & Introducing a Gospel Music Association symposium where Stephen Curtis Chapman, Rebecca St. James, Phil Stacey, and several other artists spoke. I got to meet them all!
19– A fun trip to Savannah with Caroline (to see my awesome Aunt Angie!)
20- Sand Art Fun with my roomies…need I say more? (Plus plenty of other roommate bonding moments. I love you girls- SO MUCH!!!)
21- Seeing The Sound of Hope campaign really start to develop and move forward after working so hard on it for the past year.
22- Being on a national TV/radio show: “Mornings with Lorri and Larry”!
23- Speaking at conferences, churches, and events around the
Southeast to raise money and awareness for orphans, and meeting so many
great people along the way!
Southeast to raise money and awareness for orphans, and meeting so many
great people along the way!
And – saving the best for last…
24- Getting ENGAGED to the love of my life!
I’m sure I’m leaving out some wonderful memories, but as you can see it’s been an incredible year! I am so grateful for all God has given me. I have LOVED working in the AIM office with the best co-workers in the world. God has pushed me to grow and change this year, and I’m glad to say that I’m happier today with the woman I am than the woman I was a year ago! It’s been amazing too to see how many of you have supported me so faithfully financially and in prayer. What a blessing you are!
And now- it’s another year. Another leap of faith. Another opportunity to trust God with my hopes, dreams, and plans. I’m excited to see what wonderful memories I will make this year in Michigan and around the world with Rusty, my new roommates, and all the friends I’ve yet to make.
Thanks for a wonderful year!
Here’s to 25 beautiful new memories to come!
Ericka,
Wow! What a year! You have been so blessed and you are a blessing to us! Happy Birthday! 25 is quite a milestone and I am glad to share that with you! I loved the 24 things in your life you are thankful for – it really let us get to know you a little better. I look forward to next year’s list!
Love ya,
Trudy
My dear sweet Ericka!!
Happy Happy Birthday!!!
Miss you!
Ephesians 4:14-16
“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
Love you bunches!
your sister in Christ,
BJ
Happy Birthday!!!
what an amazing list! God is good to you sister!
I love that about him! 🙂
we’ll miss your shining face around here, but I’m glad to see how God is orchestrating all things.
Have a great birthday!
What a list!! Just 24 more reasons I live vicariously through you.. thanks for sharing. What an amazing God we serve! You are destined for great things, sweet girl. This list is just the beginning. I hope you enjoy every second of your birthday (birth week and my personal favorite- the birth month!) I love you!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I can t beleive 24yrs+ have passed….. you got a shirt……….
so, if you’ve been around for a whole year when you turn 1, doesn’t that mean you’ve been around for 25 years when you turn 25?
looks like you need a new bullet point! i suggest moving ‘getting engaged’ to 25 and adding:
24. driving 375 miles overnight to new orleans, standing in line for 7 hours, and then driving 400 miles (again, overnight) to Atlanta. just for fun.
that counts as a happy memory, doesn’t it?
(happy birthday by the way! love love love!)
Happy Birthday beautiful friend. i do love you!!
So…Im sitting here in Jo-Burg and all I can think of is that fact that of all the great pictures we have together you chose the sandart one!! Really?!?! Haha…I hope you had a great birthday! I am blessed to have spent this last year with you and hope our random adventures will carry over even in the artic tundra of Michigan. Love you!!
C
Happy Birthday Diva! Oh how I’m going to miss your presence in India this year. Fun times! =o) I’ll be thinking of you a lot while I’m there!! It was an honor to have been part of your 24th year and I’m looking forward to being part of your 25th (and 4 months!!! 😉 Love you lots!!
Happy Birthday Ericka!! It was so good to see you Sunday! I will be praying for you and Rusty as you head into 2009. Love ya, Robin