Happy Birthday with a Give-away Blessing

Happy Birthday to ME!!

I'm loving it! 
This year, today, I am celebrating my 60th birthday

and I have to say that I have enjoyed reaching those mile stones over the years
and this one is no different.
 I truly believe we can choose to grow old gracefully.
We can look forward to our Birthday's and not dread them,
knowing and trusting God as He guides us through each day of our lives.

For me...I looked forward to all those BIG birthdays over these past 60 years,
except for my 13th birthday, I wasn't looking forward to those teen years.
~ I was 16 in this photo ~

 
But... 
there was no stopping it and onward life went.
Time doesn't wait for anyone.

My 20th was exciting because I was just beginning my life with my dear husband,
and it was in my twenties when I gave my life to Christ.
Life was fresh and new as I began my journey as a Christian woman.
Soon after my salvation, God placed a dear woman
who was totally bedridden with MS ~ Muscular Dystrophy in my life.
This dear woman would become my first spiritual mentor
and as I reflect back I can see clearly that God knew I needed her
in those beginning years of my walk with the Lord.
I may one day share that amazing story of how God perfectly brought us together.

My 30th was my favorite birthday, not sure why, but I couldn't wait to turn 30! 
Maybe it was because in my head I thought being thirty you were all grown up. Ha!
My thirties were lived mostly in Canada were I began
working with Home Health Care.
My heart was drawn to the palliative care and would soon lead me to
working mostly with Hospice patients.
Most certainly, my passion.

My 40th was exiting!
My mother out did herself with her decorations for my birthday party
of purple balloons, tons of balloons by the way in different shades of purple.
 The dinning room was filled with flowers balloons and confetti ~ OH it was gorgeous!
It was a perfect beginning to start off my forties.
Both of our daughters were married during my forties
and before reaching the age of 50 I was blessed with two precious grandsons.
I now have four awesome grandsons to love on.
I had always wanted a baby at the age of 40 ~ I came close, but God had other plans.

My 50th...
I enjoyed turning the "Big 50" but it arrived with some heartache,

though I must say the years during my fifties were glorious 

with much spiritual growth, for which I am very thankful.
Heartache covered by God's love and grace makes all things beautiful.
In my late fifties God gave me my precious Donatella,
and she has warmed her way right into my heart.
This dear girl has the happiest tail, and that, makes me happy!
I wasn't looking for a dog ~ but God certainly knows what is best for us.

And now I've reached 60!

Seems hard to believe actually ~ when I was a young child,
I always thought 60 was soooooo OLD,

but I don't feel old at all, I may look old, but I feel great!
I did notice a new little wrinkle near my lip just the other day!
I'm calling it my birthday wrinkle. 🎁
Oh I just have to tell something crazy about getting older!
So my dear daughter Stephanie had a Valentine Tea for me.
 We had talked and set the time and date over the phone,
which by the way, we chose the date specifically because it was free for the both of us.
Well...on the day of the Tea I was busy (in my cleaning clothes no less)
when I received a phone call from Stephanie a half an hour after I was to be 
at her home, she was wondering if I was coming.
"Coming I said"???
Oh dear friends, I gasped!!
How in the world did I let that happen?!
It was highlighted in my calendar ~ I had in my head what I was going to wear ~
I planned for a friend to watch Donatella ~ I made appointments around the date ~
but I had one thing wrong, in my head I planned everything for the wrong date.
I clean up well, and I did it in one BIG RUSH!!
I was thanking the Lord on my drive to Stephanie's
because I could have easily missed her absolutely gorgeous,
not to mention hard work, Valentine Tea
and I would have never forgiven myself.
So...I do not feel like I'm getting older,
but here's proof that I just may be getting older after all.

☆ ♡ ☆ ♡ ☆ ♡ ☆

What does the Lord have for me this year and in the years to follow

as I live out my 60's should that be God's will?

I enjoy looking with anticipation as to what God is going to do in and through my life

with each and every year that He grants me precious life.

I belong to Him, and as a child of the King my desire is to be used of Him,

and to bring glory and honor to his Holy and Righteous Name.
My ultimate goal in this life is to one day see Christ face to face,
but here on this earth I'm on a journey, a race in which I must strive for the finish line.
I know that if I run in my own strength I will fail miserably, however, 
there is strength in Jesus Christ that will make my journey successful,
and for that, I will praise the Lord all the days of my life!

☆ ♡ ☆ ♡ ☆ ♡ ☆

For Christmas this year I received a beautiful devotional book and journal

from my dear Stephanie. 

I have never heard of this author before, she even lives in Colorado, 

but I have so enjoyed her beautiful writings and her 

simple approach to the seasons of our lives with Scripture. 

The author ~ Ruth Chou Simons is also an artist

and both art and text in the book are from her, its gorgeous!

 Gracelaced ~ 

Discovering Timeless Truths 

Through Seasons Of The Heart

is a beautiful book and journal set that I would love to gift someone 

with my Birthday Give-Away Blessing.

I do not usually have give-aways, in fact I've only had 2 since I've been blogging,
but this is a special occasion for me 
and what a good time to share JOY with someone else.

Not much is required of you to enter ~

I would love for you to share in a comment one of your special birthdays
then, if you wish to enter I will place your name in a crystal dish 
(of course it has to be a pretty crystal dish for us ladies)

and my dear husband will draw the name from the dish on the night of the 12th.
I will announce the winner on Wednesday the 13th of March.

I shall be singing with JOY in my heart throughout this day
as I praise God's Name for His abundant mercies
He has bestowed upon me over the years.

It's a glorious day!

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, 
to the which also ye are called in one body;
and be thankful. 
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;
teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed 
do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, 
giving thanks to God and the Father by him. "
~ Colossians 3:15-17 ~

Take Joy!
Debbie
♡

A Grand Party with a Surprise

One year ago today I began my journey

in this beautiful community

of blogging
~
HAPPY FIRST BLOGAVERSARY TO ME!
&
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DEAR STEPHANIE! 

I am celebrating both of these occasions together
because had it not been for the 
inspiration and encouragement of Stephanie,
I would likely not be blogging.
In honor of her I began my journey 
on her birthday one year ago today.
If you would like
you may read my first post here.

~~~***~~~

As my sweet encourager,
Stephanie has lived out (Colossians 4:6)
"Let your speech be with grace,
seasoned with salt,
that ye may know how you ought to answer each one."
Stephanie's words have been Gracious" to me. (Ecclesiastes 10:12) 
She has seasoned me with salt when I have said,
"computers and I have a hard time getting along."
She has assured me that I can do it,
and that she will help me along the way.
Has she helped me? Oh yea!
This post would be for-ever long
if I shared with you the many times
 I have had to call my "help line."
Stephanie works behind the scenes for me ~
many times she has been my personal photographer ~
I'm sure you can tell which photo's have been hers, haha ~
she has been my technical difficulty go to in a pinch.
I couldn't do it without her.
 When I have to call my "help line" in distress, I might add,
she always responds by living out (Isaiah 50:4)
"The Lord God has given me the tongue
of the learned, that I should speak
a word in season to him who is weary."

Stephanie ~ My Dear daughter and friend
is so good to me ~ her mother.
My heart is filled to overflowing
as I watch with a mother's heart the love in action
in Stephanie's life ~ her desire to walk after
her Savior ~ to practice being a Proverbs 31 women
in the role God has given her,
bringing glory and honor to her God.
With great honor from a mother's heart ~
Happy Birthday Stephanie! 

~~~***~~~

In the celebration of Stephanie's Birthday
and my One Year Anniversary 
I am having my very first "Give-Away."
Woohoo!
This is exciting for me as I have waited a whole year!
*So let the party begin*

My favorite color is pink ~ so this special gift
includes many items in that beautiful color.
Sorry if you do not like pink :(
I have also included a tea-cup in honor of Stephanie.

 Many a friendship has begun all through
her delightful Tea-Cup & Mug Exchanges.
Some of you dear followers have become my 
friends through that exchange.
I so appreciate each and every one
of  YOU, graceful followers,
and this is just a small token of my love for you.

~~~***~~~

I love ~ love ~ love ~ surprises!
So in each pink bag I have tucked 
away a surprise for the blessed winner.

I am allowing anyone to participate,
all I ask is that you leave a comment
sharing with me what your favorite Birthday cake is.
I will announce the gracious winner on my next Sunday 
Grace & Reflections for a Women's heart post
which will be on Sunday the 12th.

~~~***~~~

For refreshments today I will be serving up
my Granny's "Dime Cake" with you.
This gorgeous chocolate cake
with fluffy white icing was the cake my Granny 
made with love until she went home to be with her Lord.
Her cake has graced five generations
and has left many lasting memories. 
May you enjoy!

Chocolate Cake
1 cup cake flour ~ sifted at least three times
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons water
1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons buttermilk
1/4 cup crisco
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate (cool)
~
Butter and flour cake pans ~ I use rounds for this cake
Beat all ingredients in a large mixing bowl on low speed,
scraping edges occasionally 3 minutes & pour into pans
Bake at 350 deg. for 30 to 35 minutes 
Or ~ you may just want to use a boxed cake mix. :)

Fluffy White Icing 
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
2 Tablespoons water
2 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla
~
Mix sugar, corn syrup & water in a saucepan.
Cover: heat to rolling boil over medium heat.
Uncover: boil rapidly until candy thermometer registers 242 deg.
As mixture boils, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.
Pour hot syrup very slowly in thin stream into egg whites,
beating constantly on medium speed.
Add vanilla: beat on high speed until stiff peaks form ~ this part takes awhile
I double this recipe so as to make one beautiful and full looking cake.
 All you have to do is wrap dimes in wax paper 
and place them in between the layers of the cake.
I put the icing on the cake first then place the dimes.
Children absolutely love the fun in this cake
and they will eat every bite looking for the dimes. :)
Enjoy! 

Thank you Heavenly Father
for showing me Your direction
with this blog that belongs to You.
Thank you for the beautiful
and gracious followers you have brought
to this, Your blog.
May You be glorified
in all that goes forth from this place.
In Your Holy name I pray,
with thanksgiving.
Amen

Joy!
~ Debbie ~ 

I'm joining the party with
Stephanie at "Roses of Inspiration"