31....

31....does that make me officially "in" my thirties?!? I think it changes my age bracket. On a card when you see the check your age box it is usually 

18-25      26-30      31-35  and so on. 

I'm officially in a new box for 31. It's mind blowing to me to think I could even be thirty something...I feel like my parents should be that and I am still much younger inside! I remember when I turned 21 I said to my Grandpa Raguse..."isn't it hard to believe you're youngest grand child is TWENTY ONE??!!" And his response was "yes especially since I am still only 21" He said he wakes up and looks in the mirror and thinks "who is that old guy?!"  

It's so true that we "feel" way younger than we often are! (However when my husband and I are asleep every night of the week before 10 o clock I often think "Man I am so tired....gettin' old" but that's not really the case. I think parents of young children(boys lol;) are just tired!) 

     

     I am thankful and I think it is so cool that we "feel" younger on the inside! Can you imagine if it were reversed?

What if we felt older on the inside but looked younger on the outside?! 

We would most likly be less encouraged to go...go...GO ! We would probably say "I don't feel like it"....

It's cools how God works and if you take a second to dissect some of the awesome things He does it makes you go hmmm well that is really clever!

He has thought of every. Single. Detail. 

When I feel overwhelmed by all I "need" from God....for myself and other people I often think....He can handle all this! I mean look at all He CREATED! Surely if He can create he can "perfect", alter, redeem, change, etc....

Like I said in my last post I have a desire to become more like the Proverbs 31 women...and well since I just turned 31 yesterday I figure this is the PERFECT year to focus on that!! A lot of these are in a general stand point and some areas don't need not a lot of work (I.e. Being trustworthy to my husband....um...I'm obsessed with Him so pretty sure you can consider that trustworthy. However I know I can respect Him more on every little detail and not need to get my way and I want to "honor" him even more!)

The 10 Virtues of the Proverbs 31 Woman

1. Faith - A She serves God with all her heart!  She seeks His will for her life and follows His ways. (Proverbs 31: 26, Proverbs 31: 29 – 31, Matthew 22: 37, John 14: 15, Psalm 119: 15

2. Marriage – She respects her husband!  She does him good all the days of her life. She is trustworthy. (Proverbs 31: 11- 12, Proverbs 31: 23, Proverbs 31: 28, 1 Peter 3, Ephesians 5, Genesis2: 18)

3.  Mothering - She teaches her children the way of the Father. She nurtures her children with the love of Christ, disciplines them with care and wisdom, and trains them in the way they should go.  (Proverbs 31: 28, Proverbs 31: 26, Proverbs 22: 6, Deuteronomy 6, Luke 18: 16)

4. Health – She cares for her body. She prepares healthy food for her family. (Proverbs 31: 14 – 15, Proverbs 31: 17, 1 Corinthians 6: 19, Genesis 1: 29, Daniel 1, Leviticus 11)

5. Service - She serves her husband, family, neighbor with a gentle and loving spirit. She is charitable. (Proverbs 31: 12, Proverbs 31: 15, Proverbs 31: 20, 1 Corinthians 13: 13)

6. Finances - She seeks her husband’s approval before making purchases and spends money wisely.  She is careful to purchase quality items which her family needs. (Proverbs 31: 14, Proverbs 31: 16, Proverbs 31: 18, 1 Timothy 6: 10, Ephesians 5: 23, Deuteronomy 14: 22, Numbers 18: 26)

7.  Industry – She works willingly with her hands.  She sings praises to God and does not grumble while completing her tasks. (Proverbs 31: 13, Proverbs 31: 16, Proverbs 31: 24, Proverbs 31: 31, Philippians 2: 14)

8. Homemaking – She is a homemaker.  She creates an intimate warm feeling for her family and guests. She uses hospitality to minister to those around her. (Proverbs 31: 15, Proverbs 31: 20 – 22, Proverbs 31: 27, Titus 2: 5, 1 Peter 4: 9, Hebrews 13: 2)

9. Time - She uses her time wisely. She works diligently to complete her tasks. She does not spend time dwelling on those things that do not please the Lord. (Proverbs 31: 13, Proverbs 31: 19, Proverbs 31: 27, Ecclesiastes 3, Proverbs 16: 9, Philippians 4:8 )

10. Beauty – She is a women of worth and beauty. She has the inner beauty that only comes from Christ! She uses her creativity and sense of style to create beauty in her life and the lives of her loved ones. (Proverbs 31: 10Proverbs 31: 21 – 22, Proverbs 31: 24 -25, Isaiah 61: 10, 1 Timothy 2: 9, 1 Peter 3: 1 – 6)

All of these areas are so important to me and I pray that I can get into a habit, routine, and desire to seperate all these areas and better each of them this year!! 

Oh a side note... For my 31st birthday my hubby got me a new tattoo! I have been wanting to get the Hebrew word "towdah" on my wrist for a while now (in the Hebrew translation) and I finally did! 

Here is a picture and I LOVE the meaning!!