40 Things I Love about My Forties!

Today is my 45th Birthday. I like my age, and I'm glad for every one of the 45 years I've lived. They'll be no whining about the fact that reading glasses are now a required accessory or that I can't pack away the ice cream like I used to. I love the changing seasons of life, each one bringing new hopes and dreams into focus. 

So as I hit the half-way mark through my forties, I thought I'd list 40 things I love about my forties--so far. Ready?

Thus far, in my forties...

1. I learned to speak French!
2. I fell in love with comté, vouvray, and fois gras.
3. I saw both my boys graduate from high school.
4. I learned to knit.
5. I became a "grand voyageur" according to SNCF, the French rail system.
6. I started seminary.
7. I tried to write a book, and failed, but didn't regret trying!
8. I went to Spain, Austria, Ireland, Italy, Croatia, and Greece for the first time.
9. I started learning calligraphy.
10. I went through a "dark night of the soul" and lived to tell about it.
11. I came to terms with my apostolic and prophetic gifting, and gave up trying to fit into the "good Christian woman" box.
12. I made the switch to an iPhone and did not lose my soul.
13. I fell more and more and more in love with David.
14. I got a Dutch God-daughter!
15. I learned to love community prayer. I learned to need community prayer.
16. I changed my view about the role of women in the church.
17. I stopped driving (except when I'm in the States) and learned to rely on public transportation.
18. I stopped buying clothes that are "Made in China." I started buying Fair Trade Coffee.
19. I discovered Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises--and did them. And keep doing them.
20. I learned to practice the discipline of Silence. Every. Single. Day.
21. I became a "third culture" person. No longer fully American, yet never fully French.
22. I kept running, even though I would have liked to have quit.
23. I stopped eating or drinking anything with artificial sweeteners and greatly reduced my sugar intake at the same time.
24. I became a church planter.
25. I marveled at the wisdom of my young adult children. 
26. I found that I love to read memoirs.
27. I learned to wear scarves. And boots. And even bikinis.
28. I made amazing friends at George Fox Evangelical seminary--Shout out to Cohort 14!
29. I have a deepening appreciation of God's work in my life.
30. I participated in the Leighton Ford Mentoring Community, which ministered to me in deep and healing ways.
31. I skied in the Alps. Lots of times.
32. I learned to make Tartiflette. Yum-o!
33. I started putting honey in my tea.
34. I lost a house, and realized, in the end, I didn't need a house anyway.
35. I discovered the band Of Monsters and Men (Thanks, Graham!)
36. I preached a lot. In French. But I also learned that I don't need to preach. My identity is no longer tied to my gifts.
37. I crocheted an Angry Birds hat and a stuffed Hobbes (from Calvin and Hobbes). Those are my favorite things I've ever made!
38. I  reached the expert level of Hot Shots Golf on the Play Station (Thanks, Chan!)
39. I finally read Richard Foster's classic book on Prayer and regretted waiting so long to read it.
40. I am less and less sure of me, and more and more sure of Jesus.

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