Today is my 30th birthday. Having a birthday 26 days after the new year begins offers plenty of opportunity for reflection. How different this birthday could have been! I spent some time looking back at posts from January in previous years to remember where I was and where God has brought me.
I’m not big on making new year’s resolutions. However, in keeping with its policy of opposing me at every juncture, my reproductive system appears to have made a few. Uterus, cervix, and ovaries jointly resolved to reach new levels of stubbornness and cussedness, and their first ornery act of the year was to delay my period for just over a week while simultaneously yielding negative pregnancy tests. But their fun could only last for so long, and a new cycle began yesterday.
A passing conversation between Aaron and me on New Year’s Eve:
“Here’s hoping 2008 has good things in store for us.”
“That would be nice.”
“Of course, I guess everything that God has planned for us this year is good.”
“Yeah. But we’d really like a year full of obviously good things.”
Welcome, day one of the new year. Welcome, day one of a new cycle. Welcome, day one of our fifth year of trying to conceive. Sigh.
Today I turn 29. Aaron jokingly called it the age I’ll be for the rest of my life. Truly, I hope that I’m never abashed by my age, that I never wail about getting old, that I never wistfully long to be in a different decade of my life. I want to live every year to its fullest, with joy and grace. But, I would really like to be a mom by 30. Please, God?
Now, here I am on January 26, 2010. I’m 30, and I’m six months pregnant after nearly 5 years of infertility. The Lord did not have to answer my prayers in this way, but he was so kind and mighty to do so! This birthday could have been a struggle, one where I was still barren and dreading the prospect of starting another decade no nearer to having children. Instead, 30 seems bright and exciting – a year full of obvious and long-awaited blessing. I don’t want to take this for granted; I want, as I read this morning in Psalm 2, to “rejoice with trembling” at my unearned blessings, starting with my salvation.
So cheers to 30, and glory to the God who has given me a 30th birthday that I don’t deserve!
Entrusted 
Happy Birthday, friend! Praise God for answered prayer, and for how far He has carried you these past several years. I’m so glad you are looking forward to a great new year (and decade) of your life!
(And I love that our birthdays are just a day apart — nevermind I’m three years older. Boo!) 🙂
What an incredible journey! I’m so glad the Lord saw fit to answer your hopes and prayers for this decade.
Happy Birthday! What a great 30th year you have ahead of you!
Happy bday! Congrats on the pregnancy. I remember thinking how sad I was going to be when I turned 30 and was still childless. That was almost two years ago and I’m still childless, although scheduled to go in tomorrow for my second IVF transfer. I am hoping and praying the Lord will bless us this year and that when I turn 32 this year, I will at least be pregnant.
Happy Birthday, Andrea! It has been a blessing to read your blog for the past few years and witness your journey of faith and hope, your love for God, and your desire to glorify Him in the trial of infertility.
A new decade, a new season, the same Heavenly Father. Hallelujah!
I turn 30 on Friday! Now I have to change my profile b/c it says twenty-something! So thrilled that this is a joyous milestone for you!
P.S. I just visited the Copenhagen airport to! Love you’re idea of collecting ornaments on your travels. Thanks for sharing!
SK
Happy birthday! What beautiful reflections to look back on your journey…and the beautiful place God has brought you.
Happy Birthday! Sorry we can’t make it tomorrow. Hope you have a smashing-good time. 🙂