30 is the new Black....

This pic captures the moment my dad's life got totally Katiefied....

So...I turn 30 today. 

 

It's kinda hard to believe.  I don't "feel" 30.  I'm not really sure what 30 is supposed to feel like.  Am I supposed to do something super adulty (like invent a new word)?  Should I invest in stocks or something?   Maybe open a savings account and actually put some money in it?  Perhaps I should consider bringing back the monocle?

Sexy.

 

Turnin' the big 3-0 has had me thinkin' a good bit.  (And obviously, it has also had me dropping the "g" at the end of all -ing suffixes. Whatever...I've earned it.)

Last night, as I was drifting off to sleep, counting birthday wishes on Facebook as if they are sheep, I started thinking about the fact that 30 years ago today God brought me into this world at the exact right time, to the exact right place, to the exact right parents, and all for a purpose only I, Katie McNemar, can serve.  It was a completely overwhelming thought.  I seriously couldn't sleep all night because I just kept talking to God about how special and loved I feel by Him.  I felt completely filled with His love.  I could have been born 3,876 years ago, but I wasn't. I was born on January 13th, 1981 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Buckhannon, WV; the first child of Randy and Sharon McNemar. 

I just read an amazing blog post by Tony Alicea that couldn't be more perfect for this day:

http://www.tonyjalicea.com/2011/01/the-dash-between-the-dates/

Tony is talking about the dash between dates on a gravestone.  That dash is what it's all about.  We can't control when we are born or when we die, but we can do something about the "dash" in between the two.  God brought you to this Earth for such a time and place as this (Esther 4:14).  

A few months ago it really hit me that I am going to be thirty. I don't know what it was about that thought that snapped me back into reality.  It made me realize that my purpose in life isn't to get comfortable where I am.  My purpose is to live out a life that will bring glory to God and bless my family for generations to come.  I don't really think that much about the future.  I'm not married and don't have any kiddos yet, so it's hard for me to think about how my life and the decisions I make will impact people I haven't even met or given birth to yet...but it is important to do so.  I want my children to inherit a legacy that won't rust, rot, or corrupt.  I want my children, and their children, and so on, to inherit the legacy of living for God and bringing Him glory.  Truly...that is the only thing that matters.  I've tried everything else already so that they hopefully won't have to.

So, my birthday gift to myself is that I am going to step out in faith toward the adventure that God has called me to.  How exciting!!!!!!!!!  When I blow out my candles, my wish is going to have the strength, wisdom, perseverance, and discernment  to chase after Jesus no matter how difficult the path.  I will walk by faith and not by sight ( 2 Cor 5:7).  My prayer for all of you is that you truly believe, in the deepest part of your heart and soul, that God loves you so much and has an amazing purpose that only you can serve.  I know you've heard it a million times before, but please, take a minute and really let it sink in. Please!? For me???? Come on...it's my BIRTHDAY!!!  I pray that He show all of us what that purpose is, and give us what we need in order to take the narrow road that leads to Him.  It's not going to be easy, my friends. It certainly will not.  But we're here together.   And if you happen to come across me on your travels....just know this....I'm crazy as hell, but we gonna have us some fun ya'll!

Thank you to all my friends and family who have helped me become who I am today.  Thank you to Jesus for loving me before the universe was ever created.  Wow....just wow.   

Okay ya'll....lets get out there and LIVE!!!!!

Love,

The birfday gurl

And for your viewing pleasure:

One of our dorkier moments, for sure.

The day I was baptized.  My other birthday.

Let me draw your attention away from Kirk's jam pants for a brief moment so that you can take a gander at the fact that I am wearing white sweatpants with white loafers.  Do I even have to mention the glasses or the bangs?  Okay good.

Katie and Heather : )

Aunt Debbie and Uncle Ronnie gettin' totally Katiefied....

Don't give me a microphone. Seriously....

I can WREAD!!!