i'm so.....

EXCITED!!!

I have a secret that will be revealed tonight. Whoop, whoop!! It's going to be a smorgasboard of love for one lovely recipient.

Whoop, whoop!!!

Rewind: 35th Birthday

2 months ago I had another birthday--the 35th--and had many mixed emotions about this particular one. Happy, sad, strangely adult and still overwhelmingly young and behind on "my plan" for my life.

I know, I know. I'm such a mess.

All that aside, what I want to focus on here is that fact that I was able to celebrate plentifully; first with my Utah Lovelies and then with my Colorado Lovelies. I feel adored and blessed by all of the amazing people the Lord has placed in my life. Seriously ADORED!!!

My Utah lovelies always make me feel so special, loved and like I belong. My life has been extremely blessed since I've started taking my trips to the Great State of Utah. And, lets be honest, I just can't get enough of the Seevinck lovin' that I receive. I feel so at home and safe when I'm in their presence. Plus, I laugh so much and always come back with new insight into life. They just have a way of doing that to me; most times without even saying anything. It just happens.

Love, love, love you all!!

My Colorado Lovelies are fan-flippin'-tastic!! I went to the Rio on my birthday; then had a slumber party with the Y Besties; and just when I thought it couldn't get any better I was able to have a wii bowling party with the lovely ladies that hold me up, inspire me and remind me of God's love everyday. I would be lost without these ladies.

One of the things that blessed me the most from my birthday was some of my friends wrote "35 Things We Love About Raelynn" in honor of my 35th birthday. I ran across it again tonight when I was straightening up my room. So I thought I would share it here because I love it so much.

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"35 Things We Love About Raelynn"

From Jenn

1. Her generosity and giving spirit

2. Her creativity

3. Her love of shoes!

From Gayle

4. How she can make me laugh effortlessly

5. How she faces life straight on...whatever comes her way

6. She pursues her passions

7. She has worked with that personal trainer! I would have quit a long time ago.

From Natalie

8. I love that Raelynn's heart is steadfast with hope and that she keeps trusting even when she doesn't understand how things will work out

9. I love Rae's shiny black hair and deep brown eyes--she's such a beauty!

10. I love that Raelynn can dive the depths of conversation and have your rolling with laughter

From Carol

11. I love that Raelynn honors and values family in truly Biblical ways...living life in community, loving, serving and always showing deep devotion

12. I love that Raelynn is a friend to ALL!

13. I love that Raelynn brings me overflowing joy and laughter in my life

14. I love that Raelynn loves some Strawberry FANTA baby!!!

From Liz

15. I love how she loves kids. She has an amazing way of connecting to them and making them feel special and important

16. I love her passion for her heritage

17. I love that she uses her voice to teach and bless on the worship team and with the kids

18. Her sharing at the CME about dreams

19. Her blogs

From Jacki & Jill

20. Her honesty

21. She is an encourager

22. She is always humble

23. Her gift of wisdom

24. She has such integrity and compromises for no one

25. She is full of grace and the first one to forgive

26. She has endless compassion, even for those who have hurt her

27. She is completely reliable

28. She is a warrior and intercessor for her family no matter what

29. She honors her spiritual leaders

30. She likes cheese tortillas

31. She is sacrificial

32. She loves Jesus, but is willing to admit that sometimes she is pissed at Him too

33. She is willing to share the knowledge the Lord has given her even if she is out of her element

From Shauna

34. I love her passionate fire for the Lord and people

35. I love the overflowing joy and laughter that she brings in every situation

From Halen

Bonus 1. Raelynn is inspiring in her tenderness to the Lord

Bonus 2. I LOVE that her love language includes chocolate bars

Bonus 3. I love that her love for others is accompanied by action

********************

Hello!!!

Can it get any better than that?? I don't think so. I keep this list in my journal and when I start feeling lost or in doubt about who I am...I read this list again. It always helps me find my way back and erases the doubt that is plaguing my mind.

This list is truly one of the best gestures of love I have ever received.

just when i feel like throwing in the towel...

those beautiful ladies in my world, that despite all my craziness,

LOVE ME

...come in and swoop me off my feet with words of love and encouragement.

i am blessed with the most amazing friends!!!

ps more details to come later. but for now, i m.u.s.t. sleep!!!

Shoes!!!

As I've noted on a few earlier posts, I was blessed with a very large gift certificate to DSW a couple of weeks ago. Yesterday I took my gift card for a little spin. I had a couple of ideas what I wanted but really did not have anything concrete. I really wanted to go in and "see" what they had and go from there. When I walked in I felt like a kid in a candy store; overwhelmingly excited from the expectation of getting something yummy in a store of too many choices. I did, however, settle on a few things that I am excited to add to my collection of shoes and accessories. I was able to get a pair of cowboy boots, red patent leather ballet flats, running shoes--which I desperately need since I get Peggy-ed once a week and my running shoes are shot now, 2 scarves--one red, one black, and last but certainly not least, a red Nine West slouch purse. Love it, love it, LOVE IT ALL!!! I was so blessed. And am thankful to our CEO and Board Members at the Y that wanted to show a few of us their appreciation for the hard work we've put in the last year during our budget 'crisis'.

Here's a photo of the loot....



I'm soooo excited about my cowboy boots. The Oklahoma girl is always in me, for sure. Fun fact: When I was in middle school I loved wearing wranglers and boots. Yep, I really did. So for my 12th birthday my grandpa Rod took me to Tener's and hooked me up with all I needed to live my Oklahoma cowgirl dreams. I hear the country music welling up inside me as I type this blog even now.



My other fav purchase I'm excited to wear, but not today as its snowing upon my "i want to wear my new shoes day" are the red patent leather Steve Madden flats. Those of you who know me, know that I have a love affair with Stevie. So I was super excited to get these gems.




And if you can believe it or not, which I myself am having a hard time believing...I still have about a 1/4 of my gift certificate left. But, I want to save it for a few pairs of summer sandals!! Overall my shoe shopping experience was a definite blessing and the first time I've ever been able to say, "I'll take that and that and that and..." and not suffer from shoppers guilt after walking out the door. So fun. The YMCA certainly knew how to shower me with a 'love gesture' I wasn't expecting at all.

Love Fest: Shauna Lott

Yesterday was a great day. It was utterly awesome!!

Earlier in the year, the Lord was speaking to me about what it means to love. Really Love!! And He began speaking to me about "celebrating" those I love and more importantly who He loves. I mulled over for awhile how to celebrate people. I decided it was time to start throwing parties for people merely on the basis that they are loved and should be celebrated. Well, my friends, yesterday was so exciting for me because I was able to throw another party for someone who deserved so much to be celebrated. And I'm happy to report we were able to love on her, shock her and bless her to the core.

The Love Fest Recipient: Shauna Lott

Here she is thinking she was attending a Housewarming Party for the Waneka's/Shelsta's/Emerick household. (Yes, we are firm believers of community living!) At this point, she still thinks she's at the housewarming party and making small talk with Julia.



The Ambush: After a bit of chatting I asked everyone for a moment of their time because I wanted to say something and then.... SURPRISE!!!, Shauna we are here for you.



I pulled her over to a chair we so that we could focus all of our attention on her and lavish her with our love. In the above picture I think she's trying to figure out how Aubrey got this past her.

The Love Feast: Words of encouragement, love and lots of wine.

I try to make these parties as personal as possible. Those of you who know Shauna, know that she is an afficianado of wine. Therefore, on the invite I asked everyone along with their prayer/blessing/word of encouragement to purchase her a bottle of wine that describes Shauna in some way. Whether it be the name, the picture, the way the wine is described, etc. Plus, by doing this we were able to build her a nice little wine collection.



I believe when all was said and done she had 15 bottles of wine to add to her collection. Everyone was so creative and got very involved when picking out a bottle of wine for her. None of the bottles were the same and each had such a unique reasoning behind it. I loved how everyone spoke such words of life over her and encouraged her in ways that were unique to each of them.

There was much laughter and joy. Just like Shauna brings all of us. It was fitting for her jovial personality.





Here's Tyler explaining his bottle he chose for her. Perfectly called, "Woop Woop"!



Aubrey with the bounty of wine telling Shauna how much she loves her.



More Vino, with a carrying case for 6. Because one bottle is never enough!



At parties end, I know we were able to get one surprise by her; and I believe that Shauna was able to feel the love from her friends, but more importantly how much God truly loves her.

That evening she wrote us all a little thank you note and I wanted to share part of it here...

"as i was sitting there today listening to each of you speak such kind words, jesus was continually revealing himself to me even through the shock of not sitting at a housewarming party but sitting at a surprise party for me instead. i was left speechless at the party (a tough feat so well done), so i wanted to share them with you briefly. first, god really does set the lonely in families. second, we know him by our love for one another. this scripture kept running through my head: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." i knew him on a much deeper level today through your love, kindness, and generosity towards me. again, thank you."

And that my friends is what it's all about!!! I hope more people catch the "love fest-throw you a party just because-you should be celebrated" bug. There's nothing like it. I believe it's truly one of the most important things that I do. Showing people you love them is so fulfilling. And it doesn't have to be big parties. There are many ways to celebrate someone. Just dig inside your creativity and go for it. You won't regret it at all. You'll never say, "man I wish I didn't shower that person with love unexpectedly today". Actually, you will understand even more the great love of the Lord. It's amazing!!!

FLOWERS!

It's been a rough week, to say the least!

I'm in my busiest season at the Y: Summer camp. Which means I'm in Boulder Valley soccer mom hell. My apologies if you are a soccer mom; but not really, if you act entitled, pushy, and down right mean. Because that's just not cool at all. And back to the loving place. 

As well as, I got news from my mother that my grandmother is about to die. I'm waiting for the call any day now. She needs to have surgery; however, with surgery, they doctors say she will not make it through that process. It would be too rough on her at this point. So, they are just making her as comfortable as possible and hoping for the best. 

With work and family I have been in stress overload. My stress has existed on several levels this week. So yesterday afternoon when I got home and there was a beautiful boquet of flowers waiting for me, I was utterly delighted. It put a huge smile on my face after such a long week.



A big THANK YOU to Rebecca, Vivien and Mook who always love me so well. You warmed my heart and ministered to my soul by your thoughtful gesture.  I felt so loved and encouraged. 

Love and Hugs to my California family today!!