Happy Birthday Vickie!

Today is my friend Vickie's 50th birthday! People think I'm kidding when I say she's 50 years old and a grandmother. She looks and acts like she's in her 30's. This photo isn't the most flattering, but she hadn't "purdified" herself because she had no idea that she was going to her own surprise birthday party. I could have chosen a nicer photo of her in her birthday tiara looking sweet and dignified but... I thought this one was more incriminating and that's what friends are for!


Here's my little tribute to Vickie on her 50th birthday. I hope this makes up for the incriminating photo!

Fifty Things I Love About Vickie!

1. She is genuinely beautiful, inside and out.
2. She is humble.
3. She is honest (to a fault).
4. She is filled with joy.
5. She is one of the Godliest women I have ever known.
6. She has a genuine compassion for others.
7. If I sign up to volunteer for something - she signs up too.
8. She doesn't take herself too seriously.
9. She would rather give than receive.
10. She takes in strays - seriously - her house is filled with more 4-legged than 2-legged creatures because she can't turn anything away.
11. She has a true servant's heart.
12. She is a 2nd Mom to Nick. She treats him just like one of her own.
13. She never complains, even when she has every right to.
14. She is the first person to offer help when she sees someone in need - even if they don't ask for it.
15. She has a passion for missions and takes every opportunity to serve "the least of these."
16. She sends her sweet husband, Billy, to work on my "honey do" list, even when she has a long "honey do" list of her own.
17. She has a great, contagious laugh!
18. She is incredibly kind.
19. She has a great sense of humor.
20. She is never prideful.
    
21. No matter what happens, her faith is never shaken.
22. She is so in love with Jesus that His radiance oozes from her pores and shines in her eyes.
23. She volunteers every year to help with our annual She Speaks conference even though she knows how exhausting it will be.
24. If I have to go out of town, she offers to take Nick before I even ask her if she's free.
25. She includes me and Nick in her family holidays because she says we ARE family.
26. She doesn't look or act anything like a grandmother... except for the unconditional love she has for her grandchildren (and she spoils them rotten).
27. She's not bossy - she just has better ideas than everyone else (inside joke)!
28. If the mood strikes - she will bust a move... even if there is no music playing!
    
29. She is gracious.
30. She sets a positive example for others. She is an amazing role model for young women... and a few of us old ones!
31. She is a loving mother, daughter, sister, wife, grandmother, aunt, and friend.
32. Every time one of her kids walks out the door - even just to run a quick errand - she tells them that she loves them.
33. She doesn't judge others.
34. Her love for Billy glows on her face whenever she talks about him. (Perhaps that's because she is usually laughing at the time?!)
35. We are so close that people sometimes get confused about which one of us they are talking to. We don't look anything alike - they just have our names intertwined... kind of like peanut butter and jelly or frick and frack! I love that when someone is telling her something (thinking that they are talking to me) she is so nice about it that she doesn't correct them (like I do). She just listens and then tells me later.
    
36. She would give away her last dollar if someone needed it more than she did.
37. She is a model of God's mercy and His grace.
38. She is willing to be completely transparent for the sake of others. By sharing her struggles and her mistakes, she shows others what God can do with brokenness if you just give your heart to Him.
39. She is not critical (even if she can do it better).
    
40. She is a great encourager!
41. She is a great shoulder to cry on (although a little bony).
42. She is a very gifted artist. She paints beautifully.
43. She can teach the Word in way that makes Jesus very real to sweet little pre-schoolers (that she lovingly refers to as "my babies").
44. She is quick to put on her "momma armor" and protect her family and her friends.
45. Her love is unconditional.
46. She will drop what she is doing and run over with medicine and Ginger Ale when you have an allergic reaction that makes your legs and feet swell up so huge that you can't get your pants or your shoes on. (She laughs at the sight of it... but she still shows up!)
47. She laughs with you, not at you, when you make a fashion faux pas.
48. She is a perfect example of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Well... maybe not so much the patience and self-control!)
49. She can make anyone feel comfortable and welcome in her presence.
50. And, what I love the best about Vickie is... that no matter how old she gets... I'll always be younger!

Happy Birthday my sweet (and forgiving) friend!

Love and Blessings,
LeAnn