Happy Birthday to Me!!
My birthday just recently passed, and I celebrated (still celebrating) another year of life. I’ve had such an extremely busy year, that I just wanted to take the day off and relax. I decided to book a staycation for the day. A staycation is a local trip to a nearby town or city. These types of trips provide the opportunity to take a day off, do some exploration, and not have to spend a lot of money. Since it was nearby, I only paid for the hotel.
I stayed at The Westin Washington National Harbor located in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
The hotel was located by the waterfront. The first thing I did was explore the view, before the sun went down. There is a boardwalk, sand area, and Ferris wheel located by the waterfront which was really neat. There are many nearby restaurants and shops. I was able to do some exploring on different streets before heading back to the hotel. Once I got to the hotel, I did some people watching in the lobby. Who else enjoys people watching?
Dress: SheIn (old)
Backpack: Local (MD) Anakara fashion business
I did a quick outfit change. Although it was my birthday, I didn’t want to be overly dressed, because it was an environment where people were in shorts and flip-flops. I went for a look that I could quickly stop past two shops in and head to dinner.
Shirt: Wet Seal (Super old, hanging in my closet but never worn) / Shop Similar Here
Skirt: (Old purchase) / Shop Similar
At night, I had dinner over at Bond 45. Bond 45 is a Steak and Seafood Restaurant which has balcony views overlooking the boardwalk and the entire strip. At night, you can see the Ferris wheel lit up.
While I was waiting for dinner to arrive to the table, it got real. I began to reflect on my life this past year. As I thought about what God has done in my life and how He moved on my behalf in such a short period of time, those tears started forming. My tears represented joy, praise, thanks, and my humility in knowing that God did not have to do what He has done in my life. This past year was really full of test and trials. However, I remained diligent and stood on the Word of God. As a result, God gracefully brought me through this past and important year that launched me into my God-given destiny that was established before the beginning of the Earth.
Whew! Dinner has arrived! My Jumbo Lump Crab Cake and Shrimp with vegetables meal was so good! It’s pricey, but worth it. After dinner, I got a quick picture over the balcony and enjoyed music nearby that was being played on the saxophone.
The following morning, I got dressed for work and had breakfast at the hotel. During breakfast, I thought about how this year’s birthday was indeed special. It’s my first birthday walking in the fullness of Christ that I now know the true purpose of my life. In me lies gifts and certain testimonies with an appointed time for them to be released. These gifts and testimonies must be released at the appointed time, because it is at that moment when it will be profitable for the Kingdom of God and effectively change many lives on an individual basis.
Dress: Banana Republic Factory / Shop Here (Doing a Banana Republic selections soon!)
Shoes: Marc Fischer (as seen in previous posts)
(All photos taken on my iPhone or Professional Camera)
I took my final stroll of my staycation with joy and happiness. I made it through this past year in knowing that God’s grace is truly sufficient. I strive to continue working on being the best version of what God wants me to be in order to fulfill my destiny. Everything beyond I could even dream or imagine is attached to God.
Thank you for reading, and my hope is that this post encouraged you in many ways.
Be blessed!
This post really encouraged me in so many ways. I appreciate your candor and self-reflection. It is so truly vital that we reflect on the journey in God so that we can see how far He has brought us and how far He can take us. I think you are absolutely correct when you discuss how trials and tribulations have propelled you into your God-given destiny. It’s important for me as a reader to understand that the valleys as well as the hills will perfect me in the things of God and allow for my gifts to come forth. I thank you for sharing and I look forward to your next post. Happy born again anniversary!
Thank you so much. I agree. It is so important to reflect on the entire journey, the process. Sometimes as people, we don’t want to go through the process God is making us go through. However, the process is God’s way of testing and training us. I only reflect on the past only to see where God has brought me from and to be encouraged in knowing that if God brought me all the way from something, He can do so much more in my life. Absolutely! In order to climb up the hill, you have to go through the valleys so that by the time you reach the hill you would be perfected to manage the things that come with the hill. I appreciate your comment so much. Thank you my dear.