A few days ago I confessed that I have real trouble with posing for a photo and asked for your help. Boy, was I grateful for your response! A number of you offered suggestions that I'd never heard before. Now I'm actually looking forward to the next time I get my picture taken.
I also asked y'all to tell me which of the acceptable photos you liked best. There was one clear winner of that poll. And then, much to my delight, my friend Amanda Padgett of Everyday Elements offered to edit that photo for me. This woman knows her stuff, and she loves to teach people how to use their cameras well and how to edit their photos. Check out her website here.
So here's my new photo:
So why is this photo so important? Because this is a big year for me. Drum roll, please.
This year--2013--I will be 50 years old.
Half a century.
The other day a young friend told me that 50 is the new 40. I don't know about that, but I do know that I want to live this year with everything I've got. I've spent too much time in the past 50 years concerning myself with what I didn't have or what other people have. This year I want to learn in a new way to be confident that God loves me and that I have a special place in His great universe.
What about you? Is there something special about this year for you? I'd love to hear about it!
You are beautifu!--inside and out. This year? Well, you know . . . it's a 50 kind of year for me too. Maybe you can help me come to grips with it, because I'm not doing such a great job now. :)
ReplyDelete"50" looks good on you sweet Richella. You are beautiful. And you radiate the love of Jesus!
ReplyDeleteI never had a hard time with any birthday until I turned 60...and it was kind of hard for me. But now I am 62, and very content with it.
This year I would like to organize my home and clean out some of the clutter. It is amazing how much stuff a person can accumulate in 6 years! (It will be 6 yrs. this Feb. since we closed on our new home.)
"Simplify"...that's a good word. Not just for my home...but for the things that crowd out the peace that I want...and the relationship, and closeness to my Lord.
Self gets in the way too often. Less of me..and more of Jesus! That's a goal I'd like to reach.
Love, Linda
You look great, I never would guess you are turning 50! The photo looks great! I hate having my picture taken, but at times it's necessary. This year I have decided to let my hair go grey. I know it's radical, scripture says grey hair is a sign of wisdom, we shall see!
ReplyDeleteYou are beautiful on the outside but most important, you are stunning on the inside. Life can change our "looks" in a heartbeat. How well I know that with my cancer, but life can never change our beauty on the inside.
ReplyDeleteAs you know I'm 50 this year too, but not until October. I think you look amazing, and I love your photo. Are you having it framed? Any plans for a big party. what month is your birthday.
ReplyDeleteI hope this year is a wonderful year for you with many blessings and good health.
Big hugs
Denise
You are beautimous!!! I am 41 and hope to look that radiant when hit 50 :D
ReplyDeleteI turn 50 next month and I feel kind of scared about it. Being "49" sounds okay, but 50 is such a big step! I don't feel almost 50. Anyway, you look great!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photo! I'm turning 51 in a couple weeks and I have to say that number is making me a feel hesitant about telling anyone my age. I can almost hear the gasps when I say it. You look amazing! Have a wonderful year!
ReplyDeleteYou are gorgeous and you look stunning. 50 is a great age and so is 60 and 70. Enjoy them all. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteYou are beautiful! I'm turning 50 this year too. It's a moment in time that really causes us to stop and think, doesn't it? Has me anyway.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I'm sorry, but I still don't believe you'll be 50. You don't look a day over 30! You are a beautiful person, inside and out. I'm so honored to know you!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog!!! You look amazing - you see your peace shinning through!! I am excited about turning 50!! I love the "zero" years 30, 40 and 50!! I do my best to be mentally and physically the best God wants me to be!! I am running my second marathon tomorrow and hope the improve my time by over an hour (other was at 40) So cheers to being 50 and fabulous!!!
ReplyDeleteRichella,
ReplyDeleteYou are so beautiful! You have aged very gracefully! Honestly, I don't think I look as good as you and I'm 42.
Thank you for allowing me to help spiffy up the great picture your husband took!
Amen sister! I'm on the path to being the woman God created me to be also....living to the fullest. Why does it take us nearly 50 years to get there?!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous picture! Lisa~
No, no, Nannette! You can't be almost 50! Seriously, you're a beautiful lady and you do not look your age. The love of the Lord shines through you and you're a blessing. I'm with you to live 2013 to the fullest.
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Such a beautiful picture, you look like someone I would love to get to know.
ReplyDeleteYou are a beautiful lady and probably have the personality to go with it! I will be 70 this year (I believe it's the new 60 or even 50!), and we will also be celebrating our 50th anniversary this year. I find as I get older, my desire is to learn more about God, and I am now studying the Names of God - since someday I will go to live with Him in heaven. "Keep On Keeping On!" and "Keep Looking UP!" are mottos I live by. Thanks for sharing your faith!
ReplyDeleteYou are a beautiful young woman (I'm 10 years older than you)and from reading your blog I believe you're as beautiful on the inside-which is what really matters. I read a quote the other day by Martin Buxbaum. It reads, "Some people, no matter how old they get, never lose their beauty, they merely move it from their faces into their hearts." I pray by God's grace I am becoming one of those people.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Betsy
Are you serious right now?! Well, you are making 50 look amazing!! Your beauty radiates from the inside; and your spirit just exemplifies that! Beautiful!
ReplyDelete50 looks great. I am 10 years ahead of you.
ReplyDeleteFondly,
Glenda
You look great! What a stunning picture!
ReplyDeleteI will be 56 in March and I am thankful for every year. I have never been one to dread a birthday and another year of age. I think it is WONDERFUL to be able to have another birthday! Pray 50 is good to you!
As radiant on the outside as you are on the inside!
ReplyDeleteFeel your pain ... celebrated #40 last month. It was definitely a time to reflect and reevaluate! ;) That's what milestones are for, right?
Gorgeous photograph! I turn 52 this year, ouch!!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you!
Cindy
Richella- 50 has never looked more beautiful! I loved my 50's. Those were some of my favorite years ever. When IS your birthday- xo Diana
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful!
ReplyDeleteRichella you look beautiful!! If that's 50, I can't wait!! :-)
ReplyDeleteCyndi
I think your beautiful and my hubby guessed you were 28. Now how's that make you feel? :) I loe your outlook, I also need to take on that same outlook. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteYou are going to ROCK 50! You look gorgeous in that picture and definitely do not look your age.
ReplyDeleteYou are lovely! and like your other readers have said, you certainly do not look your age (that in itself is something to be grateful for!) Beautiful face, positive attitude, lovely home, healthy family - you have it all for sure!
ReplyDeleteOH. you are a stunning. beautiful. show stopping 40. and even more knowing you are 50. Mercy. In person you look 38. miss you dearly.
ReplyDeleteYou look beautiful, Richella! Such a great picture! I hear ya ~ I'll be 50 in October. Can't believe it, but I just keep telling myself it is only a number. I'll have to read your post with the tips for posing since I'm lucky if I'm happy with one picture out of 100 of myself.
ReplyDeleteYou are gorgeous!
ReplyDelete