Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Birthday Blog Takeover by Hal Griffin

 
Happy 30th Birthday to the MOST AMAZING WOMAN I’ve ever known!  
 I was going to post this on my own blog but quickly realized only about 5 people would see it.  Plus, what I want to do won’t work there.  I want to show Jen Griffin just how incredible she really is by stealing a post on the blog she uses to inspire so many of us; and let her know that none of our lives would be the same without her indelible mark.  I for one wouldn’t be who I am or where I am without her love, encouragement, honesty (sometimes hard to hear, but I’m glad she’s never held back), and support.  I also attribute anything cool I’ve ever done or been a part of to the inspiration her creativity and influence has sparked.  For me, today is not just a birthday for us to celebrate, but it also marks 10 years since our very first date.  And my life hasn’t been the same since.  I thank God for every day that I’ve had the honor of walking this journey with her, and I can’t wait to see what adventure lies ahead.
 
If there is something you’d like to share with Jen about how she’s touched your life or that would encourage her on her birthday (I mean birthmonth), take a second to leave a comment on this post!

Happy Birthday My Dearest Love!  If there’s anyone that will live their 30’s with courage, style and grace, it will be you.




24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Dear Jen!
I haven't known you long and I don't even know you very well but I still believe you're an incredible and inspiring lady. You were inspiring me before I even knew who you were through your set designs at Ashley. Then I got to know you a little, found your blog and fell in love with your shop!
You're such a kind and beautiful person and I am honored to know you and be inspired by you and your beautiful heart.
I hope 30 is a grand year full of love and adventure.
<3
Shelby

birdsofafeatherdesign.com said...

Jen! Happy Happy Happy Day! I am so thankful for you and so glad you have entered your 30's where I have been for a while waiting on ya! I love your creativity, kindness and sweet spirit. The Schuttes are thankful for our Jen! And Sissy is stoked that you share the same birthday with the Bieber!xoxoxo...Ann & all

Brad Barbour said...

You and Bieber share your B Day! I mean seriously, how cool is that?

Anyways you are way awesome and I'm honored to call you friend! You're an inspiration to us all and you are probably the nicest person I've ever met! You're awesome and I hope this is the best year ever!

Karla said...

You add beauty to this world...and my life. Knowing you is a gift. Love you!!!

Rachael said...

Jen,

Happy Birthday!

I'm so blessed to have you as a friend. Our relationship grew so organically, so meant to be! You're such an inspiration through your love for the Lord, your relationship with Him, your love for others, your creativity, and your ability to appreciate the little things.

It means so much to me have you around and support me. To let me know I´m not silly for dreaming big or alone when things get tough.

...I'm a little too excited see what the Lord has in store for the following years to come! I have feeling it's going to be more than you ever expected or dreamed. I hope you'll still share those lovely happenings with camera in hand.

Lots of love and hugs, ´
Rachael

Janell Johnson said...

Happy 30th Birthday dear friend! You and Hal bring so much joy to our lives and I'm so thankful for you. I'm blessed by your thoughtfulness, creativity (I love my rice pack and handbag!), photos (even though I hate your camera I love AJ's 30th pics) encouragement, support and friendship. I'm so thankful to serve with you and call you a friend. I can't wait to see the joy God brings you and Hal in this new decade, believing it will be more than you could have imagined or hoped for. Love you lots! xox JJJ

Michelle said...

These are some things that make me think of you:
Proverbs 10:21- The words of the godly encourage many.
Proberbs 11:13- those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.
Proverbs 11:16-A gracious woman gains respect.
Proverbs 11:17- Your kindness will reward you.
Proverbs 15:28- The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking.
Psalm 62:1-2-I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from Him. He alone is my rock & my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.
Psalm 37:7, 23- Be still in the presence of the Lord & wait patiently for Him to act. The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in EVERY detail of their lives.
Proverbs 27:17-As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
**********************************
Philemon 7 - Your love has given me much joy & comfort, my sister, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God's people.
***********************************
You are an amazing woman....God has gifted you in so many ways. You are a joy and inspiration to all who know you. I admire everything about you. You have an amazing ability to create newness from discarded & abandoned as well as the gift to create community. You are a true Proverbs 31 woman and I am so blessed to be able to call you friend! Much love!! Michelle

Jeff Kapusta said...

fotojen,

It's no secret that I secretly despise your creativity and wish I could extract all your creativeness for my own self. (yes you read that correctly) In your honor today I will hang a random piece of debris on my wall.

Seriously, I'll never forget the first time you and Hal came over for dinner. From that moment Michelle and I have had a heart connection with you guys. I consider it an honor to call you a friend.

On another note, what if we started a stealth photography project we could call ourselves fotoninjas....just a thought.

Happy BirthMonth!

Cameron said...

Happy birthday, Jen!

We feel so blessed to know you.

And Hal, nice work with the hijacking. Love to you both.

Unknown said...

Jen, happiest of all birthdays to you! Welcome to the thirties! May Jesus bless you both in incredible ways this season. Hoping you experience His love from all angles today. You are beautiful!!!

colleen snow

Maxi said...

Jen,
Since coming to Wilmington, I have gotten to know so many amazing people that I wish to cherish and and look up to for the rest of my life. My friendship with you is one of them. Whether through Lifepoint, reading our blogs, or just browsing your incredible creations and photographs,you have inspired me to search my own creativity in hopes of finding a more meaningful passion I have had hiding deep within.
You are one of the most inspiring, beautiful, confident women I've ever met, and I wish you the very best not only on your Birthday, but everyday.

Thanks for being such an amazing model of grace and friendship.
Have a wonderful birthday!

Anonymous said...

Jen YOU ARE AWESOME!!!
Happy Birthday my top Asian friend. You are such a blessing to me and Hannah and your friendship means ssooo much to us. Thank you for your love, hospitality, and generosity. You are truly unique and special. God bless you on your 21st B-day!!

Love DWALT

Anonymous said...

Hey Jen!

Just wanted you to know how much of a privilege it is to have a birthday in proximity to yours. Thanks to your tutelage, I now know the importance of really stretching the celebration and making it last. You are the master.

Thanks for taking care of Hal as well (both of them actually. It is important to have someone that you can vent to about frustrating issues, haha) Your friendship means the world to Janell and I. Happy, happy birthday!

-AJ

Anonymous said...

Jen,

Happy Birthday!!! I am honored and blessed to be able to call you and Hal friends, I cannot describe the inspiration you both have been. Your style, creativity and talent are incomparable to any other and I can't wait to see what God has in store for you in this new chapter.

May this be the best year of your life yet,

Daniel Cuthbertson

Anonymous said...

Jen,
You are truly incredible! I've never met anyone as genuine and kind as you. You have a way of making everyone around you feel important, loved, and valued. I learn and am challenged by you constantly! I treasure your friendship and remain thankful God has brought you and Hal into our lives! May today find you celebrated and showered in much much much love!!!
Love, Hannah

Unknown said...

Jen!! You are the sweetest and most amazing woman I know. I hope you had a wonderful adventure today! Every time Erin or I mention your name in our household the other person lights up with the biggest smile on their face. You are such a burst of sunshine to everyone who is blessed to know you!! Have a wonderful Birthmonth! Love, Liz

Ninja John said...

Ninja Jen,

You are an incredible person married to an incredible person and yall do incredible things. :D Tons of people love you and it is for good reason too! Thank you for being a down to earth, loving soul that is always encouraging. I love the things you create and got to say, you really do inspire me. A lot. I hope you have had so far, and continue having an unbelievably awesome birthday and birthmonth! :D

P.S. Let's have dinner sometime next week (cause we have been talking about it for like over a year now)!

jill said...

Happy birthday Jen!! You are so super awesome, stylish, creative, kind, funny and oh so so pretty. Your friendship is such a blessing to me. love you dearly.

Hooper Patterson said...

Happy Happy Birthday Jen! I hope you had a wonderful day!! I loved reading Hal's post and got a little teary eyed! Thank you for your daily doses of inspiration and Happy 30th! May you have many many (happy) more birthdays.

Molly said...

Good job, Hal. If there is one thing our family taught us, it's to celebrate birthdays...ahem, birthmonths in style!! Gotta do it up BIG in the Griffin family!

Jen is thoughtful, bursting at the seams with untouchable creativity, gentle, kind, and the perfect addition to our family. She genuinely cares about others and celebrates in her friends' and family's successes, yet never boasts of her own.

She is an old soul in a young body! Love you Jen and proud to call you my sis!!
Love, Molly

stefanie said...

After a decade and a half of friendship i am so happy we are where we are! I love our tea time...and you're friendship and thoughtfulness have helped me so much! I love being long distance partners in crime, but wish we were closer...
I miss you and can't wait until our next visit!
happy 30th JEN!! I am so excited to see what happens next!

jennaferwhite said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
jennaferwhite said...

Happy Birthday lovely Jen! :)

How is it possible to have such appreciate and love for someone you spent a mere few days with? It's quite silly when you think about it! But I know I've found a lifelong friend in you! :)

Your passion, love, courage, strength, style and grace is such an inspiration to me! The Lord is using your story in MIGHTY ways and has reached us miles away from you!

We will be celebrating YOU today! Thank you for allowing us a glimpse into your daily life! We love you dearly and can't wait to connect again!!!!

Happy birthday my dear friend!!!!

Unknown said...

Sweet Jen,
Your kind and gentle spirit is the likeness of Christ. You are a true joy and beautiful, beautiful sister. Thank you for helping others to see the glory of simple things and for making Eden come to earth in that way. You are celebrated. Heres to a life that is being well lived.

Bethany Joy