January 23rd

23 is my lucky number. For many reasons such as: David Justice was my original favorite baseball player and he wore the #23, Christian Laettner was my original favorite Duke basketball player and he wore #32 which is 23 reversed. Also there's a way to make my birthday 11-2 add up to 23 (i'll explain in person if anyone ever cares to see how I come up with that.) Also Psalm 23 - when I can't remember any Bible verses, when I can't remember why exactly it is I have faith in God; I can always remember Psalm 23.

So as long as I can remember it's been my number - in softball i've only played with a #23 on my back. Anytime there's an option to pick it, most people know that i've already claimed it. Anytime i'm doing something and the #23 is involved I see it as a "sign" that things will be great (i'm prolly losing some of you with this:) but I won't apologize because this number thing is important to me!

So today is the 23rd and as you suspected I think alot of good things happen to me on this day every month. Today happens to be the birthday of someone I am very close to. Since getting to know this person, even though there have been roller coaster moments, my life is truly better. I am a kinder person because of them. So today on my luckiest day, I wish them a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I hope all your dreams come true and your life is filled with lots of happiness!

So below i've copied Psalm 23 for anyone who wants to read it! Have a great day!

Psalm 23: The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Cuz You Gotta Have Faith...

"If You say go, we will go If You say wait, we will wait

If You say step out on the water And they say it can't be done

We'll fix our eyes on You and we will come

Your ways are higher than our ways And the plans that You have laid Are good and true

If You call us to the fire You will not withdraw Your hand

We'll gaze into the flames and look for You"

This morning after a phone call from my really good friend Abigail, I was extremely challenged to really seek what God's purpose for me is. Almost immediately the song above popped into my head. It's one of my favorites and I believe speaks volumes without many words.

Abigail and Tim are adopting and their first appointment going to court is this Tuesday, December 1st. They have been fasting and praying most of the weekend, when in fact the exact opposite is true for the rest of us living in the US.

I recalled to AP the first time she really told me about Winnie. It was some time in the Summer and I remember making plans with her that Saturday to do some shopping and get mani pedi's. She didn't mention the fact that she was fasting and asking God's direction for this little girl she had seen on an adoption website. Abigail and Tim were really seeking God to determine whether or not they should adopt a 4 year old versus waiting on the infant they had desired for so long. She was committed to truly seeking God's answer and not just the answer she wanted.

This challenged me this morning especially because I have truly put "all my eggs in one basket." I applied for a new position at NW and this is really the only one that has come my way in such a long time. I have been ready for a new challenge and career path for awhile now, and even though this is not something I would have jumped at the chance for a few years ago, I feel like it's a really good opportunity for me to use and demonstrate my skills.

The thing is though, this is really my ONE CHANCE to get out of my current job for the foreseeable future. Not good. I'm completely stranded if this doesn't work out.

Also my current "dating-ish/not going to put a label on it" relationship is one that is constantly needing my attention. And i'm so conflicted about it for many reasons, I truly truly need some guidance. All that to say that I am fixing my eyes on the only Person who knows the outcome of these two situations. I have never been very religious, but i've learned from experience that faith can move mountains.

My prayer for today is that not only that I can have that faith (like what AP and Tim have demonstrated) but to listen and hear the answers that are waiting for me.