Prayer is beautiful. Here are a few examples of wonders I can't take credit for: (recent items listed first)- I was having one of those lonely moments around the holidays and decided to pass time by watching a U2 DVD about the making of the Joshua Tree Album. When I saw The Edge, hansom in his cowboy hat, I couldn’t help myself anymore and blurted out to my mom and aunt Lisa: “If you ever meet a young Christian guy who looks like that, send him my way!” God must have been listening then too because several weeks after I started dating Arturo he showed up wearing a beanie on his head. I thought he was just trying to flatter me by doing an impersonation, but he hadn’t heard about my love for U2 yet. Of course, Arturo's "look" is just a side-note to all the real reasons why I love him. In case you haven't met him: He is a ton of fun, is artistic to his core, brilliantly wise, and his deep, honest roots make him consistent, calm and adventurous at all the right times. Our differences are complimentary while our similarities make it easy to spend an obscene amount of time together. Needless to say, I’m excited to be spending my life with Arturo, no matter what hat he's got on his head.
- Unknowingly, I prayed for what most New Yorkers think is impossible. An apartment with a big kitchen, an extra room for guests, a convenient location, safe neighborhood, and something affordable. What did I get? All of that plus furniture and wallpaper that reminds me growing up in Ohio. Not to mention, a location that is only 20minutes from Arturo, who I would eventually meet and ended up dating only five months later. How cool is that! The short version makes it sound so nice and easy, but in reality I needed to deal with my pride and expectations before I could recognize what was being offered.
- I saw a video of Dance Ad Deum and knew that was the dance company I wanted to dance with if there was any possible way for me to dance professionally. Praise God I didn't follow a boy to Boston! And I'm so grateful that somehow I was good enough to get in. Those were a precious five years in Houston!
- Becoming a college student made me really excited... I was especially excited to live with some girls (growing up with brothers was great... but I thought it would be nice to have a sister too.) So, when my first roommate was well.... just a roommate. I decided to opt for the random lottery and see who I got for my sophomore year. Who did I get, but Tracey Jo Forbes (now Hoesch). She not only grew up with all brothers too, she even looked and talked like me. Another answer to my prayers that I am still, and always will be, thankful for.
- I'm not good with decisions. So, I needed God's help in deciding what college to go to... what I heard back was a scripture. "Seek first the Kingdom of God." So I picked Hope College. It probably wasn't the college my ballet teacher would have recommended, but I could study dance and business and I knew that a dynamic spiritual life was available on campus. I grew so much by being challenged in so many divers ways, I can not imagine a better college experience.
- I was baptized at age 10. The Holy Spirit must have arrived on the scene then, because it helped me live through some dark Junior High secrets. Read the blog "My choice to Live" for more details on this story.
- I was born into an awesome family. Maybe I prayed for that before I was even born? Maybe someone else was praying for me? Or maybe sometimes God just blesses us without us asking for it.
