#3 Witness a Miracle

I won't pretend I didn't steal this one from A Walk to Remember. Yes, I recalled the movie/book when I was putting together my 100 list, and I added "Witness a Miracle" because I knew I wanted to witness not just a romanticized, Nicholas Sparks version of a miracle ("You're my angel," and life is full of tiny miracles) but a mind-blowing, New Testament kind of miracle. The kind that makes you stop in awe and recognize the power of God. I've already seen many of those--the changed life of an ex-con, complete healing of my Grandmother's cancer, the forgiveness of my own sin, just to name a few--but I found myself still longing for MORE! More of God's power at work in the world, in my life and in the lives of those around me, and in His church.

I added this to my 100 list so I'd be on the lookout. I realized I'm not the sort of believer who struggles with "Can God do this?" so much as with asking Him to do more, and to allow me to see it happen! Rather than just holding on to that longing deep within my heart, to witness miracles and even perhaps to do them for Jesus' glory, I'm working on expressing that longing to Him. Someone recently confirmed that they recognized that desire in me and felt the Holy Spirit was going to show me and work through me. It's encouraged me to keep that willingness to be used and to keep asking for more.

That said, I don't think this is the only #3 I'll be sharing with you as the years go by. But it's pretty exciting to me! About two months ago, our lead pastor shared a vision with us, one that has been confirmed by many, that Jesus wanted us to purchase the building the church has been renting and completely rebuild it. Not because "new is nice" and certainly not because church is about the building, but because we're growing! But it can't and won't continue if we remain where we are. There's not enough space for us all to come, worship, and learn together. And the current setup isn't very welcoming to new people. Bottom line: Jesus wants more people for His Church. He says build a new building; we'll build a new building.

Did I mention the price tag? About 10 million dollars to purchase the building and construct a new one in the lot. We needed 6 million of that just to keep moving forward. Now, we're not a mega-church. We're about 500, mostly made up of college students and young professionals who don't make huge salaries. Where was that 6 million going to come from? I smile to think of the way my heart instantly seemed to respond, "God will provide the ram." (Check out Genesis 22 if you don't get it.) My heart may have sprung up with that faith at the first, but that "ram" still required a lot of fervent prayer and faith on the part of the church. We prayed and fasted, knowing the kind of sacrifice it would mean, what God might ask us to give. We didn't hold a "fundraiser" or do a big advertising campaign--just a few, brief reminders on Sunday mornings that we'd take up an offering in a month. That's it...one month.

March 5th rolled around. The tithes and offerings baskets were passed, just like any other Sunday. When everything was counted...

...there was just over 6 million dollars.

It's a miracle! God provided for His church. I like to think I never doubted it would happen, but then I wonder how I would've responded if it hadn't. Would I still have continued with faith, knowing God would provide whatever was necessary to do what He has asked? Or would I have just shrugged and said to myself, "Miracles like that just don't happen anymore, not like in Biblical times." I tend to think it would've been the latter. That's been my response far too often when things don't turn out how I hoped. So I'm shaking off that attitude--Lord knows this miracle has certainly bolstered my faith and given me encouragement to keep asking for more--and getting excited for even more miracles on the way!

100 List Fanfare

I promised you a "revamp" in the new year, didn't I? Well, this is it...sort of. I imagined a total blog make-over, but in the end, all I really wanted to add was my 100 list. I was inspired by friends whose own blogs include this list of dreams/goals--a "bucket list" of sorts, but not because I feel my life would lack meaning without attempting the "extraordinary." Quite the opposite! My life was given all the meaning it needs when Jesus saved me. These things are just adventures I'd love to have in addition to the grand adventure I've already been set upon. They're the sorts of things I'd love to see happen and then look back at this list and say, "How cool is that? I dreamed this long before it was reality!" Or maybe this list will provide a bit of inspiration when I'm given the opportunity to choose an adventure. Either way, it's full of fancies mixed with a few heart desires (the obvious ones being "having a baby" and "publishing a novel," I think). I'll try to post about the journey and the achievement/fulfillment of those dreams as they happen, if ever. Go ahead and click on the tab at the top of the page to take a look!

This blog will still be called "The Squirrel and Student Society," because the terms, remarkably, lend themselves well to the 100 list. Here are some definitions from Merriam-Webster.com:

Squirrel: to store up for future use —often used with away <squirrel away some money>

Squirrelly: nutty, curious

Student: scholar, learner, one who studies; an attentive and systematic observer <a student of politics>

Society: companionship or association with one's fellows : company

I'll admit that I'm a little "squirrelly" to begin with, and this blog is a place where I "squirrel away" moments, thoughts, and experiences (personally, I'm working on collecting moments more than things...but I've always been a collector of sorts). I don't know if I can classify myself as a "systematic observer" but I definitely have an unquenchable thirst for learning. Finally, this place is indeed a society where I hope we can enjoy companionship and continue "association."

So there you have it! The not-really-new-or-improved Squirrel and Student Society. If there's anything on my list you have advice for or a lead on--perhaps you know someone who teaches Indian folk dance in the Seattle area, or you have some frequent flier miles (or first-class upgrade) you'd like to be rid of? *wink*--please let me know. That's the thing about this society--comments and thoughts are always welcome.