Serendipity

I've always believed in saints, angels, saviors, all things seen and unseen that get us places that we can't go alone...seemingly without any effort at all.

Some people call this serendipity, luck or hard work. Truly, it's all of these, but missing its soul. God is behind these great mysteries. I've never been so sure about anything in my life.

Have you ever had a prayer that was answered in an incredible way? I'd put money on that being the Lord interceding. We're all capable of seeing the threads when we're in a particularly pondering mood, or when our heart is open enough to receive it.

I think the only thing more important than recognizing these divine moments and learning from them is sharing them with the people in your life. Everyone needs a little hope. A little Christmas spirit. A little belief that this world isn't completely in our control - or else the world is completely screwed. We have no idea what we want, and if all my prayers were answered, I'd be married to a guy named Jubal who cheated on me when I was 18. I'm pretty glad that God knows what's best for me.

Last night, the most divine, redeeming, validating, loving, beautiful thing happened to me. My own personal angel, Cassandra Newlin, blessed me like I've never been before in my life.

The picture above is from the entrance to Kibera, one of Nairobi's biggest slums. She gave me that picture, a generous hoilday gift to be used towards this trip, and one helluva amazing card. But really, what she gave me was BELIEF. I believe in myself, but her gift showed that others do to...including many of you who read this.

Everyone - thank you. But for the grace of God go I, and you are all supporting this. The impact of that belief and faith in me is not lost, and I treasure it deeply. My luck is serendipitous and the gift of one amazing calling that the Lord is blessing hand over fist with gestures like Cassandra's.

"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly...who knows great enthusiasm, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with thsoe cold and timid souls who have never known neither victory nor defeat." - Teddy Roosevelt

- Have a blessed holiday. I love you all GREATLY.