Yep, we are!

Wow.

Wow wow wow.

Ok, so last night after washing my face and brushing my teeth I turned off the light and snuggled in bed and had a conversation with God.  I wanted to get all of the other distractions out of my head before I spoke with him.  I wanted it to be the last thing I did before I started my sleep cycle. 

While I was lying in bed I told God that I didn't want this book to be a selfish project, that I really believed it was his book and that I was willing to do whatever he wanted with it.  I told him that I wanted to follow his lead and not pursue something that wasn't from him. 

And I woke up this morning and ate my strawberry mini wheats and talked with my dad about how he was feeling.  Then I remembered the book and I prayed again.  At first I wanted to ask God for a sign to show me what to do, but then I told him that I didn't want to live my life waiting for signs from him.  I want to live my life boldly and in the spirit, not timid and unsure.  I want to live with faith.  I'm reading about the Israelites' exodus from Egypt right now and I think about the kind of faith that Moses must have had.  I thought about that while I was praying.  I want to be a leader and leaders are convicted, they are passionate, and they aren't afraid of "unsure" circumstances because they have a hope. 

Shortly after my mom came in the room to hang up some clothes in my closet and I told her about "the feeling" I had yesterday.  I was surprised that I shared with her because we had a little bit of a fight yesterday and normally I remain very reserved when we've had an argument.  For some reason though, I felt I should tell her.  I signed onto Facebook and saw that someone posted a song called "Keep Shining" by Shad on their wall.  I was reminded of the inspirational message to women in this song and I put it on repeat. 

Then, a timid knock on my door.  The little boy that my mom was babysitting was holding out an envelope for me.  It was from Kiersten, a friend that I met at Trinity Western University in the fall.  I didn't even know that she had my mailing address; I certainly wasn't expecting a letter from her.  I opened up the envelope to find this card (pictured below).  On the front cover was a picture of a book open on a chair.  Melissa, you have a story to tell.  It's time. 

Wow.

I was blown away.  I had told God that I didn't want to rely on signs, but on faith and he rewarded me by giving me a sign anyway!  I read it to my mom, both of us amazed at the appropriateness of the words on the card.  Immediately I wrote on Kiersten's wall, not wanting to text her because it was only 8:30 in the morning where she is and I know that she loves to sleep in.  To my surprise, immediately a "1" popped up in my notifications.  She commented on my wall post!  Why is she awake?!  And then, a chat message from her popped up on my screen.  And then a Skype session ensued.  For some reason she couldn't sleep so she was wide awake and on Facebook.  We had a great, encouraging conversation about how great God is and the uniqueness of our lives and how he has a story for each of us.  She had seen the card in a book store and immediately thought of me and had known that she needed to send it to me, for whatever reason.  I feel so blessed.

And so, for Friday's "My Favourite" things, I'd have to say that smart, inspirational, counter-cultural music is what I love.  The kind of music that ignites a fire inside of you, that makes you realize your potential, and that is absolutely everything that you stand for. Here's the song I was listening to this morning: