Faith is the substance of things not seen - the evidence of things hoped for.

Saturday I missed three calls from someone I didn't know. I called back to find it was a boy I knew in high school. It wasn't just any boy, it was a boy who was very open about hating God and let me have it to the best of his ability. I decided to stay his friend. I remember him writing in my yearbook thanking me for letting him, I guess, curse God. Which now sounds weird, but I think it was more of a, "Thanks for not pummelling me daily by calling me a sinner even though we both know it" kind of thing. Long story short, he called me to tell me he has become a Christian. Through some very interesting circumstances, he felt himself being drawn to a church and went in. The reverend talked to him and now this guy, so unbelievably overrun with evil has left the dark side. He told me that everything I said in high school now makes sense. Talk about unexpected amazement! He just sent me this e-mail:

Hi, this is Ryan. I'm sorry to bother you because I know how busy you are. You were always busy with something. ITs like you're super-human. I found a Mentor and I'm attending Messiah Lutheran. I'm going to do the Adult Information Class and learn about everything, get baptized, confirmed, and become a member. I'm so totally committed to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. And also to Whitney. I feel surrounded in the light and I have so much faith. I bet you didn't see this coming in a million years. Do you think God did this or I was simply ready to see? I don't know. I went to Church with Whitney's Mom. She is becoming a mentor to me whether she's knows it or not. I have so much respect and reverence for her. Once again, I'm sorry to bother you and I thank you for talking to me. would it be possible for you to pray for us? I have faith that it will all work out for the best, I saw it in dreams, but I don't know when. God Bless you Cari.

And so, with hearts open and in amazement of who God is and who He can call to Him, can we pray for Ryan? For a good mentor, for truth, for his family (who are all drug abusers) and for his girl, Whitney. How funny is this?

On a more shallow note, I just got back from my very first concert - Norah Jones. Autumn and Jess took me for my birthday (in July). It was unbelievable. More on the later.

I love my family.