Two Sundays ago, on the way into the church service, I stop by the young adult ministry table and see a flyer, Sky Diving. Yeah, I think to myself, that definently sounds like my kind of thing. With that, I filed it into the back of the mental filing cabinet. Come the following Thursday, at the young adult meeting, The Portico, I find that the deposit for the jump is $50, and that that very Thursday was the last day to pay the deposit. Thinking, thinking, pondering, should I go, should I not go? ... mmmm, nah. By now, I was feeling slightly indulgent for having too much fun in life (it can't possibly be this good! this much enjoyment is illegal, isn't it?), having just gotten back a week before from a wonderful Alaskan cruise. On a whim, I checked my wallet, and found I had 3 bills, two 20s and a 10. Hrm, that equals ... umm ... $50 on the spot. Dang, this is awfully compelling now, what are the chances I have that exact amount on my person? I think, could God be opening the door for more cool stuff in my life??? Eh, or maybe this is just my flesh seeking more thrills? I know that God is for me, and not against me, but I'm so used to beating myself up over these years (self-critical personality), that I still often find it difficult to simply believe and trust in the kindness and goodness of God, and in particular, toward someone like me. Even in expressions such as this. In the meantime, I meet a new friend at the Portico named Willy. We brought up the upcoming sky diving event, and Willy mentions to me that he really wanted to go sky diving this time, but unfortunately he came into some unexpected financial troubles. The service starts, and on and off during this time, I try to pray and discern what God wants me to do in this situation. Finally, I come to the point where I'm like, OK, I've really been having a boatload of fun recently, I think I can pass up this opportunity (even though I'd really really kinda like to go do something crazy). God, if I see Willy again tonite, I'll pay his deposit for him and he can go have a good time. I believe I have exactly $50 for your reasons, so may you fill and bless his time there. After the service, I look to and fro for brother Willy, but he's nowhere to be found. Hmm, so now what? God, thank you, if you want me to go! But, umm, can you give me some sort of confirmation or something? I decide to pull aside an awesome young lady named Theresa, who was my prayer partner during prayer time and ask her, "Can I ask for your discernment on a matter?" and proceeded to explain my desire to go. She gets an OK signal. I find amazing the very simple truth that God knows us intimately, the desires of our hearts, and the way we've been created - he knows me! And he authored a path for me to go jump out of a plane, because he made me just a little crazy like that. Anyway, that's the short long version of how this happened, and so today, waking up at 4:30 in the a.m., I head out for my date with gravity. ... and so ... I just jumped out of an airplane from 14,000 ft. today. What a rush! Also bought a video tape of my jump and met a lot of very wonderful people.