Next month I am turning Forty! Wow, it is hard to believe and yet as many times as I’ve done the math, verified my birth certificate and asked my mother—the number keeps coming up the same. In December of 1966 my bottom got spanked as I came into the world in the Naval hospital of Portsmouth, VA. And now thirty-nine years, three hundred and thirty-five days later, here I am.

How does one mark this significant turning with meaning? For many people the answers are different, and no one answer is correct. For me, I decided to ask my friends to join me in sponsoring 40 kids around the world through World Vision. Before you think I am too noble, let me tell you why this made sense for me.

First of all—Roy and I found out in August that we are expecting. Yes, you read that right—Not only am I forty, I am pregnant. So needless to say, I’ve been thinking a lot about life and a lot about children these days. And whenever I think of such things, my mind and heart turns to World Vision.

Secondly, my “sisters on the porch” are going to Africa next month. Because of my “condition” I can’t go with them. Talk about heartbreaking—it’s one of my favorite things we do as Women of Faith. Certainly it’s been a life-shaping experience for me. So I’ve been thinking about that.

Thirdly, I don’t need one more present. Not that my friends and family don’t give wonderful gifts, they do. But I love the saying, “You can’t have it all, where would you put it?” I’m sooo there. I like stuff in my house as much as the next over-decorated woman, but enough is enough.

And lastly as I mentioned above, I’ve been doing the math and thinking about numbers. Specifically, the big four-Oh-dear. And one thing these years have taught me is that to give IS to receive. Earlier this year in an Association Letter, I started putting these thoughts into words:

Rarely does regular math encourage, inspire or motivate us. On the contrary, looking at the numbers, more often than not, serves to discourage us, disappoint us and often defeat us. This is where Divine Math comes in.

I’ve seen divine math at work in many instances in my own life, but one that stands out very clearly to me is in regard to the work of World Vision. For many years before my involvement with Women of Faith, I applied conventional math to the problem of poverty in the world, thinking things like, what good will my few dollars do to solve this huge issue?

But then I just took the plunge, and committed to sponsor a child. I can’t even begin to tell you the impact of that decision on my life. With our annual World Vision trip I have had the opportunity to see first hand the way God has taken my meager loaves and fish and turned them into a feast in the form of fresh water and medicine and education. It would never make sense on paper, nor would the numbers add up—I know now it’s divine math, and not only am I great believer in it, I’m a continual student of it as well.

So there you have it. I’m thinking Forty Years/Forty Kids. My friends are excited about it and I am too. We’ve selected forty children all over the world with my birthday and chosen to give them the best gift ever: the chance for a better, healthier life.

I anticipate this birthday being one of the most special I’ve ever had.

Nicole

If you’re interested in participating in Nicole’s World Vision sponsorship idea in honor of her birthday, please send an email to orders@freshbrewedlife.com and we can send you more information about this exciting opportunity.


  Nicole with children sponsored through World Vision.