Thursday was a roller coaster of a day. Not only did I find out that we did not receive a $5,000 gift that we had been assured we would get, but I also had a report due for the Board of Trustees. And we made plans for the Fall semester, I had to choose music for our last worship service which will be held tomorrow night, and W. is out of town so I got to do part of this with A. in my office tearing wrapping paper off this prayer box we had and then putting lots of stickers over said box.

My office, and my heart, looked like a disaster zone after we left.

So I head to the wine tasting fundraiser we had planned with a heavy heart and no real dinner in me in the midst of storms and rain and wind. On the way I call M., my second mother and a therapist/spiritual director friend, and in 30 seconds pour my heart out to her.

She said, "Just keep your eyes on Jesus walking on the water. You can walk on the water if you just keep your eyes on Jesus."

I walk into the place we are having the wine tasting, and by 10 minutes after 7 we have three people there. This is not going to be a good evening, I thought. We sent out over 60 invitations.

But we began tasting wines (an aside, I have never drunk that much wine in one sitting! My head hurt all day yesterday!) and having an enjoyable conversation with the owner of the place who, by the way, lived in France for many years and was very helpful in sharing what the students need to do while there.

By 7:35, I was on my third "taste" of wine, and a new couple joined us! Then another person about 5 minutes later, then another couple and so on. By 8 o'clock, there weren't many there but we definately had a group we could work with!

At the end of the night we had raised $1,000 with the promise of more, and I received another check yesterday for $100 from someone who couldn't come on Thursday.

In the parking lot after the event I told the VP of Advancement, who is helping us raise this money, that I had given up hope, then shared the image M. had shared about keeping our eyes on Jesus.

He said, "Actually, that is what I've done for 20 years - and in fundraising you never lose hope. We'll make it, don't worry."

My suspicion is that, spiritually, this is about keeping the faith each and every day; not getting ahead of ourselves; planning and hoping and allowing the Spirit to work in $25 and $100 and $500 increments.

I'm so glad my hope was renewed, because I handed over a $12,000 check to the travel agent yesterday for our tickets and I sure would hate to get there and not be able to eat!