many will recognize these digits as LOST’s inanimate (?) dementors. they sweep over, around, and through the lush landscape, forcefully yet methodically sucking the life out of the survivors. the numbers are a lottery of sorts, but one you furiously calculate against.

while knowing the curse coursing through these interesting integers, I still tried to bank on them. yep. I bought a lottery ticket with this exact sequence.

as I walked back from supporting the local 7-11, I came across a good friend of mine traversing the campus. this excursion was utterly atypical for me. I never walk off campus as far as the 7-11, and I never walk on the sidewalk where I met Mark. we’re talking 1:1,000,000 odds.

Mark and I shared a brief conversation and quickly realized we each knew something the other person ought to know. within a few weeks, he joined Team Admissions.

I didn’t win the lottery that day, but Dallas Seminary did. thanks, Lord, for the greater gifts…Lynsey, Janet, Malory, Jerry, Sarita, Sharifa, Alan, Lisa McD, LisaT, Arthur, Sandy, Limei, Eric, John, Lenita, and always, Papa Hatt. treasures.