Hey Booky, We have the same birthday. True story (I know, I'm kind of a weirdo): I was very concerned about the Lottery in August 1971. Being of a very slight build and not physically adept or athletic I didn't think I'd do well in the military in Vietnam. But I didn't want to shirk my duty. So I made it a serious matter of prayer. In fa…
Hey Booky, We have the same birthday. True story (I know, I'm kind of a weirdo): I was very concerned about the Lottery in August 1971. Being of a very slight build and not physically adept or athletic I didn't think I'd do well in the military in Vietnam. But I didn't want to shirk my duty. So I made it a serious matter of prayer. In fact, I fasted completely for 24 hours before the lottery drawing. I told the Lord that though I didn't think of myself as "military material" that I just wanted his will to occur and I knew if I was doing his will I'd be ok. It was probably the only time I tried to "make a deal" with God. I prayed that if it was his will that I go into the military that my lottery number would be 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. But that if he agreed with me that I shouldn't go into the military that my number would be 361 or higher. Side note: I prayed in faith. I told the Lord that I was certain I'd be the only weirdo prayer such a highly specific prayer and so the chance of my prayer conflicting with other young men born in 1952 was essentially zero...and that I therefore fully expected my number to be less than 6 or higher than 360.
On the day of the drawing (you say it was August 21 so I'll take your word for it) I went, still fasting, to the one place on my college campus where the announcement would be made: the radio office of KBYU. There were a few other young men there as well as we waited for the announcement. I once wrote up this true account for posterity's sake. I titled it, "Why I didn't die in Vietnam". Since we share a birthday, December 26, 1952, you know that my number was 361.
Only a fool would bet against the power of prayer.
After completing Basic Training I went to A.I.T. (Advanced Individual Training) where every soldier learns their particular job or M.O.S. (Military Occupational Specialty). Mine was radio operator. Upon completion of that training, my entire class was scheduled for Vietnam. Besides having a lottery number that most young men would’ve killed for (poor phrasing), I was/am an only son. Once again, I didn’t have to go. I signed the requisite paperwork and off I went with my class. Ignorance is bliss. At first I thought that I was somehow special and wouldn’t die. That thought left during the first week. God had other plans for me and he no doubt acquiesced to my mother’s prayers. I’m glad that we’ve both made it this far. I hope you have a happy birthday and hopefully your gifts aren’t wrapped in Christmas paper.
Hey Booky, We have the same birthday. True story (I know, I'm kind of a weirdo): I was very concerned about the Lottery in August 1971. Being of a very slight build and not physically adept or athletic I didn't think I'd do well in the military in Vietnam. But I didn't want to shirk my duty. So I made it a serious matter of prayer. In fact, I fasted completely for 24 hours before the lottery drawing. I told the Lord that though I didn't think of myself as "military material" that I just wanted his will to occur and I knew if I was doing his will I'd be ok. It was probably the only time I tried to "make a deal" with God. I prayed that if it was his will that I go into the military that my lottery number would be 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. But that if he agreed with me that I shouldn't go into the military that my number would be 361 or higher. Side note: I prayed in faith. I told the Lord that I was certain I'd be the only weirdo prayer such a highly specific prayer and so the chance of my prayer conflicting with other young men born in 1952 was essentially zero...and that I therefore fully expected my number to be less than 6 or higher than 360.
On the day of the drawing (you say it was August 21 so I'll take your word for it) I went, still fasting, to the one place on my college campus where the announcement would be made: the radio office of KBYU. There were a few other young men there as well as we waited for the announcement. I once wrote up this true account for posterity's sake. I titled it, "Why I didn't die in Vietnam". Since we share a birthday, December 26, 1952, you know that my number was 361.
Only a fool would bet against the power of prayer.
After completing Basic Training I went to A.I.T. (Advanced Individual Training) where every soldier learns their particular job or M.O.S. (Military Occupational Specialty). Mine was radio operator. Upon completion of that training, my entire class was scheduled for Vietnam. Besides having a lottery number that most young men would’ve killed for (poor phrasing), I was/am an only son. Once again, I didn’t have to go. I signed the requisite paperwork and off I went with my class. Ignorance is bliss. At first I thought that I was somehow special and wouldn’t die. That thought left during the first week. God had other plans for me and he no doubt acquiesced to my mother’s prayers. I’m glad that we’ve both made it this far. I hope you have a happy birthday and hopefully your gifts aren’t wrapped in Christmas paper.
Same to you. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. And somewhere in the midst of all that Happy Birthday, too.