30til30: Day 24

I have 30 days until I turn 30, so I thought I'd try to choose 30 moments that have helped shape who I am and want to be. Coming up with the list has been challenging...and enlightening. These final few  ARE in a particular order.

24: Abraham Piper.

For some of you, this choice might seem random. I assure you, it isn't. By the end of this post, I hope you'll see why I had to put him in this list. Aber has made an incredible impact on my life in the seemingly short time I've known him (and the distance that separates us...oh the distance). 

Things about Aber:

• I remember hearing the buzz about "this guy" and thinking, "oh gees...this is not going to end well." (prediction FAIL)
• Aber's story of repentance and conversion shattered the box I was using to keep God cooped up in.
• He really takes care of and loves my BFF. He's a faithful provider for his family.
• He loves, supports and prays for my husband.
• He is way too smart for his own good. 
• Aber's sense of humor is very unique. I love how hysterical he gets about things.
• He is a lover of words.
• I like that he prefers "Aber" to "Abe."
• I will never forget crying with him at his dinner table after he got a phone call from someone who had experienced a stillbirth. He quoted the caller, "you will always feel like someone is missing around the dinner table."
• He honors his daughter's memory every time he writes on his blog (and in many other ways).
• He is totally cool with me being lazy and bumming around his house when I visit (or, he's a good actor, at least).
• He challenges me to push harder and be better at what I love.
• He acts like I'm the best designer and photographer he knows.

How he has shaped me:

• His grief over losing Felicity changed the way I viewed parenthood. It's hard to explain...it's a good thing...but I don't know how to put it into words.
• I fully believe God for the "impossible conversion" because of his story.
• I believe in myself a little bit more after spending time with him. If someone as awesome as him thinks I'm good at something, I might just be good at it.

(if you can guess who's turn it is tomorrow, well, then you're not stupid)  ;-)