"He uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise..." I Corinthians 1:27

My second "Date with Destiny" came about four years later.  I was nine years old at the time.  After living in Texas for many years, my parents had decided that God was calling them to move to Georgia.  At first, I was crushed by this news.  I knew that I was going to have to leave all my friends and family behind to start a new life. I was not excited about living in a new town, going to a new school, and meeting all new people.  After saying goodbye and crying many tears, we loaded up the moving truck and drove across the country.  

To say that we were thrilled when we arrived in Georgia is probably an understatement.  We were not necessarily thrilled by the idea of our move, but by the idea of getting out of the car and moving around after about 20 hours.  If you ever want to make a place feel like home to your kids, stick them in a car for countless hours. Trust me, they will be thrilled to arrive at the given destination!

Anyways, for the first three months (while looking for all the many things you look for when moving to a new place) we lived with my uncle Jeff and aunt Bonnie.  How we fit 10 people in a three bedroom house is still baffling to me, but somehow we made it work.  One of the first things we did when we arrived was look for a church to attend.  Personally, I thought it was good way to get out of the house to get some space.

After some research of churches in the area, my parents decided on a small "home church" for the upcoming Sunday.  Little did we know, God had big plans for us at such a small church.  That Sunday when we arrived at our chosen church, we discovered that we were the only Caucasian family present (these are the things that I find quite exciting in life).  We all hurried to our seats as the praise and worship music started.

After a couple songs, I remember a still, small voice speaking to me. "Tell that lady her baby is going to be okay."  I found myself gazing at a beautiful, tall, black woman who looked anything but pregnant (with no children around her).  I laughed to myself, thinking how crazy that "thought" had been.  Once again, I heard the same voice, "Tell that lady her baby is going to be okay."  By this time, I thought I might be a little nutty, but thought it might be God speaking to my heart.  I whispered quietly back to what I thought might be God, "God, if it's you speaking to me about that woman, I pray you would give me an opportunity to tell her because I definitely don't want to interrupt the service." 

To my surprise, the pastor got up from his seat immediately and walked towards the front of the room (while the worship pastor was in the middle of a song).  He ushered the music to stop and spoke these words, "I feel like the Holy Spirit is speaking to someone's heart. If you feel like God wants you to share something with someone, I want you to have the opportunity to do it now."  I was utterly shocked, but knew what I must do.

I slowly lifted my hand, as all eyes shifted towards me. I stammered as I looked at the woman and spoke, "I...I....I feel like I'm supposed to tell you that you're baby is going to be alright." Immediately the woman started weeping.  After what seemed like hours, she gathered herself and spoke, "Recently I found out that I am pregnant.  I haven't told anyone because I've been taking this medication because I've been very sick and there aren't any other options. One of the side effects is that it could kill the baby.  I've been praying about it a lot and now I know that everything will be okay."

We all stood there in amazement, speechless.  

I wish I could sit here and write that I knew those words would make an incredible impact on that woman, but to be honest, I didn't. I didn't know her situation, but God did.  He just chose to be gracious enough to use me.  He chose to use a nine-year-old girl to speak His word to someone, to let that woman know how much he cared about her and that baby.  

When God speaks, it may seem crazy or foolish to some, but allow him to use you-you will always be humbled and forever greatful that you chose to obey.  God delights in quick obedience.  This was just my second of many "Dates With Destiny" and a very compassionate God.

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young..." 1 Timothy 4:12

My first recollection of a "Date With Destiny"-

At the age of 5, I was young and vibrant.  I lived with my parents and two siblings (an older brother and younger sister) in Round Rock, Texas in a small neighborhood.  We attended a church called "First Family," which was pastored by Mickey and Marianne Patterson.  My family was dedicated to attending church almost every Wednesday night and Sunday morning (and many days in between).  We made many friends (many that we are still friends with today), and built many memories while being a part of this church.  I don't quite remember all the details of everything at that age and time (because it was so long ago), but I remember one particular Sunday morning service like it was yesterday.

The pastor was preaching about God's healing power and and how God was still able and willing to heal people in our day and time.  At the end of the service, he gave an altar call for those who needed healing in some way.  I remember watching several people go forward; but one lady who went forward (Mrs. Hailey) caught my attention.  To this day, I don't know why, but I decided to get up and walk down the aisle to pray for her.  I remember laying my small hand on her back.

I don't remember exactly what I prayed, but I do remember that in some simple way I asked God to heal her.  I remember saying something like, "God, I know you care about what hurts us...." After my short, simple prayer I went back to my seat near my mom and dad.  After service was over, we all went home and continued on with our day.

Shortly thereafter, (I'm not sure if it was the same day or the next day-my mom probably knows better than I do) my mom received a call from Mrs. Hailey.  I remember my mom calling me over to her after she hung up the phone.  She described (as simply as she could) what Mrs. Hailey had just shared with her over the phone. 

She informed my mom that for YEARS she had dealt with excruciating back pain, until that past Sunday; the Sunday that I had prayed for her.  She described feeling a small hand on her lower back (which was mine) and she felt a warm, electric feeling go up her spine.  With tears, she told my mom that at that moment (and every moment after) she hadn't felt any more pain in her back; God had miraculously healed her.

At the time, I was so amazed.  I remember feeling (even at age 5) that God had an incredible plan for my life. Little did I know, this was just the beginning of many more "Dates with Destiny."

Let's get to know each other.

Hi, my name is Hillary Vance. Some of you may know me (or know things about me) and some of you may not.  So, I want to take the time to tell you a little about myself, and why I decided to start this blog.  

So where should I start? I guess from the beginning. 

I was born and raised in Austin, Texas (until about age 9). I grew up with two siblings and two loving parents.  I had several close friends and lived in quaint little neighborhoods.  In that day and time (when things were more safe), I rode my bike to school with my older brother and played with my friends in the neighborhood.  I had no worry in the world.

At age 9, my family decided to migrate across the United States to Athens, Georgia (where I lived until I graduated high school and decided to go to college).  My parents felt that they should start a church, and for several years, I was dubbed a "pastor's kid."  I went to several good schools and made many friends in our new location. There were a couple years in high school that I spent finding out who I was and experimenting with underage drinking and recreational marijuana.  That phase faded shortly thereafter, and before I knew it, I was graduating and applying to go to college.

After four, long years in college I graduated with a bachelor's in psychology and decided to continue my education. I continued on, and two years later, I graduated with my master's in social work.  I fell in love with an incredible man over that time and we decided to get married.

Pretty standard young adult life, right? Wrong. My life has been anything but normal, which is exactly why I decided to start this blog. 

I believe that God will take you to interesting places in life and do crazy things in you and through you if you let Him. I like to think of many of the events in my life as "dates with destiny," which is exactly why I've named my blog just that. Long ago, I felt like I should write down the extraordinary events in my life, but it wasn't until recently that I made up my mind and disciplined myself to do so. 

So here I am and here it goes.  In my coming blogs you will read about a few of my "dates with destiny" and an incredible God who has given me tremendous favor and done remarkable things in my life.  I will continue to write this blog as my life and "these dates" continue to unfold.

I hope that each and every one of you that reads this will not only be touched in a special way, but will also know that, you too, can live an extraordinary life; a life filled with purpose and meaning; a life in which you come to know that you are unique and no one else can touch the world the way that you can; a life that is filled with miracles and God-ordained moments of greatness; a life that changes the world one by one.