Some writers in the field of mystical transcendentalism suggest
receiving Higher Teachings by listening to an "Inner Voice" - - - that
"still small Voice within."

But is it possible that this same Inner Voice can reveal winning
lottery numbers to the tune of winning $17.3 Million Dollars? - - -
Yes, it is.

The numbers came to him by way of a juice bottle. Powerball winner
Jonathan Vargas, 19, says he noticed his July birthday as the
expiration date on the drink. Then a voice in his head told him, "Your
family is going to bring you success and fortune." So he picked the
numbers based on the ages of his family members -- and hit the
jackpot.

http://www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080519/NRSTAFF/960631242

19-year-old S.C. man wins $35 million Powerball jackpot

By PAGE IVEY
Associated Press Writer

MONDAY, MAY. 19, 2008
UPDATED 6:58 PM

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)- Jonathan Vargas turns 20 in July. But he relied
on the ages of close relatives instead of his own when he picked the
six winning numbers for Saturday's $35.3 million Powerball jackpot.

The Gaston construction worker said his two younger brothers turn 12
and 14 this year; his sister will be 15 and his older brother will be
21. Their mom turned 43 earlier this year. And the winning red ball
number?
"As far as 30 — just a lucky guess," he said Monday at a news
conference announcing him as the winner.

While other winning Powerball tickets have been sold in South
Carolina, state lottery director Ernie Passailaigue said Vargas, who
went to Airport High School in Lexington County, is the first winner
who lives in the state.
Passailaigue said Vargas likely will take the lump sum payment,
estimated at $17.3 million, instead of the annuity that pays out the
larger jackpot amount over 29 years.

Vargas said he plans to buy his mother a house and quit work.
"Right now, there 's no really big plans in the works," he said. The
first thing he plans to do is get a lawyer and a financial consultant.
He said he already has an accountant — his aunt.

Vargas said the numbers came to him while he was at work. He was
having a bottle of juice and saw that the expiration date on the
bottle was his birthday. He said a voice in his head told him, "Your
family is going to bring you success and fortune."

"I heard the numbers in my head," he said. "I called my mom and said
write these numbers down."

He also wrote the numbers on a napkin and tucked it away in his
pocket. He still has the napkin. He was holding it when he watched the
drawing Saturday night.

"When it got to the third number, I knew I had it," he said. "I was
grateful. I was crying. It was a very emotional moment for me."

Vargas, who admitted he's still a little scared by the prospect of
being a millionaire at his young age, said the money is "a blessing
from God."
"You never ask the Lord why you are blessed," he said. "I'm not going
to ask the Lord why he put it in my hands."

He plans to give some money to his church and may look into going to
college or getting into the real estate business. He also plans to set
up a trust fund for his four siblings who inspired the winning
numbers.
Although Vargas said Saturday was the first time he had played the
lottery, it's not the first big win for his family. His parents,
Patricia and Anthony Richardson, said they won $10,000 in a scratch-
off game in the early days of the South Carolina lottery.