Today is January 15, 1994 and today would go under the category of “One of the Best Days of My Life.” It wasn’t exactly what happened that made it a good day, but it was more about what I learned.
The only way to begin is with last night, which also ties in with today.
After work, I went to Mr. Gatti’s; mom dropped me off. Jenna, Tenielle, Shar, and Sunny showed up a few minutes later. Shar and I split a pizza. Then Scott showed up and he had a few slices. Later, Jenna, Tenielle, Shar, Sunny and I played a game. It’s too difficult to describe here, but we had a blast.
While we were playing, Ryan came in with a friend. They sat at a table across the room and then a guy sat with them. For about 45 minutes I didn’t say a word to her, then I excused myself from the game for a moment and went over to her table and said, “I just wanted to say ‘hey’ so you couldn’t accuse me of being stuck up later.” I smiled. She smiled back and said, “Oh Jacob,” and I left and went back and sat with the four girls.
Four.
It hit me. Something was different. All the other times I went to Mr. Gatti’s it was always with Ryan, Amy, Cheryl, and Christi.
Now, I was with Jenna, Tenielle, Sunny, and Shar. Retrospect hit me and all the girls noticed something was wrong and kept begging me to tell them what I was thinking. Jenna and Tenielle mostly.
The five of us joked about everything. I never did tell them though until later. The evening was great fun, but then we had to leave. Sunny’s parents came to pick them up and they said that they needed a ride tomorrow to the door to door ministry shindig. I offered to pick them up. Sunny’s mom gave me directions.
They left. I went with Scott to his house and Kevin picked me up from there later.
We went home and soon, morning came.
We picked up Marcus, like we do every Saturday morning, (unless he’s staying the night), and we drove to Sanford. Cheryl showed up at Band Practice. I was supposed to leave at 10:00 a.m. to get Jenna, Tenielle, Sunny, and Shar. I didn’t leave until 10:30 a.m. since Kevin and Marcus took the car to get something to eat.
Well, I’ve never been in that part of Lee County before and I got lost. When I finally found their house, I discovered that they somehow conjured up another ride and had already left because they didn’t think I was coming. Well, I drove back and when I arrived at the church, I saw Tenielle running out to explain everything. Jenna and Shar followed. Sunny didn’t come.
We all had a good laugh. We then went in and prayed for a while and then head out into the city to spread the Word.
Dear God…I saw poverty today like nothing I’ve ever seen before. And I complain when the hot water in the shower runs out. It made me thankful.
Very thankful.
A few people got saved, one baptized in the spirit. A wonderful, wonderful, time. There is nothing like sharing the gospel. I love it.
We all ate pizza back at the church and had a service. I took the three girls back and we had a wonderful conversation. I told them what I was thinking about in terms of Ryan and the other girls I used to spend a lot of time with. They were thankful I was with them. I wish I could live through that conversation again. There was more laughter and joy in that short drive than I’m most experience in a week.
I took Shar to her house and Jenna and Tenielle to theirs. They live in a trailer park. The trailer itself isn’t that bad. When we got there, Jenna gave me a letter she had written to me the night before. And their mom gave me $3 for gas money…I accepted.
We said our goodbye’s and I left. While I drove off, I saw Jenna come outside in the bitter cold and wave goodbye. I waved back and drove on. In the rearview mirror, I saw her standing there waiting until she couldn’t see my car anymore, then I’m assuming she went back inside.
I smiled.
When I got back to the church, the skit group met and we got stuff cleared away.
Then myself, Kevin, Marcus, Cheryl, and Sherry and her sister all went bowling. I won and then the three girls left while I watched Kevin and Marcus play a game in the arcade. While there, I saw so many people acting “worldly.” Praise God I’m a Christian. I can be myself and take off my mask. Everyone always seems to be performing for everyone else; trying to get attention; simply being too loud. It’s like I’m the only one who is aware of who I am.
We went home, and I read Jenna’s letter. I’ll try to write in here later.
The reason today was so wonderful was because it was so simple.
Right now I’m going to call Brandon; Mom said he called earlier.
And I’m going to end this wonderful day by talking to my wonderful friend who moved across America more than a year ago.
20yearsagoblog 