Hello everyone! Well, I did go to Waffle House last night, just as I
planned. I got there at 2 am, across from Wal-Mart on route 90 where I'm
staying, sleeping in their parking lot. Tonight will be my third night
sleeping in Wal-Mart's parking lot. Each night gets a little better, knowing
what to expect. It's important to know what places are open 24 hours, in
case I need food or a pit stop. What-A-Burger and Waffle House are open all
the time, thankfully.
When I went to Waffle House, the woman
at the cash register looked like she was having a bad night. She pointed to
the guy in front of me and said to me, “He is the last customer, sorry!” I
just smiled and replied, “That's the story of my life.” I did tell you the
other day that I'm always a day late, a dollar short, and the other guy gets
the girl. The waitress said that they had no clean dishes, since they were
so busy, and they were closing for an hour. So I went back to my car and
decided not to wait. I just didn't like her gorilla tone...lol. I drove 7
minutes north to the other Waffle House and they weren't as busy. The
waitress there was very friendly and said there would be a 20 minute wait. I
said I would gladly wait, and I did. She brought me an orange juice. I
enjoyed my meal of a big waffle, 3 pieces of bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs,
toast and hash browns. Lord willing, next time I will use blueberry syrup. I
used maple last night.
I slept from 11 pm last night to 1 am.
I couldn't sleep until about 5 am, but then sleep sound until to 8 am. I got
up and shaved looking at my vehicle side window to see my reflection. I made
a protein shake. I tried to look as presentable as I could, for a guy living
out of a car, so I could go to church. I had been frustrated all week, not
impressed with the churches I found. So I got to wondering where Pensacola
Christian College (PCC) sends all their students? Wherever it was, that is
where I want to attend. So I searched Google and Campus Church came up. I
had seen the place online earlier in the week, but didn't make the
connection (my brain works slow...lol). I got there early and took these
photos to share with everyone. The usher was friendly and said I was welcome
to take photos. Everybody I met were super friendly and kind to me. I really
liked being there! I was awestruck when I first stepped foot into the
auditorium. It is GIGANTIC. The place must seat about 10,000 people. Within
the next 30 minutes, the building packed full of people. They said it gets
much fuller in the fall when all the PCC students return to school...
So this is my new church home! Since
today is the 4th of July they had a church picnic afterwards, and they
welcomed me, so I definitely went. I felt like a fish out of water and was
aimlessly wandering in the grass, when a kind man approached me and said I
looked lost. I told him I definitely was lost as a new guest, and didn't
know where to go. So he kindly welcomed me, shook my hand, and led me to a
table of church members. He said this is the place for you! I was so happy
to join them. I made a quick friend named Judy. She is age 52, a graduate of
PCC and crippled in the lower body due to a car accident decades ago. I
didn't say a word and she told me where the singles class meets each for
Sunday School. It's like she read my mind. I also got to meet her mom and
dad, Pat and Jerry. Their family is originally from New Jersey. So I have
some friends already! We swapped e-mails.
I also met some other church members at
our table, who told me that the kind man who befriended me, and brought me
to their table, was none other than the church pastor himself. I had no
idea. I was impressed that HE CARED enough to observe and notice that I
looked lost at the event, and I sure was. I was about to leave, not feeling
like I belonged, and the pastor took the initiative to befriend me. That is
a good pastor! I also had filled out a visitor's card earlier. I still
cannot believe how massive the whole place is. Wow! I have needed a church
family for so long, and I now have one! Praise God! No church is perfect,
and when I find their imperfections, they'll never hear it from me.
I left the church happy. Lord willing,
I am going back each Sunday. I am going to attend their singles Sunday
School class for sure! I would have gone tonight, but they aren't holding
services on Sunday night today for the 4th. I am not sure what I will do
tonight, probably just have a quiet night sitting in Wal-Mart's parking
lot...lol. I walked around Wal-Mart last night, just to familiarize myself
with what they sell, until they closed at 11 pm. They open at 6 am. My
laptop battery is now at 80%, so I still have some time left. Then I need to
check my e-mails next. I apologize to everyone for not replying to e-mails
lately, I simply cannot keep up with everything.
Being in Florida has been so pleasantly
strange for me the past couple days, because no face masks are required to
be worn here. On Guam, you still by law have to wear a mask in all business
and enclosed places. No one wears a mask here in Florida. I LOVE IT!!!
Freedom! I hated wearing those stupid masks from day one. Paper face masks
aren't even filtered enough to prevent contracting COVID-19. Even with a
mask, you'd still catch the virus! So why wear it? So I love not having to
wear that stupid face diaper anymore!!!
I will be sleeping in my vehicle again
tonight. My body is still trying to adjust to the time difference. I told
the pastor (not knowing that he is the senior pastor) that I just arrived 2
days ago from Guam. He instantly knew that my body's biological clock is out
of whack, and it sure is, which is one reason I cannot sleep at night. So
hopefully things will normalize in a week or two. Since tomorrow is July
5th, there is a much better chance of me finding housing. I am calling 3
different hotels tomorrow, which all have reasonable prices, and said I
should call back after the 4th is over. So we'll see how things go. I need
to get my Florida driver's license very soon. I e-mailed the doctor's office
last evening, still waiting to see if they will accept me as a new patient
or not.
The Campus Church ordered catering from
Sonny's barbeque. I declined any food at first, because I didn't want to
take anybody else's food, but they all insisted multiple times, so I ate
with them. I had a pulled-pork sandwich, baked beans and coleslaw with 2
bottles of water. I was still hungry this afternoon, so I stopped at
What-A-Burger and ordered a double cheeseburger. Heaven came down! Boy, that
was a great burger, loaded with lettuce, tomato, pickles and all the stuff I
love. Thank you Lord! Now I have to fast until tomorrow! I drank a large
unsweetened tea today with the meal, which is what I drank at MacDonald's
yesterday (zero calories). Tomorrow I hope to find a hotel to stay, which
would make things a lot easier. My neck hurts very badly right now, and I am
used to taking a daily nap for an hour or two. It is hard to sleep in my
car.
I mentioned at our dinner table at
Campus Church today that my attitude is always to just love everyone, and if
they love me back that is a bonus; but if not, I have a need to love others.
Judy's father (whom I didn't know was her father at the time) said to me,
“That sounds like unconditional love.” I said, “Yes Sir, it sure is.” Jerry
is absolutely right! God is love, and as His child God's Spirit lives inside
of me, and I cannot live without love. God willing, I plan to be at church
next Sunday morning and Sunday night. I am not sure about Wednesday yet, I
have to wait and see how the week goes, and how I feel. My body is hurting
everywhere. I had been following the death toll in the East Side condo
collapse. I just checked and it is up to 22 so far. What a horrible way to
die, sleeping soundly one moment and buried beneath a mountain of ruble the
next. We have so much to be thankful for to God.
I wanted to sit in MacDonald's again today, so I could work and keep my
laptop charged, but the dining room is closed today for the holiday. Most
places are closed. I even drove by China Wok, because I was craving their
egg rolls. They were also closed. I asked at What-A-Burger, but they don't
have Wi-Fi. I haven't had any time to write blogs or articles for my website
ministry this past week. Lord willing, hopefully once things start to settle
down for me, I can get back to writing daily. Right now everything is
hectic, up in the air, and I'm doing the best I know how with the Lord's
strength. I am so happy to have a church family. I want to get involved, but
not overdo it by pushing myself, or I'll quit. They even encouraged me and
said there was no pressure to do anything. I am glad they made me feel at
home.
I love everybody, sincerely. I am so glad to be here in Pensacola. I had
felt out of place on Guam, ever since I first arrived there in 2004. It
feels good to be back in the United States. My mind and body are tired, but
I am in good spirits. One day at a time. Jesus is precious!!!
