My Story part 2

TALE OF THE FOUR BRIDES

My Story part 2

When I was younger I had read an article on plump/overweight children, and one phrase I read has never left my mind. "People who are overweight have difficulty gaining respect from others, even if they are overweight themselves" 

The thought that because I was not as thin as others would make it harder for me to gain respect bothered me alot. Add to it that I couldn't get that boy's attention and I was devastated. I was scared. 

Regardless of fears life goes on, and God guides our steps even when we live shrouded in our fears. 

It was the day before the start of the fall semester of 2007 and I was signed up as a freshmen in the Night College (NESB). My best friend, Galina, was starting her freshmen year at the Day College (NEBC).

Now that I was a "college student"- I was able to attend the college Sunday school class.

As a nervous 18 year old, I walked into a classroom filled with new young faces, only a few students I knew from previous years, since I attend the church that runs both the evening and day colleges.

I scanned the room for Galina, but she wasn't there yet, and only a few chairs were available in the crowded class room. I walked in and quickly sat down at a front row desk. A new freshmen college student was sitting to my left.

"Hi," I said.

"Hi, I'm Justin," he answered.

"I'm Rebecca, nice to meet you," I replied.

At that moment Galina walked in and I began chatting with her.... without ever realizing that I had just said hello to the guy I would someday wed. 

In the meantime however I was starting college, trying to make friends and trying to get over the pain I felt from that crush. I was tortured by thoughts that I could never talk to anyone, let alone a guy, and that they would not like me or respect me because of my weight. 

The College valentine banquet was coming. 
My brother's friend Mark L, someone I have known since we were toddlers, asked me to go with him to the banquet. He was not too enthusiastic asking a girl he didn't know and so... I went with him since he had known me since I was 4 years old. 

The table we ended up being assigned to sit at had an engaged couple, a girl and guess who? That college guy Justin. Well, truth be told only Justin and I talked that entire evening at our table!

We talked about our favorite board games as I can recall. I thought he was a pretty nice guy, and I wondered if he would become one of my friends after that banquet. I felt relaxed and comfortable around him. 

I began to get a little hopeful, but we never spoke to each other again the rest of that semester!

So, I shrugged my shoulders, "oh well,"

He did strike me as a rather peculiar sort of guy....

Summer break begins....

I kept myself pretty busy that summer, I attended a music camp, helped run a class in VBS, spending time with my friends and having a good time when the bad news arrived. 
My two best friends were moving away, out of state, far away. I was devastated. They were my best friends, and at that time my only friends.... and they were leaving???



The days before they moved and after they moved were tearful for all of us. 
We had grown up together. 


Then began the fall semester of 2008 had begun.

I had taken a break from college classes for this semester, because I wasn't sure what the Lord wanted me to do. I had started an application process to the day college for the secretarial course, but felt that this was not what God had for me.

My church began a kids' Bible program once a month, on a Friday night, called "Kingdom Kids". I was one of several teachers for this program and we were always looking for helpers!

I happened to ask Justin if he was available after many others said they were working that night.

"Sure, I can come, what time?" he said.

I taught the lesson that night, it was quite an exciting story and I was VERY animated. I remember asking Justin what he thought of the lesson when it was done, "Those kids didn't move! You really kept their attention!"

A few days later I thanked Justin for coming by to help out.

"Hey, by the way, how did you know I was off of work Friday?" he asked.

"I didn't know, must've been the Holy Spirit!" I smiled and walked away.

I was starting to like him...but I was scared.

I didn't want to have another crush! I wanted something that was real and not just because I felt insecure about myself. I wanted someone who liked me for me. 

I tried to not think about guys at all by that point. I didn't want to get hurt.  
A few days later I finally prayed, "Lord, you know the perfect plan for me, I am going to stop worrying about guys and start focusing on Bible College. I want to wait for Your Best for my life"

The Christmas banquet was coming....

I wondered if maybe this nice guy was going to ask me to go with him....

or if I was going to attend it alone.

I went alone.




TO BE CONTINUED....

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