Love Letters from Heaven 1: First Love

Chapter 1: An Unexpected Meeting

“All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord."- Proverbs 16:2

A year later at Maxwell University, Detroit

It was a rainy morning in March. I had to rush out of my house at half past six in the morning to catch the earliest ride which will take me to the campus. I wondered why I forgot to set my alarm the night before. Maybe I was too tired physically.

The events from last night flashed in my mind as I ran to my first class. It was a truly powerful night. I never knew I could sing my heart out during worship at the Sunday Service. As I entered the room, I couldn't help but hum to the tune of Like a Fire. I was ten minutes late, but I was relieved when my professor, Mr. Schneider, hardly noticed me as I slid into an empty chair near the door. It was Biochemistry class --- a class that most of my classmates would rather not attend if not only for its five-unit course requirements. It was a good thing I managed to buy a can of iced cappuccino or else I would be one of those students who would feel drowsy throughout the whole period.

After about one and a half hours of monotonous discussion on the catalysis of chemical reactions, the bell rang. I could sense a gigantic relief on most of my classmates. Technically, Mr. Schneider is quite famous for his unenthusiastic babbling and his obvious admiration for whiteboards since he talks to it most of the time. Talk about a discussion that perhaps only the Holy Spirit comprehends. I couldn't even help but think if Mr. Schneider was speaking in tongues awhile ago since I really couldn't understand a thing he was telling us.

As I was walking towards the school cafeteria, I heard someone calling me from a corner near the lockers.

"Katie!"

"Hey, Aidan!" I waved at him as he approached me. "What's up?"

"You did a great job last night. You know what most of my friends told me no one ever sang that song as great as you did during the service." He grinned. Aidan Sanders was my church mate and best friend who also happened to be one of the guitarists in the worship team.

I chuckled. "Bro, did I ever mention to you before that I was the long lost sister of Darlene Zschech?"

Both of us laughed. Then I replied, "Nah, I was just kidding. That wasn't me last night. It was..."

Aidan cut me off, "Yeah, I know, it was the work of the Holy Spirit. His presence was indeed felt all over the hall last night."

"Oh by the way, the youth service is tomorrow at seven in the evening. We've got worship practice before that. Just a run-through. I forgot to tell you last night," I reminded him.

"Yeah, I'll definitely come to the meeting. I guess I need to practice using that new guitar…" His voice trailed off as his eyes focused at the end of the hallway.

I turned my head toward what he saw. Apparently, students were just bustling to and fro from the door, so I turned back to him and asked, "What is it?"

Aidan was silent for a few minutes before he answered, "Some…familiar face. I‘m not sure if she's the one."

"She?"

I couldn't even understand why I became curious at once.

His forehead creased. "I think I saw Sydney."

"Sydney…Sydney Lopez?" An image of her suddenly flashed on my mind as I mentioned her name.

"Yeah, I think I saw her there just a few minutes ago." Aidan told me as he pointed to the door located at the end of the hallway.

"What? You saw her? Where was she headed?" My heart skipped a beat.

He seemed hesitant for awhile before he gave his response, "I don't know. I think she went to the left side of the building. But maybe, it wasn't her…maybe she was just a look-alike. I mean from what I know of, Sydney graduated a year ago."

Both Aidan and I seemed stunned for a while. What was Sydney doing in this campus? Was she looking for someone at that moment when Aidan saw her? Was that really Sydney?

My thoughts were broken when Aidan told me that he had to go to his next class. As he went off, thoughts of Sydney flashed on my mind. I was headed toward the cafeteria where I was supposed to buy my lunch but I felt like my mind was elsewhere.

If it was Sydney whom Aidan saw awhile ago, I guess I need to confirm if she‘s really here. I need to find her. I need to know her side of the story since it was a year ago when she left the ministry and decided to live her life the way she wanted it to be. People knew she wasn't coming back when she decided to call it quits at that moment. I was there…I saw what happened...

I felt a compelling spirit rush through me as I waited for my order. Lord, if Sydney's indeed here in the campus, I pray that I may find her. I promise I won't condemn her of the things she has done in the past. I just want to meet her again, Lord. You knew deep in Your heart that she was one of the reasons why I was inspired to sing for you…

As I was about to go to the nearest table, I suddenly bumped into someone. I almost dropped my tray as I stared in awe at the petite, blonde girl whom I bumped into.

"Katie?"

"Syd!"

God's really a blast—that was like less than a second when He answered my prayer. I was so delighted to see the girl whom I was just thinking awhile ago.

"Wow, you look so gorgeous dear," Sydney exclaimed as we both settled down on the table. "I wasn't able to recognize you at first because the last thing I knew was that your hair was short back then."

I chuckled. "Yeah I know. That was my teenage cut. This is quite a surprise, Syd! You know what, Aidan just saw you awhile ago. Well, he was doubtful at first whether it was you or a look-alike. Anyway, what‘s up? It‘s been a year…"

She gave me a wry smile. "I know…life was never the same since then.. I just came to visit the campus. I kinda missed the life here."

"Are you working at present or are you planning to take up post graduate studies?" I asked inquisitively.

"I'm currently working in my Dad's firm. Doing clerical stuff. Kinda boring but it's okay… I can manage," she answered as she nibbled on her sandwich.

We talked about campus life in general. I was so delighted to learn a lot of things about her. Nevertheless, Sydney wasn't too delighted as I was.

"Hey, it's the church's anniversary on Sunday. I hope you could visit. I'm sure everyone would really be happy to see you, Syd," I told her.

She paused for awhile and stared blankly as she gobbled up the last piece of her sandwich and drank the rest of her soda. "I'll try."

Then after a few minutes, she asked if it's alright with me for her to go ahead since she has to get back to her father's office. I nodded my head, and she went off.

'Life was never the same since then'….'Ill try'; those were unlikely statements that the Sydney I knew before would answer. Admittedly, I kind of expected a different response. Then I remembered, Yeah, it was given that she would respond that way since it was a year ago when she gave up on her ministry… It's not that she's not interested, maybe she wasn't ready to talk about it yet…

The bell rang. Lunchtime was over. I stood up from my table and walked to my next class as I began to set aside thoughts of my unexpected meeting with Sydney. Lord, let's think about it later, okay? It's time to deal with another lethargic subject--- Philosophy.

************

"Mom, I'm home!" I hurriedly went up our wooden staircase. It was an exhausting day at school but so far everything was doing well for me. I got an A- in my Plant Physiology long test and a B+ in my last pop quiz in Biochemistry--- not bad, but not that excellent either.

"You're quite early today," Mom remarked. Mom's a pretty brunette, and quite young physically for a woman in her early forties. A lot of Mom's friends tell her that I barely look like her daughter. We're more like sisters, they tell us. Thank God for the amazing work of genes.

"Worship practice was moved tomorrow," I replied as I helped myself to a plate of newly-baked blueberry muffins and a tall glass of orange juice. Mom makes the most delectable cakes and pastries in the neighborhood. If I would have the opportunity in the near future, I would definitely save up for a business venture for both of us.

After a few minutes of chatting, Mom stood up and got her car keys at the counter top.

"Where are you going, Mom?" I asked.

"Support group, dear."

"Oh yeah, I forgot. It's Monday today. Take care, Mom," I waved goodbye.

But before I heard her close the screen door, she reminded me, "Katie, the chicken casserole's inside the fridge. Just heat it up when you feel hungry later, and by the way, leave some for me, okay?" she winked at me before she finally left.

I would say that my Mom has really grown in faith. It was just amazing how God really changed both of us to be who we are at present. If not for Him, we could have been living in the slums tolerating a wretched life. Mom really became dedicated in the ministry since she had that awesome encounter with God a few months ago. She used to be a chain smoker, a heavy drinker, a wild party freak and a full-fledged nagger. In other words, she wasn't a good mother back then. It's just amazing how God radically changed her from being a worldly individual to a faithful woman.

The only aspect that's missing in our life right now is my Dad.

She never opened up anything that has to do with Dad ever since the day when he left the house for another woman. God, You know I never had that hatred with what Dad has done to us. I just pray that he would come back, even just to visit me and Mom. I could hardly remember his face anymore. It was like ten years ago when he left us with nothing but big trouble. But God moved through our lives, and as the years passed, we found it in our hearts to forgive him.

It's one thing to have a biological father; someone whom you can hug and hold on to when you‘re afraid, whom you can play horseback riding with, and who's willing to be your first dance during your 18th birthday or your last dance on your wedding day. Nonetheless, it's awesome to have a Big Daddy; someone you can call up to whenever you feel troubled with just one glance up in the heavens, someone who's going to hold your hand and never let go even in your dreams, and most of all, someone who's going to back you up in every endeavor.

Yeah, a Big Daddy is and will always be the greatest thing that I will ever have. My best friend and true love is really fortunate to have him as a father.

Speaking of JC, I need to go up to my room now and talk to him. I need to tell him about Sydney, though I could sense that he already knows the exact details of it even before I met her awhile ago. I need to know what he thinks about her and the reason behind that encounter.

So I rushed to my bedside cabinet and pulled out a small wooden chest. I used to place my diary in this chest, but it was soon replaced with a lavender-scented notebook and a special felt-tip pen. Without any twinge of doubt, I started writing:

9:00 PM, Monday

Dear JC,

How's life up there in heaven? Right now, I just don't know where to start. I got truckloads of paperwork to do. Like what my seatmate just said awhile ago, she'd better drown herself in vanilla iced coffee just to finish those papers and lab reports. A higher intake of it than what she drinks before Mr. Schneider's class. But for me, I'd rather drown myself in your presence before dealing with such requirements.

I never expected that I would come across Sydney today. It has been a long time since I last saw her. I could still clearly remember that time--- when she walked out of a leaders' meeting before our church's anniversary shouting at the top of her lungs that she's done with things and that she’s quitting the worship team for good. It was a shocking moment for all of us. That was a year ago, and one year seemed like a long time until today, when I bumped into her.

I was happy to see her awhile ago. Nevertheless, I felt something strange--- something wasn't right about her and it was evident in the way she talked and smiled at me. It wasn't that same hug of delight after praise and worship or that smile of assurance before the start of a major church event. I know deep in my heart that there's really something going on with Syd, but I just don't know what it is. I could really sense a heavy feeling enveloping her at that particular moment.

What is it that's bothering her? I know you're the only one who knows what it is. I promise to keep it as a secret between the two of us, whatever it is that she has been going through.

Right now, all I can say is that, it's been a long day…and my eyes are beginning to droop… till next time. Love lots!

Katie

Where am I?

I was seated awhile ago on my study table and now I am seated at the top of a mountain. It was really one great view. Verdant forests, a magnificent rainbow and the glistening waters from a faraway lake.

Okay, I knew it. No one beats him when it comes to surprises. He's immensely romantic than any other being on the face of the planet.

But where is he?

"Katie…," a gentle voice spoke from behind. I turned around…and an intense bright light shone throughout the area. If I was clueless enough, I would have thought I saw the sun directly.

"Is that you?"

"Yes, it's me. Do you like it?" he asked, referring to his majestic surprise.

"Yeah! I love it! It‘s great. I mean, how did you know that I enjoy spectacular views like this one?"

"Of course I do. I knew what you wanted even before you were born…"

"Oh yeah, what a funny question, why did I ever ask that anyway." I laughed at my own stupidity.

"So tell me more about Sydney."

"You know what I just don't understand what's bothering her as of this point. She appeared exhausted awhile ago, like she was taking drugs. I really don't know. But I want to help her."

"Then do it, dear. She needs to be brought to the right path. I was whispering to you awhile ago to talk to her more than your usual way of chatting with a friend. But you didn't listen enough to hear my voice."

"I'm sorry…"

"You were preoccupied with something else awhile ago and that was the reason why you didn't hear me well."

"I invited her to the church anniversary though."

"I know, but that wasn't enough. Here take this."

He handed me a piece of paper.

"What's this?"

"Read it first, my dear."

I unfolded the paper and my eyes scanned the message written on it:

Dearest Katie,

Meditate on this when you will meet Sydney the second time. I know this is probably what my Dad would also tell you to do.

“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” --- Hebrews 10: 23-25

As soon as you wake up, think about what is written here. I declare courage and wisdom to be upon you as you finish your papers. It’s time to wake up my dear. By the way, increase the volume of your hearing so that you can tune in to what I say everytime. Don't forget to give me an update on what is going to happen today. Remember, you are the best for me and nothing or no one could ever change that. I love you with all of my heart.

JC