Chapter 16

The church was not so full today; we looked for a place to sit and settle in

before the devotion started.

- hi, big boy, said a very well dressed guy to Nicolas

Nicolas: hi partner, long time no see buddy, said Nicolas hugging him

- I was traveling; I arrived this week! How are things going around here?

Nicolas: fabulous, everything is just great. Let me introduce you to the girls who came with me today; this is Isabella

-Hi, Isabella, I’m Alexandre

Isabella: my pleasure

Nicolas: and this is Paula

- Paula: Hi, nice to meet you

Alexandre: nice to meet you Paula

After we introduced ourselves, we sat next to each other, waiting for the worshiping and preaching to start. I felt something I’ve never had in my life, a mixture of embarrassment and gratitude; embarrassed and sad for everything that I was, that I’ve been, that I certainly did not please God, and appreciation for so much love, so much mercy, so much care, how I needed to cry at that moment. To wash my soul with those tears, to try to be a better human, I asked God for forgiveness, for not recognizing what he had done for me, forgiveness for despising him, for not including him in my life as I should, because he has never been the center of everything. It was just at that moment for some reason; I didn’t know I could see that some tears had fallen from my eyes running on my cheeks. I wanted to convert to the Lord; I needed to do that. The tears were continually falling; what a moment! Nicolas hugged me tightly in order to comfort me.

it’s ok princess, Nickolas whispered as he ran his hand through my hair

Isabella: I’ve never felt like this before, I didn’t want to be so vulnerable before Nicolas I looked him in the eye, and he just wiped my eyes and smiled when the devotion was over, Nicolas took me for a drink to the canteen while Paula was still there sitting on the bench with Alexandre

Nicolas: are you better?

Isabella: yes

We went back to the lounge, and Paula and Alexandre were talking; we didn’t want to disturb them, so we went outside to wait for the two of them to leave; moments later, the two smiles were coming towards us.

Nicolas: how about we go out to eat something?

Alexandre: I’m in

Isabella: great idea, come on, sweety?

Paula: yes, let’s go

Nicolas: perfect then

We got in the car and went to a pizza place, we talked a lot we smiled, it seemed like Paula was getting along with Alexandre, they both smiled a lot talking, I was glad the plan to have her out of the house to entertain her have worked out.

Alexandre: I hope to see you more often while we were waiting for Paula in the car

Paula: me too, see you later.

Alexandre: good night

Paula: good night

Alexandre: bye guys, have a good night

Isabella: bye, good night

Nicolas: good night

We dropped Paula at home and then went to my house.

Nicolas: here you are, safe and sound, he said when he stopped the car at the door, but I wanted to him stay more

Isabella: I don’t want to go in now; I want to spend some more time with you. I smiled sideways, and Nicolas raised an eyebrow and smiled too and turned the car off.

Nicolas: we stay here then.

We were in silence for a few seconds; the street was empty, everything was silent. Being in his company was the best thing ever.

Nicolas: the sky is impressive today; look at the moon.

Isabella: Yeah, I hadn’t noticed. It’s perfect

Nicolas: I am very happy with you!

Isabella: why?

Nicolas: because you were touched by the word today

Isabella: oh yes. Yesterday I prayed before going to sleep; the more I hear, the more I want to hear, the more I fall in love, the more I see things I haven’t noticed before, the more I feel some things I haven’t touched, you know?

Nicolas: perfect, God is approaching Isabella, this is wonderful! He holds my hand, excited

Isabella: I think I want to convert; how do I do that?

Nicolas: do you want to convert? oh Isabella, do you want to convert?! he hugged me smiling happily, without believing it as if I had just won the lottery or something as if it were the best choice I was thinking of taking

Isabella: yes, what a blast, right

Nicolas: of course, this is the best decision that anyone can ever make in life, Isa, to convert to God.

Isabella: and what do I need to do?

Nicolas: Calm down. Isabella, do you believe with all your heart that Jesus is Lord?

Isabella: I believe with all my heart, Jesus is the Lord!

Nicolas: Do you believe with all your heart that God raised him from the dead?

Isabella: yes! I do Nicolas

Nicolas: in Romans 10: 9, it says that whoever confesses that Jesus is the Lord and believes that God raised him from the dead will be saved!

Isabella: Amen

Nicolas: To convert means to undergo a radical change, a transformation! repent of all your sins, say no to everything that displeases the Lord, and day after day hearing his words you will be increasingly transformed, built up, God will shape you again, you will not miss the old life, old one’s customs, God will fill you completely

Isabella: I want this, I really do. I want to go to church more, I want to hear the word of the Lord more, I want to be the best I can and ... I don’t know, be more like you. You inspire me.

Nicolas: How beautiful. Good to know you admire me

Isabella: I do. A lot

Nicolas: thank you princess, And much welcome to the body of Christ. From now on, just dedicate yourself more to the Lord, pray, read the Bible a lot and go to church, the leave the rest to the Lord

Isabella: for real ?

Nicolas: for real

I hugged him impulsively, I was extremely happy, and when I let him go, I realized that our faces were very close to each other, too close because I could feel his breath; I immediately broke a smile and only managed to look at his lips, I looked into his eyes glazing on mine, and we got even closer touching each other’s nose, I never wanted to kiss him so much, I needed to feel his kiss.

It’s happening; I gulped dry again, my hands were shaking and sweating, it was Christal clear that we both wanted it badly, but who knows, it was still early, maybe wrong. All I wanted was to join my lips with his; I took a deep breath and retreated with my head down.

Isabella: I think I’d better get off, I said, unable to contain the smile on my lips

Nicolas: all right, see you tomorrow then, he answered with a captivating wide smile

I couldn’t resist looking back a few times before closing the door, and to my happiness, he was smiling, waiting for me to get in

Nicolas

I arrived home very thoughtful in Isabella and in our “almost first kiss,” thrilled to see her closer to God day after day. I confess I’m seriously thinking about asking her for a date after everything I have heard and lived with her; her way is impressing. It has captivated me with each new encounter, conversation, laughter; this time, I feel that I am not wrong; quite the contrary, I feel that it is her.

Luana: we were talking about you right now, my mom said, holding a popcorn bowl while watching a game show with Thomas

Nicolas: oh yeah? What were you guys talking about? I asked while I joined them on the couch

Thomas: Mom said that you wouldn’t miss a question if you participated one day, and I said that for sure you would, the questions are so hard

Nicolas: I agree with you; I’m not that smart, mom

Luana: well, I think you are, and shrugged

We stayed up watching for a few hours eating popcorn, and soon afterward, each one went to his room to rest. After taking a shower, I knelt by the bed and talked to the Lord.

“My beloved God, thank you for another wonderful day, my heart is full of gratitude, thank you for your speech, your listening, your love, thank you Lord for your son’s death for my sake and my salvation, for the opportunity to become one of your own and to live with you, thank you for the privilege of entering in your presence, for your endless kindness and mercy, there are so many reasons to thank you, father. Traps of the world, the snares of the enemy, deliver me from the things that take me out of your presence and that add nothing to anything, take out of my heart everything that doesn’t please you, wash me, clean me, sanctify me, pour your Spirit on me, and make me a better being in your eyes. May I see everything you have to show me, that my ears are attentive to everything the Lord says to me, may I walk, think, speak, and feel according to your will.

Protect my family, shield Isa and her family too, work within her, make your transformation, change what you have to change, work on her actions, speaking, thinking, awakens in her heart the desire to know you day after day to seek you, serve you, adore you, do your will, may she know you, and love you above all things. Hold in our hands, and don’t let us stray from your ways; thank you father. Amen”