If you missed Part 1 of the series, you can find it here. Now, on to the story!

I needed to find a church in my new city. I grew up Baptist, so I figured that’d be as good a place as any to start trying to find a new church. I found one on my second Sunday in this state that I figured I’d try.

I dressed up in one of the only dresses I’d brought with me (turns out my parents moved to that same state about a month later, bringing everything else with them), as I wanted to impress and fit in with the people at church.

I showed up 30 minutes early, and sat in my car, butterflies making me not feel the greatest. Have I ever mentioned that I get nervous talking to people…especially people I don’t know? I even debated staying in the car, turning the engine back on, and driving myself right back to my apartment.

After about 20 minutes, I was brave enough to walk in. I walked inside, and immediately froze. I didn’t know where to go. I didn’t know where to sit. I didn’t know what I should do. It was still quiet inside (apparently out here people are far more relaxed when it comes to time management), and once again, I debated leaving. No one was here to watch me go. As I was on the verge of making up my mind, a girl close to my age came out of the sanctuary, smiled, and said “Hi! How are you?” I managed to tell her I was doing good, and by then, she’d called over her brother (about her age) and introduced themselves.

Her name was Ella, and his was Will. They asked if I was new, and I briefly explained the situation as to why I was there. Ella said she was working in the nursery for Sunday School, but showed me where to sit and said she’d be there for church, and we’d sit together. I was excited. She introduced me to the pastor and some other people before she had to leave. The service was good, all the guys were wearing suits (I was impressed that even the teens were) and all the girls were wearing skirts. I was used to dressing up for church, although my home church was a bit more casual.

Right after service, I’m getting ready to leave, say goodbye to Ella, when Will comes running up. He’d gotten the pastor to agree to let him borrow the church van, and he, Ella, and two other teens were going to fish at the pianist’s home…did I want to go?

No. My brain panicked. There’s no way I’m actually getting invited to do something. I don’t even really know how to fish, they’re going to think I’m dumb. I don’t even have a pole. I can’t do this, the butterflies are back. Too much attention. No.

“Yes, but I didn’t bring a change of clothes”. Who said that? Why did I say that? What was wrong with me?

“That’s okay,” Will said. “How about you be back here in about 20 minutes? Does that work? That’ll give you time to change and then we can go!”

I was back at church that first June Sunday in some nice jeans and a unisex short sleeved 4-H shirt. The jeans were too hot, but I wasn’t sure what everyone else would wear. Since they seemed a bit old-school for church service, maybe they also were in daily life, and I didn’t want to stand out too much. Ella was wearing a more casual skirt, and Will had changed into jeans. I seemed slightly underdressed in comparison, but there wasn’t much I could do about it at this point, they’d already waited for me to go fishing. All five of us piled into the van and we were on our way…to Dairy Queen. No one told me we were going there! I hadn’t brought any money. I said I wasn’t hungry as Will pulled up to the drive through and asked for the orders. He said that was ok, Pastor had given him some. I still said I was good (it was going to be a long day, I was hoping my nerves would still be going full steam ahead, then I wouldn’t worry about skipping lunch).

After we got food from Dairy Queen, we were on our way! To Walmart. For fishing licenses. Something else I’d forgotten I didn’t have. Again, I didn’t have any money, so I said I didn’t really know how to fish, and I’d just come along to hang out. Ella said she didn’t fish either, and we’d have fun watching Will and the other two.

After fishing licenses were purchased, we were now on our way! This time, we drove about 30 minutes to a very large lake, where the pianist and her husband’s home was. They came out and sat on the dock with us. They asked me about myself and my education and goals, while Will and the others were fishing.

It was a really nice afternoon, and then Will said we should go, else we’d be late for evening church. Surely it hadn’t been 4 hours with them already! As we piled back in the car, I couldn’t believe I’d just spent an entire afternoon with people I barely knew the names of, and actually enjoyed it! When we pulled back into the church parking lot, Ella asked if I’d be back for evening church after I’d changed. Once again, my mouth agreed to something my brain wasn’t in line with. I was hot, tired, and hungry, but I drove myself back to my apartment, changed and made myself presentable, and made it back to church with 5 minutes to spare.

The pastor talked with me and asked if I’d enjoyed my afternoon, and I whole heartedly told him yes, I’d had so much fun!

After church, I said my goodbyes and made it home…I’d spent nearly an entire day with them, and I called my parents to let them know I’d been on my first fishing trip. Had I found where I belonged?

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

– Hebrews 10:25, King James Version

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If you are not 100% sure that you will go to Heaven when you die, now is the time to repent and put your trust in Jesus Christ! If you have any questions or doubts about your salvation, click here to learn more.

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