“I can imagine. We’d love to go someday. On a lighter note, we’d definitely look forward to eating real Italian pizza.”
He chuckles. “I love pizza, but even I hit a point where I had to look for something else. I couldn’t handle any more pizza!”
I laugh. “I don’t know if that’s possible for me. I love pizza.”
“I love pizza too!” Maria calls from the kitchen.
Nate smiles. “Then you’ll definitely enjoy this place. When would work for you both?”
“How’s next Friday night?” I say.
“Perfect. I’ll see you at church on Sunday, and we can talk then.” He steps out the door, and I follow him to let him out.
After we say goodbye, I shut and lock the door, then head back down the hallway to the kitchen, where Maria is cleaning up.
The kitchen is almost clean already, and I even see some leftover dessert sitting there. I quickly grab a spoon and take another spoonful. The taste is the perfect balance of passion fruit and cream. The condensed milk makes it so smooth, and the passion fruit gives it the perfect tart lift.
I really am doomed at this rate if she’s always going to be feeding me like this.
I wrap my arms around her from behind, pulling her close.
“You really are the best, you know.”
“I know.” She laughs.
I squeeze her tighter. “I really wish Nate had someone,” I say, pausing as I think back to him telling me about the list he wrote out with God. “I know he’s over the divorce, and he loves his kids so much. It’s just a shame he doesn’t have anyone to share life with.”
“I know,meu amor. If we ever find someone, I think we should try to set them up.”
“Well, it can’t just be anyone. Nate’s a special guy.” I turn her around so she’s facing me, her arms sliding around my waist.
“All we need is a special girl.” She shrugs.
“Oh, just like that?” I give her a cheeky smile.
“Just like that.” She grins up at me.
She places a kiss on my lips, and then turns back to finish tidying.
I help her for a bit before heading off to shower and turn in for the night. As I climb into bed, I whisper a quick prayer for Nate.
Who knows what God can do?
Sundays are definitely one of my favorite days of the week. I love seeing the church congregation gathering together.
The bright light of the sun streams through the windows and shines on people’s faces as they laugh, lighting up the room even further. I often think about how God created a different cacophony of sounds, and how His creation must sound like music to Him—especially laughter. Is there any sound better in the world than the sound of laughter?
I love that I get to pastor them—that I got this calling in life. I know the prayer requests of anguish that have turned into peace. I’ve seen sorrow turn into joy. This is the place that I love.
Kids play tag, causing a trail of rainbow colors to run around the room. The young and the old mingling and hugging in different corners of the room. Conversations overlap with genuine joy.
It doesn’t just feel like people showing up for a church service on a Sunday. It feels like family here—exactly what God intended it to feel like. A whole bunch of different kinds of people coming together from all walks of life.
I see Marc over there with his family and someone I don’t know, so I head over to say hello.
“Marc! It’s so good to see you!” I lift my hand to shake his.
“Pastor. Good morning.”
