To start the summer off, Daniel had decided to quit his daily Job at Chuck E Cheese and continue his education out of town. He knew exactly what he wanted to do for God and what God wanted him to do. Pastoral Studies and minoring in Mission was what Daniel was majoring in. The summer had begun with lots of spontaneous activities with his local church youth and Daniel was involved in many position. He helped the praise and worship team, taught Sunday School to the kids for a month, then to the high school kids for a month. Daniel's mom knew exactly what she wanted him to do before going to school. Daniel himself was afraid and was not sure too. Before he had decided on attending Simpson university he had already applied to Spartan College of Aeronautics which is in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He really wanted to be a Missionary Pilot because he wanted to become a Missionary, and also a Pilot. Spartan College of Aeronautics had two representatives come to Daniel's house and talk to him and his mom about he school. Daniel did not tell his mom that the two representatives were coming and his mom had already disagreed about going to school of the state.
Daniel was disparate, eager, and had rely on his own understanding and well, not God's. The two representatives came and chatted with Daniel and his mom and while they were chatting, Daniel's mom shed out some tears, tears of worry and sorrow that Daniel was going to go off so far for school. Daniel, the eldest son in the family, had to make a wise choice. It was either Simpson University which was in California, or Spartan College of Aeronautics in Oklahoma. He knew that he had made his mom cried, and this was not the first time, but he second time. He did not want to make her cry anymore. The next tears that she will shed will be at his graduation ceremony at Simpson University "Happy Tears." After the visitation from the two guys that came from Spartan College, Daniel prayed a simple prayer to God asking Him: "O God, whoever that shall call me or accept me first to their college is where I will go to Amen." Three weeks has gone by and Simpson University was the first to call him and inform him that they have accepted him into their school.
Months of preparations and paper works came to a stop in month of August. Daniel was ready for college out of town. Countless times has he prayed for this opportunity from God, and countless times has he prayed for guidance into this Major. It was time to leave and no one was home except his mom, a nephew, and a niece. They took pictures as he packed his truck with his personal items, blankets, computer, and miscellaneous items. He finally said Goodbye to his widow mom, niece, and nephew. The only thing in his mind was, "God, be with my family, take care of them and I know you will. Help my mom stay strong and healthy."
It was not soon when Daniel had arrived at Jack's place and his other friend Eric was to be there so that three of them could drive together to school each in their own car. The time has come and they all took off for school in Redding, California which was 3 1/2 hours away from where they live. Time was nothing for the three and the got to school in flash. The drive to school was some what pleasing and not. Traffic found its way around the three and especially the hot summer heat that attacked them endlessly during the drive to school. None of the had a/c inside their cars. Well, Jack did but his was not cold enough to satisfy him so he did not use it at all. Orientation was not hard but very long and the eagerness to get his room and settle in was like a person out of breath seeking for air.
Daniel's roommates were no other than Eric himself, Eric's younger brother, and fella named Alpha. Daniel moved in everything as quick as possible because Eric and his younger brother had already taken the other side of the dorm and what was left was the right side wing of room. Daniel decided to get the window and let Alpha get the wall section closes to the door. Settling in the room was not hard because, the school had already assigned upper classmates to help the new students carry their belongings and luggage to their room. That the first day of school for Daniel. The second day was the day to meet all the people on campus, and especially getting to know all the other Hmong students in the school was his plan. He had met some Hmong students from last school year but not the transfers and Freshmen. Daniel knew that he was just going to make new friends and that was the line, nothing else.
After meeting all the wonderful people in the school, the student body President of the school had made some few events for the new students to attend. There were hangouts, parties, hoe-down, team building, and games for everyone that was new at the school. That second day of school, something did catch Daniel's eyes. It was a Girl whom he knew he wanted to become friends with but nothing else, or nothing more. Daniel wanted to make sure nothing will come into his way of accomplishing his Pastoral degree. The most important part of all was that, Daniel will not forget the reason why He is there at the school.
Days went by and he had talked with this girl for some time now. The first day they talked was about school and their passion for God. Second time they met was inside the Cafeteria, and they ate together, just a little distant from each other. Third time they met, was when Her boy-friend came to visit her. He could not take it in this time because Daniel did not know not ask if she was single or not. But he knew that God had something better for him in the future. Someone that is as patient as he was fro twenty one years. Yes, Daniel have never dated anyone for twenty one years. The boy-friend had come at a unexpected time, and unexpectedly the Girl and Daniel became friends eventually. Just within one week into school, the Girl had told Daniel that she had already broken up with him and she is single but is searching to be closer to God. She told Daniel that they had been off and on for a long time and both their parents did not approve off them dating but, because they had been dating for so long now, the parents could not do anything to stop them anymore. But now She had come to realize that she has grown away from God.
Daniel knew that he wanted to pursue her at this time, but slowly and wisely. He did not want to make it too noticeable to the Hmong community in the school so he only told his dorm buddies. Eric's younger brother and Daniel were much more closer than Eric himself and Alpha was still a new friend to Daniel. Daniel was more open to Eric's younger brother named Ryan. Ryan and Daniel had been friends for a long time now, much longer than Eric too. Ryan suggested that Daniel wait and see if the Girl is ready because she has been with her ex for three years. Daniel could not stand silent and wanted a quick response from her. Daniel decided to go and talk with the Girl's sister named Becky. Becky suggested to Daniel that he wait as well because she is not sure is her sister is ready for another relationship. So Daniel took in all their advices and waited for three months. He maintained their friendship and did not show any sign of pursuance to her.
Summer has gone away and winter began early this year. Midterm tests were already taken and everyone on campus was ready for the winter break. Daniel knew that he had to make a move on his own so he asked Ryan to go and talk with the Girl. He wanted Ryan to ask her if she was interested in anyone, and if she was ready for another relationship? Ryan did, and she replied back: "Yes, she is ready to move on, No she does not want to be in a relationship yet!" Ryan came back to Daniel and told him her answers. Ryan suggests that Daniel tells her how he feels for her. That was exactly what Daniel did the following night.
It was like magic or something, or God intended for it to happen. The following night Becky and the other Hmong girls wanted to go to the Dam in Redding. The night was soothing and calm, no wind or sign of retreat from the guys and gals that night. Tehy were certain that the small gathering at the dam was going to take place. Word got by to Daniel saying that there was going to be a small hang out out in the dam and almost everyone of the Hmong community was going. Daniel took the chance to ask the Girl if she wanted to go. She was uncertain, but right when she knew that her sister and girl friends were going also she made up her mind quickly to go.
What took place next, was something that Daniel had never done in his lifetime and wished that it was going to be the first and last. Ryan had made some few arrangements and Daniel was able to meet up with the Girl at the dam and they were all alone. Daniel and the Girl spent some time talking about school and finally, finally Daniel had enough courage to ask Her if it was ok if He told her something. The Girl replied: Yes! and Daniel spelled out all his feelings for her. At the end, he told her that he does not expect her to fall into this relationship right away but for her to know that He really like her and is interested in her. Daniel also told her that he know that she had recently came out of a three year relationship and it is not easy for her to let everything go so quick. She reply to him saying: "I am not ready for a relationship, but this bond, this friendship that we have I can allow to continue."
Daniel knew that his chance with this girl was a 50/50 chance. It was going to be Thanksgiving break and both of them were going to back to their home town. Winter had arrived already and it was only Thanksgiving. There were no sign of snow because where the two lived it did not snow at all. Central valley was where the two lived, just 1 1/2 drive if they wanted to see each other. But, that story was unpleasing when one night after Thanksgiving the Girl that Daniel liked called him and told him that they should not continue this friendship that was going to lead into something in the future. She just wanted to be friends him and nothing else, nothing more. Three months, and it was going down he drain all of a sudden. Daniel agreed, the Girl said she was sorry, and goodbye was the last word he heard from her on the phone. Thanksgiving break was only two weeks, and two weeks for Daniel was short because he did not want to go back to school to see the Girl. But he has no choice and school was starting again, winter break ended.
Coming back to school knowing that the person you use to talk to all the time was no longer going to be there next to you on your way to class was not going to be there next to you was hard for Daniel. His roommates knew what happen because he would not talk to anyone about what had happen during the break and he avoided hr as well. All their friends knew that something was wrong and all of them wanted to help because it was going to ruin their friends relationship if the two of them was going to keep avoiding each other. Daniel knew that he would be strong because he was the pursuer and not her. the Girl finally gave in and wanted to work things out. She told Daniel that she will be willing to work things out again and if Daniel will too? Daniel agreed, and forgave her.
They both hung out again, talking, walking, eating, and studying together. All of their friends were happy to see that they were happy again together, but not yet a couple. The first semester had gone by quick just like the three months, and Daniel did not want it to end just he like the Thanksgiving break. School started in September 2, 2008 and it was already December, Winter break which was two weeks also. Daniel did not want to doubt that the Girl might over think the situation and go home and the same thing might happen again. So, Daniel prayed night and day and finally Winter break came and they all left home. What a unpleasing story to begin writing because the same exact thing happen when the Girl got home this time. Her ex-boyfriend is from the same town, not too far away and they attend the same church as well. The Girl and Daniel had a talk the night after Christmas. She told him almost the same exact words the first time when she called him in Thanksgiving break to break up their bond. She told Daniel that she wants to be friends this time and she was going to stay true to her words. Daniel, like always, agreed and forgave her.
Christmas break came by quick and this time Daniel wanted the break to end fast so that he could go back to school and start the new semester strong with no distractions. New classed and new schedules were made. There was only one problem, the Girl and Him have a class together. Danie, no difference from the first break up avoided her like usual and none of their friends did not like it this time either, even more! They thought that the two were heading some where and that they might of had something in common. But they were wrong and they knew they had to stay out from this one. Daniel continued to avoid Her strictly, this time. This means no contact, no eye contact, no conversations, no nothing with her.
Like the first time, the Girl was not able to stay true nor strong to her words because it is just words that are from human beings. She was not able to bare the feelings inside of her any longer and wanted to let Daniel know that she cares for him too and that she likes him as well. Days went by and Daniel seems to be care free about her. But Daniel knew deep inside of him, he forgives her, and is willing to accept her back just like how God forgives us and accepts us back every time we sin. The Girl went to a couple guys and gals for advice and they helped her gain her courage to go and talk with Daniel. Becky, the girl's older sister gave a call to Daniel asking him if would not mind talking to her Sister again because she really wants to talk to him. Daniel agreed and they meet up that night under the school cross. They talked, and talked, and talked about the situation and how they both were going to stand their grounds and stay true to theirs words. After the agreements had been made, Daniel sealed the conversation and promise with a prayer.
A month into school, Daniel built enough courage and ideas how to ask the Girl out. He wrote four letters, placed them on certain spots, and each letters led to the next letter leading her to a pond where Daniel wanted her to pray and wait for his arrival. Daniel finally got to her and sat next to her on the swing bench which was in the gazebo, next to the pond in campus. The swing bench was facing the south side section of their school and they both stared off to the mountains surrounding Simpson Univerisity. Daniel got on his left knee next to her and asked her, "Would you like to be my Grilfriend?" The girl giggled and said, "Get off your knees, you don't have to propose to me." So Daniel went back up to set next to her and took her hands and ask her again. She said Yes! They hung out, cuddled, and looked at each other and smiled.
The semester was coming close to a end. Their first year at Simpson Univerisity was about to announced official. They were a couple now. What else more can you ask from God? Nothing because he gives you everything you'll need in life when the right time comes for Him to give it to you. In Daniel's case, it did come, and then it left him. She broke up with him during the second week into the summer break. He forgave her, but it was really hard for him to let her go because she was his first girlfriend, first kiss, and first love. He knew that God was in control, and it had happen for a reason.
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