Sunday morning, February 16, 2025. I was woken up by two guys nearby arguing over how much they know about the Bible. Not exactly what I wanted to hear, especially since they talked about how we need to avoid feeding into arguments. I look at my watch and notice it is nearly count time anyway, so I sit up on my bunk, organize my bed, and hop down onto the chair below; towards the restroom I go. There is enough time before lunch to have a breakfast snack, which to me is a slice of bread I have saved from several days ago, topped with some garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and a drop of mayonnaise, then I prepared a cafecito to go along with it, made from Cafe Bustelo and an Equal sweetener pack.
I sit to read my daily devotionals, and today in “Our Daily Bread”, it talks about “Reflecting God’s Mercy”.
“In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you”
[Matthew 7:12]
This message is very clear. We need to live by these words. Possibly have it posted on billboards around the country. With God in our hearts, we know we will never go wrong. Especially in the last 41 months I have been incarcerated, God has shown me what it is like to have Him close to my heart. I do to others as I would want them to do towards me. I respect others, and treat others the best way I know how. In the end if I do not receive the same treatment, I know God is watching our every move, and knows what we are to do before we even think of it. God I wish Your word could be brought back into this world, as it has been lost in time, and forgive me for not following you since before all this.
Count will clear soon, so I prepare myself to take the first move over to the chapel to prepare for the Christian services. Once I get to the chapel, I am told by the chaplain that he will be going over to the dining room, so I could not stay. Luckily we waited for the first unit to be called for chow, and we head out. I follow the first group around the lake over to the dining room, while the chaplain takes a more direct route. “Brunch” here was scrambled eggs, small potatoes, two small pancakes, syrup, and an apple, then I head back to my unit, where I find that my unit has not been called to brunch yet. Over to my room I go, and unfortunately I had the urge for another cup of coffee. I prepare it and wait for our unit to be called, and I go out with them, but I take the turn over to the chapel. As I sit out by the main door, down the way I see the chaplain walking over.
Once in the chapel, I prepare the microphones, sound system, and play some Christian music, using the “WoW Hits 2019” disc one. How did I never know about this music? I love the lyrics, the music, and the feeling you get from the message they provide, very uplifting.
After services, I stay a few minutes to pick things up, organize, and lock the media closet. I enter the Glasshouse to find my roommate had finished preparing a mofongo, with a mixed rice, for three of us, including Bon-Bon. Once count clears, I Mr. Aquino begins spreading the food out for each of us and we sit down to eat. I think I ate enough for three days. It was delicious. I can’t wait to get home and make something like this for my family. At this time I am going to let the food settle a little before going for a shower.
I grab my change of clothes, hygiene products, towels and head to the shower. I move the curtain and notice several broken razors, shredded papers, hair-balls, and small pieces of soap on the floor of the shower. I hang my stuff, and go upstairs to the storage room to grab a small broom and dust pan. I go through the six functioning showers and find garbage in five of them, sweep it up, and dump the garbage. I grab a small red bucket, and take it with me to the shower, so I could rinse the floor and walls, then I shower.
I hang up the wet clothes I washed as I showered, and prepared myself a hot green tea with lemon. Now as my day ends, my plans are to call mom, then sit down to watch some television, catch some evening news, and go to sleep after count. Tomorrow is President’s Day, so no need to rush and wake up. Ear plugs are going in, and I hope to sleep nice and sound, waking up tomorrow to a b-e-a-uitful Monday, if God allows for it.
Thank you Father God. This weekend was great, and even though the circumstances are not the best, thank you for allowing me to find something good in all of it. Thank you because through You I can live a peaceful, happy, stress-free life. Thank you for my family, friends and loved ones. Thank you Lord for all you do. Amen.
Eduardo Luis Valdes
02499-506
February 16, 2025
20:31
