Sunday morning, 9:35am, I am waking up, pulling the ear plugs out, and organizing my bed. This week has been busy as I was at commissary for over six hours total this week for several reasons, and I began my exercises now that I have more time off than when I was an clerk in the chapel.
When count clears I will be going on the first move over to the chapel to meet with guys from the band to practice and setup for today’s services. Since I will be skipping lunch in the dining room, I grab a packaged plain bagel, a spam and some gouda cheese spread and make myself a sandwich with also some plantain chips. Once I finish eating that, I make myself a cafecito, and wait for the move.
Once in the chapel, I setup four microphones, bring out the guitar and the bass and connect them. As I am testing the sounds, Mr. Ramirez, who plays the drums and guitar, shows up and helps me, then I help the chaplain by getting the sign-in sheets ready for when everyone begins arriving they could put in their attendance.
As we practice, they call the move, and the guys for the English Christian service begin arriving. I play some background music until everyone takes a seat and the chaplain begins his introductions. Once the English and Spanish service conclude and everything is put back to normal, we are all sent back to our units.
I will be going to rec today for at least an hour, so I decide to eat something early before count. I make myself a chicken ramen soup with a yellow fin tuna steak mixed in a bowl, including bacon bits, roasted peanuts, and seasonings since what they are serving in the dining room shows to be a imitation turkey slice and mash potatoes.
I take a few minutes to read my daily devotionals. From the “Our Daily Bread” it talks about “Intervals of Rest”.
“In six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth…but he rested on the seventh day.”
[Exodus 20:11]
What I take from this is that God gives me the strength to get through my week, and when I do get to rest, He allows me a great night sleep to give me enough energy for the next day. I may want to rest more than normal, but having faith in God to supply my needs is enough to continue on forever.
The move is called, I am out the door. Gloves in my pocket, water bottle in my left hand, identification in my right hand, cap on to not get too much sun on my face. I do my first lap around the track walking, stopping every 150 meters.
At the 150 mark, crawl out burpees with push-ups.
At the 300 mark, Jumping Jacks
At the 450 mark, squats
At the 600 mark, crawl out burpees with push-ups.
At the 750 mark, I did some ab workout, that I don’t know what they are called.
My next lap, I met with “Pipilo”, an older Dominican gentleman I have known for over 3 years. He is about 6’5″ tall, and his strides are big enough that I could do a slow jog by his side and he keeps up with me. We were side by side all the way around to the 750 meter mark, where we stopped and he did some pushups and I did more crawl out burpees with push-ups. This went on for a few more laps and with 15 minutes before the 6pm move I went over to the pickleball court to play a few a round or two with Mr. Boodman, Mr. Alegre and one other guy. Pickleball is a simple going game for some, but here we are super competitive, and also fun. I won a few games with Mr. Boodman, and he asked I stay until the 7pm move, and I did. We played for the next hour, I was drenched in sweat. I hope I can do this every day going forward, I need the workout and the mental therapy it brings, being out with a few good men just passing the time.
I head back to the unit at the 7pm move, enter the Glasshouse and see my roommate sitting watching tv. As I walk by him, he tells me he left a small bowl of mixed rice on the table in our room for me. All I can do is say thank you, and be grateful for what he does, even though I was not planning on eating anything this evening, especially rice. It’s okay, tomorrow is another day to start my diet over again, HAHA.
I wash the bowl and put it away, grab my clean clothes, towels, hygiene items, and head to the shower. Back in my room I hang the clothes I washed, and head to the phones, time to call mom.
The day ends for me, this weekend is also over, and we begin this new week, into the second half of the month. Only good news; only good things; we pray and hope for only positive to come our way. I thank you Father God for being in my life. Thank you dear Lord for the words Chaplain Hostler preached today. If it wasn’t for you dear God, I don’t know where I would be in all this darkness. Only through you Father are we able to live a positive lifestyle. Thank you God for my family, friends and loved ones. Thank you for all the good You have done for me and continue to do for me. Please I ask that you never leave me, forever guide me, and I will forever follow You. Thank you Lord Jesus, Amen.
Eduardo Luis Valdes
02499-506
March 16, 2025
20:39
