Up in time for 10am count, I did not hear the call for REC this morning so I decided to stay in bed. Thankfully I rested enough to start my day in a great mood. I grab a milk carton that I have been saving in my little bin of ice, and pour myself some Raisin Bran cereal for a late breakfast. Time for count as the officers enter the Glasshouse and pass by each room and check each person’s ID against their roster.
I grab a small cafecito and my things to get ready for the chapel services.
“Eddie, the chaplain is coming into the unit”, a few guys yell out.
“Huh, okay thanks”, I reply.
The chaplain arrives at the Glasshouse door to pull me out and take me to the chapel to prepare for the 1pm service. Plans changed for him today so we had to find a new song for the service. I mention that I have “There was Jesus” by Zach Williams and Dolly Parton, and he prints out 30 sheets of lyrics for us to share with everyone. I spend the next hour and half testing and tuning the sound in the chapel for the song, and practice singing the song. The chaplain tells me he will be over at the camp prison next door, which to me that means I need to take the lead and open for the volunteer.
Pastor Wilder has arrived, and we greet him with a warm welcome. As everyone arrives for the service and takes a seat, I mention that it is my Christian brother, Mr. Epps’ birthday, and we all clap and congratulate him on another year of experience. I ask everyone to please stand as I will be saying a prayer to open the service, we will be singing a song and then inviting Pastor Wilder to the podium.
Another first for me, to take lead of the service, and open in a public prayer for everyone. Mr. Boodman assisted me with the soundboard and began playing the song from my tablet. The song went great, and I could hear everyone chiming in as I was singing it. Pastor Wilder takes the podium and preaches his message to us all from Romans 8:29-30.
Today we went to a new schedule; the Spanish Christian service now begins at 2pm. The chaplain escorts the English volunteer out and returns with the Spanish volunteer. We play one song from an mp3 player, and service begins. By 3pm, the move was called and everyone heads back to their units, the volunteer gets escorted out, and I myself return to my unit after turning everything off.
The dinner menu today shows “chicken alfredo”, but I chose to make myself something because I want to be in the chapel as soon as possible to prepare the movie for tonight. My meal consisted of one pack of ramen noodles, one pack of shredded beef, chicken bites that I cut into pieces, one pack of pork cracklings, and added seasonings. I place the pack of shredded beef in a large mug and fill the mug with 190 degree hot water we are provided, and then add hot water to the bowl of noodles. After waiting a few minutes I pour the noodles from one bowl into a larger bowl, and open the shredded beef package and empty it into the large bowl over the noodles, then I add roasted salted peanuts. It was very good, I have to give myself some props.
As soon as the count clears and they call REC, I head to the chapel, and the chaplain has his door open, sees me and invites me in. I immediately go into the chapel and set out the sign-in sheet, open the media cabinet, use the remote to bring down the screen that is mounted high on the wall, turn on the projector, and start the Blu-Ray player. Tonight we are watching a newly donated movie, “Hacksaw Ridge”.
The sound was excellent in the chapel, and we had over 35 guys who joined us for the movie. Even though the movie was based on a true story from war, it had a great message for everyone to take in. This is the second time I see this movie, but this time, having the knowledge I have of God and His Word, this movie meant so much more to me. I am happy we were able to see this movie, and I thank our chaplain for all his hard work in always doing good things for this prison community. Once it was over, and everyone was gone, I organized the chairs back into their positions, turned everything off, verified with the chaplain that everything was locked, and I headed back to the unit.
Walking into my unit, I see Mr. Rivero. He calls me over to say hello, and I tell him we need to turn in our commissary sheets, so to get it to me before the end of the night.
“I am going to do it right now”, he tells me.
“Okay, I am going to my room to complete mine”, I respond.
Once done with my sheet, I head to the phones to call mom and say hello. Mima is sick, and Ozzie was eating an ice-cream, but they are doing good besides her being sick. Mr. Rivero walks over and hands me his commissary sheet. I take it to my room to highlight his items so the guys spot everything easily. I notice he put a “1” next to two items I have that I do not use, so I scratch them out and take those two items to him. When he sees me walking towards him with the items, he starts laughing.
“Thank you, you didn’t have to do that”, he says.
“It’s okay, I have extra of each, don’t worry. I am going to shower, see you later”, I tell him.
Done showering, I grab my radio and sit down for the rest of the evening to watch some news, and see if tomorrow it will be cold, so I could prepare my clothes for tomorrow morning. It is visit day tomorrow, dad will be coming, God willing, but it is also the day I will begin forcing/pushing myself to go to the recreation yard to exercise the way I use to where I lost 18lbs.
The night is over for me, and time to go to sleep. Count is done, and lights are off, as I charge my radio to have it ready for tomorrow morning.
Dear God, thank you for loving me, and showing me all you do for us. Thank you for taking care of my family friends and loved ones. Father God, whatever you do, you do for our good, and I thank you for continuously guiding me towards a better, more humble lifestyle. I pray Father God that I may be able to exercise tomorrow and begin a new routine for myself, for my future. Thank you Father once again, In your name I pray, Amen.
Eduardo Luis Valdes
02499-506
November 24, 2024
22:54
