Every Rose Has It's Thorn (A Mike Tompkins Fanfic)

Chapter 6:

I cautiously walk up to the big building and read on the sign "Gibson Amphitheatre" , Im in the right place.

I open the heavy glass door, and walk in. There are hundreds of other people there, conversating, trying to find there way around, supporting each other. I make my way to the main centre. Following the signs around the building, i end up at a set of double doors. I open them and walk into a huge room with as stage and hundreds of chairs. I have mixed feelings about this conference now, will it help me? I wonder who the speakers are? On the pamplet, they said that it would be a surprise. The only thing they said on the pamplet that it is emmceed by a preacher named Rick Warren. My mom loves his studies and preaching, so I bet this is one of reasons she wanted me to go. Ill try to buy a book of his for her at the end. I sit there for about 10 minutes, then take out my cell phone and text my mom.

"Hey! :) Just sat down in the main conference area. It so big in here, wish you could come! Ill tell you all about it when I get back. Ttyl. -Victoria"

I sent the message then checked the time, 10:02am, Its going to start any second. As i turn off my phone the crowd starts clapping and I see Rick walk onto the stage. 

"Thank you all for coming! Welcome to the Loss&Hope conference. I pray that today you all would be encouraged, find hope, and know that whatever god does, it happens for a reason, and that he is with you. Now welcome our worship team for the day, tenth avenue north!"

I clap along with the rest of the crowd as they come out. As I'm clapping, I hit the elbow of the person beside me.

"Oh I'm sorry."

"Its okay. Whats your name?"

"My name is Victoria. How about you?"

"My name is shelby. Nice to meet you."

Then we shook hands. Shelby looked like she was in her mid-twenties, had long brown hair with bangs, andwas fairly tall. She seemed like a pretty cool girl. I stood up with the rest and sung along to the songs. One of their songs really caught my eye and it was called Losing. The song went like this:

"I can't believe what she said

I can't believe what he did

Oh, don't they know it's wrong?

Don't they know it's wrong?

Well maybe there's something I missed

But how could they treat me like this?

It's wearing out my heart

The way they disregard

This is love. This is hate. 

We all have a choice to make

Oh, Father won't You forgive them?

They don't know what they've been doin' (oh no)

Oh, Father, give me grace to forgive them

Cause I feel like the one losing."

It reminded me of my childhood, I was bullied. When my dad died in grade 3, I didn't know how to deal with it, my teachers & friends didnt know what say. It hit me so hard, I just shut down and became understated and silent. I was always known as the shy kid in the class when really, i just was so sad to say anything. People bullied me, saying im fat and worthless, and I didnt have the courage to say anyhting back so they continued. If only that drunk driver wouldnt have hit my dad, this ever would have happened. I don't know if i will ever forgive the drunk driver, or my classmates. This song has gave me a new perpective though. What would my dad want me to do? Develop a cold heart and shut everyone out? I need to do what is right. I send up a quick prayer, asking for help so that I could forgive them. After a couple more songs I sat down, and Rick came back onto stage.

"Thank you Tenth Avenue north, such amazing talent god has given you. Now onto our first speaker. Please welcome to the stage, Chuck swindoll!" 

Never heard of him before, but I still clapped along with everyone else. He talked about the loss of a child, and how to cope and how to trust god. Didn't really relate to me, so I only half listened. Next speaker was Andy Stanley and he talked about how you can never truely 'get over' someones death, but how god is there for you every step of the way. I listened to this one carefully, and I truely was intruiged. He said one bible verse that really made me listen. It was Psalms 71:20-21 and it went like this:

"Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again."

When he read this verse, it gave me some hope. I pray that we would restore my life again, give me new meaning to life, find joy. 

After Andy Stanley was done, I clapped extra loud. I reached my hand up to wipe away the tears flooding my eyes. I looked over at Shelby, and she was doing the same thing.

"Need a tissue?" she said and held one out in her hand.

"Yes, thank you." I said smiling.

Rick Warren walked out onto stage again and introduced the next speaker. "Our next speaker is a lovely young man. I would just like to say a special thank you to him for doing this on such short notice. He has went through so much lately, and I truely respect him. Please welcome Mike Tompkins."