Laurie Ishii

I feel a little better than yesterday, but I’ve still been in bed most of the day.

I received a phone call from a woman from a Korean church in LA. She told me that her church is having an essay contest, with the first prize being $500.00. She thought that I might be interested in entering the contest.

Whoever enters the contest is to write about their testimony. A friend I met at Coffee House at the Dream Center told me about this over the weekend, and he gave my phone number to the woman who called me.

It sounds like a good opportunity. I have to send in my essay by February 28th.

Anyway, the weekend was nice, but like I mentioned before, I overdid it. The Prostitution Outreach went well Рthere were four new people that came out with us. A very good friend, Nadar Рcame out with us too. He used to lead the outreach, and I trained under him. He’s living up north now, and is going to come back once a month to visit. It was great to have him come out with us again.

The streets where we usually go for the outreach was barricaded, (so there wasn’t much traffic) so there were only a few girls out there, and no pimps. We were able to pray with three of the girls.

I didn’t get much sleep after I got home from the outreach. My sister Tracy and my mom also called me to wish me a happy birthday that morning. (I think they must’ve forgotten that I didn’t get home until after 5am)

Then Daryl had something going on… (I knew it, first thing I got up that morning) he had planned a surprise party for me at the Spaghetti Factory. He invited all of my HFHY friends, and although I thought that it was very sweet РI was so tired and drained. (Not in a party mood) When he had asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday, I said nothing Рand I meant it. I knew that I’d feel drained after to prostitution outreach so I didn’t want to make plans for anything.

But my mom had also bought a cake and wanted me to come over too, so after the Spaghetti Factory, we had to drive to my moms in Redondo Beach. After that, we had to drive to Hollywood Hills to Daryl’s brothers house, to feed and take his brothers dog out. (His brother was out of town for the weekend) We must’ve gotten home after midnight.

On Sunday we went to service, and then went to have coffee with Nadar, and then the three of us went to a church in Pasadena, and got home after nine.

Now, I’m recuperating from the weekend. I knew since Saturday that if I didn’t slow down I’d be in trouble Рbut sometimes I think that I can try to ‘trick’ my body into not getting sick. Not.

I am so grateful for my sweet husband going out of his way to do something nice for me Рbut we’ve already agreed that he won’t do anything like that for me again. (I’ve never been crazy about surprises)

I’m not the kind of person who can put on a smiley face and act happy when I’m not Рit shows, all over my face. I was so tired, I almost burst into tears when I saw everyone at the restaraunt… and if I had, they wouldn’t have been tears of joy. I felt so bad, cause I know that I looked miserable that night.

Now I’m pooped again. I’m going back to bed! I expect to be good as new by Thursday. Please, Jesus!