My girls returned home safely from the Passion Conference last night. It was edifying and encouraging for both of them. It is good to have them home for a day or two before they both begin classes, next week.

A friend of Beej's wrote me awhile back, and shared her story in meeting, and getting to know BJ. She gave me permission to use it, and I pray it somehow brings you encouragement. Her name is Gizele. Beej was attending school in Carmel at the time. Here is her story:

"I emailed you a long time ago and told you that I was someday going to tell you the story of how I met BJ, which I said was one of my favorite stories. So sorry it has taken me so long... i've just been so busy lately (though, as BJ always said to me, that's still not an excuse... I smiled every time he said that) and I haven't gotten on the computer for something other than school since the beginning of the school year. Anyways, so that's why it took me so long, and I'm here now.

Before I start my story, there's something else I'll share with you. It's one of my last memories of BJ. I'm very involved in orchestra, and I was nervous about my auditions last year (my freshman year) for what orchestra I would be in for this year (sophomore year). Well, it turns out that I made the 2 highest orchestras here at CHS! (to be in the top 1, you first have to be in another one, that's why I'm in the top 2, anyways...) So I remember when I was talking to BJ and I told him the news and he was like, "that's so cool! I'll have to come to one of your concerts sometime." And I said to him, "oh no BJ... they're going to be long and boring, trust me" and he said, "no no no... it'll be fun! I'd love to come see you somtime" and that was that- he had alreay made up his mind that no matter how long and boring, he was going to come to an orchestra concert. Like I said, this is one of my last and favorite memories of him- he was always so involved in everyone else's life.

AMYWAYS, so finally I get to how I met BJ! It was March 11 2004, a Thursday- I remember that because he brought up the day sometime later. It was a typical day, and I was at lunch, buying an ice cream cone, because that's what I did every day. About 5 people or so in front of me was BJ- at that time, someone I knew only by name and face. Anyways, so I noticed that when BJ got out of the line that day, he had nowhere to sit because his friends hadn't saved him a seat at his usual table. So he sat, all alone at the end of an empty table.

Well, I saw him sit down at the end of that empty table and that made me sad. So, instead of going back to my table with my friends, I sat down right across from him and said, "Hello Brent! You looked lonely, so I decided to sit here and talk to you..." and babbled on incessantly for a few minutes or so. We had a good conversation and quickly became friends. A few days after that, I asked if he wouldn't mind doing it again- and he said he would love to. Then, every Thursday we had lunch together until the end of the year.

I know that it was in the Lord's hands now that we met. The line was long that day, but I still got in the line to get my ice cream... I was meant to sit across from BJ that day and meet him.

Meeting BJ and becoming friends with him had a HUGE impact on my life. Whenever I think of BJ, I think of Hebrews 13:2- "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some people have entertained angels without knowing it." Well, I feel like on that day, I entertained and angel. I feel like BJ saved me and he taught me what it was really like to live for Him.

Last year in English, we had to write a personal narrative about a significant event that happened in our lives. I wrote about meeting Bj- the very story I just told you. In fact, I referred to it as I told you my story.

Whew! so I finally got that story out, along with a few tears. Even though I know it's all good, it's still hard sometimes."

Beej had a knack for reaching out to others. It meant a lot to him when Gizele reached out to him. I remember him sharing Christ with her. He talked about it, as he always did. He was so enthusiastic in sharing the details. He passed many a email back and forth with her, trying to encourage her, and make sure she knew Jesus. She also brought encouragement to him.

Thank you Gizele for sharing with us, and letting us share in your story. I know it is very personal and precious to you.

Gizele and her family were some of the many students we met at Beej's Celebration. We are deeply moved at their outpouring of love for him.

dad


I am reposting the www.linkingup.com address as some of you have been away, and may not have seen the story on this "Voice of the Martyrs" website. Go to this link, when it comes up, click on the Kids of Courage button to see a story on BJ.