Chapter Sixteen:

Jelly Beans and M&M's

            Unfortunately, the summer did end and I was forced to briefly pull myself from the world I had become so accustomed to over the past few months. 

            Taking my seat in the classroom on that first day of classes was like stepping into a foreign world.  "What am I doing here?  My life has been anything but a prime example of how to live a Christian life.  I'm just kidding myself."  Looking around me, I knew I didn't fit in.  "Heck, I'm an M&M in a bag of jelly beans." 

            I opened my bag and pulled out a book well worn over the years.  When Reverend Sullivan had learned that I didn't even own a Bible, he had given me one of his, telling me, "This one got me through school and always provided me answers when I was in need.  It's about time it got some good use again."

            I slumped in my seat and sighed, flipping to Romans, Chapter 8 in hopes of finding some comfort in the all too familiar verse.  As the page turned, a post-it note caught my eye.

"Landon, I was hoping

to catch you here.  Why the long face? 

Smile – you are right where God

wants you.  How can you ask

for more?

I love you,

Jamie"

            I couldn't help but smile.  "Okay… it's now official – she knows me just a bit too well…"  I lifted the note to examine it further, only to notice another directly below it.

"Ahh… there's the smile I know

and love.  Have a great day, and remember:

'Hope is a waking dream.'

– Aristotle"

            Laughing to myself, I glanced around the room.  There were probably thirty-five students occupying the forty desks.  Most were conversing in small groups, laughing amongst themselves, already well-acquainted.  "So this is what a waking dream feels like, hugh? … Well, at least this M&M is in the right bag… or rather… dream." 

            The professor entered, and the room soon quieted.  He didn't fit my idea of a Bible school professor, sporting a goatee and bright orange shirt, a backpack slung over his shoulder.  He pushed the lectern into the corner and instead opted to sit on the corner of the desk.  "September already, hugh?  I'm sure you still have summer day dreams running through your brains.  Personally, mine thinks it's lounging on the beaches of Hawaii," he laughed.  "Well, as your schedule probably has informed you, I'm Mr. Morelock.  Since we're going to have plenty of time to hit the books this year, I thought we could spend today getting to know each other a bit.  So, let's hear it:  name, a little bit about yourself, and why you're here in my class."  He clapped his hands to make sure he had everyone's attention.

            I sat up a little in my seat, my interests definitely peaked.  "Wow… This might not be so bad after."

            One by one, people introduced themselves, told a bit about their families or jobs, and shared their motives for enrolling.  The more I listened, the more nervous I got for my turn to speak – especially when it came to the final question.  Everyone had such profound motivations: 

"My father's a minister and I want to follow in his footsteps…"

 "I've just always wanted to make a difference…"

"I plan on going into missionary work…"

I couldn't help but sigh, "Like anything I have to say could stand on its own in comparison to their reasons. … Oh great!  It's my turn."

            "Ummm… My name is Landon Carter. … I have an amazing wife, Jamie, and the two of us are expecting our first child in the beginning of March."

            Just as I was about to answer the question I was dreading, Mr. Morelock interrupted.  "Congratulations.  That has to be very exciting for you."

            "The first positive reaction… Hey, maybe I'm off the hook on that last part…"  I smiled.  "It is."

            "With so much going on, why did you decide to grace us with your presence?"  He leaned back, spreading his hands out in the air in the process.

            "Ok… I guess not."  I cleared my throat.  "Well, I guess you could say that I'm here … after a couple of dreams."  I looked up at Mr. Morelock, ignoring the light laughter coming from a few people around me.  "It might not be the world's best motive, but it is my reality and I refuse to be ashamed of it."

            "Alright, there's no need for laughter… God's means to reach people are as diverse as this class is, and dreams are definitely one of them…  There are many instances of this in the Bible.  Can we come up with any?" Mr. Morelock questioned.

            The room sat in silence, processing his request.  The students in the front row had opened their Bibles and were flipping through the pages, looking for the answer.  Others had confused looks on their faces as they glanced around the room to make sure that everyone else was as baffled as they were.

            "Well, there was Jacob, the Pharaoh of Egypt, Solomon, Daniel, and Joseph…" I said rather matter-of-factly, recalling what Jamie had told me that one night.

            "Bingo!" he exclaimed, pointing right at me.  "Okay… who's next? …"

            "Thank you, Jamie…once again!"

            After class, I was one of the last people out of the room.  It was nearly noon and the only thing on my mind was getting home to Jamie.

            "Hey… It's Landon, right?"

            I looked to the side and was surprised to see Mr. Morelock leaning against the wall, an open can of Pepsi in his right hand.  "Yeah."

            He moved from the wall and started to walk down the hall with me.  "I just wanted to thank you for being so frank with us in there… about the dreams, I mean.  It's good to hear."

            "Not a problem…"

            "M&M?"  He stuck out his left hand, revealing an open bag of Peanut M&M's.

            "Yeah… sure… thanks," I replied, taken aback as he poured a few into the palm of my hand.

            "I'm not sure why, but they've always been my favorite," he responded with a smile.