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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Passport (07/25/05)
"Ohhh, where is it?" muttered Amelia as she searched through her backpack again. "I cannot believe I lost it!"

"What are you looking for?" asked Josie. She was Amelia's best friend and a fashion designer. She was going to a fashion show in Rome for inspirational new ideas and was taking Amelia with her for fun. Amelia was also going to visit family she had never met.

"My passport!" cried Amelia. "I was sure that I put it in this pocket with my ticket." She indicated the outside pocket of her backpack. "See? Here's my ticket, but no passport. How am I going to go on this trip if I have no passport?"

"Well, maybe you tucked it into another pocket or something," replied Josie. "Take a deep breath. Now think…where is the last time you remember seeing it?"

Amelia closed her eyes and breathed deeply. "I had it out when we checked in at the airline counter. I was sure I put it back in my bag."

"Ok. Well, we'll go back and see if they have it. Better yet, let's go talk to this employee here at the gate. Maybe he can call up there and find out." Josie went over to the counter to talk to the airport employee. Amelia stayed in her seat, slumped in disappointment. She had been looking forward to this trip for so long and now it looked like she wouldn't be able to go.

Josie looked over at her friend while the employee paged the airline desk. They had been best friends since their mothers had met in the church nursery. Their friendship had gone through so many ups and downs, but it was strong. Josie smiled. She had often wondered how they had stayed friends, but it was this friendship that had gotten her through both high-school and college. Oh, Lord, she prayed. Please show Yourself strong in this matter.

"I'm sorry, miss. They didn't find any passports at the desk," the man said apologetically.

"Thank you." Jose walked back over to their seats. Amelia looked at her expectantly, and then groaned as Josie shook her head.

"Well, I need to freshen up before we board." Josie picked up her purse. "Hey, hang in there. We'll find it." She smile reassuringly and headed to the restroom.

Amelia watched Josie cross the concourse and then closed her eyes. God, why is this happening? Please help me find my passport! She looked at her watch. They had an hour-and-a-half layover here. A lot could happen in an hour and a half. She pulled out the book she had bought at a gift store in the airport and started reading.

Josie saw Amelia reading when she came back and smiled as she shook her head. Amelia was never without a book, and even aspired to be a writer. Actually, her stuff was really good but she never tried to have it published. Josie sat down and pulled out a fashion magazine. Might as well see what she was up against.

*****

"Will Amelia Santori please come to Gate A-23, please? Amelia Santori to Gate A-23, please." paged the loudspeaker.

Amelia looked up from her cheeseburger, surprise written on her face. Josie grinned. "I bet they found it. What do you think?" Amelia started to wrap up her food. Josie grabbed it, urging her to go.

Amelia ran back to the gate. She almost skidded into a man in his thirties who was standing at the desk holding a little green book. The employee at the counter explained who the man was. It seemed this man, Mr. Garrett, had found Amelia's passport on the way to the gate and as a gesture of good will was attempting to find the owner.

Amelia laughed out loud as she thanked Mr. Garrett. "You have no idea how much this trip means to me. My grandparents came from Rome, and I was going to visit family for the first time. Thank you so much!" She turned around to see Josie grinning from ear to ear. "I have it! Isn't God so awesome?"

Josie hugged her friend, and turned to thank Mr. Garrett. He was no longer there. She searched the concourse for him but didn't find him. She was about to ask the employee at the desk if he had seen where Mr. Garrett had gone, but then she stopped. Smiling, she bowed her head and thanked God for His goodness, even in the little things.
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This article has been read 1378 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Michelle Fout
08/01/05
The conversations between girls were good, conversations are so hard but these flowed well. The feelings of the girl who lost her passport seemed a little incongruous throughout the story. Maybe a longer prayer that God would intervene and a foreshadow of her anxiety that has to bow and trust in God, so that her statement to man at end would enduce a little more sympathetic relief in the reader. Good job.
God bless and keep writing.
Nina Phillips
08/02/05
I can see the developement here from a sense of loss or mistakes, to anxiety when things don't go our own way, and then to faith, and trusting the Lord--Proving God, and finally viola' we move on with spiritual growth. I liked it--It does look like you at first struggled with the beginning but began flowing mid-to end. God bless ya, littlelight
Shari Armstrong 
08/03/05
Good work -good characters :)
Debra Brand 
08/04/05
Good story to go with the theme!
Pat Guy
08/04/05
You portrayed a normal incident (things like that happen to me all the time!) and a familiar relationship with the Lord very well! That He is an ever Presence to talk to at all times. Well done.
Linda Watson Owen
08/05/05
Good job at writing about an experience we can all identify with!
Amy Michelle Wiley 
08/05/05
I especially liked the part about the man dissapearing near the end. Good job.
Deborah Porter 
08/09/05
Lauren, as you already know, I'm delighted to see you with this first award. There are SO many entries in Level 1 these days, so to make it into 5th place really is a credit to you. Well done! Love, Deb (Challenge Coordinator)