We were laughing so hard, we were in tears.
I almost had to pull over to the side of the road because I couldn't see ahead of us.
It was just a couple of days earlier three years ago Carl and I were heading back to GLCC.
Carl and I were telling jokes and couldn't stop laughing.
We had many great moments like this.
It was a couple of days later Carl was driving back from preaching at a Church that he was blindsided in his car and did not survive.
I remember getting the call from Mike Waugh.
I have cried maybe 10 times in the last 15 years.
The last two I remember, hearing my cousin Charles died and Carl.
When Mike called and told me the news, tears instantly filled my eyes.
Carl was a great friend.
We met at Great Lakes.
We had a ton of classes together.
We worked on projects together.
We had dinner at each others houses.
He would try karate moves on me.
We spent mornings cramming for test.
We worked on each others cars….
Well, Carl did and I kept him company.
I remember at his funeral people were asked to share jokes Carl said.
People got up and shared some of these jokes.
I never got up.
Not because I didn't want to, but I didn't think the joke was right to share at a funeral.
It made me smile.
Carl was funny, compassionate, a good listener and so many other things.
We could joke around in class and outside of class.
I remember being in senior seminar together and starting the I'm the…..joke (I think basically Mike and I will be the only ones that will get this).
I could share my deepest struggles with this man.
He was one person that was an accountability partner with me.
He passed away three years ago today.
I am still sad about it and at least three or four times a year I still think of my good friend.
I still think about Marissa, Katie, Evan and Deborah the people Carl loved the most.
I think about the stories we would be sharing right now in ministry together, the pains, struggles, the good times and the bad.
Carl was awesome.
While I am sad, I know I have something to look forward too.
Heaven.
Carl was a follower of Christ, he was baptized and had great faith.
For this I know I will see him in heaven.
This puts me at ease.
Faith in Jesus means there might be an earthly death, but you will still live on in hevaen.
What a joy.
I rejoice for these reasons.
I still have tons of friend and family that don't know if they would go to heaven.
This is what faith is for.
So we don't have to be sad.
Carl and I will be in heaven together cracking jokes back and forward and having a good time.
Maybe today, you don't know where you are at with God.
Talk to me or someone you know about it.
This is something that can be very regrettable later on.
No matter what Jesus loves you.
Today I will be reminsing over my good friend.
Though I know we will be untied again.
That is a beautiful thing to say.
I love Carl, he was an awesome guy and I look forward to seeing him again.
Carl Renaldi 1969-2007… now in heaven.
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