MD and Amy had many things to get done in short time span, they both knew that urgency was in the highest order. Amy worked for hours on end on her computer, searching the internet for pockets of believers, reading emails, and trying to process possible orders for the machine shop..
MD's task at hand was to get things fired up in the machine shop, hire a handful of people to work in the shop, and find a way to deliver his products to the people who needed them the most, the tribulation warriors..
Just then, there was a knock at the main door of the shop. MD cautiously opened the door and looked into the faces of seven men. "Um, can I help you," asked MD.
A very tall well built man steps forward and says, "Hi, MD, I know its been alot of years but its me, Doug, and these boys with me are my posse. You see we all used to work here at this shop. Then the disappearance's happened and the owner of the place had vanished like the rest. Soon after the vanishing, we were all sitting in the lunch room trying to figure out what had happened, cuze none of us really have any bible learning, then all of a sudden an Angle appeared to us. This Angel led us through the plan of salvation and we all accepted Jesus as our saviour that day. Then before the Angel left, he told us that there would be a man coming to start things back up here in the shop, and our job was to come help run the place to help a lot of people that need things. So here we are me and my gang."
"Wow, this is incredible," exclaims MD.
"Come on in, my new brothers in Christ."
As the group enters the building, they all take a look around and they know that they are right at home in the familar surroundings.
MD has asked the men to come into the office so that he can introduce his wife to them and get to know this group a little better.
Once they were all into the office, MD points to Amy, and tells the group.. "This is by beloved wife Amy, don't let her good looks fool ya, she could wip any man in here a couple of times over is she wanted too."
Amy starts shaking her head as the rest of the group gave a little chuckle..
"Well ok guys, why don't you tell me your names and what it is that you do." says MD.
"Ok, I am Doug.. I am like the forman here.. I coordinate the operations so that we put out only the highest quality products."
Doug starts to point at each of the other guys one by one, as he states what their specialty is...
"That is Bill, he used to be a fighter pilot in the Air Force, then he came to us. He is our transportation specialist. He drives the delivery trucks, and he also flys the company delivery plane. If you look down on the lake, you will see at the far end a small house looking structure. Thats were the plane is kept."
"This fella, is Jerry. His specialty is running them CNC machines over there. He is the best CNC operator in the state."
"And for this Character, his name is BJ. If you can get past his silly pranks, you will find out that there isn't anyone around that can lay a bead of weld like he does."
"Here you have John and Jim, they are the general fabricators. They can do just about anything you ask, and these two love a good challenge."
"And last but not least, this is Austin. He's the smart one out of this group. He is a skilled electrical engineer. He does alot of our design work and also serves as the shop maintenance tech, he keeps all of the machinery running in top form. You would be amazed at what this guy can do with a laptop when it comes to keeping things running."
"Well,exclaimed MD, it certainly is a pleasure to meet each and everyone of you. Why don't we sit down, have a little lunch, get to know each other a little better. Then we have much work to do."
MD's task at hand was to get things fired up in the machine shop, hire a handful of people to work in the shop, and find a way to deliver his products to the people who needed them the most, the tribulation warriors..
Just then, there was a knock at the main door of the shop. MD cautiously opened the door and looked into the faces of seven men. "Um, can I help you," asked MD.
A very tall well built man steps forward and says, "Hi, MD, I know its been alot of years but its me, Doug, and these boys with me are my posse. You see we all used to work here at this shop. Then the disappearance's happened and the owner of the place had vanished like the rest. Soon after the vanishing, we were all sitting in the lunch room trying to figure out what had happened, cuze none of us really have any bible learning, then all of a sudden an Angle appeared to us. This Angel led us through the plan of salvation and we all accepted Jesus as our saviour that day. Then before the Angel left, he told us that there would be a man coming to start things back up here in the shop, and our job was to come help run the place to help a lot of people that need things. So here we are me and my gang."
"Wow, this is incredible," exclaims MD.
"Come on in, my new brothers in Christ."
As the group enters the building, they all take a look around and they know that they are right at home in the familar surroundings.
MD has asked the men to come into the office so that he can introduce his wife to them and get to know this group a little better.
Once they were all into the office, MD points to Amy, and tells the group.. "This is by beloved wife Amy, don't let her good looks fool ya, she could wip any man in here a couple of times over is she wanted too."
Amy starts shaking her head as the rest of the group gave a little chuckle..
"Well ok guys, why don't you tell me your names and what it is that you do." says MD.
"Ok, I am Doug.. I am like the forman here.. I coordinate the operations so that we put out only the highest quality products."
Doug starts to point at each of the other guys one by one, as he states what their specialty is...
"That is Bill, he used to be a fighter pilot in the Air Force, then he came to us. He is our transportation specialist. He drives the delivery trucks, and he also flys the company delivery plane. If you look down on the lake, you will see at the far end a small house looking structure. Thats were the plane is kept."
"This fella, is Jerry. His specialty is running them CNC machines over there. He is the best CNC operator in the state."
"And for this Character, his name is BJ. If you can get past his silly pranks, you will find out that there isn't anyone around that can lay a bead of weld like he does."
"Here you have John and Jim, they are the general fabricators. They can do just about anything you ask, and these two love a good challenge."
"And last but not least, this is Austin. He's the smart one out of this group. He is a skilled electrical engineer. He does alot of our design work and also serves as the shop maintenance tech, he keeps all of the machinery running in top form. You would be amazed at what this guy can do with a laptop when it comes to keeping things running."
"Well,exclaimed MD, it certainly is a pleasure to meet each and everyone of you. Why don't we sit down, have a little lunch, get to know each other a little better. Then we have much work to do."
- mdulik
__________________________________________________________________________
LaJunta, Colorado
Zoe was surprised. Getting our of Colorado Springs hadn't been as difficult as she had thought it would be. Driving through Pueblo was a bit tougher, but they had made it through by taking alternate routes through the city. She pulled into a convenience store in LaJunta, and got in line to get gas. She got out of the car as Trevor pulled in behind her. She waited for him to join her.
"$10.00 a gallon. This is insane." Trevor said. He had cleaned out his checking and savings accounts before he went to Zoe's, but there hadn't been much in either account. He had less then $600.00 to his name. He had never been good a saving money and he looked back now at how his spending had been frivolous. CD's, DVD's, big screen HD tv's, eating out all the time, partying all the time with his friends, all the material things he had treasured meant nothing now. He had only packed the what he thought they could use to survive, and left the rest of it behind to be stolen.
A man walked up to them and told them they could only get twenty gallons each. He was keeping an eye on this lane to make sure no one took more than they should, and they had to pay in cash. No credit cards and no checks would be accepted. No gas in gas cans, just in car tanks. Zoe and Trevor both nodded. They got back into their cars and waited for their turn at the pumps. They both filled up, paid for the gas and got back on the road.
Trevor had been driving listening to a christian radio station when suddenly he lost the station. He changed to another and it was gone too. He had XM radio and should have been able to get any christian radio station in the country. He picked up his cell phone and called Zoe.
"Hey. Can you get any christian radio?" he asked.
"No, I lost all the christian radio stations. I have XM and should be able to pick something up. But the're all off the air."
"Hmm. That's weird. You think it's just a coincidence?"
"I don't know. I hope so."
They talked about different theories and finally Zoe said, "We're coming up on Lamar. We'll continue straight through and head for Springfield."
"Ok. You getting hungry?"
"I've got some sandwiches. You want one. We can stop real quick and I can give you a couple."
"How much longer till we get to the ranch?"
"Once we get through Lamar, we'll be in rural territory. Hopefully there haven't been too many accidents to block the highway. I'm guessing two, three hours at most."
"Let's stop. I'll run up and get a couple of those sandwiches. Got any Dr. Pepper in that cooler?"
Zoe was surprised. Getting our of Colorado Springs hadn't been as difficult as she had thought it would be. Driving through Pueblo was a bit tougher, but they had made it through by taking alternate routes through the city. She pulled into a convenience store in LaJunta, and got in line to get gas. She got out of the car as Trevor pulled in behind her. She waited for him to join her.
"$10.00 a gallon. This is insane." Trevor said. He had cleaned out his checking and savings accounts before he went to Zoe's, but there hadn't been much in either account. He had less then $600.00 to his name. He had never been good a saving money and he looked back now at how his spending had been frivolous. CD's, DVD's, big screen HD tv's, eating out all the time, partying all the time with his friends, all the material things he had treasured meant nothing now. He had only packed the what he thought they could use to survive, and left the rest of it behind to be stolen.
A man walked up to them and told them they could only get twenty gallons each. He was keeping an eye on this lane to make sure no one took more than they should, and they had to pay in cash. No credit cards and no checks would be accepted. No gas in gas cans, just in car tanks. Zoe and Trevor both nodded. They got back into their cars and waited for their turn at the pumps. They both filled up, paid for the gas and got back on the road.
Trevor had been driving listening to a christian radio station when suddenly he lost the station. He changed to another and it was gone too. He had XM radio and should have been able to get any christian radio station in the country. He picked up his cell phone and called Zoe.
"Hey. Can you get any christian radio?" he asked.
"No, I lost all the christian radio stations. I have XM and should be able to pick something up. But the're all off the air."
"Hmm. That's weird. You think it's just a coincidence?"
"I don't know. I hope so."
They talked about different theories and finally Zoe said, "We're coming up on Lamar. We'll continue straight through and head for Springfield."
"Ok. You getting hungry?"
"I've got some sandwiches. You want one. We can stop real quick and I can give you a couple."
"How much longer till we get to the ranch?"
"Once we get through Lamar, we'll be in rural territory. Hopefully there haven't been too many accidents to block the highway. I'm guessing two, three hours at most."
"Let's stop. I'll run up and get a couple of those sandwiches. Got any Dr. Pepper in that cooler?"
- Zags
__________________________________________________________________________
Monroe, Oklahoma
Nathan had debated getting on the interstate hoping to make better time. He asked Tori what she thought and she hadn't responded. She hadn't said a word all day. Nathan was getting really worried. He had turned on the rado to get the traffic report. What he heard made the decision for him. The interstate was snarled with traffic. There was only one lane open going both ways, and towtrucks had the right of way. People were being stopped for up to two hours to make way for all the cars being towed and pushed out of the way. They hoped to have all lanes cleared in a few weeks.
"Look's like we stay off the interstate." He looked for a service station. He had to use the restroom, and was sure Tori did too. He pulled into a gas station, got out, and helped Tori get out. He locked the car, setting the alarm and walked Tori to the door marked Womens. "Once you get in there, lock the door. Stay in there until I knock and tell you to come out. Ok?"
Tori nodded and went into the restroom, and Nathan heard the door lock. It was a system he had worked out at their first pit stop. He didn't want to leave her alone, but he couldn't go in the bathroom with her. It was the best compromise he could come up with. He hurried used the facilities, and washed his hands. He went to the womens room door and knocked. "It's Nathan." He heard the door unlock, and Tori came out. He led her to the car, hitting the button to unlock the door, helped her get in and rushed around the got in. He fastened his seatbelt, started the car, and got back on the highway.
"We're making pretty good time. I'm thinking we could be at the ranch by 10:00 or 11:00 at the latest." he said.
Tori's head whipped around. "But that's after the curfew. We could get in trouble for being out after curfew." she finally responded.
Nathan was so happy she had finally said something he started to laugh. "What are they gonna do? Throw us in jail? The cops are all busy with the looting, rioting, and other crazyness going on. Besides by 9:00 we should be well into the panhandle. It's pretty rural, and I'm betting their short on police."
"I hope so." Was all Tori said. She lay the seat back and closed her eyes.
"Tori? Have you prayed yet?"
"Yeah. I asked Jesus to make all this go away."
"No. I mean, have you asked Jesus into your heart?"
"Not yet. Have you?"
"Yeah. Look, I don't think you should wait."
"Don't worry Nathan."
But Nathan was worried. Whatever that old man had said and done to her had been bad enough that she no longer showed any interest in Jesus.
Nathan had debated getting on the interstate hoping to make better time. He asked Tori what she thought and she hadn't responded. She hadn't said a word all day. Nathan was getting really worried. He had turned on the rado to get the traffic report. What he heard made the decision for him. The interstate was snarled with traffic. There was only one lane open going both ways, and towtrucks had the right of way. People were being stopped for up to two hours to make way for all the cars being towed and pushed out of the way. They hoped to have all lanes cleared in a few weeks.
"Look's like we stay off the interstate." He looked for a service station. He had to use the restroom, and was sure Tori did too. He pulled into a gas station, got out, and helped Tori get out. He locked the car, setting the alarm and walked Tori to the door marked Womens. "Once you get in there, lock the door. Stay in there until I knock and tell you to come out. Ok?"
Tori nodded and went into the restroom, and Nathan heard the door lock. It was a system he had worked out at their first pit stop. He didn't want to leave her alone, but he couldn't go in the bathroom with her. It was the best compromise he could come up with. He hurried used the facilities, and washed his hands. He went to the womens room door and knocked. "It's Nathan." He heard the door unlock, and Tori came out. He led her to the car, hitting the button to unlock the door, helped her get in and rushed around the got in. He fastened his seatbelt, started the car, and got back on the highway.
"We're making pretty good time. I'm thinking we could be at the ranch by 10:00 or 11:00 at the latest." he said.
Tori's head whipped around. "But that's after the curfew. We could get in trouble for being out after curfew." she finally responded.
Nathan was so happy she had finally said something he started to laugh. "What are they gonna do? Throw us in jail? The cops are all busy with the looting, rioting, and other crazyness going on. Besides by 9:00 we should be well into the panhandle. It's pretty rural, and I'm betting their short on police."
"I hope so." Was all Tori said. She lay the seat back and closed her eyes.
"Tori? Have you prayed yet?"
"Yeah. I asked Jesus to make all this go away."
"No. I mean, have you asked Jesus into your heart?"
"Not yet. Have you?"
"Yeah. Look, I don't think you should wait."
"Don't worry Nathan."
But Nathan was worried. Whatever that old man had said and done to her had been bad enough that she no longer showed any interest in Jesus.
- Zags
__________________________________________________________________________
On a Ranch in the Panhandle of Oklahoma
Zoe saw the mailbox that said Mason. She breathed a sigh of relief. The clouds were hanging low and they darkened the sky, making is seem later than it actually was. The air smelled like it was getting ready to snow. She made the turn and looked in her rearview mirror to see if Trevor followed. She continued down the road for a few miles. She saw lights in the distance and began to relax. It had been a long drive, and she was looking forward to getting out of the car. She pulled up in front of the house and turned the car off. She opened the door as Trevor parked next to her.
He started to get out of the car and saw the door of the house open. The only thing he registered was the huge dog running toward Zoe. He called out a warning and saw the dog jump on Zoe as she turned around. She went down under the dogs weight, and Trevor jumped out of his car and ran towards the dog intending to drag it away from Zoe. He rounded the front of Zoe's car and saw her on the ground hugging the dog and giggling. Trevor just stood there with his mouth hanging open. Zoe caught his eye and began to laugh harder. He saw out of the corner of his eye someone moving down the steps. He looked and saw the bigest man he had ever seen. The guy had to be over seven feet tall and was built like a linebacker.
"Grumpy." he called. The dog stopped licking Zoe's face and ran past the man and around the corner of the house.
Zoe put a hand out and Trevor helped her up. She immediately let go and threw herself into the mans arms. "Shade, I'm so happy to see you." She stepped back. "This is a friend of mine from highschool Trevor MacLeod. Trevor this is Stan Cooper, but everybody calls him Shade." she made introductions.
"Welcome to Mason Ranch, Trevor. My wife Maddie, and my son Matt, are inside waiting to meet you. We have another guest too. Her name's Kristen. Zoe you remember Mikey?" Zoe nodded. "I found her locked in a closet at his gas station. She's pretty fragile, but I think with time and love she will get to the point that she will trust all of us. I just wanted to let you both know, so that you don't frighten her."
Zoe had tears running down her face and Trevor asked. "Who's Mikey?"
"I caught him looking at child pornography last summer and Gabe was investigating him. Where is he Shade? Tell me he's in prison." Zoe looked at Shade with pleading eyes.
"He's dead. He must have slipped on the grease that covered the floor of his garage. Busted his head open. He was dead when I found him."
"Shade!" Maddie said from the door. Bring those children in the house right now. It's freezing."
They all headed inside the house and the dog came running around the corner, and followed them inside.
"Have Nathan and Tori made it yet?" Zoe asked.
"No. Nathan called so early this morning we hadn't woke up yet. He said he planned to be here tonight. I'm getting worried. Nathan had this tone, like something bad had happened."
Zoe saw the mailbox that said Mason. She breathed a sigh of relief. The clouds were hanging low and they darkened the sky, making is seem later than it actually was. The air smelled like it was getting ready to snow. She made the turn and looked in her rearview mirror to see if Trevor followed. She continued down the road for a few miles. She saw lights in the distance and began to relax. It had been a long drive, and she was looking forward to getting out of the car. She pulled up in front of the house and turned the car off. She opened the door as Trevor parked next to her.
He started to get out of the car and saw the door of the house open. The only thing he registered was the huge dog running toward Zoe. He called out a warning and saw the dog jump on Zoe as she turned around. She went down under the dogs weight, and Trevor jumped out of his car and ran towards the dog intending to drag it away from Zoe. He rounded the front of Zoe's car and saw her on the ground hugging the dog and giggling. Trevor just stood there with his mouth hanging open. Zoe caught his eye and began to laugh harder. He saw out of the corner of his eye someone moving down the steps. He looked and saw the bigest man he had ever seen. The guy had to be over seven feet tall and was built like a linebacker.
"Grumpy." he called. The dog stopped licking Zoe's face and ran past the man and around the corner of the house.
Zoe put a hand out and Trevor helped her up. She immediately let go and threw herself into the mans arms. "Shade, I'm so happy to see you." She stepped back. "This is a friend of mine from highschool Trevor MacLeod. Trevor this is Stan Cooper, but everybody calls him Shade." she made introductions.
"Welcome to Mason Ranch, Trevor. My wife Maddie, and my son Matt, are inside waiting to meet you. We have another guest too. Her name's Kristen. Zoe you remember Mikey?" Zoe nodded. "I found her locked in a closet at his gas station. She's pretty fragile, but I think with time and love she will get to the point that she will trust all of us. I just wanted to let you both know, so that you don't frighten her."
Zoe had tears running down her face and Trevor asked. "Who's Mikey?"
"I caught him looking at child pornography last summer and Gabe was investigating him. Where is he Shade? Tell me he's in prison." Zoe looked at Shade with pleading eyes.
"He's dead. He must have slipped on the grease that covered the floor of his garage. Busted his head open. He was dead when I found him."
"Shade!" Maddie said from the door. Bring those children in the house right now. It's freezing."
They all headed inside the house and the dog came running around the corner, and followed them inside.
"Have Nathan and Tori made it yet?" Zoe asked.
"No. Nathan called so early this morning we hadn't woke up yet. He said he planned to be here tonight. I'm getting worried. Nathan had this tone, like something bad had happened."
- Zags
__________________________________________________________________________
Meanwhile inside the Colliseum a profound 60 year old Professor from a liberal bible college (who just moments after the vanishing had a major revelation) HE WAS WRONG...is coming to the end of his open air message...."So hear me ...over the next 7 years..the bible warns that LITERALLY all hell will break loose on this planet.....because of our faith...WE WILL BE HUNTED....Most likely some if not the Majority of us all will be asked to give our Lives for the cause of Christ or be damned! The Bible also makes it CLEAR that over this same period God's wrath will be poured out in a pattern of judgements....I have goodnews for you .....we have a sure covenant that His Blood will protect His Children from those! I warn you all ....to be wise as serpents but harmless as doves....what you hear in the dark speak into the Light and what you hear in the ear PREACH from the rooftops....and do NOT fear those who can kill your body but rather fear HIM who can destroy both body and soul in hell" For the Next 24 hours we will convene here as the Holy Spirit directs before we are sent out as sheep amongst the wolves....let's take this time to Lift our Lord and Saviour up and ask for His Strength as we are going to need every ounce of it over the next few days and weeks.
"Father God we come before you in awe and humility...we thank you so much God for 2nd chances and this opportunity to worship together. Going Forth we stake our claim ..we draw a line in the sand and Pledge our Allegiance to Your Son Jesus...Amen"
"I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb...with all my strength...with all I am ...I will seek to honor His commands...I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb"
Looking down from above....The great cloud of witnesses in the HEAVENLY ARENA ERUPT IN OVATION and JOIN IN THE CHORUS.....ANGELS ARE SEEN HOVERING ALL AROUND THE COLLISEUM...standing guard.
- STA
_________________________________________________________________________
OAKLAND COLLISEUM
SHOUT TO THE LORD ALL THE EARTH LET US SING ...POWER AND MAJESTY ..PRAISE TO OUR KING" Rang throughout the Colliseum
Outside things were starting to get tense...."Kyle we're not waiting anymore...Listen to that crap coming from inside...we came here to KILL and LET's get to it" Screamed one of "the crew" "Yea this is BS..what are we waiting for?" "Instantly one pulled out a gun and held it to Kyle's head....give me the suitcase NOW" "If you aint man enough to go through with it I AM"
"Dear God...what do I do?" Kyle whispered as he let go of the suitcase.........
SHOUT TO THE LORD ALL THE EARTH LET US SING ...POWER AND MAJESTY ..PRAISE TO OUR KING" Rang throughout the Colliseum
Outside things were starting to get tense...."Kyle we're not waiting anymore...Listen to that crap coming from inside...we came here to KILL and LET's get to it" Screamed one of "the crew" "Yea this is BS..what are we waiting for?" "Instantly one pulled out a gun and held it to Kyle's head....give me the suitcase NOW" "If you aint man enough to go through with it I AM"
"Dear God...what do I do?" Kyle whispered as he let go of the suitcase.........
- STA
_________________________________________________________________________
WHILE INSIDE....AN OVERWHELMING SINCE OF AWE IS HITTING THE NEW BELIEVERS
Eric looked over at Casey ...he had never saw anyone look more beautiful...Her eyes were closed and her hands raised...tears running down here face as she was overwhelmed listening to the angelic worship..Eric leaned over and gently nudged..."Casey, I don't think there is any way we will find that guy in here?" "Eric....I don't need to talk to him anymore....I found my answer...I know what my parents found....they found this!" "Jesus she cried...I want this too...Please come into my heart" Eric turned back to face the crowd and bowed his head "Me too Jesus...ME TOO!"
- STA
__________________________________________________________________________
BUT OUTSIDE
"What was the Blank was that? Yelled one of the evil crew" As a Bolts of Lightning flashed over the Colliseum and a Voice Like THUNDER seemingly came from Above "You are my beloved people in whom I am well pleased" Inside the multitudes fell as though dead...a holy hush hit the colliseum.....all that could be heard were deep wails and groans NOT OF HURT OR PAIN but of AWE..... followed by a deep intercession that as a sweet incensce begins to ascend to God's Throne!
"KYLE...KYLE....LOOK ..LOOK DUDE...The place is on fire but it's not burning"
"What was the Blank was that? Yelled one of the evil crew" As a Bolts of Lightning flashed over the Colliseum and a Voice Like THUNDER seemingly came from Above "You are my beloved people in whom I am well pleased" Inside the multitudes fell as though dead...a holy hush hit the colliseum.....all that could be heard were deep wails and groans NOT OF HURT OR PAIN but of AWE..... followed by a deep intercession that as a sweet incensce begins to ascend to God's Throne!
"KYLE...KYLE....LOOK ..LOOK DUDE...The place is on fire but it's not burning"
- STA
_________________________________________________________________________
On a Ranch in the Panhandle of Oklahoma
"Please Lord, please." Nathan prayed. He had never driven out to the ranch before. Usually his dad had driven when they visited. Nathan was scared that he had gotten them lost. He looked over at Tori.
She was straining looking out the window for anything that looked familiar. "I think we're lost Nathan."
Nathan had been thinking the same thing, but was unwilling to admit it to Tori. This trip had already been hard on her, and he wasn't going to give up. He had tried to call the ranch, but they had no cell service. It was dark and it had started to snow. It was making it hard to see. Nathan tried the bright lights, but that just made visiblity worse. He turned on the fog lights, and he could see the road better, but it didn't help see landmarks.
"They have a mailbox, don't they. I think I remember one." Tori said.
"I don't remember. I was always playing video games." Nathan shook his head. He should have taken Uncle Shade up on that offer to drive back to the ranch last summer when they had visited. He continued to drive slowly leaning forward trying to see anything that was familiar.
"There's a mailbox!" Tori said excitedly. Nathan slowed to a stop. "Stay here. I'll go see what name it has on it." He grabbed a flashlight out of the glovebox, and got out. "Please Lord. Please Lord. Please Lord." he prayed as he shone the light on the lettering. Mason. "Yes!!! Thank you Lord!! Thank you Lord!!! Thank you!! Thank you!!" he shouted runnning back to the car. He got in the car and grabbed Tori in a hug. "It's theirs!!!"
Tori hugged her brother back. "Yeah!! Lets go."
Nathan turned onto the road and drove slowly for several miles. Tori began to look nervous again. "I don't remember it taking this long to get to the house after the turn."
"We're going slow so maybe that's why it seems to be taking so long." Nathan was getting nervous too. He was trying to remember if there was a turn to get in the driveway when he thought he saw lights up ahead.
"Is that the house?" Tori asked pointing, squinting to see through the snow.
"I think so." He suddenly slammed on the brakes to keep from hitting a dark brown Range Rover. "Whoa!!" They bumped into the back of it. "Uh, oh." Nathan muttered. He jumped out to see if there was any damage to the vehicle.
Tori had jumped out and ran for the door of the house. "Aunt Maddie?!! Uncle Shade!!" she shouted.
The door opened immediately and she was gathered into her aunts arms. Tori began to cry, and held on to her aunt tightly.
Nathan walked up behind Tory and Maddie reached an arm out to him. He dove into her one armed embrace and broke into tears himself.
"Please Lord, please." Nathan prayed. He had never driven out to the ranch before. Usually his dad had driven when they visited. Nathan was scared that he had gotten them lost. He looked over at Tori.
She was straining looking out the window for anything that looked familiar. "I think we're lost Nathan."
Nathan had been thinking the same thing, but was unwilling to admit it to Tori. This trip had already been hard on her, and he wasn't going to give up. He had tried to call the ranch, but they had no cell service. It was dark and it had started to snow. It was making it hard to see. Nathan tried the bright lights, but that just made visiblity worse. He turned on the fog lights, and he could see the road better, but it didn't help see landmarks.
"They have a mailbox, don't they. I think I remember one." Tori said.
"I don't remember. I was always playing video games." Nathan shook his head. He should have taken Uncle Shade up on that offer to drive back to the ranch last summer when they had visited. He continued to drive slowly leaning forward trying to see anything that was familiar.
"There's a mailbox!" Tori said excitedly. Nathan slowed to a stop. "Stay here. I'll go see what name it has on it." He grabbed a flashlight out of the glovebox, and got out. "Please Lord. Please Lord. Please Lord." he prayed as he shone the light on the lettering. Mason. "Yes!!! Thank you Lord!! Thank you Lord!!! Thank you!! Thank you!!" he shouted runnning back to the car. He got in the car and grabbed Tori in a hug. "It's theirs!!!"
Tori hugged her brother back. "Yeah!! Lets go."
Nathan turned onto the road and drove slowly for several miles. Tori began to look nervous again. "I don't remember it taking this long to get to the house after the turn."
"We're going slow so maybe that's why it seems to be taking so long." Nathan was getting nervous too. He was trying to remember if there was a turn to get in the driveway when he thought he saw lights up ahead.
"Is that the house?" Tori asked pointing, squinting to see through the snow.
"I think so." He suddenly slammed on the brakes to keep from hitting a dark brown Range Rover. "Whoa!!" They bumped into the back of it. "Uh, oh." Nathan muttered. He jumped out to see if there was any damage to the vehicle.
Tori had jumped out and ran for the door of the house. "Aunt Maddie?!! Uncle Shade!!" she shouted.
The door opened immediately and she was gathered into her aunts arms. Tori began to cry, and held on to her aunt tightly.
Nathan walked up behind Tory and Maddie reached an arm out to him. He dove into her one armed embrace and broke into tears himself.
- Zags
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BREAKING NEWS: OAKLAND ....CNM
"WE Are Live in Oakland at the Colliseum where thousands of people have gathered making a declaration of faith in the very ideology that our President has so graciously asked the nation to lay down"
"CNM learned just an hour ago that 911 emergency calls were coming in to operators at an alarming rate reporting a strange phenomena happening inside the stadium.....some have reported seeing lightning...followed by thunderous booms from inside the colliseum that was followed by what appeared to be an ominous blazing fire....however all staff meteorologist are saying there is nothing on Doppler radar to confirm this possibility.....we are just moments away from having our News Chopper flying over head to provide greater insight to what is taking place....please stay tuned
"WE Are Live in Oakland at the Colliseum where thousands of people have gathered making a declaration of faith in the very ideology that our President has so graciously asked the nation to lay down"
"CNM learned just an hour ago that 911 emergency calls were coming in to operators at an alarming rate reporting a strange phenomena happening inside the stadium.....some have reported seeing lightning...followed by thunderous booms from inside the colliseum that was followed by what appeared to be an ominous blazing fire....however all staff meteorologist are saying there is nothing on Doppler radar to confirm this possibility.....we are just moments away from having our News Chopper flying over head to provide greater insight to what is taking place....please stay tuned
- STA
__________________________________________________________________________
MEANWHILE ALL AWAY ACROSS THE NATION....EARLIER IN THE DAY
Looking out a window ..sun is setting on cold day in the heart of winter.. tears slowly trickle down Derrick's face. This a picture of his whole life...no leaves on the trees...no green grass....cold harsh winds blowing outside. Yet he still plods along. His heart is shattered from all the years of rejection.
His mom was 16 years old when she discovered her pregnacy. She did the noble thing obviously.....he's alive! And when she first had him she tried her best ...but when he was 3 years old the overwhelming duties of raising a child propelled her to ring her mom's doorbell and drop him off to never come home.
He was 7 years old when he learned his mom had died ...something about needles and drugs was all he heard...but for a 7 year old that didn't mean much..but knowing your mom was gone ...now that hurt. The older he got..the more questions he had .."why did she just drop me off and never come back?" "did my mom not want me?" His grandma did the best she could but she was facing health battles and by the time Derrick was 13 she passed away. Social Services stepped in and tried to find his dad but to no avail....so Mustang Boys Town became his home.
Derrick wasn't the outgoing type ...he kept to himself but over time he made friends and was able to go to the local highschool where he discovered athletics helped him fit in. The coaches loved him he thought because they invested so much time with him. People even began to invite him to hang out and before you knew he was part of the in crowd. He could throw a football and on friday nights that seemed to bring the town alive...and then during basketball...he could really shoot "the three"...it seemed to give Derrick purpose ..and it came with ATTENTION ..something Derrick never had...but that kind of attention is fleeting ..no one ever really asked about his life ..where he was from...who his parent's had been or where they were? They just kept on patting him on the back. But that lasted til graduation 2002...He was a has been. Not quite good enough for the college ranks in either sport. Derrick landed on at the local UPS where he worked the night shift, loading the trucks for next day deliveries...he got to know the guys pretty well....the fact that he could play basketball was a great deal because that got him invited to play on the company league team....he soon became just one of the guys...but no one ever really seemed to take a true heartfelt interest in Derrick ...something he noticed all too well .. And...again his whole life had been like this winter day...cold and harsh...a little bit of sun but it didn't warm the insides.
Derrick sits now reflecting on THAT night......astonished to find what friends he thought he had were gone...they had been raptured. And by Derricks accounting of the story..the common thread of all those missing was they were christians and so that must mean his only friends were too.... But why did they know something so awesome and never once tell him? ...he thought... what is so wrong with me that someone could know something so powerful so profound and not take the time to share it with me? All those days at work with John at UPS ..worked right across from him...Derrick noticed he read his bible alot on breaks but never shared anything about what he read..or why he even bothered..was it just a show to let us know he was into church?..if he knew something so powerful why did he keep it to himself...Derrick struggled more and more with thoughts of rejection...It must have been my fault... he thought...even my own mom didn't want me..why would anyone else? Maybe God didn't want me either..maybe that's why his very own..never took the time?
He sat with the cold pistol in his hands...tears are pouring now...."the only way to not be rejected is to just not be" .....BANG...the gunshot roars through the quiet evening..........................
Looking out a window ..sun is setting on cold day in the heart of winter.. tears slowly trickle down Derrick's face. This a picture of his whole life...no leaves on the trees...no green grass....cold harsh winds blowing outside. Yet he still plods along. His heart is shattered from all the years of rejection.
His mom was 16 years old when she discovered her pregnacy. She did the noble thing obviously.....he's alive! And when she first had him she tried her best ...but when he was 3 years old the overwhelming duties of raising a child propelled her to ring her mom's doorbell and drop him off to never come home.
He was 7 years old when he learned his mom had died ...something about needles and drugs was all he heard...but for a 7 year old that didn't mean much..but knowing your mom was gone ...now that hurt. The older he got..the more questions he had .."why did she just drop me off and never come back?" "did my mom not want me?" His grandma did the best she could but she was facing health battles and by the time Derrick was 13 she passed away. Social Services stepped in and tried to find his dad but to no avail....so Mustang Boys Town became his home.
Derrick wasn't the outgoing type ...he kept to himself but over time he made friends and was able to go to the local highschool where he discovered athletics helped him fit in. The coaches loved him he thought because they invested so much time with him. People even began to invite him to hang out and before you knew he was part of the in crowd. He could throw a football and on friday nights that seemed to bring the town alive...and then during basketball...he could really shoot "the three"...it seemed to give Derrick purpose ..and it came with ATTENTION ..something Derrick never had...but that kind of attention is fleeting ..no one ever really asked about his life ..where he was from...who his parent's had been or where they were? They just kept on patting him on the back. But that lasted til graduation 2002...He was a has been. Not quite good enough for the college ranks in either sport. Derrick landed on at the local UPS where he worked the night shift, loading the trucks for next day deliveries...he got to know the guys pretty well....the fact that he could play basketball was a great deal because that got him invited to play on the company league team....he soon became just one of the guys...but no one ever really seemed to take a true heartfelt interest in Derrick ...something he noticed all too well .. And...again his whole life had been like this winter day...cold and harsh...a little bit of sun but it didn't warm the insides.
Derrick sits now reflecting on THAT night......astonished to find what friends he thought he had were gone...they had been raptured. And by Derricks accounting of the story..the common thread of all those missing was they were christians and so that must mean his only friends were too.... But why did they know something so awesome and never once tell him? ...he thought... what is so wrong with me that someone could know something so powerful so profound and not take the time to share it with me? All those days at work with John at UPS ..worked right across from him...Derrick noticed he read his bible alot on breaks but never shared anything about what he read..or why he even bothered..was it just a show to let us know he was into church?..if he knew something so powerful why did he keep it to himself...Derrick struggled more and more with thoughts of rejection...It must have been my fault... he thought...even my own mom didn't want me..why would anyone else? Maybe God didn't want me either..maybe that's why his very own..never took the time?
He sat with the cold pistol in his hands...tears are pouring now...."the only way to not be rejected is to just not be" .....BANG...the gunshot roars through the quiet evening..........................
- STA
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While all the introductions had been made, Amy knew that it was time to get down to business, and after she sat down in the office area of the building and feverishly started searching the internet for any group of believers that need their services...
She started by writing a letter on the tribsurvivors.com website that stated..
She started by writing a letter on the tribsurvivors.com website that stated..
"To whom it may concern,
My husband and I have been ordained by God to assist any tribulation saints that may be in need of our services. We have an adaquite machine shop that can manufacture anything from axe's, saw's and shovels to weapons of defense. Just let us know what your need's are, and we can and will build, fabricate or engineer it to assist your survival in this dire time of need. There is no cost associated to you, our Lord and savior has provided for everything. We are here to fulfill God's purpose in this desperate hour. We are working on transportation, and hope to be delivering your needs to you, as you send us your request. Tell us what you want.
God has given us the ability to service you in whatever your need may be. Please contact me at MDAmymachining.com for all of your needs."
Just so you know that we are legit and not some government undercover operation,,
We Publicly proclaim that JESUS is our Lord and Savior, and the only way to the father is "Through the Son."
After Amy has proof read her letter, she feels confident that she has completed her 1st tasks and strokes the send key on her computer with hope that she will soon hear a reply.
My husband and I have been ordained by God to assist any tribulation saints that may be in need of our services. We have an adaquite machine shop that can manufacture anything from axe's, saw's and shovels to weapons of defense. Just let us know what your need's are, and we can and will build, fabricate or engineer it to assist your survival in this dire time of need. There is no cost associated to you, our Lord and savior has provided for everything. We are here to fulfill God's purpose in this desperate hour. We are working on transportation, and hope to be delivering your needs to you, as you send us your request. Tell us what you want.
God has given us the ability to service you in whatever your need may be. Please contact me at MDAmymachining.com for all of your needs."
Just so you know that we are legit and not some government undercover operation,,
We Publicly proclaim that JESUS is our Lord and Savior, and the only way to the father is "Through the Son."
After Amy has proof read her letter, she feels confident that she has completed her 1st tasks and strokes the send key on her computer with hope that she will soon hear a reply.
- mdulik
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Greyling Michigan
"Now that everyone is well aqauinted, why don't we settle into our new roles and responsibilities," suggested MD.
"Now that everyone is well aqauinted, why don't we settle into our new roles and responsibilities," suggested MD.
Bill rushes off the best he can with the light limp that he has on the left side. MD notices the limp and turns to Doug inquiring about Bill.
Doug agrees to tell MD alittle about his friend Bill, but say's to MD, "We can talk as we walk, I have something else to show you." As the two start walking down the aisleway of the long building, Doug starts to explain, "remember I told you that Bill was a fighter pilot, before he came to us, well he was shot down during operation Desert Storm, taken captive for a little over a month and the people who took him captive tortured him by beating him with the butt end of their rifles. He suffered alot of damage in the left knee, since then he has had 3 knee operations, but he still walks with that limp. I suppose he will never walk right again. But don't underestimate him, the ol' boy can really move when he put's his mind to it." Just then they reach the end of the aisleway and in the corner of the building, Doug pulls the lever on what looks to be an old electrical panel, then suddenly a trap door in the floor becomes exposed. Doug motions to MD to follow him down into the basment through this trap door. As the two of them get to the bottom of the stairway, MD looks in total astonishment as to what he is seeing. Guns completely lined one wall of the basement, everything from hunting rifles to shotguns to handguns, and all kinds of boxes of ammunition by each individual gun. Down the other wall of the basement sat piles and piles of canned goods. At the far end of the basement it appeared to be bunk beds on one side and a small kitchen and bathroom area on the other. MD turns to Doug in disbelief of what he is seeing, and before can say a word, Doug chuckles and tells him, "you see, the owner of this place before you came along was a big-time christian. He used to have bible study at the beginning of the work day for all that wanted to attend, the seven of us never went and you see where we are now. But anyways, the owners name was Ray. He ran this machine shop. I used to hear Ray talk about the rapture all the time and how we should be prepared for the event, but I always blew him off. He knew that, so he would always end his little sermon with something like, It's better to know Him now, then to meet Him later. So if you decide to wait till later, I will make sure that you have everything that you need to keep you safe until you can finaly meet Him. Ray was talking about Jesus, and I sure wish I would have listened to Ray back then. I don't know too much about the bible yet, but Ray left instructions on his laptop which is sitting on the table down there by the kitchen area." as Doug points to the laptop.
"I have had a chance to look through some of Ray's writings and he told us that everything that we would ever need would be accesible from right here at the shop. We live in the deep woods and wildlife is abundant, we are right next to a lake, that Ray spent thousands of dollars stocking with all differnt types of fish, and over here by the kitcen is a pitcher pump that draws right from the natural spring that feeds the lake. Off to the east side of the shop building sits a large garden area with rich healthy soil, Ray spent years perfecting the ground so that it could grow anything from corn to cabbage and produce the most delicious veggies that I have ever ate. We have enough seed's stored down here to last 2 life times. Ray always said that he wanted to make sure there were provisions for anyone that wanted to seek shelter during the time Ray called the tribulation. So here ya have it, God has sent you and your wife here to run this place, now its up to you." as Doug being out of breath quickly takes a small swig of his Coke.
MD still looking around in sheer amazment, just can't find the words to express what he is seeing.
- mdulik
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MD finds his way to the table holding the laptop, sits down and starts reading Ray's notes. After a couple of hours worth of reading sits back in amazment at how thorough Ray had been with his "Survival Instructions." MD still being new to Christ is in absolute awe as sits pondering the things that he has just read. MD decides that there is noway he can put together a daily survial stratagy better then what Ray has done, so he prints several copies of Ray's short list and posts a copy at each doorway and one in the office. MD used the plotter in the office to print off a poster size copy to post on the wall in the basement. Once he has the poster size copy hanging on the wall, he takes a couple of steps back to re-read his new daily instructions and the list starts with....
1. Never start your day out without saying a word of prayer and thanking God for giving you a new day.
2. Your spirit man must be fed, so before breakfast read at least 1 old testement chapter and 1 new testement chapter before feeding your physical man breakfast.
3. Alwasy start the work day with a bible study with the group. (If you are reading this posting, its because your in the time after the rapture, and I strongly urge you to educate yourself as much as possible about the things to come.)
4. Assign 1 person for each job from cleaning the living quarters to gardening and food gathering.
5. Work week consists of Monday through Friday for the machine shop. Saturday is intended for work around the property and Sunday is a day of Worship.
6. Always end your day with a word of prayer to thank God what he has blessed you with for the day...
MD just stands back soaking this all in as he continues to read down his new found instructions for his new life.
- mdulik
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