On a Ranch in the Panhandle of Oklahoma
Kristen sat at the table listening to everyone talk about the plans for tomorrow. Shade was taking cattle to Amarillo, and Matt was going with him. Trevor, Zoe, Nathan and Tori were going out to look for Pattersons hideout. Maddie was staying with Kristen and was going to help her with her reading lesson, and teach her how to cook. Kristen was excited at the prospect of learning how, and looked forward to spending time with Maddie.
"Why do you need to find this hideout?" she asked.
"Because when the antichrist signs the peace treaty with Israel the tribluation will begin. There will be a couple of years of peace, but then he will start hunting down every Jew and Christian he can and have them executed. Everyone here will be in danger. We won't be able to buy food, clothes, anything, because money will be worthless. He will make everyone get a mark so they can buy things. If someone doesn't have the mark, they will be arrested, maybe given a choice and if they refuse to take the mark they will be killed. This mark will be a mark of loyalty to the antichrist. He will want everyone in the world to worship him. The mark is a visible sign of the people who will." Zoe answered.
"Why would he want people to worship him?" Kristen asked with a frown.
"He wants to be God, but he can't be. There is only One True God, and he knows it. This why he will kill anyone who refuses to worship him."
"Who is he?" Kristen asked.
"I don't know who it is, but we do know that his rise to power will be meteroic. We won't know for sure who it is until he signs the covenant with Israel." Matt said.
Kristen nodded. "What about if someone gets the mark just so they can buy food?"
"Anyone who takes the mark will spend eternity in hell. If you take the mark it is an irreversable decision." Shade said gently.
Kristen sat at the table listening to everyone talk about the plans for tomorrow. Shade was taking cattle to Amarillo, and Matt was going with him. Trevor, Zoe, Nathan and Tori were going out to look for Pattersons hideout. Maddie was staying with Kristen and was going to help her with her reading lesson, and teach her how to cook. Kristen was excited at the prospect of learning how, and looked forward to spending time with Maddie.
"Why do you need to find this hideout?" she asked.
"Because when the antichrist signs the peace treaty with Israel the tribluation will begin. There will be a couple of years of peace, but then he will start hunting down every Jew and Christian he can and have them executed. Everyone here will be in danger. We won't be able to buy food, clothes, anything, because money will be worthless. He will make everyone get a mark so they can buy things. If someone doesn't have the mark, they will be arrested, maybe given a choice and if they refuse to take the mark they will be killed. This mark will be a mark of loyalty to the antichrist. He will want everyone in the world to worship him. The mark is a visible sign of the people who will." Zoe answered.
"Why would he want people to worship him?" Kristen asked with a frown.
"He wants to be God, but he can't be. There is only One True God, and he knows it. This why he will kill anyone who refuses to worship him."
"Who is he?" Kristen asked.
"I don't know who it is, but we do know that his rise to power will be meteroic. We won't know for sure who it is until he signs the covenant with Israel." Matt said.
Kristen nodded. "What about if someone gets the mark just so they can buy food?"
"Anyone who takes the mark will spend eternity in hell. If you take the mark it is an irreversable decision." Shade said gently.
- Zags
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CNM BREAKING NEWS
This is HEADLINE NEWS CNM: An astonishing Resignation took place earlier today during the emergency conference at THE U.N. by the now former Secretary General. As reported earlier ...the conference had gotten off to a slow start and was near a stalemate until The Now Newly Appointed Leader came Teodor Argyros. Insider's informed CNM late yesterday that Secretary Argyros seemed to have the winds of Change at his back...and just moments ago CNN has learned that The President of the United States has given his full endorsement...releasing this statement. "At times of such great uncertainty..my call has been for change around the world and it's apparent my cry has been heard as Secretary Argyros has coming to the tumultous meetings and brought just that ...change! At his request...I will be signing a law(under martial law...constitution is suspended) even this afternoon at my Oval Office putting our national sovereignty in directly inline with Secretary Generals new Vision. Joining me in throwing their fulll support are World Leaders from France..headed by President Sarko...British Prime Minister Gordon Bronze...Japan, South Korea, Canada,Mexico have also at this point already made verbal committments to unite under Argyros Global Iniative.
Hitting the ground running the New Secretary of the U.N. has taken a new title as SUPREME POTENTATE....His first two initiatives decreed into law....mandatory surrender of all firearms to be implemented effective immediately. And in a shocking announcement..just days before the re-opening of global markets...all leaders have surprisingly accepted the introduction of a global currency called the ARGO!! WE are being told it's exchange rate will be of equal value to what was the dollar. Stay tuned for all currency exchange instructions.
We are also being told that world leaders signed off on an agreement to form a new united global assocation formed of ten newly established regions of the world....they have been named as follows: The North American States, The South American States, The European States, The African States, The Asian States, The Holy Land States (Middle East States), The Indian States, The Chinese States, The Pacific States and The Anartican (Green Land) States. We are also hearing that Argyros will be appointing ten governing rulers over each region. No time frame was given on when or who he will appoint.
In other news CNM has just been notified that Biological Weapons Field Agents have been called to a scene few blocks up the road from THE U.N. no word if this was in any way an attempted attack upon the meeting ...we are monitoring this very closely ..
...scrolling below .....9pm curfew......9pm curfew......9pm curfew.....9pm curfew
Please stayed tuned to CNM..THIS HAS BEEN BREAKING NEWS
This is HEADLINE NEWS CNM: An astonishing Resignation took place earlier today during the emergency conference at THE U.N. by the now former Secretary General. As reported earlier ...the conference had gotten off to a slow start and was near a stalemate until The Now Newly Appointed Leader came Teodor Argyros. Insider's informed CNM late yesterday that Secretary Argyros seemed to have the winds of Change at his back...and just moments ago CNN has learned that The President of the United States has given his full endorsement...releasing this statement. "At times of such great uncertainty..my call has been for change around the world and it's apparent my cry has been heard as Secretary Argyros has coming to the tumultous meetings and brought just that ...change! At his request...I will be signing a law(under martial law...constitution is suspended) even this afternoon at my Oval Office putting our national sovereignty in directly inline with Secretary Generals new Vision. Joining me in throwing their fulll support are World Leaders from France..headed by President Sarko...British Prime Minister Gordon Bronze...Japan, South Korea, Canada,Mexico have also at this point already made verbal committments to unite under Argyros Global Iniative.
Hitting the ground running the New Secretary of the U.N. has taken a new title as SUPREME POTENTATE....His first two initiatives decreed into law....mandatory surrender of all firearms to be implemented effective immediately. And in a shocking announcement..just days before the re-opening of global markets...all leaders have surprisingly accepted the introduction of a global currency called the ARGO!! WE are being told it's exchange rate will be of equal value to what was the dollar. Stay tuned for all currency exchange instructions.
We are also being told that world leaders signed off on an agreement to form a new united global assocation formed of ten newly established regions of the world....they have been named as follows: The North American States, The South American States, The European States, The African States, The Asian States, The Holy Land States (Middle East States), The Indian States, The Chinese States, The Pacific States and The Anartican (Green Land) States. We are also hearing that Argyros will be appointing ten governing rulers over each region. No time frame was given on when or who he will appoint.
In other news CNM has just been notified that Biological Weapons Field Agents have been called to a scene few blocks up the road from THE U.N. no word if this was in any way an attempted attack upon the meeting ...we are monitoring this very closely ..
...scrolling below .....9pm curfew......9pm curfew......9pm curfew.....9pm curfew
Please stayed tuned to CNM..THIS HAS BEEN BREAKING NEWS
- STA
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DINNER TIME AT POSSUM HOLLOW
"How's the bacon boys?" Dan fires off "Great and this is the BEST GRAVY I have ever had...well it's amazing what bacon and possum grease flavoring taste like huh" "possum grease?" Hank choked.."NO..your joshing" "YEAH ..GOTCHA" Dan and Hank were forming a good ole boys bond...both men shared a common thread...they both had very Godly wives that were gone...they talked for hours over the last couple of days and both men could finish each other's church stories..."honey want to come to prayer?' She would say.."Mine too" both men easily teared up sharing their stories.
Meanwhile Anthony.the college boy continues to console and mentor his 15 year old cousin Daryl. Over the last few years the age gap had been such there just wasn't much in common between the two..but now Anthony is amazed at how much his cousin has grown up.
Pastor Tim has taken this time while the other four have been bonding and slipped away to visit with God....still dealing with inner turmoil of how he as a pastor could have been so blind...so misguided he begins to pray
"Father ...I am so thankful your mercies are new each morning...and so thankful for your forgiveness..I know Father you have said in your word that your gifts and callings are without repentance...and I know you are calling me to guide all those who come to this place ...but Father how can I ever trust my own judgement after I failed so miserably?" Please speak to my heart Lord
in his Spirit he heard this passage Mathew 7:21-23 "not everyone who says "Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in Heaven. Many will say unto me in that day, "Lord have we not prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and done many good works and I will say unto them, "I never knew you" , depart from Me you workers of Iniquity"
Tim..many times I stood at the door of your heart even as you preached my word....I knocked and knocked but you never invited Me in...you never allowed me to Know you ...but 7 days ago you answered that knock and now MY Spirit lives in you ...you are my child..my sheep know My voice...what I tell you in the dark speak into the light and what you hear in the ear shout from the rooftops....you were created for a such a time as this Tim"
Tim knew He was hearing from the Lord and instantly fell on his face and began to weep...all he could do was weep and pray "yes Lord."
"How's the bacon boys?" Dan fires off "Great and this is the BEST GRAVY I have ever had...well it's amazing what bacon and possum grease flavoring taste like huh" "possum grease?" Hank choked.."NO..your joshing" "YEAH ..GOTCHA" Dan and Hank were forming a good ole boys bond...both men shared a common thread...they both had very Godly wives that were gone...they talked for hours over the last couple of days and both men could finish each other's church stories..."honey want to come to prayer?' She would say.."Mine too" both men easily teared up sharing their stories.
Meanwhile Anthony.the college boy continues to console and mentor his 15 year old cousin Daryl. Over the last few years the age gap had been such there just wasn't much in common between the two..but now Anthony is amazed at how much his cousin has grown up.
Pastor Tim has taken this time while the other four have been bonding and slipped away to visit with God....still dealing with inner turmoil of how he as a pastor could have been so blind...so misguided he begins to pray
"Father ...I am so thankful your mercies are new each morning...and so thankful for your forgiveness..I know Father you have said in your word that your gifts and callings are without repentance...and I know you are calling me to guide all those who come to this place ...but Father how can I ever trust my own judgement after I failed so miserably?" Please speak to my heart Lord
in his Spirit he heard this passage Mathew 7:21-23 "not everyone who says "Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in Heaven. Many will say unto me in that day, "Lord have we not prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and done many good works and I will say unto them, "I never knew you" , depart from Me you workers of Iniquity"
Tim..many times I stood at the door of your heart even as you preached my word....I knocked and knocked but you never invited Me in...you never allowed me to Know you ...but 7 days ago you answered that knock and now MY Spirit lives in you ...you are my child..my sheep know My voice...what I tell you in the dark speak into the light and what you hear in the ear shout from the rooftops....you were created for a such a time as this Tim"
Tim knew He was hearing from the Lord and instantly fell on his face and began to weep...all he could do was weep and pray "yes Lord."
- STA
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HEADED TOWARD MISSOURI
"this has been CNM's Headline News" 'argh" Stacy moaned turning down the radio as she was crusing down the interstate. Now with a new passenger ..and a believer at that...Stacy felt a greater urgency to get to Missouri and off these Interstates and Highways.
"hey Keisha...I have been thinking about what you said your fiancee was saying..ya know that if we get pulled over and they ask that question" "You mean if we confess Jesus Christ?" "yea that one...well if we do get asked that at a check point...PLEASE let me do all the talking!" Keisha laughed..."I understand..no problem...I can keep my mouth shut sometimes ya know" but then a new conviction hit Keisha an old verse she heard popped back into her memory "Stacy..I just have to say this....IF we do get asked that question ...the bible..says somewhere that If we confess Jesus publicly He promises to confess us to the Father BUT if we deny Jesus....He will deny us to the Father" "I am not tryin to be preachy ...just thought you might want to know that?" Stacy quickly hit her XM music ...she wanted to drown out Keisha....but it was too late....Keisha had struck a chord ... not knowing Keisha however took the hint and sat back discerning this was not a time to talk....just silently prayed for Stacy thinking she had rubbed her wrong...but as Stacy continued driving ...her mind was racing "If I confess or if I deny?"..........
after driving for about an hour without any conversation
"hey Keisha...I have been thinking about what you said your fiancee was saying..ya know that if we get pulled over and they ask that question" "You mean if we confess Jesus Christ?" "yea that one...well if we do get asked that at a check point...PLEASE let me do all the talking!" Keisha laughed..."I understand..no problem...I can keep my mouth shut sometimes ya know" but then a new conviction hit Keisha an old verse she heard popped back into her memory "Stacy..I just have to say this....IF we do get asked that question ...the bible..says somewhere that If we confess Jesus publicly He promises to confess us to the Father BUT if we deny Jesus....He will deny us to the Father" "I am not tryin to be preachy ...just thought you might want to know that?" Stacy quickly hit her XM music ...she wanted to drown out Keisha....but it was too late....Keisha had struck a chord ... not knowing Keisha however took the hint and sat back discerning this was not a time to talk....just silently prayed for Stacy thinking she had rubbed her wrong...but as Stacy continued driving ...her mind was racing "If I confess or if I deny?"..........
after driving for about an hour without any conversation
Keisha as much as she loves to talk...has been patiently sitting the best she can..but come on ..only so much music ya know ..so she finally breaks the ice "Stacy, I hope I didn't offend you earlier?" "but my curiosity is KILLING ME" "you basically rescued me and at the last check point you had every opportunity to turn me in for a reward and thank God you didn't ...but why?" "I mean what's going on with you?" Stacy took this opportunity to tell Keisha her background about her parents..her grandparents and all and how she just wasn't sure of anything....she could see the evil of what the government was doing...what she couldn't see..what she was wanting so bad to see.was what all the raptured believer's had saw...and what the new believer's were seeing... but as she continued telling her story...Keisha...softly interrupted....Stacy..umm well you seem to see that it's believer's in Jesus that are all gone..I mean deep down you gotta know that the reason your granddparents aren't answering the phone is they are gone too! right?" Stacy slowly nods acknowledging that truth "then Stacy why do you still feel led to go back to their farm?" Stacy knew THAT was the ultimate question...one she had kept in the back of her thoughts..but now someone was using psychology on her and pulling it out of her this time. "Well Keisha...it's where my parents grew up and it's something that they ran from and well...I just wonder what my life would have really been like if my parents hadn't been so hard hearted and so resolute in staying away ..ya knowl from religion and God ...were we missing something? Earlier you said we might be faced with two choices ...Confess or Deny ...but confess or Deny what?? What is it about Jesus that would make the whole world want to stop people to the point of death from mentioning His name? and why would someone who had a gun pointed at their head ...giving a choice to Die or confess Christ...choose to DIE?.....AGAIN Keisha who loves to talk....had enough discernment to realize that God was at work on Stacy and to just leave her alone to her thoughts...but "MAN this is tough" Keisha thought to herself....but then she thought some more..."Lord ...you said to pray without ceasing right? well looks like I need to turn all my thoughts to you ...so off Keisha went ...thinking and praying quietly but it had to be coming across Loudly upstairs!
- STA
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Between the Ranch and Amarillo, Texas
Shade and Matt had gotten up early. They had spent two hours loading the cattle into the semi trailer. They were in almost to Dumas, Texas and Matt was trying to find a station on the radio. He heard someone say God and stopped on that station. He sat back and and began to listen to the sermon.
"Does anyone really know god? Does anyone know his name? Has anyone really communicated with him? The answer people, is Yes! You do know god. You do know his name. You have talked with him. Listen to me carefully. We all have seen god. When we look in the mirror you are looking at him. When you talk to your husband, your wife, your children, your neighbor, yes and even your boss, you are talking to god."
Matt's stomach was churning as he listened. He looked at his dad and saw the frown creasing his forehead.
"We are each god. We all are god, whether we call him god, allah, budda, whatever you call him, god is one and the same."
Shade reached over and shut the radio off. Matt saw that his hands fisted around the steering wheel. He looked down at his own hands and saw that he had them clenched into fists too. He actually felt physically ill at what he had just heard.
"It looks like the one world religion is gaining ground." Shade commented.
"He said there all the same." Matt groaned. "He said that everybody is god. I feel like throwing up."
"Matt, be glad you feel like throwing up. That's discernment. It's God's way of warning you that you're hearing a bunch of lies." Shade told his son. He was pretty shaken himself, but over the years had noticed a softening in the gospel. He had only realized exactly what it was in the last several days. There had only been a few preachers on tv that talked about the cross, the blood shed by Jesus that washes away the sins of men if they come to the foot of the cross in repentance. Fewer still had talked about sin, and how destructive it was, and the price of living a life of sin. They didn't talk about hell, or damnation. They talked about how if you want it, you could have it. God just want's people to be happy, he would never send them to hell. God was nice and he would never judge the world. People who took the bible literally were crazy right wing nut jobs, Jesus freaks who must be silenced.
"How can they talk that garbage? Just a few days ago Jesus showed the whole world that the Bible is true. He proved it beyond a shadow of a doubt. He came back and took His true church. He left these kind of people behind. And people like us, who ignored Him, or denied He even exists." Matt pointed at the radio. "People who tell a bunch of lies. People who say the Bible isn't true are still here. Are they blind or just dumb?"
"They would rather believe the lie. Remember, the Bible talks about people being deceive by the lie, the one world religion the antichrist will set up. That's the lie I think. People are stubborn son. They love their sin. They don't want to change. The refuse to believe that what they do is wrong. So if someone feeds them lies about they can do whatever they want with no possibility of punishment in the end, they'll buy it hook, line and sinker."
- Zags
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12 days after The Rapture
It's day 12.....Let's recap.....12 days ago at 10pm central standard time the Rapture of the Bride of Christ took place. It happened in the twinkling of an eye...everyone in the world had been going about their live's ...eating ..drinkin and being merry. Then with a Shout ...Jesus called out "Come up Here" and faster than you can bat your eyes...millions of true believer's instantaneously were caught up to meet Him in the air" What followed on earth..was total chaos.....chains holding evil at bay for eons and eons century upon centuries were now taken off....in no short order the first nuclear attack ever on American Shores...took place..Major cities destroyed...a world gone mad....looting...murder..rape..suicides as despair over the disappearnce of family members hit home. And tremendous fear and uncertainty fell upon all those left behind. The government has in here tried to already silence and purge from men's thoughts....that what has happened had anything to do with a god....God is NOT the answer...MAN IS! There mantra will be "Look to Government...Look within" BUT DO NOT LOOK TO GOD! In fact it will be illegal and as of day 12 it's already a very offensive to many to even hear the mention of the words rapture or speak of Jesus Christ publicly...the bible declares it will be so scary that men's heart will fail them...there will be no peace nor calm UNTIL a Man steps on the scene and within the last 36 hours in an emergency meeting at The U.N. a new upstart World Leader has come upon the scene at this perilous time with answers.
Still it's only been 12 days after whole families have been "taken" and still many many people struggle for peace...struggle for hope....can you sense that type of grief? To have all your kids...who just 2 weeks ago were everything to you....going to ball games...hugging your neck...and now they are gone...you think you will NEVER see them again..and for many that will be true..the despair the fear...the depth of sorrow will be unspeakable if you don't have Hope in Christ...sure Hater's of God will be unleashed....but there will be those still searching...so lost...so hurt..so scared. God knew this before time....There will be a harvest so huge the bible says the number will be unable to be numbered. .....stay tuned
It's day 12.....Let's recap.....12 days ago at 10pm central standard time the Rapture of the Bride of Christ took place. It happened in the twinkling of an eye...everyone in the world had been going about their live's ...eating ..drinkin and being merry. Then with a Shout ...Jesus called out "Come up Here" and faster than you can bat your eyes...millions of true believer's instantaneously were caught up to meet Him in the air" What followed on earth..was total chaos.....chains holding evil at bay for eons and eons century upon centuries were now taken off....in no short order the first nuclear attack ever on American Shores...took place..Major cities destroyed...a world gone mad....looting...murder..rape..suicides as despair over the disappearnce of family members hit home. And tremendous fear and uncertainty fell upon all those left behind. The government has in here tried to already silence and purge from men's thoughts....that what has happened had anything to do with a god....God is NOT the answer...MAN IS! There mantra will be "Look to Government...Look within" BUT DO NOT LOOK TO GOD! In fact it will be illegal and as of day 12 it's already a very offensive to many to even hear the mention of the words rapture or speak of Jesus Christ publicly...the bible declares it will be so scary that men's heart will fail them...there will be no peace nor calm UNTIL a Man steps on the scene and within the last 36 hours in an emergency meeting at The U.N. a new upstart World Leader has come upon the scene at this perilous time with answers.
Still it's only been 12 days after whole families have been "taken" and still many many people struggle for peace...struggle for hope....can you sense that type of grief? To have all your kids...who just 2 weeks ago were everything to you....going to ball games...hugging your neck...and now they are gone...you think you will NEVER see them again..and for many that will be true..the despair the fear...the depth of sorrow will be unspeakable if you don't have Hope in Christ...sure Hater's of God will be unleashed....but there will be those still searching...so lost...so hurt..so scared. God knew this before time....There will be a harvest so huge the bible says the number will be unable to be numbered. .....stay tuned
- STA
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POSSUM HOLLOW
Dan is cutting wood and singing an ole Charlie Daniel's favorite
Fire on the Mountain
Run boys, run
The devil's in the House of the Rising Sun
Chicken in a bread pan picken' out dough
Granny does your dog bite
No child, no
"hey dad...look here what me and Anthony got"....He holds up two wild turkeys they had just shot! Way to go boys...do you still remember how to clean em Anthony or did that Texas education ruin your brain?" "You can take the boy outta the country but you can't the country of the boy" Anthony replied "that's what I like to hear..well get to cleaning em up and I will fry em up in our ole fryer over there.
Dan is cutting wood and singing an ole Charlie Daniel's favorite
Fire on the Mountain
Run boys, run
The devil's in the House of the Rising Sun
Chicken in a bread pan picken' out dough
Granny does your dog bite
No child, no
"hey dad...look here what me and Anthony got"....He holds up two wild turkeys they had just shot! Way to go boys...do you still remember how to clean em Anthony or did that Texas education ruin your brain?" "You can take the boy outta the country but you can't the country of the boy" Anthony replied "that's what I like to hear..well get to cleaning em up and I will fry em up in our ole fryer over there.
- STA
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Stacy and Keisha Headed to a Missouri Farm
After staying the night in St Louis....Meanwhile Stacy and Keisha were driving down I-44 about 2 hours west of St Louis found a store open in Lebanon Mo. ...unfortunately for them... there would be no big breakfast....it was a cup of coffee and what use to be a $.30 package of peanut butter crackers ..now for the low price of $3.00...."well as long as I get my coffee" keisha spouted off "Keisha ....I wish I could drive you all the way to Nebraska but we will be coming upon Springfield soon and if you like I can drop you off at the bus station there and I am sure they have trips to Lincoln ..well I would think they would anyway?" "Stacy that's perfectly fine...you have done plenty...a real life saver...if you hadn't been in Cleveland...only God knows what I would have had to do or be?" Well Keisha was wide awake after having her first sip of coffee and chomping at the bit to talk and went from one story to the next ...but today Stacy seemed ready to listen ..keisha thought to herself! ...and Keisha loved to talk so until they get to Springfield ...Keisha was more than able to think of things to say "now in Nebraska you know we've got corn field galore..you ever been to Nebraska? back in highschool we use to go and cow tip...you ever cow tip before....on and on she went...as they cruised down I-44
After staying the night in St Louis....Meanwhile Stacy and Keisha were driving down I-44 about 2 hours west of St Louis found a store open in Lebanon Mo. ...unfortunately for them... there would be no big breakfast....it was a cup of coffee and what use to be a $.30 package of peanut butter crackers ..now for the low price of $3.00...."well as long as I get my coffee" keisha spouted off "Keisha ....I wish I could drive you all the way to Nebraska but we will be coming upon Springfield soon and if you like I can drop you off at the bus station there and I am sure they have trips to Lincoln ..well I would think they would anyway?" "Stacy that's perfectly fine...you have done plenty...a real life saver...if you hadn't been in Cleveland...only God knows what I would have had to do or be?" Well Keisha was wide awake after having her first sip of coffee and chomping at the bit to talk and went from one story to the next ...but today Stacy seemed ready to listen ..keisha thought to herself! ...and Keisha loved to talk so until they get to Springfield ...Keisha was more than able to think of things to say "now in Nebraska you know we've got corn field galore..you ever been to Nebraska? back in highschool we use to go and cow tip...you ever cow tip before....on and on she went...as they cruised down I-44
- STA
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after driving about an hour..Keisha decidedly breaks down and ask "Stacy..listen, you have done so much for me already..and I hate to ask BUT if you think you maybe I could hang with you for a little while longer?" "For real?" "Yeah ..I mean I hate to impose but I just feel like there was a reason we met ya know?"...."ya think?" '''nah I KNOW..if you hadn't been in Ohio ..what would have happened to me?" "To me ..you are like an angel" "nah ..if there is a God ...He KNOWS I am noooooooo angel" ...."but sure..you are welcome to come along..but I gotta warn you ...my grandparents farm is OUT THERE" "don't you worry bout me..remember I am from Nebraska...I'm use to out there"......"well Keisha...this is alot different that Nebraska..trust me"..."say Stacy ...you never did tell me where your Grandparents farm is?" "well Keisha...you would not believe me if I told you" "WELL..I AM WAITING" "it's a pretty place over looking a creek ..Turnback Creek to be specific" "yeah and what's the name of the place?" well it's way out in the country ..at least 12 miles to the nearest town...and it isn't really a town..I mean it's called Halltown but it's only got like 50 people I bet" "well what's your farm called or where's it at?" POSSUM HOLLOW ALRIGHT....THERE YOU HAPPY! "LOL....your kidding right?" NO I AM NOT KIDDING'' "you mean to tell me there is a place where people live and they actually thought to call it Possum Hollow?
"I guess you got it right...it's gotta be alot different"
We Cornhusker's are country but your Grandparents must really been out in the woods...huh?" "Oh it's out in the woods alright...you just wait a few ..you'll see"
The girls cruised past Springfield ...about 20 miles west
Stacy and Keisha pull off I-44 at the Halltown exit and begin their 15 mile track towards Possum Hollow. Stacy's heart beats faster with excitement..."why am I so excited" she wonders to herself...."I mean come on Stace..you hated this place before?"
"Wow Stacy ...this place must be out there ....your parents moved from here to BOSTON????" "Yep" "wow ...talk about an extreme makeover" .....they made the 15 mile track off of I-44 in fine fashion ...crossing over "Wilson's Bridge" that lay over Turnback Creek....then they turned north on the ole country dirt road that had a touch of snow covering....."wow this place is really something" ...."kinda spooky to be honest..with all the trees overhanging and curvy roads...they didn't film Deliverance here did they?" Stacy had to laugh..."No...at least I don't think so"
Dan was chopping wood pretty fast for an ole timer...even as cold as it is..he is sweating through his favorite John Deere hat....off in the distance he see's a silver Durango turn into the Boxberger Farm...."who on earth could that be?" ...."I reckon I better alert the fella's" ..putting down the ax ...he heads inside.
"Well here it is ...the house my parents grew up in" "wow ....it's ...it's a farm house alright" Nothing special just an old fashioned two story house with the porch swing and everything....Grandparents Old buick sits in the driveway and grandpa's old tractor sits parked by the barn. Stacy opens the car door then just stands ...taking it in. The last time she was here...it was too recent to the loss of her parents ...her mind too preoccupied to pay attention to anything...but this time...everything was in slow motion...it was like going back in time.
"I guess you got it right...it's gotta be alot different"
We Cornhusker's are country but your Grandparents must really been out in the woods...huh?" "Oh it's out in the woods alright...you just wait a few ..you'll see"
The girls cruised past Springfield ...about 20 miles west
Stacy and Keisha pull off I-44 at the Halltown exit and begin their 15 mile track towards Possum Hollow. Stacy's heart beats faster with excitement..."why am I so excited" she wonders to herself...."I mean come on Stace..you hated this place before?"
"Wow Stacy ...this place must be out there ....your parents moved from here to BOSTON????" "Yep" "wow ...talk about an extreme makeover" .....they made the 15 mile track off of I-44 in fine fashion ...crossing over "Wilson's Bridge" that lay over Turnback Creek....then they turned north on the ole country dirt road that had a touch of snow covering....."wow this place is really something" ...."kinda spooky to be honest..with all the trees overhanging and curvy roads...they didn't film Deliverance here did they?" Stacy had to laugh..."No...at least I don't think so"
Dan was chopping wood pretty fast for an ole timer...even as cold as it is..he is sweating through his favorite John Deere hat....off in the distance he see's a silver Durango turn into the Boxberger Farm...."who on earth could that be?" ...."I reckon I better alert the fella's" ..putting down the ax ...he heads inside.
"Well here it is ...the house my parents grew up in" "wow ....it's ...it's a farm house alright" Nothing special just an old fashioned two story house with the porch swing and everything....Grandparents Old buick sits in the driveway and grandpa's old tractor sits parked by the barn. Stacy opens the car door then just stands ...taking it in. The last time she was here...it was too recent to the loss of her parents ...her mind too preoccupied to pay attention to anything...but this time...everything was in slow motion...it was like going back in time.
- STA
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Stacy and Keisha walked on to the porch ...Stacy hesitated for just a second..."maybe I should knock"......"Stacy you said your grandparents were Christians" "yeah that's what my parents always said and besides that summer I was here my grandma gave me my space but she was always quoting bible scriptures" Stacy knocked gently as she turned the knob...luckily the door was unlocked....they both went in...both became quiet as they gawked the house over..."these must be your folks?" Stacy took the picture...."yep" Keisha cracked "Look at those hairstyles..lol" "oh I shouldn't make fun..I'm sorry" "No....it's alright...it was a few years back ...and yea look at the way they parted their hair down the middle...I bet they even had those stupid combs that stuck out the back pocket huh?" Keisha busted her gut laughing with Stacy....Keisha made her way to the kitchen and opened the door...."OH DEAR GOD.......STACY ...STACY ...there's a man on the floor" "Stacy rushed in...GRANDPA!!! she knelt down taking his pulse....very very week but he was still alive.......................
Down the road ...Dan, Hank, Anthony, Daryl and Pastor Tim were still debating if they should go down the road and greet the people that had driven up in the Durango! "but what if they decide to turn us in...I mean there are five of us...and that's worth alot of money" "but what if they need help?" Ok Dan piped in there are five of us and as far as I could tell..there were only two of them...let's take a couple shotguns just to be safe. Agreed? AGREED!
It took just a couple of minutes to round up a couple of Guns and all five guys headed down towards the Boxberger Farm.
Inside... Stacy and Keisha were debating as well....."what should we do?" "call 911?" WE can't ...you know they are going to ask That question? well she would just put him in the Durango and take him to the hospital? "that's probably the only thing we can do.....ok I will go and back up the Durango.
...meanwhile the 5 guys were walking down the road....when Daryl cries out in a loud whisper..."Dad..LOOK they are trying to drag a body out of the house......do you think they killed somebody? "well there's only one way to find out.....CLICK CLICK .....FREEZE!! Stacy and Keisha immediately dropped Grandpa Boxberger.... paralyzed in total fear.....MOVE and WE WILL PUT SOME SERIOUS HURT ON YA"LL...Dan sternly warned!
Stacy pleaded "Please..DON'T SHOOT! My name is Stacy and this is my grandpa...and something is really wrong with him! GRANDPA? YES ...I am his grand daughter from Boston! Please ...I promise..something is wrong with him. "Is he alive" Yes...we checked his pulse...Anthony runs up onto the Porch..."May I" Stacy knods....Anthony lays his ear to his heart and then immediately begins to administer CPR that he learned at College..."One, two, three, four , five....BREATH ..one, two, three, four, five ...BRE......"COUGH COUGH" ....GET OFF ME! GET OFF ME!!!'' "GRANDPA?"....."STACY?"....."EARL?? "DAN?" "Grandpa you are alright!! "Of course I'm alright!" And much better knowing your alright Stacy...how on earth did you get here and who is this with you?" "uhhh this is my Friend Keisha!" Grandpa stumbles to his feet and introduces himself "hello ..I am Earl Boxberger" Dan interrupts.....EARL WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING HERE? I mean ..umm well never mind that..but I mean..you've been here these last 12 days??? WE had no idea you would still be here...didn't even think to check..you mean to tell me you have just been holed up down here this whole time? YEP "And GRANDPA what were you doing on that floor?...well when your grandma was here....I never had to keep track of taking my medicine and I guess I forgot!......"wooo nellie"...Pastor Tim said out loud......"WOW...sounds like we need to step inside and let everyone catch up" as they walked inside....introductions went full circle..Hey there I'm Stacy...Earl's granddaughter from Boston....this is my friend Keisha" "Hello, I'm Anthony...this is my uncle Dan, my cousin Daryl and my friend Hank from Dallas and this is our Pastor...Tim" ...hurry up ya'll it's cold outside...lets go in and catch up inside..Tim coaxes.
Down the road ...Dan, Hank, Anthony, Daryl and Pastor Tim were still debating if they should go down the road and greet the people that had driven up in the Durango! "but what if they decide to turn us in...I mean there are five of us...and that's worth alot of money" "but what if they need help?" Ok Dan piped in there are five of us and as far as I could tell..there were only two of them...let's take a couple shotguns just to be safe. Agreed? AGREED!
It took just a couple of minutes to round up a couple of Guns and all five guys headed down towards the Boxberger Farm.
Inside... Stacy and Keisha were debating as well....."what should we do?" "call 911?" WE can't ...you know they are going to ask That question? well she would just put him in the Durango and take him to the hospital? "that's probably the only thing we can do.....ok I will go and back up the Durango.
...meanwhile the 5 guys were walking down the road....when Daryl cries out in a loud whisper..."Dad..LOOK they are trying to drag a body out of the house......do you think they killed somebody? "well there's only one way to find out.....CLICK CLICK .....FREEZE!! Stacy and Keisha immediately dropped Grandpa Boxberger.... paralyzed in total fear.....MOVE and WE WILL PUT SOME SERIOUS HURT ON YA"LL...Dan sternly warned!
Stacy pleaded "Please..DON'T SHOOT! My name is Stacy and this is my grandpa...and something is really wrong with him! GRANDPA? YES ...I am his grand daughter from Boston! Please ...I promise..something is wrong with him. "Is he alive" Yes...we checked his pulse...Anthony runs up onto the Porch..."May I" Stacy knods....Anthony lays his ear to his heart and then immediately begins to administer CPR that he learned at College..."One, two, three, four , five....BREATH ..one, two, three, four, five ...BRE......"COUGH COUGH" ....GET OFF ME! GET OFF ME!!!'' "GRANDPA?"....."STACY?"....."EARL?? "DAN?" "Grandpa you are alright!! "Of course I'm alright!" And much better knowing your alright Stacy...how on earth did you get here and who is this with you?" "uhhh this is my Friend Keisha!" Grandpa stumbles to his feet and introduces himself "hello ..I am Earl Boxberger" Dan interrupts.....EARL WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING HERE? I mean ..umm well never mind that..but I mean..you've been here these last 12 days??? WE had no idea you would still be here...didn't even think to check..you mean to tell me you have just been holed up down here this whole time? YEP "And GRANDPA what were you doing on that floor?...well when your grandma was here....I never had to keep track of taking my medicine and I guess I forgot!......"wooo nellie"...Pastor Tim said out loud......"WOW...sounds like we need to step inside and let everyone catch up" as they walked inside....introductions went full circle..Hey there I'm Stacy...Earl's granddaughter from Boston....this is my friend Keisha" "Hello, I'm Anthony...this is my uncle Dan, my cousin Daryl and my friend Hank from Dallas and this is our Pastor...Tim" ...hurry up ya'll it's cold outside...lets go in and catch up inside..Tim coaxes.
- STA
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MEANWHILE ACROSS THE COUNTRY
Traveling down the Carolina Coast line..a husband and wife drive aimlessly through the night....12 days ago both had given their lives to Jesus just moments after hearing the Breaking World Wide News of the Disappearance of millions of people. Upon hearing the breaking news..both the husband and wife raced down their hallway to where their 9 year old twin daughter's shared a room...only to find their pajama's left in a heap........"oh Dear Jesus the mother SCREAMED....both her and her husband embracing...."NO..NO..JESUS" Like so many of the others in their generation ..they had forsaken their parents faith on their own..but when it came to their daughters..they made sure to drop them off at church on sunday mornings and wednesday night youth services and summer camps and vacation bible schools...but the parents themselves...never took the time to KNOW JESUS for themselves....but just moments after their daughters had vanished...they both got on their knees an beggin for mercy made Jesus their Lord and Savior!
However this night ...with all the violence breaking out in their neighborhood and not sure where to go ...they had just got in their car and drove...."Oh honey...OH NO...LOOK AT THE TIME...ITS PAST CURFEW. The husband looks down at the clock and his heart begins to race....he realizes they are arriving at a checkpoint......it's too late to try and turn around....he pulls up to the check point hoping to be able to talk his way out of the situation....the Security Officer approaches shining his flashlight in their eyes then all around their car.....Sir ...Mam..do you realize the time? The officer then notices something in the floor board....SIR..MAM ..OUT OF THE CAR! The husband ask....what's wrong..have we done something wrong...the security officer reaches in and pulls out a Bible.....HE motions for other security officers to come over...."LOOK WHAT WE HAVE HERE....BIBLE WACKO"S" "It's Not illegal Kurt!" "yeah but we ain't going to get in trouble for ridding this planet of these types...besides....they are breaking the law...they are out past curfew and who's to say they aren't terrorist" they begin to antagonize....The wife pleads for mercy.......in very short fashion ..."LET'S JUST SEE HOW SERIOUS YA'LL ARE ABOUT WHAT YOU READ IN THIS HERE BOOK" wasting little Time...."I'm afraid I am going to have to ask you sir"...the policeman releasing the clasp on his holster "do you believe n JESUS?" the wife pleads again.."please we don't want any trouble...there was just so much violence in Asheville....we wanted to get out" "I will only ask this one more time....SIR DO YOU BELIEVE IN JESUS" The husband prays under his breath for boldness....YES SIR I DO..."WRONG ANSWER..Guys take him...take him....take him down over there" "No please No...my husband is a good man...PLEASE" Mam .. your husband is a criminal ...Sir I am going to give you a chance to recant...Do you Believe in Jesus? He takes out his gun...."Hey..Bob..we aren't suppose to kill em for breaking curfew......we are suppose to arrest...SHUT UP IDIOT" "WE AIN'T KILLING THEM FOR THAT!!!"
"SIR, I KNOW YOU HEARD ME...CUZ I DIDN'T STUTTER....DO YOU BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST?"
The Husband again answers with a very bold YES..I BELIEVE IN JESUS....well you are brave I will give you that...but I wonder how brave you will be with a gun to your wife's head.....guys drag her over here....He sticks the gun to his wife's Head ...She under any normal circumstance would have begged and wailed for her life.. just minutes earlier she was doing just that for her husband...but the instant the gun was placed to her head..The Holy Spirit ...gives her a peace that surpasses human understanding...as she looks up and there standing with JESUS she see's her twin daughters and they with JESUS have their arms wide open....a new and fresh boldness hits her....she turns and sternly says to her husband. ...."HONEY..DON'T TRY TO SAVE ME...FOR I SEE JESUS and HE HAS OUR GIRLS AND THERE ARMS ARE WIDE OPEN!!!!!!!!!!..........BANG BANG BANG.(bullets blast through her)..she falls to her death.........her husband braces himself and prays out Loud JESUS INTO YOUR HANDS I SURRENDER MY LIFE....BANG...One shot pierced through his heart!
Traveling down the Carolina Coast line..a husband and wife drive aimlessly through the night....12 days ago both had given their lives to Jesus just moments after hearing the Breaking World Wide News of the Disappearance of millions of people. Upon hearing the breaking news..both the husband and wife raced down their hallway to where their 9 year old twin daughter's shared a room...only to find their pajama's left in a heap........"oh Dear Jesus the mother SCREAMED....both her and her husband embracing...."NO..NO..JESUS" Like so many of the others in their generation ..they had forsaken their parents faith on their own..but when it came to their daughters..they made sure to drop them off at church on sunday mornings and wednesday night youth services and summer camps and vacation bible schools...but the parents themselves...never took the time to KNOW JESUS for themselves....but just moments after their daughters had vanished...they both got on their knees an beggin for mercy made Jesus their Lord and Savior!
However this night ...with all the violence breaking out in their neighborhood and not sure where to go ...they had just got in their car and drove...."Oh honey...OH NO...LOOK AT THE TIME...ITS PAST CURFEW. The husband looks down at the clock and his heart begins to race....he realizes they are arriving at a checkpoint......it's too late to try and turn around....he pulls up to the check point hoping to be able to talk his way out of the situation....the Security Officer approaches shining his flashlight in their eyes then all around their car.....Sir ...Mam..do you realize the time? The officer then notices something in the floor board....SIR..MAM ..OUT OF THE CAR! The husband ask....what's wrong..have we done something wrong...the security officer reaches in and pulls out a Bible.....HE motions for other security officers to come over...."LOOK WHAT WE HAVE HERE....BIBLE WACKO"S" "It's Not illegal Kurt!" "yeah but we ain't going to get in trouble for ridding this planet of these types...besides....they are breaking the law...they are out past curfew and who's to say they aren't terrorist" they begin to antagonize....The wife pleads for mercy.......in very short fashion ..."LET'S JUST SEE HOW SERIOUS YA'LL ARE ABOUT WHAT YOU READ IN THIS HERE BOOK" wasting little Time...."I'm afraid I am going to have to ask you sir"...the policeman releasing the clasp on his holster "do you believe n JESUS?" the wife pleads again.."please we don't want any trouble...there was just so much violence in Asheville....we wanted to get out" "I will only ask this one more time....SIR DO YOU BELIEVE IN JESUS" The husband prays under his breath for boldness....YES SIR I DO..."WRONG ANSWER..Guys take him...take him....take him down over there" "No please No...my husband is a good man...PLEASE" Mam .. your husband is a criminal ...Sir I am going to give you a chance to recant...Do you Believe in Jesus? He takes out his gun...."Hey..Bob..we aren't suppose to kill em for breaking curfew......we are suppose to arrest...SHUT UP IDIOT" "WE AIN'T KILLING THEM FOR THAT!!!"
"SIR, I KNOW YOU HEARD ME...CUZ I DIDN'T STUTTER....DO YOU BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST?"
The Husband again answers with a very bold YES..I BELIEVE IN JESUS....well you are brave I will give you that...but I wonder how brave you will be with a gun to your wife's head.....guys drag her over here....He sticks the gun to his wife's Head ...She under any normal circumstance would have begged and wailed for her life.. just minutes earlier she was doing just that for her husband...but the instant the gun was placed to her head..The Holy Spirit ...gives her a peace that surpasses human understanding...as she looks up and there standing with JESUS she see's her twin daughters and they with JESUS have their arms wide open....a new and fresh boldness hits her....she turns and sternly says to her husband. ...."HONEY..DON'T TRY TO SAVE ME...FOR I SEE JESUS and HE HAS OUR GIRLS AND THERE ARMS ARE WIDE OPEN!!!!!!!!!!..........BANG BANG BANG.(bullets blast through her)..she falls to her death.........her husband braces himself and prays out Loud JESUS INTO YOUR HANDS I SURRENDER MY LIFE....BANG...One shot pierced through his heart!
- STA
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“Captain, this is the Conning Officer, are you awake?” The box sounded again. Daniel stood up went to his desk and bushed a button to answered the call. “Yes I’m up”
“Sir a Red Bird just came in, are you ready to receive it?”
“Yes send it here,” Daniel replied turning on the small light setting on his desk. A Red Bird was a top Secret message that only he could see, even the radioman who took the message could not read it.
A knock at his door told him it was here. “Enter”
A senior enlisted man entered with a covered clipboard and handed it to his Captain. Daniel looked and saw that the seal was secured then signed a piece of paper on top. The messenger turned and left the captain and the clipboard alone. Daniel went to the safe that was located next to his table. Opening the small but heavy door, he took out two sheets of paper with symbols. Placing each piece side by side he identified the symbols he wanted then broke the seal on the clipboard, opened it and started to read.
The symbols on the paper work matched up with the marks at the top of the Red Bird message. This told Daniel that the message came from the Chief of General Staff in the Kirya located in Tel Aviv and that it was sent only to him. The Kirya was Israel’s version of the US Pentagon.
RED BIRD TOP SECRET
0945234 013418 09
From: Chief of General Staff
To: Samuel of Ramah
Proceed to pre-assigned area Jericho Barak best speed possible avoiding ALL contacts.
Red Bird reply when on location.
Avoid all contacts make no other radio or signal transmission from this point on.
End of message.
Daniel laid the message down and pushed the speaker button once again. “Captain to Control Room, send Op’s and the Nav. to my stateroom asap.”
“Aye captain” the voice replied.
- Alex
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While waited for his Operations Boss and Navigator, Daniel sat the message back in the chipboard and placed it in his safe. He then took out another folder marked TOP SECRET.
A tap at the door and then it opened. Josh and Joe both entered then stood in front of the desk. “Josh, hit that light switch then take a seat gentlemen, it might be a long night.” Daniel said pushing the button once more and told the person on the other end to have a pot of coffee brought to his cabin. Daniel made small talk as he waited for the coffee to arrive, he didn’t want any interruption once they started talking. A knock followed by a young man entering with a tray of coffee, cups and hot rolls. The sailor sat them on a stand then left without saying a word. Daniel made a mental note to ensure the Supply Officer gave the night mess crew a good mark. Even though he did asked for food, they knew it might come in handy and smelling the hot rolls made all three men realize they were hungry.
“Gentlemen, I just received a Red Bird message.” The Captain stopped there and let the news sink in to his officers before proceeding. Only one other time in his career had Daniel ever seen or heard of a real Red Bird message sent so he figured these two needed a second to understand the importance of this meeting. By the looks on their faces and the movement as they moved closer to his desk told him they understood and they were ready to follow his orders.
Daniel reached over and pulled a cord that brought down a chart of the Persian Gulf. He then took the file he had pulled out of his safe and broke the seal. Four sets of papers were inside, each one had a cover page on top marked Top Secret and who it went to. The first one was marked Commanding Officer, the second Operation Officer, the third Navigation Officer and the fourth was marked Weapons Officer. Daniel had never opened this file before so he didn’t know his Weapons boss was to be included. He sat the pages down and again asked in the speaker to have the Weapon Officer come to his cabin. The three officers tried to make small talk as they waited but it was shallow as each one knew something big was going on.
The familiar tap at the door followed by an older man in green coveralls entered the room. “You wanted to see me sir?” Senior Enlisted Benjamin asked as he stood at attention. Benjamin had 26 years in the Israel Navy and was the only enlisted man to hold the honors of being a Weapons Boss on a sub. Daniel had worked with Ben on other commands so when Daniel received orders to command the Samuel, he put his request in for Senior Enlisted Benjamin to be his weapons boss. After a few phone calls and favors, Ben was on a flight to meet his new command and old friend.
“Come in and have a seat Ral” Daniel said. Since a sub was close quarters, Daniel in closed sessions made it a point to address his men by first name or titles. They all still called him Captain or Sir but they enjoyed his openness. “As I was telling OP’s and the Nav here, I have just received a Red Bird Message and this folder here on my desk calls for you to be present. Pull up a chair and we will begin, does anyone want a hot roll or coffee?” They didn’t answer and he was glad as they all had one thing on their minds, they wanted to find out what was going on.
Daniel took each folder and handed them to the person it was addressed it. “Please open and read to yourselves. Once everyone is done we will get started.”
A tap at the door and then it opened. Josh and Joe both entered then stood in front of the desk. “Josh, hit that light switch then take a seat gentlemen, it might be a long night.” Daniel said pushing the button once more and told the person on the other end to have a pot of coffee brought to his cabin. Daniel made small talk as he waited for the coffee to arrive, he didn’t want any interruption once they started talking. A knock followed by a young man entering with a tray of coffee, cups and hot rolls. The sailor sat them on a stand then left without saying a word. Daniel made a mental note to ensure the Supply Officer gave the night mess crew a good mark. Even though he did asked for food, they knew it might come in handy and smelling the hot rolls made all three men realize they were hungry.
“Gentlemen, I just received a Red Bird message.” The Captain stopped there and let the news sink in to his officers before proceeding. Only one other time in his career had Daniel ever seen or heard of a real Red Bird message sent so he figured these two needed a second to understand the importance of this meeting. By the looks on their faces and the movement as they moved closer to his desk told him they understood and they were ready to follow his orders.
Daniel reached over and pulled a cord that brought down a chart of the Persian Gulf. He then took the file he had pulled out of his safe and broke the seal. Four sets of papers were inside, each one had a cover page on top marked Top Secret and who it went to. The first one was marked Commanding Officer, the second Operation Officer, the third Navigation Officer and the fourth was marked Weapons Officer. Daniel had never opened this file before so he didn’t know his Weapons boss was to be included. He sat the pages down and again asked in the speaker to have the Weapon Officer come to his cabin. The three officers tried to make small talk as they waited but it was shallow as each one knew something big was going on.
The familiar tap at the door followed by an older man in green coveralls entered the room. “You wanted to see me sir?” Senior Enlisted Benjamin asked as he stood at attention. Benjamin had 26 years in the Israel Navy and was the only enlisted man to hold the honors of being a Weapons Boss on a sub. Daniel had worked with Ben on other commands so when Daniel received orders to command the Samuel, he put his request in for Senior Enlisted Benjamin to be his weapons boss. After a few phone calls and favors, Ben was on a flight to meet his new command and old friend.
“Come in and have a seat Ral” Daniel said. Since a sub was close quarters, Daniel in closed sessions made it a point to address his men by first name or titles. They all still called him Captain or Sir but they enjoyed his openness. “As I was telling OP’s and the Nav here, I have just received a Red Bird Message and this folder here on my desk calls for you to be present. Pull up a chair and we will begin, does anyone want a hot roll or coffee?” They didn’t answer and he was glad as they all had one thing on their minds, they wanted to find out what was going on.
Daniel took each folder and handed them to the person it was addressed it. “Please open and read to yourselves. Once everyone is done we will get started.”
- Alex
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POSSUM HOLLOW
Stacy awakens to the smell of a hot meal coming from the kitchen. Wow it's been awhile since I had anything fried she thought to herself...already she could hear Keisha talking Grandpa's ear off...."Oh poor Grandpa she thought to herself" thinking back to last nights ...tearful conversation
Just moments after finding Grandpa still here and unconscious...and the traumatic events that followed...being stared down by 5 strange men with shot guns..then Grandpa coming too...realizing the 5 men..well at least 3 of them were Grandpa's friends and neighbors...ohh the rush...but after it all died down ....Grandpa shared his story in his front room to all of us "Stacy...Dan...I am sure you all got questions and looking at you Pastor I gotta confess I might have few for you myself....No one can be more shocked to me still here than I am to see my pastor still here..I can tell you that already"
"Grandpa" Stacy chimed in...."I don't understand anything at all but the one thing I know about all the people that are gone including grandma is they believed in Jesus Christ.....but you still being here messes with my mind...I mean my parents always told me you were the most religious one of them all...I mean my mom said when her and dad found out they were having me ...the reason they moved away was because you had said how embarrassed you were an ashamed you were ....you had even said so publicly and said the whole world was going to hell and that your own daughter was leading the way" "was that true Grandpa?" "did you really do and say those things?" "And if you were so holy...why are you still here?"
Grandpa Boxberger bows his head in shame...."Oh Stacy...it's true alright...and for the last 30 years I have been so haunted by my actions...nothing tears a mans soul worse than pushing his own kids away and then to barely know your own granddaughter because of it...it's been a lifetime of heartache..ever since your mom and dad left for Boston" "Grandpa I'm still lost...you and grandma went to church all the time....weren't you a believer then?" Pastor Tim sat...his heart racing wishing he could speak up...but something inside said Grandpa could answer this better than he could..."Stacy....going to church doesn't make you a real believer no more than if you walked out into that barn every morning would make you a milk cow" "sure I went to church....had to keep your grandma happy...thought I was earning something.....I knew what the good book said...just enough to argue it with or use it to control my own daughter..but honey..your grandpa never knew JESUS.....Stacy I found a verse the other day that somes it all up when it comes to me....John 5:39-40 You search the scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life..and these are they which testify of ME. But you are not willing to come to ME that you may have life" No your ole grandpa looked the part on the outside...but inside I was a cold cold man...but NOW your Grandma...she loved Jesus..always walking around the house talking to Him as if He was right in the room...always kinda annoyed me..like she was ignoring me...but now I know your grandma ...KNEW something I never did!" "At least not til that night"......tell us what happened Grandpa...I mean ...how did Grandma go?" Well we were sitting rightcher in these old lazy boys...I was watching KY3 news at 10 and your grandma was reading her bible...something struck me on the news that made me mad....or something and I hollered "Woman did you just hear that?"...and usually she would go ..."yeah..sad isn't it"..pretending to pay attention...but when I looked over there and she wasn't in her chair...so I kept hollering her name and she didn't answer ...so I started to get angry at her and got up and walked into the bedroom then the kitchen and hollering "Ma...where are you ..then walking back into the living room ....BREAKING NEWS ..told me in an instant where she was at...I looked over in her chair and all that was left was her bible and clothes...her grumpy old husband!" Grandpa breaks down sobbing...."I fell down ..beggin God to take me..to change His mind .but it was too late....but again I knew enough bible to know...this was what they call the Tribulation and so right there I asked for His forgiveness and strengh to endure to the end that I might still be saved" "but oh..honey I miss your grandma" crying more
Stacy thinking back to last night and how she felt ....tears streaming down her cheeks....thinking of her hard steely Grandpa crying..it hurt her heart..Her folks were alot like grandpa...hardened ..never ones to show emotion...independent...she had never experienced someone so close being so broken...she still had so many questions though....I sure hear all this Jesus talk and all but why do people want to know Him...why was it so important to know Him...and Love Him? Sure she gets it...if you did...you aren't here now but what was the draw...what made all those missing millions seek Him?
- STA
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The man screamed in pain as he stared straight at his foot. With trembling hands he had pulled the trigger and shot himself in the foot. Falling back down on the bales of hay David and Terry rushed to his aide. David grabbed a towel out of the mans bag and applied pressure to the wound while Terry ran to the front of the barn where the first aid kit was kept. David slowly removed the gun from the mans fingers. He slid it across the barn out of reach. "Why are you in here?" David asked. "Whats your name?" David asked testing the man. "I dont know" the man replied. " I can remember anything except the last 3 days. I woke up in a convienent store about ten miles from here and I didnt recognize me in the mirror. "Have you ever seen me before?" he asked David.
- Renee
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The Rabbi and Brother Aaron discussed among the men what they should do with this man who didnt know who he was. They had rushed in at the sound of the gunshot thinking David and Terry had been hurt only to find the man passed out from his self inflicted wound. Terry showed them the photo ID he had been carring around with the mans face on it. His name was Daniel Bigalow. He had been the man chasing after Julie and Emily. The Rabbi had been in deep thought and spoke to them again. "This man had been brought to us from the Lord for his purpose. The Lord would never allow anyone access to this compound until the right time to defend ourselves and while I know we are close to being ready, we are not ready yet. His angels protect us day and night and they have let him in. I believe Dr. Nelson has the infirmary almost ready. He has been bringing all the equiptment from the basement over the last few days and said it was almost complete. See if some of you can make a makeshift stretcher so we can bring him inside the main hall and locate the Dr. Nelson." Dr. Nelson had been among the thousands at the collisium and had made his profession known to the Rabbi after arriving at the compound just in case he could be of use. Looks like that time had arrived.
- Renee
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Rabbi turned off the TV after watching the latest report from CNN. He had been trying to catch up on the nations latest news while waiting for a report from Dr Nelson on the condition of their new guest. Lisa ran into the Rabbis quarters out of breath. She had been watching the news on CNN also but by internet. "You are not going to believe this" she exclaimed. Quickly going to the Rabbis desk she logged onto his computer and pulled up the CNN webpage. ON the left of the page was a section called LINKS. It read to CLick on Links for further info on detention centers. As she clicked on the page a list of a dozen locations appeared. Under these another list popped up of possible future locations if needed. The Spanish Compound of Lakeshore California was on this list. The Rabbi looked at Lisa in shock and amazement. Now they knew why this place had been so well stocked. But they also knew that the Lord had brought them here and it was all apart of His great plan. "Lisa, go back to your office and continue to search out if their is a timeline to their statement of opening up possible new detention centers. Find out all you can and report to me hourly". As she left the room Rabbi knelt to pray,"Oh Lord show us your will".No sooner had he spoken when the brilliant light appeared before him. He spoke but few words "PREPARE,PREPARE,PREPARE and he was gone.
- Renee
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Daniel Bigalow had been with the Federal Bureau Of Investigation for the past 27 years. His wife had left him several years ago. He hadnt spoken to her in years once their divorce had been finalized. She had walked in on him one night in the Hyatt Regency in downtown Oakland. She had a friend who worked for the agency her husband worked for and her friend had tried to kindly warn her what Daniel was up to. He had been staying away from home for longer periods of time telling his wife Sarah that his workload had been increased by the agency due to terrorist threats that were coming in. But of course that was not the truth. Her friend had told her where he was and with whom. She hadnt wanted to believe it but followed through to make sure. She had pretended to have misplaced her key to the room when she got there. A maid in the hall had had pity on her and unlocked the door for her. Opening the door she had walked in to find her husband in the arms of another woman and that had been the end for her. Sarah had gone home,packed her bags and had moved in with a co-worker. Sarah was an RN who worked for the local hospital. She never spoke to Daniel again. The lawyers did all the communications to finalize everything.
Dr Nelson adjusted the IV on the patient. He wanted to make sure the man was deep enough before undoing the bandage on his foot. He had been told by Terry that the bullit had gone staight through his foot leaving a hole to see through. He could see that the banage was indeed soaked with a great deal of blood. Checking the mans pupils he anounced to his team that they could begin.
- Renee
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Sarah Bigalow thought she could never be shocked again. She had been out to dinner with her co-worker from the hospital, another RN when the vanishings occurred. Her friend had disappeared before her eyes right in the resturant they were eating at. Everything had been catastrophic that night as everyone around her was searching for someone but only finding clothes without people in them laying right where they had been. She had gone back to her friends apartment and sat for hours in the dark. Her friend had been a wonderful christian woman who had tried on more than one occasion to get Sarah to attend church with her and told her many times about Jesus and his love for her but she had never listened until that night. Her friend had a safe in her closet where Sarah always saw her return her bible after reading each day. Sarah had asked her why she did that and her friend had told her that someday bibles would be against the law and it would be safer for her bible to be there so she would always have it. Sarah thought she was a little weird thinking this way but out of respect for her she had never said anything to her about it. Sarah had been given the combination just in case she ever needed it and on this night she unlocked the safe. She had found the bible and a letter addressed to her. After returning to the living room she had turned on the news to only be more shocked and awed than she already was. As she had read the letter from her friend the tears had slid down her cheeks remembering all the opportunities she had had to now be where her friend was. Not knowing how to pray she had simply got down on her knees and looking up toward heaven had spoken directly to Jesus saying "I'm scared and I need you. I'm so sorry that I never recognized you. Is it too late for me, or can you still forgive me for all my sins? I am so sorry." At that point she had heard a still small voice speak to her saying, "I have cast your sin as far as the east is from the west, rise up, take your cross and follow me. For whom the son sets free is free indeed." She had felt a warmth of peace flow through her entire being as the forgiveness had washed over her. She had followed where the spirit had led her, from the apartment, to the collisium, and now in the compound. She had met Dr Nelson when he had called on volunteers with any medical background to assist him in setting up a mini hospital for the thousands who now lived there. She and 2 other ladies had approached him and let him know who they were and what kind of experience they had. She was the only RN and the other 2 were LPN'S. She had become Dr Nelsons number one assistant in setting up this sterile invironment they now stood in. Masks now over all their faces, she looked down on the man she hadnt seen in several years. The man she had shared her life with for 27 years.
- Renee
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The Rabbi spoke to Brother Aaron on the walkie talkie. Brother Aaron had been on the shooting range teaching on survival tactics. He listened as the Rabbi spoke. "Gather all the people into the main hall. I have news and you must PREPARE to speed our training up. Come quickly." Brother Aaron could hear the urgency in his voice and turned to the crowd around him. "Each of you go and find as many people as you can locate and have them drop whatever it is they are doing and meet us all in 10 minutes." As Aaron knocked on each of the cabin doors on his way to the main hall he looked up to see dark ominous clouds rolling in over the compound.
- Renee
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