On the Ranch
Matt grabbed the last box out of the trailer. They had spent a couple of days in Amarillo, and he was glad to be home. He just wanted to take a hot bath. His shins ached terribly. He was apparently having another growth spurt.
At seventeen he would have thought he was done growing, but his dad Shade had told him that he had continued to grow until he was nineteen or twenty. Matt wasn’t looking forward to the next few days. He knew that it was going to be painful. A growth spurt always involved pain. First his shins would begin to ache, then his forearms, then his spine. The pain could be so severe that he had to take to his bed. Thankfully his dad and mom were both very compassionate. His dad understood the pain, because he had been through it himself, and his mom, well she was just a mom. Full of love, compassion, and tenderness for her only child.
Matt had often wished that his mother could have had more children. He would have loved to have a little brother or sister, but she had had a difficult delivery with him and it had left her unable to have more children. Maddie had been devastated, but with time she had accepted it. She had poured all her love into her husband and son, and when Matt’s friends had come out to the ranch, they had been the recipients of Maddie’s care as well.
His friends had loved his mom, saying that she was so cool. Matt had always grinned and replied that he knew. Maddie was always overjoyed to have Matt’s friends over and had spoiled them all, cooking their favorite meals, and just seeing to it that they had fun while on the ranch. She let the boys be themselves and they had appreciated that she hadn’t acted like some of their own moms. She would listen their jokes, help them with their problems, and patch up their wounds when they got too rambunctious. She never hollered at them to be quiet or scolded them. She just let them be themselves, and his friends had loved that.
Matt set the box on the counter and looked over at his mom. She was talking to Kristen and Tori as she put things away in the kitchen, her smiles and laughter filling the room. Matt’s heart filled with love and he sent up a prayer to God thanking him for his mom.
As Matt watched his mom interacting with the girls it suddenly struck him that God had answered his and his mothers prayers. Maddie now had a houseful of children, and Matt now had “little sisters”. Trevor and Zoe were older than him, but Maddie treated them all as her kids. Maddie looked over at Matt and smiled at him. He had never seen his mother so happy as when she had a house full of kids, and he knew that God had answered her prayers. Matt smiled back at his mother, and gave her a wink.
He turned to put the empty box with the others and stumbled. The pain in had reached his hips and he was having trouble moving. Immediately Maddie was there. Matt looked at his mom, and she immediately knew what was wrong. She sent Tori to get Shade.
Kristen rushed over. “Matt are you ok?”
Matt gave Kristen a weak grin. “Yeah. I’m just having a growth spurt. I kinda hurts though.”
Kristen was wringing her hands. Matt was pale and there were beads of sweat on his forehead. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
Trevor had walked into the room and seen Matt’s distress. Immediately Trevor took over. Grabbing Matt’s arm he helped him up the stairs and into his room. Trevor demanded Matt give him every symptom he had. When Matt had told him where it hurt and how bad, Trevor had grimaced in sympathy. He asked Kristen to go and run Matt a hot bath.
“How long do these spurts usually last?” Trevor asked.
“Three days. No longer than a week.” Matt told him.
Trevor looked at Matt lying on the bed. The boy was at least an inch taller that Trevor’s own 6’4”.
Shade walked into the room and took in the situation. He knew what was going on without having to ask. Trevor began asking Shade about his own growth. Shade explained about his own spurts. “I would grow anywhere between a ½” to two or three inches with each spurt. They lasted until I was nineteen or twenty.”
“When did they start?” Trevor asked.
“When I was about 11 I guess. That summer I grew 8”. I was 5’ tall when I started. That was the biggest spurt. The summer I turned 17, I was 6’4 and I grew another three inches, and then before Christmas that year I had grown another 2”. My last spurt was the most painful. I grew the final 3”.”
“So you’re 7’” Trevor did the math.
“Yeah.” Shade nodded.
Trevor looked at Maddie. He estimated her to be about 5’6”. He asked Maddie if she had ever had growth spurts and she gave a negative shake of her head. Trevor then asked about Matt’s allergies, took his blood pressure, temperature, listened to his heart and lungs.
Matt was clenching his teeth in pain and with Shade’s help went to take his bath. While Matt soaked in his bath, Trevor got more health information from Maddie and Shade. When they had answered his questions as best as they could, Trevor went downstairs and got on the computer. He input all the information into the computer, and decided he needed to give everybody a physical. He needed to know everybody’s medical history, blood type, allergies, everything. If he was going to be of any help to anybody he needed to get started now while things were still calm. There wouldn’t be time later on when the antichrist showed his true nature.
Matt grabbed the last box out of the trailer. They had spent a couple of days in Amarillo, and he was glad to be home. He just wanted to take a hot bath. His shins ached terribly. He was apparently having another growth spurt.
At seventeen he would have thought he was done growing, but his dad Shade had told him that he had continued to grow until he was nineteen or twenty. Matt wasn’t looking forward to the next few days. He knew that it was going to be painful. A growth spurt always involved pain. First his shins would begin to ache, then his forearms, then his spine. The pain could be so severe that he had to take to his bed. Thankfully his dad and mom were both very compassionate. His dad understood the pain, because he had been through it himself, and his mom, well she was just a mom. Full of love, compassion, and tenderness for her only child.
Matt had often wished that his mother could have had more children. He would have loved to have a little brother or sister, but she had had a difficult delivery with him and it had left her unable to have more children. Maddie had been devastated, but with time she had accepted it. She had poured all her love into her husband and son, and when Matt’s friends had come out to the ranch, they had been the recipients of Maddie’s care as well.
His friends had loved his mom, saying that she was so cool. Matt had always grinned and replied that he knew. Maddie was always overjoyed to have Matt’s friends over and had spoiled them all, cooking their favorite meals, and just seeing to it that they had fun while on the ranch. She let the boys be themselves and they had appreciated that she hadn’t acted like some of their own moms. She would listen their jokes, help them with their problems, and patch up their wounds when they got too rambunctious. She never hollered at them to be quiet or scolded them. She just let them be themselves, and his friends had loved that.
Matt set the box on the counter and looked over at his mom. She was talking to Kristen and Tori as she put things away in the kitchen, her smiles and laughter filling the room. Matt’s heart filled with love and he sent up a prayer to God thanking him for his mom.
As Matt watched his mom interacting with the girls it suddenly struck him that God had answered his and his mothers prayers. Maddie now had a houseful of children, and Matt now had “little sisters”. Trevor and Zoe were older than him, but Maddie treated them all as her kids. Maddie looked over at Matt and smiled at him. He had never seen his mother so happy as when she had a house full of kids, and he knew that God had answered her prayers. Matt smiled back at his mother, and gave her a wink.
He turned to put the empty box with the others and stumbled. The pain in had reached his hips and he was having trouble moving. Immediately Maddie was there. Matt looked at his mom, and she immediately knew what was wrong. She sent Tori to get Shade.
Kristen rushed over. “Matt are you ok?”
Matt gave Kristen a weak grin. “Yeah. I’m just having a growth spurt. I kinda hurts though.”
Kristen was wringing her hands. Matt was pale and there were beads of sweat on his forehead. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
Trevor had walked into the room and seen Matt’s distress. Immediately Trevor took over. Grabbing Matt’s arm he helped him up the stairs and into his room. Trevor demanded Matt give him every symptom he had. When Matt had told him where it hurt and how bad, Trevor had grimaced in sympathy. He asked Kristen to go and run Matt a hot bath.
“How long do these spurts usually last?” Trevor asked.
“Three days. No longer than a week.” Matt told him.
Trevor looked at Matt lying on the bed. The boy was at least an inch taller that Trevor’s own 6’4”.
Shade walked into the room and took in the situation. He knew what was going on without having to ask. Trevor began asking Shade about his own growth. Shade explained about his own spurts. “I would grow anywhere between a ½” to two or three inches with each spurt. They lasted until I was nineteen or twenty.”
“When did they start?” Trevor asked.
“When I was about 11 I guess. That summer I grew 8”. I was 5’ tall when I started. That was the biggest spurt. The summer I turned 17, I was 6’4 and I grew another three inches, and then before Christmas that year I had grown another 2”. My last spurt was the most painful. I grew the final 3”.”
“So you’re 7’” Trevor did the math.
“Yeah.” Shade nodded.
Trevor looked at Maddie. He estimated her to be about 5’6”. He asked Maddie if she had ever had growth spurts and she gave a negative shake of her head. Trevor then asked about Matt’s allergies, took his blood pressure, temperature, listened to his heart and lungs.
Matt was clenching his teeth in pain and with Shade’s help went to take his bath. While Matt soaked in his bath, Trevor got more health information from Maddie and Shade. When they had answered his questions as best as they could, Trevor went downstairs and got on the computer. He input all the information into the computer, and decided he needed to give everybody a physical. He needed to know everybody’s medical history, blood type, allergies, everything. If he was going to be of any help to anybody he needed to get started now while things were still calm. There wouldn’t be time later on when the antichrist showed his true nature.
- Zags
______________________________________________________________________
George and Stu had been snowed in for 3 days. The snowfall had turned into a blizzard with zero visability. George was glad he had stacked all the wood down in the basement to keep it dry because with this kind of storm he would never had found his way back inside. The power had gone out 2 days ago and everything was running off the genrator except the computers. Unable to communicate with NASA he continued to work and upload his data to be sent to NASA when the power was restored. The rest of his time he spent with Stu who turned out to be a great bible teacher. They spent hours together praising God and worshipping Him. George felt as though he had been awakened finally from some kind of coma and was drinking in Gods word as fast as he could. He had never before retained so much knowledge so quickly. He had gone fron milk to the meat in less than 24 hours. Stu had been astounded at his progress. It was like God had opened his eyes to the max and he had taken it all in. The night before the power went out they had kept logs burning in the fireplace and watched the news together so they could keep up with what was happening around the world. George had never watched much TV while on duty but Stu had insisted they watch so they werent left behind as things progressed in the world. They had watched as Teodor spoke to the world promising the changes to come. Not all would be good, but they would be necessary to bring the world into one accord. George had looked over at Stu. "Is this guy for real?" Stu nodded his head as he spoke. " I think you know now who he is dont you?" and so that night had progressed to the power outage. George had covered the coffee table with candles and lit them all to bring as much light into the room as possible. Stu sat on the couch as they had both opened their bibles. This night they had prayed together and asked God to open their eyes wide and show them their place during this time. They had not yet found out that they were a part of Gods 144,000.
ard
On the 4th morning of the blizzard it appeared to both men that it was finally slowing down. "Maybe I'll be able to shovel the steps and make a path out to the shed by noon today." George told Stu. Stu smiled up at George. "You by any chance have 2 shovels?" George burst out laughing. "You bet I do. What we both need is little fresh air and some physical work to work out the kinks of being closed in." Both men were antsy to get to work but knew they would have to wait a few hours more till after lunch. As Stu carried their breakfast dishes over to the sink and ran water in them the lights began to flicker off and on 3 times telling George that was the signal that the power would soon be back. "Power will be back on shortly". he told Stu. "You know I havent really missed it. I feel more power in me in the last few days than I ever have." Stu told him. "If thats what I'm feeling inside me now, then I never want to lose it." George told him. Stu put his arm around Georges shoulder as they both walked back to the couch. "Its only gonna get more powerful as we follow His lead." Stu said. "Then lets get busy." George said, handing him his bible. They spent their morning being with their Lord, totally unaware of each other.
ard
On the 4th morning of the blizzard it appeared to both men that it was finally slowing down. "Maybe I'll be able to shovel the steps and make a path out to the shed by noon today." George told Stu. Stu smiled up at George. "You by any chance have 2 shovels?" George burst out laughing. "You bet I do. What we both need is little fresh air and some physical work to work out the kinks of being closed in." Both men were antsy to get to work but knew they would have to wait a few hours more till after lunch. As Stu carried their breakfast dishes over to the sink and ran water in them the lights began to flicker off and on 3 times telling George that was the signal that the power would soon be back. "Power will be back on shortly". he told Stu. "You know I havent really missed it. I feel more power in me in the last few days than I ever have." Stu told him. "If thats what I'm feeling inside me now, then I never want to lose it." George told him. Stu put his arm around Georges shoulder as they both walked back to the couch. "Its only gonna get more powerful as we follow His lead." Stu said. "Then lets get busy." George said, handing him his bible. They spent their morning being with their Lord, totally unaware of each other.
- Renee
_____________________________________________________________________
Camdenton, Missouri
Tom found the police station and went inside to report the accident and death of Alexis' friend, David. The officer told him they would retrieve the body and see that it is delivered into the hands of his family. Tom thanked the officer and returned to the car to take Alexis' to her family's home. He easily found the house and went with Alexis to inspect the house. Inside they found the Bible open on the table beside the big easy chair and the clothes still in the chair just as if the person who previously was sitting there had just walked out of the clothes. Alexis walked through the house finding her Mother's clothes in front of the kitchen sink as she was washing the dishes. She walked down the hallway to her sister's bedroom and found the same scene. Her poster's of Carmen on the wall, her Bible open on the bed where she lay reading and preparing for bed. Kate had always been active in the youth group at church and had expressed interest in becoming a missionary. Alexis had grown up in the same house and knew that her parents and sister were active in everything the church offered, but Alexis had dropped all activities associated with Jesus the moment she got to college. She had wanted to fit in and now she had lost the ones that she loved the most, her family. They were happily living in the very presence of Jesus and she......tears started streaming down her face at the thought of not living her life for her saviour, Jesus Christ.
Tom watched the young woman go from room to room and stopping to place her hand on a momento that brought back memories of her family. He knew how she was feeling because he had done much the same thing when his wife disappeared. His wife's words still could be heard in his mind, "Please, Tom, Jesus loves you and wants you to be safely in His care. God's wrath is soon to come upon this earth and I don't want you going through that. You only have to turn to Christ, ask for forgiveness and allow Him into your heart." He heard her, but he rejected her request and he had rejected God's son.
She turned to Tom with tears still flowing down her cheeks, "I don't know where to go or what to do. Everyone I know or care about is gone. I'm lost."
He put his arm gently around her, "Alexis, we have a place for you. You are welcome to come with us."
She gave him a weak smile, "Do you mean it?"
"Yes. You can come to live with us, but the accommodations aren't the Hyatt. We will take care of you as long as you wish to stay."
She went to one of the bedrooms and gathered a few things she wanted to take with her then picked up the family Bible and placed it gently into the last bag. She and Tom closed the house and walked to the car where Shannon and Kerri awaited them.
Shannon looked at her and gave her a broad smile saying, "Welcome to our family."
They were on their way home.
Tom found the police station and went inside to report the accident and death of Alexis' friend, David. The officer told him they would retrieve the body and see that it is delivered into the hands of his family. Tom thanked the officer and returned to the car to take Alexis' to her family's home. He easily found the house and went with Alexis to inspect the house. Inside they found the Bible open on the table beside the big easy chair and the clothes still in the chair just as if the person who previously was sitting there had just walked out of the clothes. Alexis walked through the house finding her Mother's clothes in front of the kitchen sink as she was washing the dishes. She walked down the hallway to her sister's bedroom and found the same scene. Her poster's of Carmen on the wall, her Bible open on the bed where she lay reading and preparing for bed. Kate had always been active in the youth group at church and had expressed interest in becoming a missionary. Alexis had grown up in the same house and knew that her parents and sister were active in everything the church offered, but Alexis had dropped all activities associated with Jesus the moment she got to college. She had wanted to fit in and now she had lost the ones that she loved the most, her family. They were happily living in the very presence of Jesus and she......tears started streaming down her face at the thought of not living her life for her saviour, Jesus Christ.
Tom watched the young woman go from room to room and stopping to place her hand on a momento that brought back memories of her family. He knew how she was feeling because he had done much the same thing when his wife disappeared. His wife's words still could be heard in his mind, "Please, Tom, Jesus loves you and wants you to be safely in His care. God's wrath is soon to come upon this earth and I don't want you going through that. You only have to turn to Christ, ask for forgiveness and allow Him into your heart." He heard her, but he rejected her request and he had rejected God's son.
She turned to Tom with tears still flowing down her cheeks, "I don't know where to go or what to do. Everyone I know or care about is gone. I'm lost."
He put his arm gently around her, "Alexis, we have a place for you. You are welcome to come with us."
She gave him a weak smile, "Do you mean it?"
"Yes. You can come to live with us, but the accommodations aren't the Hyatt. We will take care of you as long as you wish to stay."
She went to one of the bedrooms and gathered a few things she wanted to take with her then picked up the family Bible and placed it gently into the last bag. She and Tom closed the house and walked to the car where Shannon and Kerri awaited them.
Shannon looked at her and gave her a broad smile saying, "Welcome to our family."
They were on their way home.
- P4H
______________________________________________________________________
CNM HEADLINE NEWS
"Goodevening this is CNM HEADLINE NEWS ..Andrew Cooper reporting...."Today ..World Leader's across the globe joined Supreme Potentate Argyros in a closed session ....CNM has learned the chief issue was growing dissent amongst rogue factions and leaders ...of primary concern is all who would still hold to tenants of narrow ideologies contrary to the global good. Far righ winged militia groups appear to be on the rise once again dispite the global purification that only took place a few short months ago."
"CNM is hearing a unified response is being planned to quell all such rebellion in an effort to protect and secure Peace that was so miraculously wrought in an accord for the ages in Israel by none other than Potentate Argyros"
CNM will be bringing you the latest proposals and strategies to be implemented in thwarting this domestic terroristim movement.. not only here in America but across the Global landscape.
In other news....Global Economies continue to steady and regain solid footing behind the leadership of Supreme Potentate Argyros.....just today financial guru and CEO of the World's Largest Bank praised the latest moves by Argyros (video plays his interview)_ "HE IS BRILLIANT...every move has struck gold. He has taken the world from the brink of financial ruin to a time flowing "with milk and honey" Long Live Argyros is all I can say" "He has won my allegiance and the world's ...we owe him everything"
Andrew Cooper again begins...."These are truly remarkable times...it's a great time to be apart of such a tremendous movement of Peace....This has been CNM HEADLINE NEWS...I'm Andrew Cooper"
"Goodevening this is CNM HEADLINE NEWS ..Andrew Cooper reporting...."Today ..World Leader's across the globe joined Supreme Potentate Argyros in a closed session ....CNM has learned the chief issue was growing dissent amongst rogue factions and leaders ...of primary concern is all who would still hold to tenants of narrow ideologies contrary to the global good. Far righ winged militia groups appear to be on the rise once again dispite the global purification that only took place a few short months ago."
"CNM is hearing a unified response is being planned to quell all such rebellion in an effort to protect and secure Peace that was so miraculously wrought in an accord for the ages in Israel by none other than Potentate Argyros"
CNM will be bringing you the latest proposals and strategies to be implemented in thwarting this domestic terroristim movement.. not only here in America but across the Global landscape.
In other news....Global Economies continue to steady and regain solid footing behind the leadership of Supreme Potentate Argyros.....just today financial guru and CEO of the World's Largest Bank praised the latest moves by Argyros (video plays his interview)_ "HE IS BRILLIANT...every move has struck gold. He has taken the world from the brink of financial ruin to a time flowing "with milk and honey" Long Live Argyros is all I can say" "He has won my allegiance and the world's ...we owe him everything"
Andrew Cooper again begins...."These are truly remarkable times...it's a great time to be apart of such a tremendous movement of Peace....This has been CNM HEADLINE NEWS...I'm Andrew Cooper"
- STA
_____________________________________________________________________
“Sir, air contact, bearing 256, long range”
Jack had dosed off for what he figured was a few minutes. Looking at his watch he found he had been asleep for three hours.
Being the Captain of a ship he was quite familar to sleeping in two – four hour segments so waking up now, he felt refreshed.
Jack went to the sink, splashed water on his face and brushed his teeth. His stomach started to growl so he hoped the cook was up and doing his thing.
Leaving the cabin, he headed for the conning room to get the latest on the air contact.
Joe was standing looking through the scope. Every few seconds he would call out a bearing to a young sailor that was plotting the aircraft course and speed on the chart. Jack was amazed they used old technology but then he remembered they were under the water and radar still couldn’t beam through. Looking at the chart Jack could tell the aircraft was just over 4000 yards out on a course that would send it down the port side. “What is the COA?” Jack asked the sailor.
“1800 yards sir if he stays on course.”
“Joe, what type of aircraft is it?”
Joe pulled away for a second, “they looks to be American S-2, capable of dropping buoys and death charges.”
Jack knew the US retired all their S-2 years ago; he tried to remember who was still flying them, Egypt maybe, Japan or maybe Korea. “Any change of them seeing us?
Joe pulled away after giving two more bearings. He then hit a switch and called out down scope. After the scope tube lowered into its housing, he met Jack at the chart table.
“Only if they start dropping sounding buoys, your old ship might have requested assistance in location us.” Joe pointed to the last known plot of the Gettysburg.
“We need to figure out what countries are holding out and if any ships in the area are still on our side.”
“Agreed, our supplies as far as fuel, food and weapons are good we can run another 15 days. The biggest problem I see is your men; it normally takes a man a few runs to be accustomed to no fresh air or horizon viewing. We can’t pop up on the surface every time someone gets the need for a little sunshine.”
“My men will be fine; I think the worst thing will be finding stuff for them to do. I plan to meet with them this morning, I will get job classifications and we can match as we go, maybe take some of the small routine jobs from your men leaving them to rest and keep fresh in case we need them in an attack mode.”
“Yes sir. Sir, you are senior man onboard, if we plan to be together awhile, I feel we need to get the whole crew thinking as one. Let’s get rid of my men your men static and start forming one crew.”
“Good idea, how about this evening, can we surface and get everyone out on the main desk and have a set down?”
“That will be fine sir; I’ll work with the navigator to find an area we can surface safely.”
“Say Joe, is the cook available? I’m a little hungry”
“Yes sir, for you we have Sean Assian. He is the Supply person and cook for the captain. Everyone one else assigns a cooking detail based on their watch standing.”
Jack had dosed off for what he figured was a few minutes. Looking at his watch he found he had been asleep for three hours.
Being the Captain of a ship he was quite familar to sleeping in two – four hour segments so waking up now, he felt refreshed.
Jack went to the sink, splashed water on his face and brushed his teeth. His stomach started to growl so he hoped the cook was up and doing his thing.
Leaving the cabin, he headed for the conning room to get the latest on the air contact.
Joe was standing looking through the scope. Every few seconds he would call out a bearing to a young sailor that was plotting the aircraft course and speed on the chart. Jack was amazed they used old technology but then he remembered they were under the water and radar still couldn’t beam through. Looking at the chart Jack could tell the aircraft was just over 4000 yards out on a course that would send it down the port side. “What is the COA?” Jack asked the sailor.
“1800 yards sir if he stays on course.”
“Joe, what type of aircraft is it?”
Joe pulled away for a second, “they looks to be American S-2, capable of dropping buoys and death charges.”
Jack knew the US retired all their S-2 years ago; he tried to remember who was still flying them, Egypt maybe, Japan or maybe Korea. “Any change of them seeing us?
Joe pulled away after giving two more bearings. He then hit a switch and called out down scope. After the scope tube lowered into its housing, he met Jack at the chart table.
“Only if they start dropping sounding buoys, your old ship might have requested assistance in location us.” Joe pointed to the last known plot of the Gettysburg.
“We need to figure out what countries are holding out and if any ships in the area are still on our side.”
“Agreed, our supplies as far as fuel, food and weapons are good we can run another 15 days. The biggest problem I see is your men; it normally takes a man a few runs to be accustomed to no fresh air or horizon viewing. We can’t pop up on the surface every time someone gets the need for a little sunshine.”
“My men will be fine; I think the worst thing will be finding stuff for them to do. I plan to meet with them this morning, I will get job classifications and we can match as we go, maybe take some of the small routine jobs from your men leaving them to rest and keep fresh in case we need them in an attack mode.”
“Yes sir. Sir, you are senior man onboard, if we plan to be together awhile, I feel we need to get the whole crew thinking as one. Let’s get rid of my men your men static and start forming one crew.”
“Good idea, how about this evening, can we surface and get everyone out on the main desk and have a set down?”
“That will be fine sir; I’ll work with the navigator to find an area we can surface safely.”
“Say Joe, is the cook available? I’m a little hungry”
“Yes sir, for you we have Sean Assian. He is the Supply person and cook for the captain. Everyone one else assigns a cooking detail based on their watch standing.”
- Alex
_____________________________________________________________________
Missouri Ozarks
Sam and Christina sat holding hands and talking quietly in one corner of the main room of the cave. Bud and Linda were in the kitchen area talking while Linda prepared dinner. It had been decided one person would watch Jason at all times until the security system could be operational so Steven had taken the first watch. He watched Jason stare into space and several times he did his best to try to communicate with him, but he seemed lost in his own world. Amy had exhausted herself crying over the situation with her brother and had gone to her room to take a nap.
Linda was laughing at the antics of Bud when Amy appeared, "Can I help you fix dinner?"
"Yes, I would love you to help. I would imagine Tom, Shannon, and Kerri will be pulling up at any time so we need to make sure we set a place for everyone. If you would like, you can get the rice ready. It's in the big container on the shelf."
Amy reached for the container then turned to Bud and Linda, "You guys aren't mad at me for the things Jason has done, are you?"
"Of course not. You aren't responsible for Jason. He isn't lost yet and as long as we keep praying, Jesus will take care of the situation. Don't worry your pretty little head about any of us being mad at you for anything other than burning the rice," Bud answered.
Amy smiled and Bud gave her a loving pat. Linda was looking at Bud and realized she was learning more every day about Bud that continually surprised her. He had been forceful with Jason when he needed to be then was gentle with Amy calming her fears. He could laugh so easily with her then be completely serious the next moment. She was grateful to God that she was getting a chance to know him.
Sam heard the doors of the car slam shut and headed outside to greet Tom, Shannon, and Kerri. He was surprised to see someone with them and greeted them, "Glad to see you made it back ok. You have brought a new friend with you, too."
Tom walked with Alexis to where Sam stood waiting, "We picked Alexis up near Camdenton. She and her friend had been in car crash and she had no other place to go. You don't mind, do you?"
Sam leaned forward extending his hand to Alexis, "No, we don't mind. Welcome to our humble home. Christina will show you around and get you settled. In the mean time, dinner's almost ready. Let's eat and we'll catch up on all the day's events."
"Sounds like a great idea. I'm starved, as always," laughed Tom.
They all walked arm in arm into the main room where Tom introduced Alexis to the rest of the group then all gathered around the table. They joined hands and Sam led the prayer, "Lord, we thank you for bringing our friends home safely, thank you for our new friend, Alexis, and bringing her into our family. I especially give You praise for sparing my life once again and for giving Jason another chance. We ask that you bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies and bless the hands that prepared it. In Your Precious Name we pray, Amen."
Tom gave a puzzled look at Sam and knew something had happened while they were gone, but what?
Sam and Christina sat holding hands and talking quietly in one corner of the main room of the cave. Bud and Linda were in the kitchen area talking while Linda prepared dinner. It had been decided one person would watch Jason at all times until the security system could be operational so Steven had taken the first watch. He watched Jason stare into space and several times he did his best to try to communicate with him, but he seemed lost in his own world. Amy had exhausted herself crying over the situation with her brother and had gone to her room to take a nap.
Linda was laughing at the antics of Bud when Amy appeared, "Can I help you fix dinner?"
"Yes, I would love you to help. I would imagine Tom, Shannon, and Kerri will be pulling up at any time so we need to make sure we set a place for everyone. If you would like, you can get the rice ready. It's in the big container on the shelf."
Amy reached for the container then turned to Bud and Linda, "You guys aren't mad at me for the things Jason has done, are you?"
"Of course not. You aren't responsible for Jason. He isn't lost yet and as long as we keep praying, Jesus will take care of the situation. Don't worry your pretty little head about any of us being mad at you for anything other than burning the rice," Bud answered.
Amy smiled and Bud gave her a loving pat. Linda was looking at Bud and realized she was learning more every day about Bud that continually surprised her. He had been forceful with Jason when he needed to be then was gentle with Amy calming her fears. He could laugh so easily with her then be completely serious the next moment. She was grateful to God that she was getting a chance to know him.
Sam heard the doors of the car slam shut and headed outside to greet Tom, Shannon, and Kerri. He was surprised to see someone with them and greeted them, "Glad to see you made it back ok. You have brought a new friend with you, too."
Tom walked with Alexis to where Sam stood waiting, "We picked Alexis up near Camdenton. She and her friend had been in car crash and she had no other place to go. You don't mind, do you?"
Sam leaned forward extending his hand to Alexis, "No, we don't mind. Welcome to our humble home. Christina will show you around and get you settled. In the mean time, dinner's almost ready. Let's eat and we'll catch up on all the day's events."
"Sounds like a great idea. I'm starved, as always," laughed Tom.
They all walked arm in arm into the main room where Tom introduced Alexis to the rest of the group then all gathered around the table. They joined hands and Sam led the prayer, "Lord, we thank you for bringing our friends home safely, thank you for our new friend, Alexis, and bringing her into our family. I especially give You praise for sparing my life once again and for giving Jason another chance. We ask that you bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies and bless the hands that prepared it. In Your Precious Name we pray, Amen."
Tom gave a puzzled look at Sam and knew something had happened while they were gone, but what?
- P4H
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Washington DC
Frank finished packing up his office. His transfer had come through, and in his opinion, the timing couldn't have been better. Brett had boarded a plane that morning to Iraq, and Frank had not told the younger man about his own transfer.
Unfortunately his transfer wasn't to Oklahoma City as he had requested, but to a small town in the panhandle. He had been promoted to Director, and was now officially the director of the GFEC (Global Family Education Center) of Boise City, Oklahoma.
There were several things on the list of things to get done before classes could resume. The buildings needed to be enlarged, and dormatories added to the structure. Due to most of the population in the panhandle disappearing, the Pontantate thought the area was ripe for re-population. The Pontentate was eager to get the project up and running, so Frank having asked for a transfer to the GFBI of Oklahoma, had been given the assignment. His job would be to see that the project remained on schedule. His duties as an GFBI agent had been trimmed down so that he could see to his new duties in a timely matter. He had been assured that with the completion of the project he would be fully reinstated with the GFBI.
What the Pontentate didn't know was that Frank knew exactly what this new Education Center was really being constructed for. Frank knew that in the near future, the Center would more than likely house Christains who refused to worship Argryos as god. They would be held and more than likely executed in this new facility.
Frank and Tansy had spent hours praying and discussing it and decided that if Frank could feel out his new job and the people that would be working for him, perhaps the Education Center could become a safe haven for Christians in the future.
Frank walked out of his office and after saying a final goodbye to his secretary, left the former FBI building and headed home to help his wife finish packing their belongings for their move to Oklahoma.
- Zags
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On the Ranch
Shade shook his head in disgust. The bear was back. He looked at Trevor. "Looks like the hunt is back on."
Trevor was still looking at the remains of the cow. "Looks like." Trevor said absently. He looked past the remains and saw something in the dirt. He pointed. "Is that a bear track?"
Shade got up and walked over to the track. "No. That's a mountain lion. He must have come along after the bear was finished."
Trevor nodded. Both men stood up and walked back to their atv's. They checked their rifles and after checking in with the house began to follow the bear tracks.
____________________________________________________________________
Shade shook his head in disgust. The bear was back. He looked at Trevor. "Looks like the hunt is back on."
Trevor was still looking at the remains of the cow. "Looks like." Trevor said absently. He looked past the remains and saw something in the dirt. He pointed. "Is that a bear track?"
Shade got up and walked over to the track. "No. That's a mountain lion. He must have come along after the bear was finished."
Trevor nodded. Both men stood up and walked back to their atv's. They checked their rifles and after checking in with the house began to follow the bear tracks.
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The House
Maddie went upstairs to check on Matt. She walked into his room to find Kristen and Matt both absorbed watching How Great is Our God, by Louie Giglio. They had all watched it together last night, but Matt and Kristen had been so awestruck by the shear awesomeness of God, that they had decided to watch it again. Maddie sat down in a chair and began to watch. They had been quietly watching for several minutes when the alarm system Shade had set up on the road went off. It was set to go off if a vehicle was on the road within a quarter mile of the house.
Quickly shutting off the dvd, Maddie instructed Matt and Kristen to stay upstairs and be as quiet as they could. Maddie picked up the rifle and handed it to Matt. "Just in case."
Kristen's eyes were wide in fear. Matt held out his hand and Kristen laced her fingers through his and held on tightly. Matt gave her a small smile. Her trust in him was absolute. Just a few days ago she had flinched away if anyone had tried to touch her, and now she was squeezing his hand so hard, that his already sore bones felt as if they would shatter under the pressure she applied.
Maddie stepped out onto the porch as the black SUV slowed to a stop. Two men exited the vehicle and walked up to the porch.
'"Hello ma'am. My name is Travis Dekker and this is Albert Rudolph, and we're with the Global Family Catttlemans Association North American Division. Is this you're cattle ranch?"
"No the couple that owned thie ranch disappeared along with all those other people several weeks back. I was their houskeeper and cook, and my husband was their foreman." Maddie answered truthfully. "We've kind of taken things over."
"Oh." Travis said. He nodded at Albert and he began writing in a notebook.
Travis began to ask Maddie questions about the day to day operations of the ranch. Maddie began to feel uncomfortable. She sent up a prayer, asking the Lord for His help. She didn't want to lie to the men, but she didn't want them nosing around the ranch.
Maddie saw something move from behind the mens SUV. Her mouth dropped open in shock.
"Ma'am?!" Travis tried to get Maddie's attention.
Maddie shook her head and lifted a shaking hand and pointed. She took a hasty step back. "Behind you." Maddie whispered.
Travis turned his head and was looking directly in the mouth of a bear. He stood frozen in terror. The bear let out a roar and Travis could see pieces of meat and fur stuck in the bears teeth.
Albert dropped his notebook and took off running.
"Don't run!!" Maddie shouted.
A mountain lion caught the man after several feet, taking him to the ground. It was no contest. The big cat locked it's claws into Alberts back ripping it open while clamping it's teeth into the back of his neck. He was dead within seconds.
Maddie slowly reached out and tried to grab Travis by the arm. Her plan was to pull him into the house as quickly as possible. The bear was much quicker.
It was as if it happen in slow motion. The bear was standing on it's hind legs and it reached out it's front paws and caught Travis in them. It pulled him close, as if in a hug. Maddie backed into the house and slammed the door. She watched through the window as the bear clamped it's jaws down on the man's head. She saw another mountain lion leap on the man from the side and begin to tear and claw.
Maddie turned and raced up the stairs, into Matt's room and slammed the door.
- Zags
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Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Belle rushed around the house tidying up. She was so excited her son would be there in a few minutes.
Leon watched Belle as she flitted around the room. "Belle, I don't think your son is really going to care if the house is a bit cluttered."
"Oh I know that, I'm just a bit nervous. I'm so ashamed of how I raised him. If I had just listened to my husband. If I had not been so stubborn about going to church, maybe he wouldn't have been left behind." Belle sat in a chair her head down. "It's all my fault that my son will have to endure these seven years."
Leon didn't know what to say. He reached out and patted Belle on the arm. "It's not your fault." was all he could think to say.
"But it is. I raised my son to shun religion of any kind. His father tried to tell me, but I was dead set against my son being some religious fanatic. It was ok with me if my husband went to church, but I absolutely put my foot down at him forcing his beliefs on my Frank."
"Mom, it's not your fault." Frank said from the doorway.
Belle jumped at the sound of her son's voice.
Frank rushed across the room and dropped to his knees in front of his mother. "It's not your fault. I could have rebelled against what you thought was right. I could have started going to church when I left home and went to college. I could have been going to church all these years, but It was MY decision. I chose to reject Jesus for all those years. It was me. I heard enough from dad when I was growing up that I knew who Jesus was and what He did for us all. I just chose to reject the Truth like so many others. I have only myself to blame for being left behind. The same way everyone else has their own selves to blame for their own lack of faith and being left here when Christ came for His church."
Belle wrapped her arms around her son and held him, her heart aching for what he would have to endure. She knew she didn't have long left on earth, and she wanted to do everything she could to help her son and daughter-inlaw prepare.
Leon had left the room when Frank had rushed to his mother, but he had heard what Frank had said.
He was like Frank in a way. His own mother had told him the truth, but like all those left behind, he had rejected the saving grace that Jesus offered. He still rejected it to this day. Jesus could never forgive what he had done Leon thought. How could He, when he couldn't forgive himself.
Belle rushed around the house tidying up. She was so excited her son would be there in a few minutes.
Leon watched Belle as she flitted around the room. "Belle, I don't think your son is really going to care if the house is a bit cluttered."
"Oh I know that, I'm just a bit nervous. I'm so ashamed of how I raised him. If I had just listened to my husband. If I had not been so stubborn about going to church, maybe he wouldn't have been left behind." Belle sat in a chair her head down. "It's all my fault that my son will have to endure these seven years."
Leon didn't know what to say. He reached out and patted Belle on the arm. "It's not your fault." was all he could think to say.
"But it is. I raised my son to shun religion of any kind. His father tried to tell me, but I was dead set against my son being some religious fanatic. It was ok with me if my husband went to church, but I absolutely put my foot down at him forcing his beliefs on my Frank."
"Mom, it's not your fault." Frank said from the doorway.
Belle jumped at the sound of her son's voice.
Frank rushed across the room and dropped to his knees in front of his mother. "It's not your fault. I could have rebelled against what you thought was right. I could have started going to church when I left home and went to college. I could have been going to church all these years, but It was MY decision. I chose to reject Jesus for all those years. It was me. I heard enough from dad when I was growing up that I knew who Jesus was and what He did for us all. I just chose to reject the Truth like so many others. I have only myself to blame for being left behind. The same way everyone else has their own selves to blame for their own lack of faith and being left here when Christ came for His church."
Belle wrapped her arms around her son and held him, her heart aching for what he would have to endure. She knew she didn't have long left on earth, and she wanted to do everything she could to help her son and daughter-inlaw prepare.
Leon had left the room when Frank had rushed to his mother, but he had heard what Frank had said.
He was like Frank in a way. His own mother had told him the truth, but like all those left behind, he had rejected the saving grace that Jesus offered. He still rejected it to this day. Jesus could never forgive what he had done Leon thought. How could He, when he couldn't forgive himself.
- Zags
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Missouri Ozarks
Everyone was enjoying the wonderful meal Linda had prepared and discussing the days events when Steven and Jason joined them. Jason was being ushered in with the help of Steven and he pulled a chair back for Jason to sit down. "I figured we needed to eat and Jason needs to keep up his strength. I am about to starve and the smell of this delicious meal was over powering me."
Sam looked at Jason as he spoke, "We are going to watch Passion of the Christ as soon as we have finished dinner. Jason, I know you are confused, but you will understand what Jesus Christ did for all mankind when He died for our sins. Whatever those voices are saying to you, they are wrong and have been wrong since their master was cast down upon the earth. They are good at telling lies and making everything look better than it really is and the wrath of God will soon descend upon the earth like no one has ever witnessed."
Jason sat stone faced and refused to look at anyone. "You must stay strong and not listen to anything they tell you. The master is the supreme ruler and you must obey," said the voice. Jason shook a little and in his mind answered the voice, "What if they are right and you are wrong?" The voice answered, "We are right to follow the master. We shall have riches beyond our dreams. He will show you."
Sam sensing Jason was under the influence said, "In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, we command you to leave Jason at once!" Jason was shaking and fell on the floor in a heap.
Steven knelt beside Jason and prayed as he had never prayed in his life. "Jesus, take this young man into your care. Force the evil ones to leave him. Jesus, we know You and You alone can save this boy. We ask in Your name to give him another chance to follow You."
Everyone fell on their knees and prayed for Jason to be saved. A light appeared in the room and a commanding voice said, "This child is mine. He will rise up and be free of you that inhabit his body and spirit. You are never to come to this place again. Be gone." The light was gone and Jason awoke with a new light in his eyes.
Everyone was enjoying the wonderful meal Linda had prepared and discussing the days events when Steven and Jason joined them. Jason was being ushered in with the help of Steven and he pulled a chair back for Jason to sit down. "I figured we needed to eat and Jason needs to keep up his strength. I am about to starve and the smell of this delicious meal was over powering me."
Sam looked at Jason as he spoke, "We are going to watch Passion of the Christ as soon as we have finished dinner. Jason, I know you are confused, but you will understand what Jesus Christ did for all mankind when He died for our sins. Whatever those voices are saying to you, they are wrong and have been wrong since their master was cast down upon the earth. They are good at telling lies and making everything look better than it really is and the wrath of God will soon descend upon the earth like no one has ever witnessed."
Jason sat stone faced and refused to look at anyone. "You must stay strong and not listen to anything they tell you. The master is the supreme ruler and you must obey," said the voice. Jason shook a little and in his mind answered the voice, "What if they are right and you are wrong?" The voice answered, "We are right to follow the master. We shall have riches beyond our dreams. He will show you."
Sam sensing Jason was under the influence said, "In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, we command you to leave Jason at once!" Jason was shaking and fell on the floor in a heap.
Steven knelt beside Jason and prayed as he had never prayed in his life. "Jesus, take this young man into your care. Force the evil ones to leave him. Jesus, we know You and You alone can save this boy. We ask in Your name to give him another chance to follow You."
Everyone fell on their knees and prayed for Jason to be saved. A light appeared in the room and a commanding voice said, "This child is mine. He will rise up and be free of you that inhabit his body and spirit. You are never to come to this place again. Be gone." The light was gone and Jason awoke with a new light in his eyes.
- P4H
- Zags
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