“I don’t understand Ryan. We were going to tell everyone the other night at dinner, and Leon attacked Kristen. We decide to tell everyone this morning at breakfast, and now Belle…” Becca began to cry. “I’m beginning to wonder…..”
Ryan held Becca to his chest his own thoughts going in the same direction.
Trevor stood looking out the window watching for Shade to come back. He had gone into town to tell Frank and Tansy about Belle. He had wanted to tell them face to face. “It’s not the kind of news you give to someone over the phone.” Shade had insisted,
He felt someone touch him on his back. Turning he saw Zoe standing next to him.
“We finished preparing Belle. She looks beautiful.” Zoe said.
Trevor nodded. “Shade said he would go by the funeral home and pick up a casket.”
Zoe nodded. They both stared out the window seeing nothing.
Renee stood at the kitchen counter watching the small stream of coffee filling the pot. Nathan sat on a stool at the island his hands fiddling with the creamer dish.
“Do you think she was in pain?” Renee asked softly.
“I don’t think so. Why did you go check on her? I mean it was the middle of the night Renee.”
“I don’t know?” Renee whispered. “I woke up and just had this urge to check on her.”
“Was she already gone?” Nathan looked up.
Renee’s back was to him and he couldn’t see her face.
“Yes. I ran and got Shade, and he sent me to get Trevor. I met Trevor on the road. He felt the same urge I did.”
Nathan nodded. He didn’t know what else to say.
Kristen looked out her bedroom window and saw Maddie coming up the road. She ran down the stairs, stepped out onto the porch and saw Matt had reached the car. Opening the door Maddie got out. Mo stepped out of the passenger side. Raul and Skunk got out of the backseat and stepped back to give room for Leon to inch his way out of the car.
Leon stood up slowly, his hands cuffed to the belt and his ankles cuffed together. His eyes were red rimmed, as he slowly looked around.
Matt angled his body slightly in front of Kristen as Leon’s eyes widened in recognition.
Shade looked in his rear view mirror and saw Frank was right behind him. He pulled at a stop in front of the funeral home and got out of the truck.
Getting out he saw Frank had already parked and was getting out.
Shade reached and opened the passenger door and helped a weeping Tansy from the car.
They walked to the door and with a jerk Shade opened it. Inside dust had settled on every surface. Walking toward the back where the coffins were kept Shade opened the big double doors. Stepping back he let Frank and Tansy step inside.
- Zags
______________________________________________________________
The Rabbi and the angel followed the stranger to his home. It was just before dawn and the sun was just beginning to rise as they entered his house. The stranger led them down a narrow hall way to a small bedroom at the back of the house.
The woman lying in the bed appeared sick and frail as the Rabbi approached her. He opened his backpack and pulled out a bottle of clean water handing it to her husband. He gently pulled her in an upright position and besides all of her moans, managed to tilt the bottle over her lips and into her mouth.
The angel spoke softly into the Rabbis ear. "This woman is dying without the saving knowledge of Jesus." The Rabbi sat down next to the woman and held her hand and bowed his head so that he could pray for her deliverance.
The husband watched, not sure what to make of all this. He had only requested water for his dying wife. He knew she was dying and was trying his best to make her comfortable. "May Allah bless you for your generosity sir". he spoke to the Rabbi. The Rabbi opened his eyes and looked into the mans eyes. "What is your name sir?" he asked. " My name is Abdul." he answered. "and your wife?" "Her name is Sophie." he answered. His voice choked as he realized he might lose his beloved wife. " I have been praying to Allah 6 times a day for the last 2 weeks and she still does not get better." he cried. The Rabbi let Sophies hand drop as he rose to console Abdul. "I know the Great Physician who can help your wife and you for all eternity. May I tell you about Him?"
Abdul wiped the tearhes from his face as he glanced up at the Rabbi. " Please tell me." he sobbed.
The woman lying in the bed appeared sick and frail as the Rabbi approached her. He opened his backpack and pulled out a bottle of clean water handing it to her husband. He gently pulled her in an upright position and besides all of her moans, managed to tilt the bottle over her lips and into her mouth.
The angel spoke softly into the Rabbis ear. "This woman is dying without the saving knowledge of Jesus." The Rabbi sat down next to the woman and held her hand and bowed his head so that he could pray for her deliverance.
The husband watched, not sure what to make of all this. He had only requested water for his dying wife. He knew she was dying and was trying his best to make her comfortable. "May Allah bless you for your generosity sir". he spoke to the Rabbi. The Rabbi opened his eyes and looked into the mans eyes. "What is your name sir?" he asked. " My name is Abdul." he answered. "and your wife?" "Her name is Sophie." he answered. His voice choked as he realized he might lose his beloved wife. " I have been praying to Allah 6 times a day for the last 2 weeks and she still does not get better." he cried. The Rabbi let Sophies hand drop as he rose to console Abdul. "I know the Great Physician who can help your wife and you for all eternity. May I tell you about Him?"
Abdul wiped the tearhes from his face as he glanced up at the Rabbi. " Please tell me." he sobbed.
- Renee
_______________________________________________________________
The swells were low and the ice on the water in that area was relatively light so the black rubber raft had no problem moving around the five crates. Each crate was marked 1, 2, 3… of 5. After reading each one they found that crate 4 was the one that sunk and was missing.
“Get me next to number one” Ben told the seaman who was controlling the outboard motor.
As the raft bummed the floating device, Ben with a crowbar and hammer jumped off onto the crate then pushed the raft away.
“Captain you and the raft needs to set off about 200 yards until I get it open.”
Jack wanted no such thing and was going to argue but knew Ben was right. If something went wrong Ben might need him to rescue him. So the raft slowly pulled away.
Ben looked at the crate and found some paperwork in plastic. “Lord, thank you for the opportunity you have given me to be here. Lord watch over me and if this is a trap for us or something that will track us Lord please allow me the knowledge and wisdom to find it. Jesus if this is where you plan to call me home then please allow Jack and the others to use this as a tool to be closer to you. In your sweet name I ask for I believe. Amen”
Ben took out a knife and slit the plastic to get to the paperwork. Setting on the air filled float, Ben started to read.
TO: Bright Star Fleet
From: The crew at the farm
Are Hope is that you receive these crates of goods and remember Jesus is the true Savior. If you truly don’t know the Lord yet it would be best if you did real soon because worse things will be happening soon.
Inside each crate you will find, MRE type of foods, batteries and other personnel supplies we hope you can use. We hope the Lord allows us to continue to supply your needs if it is his will. We plan to make another drop in two weeks unless the Lord has other plans or if we get a message from you.
Be safe and always remember the “The Great I AM is still on the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”
The Farm Crew
Tears filled Ben’s eyes and he said thank you Jesus thank you Lord.
Taking the crowbar and hammer, Ben started opening the lid of the first crate. Five minutes later he was looking inside and saw packs and packs of food. A smile came over his faces as he waved the small raft alongside.
- Alex
________________________________________________________________
When each crate had been opened, Jack radioed back to the Holly and informed Commander Blake it was safe to pull the sub up to this area so they could start loading the supplies.
It was 18:00 when the last pack of AAA batteries were tossed over to the sub. Ben dropped down on the floatation and rested a few minutes as all the other sailors made their way back on board. Jack crawled over and sunk in a spot next to him.
“So that was quick assessment of the crate you did, how did you know they weren’t rigged or a tracking device?” Jack asked Ben
Ben smiled, pulled out the note from the crew and handed it to Jack.
“Well it looks as if your no the only one with a deep faith in God.” Jack said after reading the letter
“Sir, we have been close these passed weeks and months, you know where I stand and you know everything I believe will happen. Please, if you have any questions, if you are doubting what is happening around us or doubting that Jesus is the true son of God please sir, ask before it is to late.”
Jack smiled at Ben, “Come on son, let’s go grab a famous MRE”
“Sir” Jack said in a stronger voice. “Sir you have become a father figure to me in a way along with a friend. Please don’t make me suffer by not knowing if when you die or when our Lord returns you will called up.”
“Well Ben, to answer you question, I believe that there is a higher power then man. Is it the God you talk about? I don’t know but I hope that the life I have led will be good enough at the end.”
“Sir that is not good enough, you can’t just hope your way into Heaven or think that just by being good will get you there. In my study group I have found that many thought they were good enough but yet they are still here after he called his true faithful ones home.”
Jack stood up, “Look Ben that is all I can say right now, it will have to be good enough” Jack climbed onto the deck of the sub then turned and offered a hand to Ben. “Come on son, let’s get something to eat.”
Ben stood then drabbed Jack’s hand. He walked pass Jack and went straight to his compartment. When he got there the tears were flowing and Ben could hardly speak. “Lord, please I pray, talk to Jack, show him your love and that you and only you are the way into Heaven.” Ben laid on his rack a cried himself to sleep.
It was 18:00 when the last pack of AAA batteries were tossed over to the sub. Ben dropped down on the floatation and rested a few minutes as all the other sailors made their way back on board. Jack crawled over and sunk in a spot next to him.
“So that was quick assessment of the crate you did, how did you know they weren’t rigged or a tracking device?” Jack asked Ben
Ben smiled, pulled out the note from the crew and handed it to Jack.
“Well it looks as if your no the only one with a deep faith in God.” Jack said after reading the letter
“Sir, we have been close these passed weeks and months, you know where I stand and you know everything I believe will happen. Please, if you have any questions, if you are doubting what is happening around us or doubting that Jesus is the true son of God please sir, ask before it is to late.”
Jack smiled at Ben, “Come on son, let’s go grab a famous MRE”
“Sir” Jack said in a stronger voice. “Sir you have become a father figure to me in a way along with a friend. Please don’t make me suffer by not knowing if when you die or when our Lord returns you will called up.”
“Well Ben, to answer you question, I believe that there is a higher power then man. Is it the God you talk about? I don’t know but I hope that the life I have led will be good enough at the end.”
“Sir that is not good enough, you can’t just hope your way into Heaven or think that just by being good will get you there. In my study group I have found that many thought they were good enough but yet they are still here after he called his true faithful ones home.”
Jack stood up, “Look Ben that is all I can say right now, it will have to be good enough” Jack climbed onto the deck of the sub then turned and offered a hand to Ben. “Come on son, let’s get something to eat.”
Ben stood then drabbed Jack’s hand. He walked pass Jack and went straight to his compartment. When he got there the tears were flowing and Ben could hardly speak. “Lord, please I pray, talk to Jack, show him your love and that you and only you are the way into Heaven.” Ben laid on his rack a cried himself to sleep.
- Alex
________________________________________________________________
The HMS Holly pulled away from the area and headed back to the fleet. At 03:00 the radio operator made contact with the first fleet vessel that was out on guard watch.
“Radio to Conn, Sir we are in radio contact with the fleet”
“Very well, send message the lunch wagon is returning and will be along side approximately 06:00.”
“Aye sir”
Ben had woke up feeling a little better but still knowing that his friend Jack would not see the glory land if he didn’t accept Jesus as his true savior.
Back in deep prayer, Ben asked the Lord to be with all the men and women of the fleet and a special blessing of comfort for Joe and Josh and the crew of the Wales.
Ben lay in his rack for a while thinking of all what has happened since pulling out of port almost a year ago. Had things remained normal, he would now be back at home chasing after some young lady or maybe playing a game of football.
Looking at his watch, it was 05:00, he could hear the crew moving around the sub so he got up and washed the stains from his face.
Seeing himself in the mirror, Ben thought he noticed something different but it was just the salt and cold he figured.
“Now station the mooring detail”
Men moved around and climbed up on the main deck ready to catch and tie off the lines that would secure them to the Japanese supply ship Ho Son. Once tie up, all the supplies would be off loaded stored and re-issued to the fleet.
Ben was working on his next e-mail to the farm asking if once a week drops were possible or if two planes could drop 10 or more crates at once.
As the last mooring line as tied off, a shipboard crane lowered box pallets onto the deck of the Holly. The crew formed a working party line and soon had it down where it took 11 minutes to fill one box.
Admiral St John took a boat to the Holly and personally thanked Ted and his crew for an outstanding job. He then asked Ben when they could expect the next load and maybe he would clear it to have the flights drop on site but he would have to run it by each Ships Commander for their take.
Ben just smiled as he was thinking about his meeting tonight and to ask how it went while he was gone.
Off in the distance, just over the horizon, the first peek of the season sun showed itself.
“Radio to Conn, Sir we are in radio contact with the fleet”
“Very well, send message the lunch wagon is returning and will be along side approximately 06:00.”
“Aye sir”
Ben had woke up feeling a little better but still knowing that his friend Jack would not see the glory land if he didn’t accept Jesus as his true savior.
Back in deep prayer, Ben asked the Lord to be with all the men and women of the fleet and a special blessing of comfort for Joe and Josh and the crew of the Wales.
Ben lay in his rack for a while thinking of all what has happened since pulling out of port almost a year ago. Had things remained normal, he would now be back at home chasing after some young lady or maybe playing a game of football.
Looking at his watch, it was 05:00, he could hear the crew moving around the sub so he got up and washed the stains from his face.
Seeing himself in the mirror, Ben thought he noticed something different but it was just the salt and cold he figured.
“Now station the mooring detail”
Men moved around and climbed up on the main deck ready to catch and tie off the lines that would secure them to the Japanese supply ship Ho Son. Once tie up, all the supplies would be off loaded stored and re-issued to the fleet.
Ben was working on his next e-mail to the farm asking if once a week drops were possible or if two planes could drop 10 or more crates at once.
As the last mooring line as tied off, a shipboard crane lowered box pallets onto the deck of the Holly. The crew formed a working party line and soon had it down where it took 11 minutes to fill one box.
Admiral St John took a boat to the Holly and personally thanked Ted and his crew for an outstanding job. He then asked Ben when they could expect the next load and maybe he would clear it to have the flights drop on site but he would have to run it by each Ships Commander for their take.
Ben just smiled as he was thinking about his meeting tonight and to ask how it went while he was gone.
Off in the distance, just over the horizon, the first peek of the season sun showed itself.
- Alex
_______________________________________________________________
The angel stood over the Rabbis shoulder as he listened to the story of the Savoir as if he were hearing it for the first time. Sophie lay on her bed holding Abduls hand as they eached listened.
All their life all they had known were the words of the Koran and that Jesus was a great prophet in his day. Today they were learning much more. Sophies tears rolled down her cheeks as she heard what Jesus had done for her that day 2000 years ago. Abdul watched her realizing that she was believing what the Rabbi was saying to them. He felt like something new was stirring within himself as his eyes too welled up with tears.
"Come into my heart Jesus" Sophie spoke as her hand fell out of Abduls.
Jesus stepped near Sophies bed and slipped His hand in hers. "My sweet child. I have waited a long time to hear you call for me. Rise and follow me home."
Abdul watched her as her eyes closed for the last time on earth. "I love you Sophie." he said as his body collapsed in tears.
"You will see her again soon son if you will but ask Jesus into your heart. He loves you as much as he does Sophie. He hurt because she was hurting. But now she is whole again and standing with the Savior praying you will accept Him too." said the Rabbi.
Abdul continued to cry as if his heart would break. " Rabbi?" he choked. I need time to sort out all that has happened today. Will you come see me tomorrow and talk to me more about your Jesus?" he asked. "Yes my friend, I will come tomorrow, but please pray to Jesus and ask Him to make Himself known to you, ok? replied the Rabbi. "He only wants you to ask Abdul."
All their life all they had known were the words of the Koran and that Jesus was a great prophet in his day. Today they were learning much more. Sophies tears rolled down her cheeks as she heard what Jesus had done for her that day 2000 years ago. Abdul watched her realizing that she was believing what the Rabbi was saying to them. He felt like something new was stirring within himself as his eyes too welled up with tears.
"Come into my heart Jesus" Sophie spoke as her hand fell out of Abduls.
Jesus stepped near Sophies bed and slipped His hand in hers. "My sweet child. I have waited a long time to hear you call for me. Rise and follow me home."
Abdul watched her as her eyes closed for the last time on earth. "I love you Sophie." he said as his body collapsed in tears.
"You will see her again soon son if you will but ask Jesus into your heart. He loves you as much as he does Sophie. He hurt because she was hurting. But now she is whole again and standing with the Savior praying you will accept Him too." said the Rabbi.
Abdul continued to cry as if his heart would break. " Rabbi?" he choked. I need time to sort out all that has happened today. Will you come see me tomorrow and talk to me more about your Jesus?" he asked. "Yes my friend, I will come tomorrow, but please pray to Jesus and ask Him to make Himself known to you, ok? replied the Rabbi. "He only wants you to ask Abdul."
- Renee
_______________________________________________________________
“On station sir”
“Very well” Captain Barlow replied.
The GF Teodor was down in ice filled waters south of where his men wanted to be. Missing the beer and women, the crew wanted nothing more then to do whatever they had to do to get this mission done so they could return. A Hero Welcome their Captain had told them.
“Conn I want to dive to 90 feet, proceed at half speed to this next location. If any contacts are found we are to avoid at all cost. Do you understand?”
“Yes sir”
“Good, we should be at next station at 17:30”
“Aye sir”
Tim Barlow turned and headed for his stateroom. A nap was in order he felt.
“Very well” Captain Barlow replied.
The GF Teodor was down in ice filled waters south of where his men wanted to be. Missing the beer and women, the crew wanted nothing more then to do whatever they had to do to get this mission done so they could return. A Hero Welcome their Captain had told them.
“Conn I want to dive to 90 feet, proceed at half speed to this next location. If any contacts are found we are to avoid at all cost. Do you understand?”
“Yes sir”
“Good, we should be at next station at 17:30”
“Aye sir”
Tim Barlow turned and headed for his stateroom. A nap was in order he felt.
- Alex
________________________________________________________________
“Contact, bearing 032, course 269, speed 7 knots, range 9500 yards”
“Copy Sonar”
Joe watched as his watch crew plotted a line on the chart showing the course of the new contact. If the contact stays on its present course and speed, it will clear the CP (Closest point) well beyond any safety factors.
“Conn, I’ll be in my stateroom if needed” Joe stated turning away from the table
“Aye sir”
With his shoes off and reading some reports, Joe had fallen asleep when the intercom sounded.
“Sir, Contact Alpha 1 is below the surface now. Last known course and speed was 030 and stationary out past 20 miles.”
“Very well tell Sonar to keep an eye in the area, don’t want them seeking up on us.”
“Aye sir, also contact Alpha 2 is a supper tanker and she running heavy. Sir I ran a target solution using Alpha 1 as a base and our second contact as a target. Sir the other sub could lock a Gold Star target solution if they wanted to.”
“Very well keep me posted” Joe replied.
A gold star solution was where a sub had a surprise advantage of the target and could easily sink it without target knowing it was being attacked until too late. Joe shook his head, why would a bad guy sink a bad guy. Joe closed his eyes picturing the attack solution.
**********************
The USS Tampa Bay, a Los Angeles Class Attack sub had pulled out of port two days ago. Onboard were half the crew and half civilians. Commander Bill Jones was celebrating his wife and family disappearance by inviting all the pretty girls his crew could find. He told them at anyone not back with a party girl would be left on the pier and to his word and under the spell of many drinks, the sub pulled out to loud blasting music.
The first couple of hours were ok until the girls drunkenness started to wear off and they found themselves out to sea with a bunch of sailors. Captain Jones refused to reenter port until he himself had inspected each woman.
Some fighting had broken out, two girls, one wanting to keep partying and the other wanting to return. Up on the main deck the crew had drugged the two then circled them. The party girl dove at the other girl and soon hair was pulled and blood flowed. The younger girl who wanted to return was no match for the bigger girl. With cheers, the older girl slammed the other head against the hard metal deck. Soon the still body was pushed over the side to more cheers.
Captain Jones grabbed the older girl and told her she won the prize and anything she wanted she could have. After a few minutes the girl made her request known. She wanted to sink a ship using the torpedoes. At first the Captain laughed but soon he thought why not, who does he answer to now?
“OK my lady, we shall dive and go hunting for a target for my queen until then you are my slave.”
The girl laughed and ran to the hatch. “You got to catch me first”
- Alex
________________________________________________________________
Everyone awoke to the smell of fresh coffee and bacon frying. After morning prayers and getting dressed everyone climbed the stairs from the shelter up into Esters kitchen. Yoshi was sipping his coffee as he watched the clock waiting for the Rabbi to return.
Today Andrew and Mark would be returning to the states, but Bill and Connor would be staying behind. Bill was still in shock from what he had learned the night before about his long lost son. After they had arrived and spent the night bottling water Connor had asked Bill if they could take a walk back to the Wall to see the two witnesses again and Bill could hardly say no. He too wanted to visit the biblical characters and learn all he could.
As they arrived they each had kept their distance to watch and see if the two might speak. After about an hour one of them had looked out and made eye contact with Connor. "Dad, I think hes looking at me!" Connor exclaimed. Bill looked up in time to hear the one speak to Connor. "Come forward young man" "Me?" asked Connor. The one nodded his head and motioned for him to come to him. As he and Bill started walking, he spoke again. "Only you!" Bill slowly swallowed the lump in his throat and stopped in his tracks.
He watched as Connor stood before the one and listened as he was being spoken to. "Son, you have been brought here so you might learn the plans that have been made for you." Connor nodded his head and continued to listen. Bill felt like he had been waiting for a long time before Connor turned and returned to him.
He had a different look about him. He smiled at his dad as he pushed his hair back off his forehead. No one but his dad could see the mark of the cross on Connors forehead.
Today Andrew and Mark would be returning to the states, but Bill and Connor would be staying behind. Bill was still in shock from what he had learned the night before about his long lost son. After they had arrived and spent the night bottling water Connor had asked Bill if they could take a walk back to the Wall to see the two witnesses again and Bill could hardly say no. He too wanted to visit the biblical characters and learn all he could.
As they arrived they each had kept their distance to watch and see if the two might speak. After about an hour one of them had looked out and made eye contact with Connor. "Dad, I think hes looking at me!" Connor exclaimed. Bill looked up in time to hear the one speak to Connor. "Come forward young man" "Me?" asked Connor. The one nodded his head and motioned for him to come to him. As he and Bill started walking, he spoke again. "Only you!" Bill slowly swallowed the lump in his throat and stopped in his tracks.
He watched as Connor stood before the one and listened as he was being spoken to. "Son, you have been brought here so you might learn the plans that have been made for you." Connor nodded his head and continued to listen. Bill felt like he had been waiting for a long time before Connor turned and returned to him.
He had a different look about him. He smiled at his dad as he pushed his hair back off his forehead. No one but his dad could see the mark of the cross on Connors forehead.
- Renee
________________________________________________________________
Riverside in Mosul, Iraq
Abdul jerked his front door open and motioned Aini into the house. She settled herself on the floor and glanced shyly up at Abdul.
“Now to answer your question, miss, I am not muslim but am a Christian.” Aini eyed the door wondering if she might be breaking one of Islam’s cultural taboos by staying in a Christian’s house. Something about Abdul captivated her and prevented her from running out into the night. She didn’t know what it was about him, but it felt almost like having her sister present. Aches gnawed at her heart for the millionth time. Why did May have to be taken from me!
“What’s your name, miss,” the fishmonger asked.
“Aini, sir. And yours?” Tears filled her large black eyes at the thought of May. She quickly brushed them away with her hand glancing at the fishmonger to see if he had noticed. He avoided her gaze. Oh, God! Please save Aini. Help her to know you as her Saviour! Please Father. Abdul silently pleaded with his heavenly Father on Aini’s behalf. In his abstraction he failed to hear Aini’s last question until a thought exploded in his head. She’s awfully quiet. Wonder if she asked me my name or no? He cleared his throat and replied, “My name’s Abdul. Just call me that, okay, Aini?” The room remained silent.
“Would you like to hear about Jonah?” Aini just nodded.
- KBR
No comments:
Post a Comment