Fiction Friday... Alyssa

Disclaimer: The characters and events in my writings are 100% fictional and in no way depict real people, scenarios, or events. If you see yourself in my writing I had no intention of putting you there.
Additional Disclaimer: This story is extremely sad and although it does not depict anyone in real life, these events occur way too often in our society. If you have a hard time with sad stories about children, you may not want to read this one!

Just to help dispel some of the potential confusion. Each of these prequels focuses on a separate area of the girls' childhood. These are to help define the girls' character's and explain in a brief way, why they are the way they are.  

 

Alyssa

 

   Alyssa could hear her baby sister crying, but there was nothing she could do about it. She was afraid, if they heard her crying it would be bad. Alyssa groped around the black room trying to find a way out. She tripped on the shoes that lined the floor of the small room. Clothes hit her in the face as she reached for the walls. Three walls inspected it had to be the other one. As she reached for what she hoped was the door knob, the door swung open. Alyssa froze.

   "I told you to be quiet in here." The angry man yelled in her face. "Here keep her quiet or I will." The man tossed the two-year old at Alyssa, knocking them both over.

   Three-year old Alyssa sat rocking her baby sister, singing softly in her ear. Seara hushed and soon fell asleep. Alyssa's eyes adjusted to the darkness. She could hear the loud music coming from the other rooms. A strange smell was coming from under the door. She didn't understand why they were here. Alyssa fell asleep clinging to her baby sister. She would do everything she could to protect her.

   Alyssa awoke to silence. She was hungry and thirsty. Seara began to stir. Alyssa quickly hushed her and told her to stay put. Reaching up, Alyssa found the door knob. As slowly and quietly as she could Alyssa turned the knob. The door began to creak loudly, the sound echoing around the small space. Alyssa's heart stopped. If they knew what she was doing it would be bad. Alyssa moved ever so slowly, the door was opened enough that she could peek out. She could see the couch. A man, not the same man, was lying there asleep, an arm and leg hanging off the couch, a glass bottle tipped on it's side beneath his fingers. Alyssa opened the door some more, the man didn't move. Finally able to peek her whole head out, Alyssa looked around. There were stairs in the living room, straight ahead was the kitchen, and next to that was the bathroom.

   Seara made some noises that Alyssa knew meant she was thirsty. Alyssa told her sister to sit and she would be right back. Seara waited. She had learned early on that she needed to do what her sister said. Alyssa tiptoed to the kitchen, the counters were too high to reach any of the cups in the cupboard and if she tried to climb up, she'd learned from the past, would make too much noise and wake someone up. Alyssa found a plastic cup lying on the floor next to the garbage can. She took the cup to the bathroom, ever so quietly Alyssa dipped the cup in the toilet. Tiptoeing back to the closet Alyssa brought the cup to her sister. Her stomach grumbled. Looking around she decided she needed to get them some food. On the small table next to the man on the couch was a bag of chips. Maybe if she was quiet no one would hear her.

   Just as she reached the chips she heard someone on the stairs. Mom. Alyssa's eyes grew large like a deer in the headlights. At first her mother didn't see her. Alyssa stood still hoping she wouldn't get in trouble. Then her mother's eyes focused on her and the sneer that ran across her face caused Alyssa's heart to stop. In moments her mother had grabbed her and began shaking her, screaming that she was a little thief.
   The man on the couch stirred and rescued Alyssa. Yanking Alyssa from her mother's grasp, Alyssa screamed as she heard a pop. Both adults froze. Alyssa's right arm hung limply by her side.

   Alyssa awoke in a cold sweat. Her heart pounding. She looked around the room, the lamp on her night-stand casting a faint glow in the room. She was safe. It had been three years since that had happened, Alyssa could still hear the pop in her shoulder. It had taken days before her mother had finally taken her to the hospital. From there it was a whirlwind. Alyssa and Seara were whisked away and plopped with the Lee's. Alyssa had broken memories from that time. The doctors and police officers had said things the three-year old just couldn't understand. Alyssa had spent the first few days in a state of shock.
   Alyssa snuck out of her room to peek in on her sister. They had shared a room until recently. Everyday this week Alyssa had awoken and went to check on her sister. Seara was curled up around her favorite teddy bear. Alyssa slipped into the bed next to her sister. She wasn't ready for it to be morning. They would be going to court in the morning. Alyssa would finally be free of the ghosts that haunt her. Her one consolation was that her sister didn't remember. Alyssa had done her best to protect her. Tomorrow they'd have a real mom and dad. Alyssa sighed knowing they really did love them.
   Alyssa awoke to her sister crawling out of the bed, Elizabeth Lee standing in the doorway. When Seara went past Elizabeth came and sat on the bed.
   "Did you have another nightmare, sweetheart?" Elizabeth had been the one the girls had been sent to. It had taken three years, but finally the girls would live with them forever. Seara had called them mom and dad from the time she finally began talking, Alyssa waited. "Are you okay?" Elizabeth asked rubbing Alyssa's back.
   "Are you really going to be my mommy today?" Alyssa asked.
   Tears gathered in Elizabeth's eyes as she nodded. "Yes. Today I'm going to become your mommy. And Richard will be your daddy. Are you okay with that?"
   Alyssa sighed contentedly. Soon she'd be safe. With Elizabeth and Richard she knew it was going to be okay. 

Thankful Thursday - What Love Really Looks Like

This is going to be a little different than my normal Thankful Thursdays post. I've been struggling lately with the concept of love, and so I did what I normally would: I get mad, I throw a temper tantrum, I "pray" my way (basically complain to God) and tell Him not to give me an answer I don't want to hear, and then finally I pray and ask God to give me wisdom and help me; usually that entails Him showing me how I need to change.

So today I'm thankful for the answers God brings, even when it means I need to change!

I would like to share with you what I've come up with concerning love.

 

What Love Really Looks Like?

Love is a simple four letter word that I've recently noticed I use way too often. It's a word thrown around so much that it has lost some of it's meaning. Phrases like, "I love that movie," or "I love those shoes," or a "love ya" that is simply thrown at the end of a conversation, have diminished it's meaning.

The Bible says that God is love; however, it doesn't stop there. The Bible goes on to show us the acts of love. "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay one's life down for his friends" (John 15:13) and "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). This shows me that true love, God's love, is selfless, giving, and displayed in action. There's a saying that says "Love is a verb." A verb is an action word. To me this means to simply say you love something doesn't demonstrate that you do.

There is a good book called, The Five Love Languages. It talks about the different ways people feel loved: words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. It's a great tool to understand how you receive love, and how others around you may receive love. It also confirms to me that love is displayed in action. Each of these languages take a verb, an action word, to complete them.

(As I began thinking this over, I initially felt justified: "See they don't love me..." And then I allowed God to continue working in me.)

1 Corinthians 13 makes cute sayings to put on place settings at a wedding. Everyone reads them and goes, "Awe how sweet." And then, they're forgotten about. Why? Because we've made love self-serving. How does it make me feel? I read through the list of love again.
Love:
- suffers long and is kind
- does not envy
- does not parade itself
- is not puffed up
- does not behave rudely
- does not seek its own
- is not provoked
- thinks no evil (some versions say here: keeps no record of wrongs)
- does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in truth
- bears all things
- believes all things
- hopes all things
- endures all things
Reading through this again my thought was, "Ouch!!" It's so easy to glance at this list and think, "What a nice thought." But that's not how the Bible is meant to be read! The Bible doesn't say things just because they're nice. This is how my love is to look. Love is an action, and these are the things people should see or not see in the way I love others. Can I honestly sit here and say my life has even one of these attributes all the time? Absolutely not!

I don't know about you, but I often get this chip on my shoulder that says, "they don't really love me, so I'm done with them." But Jesus says, "But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them," and then goes on to say in a later verse, "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil" (Luke 6:32, 35).

Family is sometimes the hardest people to love, and it's so easy to want to write our families off. Why? Because they hurt us like no one else can. I can freely give of my time in working in the church, or going on a missions trip, or even going above and beyond at my job at work; and in all of these things, expect nothing in return. And yet, I struggle with my family. I think well they don't love me, they don't show me they love me, but this is selfish. Am I loving them, expecting nothing in return? Remember "love does not seek its own." As I'm coming to understand this I became utterly deflated. Does family still hurt us? Yes, but it's like those verse in Luke, if I only love those who [appear] to love me, what credit is that?

I'm still working on the execution of this lesson. It's one thing to read and understand, now comes the hard part of testing: executing God's kind of love no matter what! Here's what I've decided to do: stop saying it and start doing it. I want my actions to show my love. So when people hear my words it is confirmation of what they already know because of my actions.

What that means for you: If you say to me "love ya" don't get mad if I don't say it back, because I want to show you that I love you, and not just let it be empty words. I want you to know by my actions that I love you! Luke 6:30 says, "Treat others how you want to be treated." This is what I'm trying to do!

Fiction Friday... Talli

So I know this is a little late, but with Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and work it was a crazy day. But I still hope you enjoy this week's Fiction Friday. Next week I will be introducing Alyssa. I know we've seen a little blurb of her in Seara's story, but next weeks heart-wrenching tale will explain the ever-protective Alyssa. I hope these stories will give you a little glimpse into our characters, and why they are the way they are. In two weeks I will be introducing The Quartet, the story I've been working on, on and off, for nearly 14 years (yep started it the summer after my freshman year in High School). The story has been modified several times, and I'm hoping I might finally find it's ending. You guys are helping me with that; being able to share, and knowing people are looking forward to read what I write has motivated me to finish working on it.

Reminder: The disclaimer still holds true! :)

So without further delay...

Talli

Talli glanced around her room; the boxes seemed to be stacked to the ceiling. Her pink walls bare. She sat on the edge of the bed with her head in her hands. She was going to be in middle school next year; and if going to a bigger school wasn’t scary enough, now she was changing states as well. She had spent the last year and a half making friends, now she’d have to start all over. Why did she have to move again?

Talli looked up to see her twin standing in the doorway. Knowing that look she scooted over on the bed, the unspoken sign allowing him to enter her room. Brian and her spoke more silently than they ever did with words. The slightest nod, shrug, or look sent messages to the other. Certain times they’d only look at each other and break out into spontaneous laughter, befuddling anyone in attendance not attuned to the twin telepathy.

Brian put his arm around his sister’s shoulder and gave her a squeeze. She rested her head against his, sighing. This was there sixth move that Talli could remember, but her mom had told of the times they had moved while the twins were babies and also before they’d been born. Talli had been so sure they’d at least make it through Middle School this time. Now they were moving, again. And two weeks before their birthday, which would surely be forgotten.

“Why do we have to leave? I wish I could just stay here.” Talli told her brother.

“Well according to mom, they bought a house, no more apartments, so maybe we’ll be there through Middle School.” Brian comforted her.

“Whatever. We’re going to be living in the country. What are we supposed to do there? Here, if we want to walk around the corner to get a soda at the market or a gelato from the guy on the corner we can. What are we going to do in the middle of nowhere?”

Brian squeezed his sister’s shoulder again, his reply stuck in his throat as he saw his mom in the doorway. Talli straightened.

“Guys, almost done packing? The movers will be here first thing in the morning.”

Talli sighed.

“I am.” Brian said cheerfully, “I was just helping Talli finish up. We’ll do our bedding in the morning that’s what that box is for.” Brian pointed to the open box by the door. Mom nodded and walked back toward her room.

Brian and Talli were as different as they were alike. Brian and Talli shared dark hair, but Brian had blue eyes while Talli sported chocolate brown eyes. Brian was studious and while Talli, by no means dumb, had less interest in academia. Brian was optimistic and tended to be introverted; Talli was more pessimistic, but made friends easily. Maybe that’s why she feared the move, the whole summer in the middle of nowhere with no time to make friends. Two whole months just the two of them.

Brian suddenly brightened, “Hey, I think mom said, we were going to start going to church again there. Dad said he went to one a couple times while he was visiting there for work. I bet there will be lots of kids for you to meet.”

Talli rolled her eyes; they hadn’t been in a church since they were little. She didn’t know what would be worse, being bored to death every Sunday, or spending her whole summer in the middle of nowhere with the closest person hundreds of miles away?

Pushing up from the bed Talli began sorting through the last of her stuff. Brian silently at her side lifting things, with the slightest of head movements Talli signaled whether things staying or going. When they had finally finished Brian talked his sister into going out to shoot some hoops with him.

Nearly five days later, Brian and Talli sat with their parents in church. Brian was thrilled, Talli was nervous. They had come on Friday and met the pastor and were informed that the “kids” had a special class after worship. Talli sat arms folded during the singing and announcements. After the announcements the “kids” were dismissed to their classes. Brian and Talli joined the middle school class, they were told that everyone moved up in June, whatever that was supposed to mean.

Talli looked around the classroom from the doorway; the girls were in a small group talking quietly, while the boys were doing something by the front of the class, Talli couldn’t tell what. They were snickering and whispering which could only mean trouble.

“Hi I’m Seara. I’m going into sixth grade next year. This is only my second time in this class. We just had our moving up ceremony last week. You’re going to love Mr. Tom and Miss Kerry, they’re our teachers. According to my sister, that’s her over there, her name’s Alyssa. The boys try to play a joke on Mr. Tom each week. If they get him, they get a prize, but they haven’t yet.”

Mr. Tom and Miss Kerry walked in then. “Okay guys, take a seat.” Talli watched in amazement as people walked to the couches and bean bag chairs instead of going to the tables.

“Come on you guys can sit by me.” Seara waved them over.

There were five girls and six boys including Talli and Brian. Talli looked around the room and noticed they all had books in their laps. The girl named Seara led them to some empty cushions along the wall.

“I see we have some new people with us today, I’m Mr. Tom this is my wife Miss Kerry. Why don’t we take a minute and introduce ourselves.”

The youth seemed to know what they were doing and without anymore prompting began saying their names around the circle. Talli said, her name to finish the introductions. Miss Kerry asked some general questions about if they were siblings, what grade they were going into, and where they had lived before. By unspoken agreement Talli answered the questions directed at the two of them. It didn’t last long and soon class was under way. Talli was soon comfortable, and even though she didn’t know much of what was being talked about she really liked her teachers. They seemed genuinely interested in what the youth had to say.

Before they knew it class was being dismissed. The youth seemed to stay and hang out for a little while longer, but not sure what to do Talli and Brian headed for the door.

“Hey, it was great meeting you guys.” Seara said, “Will you be here next week?”

Talli shrugged, secretly hoping they would. Brian surprised Talli and spoke up, “Yeah we’ll be here. Mr. Tom mentioned something about a Wednesday class.”

“Yeah that’s at seven every week. We meet here we don’t go to the sanctuary first like we did today. Did you guys say you live on Johnson Road?”

After talking for a few minutes they found out that they were neighbors, sort of. Talli was excited about this revelation, she was thankful she wasn’t going to have spend the whole summer in the middle of nowhere with no one around for miles. She didn’t want to admit it, but it seemed this move wasn’t as bad as it once appeared.

Thankful Thursday

I started this week positively, I was so excited about what God was doing. I decided to make sticky notes so I wouldn’t forget all the things that I was thankful for. And then it happened, let me summarize by saying. this week was rough. It’s so easy when you feel attacked, or feel like everything is going wrong to have an ungrateful heart. But in spite of my rough week, I’m going to speak Victory into my day, and praise God for all the wonderful things I have to be thankful for.  The Bible tells us, “Life and death are in the power of the tongue.” Instead of speaking anger, bitterness, and resentment, I’m going to speak gratefulness, love, and joy.

I am extremely thankful to be done with my classes. It will be thirteen years ago in December I felt the call of God on my life to go into ministry. After multiple confirmations, it’s been a desire that is firmly planted in my heart. I originally tried to do it my own way and in my own strength. I went to Bible College when I knew that’s not what God wanted me to do. I tried taking Berean classes, and that didn’t work either. I continued to wrestle with God throughout the years saying, “God I know this is what you want me to do, but how?” I looked into other colleges, but had no peace about them, so I just continued to wait and serve where I was.

Three years ago, I couldn’t take it any longer. I had been wrestling with God about this call for nearly ten years. I said, “Ya know what God?” (Yes I really talk to God like this.) “When You’re ready to show me what to do, I’ll listen. But I’m done trying to figure out what You want me to do. It’s Yours. But could You please show me through Pastor Siegfried because he’s my authority, and say this is what I want you to do.” Immediately I had peace. Wow should have surrendered a lot sooner.

Two weeks later I have a meeting with Pastor, nothing out of the ordinary. At this time I’m already our Girl’s Ministry Coordinator, so meetings with Pastor about how everything was going in ministry was common. Towards the end of the meeting Pastor says to me, “I thought you told me you wanted to be a Children’s Pastor.” (Which there’s another long funny story about how that came about, but I’ll save that for another time). I answered in the affirmative, and he asks, “Well how are you going to do it?”

And I laugh and respond, “I have no idea.”

Then Pastor says, “This is what I want you to do.”

Immediately I stop everything else that I’m thinking about and in my heart say “Yes Lord I’m listening.” Only God can answer our prayers exactly how we pray them. Only God can give us direction in the middle of a desert. Only God can show us the steps we need to take to answer the call he puts in our lives. And I am so grateful, so thankful to be done with the beginning of the process. There is so much more I need to do, and there are so many other steps and directions that need to be gone through. But for now I’m not going to look ahead. I’m going to take time to enjoy this small victory. I’m not going to rush ahead, and lose the heart of thankfulness.

This week I’m thankful for finishing my classes!

I am thankful for 2^nd moms that know when you need a Moe’s day!

I am thankful for my grandparents. They love me and bless me without condition.

I am thankful for all the blessings God has given me:

- my job
- my car
- a place to live
- my church and church family
- my nieces and nephews, who bring a smile to my heart the minute they walk into a room
- my parents who recognize the call on my life, and do everything they can to support me
- my siblings

AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank You Lord!

Healing

“Even if the healing doesn't come
And life falls apart
And dreams are still undone
You are God You are good
Forever faithful One
Even if the healing
Even if the healing doesn't come”
 

This song has been going through my head, whenever I hear it on the radio I think, “Wow can I really say this.” I would like to think I could. I imagine myself in a situation; and then, I imagine myself singing this in victory, arms raised in surrender. Knowing, “to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil 1:21).

But lately when I hear this song I think of something else altogether. Right now I’m walking through a season of Healing in my life. It began a couple months ago by sharing a part of my testimony. The person I was sharing with looked at me and said, “Jenn you’re praying wrong. What you need is healing?” Immediately, my eyes began to water because the truth hit me like a ton of bricks. They asked to pray for me.

I wish I knew before they prayed that healing hurt so much! It’s been a painful process with no end in sight. I know when God’s finished with the surgery I’ll be a better vessel for God’s glory, but here’s where the song comes in … What if the healing doesn’t come? What if after going through this process, the healing doesn’t come?

Now do I know that no matter what there are lessons to be learned in the process? Of course. And do I realize, that no matter what, by submitting to God’s hand He’s going to make me into a vessel used for His honor? Yes.

But what if the healing doesn’t look like what I think it should look like? What if there are still wounds that hurt? Places that will always be tender to the touch? Muscles that don’t fully work the way there supposed to when the process is over?

I know nearly every surgery leaves a scar. But scars don’t hurt. Scars are the character of our life. They tell our stories; the battles we’ve fought and lived through. Scars are the proof healing took place. So I’m okay with having scars.

But what if the healing doesn’t come? Do I go back to living like those wounds didn’t exist? Building up walls around the areas of my life that need protection? Walls that I’m working so hard to tear down in the healing process.

NO! No, I must not go back. We all have internal hurts that have the potential to tear our lives apart if we allow them too. I had been burying mine for years. Hiding them. It caused me to be 2 different people. The person I am, and someone totally different around the people that hurt me. So even if the all the hurts don’t go away, I cannot continue to be 2 people. I must walk forward believing, “That He who began a good work in me will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

So no, the healing may not look like what I thought it would. It may not be done all at once. I’m learning it’s a process. But no matter what, I refuse to go back. I refuse to allow the first stages of healing to be undone.

So…

"You are God and I will bless You
As the Good and Faithful One
You are God and I will bless You
Even if the healing doesn't come

Even if the healing doesn’t come"

Life's Not Fair, But God Is!

I heard someone say once, “God isn’t fair, He’s just.” This thought has rolled around in my head on and off through the years. I have to say, I disagree. God is fair.

I’m not a parent, but I’ve been working with kids for over 15 years. I have to say I’ve learned many things. The thing that I’ve known, but never really had words to explain is that “Fair doesn’t mean equal.”

Any parent with multiple children will tell you that they don’t treat all their kids the same. Does that mean they’re not fair? No. All kids are different; and so, in order to treat them fairly they need to be treated differently.

As a child and teenager whenever I heard the story of the talents in the Bible I thought, “That’s not fair.”

Matthew 25:14-30 – The master is going on a long journey and so he gives the first servant five talents, the second servant he gives two talents, and the third servant he gives one talent. This is where I think; well he doesn’t really give them all an equal shot, why doesn’t he give them all the same amount. Then let them prove themselves.

On his return he calls his servants for them to give him a report. The first comes and says, “Master, you gave me 5 talents, Look here are 5 more.” The Master says, “Well done you were faithful over a few things, I will put you in charge of many.”

The second comes and says, “Master, you gave me two talents, Look here is two more” The Master says, “Well done you were faithful over a few things, I will put you in charge of many.” The master says the exact same thing to the first two servants.

Finally, the third servant comes in, I can almost see him gravelling. He says, “Master I know you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed, and I was afraid so I went off and hid your talent in the ground, here here’s the talent you gave me.” I always felt bad for the last servant. You can almost feel his fear. He knows His master is a harsh man. And he proves it in his next lines, “You evil and lazy slave, you know I reap where I haven’t sewn and gather where I haven’t scattered, you should have at least taken it to the bank and deposited it, so that on my return I would’ve at least gotten it plus the interest. Take the one that he has give it to him with 10 and take this good-for nothing slave and throw him into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Wow that’s harsh! I always thought, really was that necessary, I mean so he messed up, don’t we all mess up. And he wasn’t given a fair shot.

But read vs. 15 – “to one he gave five talents; to another, two; and to another, one – each according to his ability.” The master was fair. He gave “each according to his ability.” The master knew what each of his servants could handle. He knew them and their abilities and gave to each of them accordingly.

Our Master knows us and knows our abilities and will not give us more than we can handle, positively or negatively. The Bible says that God knows our frame and that we are dust. He created us; He knows the stresses and pressures we can handle.

It’s a common cliché that God will not give us more than we can handle. Let me tell you, it’s true. God will not give us more problems than we can handle and He will not give us more success than we can handle. Less we should curse him in our problems, or become prideful in out successes; each with the same result: turning away from God.

I wonder what would have happened if the Master had given the first servant 100 talents or even 50. Would he still have been successful? I don’t know, the verse says the Master gave each according to his ability which means, He knew exactly how much they could each handle.

The Master has given you talents and abilities. The question is what will you do with them? Will you be faithful with the few talents that God has given you? Will you use them to increase his kingdom, like the first two servants? Or will you bury your talents and your head in the sand?

Instead of looking around and thinking, “Oh I wish I could do this or that.” Start by doing what you can. And then as you are faithful in those areas you will begin to grow and develop, then next thing you know you’ll hear yourself say, “If you had asked me a year ago I would’ve never thought I’d be here.” What happened? How did someone get to that point? They were faithful in the few, and God used them.

So I encourage you to serve God now, where you’re at. Don’t wait another day to begin. Don’t be the evil slave that says, “Well because I can’t do this or that I’m not useful.” Because God, the King, the Lord of Lords, the Creator of Heaven and Earth has given gifts and talents to each of us, don’t be like the lazy, ungrateful slave and hide the gift God has given you. Serve God with all you have, starting right where you’re at and let God multiply you!

Fiction Friday... Seara

My previous disclaimer holds true for this story as well!

 

Seara

Seara jogged up through the path, the sun just beginning to set. Her pigtails swished happily behind her. She had found the perfect place, now all she had to do was convince her mother that she could take care of herself. Not an easy task for a ten year old with an overly protective father; and if that wasn’t bad enough, a sister who enjoyed playing mother hen. She loved them all; even though, they didn’t understand her need for space. Seara needed time alone, away from the protective eyes of her family. She loved roaming the woods along their property on her own. She was hoping dad would build her a tree house in the large oak by the creek. Maybe they’d even let her camp there in the summers.

“I knew I should have checked the woods first.” Alyssa sighed, “I’ve been looking all over for you, you’ve been gone for hours.” She exaggerated. “You said you’d help me with the dishes.”

“I know. But you guys weren’t done with dinner yet, so I just went exploring for a minute.” Seara explained logically, inwardly rolling her eyes at her sister’s worried expression.

“It’s almost pitch black in there...”

“Come on lets go do the dishes,” Seara said, deciding against getting into a debate with her sister, this time. “I’ll race you to the house. Ready, set, go_” Seara raced ahead of her sister.

“Ugh, hey_” Alyssa yelled from behind.

Whipping the door open, Seara rushed into the house. Quickly depositing her shoes in the mud room, she rushed into the kitchen.

“I won!” Seara panted to her father who had already begun filling the sink with dish water. “Where’s mom?”

“You cheated.” Alyssa accused, not nearly as winded as her sister, having given up the pursuit half-way across the yard. Looking around the kitchen, Alyssa asked, “Where’s mom?”

Dad smiled at his daughters, “She went to lie down. She’s getting a headache.”

“Another one?” The girls asked.

Both girls noticed the worried glance that passed quickly over their father’s face and exchanged one of their own. Their mother had been experiencing quite a few headaches lately. So frequently that they had even refused a foster placement. Something neither of the girls could remember them doing before.

Changing the subject, dad asked, “Have any homework?”

“Dad,” Seara giggled, as she dried the plate her sister had just handed her, “it’s Friday. And it’s almost summer vacation. Only twelve more days, including weekends.”

“Bet you’re going to miss school Lyssie?” Her father teased.

“Right.” Alyssa feigned, “I’m so heartbroken.”

“I’m excited, I’m starting Middle School. I have graduation this year! Are you coming daddy?” Seara interrupted.

“I don’t know Peanut…"

“Daddy!” Seara laughed.

“You know I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

*           *           *

“Did you see the new family at church?” Seara asked her sister excitedly from her seat in the van.

“Yeah.” Alyssa said looking out the window. Alyssa was worried about her mother. Mom never missed Sunday service.

“They’re twins. They’re going into sixth grade too. I can’t believe summer’s almost over. Only two more weeks. The new family, they bought the farm house around the corner from us. If we went through the woods we would end up in their back yard. I’ve walked that way a couple times, it’s easy, except when the creek is high. Talli, that’s a strange name, but she’s really nice. Dad, can we invite her over? And Lyssie we should ask Tria too. Daddy can we have a sleep-over?” Seara rattled on about all the things the girls could do at the sleep-over not really waiting for answers to her questions.

Dad and Alyssa’s minds were on the same person – Mom. Dad pulled his mini-van into the driveway, pushed the button to open the garage doors, and parked the car inside. Seara continued to chatter the whole way into the house.

After taking her shoes off, Alyssa went in search of her mother. She found her reading her Bible on the couch with an old blanket thrown over her lap. Mom closed her Bible as Alyssa walked into the living room.

“How was church?” Mom asked.

“Fine, how are you feeling?”

Seara waltzed into the living room, before mom could answer, dad in tow. Dad walked over to the couch kissing mom’s forehead and then gently kissing her lips.

“Fever’s gone.” Dad commented not fully standing.

“I’m feeling better.” Mom tenderly touched dad’s cheek.

“Hey mom, guess what?” Seara plopped on the couch next to her mother. When mom made eye contact with her youngest daughter, Seara continued, “There’s a new family in church, and they have twins, a boy and a girl...”

“Hold on, Peanut.” Dad said cutting off Seara’s running diatribe, “You need to head upstairs and change, then you can tell mom all about Tillie during lunch.”

Seara laughed, “Talli, dad. Not Tillie.”

“My mistake – Talli. Now go change.”

Seara ran for the stairs, but not before she heard dad ask mom. “Don’t you think it’s time we tell them?”