tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23774675477956928842024-03-13T20:30:13.757-07:00Susie's Journey --------------------by Carol FlettUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377467547795692884.post-19629341427826150432010-04-10T17:55:00.000-07:002010-04-10T17:55:56.878-07:00Back Page<h2 ;="" align="center" style="color: #333399;">Susie’s Journey (Susie Series #2)</h2><div ;="" align="center" style="color: #333399;"><i>by Carol Flett </i> </div><div align="center"> <strong><em>Bassed on the true story of a young girl's immigration from Soviet Russia</em></strong></div>In <i>Susie’s Journey</i> Susie is thrilled to be heading toward Canada with her friend Josh. She is annoyed when her Papa throws a sour pickle into a happy occasion by saying, “life will not always be a feather bed. If it was, you would want to lie down on it instead of facing the challenges that bring victory and blessing.”<br />
Susie is certain that their trials are over now and everything will go well. But the situation changes, and her plans for a rosy future look uncertain. Gradually she learns the wonderful blessing of letting Jesus be the captain of her vessel through the alarming storms of her life.<br />
Written in the same style as <i>Susie’s Story</i>, <i>Susie’s Journey</i> will warm your heart as it shows the guiding hand of the loving heavenly Father, who gently directs each step.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377467547795692884.post-78728733274774687402006-12-23T10:49:00.000-08:002006-12-24T19:17:58.455-08:00Susie's Journey Preview<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center; line-height: 150%;" align="center"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:Garamond;font-size:14;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:Garamond;font-size:14;" ><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: 150%;" align="center"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:24;" >Susie Book #2<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:24;" >On Their Way<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:24;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;"><span style="font-family:Garamond;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:14;" ><span style=""> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> The icy wind tugged Susie’s long hair out of its ribbon, and whipped it against her tear streaked face.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">She tucked the wayward strands carelessly under her hat, and pulled her coat a little bit tighter around her slim figure.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">She grasped the ship’s rail.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">The cold steel felt solid beneath her hands. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >And yet, as she stood there watching the angry waves push her farther and farther away from the tiny speck of land called Germany, she could feel herself slowly sinking.<span style=""> </span>Her grip tightened. <span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >It made no sense to expect the rail to keep her wobbling heart from slipping into the black sea of doubt that was tormenting her, but still she clung, desperately trying to hold on to the buoyant faith of her childhood.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >Why had God allowed this to happen? <span style=""> </span>Why hadn’t He intervened?<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>She had been so sure that He had everything under control and would work out the perfect future in Canada for her and for those she loved.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >She thought back to the thrill of that day, just about a week ago, when she had set her foot down on the deck of the Rykow. Leaving Russia and crossing the </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><st1:place><span style="font-family:Garamond;">Baltic Sea</span></st1:place></span><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" > to </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-family:Garamond;">Germany</span></st1:place></st1:country-region></span><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >, meant leaving trials and persecution behind, and starting their journey toward a rich new life in </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-family:Garamond;">Canada</span></st1:place></st1:country-region></span><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >Sensing the importance of that first step, she had wanted to stop right there and sing, or pray, or do something to celebrate the magnitude of the moment, but the throng was propelling her forward.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" ><span style=""> </span>It was at that precise second that she felt a hand enfold hers and give a meaningful squeeze.<span style=""> </span>As she turned and look back into Josh’s sparkling blue eyes she felt excitement serge through her.<span style=""> </span>It was fitting that she start this journey hand in hand with Josh Remple.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >The Remples and the Pletts had always done things together, and this venture across the waters was to be one more move to permanently seal the bond.<span style=""> </span>But it was more than that.<span style=""> </span>Josh Remple had progressed to a position beyond a mere family friend.<span style=""> </span>The teasing blond tormenter whom she had been hard pressed to tolerate as a child had grown into a gallant and attractive young man.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >He had been there for her when she had gone through her worst trial.<span style=""> </span>He had come to her rescue when she had needed him the most.<span style=""> </span>Yes, it was fitting that he should walk beside her, holding her hand as they stepped forward toward their destiny. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >Even Papa knew that she and Josh were meant for each other.<span style=""> </span>Susie’s tears dried in the wind as she let her thoughts continue to drift back to that first day on the water.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >“Come, Susie,” Papa urged.<span style=""> </span>“There will be time enough for hand holding in the future.<span style=""> </span>For the present, we must make room for the other passengers.<span style=""> </span>We must also find out where we are to eat and sleep, and then, when that is accomplished, you shall have the whole long voyage to </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-family:Garamond;">Canada</span></st1:place></st1:country-region></span><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" > to spend with your young man.” Susie felt her face flush, but Josh just winked at her and fell back with his family. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >Little David caught sight of his big sister and reached out to her.<span style=""> </span>Susie automatically turned to take him from her tired mother’s arms, but Mama shook her head and clung possessively to her baby. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >Katja was holding onto Cornush and Johann, but it looked more like the younger boys were trying to protect their deaf sister from the world. Susie smiled at the thought of her fourteen year old sister needing help. Katja had become a capable young lady in the years she had been away in the Molotchna at the school for the deaf.<span style=""> </span>Susie was glad Papa had been able to obtain the papers necessary to bring his handicap daughter to </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-family:Garamond;">Canada</span></st1:place></st1:country-region></span><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >. Having a younger sister was special.<span style=""> </span>She loved her four brothers, but, at this point in time, three of them were more like responsibilities than friends.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >Aaron was the only brother she could really talk to, but at thirteen he was beginning to think he was Papa’s right-hand man and almost looked down on his older sister.<span style=""> </span>Right now he was pushing forward with Papa. Friends and strangers were everywhere on the deck around them, and everyone who could walk was carrying a bundle in his arms or on his back.<span style=""> </span>Papa shoved and questioned until he knew where they would be sleeping and where they would go to eat.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >The young ladies from their group had been asked to help in the dining room in exchange for better conditions on the ship, and Susie was eager to do her part.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >As the food was being prepared for the first meal of their journey, Susie stopped and stared as a man took a block of something soft, and started slicing it on a big machine. <span style=""> </span>The inside was pure white and full of tiny holes. She had never seen anything quite like it before.<span style=""> </span>She just had to ask.<span style=""> </span>“What is that thing you’re slicing? <span style=""> </span>Is it Cheese?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >The man laughed.<span style=""> </span>“No, my dear lady, this is bread.<span style=""> </span>I suppose you’re used to the hard black bread of </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-family:Garamond;">Russia</span></st1:place></st1:country-region></span><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" > but I’m sure you’ll learn to like this white kind just as well.”<span style=""> </span>The bread was fluffy and delicious, a promise of the good life that awaited them.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >After a hardy meal and plenty of laughter and excited planning, Papa herded the family to their sleeping quarters.<span style=""> </span>Susie climbed into the upper bunk and lay there quietly, letting her senses absorb everything about this voyage. She imagined herself in a giant cradle being rocked by the rough but watery hands of the waves. She could almost feel their annoyance with their endless job as they pushed her to and fro, slapping the big cradle impatiently instead of rocking it gently; roaring noisily instead of humming a soft melody. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >But this was no cradle.<span style=""> </span>The strange metallic odors and the steady whining drone reminded her that more than the waves were moving the ship. <span style=""> </span>The engine that propelled them forward was even more powerful than the waves.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >Just before he went to sleep, Johann had been pretending to be a captain, steering a great ship, but Papa had warned him of the great responsibility of being in control of all that power.<span style=""> </span>Susie wondered if the Captain of this ship ever worried about his responsibility.<span style=""> </span>Was he ever afraid that he might go the wrong direction or hit something in the dark?<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >Probably not.<span style=""> </span>What a silly thing to be thinking of anyway.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >Below, and around her the sound of fussing little boys and tired parents had given way to a chorus of steady rhythmic breathing.<span style=""> </span>She should be sleeping now, too.<span style=""> </span>She wanted to wake up before dawn tomorrow, to watch the sun creep up over the waving mirror of water.<span style=""> </span>She closed her eyes and tried to slow her racing mind.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >Her thoughts drifted toward Josh. <span style=""> </span>Was he still awake, too?<span style=""> </span>He seemed to be able to take all these new experiences in stride, cocking his head sideways, flipping his straw blond hair back out of his eyes, and grinning at her exuberance.<span style=""> </span>He was probably sound asleep by now.<span style=""> </span>He had said that he enjoyed the swaying of the ship and the rumble of the engine; he said it made him sleepy.<span style=""> </span>Maybe she should try to concentrate on the rhythm of movement.<span style=""> </span>She needed to get to sleep. <span style=""> </span>Rock and sway, rock and sway, rock and sway.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >Susie was finally beginning to get drowsy when the harmony of sound and movement was shattered by a horrible screeching thud. <span style=""> </span>She grasped the bed rail franticly as the ship lurched and then became still.<span style=""> </span>The roar of the engine went dead and all was quiet for a second before a chorus of screams broke the silence.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >“Papa, Papa!” she called franticly.<span style=""> </span>Papa was up instantly. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >“There is no need to panic,” He spoke calmly.<span style=""> </span>“Wait here quietly, while I find out what has happened.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >The whole family had awakened from the jolt, but most of them quieted as Papa spoke. Even David, who had begun a loud wail, toned it down considerably at the sound of his Papa’s voice. <span style=""> </span>Mama picked him up and began humming to him. <span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >As Papa walked out into the corridor, and disappeared into the darkness, Susie turned her attention to her little brothers.<span style=""> </span>They were trying so hard to be brave, but she could feel a shivering little body pushing itself close to her. She put an arm around Johann and then noticed a pair of large fear filled eyes watching her.<span style=""> </span>She reached out her other arm and pulled Cornush to her side.<span style=""> </span>She held them close. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >Then she turned to her sister.<span style=""> </span>Katja had been trying to get someone to explain what had happened, but with all the excitement going on, everyone was ignoring her. Now Susie leaned her face in close as she spoke, <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >“We don’t know any more than you do, Katja, except that there was a big bang and the engines stopped, but you probably felt it happening, didn’t you?”<span style=""> </span>Katja nodded.<span style=""> </span>She looked petrified.<span style=""> </span>Aaron reached out and put a comforting arm around his deaf sister.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >Just then Papa came back.<span style=""> </span>They all rushed to him. Papa reached out silently, deliberately to each of his children and placed them in a tight semi-circle around him.<span style=""> </span>They all quieted, expectantly.<span style=""> </span>He looked at them for a long moment before he spoke.<span style=""> </span>“We have hit a rock.<span style=""> </span>It has done damage.<span style=""> </span>No one knows for sure if we shall remain afloat or if we shall sink.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >His mustache tilted downward as he bit his upper lip.<span style=""> </span>“Listen carefully, my children.<span style=""> </span>I have one important question to ask of each of you.”<span style=""> </span>He paused and then with a quiver in his voice, he asked gently, “If the Lord wills that we should die this night, are you prepared?<span style=""> </span>Do you know for sure that there is nothing standing between you and the Lord Jesus? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" ><span style=""> </span>“Tonight we may begin a journey we had not expected to embark upon quite so soon. <span style=""> </span>Our destination would be a country far more pleasant than Canada, but only those with clean hearts will be allowed in.<span style=""> </span>The doctor doing the medical examination will check only one thing.<span style=""> </span>He will check your heart.”<span style=""> </span>He asked the question one more time.<span style=""> </span>“Are you sure your heart is ready for that checkup?” <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >He patted the younger boys lovingly on the head and then shooed them away.<span style=""> </span>“Go back to your bunks now, and consider what I have asked.”<span style=""> </span>He turned and stepped away from them. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >Susie did not want to think about dying.<span style=""> </span>She wanted Papa to hold them close and tell them that everything would be all right. <span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >She climbed back onto her bunk but Papa’s question hung there, waiting to be answered.<span style=""> </span>Papa should know she was ready.<span style=""> </span>Why had he looked at her that way?<span style=""> </span>No one, especially Papa could have forgotten how she had made things right before they left </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family:Garamond;">Moscow</span></st1:place></st1:city></span><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >.<span style=""> </span>Everyone in the whole group of Mennonite families had heard her confess her awful lie, and had listened with interest as Josh explained his part in it.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >But everything had been confessed and cleared up, and God had allowed her to leave </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-family:Garamond;">Russia</span></st1:place></st1:country-region></span><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" > with her family.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >So why was He letting this happen now?<span style=""> </span>Maybe the others needed to get things right with God, but she had gone through that already. <span style=""> </span>Papa must have been saying what he did for the sake of her brothers. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >Yes, she could hear Aaron leaving his bunk and going to talk to Papa.<span style=""> </span>They were whispering together, and then Aaron was praying.<span style=""> </span>Aaron had been rather sassy to Mama and Papa lately.<span style=""> </span>He probably needed to confess and tell Papa he was sorry.<span style=""> </span>Well, she was glad for him.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >After a few minutes Katja climbed over her and dropped down from her bunk to join Aaron and Papa.<span style=""> </span>Katja didn’t know how to whisper.<span style=""> </span>She could only talk in that loud funny voice that sounded like she was being thumped on the back with each syllable.<span style=""> </span>“Papa, how can I make my heart clean?” <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >Susie was stunned.<span style=""> </span>Had Katja never been taught how to become a Christian?<span style=""> </span>She had been away at the school for the deaf since she was a little girl but surely the teachers there would have told her how to take Jesus as her Savior. <span style=""> </span>The school was run by Christians, but maybe Katja had missed hearing what she needed to hear.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >That happened a lot with her.<span style=""> </span>With all the wonderful progress Katja had made, it was easy to forget that unless she was able to watch the speaker’s mouth closely, she didn’t have any idea what was being said.<span style=""> </span>If they turned to look at someone else or if she got distracted for a minute she would loose the whole point of the conversation. <span style=""> </span>The workers at the school probably thought she had already made a commitment to the Lord.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >She had come back to her family shortly after they had arrived in Moscow to wait for their passports, and had been with Susie most of the time since then, but there had been so much else going on that Susie never once thought to ask her sister if she had Jesus living in her heart. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >What if Papa hadn’t said anything, and the ship had sunk, and Katja would not be able to meet them in Heaven?<span style=""> </span>That thought was more frightening than the thought of dying.<span style=""> </span>And worst of all, she knew that it would be her fault for not speaking to her sister and showing her the way.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >She got down from her bunk, knelt beside Katja and wrapped her arm around her sister.<span style=""> </span>Papa’s words were barely audible, but Katja had her face right up to his and was watching his lips closely.<span style=""> </span>“Jesus has been waiting for you, Katja.<span style=""> </span>He loves you so much that He has already done everything He could for you.<span style=""> </span>He has taken the punishment for everything you ever did wrong.<span style=""> </span>Now, what you have to do is be sorry for all those things, and tell Him so.<span style=""> </span>Then if you ask Him, He will come into your heart and make it all new with clean thoughts, and He will help you change your life to do what is right.<span style=""> </span>Would you like to do that?<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >Katja nodded and then raised her hands toward Heaven and started signing to her new Heavenly Father.<span style=""> </span>Well, if Jesus could understand German and Russian and even English, Susie knew He would have no trouble understanding her sister’s sign language.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >When Katja was finished she turned to smile at Susie.<span style=""> </span>Susie gave her a hug and then pulled back to let Katja watch her speak.<span style=""> </span>“Katja, I’m so sorry that I never thought to ask if you were a Christian.<span style=""> </span>I feel so bad about that.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >Katja shook her head vigorously and expelled a loud “No!”<span style=""> </span>Then, with a grin she finished, “feeling bad is over; now I feel good.<span style=""> </span>You must feel good too.”<span style=""> </span>Susie laughed at her, and the fear of sinking melted away beneath the warmth of Katja’s new found joy.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >Before the girls could go back to their bunks Johann and Cornush had joined them at Mama’s and Papa’s bed.<span style=""> </span>They all got tangled up in one big hug and then Papa smiled at his family and said, “Do you know, my children, it has been over an hour since the crash, and we have not sunk, but events of much greater importance have been taking place.<span style=""> </span>Sometimes our Heavenly Father places rocks in our path for a reason.<span style=""> </span>But we can be sure that he is also at the helm of our ship, looking after every detail of our voyage.<span style=""> </span>Now, to your bunks again, children.<span style=""> </span>Sleep peacefully; I believe there is nothing more to fear.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >Susie thought it would be difficult to settle herself down, but the ship seemed to be floating peacefully now, gently rocking and lulling her to sleep.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >Papa and Mama were already up when she awoke the next morning.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>Papa was in the corridor talking to Brother Remple.<span style=""> </span>She climbed down to find out what was going on.<span style=""> </span>“What’s happening, Papa?”<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >Papa stopped speaking as soon as he saw that she was up.<span style=""> </span>He turned to her and explained, “Our ship is in need of repair.<span style=""> </span>It is being towed back to </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family:Garamond;">Leningrad</span></st1:place></st1:city></span><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >Back to </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family:Garamond;">Leningrad</span></st1:place></st1:city></span><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >!<span style=""> </span>Back to </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-family:Garamond;">Russia</span></st1:place></st1:country-region></span><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >!<span style=""> </span>Back to where they had waited for days and had eaten the rottenest food she had ever eaten in her whole life!<span style=""> </span>They had been so sure that their time in </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-family:Garamond;">Russia</span></st1:place></st1:country-region></span><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" > was over for good.<span style=""> </span>“But what are we going to do when we get there Papa?<span style=""> </span>I don’t want to stay in that awful place again.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >Brother Remple sympathized with her.<span style=""> </span>“Yes, Susie, we are all very upset about going back to </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family:Garamond;">Leningrad</span></st1:place></st1:city></span><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" > . . .”<span style=""> </span>Papa put up a finger.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >“No, do not continue,”<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>He turned and took Susie’s hand.<span style=""> </span>“We must not allow ourselves to become angry, or discouraged, or even dissatisfied.<span style=""> </span>We must, instead, remember who it is that controls our direction and our destiny.<span style=""> </span>Would it be right to be angry with our Maker?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >Susie shook her head slowly, “No, Papa, but it’s just that we thought we were away from that dreadful place.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >“And if God wills that we go back there?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >Brother Remple spoke up first.<span style=""> </span>“Surely, Cornelius, you don’t believe any of us could be happy about this situation.<span style=""> </span>You expect the impossible from your daughter.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >Papa smiled slightly, “No, my friend, I do not expect the impossible of Susie, ‘for with God, all things are possible’, and I know that God is with my daughter, and so for her it is not impossible.” His eyes twinkled.<span style=""> </span>“I believe the same verse applies to you as well.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >Brother Remple laughed uncomfortably, “Now you are sounding like Brother Plett, the evangelist.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >Papa wrapped his arm over Brother Remple’s shoulder and spoke warmly<span style=""> </span>“My dear friend, every day, and for as long as I live, I will be Brother Plett, the evangelist.<span style=""> </span>Now, let us stop complaining about what God has allowed, and start rejoicing over the work it has accomplished. <span style=""> </span>Last night one more of my children met the master.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" >Susie watched as the lines on Brother Remple’s face softened and began to glow with the same joy they had all felt last night.<span style=""> </span>She had almost forgotten the wonder of it, but now it came flooding back to her.<span style=""> </span>Katja had given her life to Jesus.<span style=""> </span>And if going back to </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family:Garamond;">Leningrad</span></st1:place></st1:city></span><span style=";font-family:Garamond;font-size:130%;" > was the price it cost to place her deaf sister in God’s family, then she would go back joyfully. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-family:Garamond;font-size:14;" ><br /><o:p></o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0