Chapter Two

        As Michael put his girls to bed that night the only people he could think of were Sarah and Connor.  Kayleigh and Adalyn had both enjoyed that afternoon very much.  He had enjoyed getting to know Sarah as well.  He had invited Sarah and Connor to go to the zoo with him and the girls that Friday and they had accepted the invite.  He knew it had to be hard on Sarah raising Connor all by herself, just as it was hard on him raising his girls on his own.  The girls and Connor had become very good friends already.  Michael crawled into his bed and right before he went to sleep her prayed,

        “Lord, I don’t understand why you took Julie from me, or why you took Matthew away from Sarah, but I pray that you’ll allow us to be a help to one another.”

        Sarah was putting Connor to bed as well that night and could only think about Michael and the girls.  As she was tucking Connor in she told him,

“You didn’t think you would make any new friends today, but you certainly did!”

        “I know I didn’t think I would, but Kayleigh introduced herself right away when she saw me in Sunday school.”

        “She and her sister are really sweet aren’t they?”

        “Yes they are.  Do you know who Mr. Jones reminds me of mom?”

        “Who is that Connor?”

        “He reminds me a lot about dad.  He kind of sounds like dad, and he laughs like dad.”

        “You know what, I thought the same thing.”

As Sarah went to bed that night she prayed the same prayer that Michael had. 

The week went by fast and finally Friday arrived.  Kayleigh and Adalyn were up bright and early Friday because they were so excited about their trip to the zoo!

“Daddy wake up!  We need to get ready!”

“Kayleigh and Adalyn it’s 6:30 in the morning.  We’re not meeting Sarah and Connor until 10:00.  Go back to bed for a little bit and I’ll come wake you up!”

The girls headed back to their room and both crawled into Kayleigh’s bed and were back asleep within five minutes.

        At 8:30 Michael came in to wake the girls up and could not help but smile when he saw them asleep in the same bed.  His girls had pretty much become inseparable since their mother’s death.

        “Girls, are you ready to get up and eat some breakfast and go to the zoo?”

This immediately woke both of them up and they answered in unison,

        “Of course we are!”

This made Michael laugh so hard!

        “Ok then, get ready and then come on downstairs for some food!”

Michael headed downstairs and the girls started getting ready.  Fifteen minutes later when the girls had not made it downstairs yet Michael decided to check on them, and he came upon a very interesting conversation.

        “Kayleigh?”

        “Yes Addie?”

        “I really like Miss Sarah!  She reminds me of mommy!”

        “I agree Addie, but why did you tell me that?”

        “Kayleigh, I want Miss Sarah to be our new mommy!”

This part of the conversation caught Michael off guard, and he listened intently to what Kayleigh would say.

        “You know what Addie?  I hope she does too, but let this be our little secret!”

Michael quickly slipped back downstairs so the girls would not know he had heard their conversation.

        As Sarah was making breakfast for her and Connor her thoughts were once again on Michael.  She had only known him for a week, but she almost felt they had a connection.  She was just about as excited as Connor about going to the zoo.  Sarah had gone upstairs to get Connor and as she approached his door she heard him praying.

        “Dear Jesus, thank you so much for the day you’ve given us.  Thank you that I get to go to the zoo with my friends.  I ask that you’ll make Mr. Michael my new daddy, and tell my daddy I said hi!  In Jesus’ name, Amen!”

This brought a tear to Sarah’s eye.  Connor missed his dad so much, but he was also ready for another man to come into his life.

        Right at 10:00 they all met at the church.  Immediately the children were talking about all the animals they were going to see at the zoo.  Once again as Michael and Sarah talked they were being watched from afar by Pastor Matthews.  He knew in his heart that this was part of the reason his daughter and grandson were brought back to the area.  He also knew that everything would work out in God’s timing.

        Five months had passed since Sarah and Connor had moved to the area.  They had done something with Michael and the girls every week.  Michael and Sarah had also had a few dates themselves.  One Sunday morning after church Michael had asked Pastor Matthews if he could meet with him privately in his office.  When they got to the office Pastor Matthew asked,

        “What can I do for you Michael?”

        “Pastor, I have fallen in love with your daughter, and would like your permission to take her hand in marriage.”

        “Yes Michael, you may take my daughter’s hand in marriage.  I was wondering when you were going to ask!”

This made Michael laugh.

        “Pastor, I’d like to ask her after I sing the special in the evening service.”

        “That is perfectly fine with me!”

        Sarah was looking forward to the evening service.  Michael was singing one of her favorite songs for the special, and she loved to hear him sing!  After Michael got done singing Sarah noticed that he was walking toward her while she was still at the piano.  When he got to her he got down on one knee.

        “Sarah Stephens, I have fallen in love with you.  Will you marry me?”

Sarah was speechless, but she was finally able to find her voice.

        “Of course I will!”

Immediately the entire church was on their feet clapping.  The next thing Sarah knew she had Connor, Kayleigh, and Adalyn up next to her, and the girls were saying,

        “Hurray!  You’re going to be our new mommy!”

This made Sarah so happy that all she could do was cry.  Her prayer had been answered!

Chapter One

Chapter One is as far as I've gotten, but it should give you enough to read for now! :)

“Addie, time to get up for Sunday school and church!”

“Kayleigh I don’t want to get up!”

“Adalyn Grace you better get up, daddy almost has breakfast ready.”

        Michael could not help but laugh to himself.  His daughter was becoming a little mom.  It was good for her, but at the same time she was only eight, and she needed a mother.  He knew the Lord would work things out for His will.

“Girls, breakfast is ready.”  This was one thing he was thankful for, he had learned to cook as a teenager.

“We’re coming daddy!”  That almost brought tears to his eyes.  Kayleigh sounded so much like her mother, his beloved Julie.

“Kayleigh, my hair isn’t done yet!”

“Addis, I’ll finish it after breakfast.  Come on, it smells like pancakes, your favorite!” 

This made Addie forget all about her hair.  Kayleigh watched as her sister ran down the hall and then down the stairs to breakfast.  Kayleigh took off after her, but stopped at the family photograph like always and said,

“I will always love you mommy!  I miss you so much!  Daddy, Adalyn, and I are doing well!  Have a good day walking around Heaven with Jesus today!”

“Kayleigh sweetheart, are you coming?”

Yes daddy. I’m coming!”

As the Jones family was sitting down to eat breakfast, Sarah Stephens and her ten-year old son Connor were as well in their new home just three blocks away.

“Connor, hurry u and finish your breakfast please so we can get ready for church.”

“Mommy, I don’t want to go to church this morning!”

“Connor Matthew Stephens, that’s not like you!  You love going to Sunday School and church!”

“I won’t know anyone at this church though!”

“Oh Connor, I know this move has been hard on you, but we both needed a fresh start.  It has been two years since your dad was killed trying to save that little girl from the fire, and moving out here to live closer to your grandparents was the best thing I could think of.  You will at least know your grandparents!”

This made Connor laugh, and he finished his breakfast.  Sarah’s parents had been trying to get her to move closer to them ever since her husband Matthew had died.  Matthew had been a firefighter and he had known there was danger in it, but had never known that he would lose his life saving someone.  Sarah finally decided after two years to move.  Her father had become pastor of Bible Baptist Church the year before.  The church’s piano player had died in a car accident shortly after, and they had been without a piano player and Sarah could play.

When the Jones family arrived at church Kayleigh took Adalyn to her Sunday school class and then went to her own.  When she walked in she saw that Miss Julie was not there yet, and that there was someone new.  Now Kayleigh was known for being friendly so she said hi to her friends Natalie, Amanda, and Jacob then walked over to the new student.

“Hi, my name is Kayleigh Jones and I’m eight.  What is your name?”

The young boy quietly looked up and answered,

        “Hi Kayleigh my name is Connor Stephens and I’m ten.  My mom and I just moved here.”

        “Nice to meet you Connor, do you mind if my friends and I sit with you?

        “That’s fine.”

        “These are my friends Natalie, Amanda, and Jacob.  Natalie and Jacob are twins and they’re nine, and Amanda is eight just like me.”

The children were so busy talking that they had not noticed Miss Julie come in.

        “Good morning class!”

        “Good morning Miss Julie”, the children answered.

        “I knew we were going to have someone new this morning, and I see you have already introduced

        “I knew we were going to have someone new this morning, and I see you have already introduced ourselves.  Did Connor tell you that Pastor Matthews is his grandpa?”

        “No he didn’t”, answered the children.

        “Well, now you know.  His mom is also our new piano layer, and will also be the kindergarten teacher this fall.”

The children and Miss Julie talked a little bit longer, and then she gave the lesson for that day.  When the first bell rang Miss Julie dismissed the third through sixth graders to the morning service, and then took the first and second graders down to join the four and five year olds for children’s church.

        Kayleigh, Amanda, Natalie, Jacob, and Connor walked down the hall to the main service.  Michael was one of the ushers and saw them coming.

        “Well, good morning everyone, how are we today?”

        “We’re good.”

        “Amanda, your parents are waiting for you, as are yours Natalie and Jacob.”

The children took off to find their parents.

        “Kayleigh, we’re sitting in our normal spot.  Who is your new friend?”

        “This is Connor Stephens daddy.  Pastor Matthews is his grandpa.  He and his mom just moved here.  His mom is the new piano player.”

        “Nice to meet you Connor, I am Kayleigh’s dad.  You can call me Mr. Jones.  We’re very glad to have you here.”

        “Thank you Mr. Jones.  It is nice to meet you too.”

        “Kayleigh why don’t you go ahead and go sit down.”

        “Yes daddy.  Bye Connor, I’ll talk to you after church ok?”

        “Ok, Talk to you later Kayleigh.”

Connor went and found his grandma and sat down.  When Pastor Matthews did the announcements he introduced his daughter and grandson.  He also informed the church that a children’s choir would be starting soon and also that his daughter would be starting piano lessons at her house once she got settled in.  This made the children excited.  Right after church Kayleigh went to go get Adalyn and then went to find Connor.  Kayleigh introduced her sister to Connor, and the three of them just sat there and talked.  Sarah came up later and said,

        “Connor who are you’re new friends?”

        “This is Kayleigh and Adalyn Jones mom.  Their dad is one of the ushers.”

        “Well, hello there you two, my name is Miss Sarah, how old are you?

Adalyn answered first.

        “I’m five and I’m gonna be in kindergarten this year!”

Sarah answered her.

        “Really?  Well Adalyn, I’m going to be your teacher then.”

        “Yay, I like you!”

With that answer all Sarah could do was smile.  Kayleigh then answered.

        “I’m eight and I’ll be in third grade.”

Michael had been watching his girls and then came up and introduced himself.  He started chatting with Sarah.

        “I hope my girls haven’t been talking your ear off Mrs. Stephens.”

        “No they haven’t been.  I’ve been enjoying talking with them and please call me Sarah.  Your wife must be very proud of your girls!”

        “Please, call me Michael, and yes I’m sure she’s smiling down from Heaven watching them.  She’s been gone for about a year.”

        “I’m so sorry!  I know how you feel though.  My husband has been gone for about two years.”

        “I’m sorry to hear that.”’

        “It’s alright. That is why we moved.  I figured a new start would be good for both Connor and I.”

Pastor Matthews had been watching from afar and decided to go join the conversation.

        “Hello Michael, I see you’ve met my daughter and my grandson.”

        “Yes sir, we were just chatting.  I probably should get going.”

        “Michael, why don’t you and the girls join us for lunch, we have plenty.”

        “I think the girls would enjoy that pastor.”

Little did Michael Jones and Sarah Stephens know that afternoon would be the start of God showing them they were meant for one another.

Prologue

Here is the prologue or introduction to my book!  ENJOY! :)

He had watched the whole ordeal again.  Five year old Adalyn was having a nightmare, and it woke up eight year old Kayleigh, and she had walked over to Adalyn’s bed and calmed her down.  Adalyn asked the question, in tears that she always asked after one of her nightmares.

        “Kayleigh, why did mommy have to leave us?  I miss her so much! Why did she leave?”  Kayleigh would always put a smile on her face and answer the question.

        “Addie, remember what I told you last time?  Mommy went to live with Jesus, because He knew it was time for her to leave us and go live with him!  I know you miss her, and I miss her too, but she is in a better place now.”

Kayleigh then sang the lullaby that her mother had always sung to her and Adalyn when she put them to bed, and Adalyn fell back asleep.  The thought then went through his head, is it going to be like every other time?  Kayleigh crawled back into her bed and started to cry herself. 

        “Yes”, her dad said to himself, “Just like every other time it has happened.”  Tonight was the night he was going to let his daughter know he watched every time this happened.  He quietly walked into her room and sat on her bed with her.

        “Daddy, I’m so sorry if I woke you up with my crying, I didn’t mean to!”

        “You didn’t wake me up my sweet girl, I’ve been awake.  I do have a question for you though; how do you manage to stay so strong when calming Addie down after one of her nightmares when I know you want to break down and cry with her?  I’ve watched from the doorway when she has had one of her nightmares.”

“Daddy, she is still so little and she doesn’t remember or realize what happened.  I just figured I need to be strong for her.  I don’t even understand why it happened, but I know that it was time for Jesus to take mommy to Heaven to be with Him, and that is why I always tell her that.”

“I’ll let you in on a secret Kayleigh.  I don’t understand why it happened either, but I know it was Jesus’ plan.”

Kayleigh and her dad sat there and talked for a while, and she finally fell back asleep.  As he walked out of the room he prayed to himself; “Lord, it has been a year since the accident, and my girls and I are still struggling with it!  Please help us through it, and Lord, if it be your will, please help me find a mate that will love my girls like their own, and be a mother to them.  My girls need a mother so badly!”  Michael Jones did not know that a lady and her son were just moving into the area, and she was praying the exact same prayer. 

Introduction

As a fifth grade child I remember starting to have a passion for writing.  I started writing stories in just a simple spiral notebook.  Eventually the passion dwindled.  Now I find myself interested in the hobby again. If you were to ask me today where those spiral notebooks were I could not tell you!  While studying at Providence Baptist College I took a class entitled Women Used of God.  We studied different women throughout history and with each woman there came a character trait.  Well, one of the women we studied was Fanny Crosby and her character trait was creativity and it got the wheels in my head turning again, so I have once again started to write.  I have yet to think of a title for my book but it is the story of a little girl and how she grows up and the trials she went through and how the Lord helped her through them.  Some of the trials will be made up and some will be based on true events.  As I finish a chapter I will post on here for those of you who would like to read them.  Feel free to leave comments!  I hope you enjoy them!