Shelter from the Storm. (Chapter 22)

The sanctuary of Newberry Community Church was filling up as Mac rang

the church bell to signify the beginning of the Sunday morning service.

In the fifth pew on the left, Karen looked back and smiled as she heard

Mac ring the church bell, as she had heard long before she and her parents

attended the church. Karen turned back around to face the front, then focused

her eyes upward and smiled dreamily.  It fascinated her that she was falling in

love with the man who before she never knew and yet she could always hear
him; figurativly speaking, anyway. She became lost in that thought when a
voice snapped her daze.  

"Karen?" she heard Mac suddenly, "Are you all right?"

"Oh,"  Karen said, startled. "Mac!  Sorry, I was in a daze."

"Everything all right?"

"Oh yes."  Karen that patted the empty space next to her in the pew she
sat in to motion Mac to sit down beside her which he did.

 Mac had to tell her something and he seized the opportunity before the
service began.

 "Karen," Mac whispered to Karen,  "What are you doing after church."

"Not a thing," Karen whispered back in answer.

"I'd like to get together with you after church if that's all right with you."

"I'd love that."

"We'll discuss where after the service. The service is getting ready to start."

"That's fine, Mac."  

 The service began with prayer and then the offering.  After those were out

of the way Pastor Hal Shumway gave this announcement,  "This morning
we have special singing. Karen Williams has a hymn she wishes to share
with us."  He motioned for Karen to come foreward.  "Karen, please
come on up."
 Mac got up and out of the pew to let Karen out and as she made her way
toward the pulpit Mac thought to himself,  She has a singing talent, too?
Karen's parents looked toward Mac and just grinned which made Mac
wonder, What else hasn't she told me?
 Mac turned to where Karen stood at the pulpit and addressed the crowd
with "Good morning everyone," into which the congregation replied with
the same words. Karen then announced,  "This morning I"m going to sing
 'Servant's Heart.'  It's an old Ron Hamilton tune and it's also in our
hymnals if you would like to follow along."


 A couple of pews back from where Mac sat, the Canfields along with
Julie, Alex, and their newfound friend Tommy Hunt got out their hymnals
from the slots in the back of the pew in front of them, with Brian helping
Alex and with Dawn helping  Julie and Tommy find the page. Brian and
Dawn knew the hymnals almost like they knew their bibles and shared
it accordingly. When everyone got to the page of the hymn that Karen
was going to perform, they saw Karen look up and nod toward the
sound room where Tim McCann, the sound system operator, kicked on
the karoake system that would provide the backup music as Karen sang.

The intro music began as Karen stood ready to begin the vocal arrangement.
 When on cue, she began with a soft and almost angelic voice:


                "Make me a servant like you, dear Lord
                       Living for others each day
                 Humble and meek, helping the weak
                      Loving in all that I say

                 Give me Lord, a servant's heart
                Here's my life, take every part
                Give to me a servant's heart
                Help me draw so close to You
               That Your love comes shining through
               Give me Lord, a servant's heart
               Give me Lord, a servant's heart


            Make me a witness like you dear Lord
                 Sharing the love of the cross
              Sharing the word, till all have heard
                  Sharing whatever the cost


             Give me Lord, a servant's heart
             Here's my life, take every part
            Give me Lord, a servant's heart
            Help me draw so close to you
           That Your love comes shining through
           Give me Lord, a servant's heart
           Give me Lord, a servant's heart."



 When Karen finished there was clapping with Mac
the first to stand while clapping with those close by
him joining him then immediately the whole congregation.
Karen called out a "thank you" before she stepped down
and back to the pew where Mac and her parents were sitting.
Mac got up from the pew to let Karen back in, a look of
amazement on his face as Karen walked past him and to her
spot in the pew.
 Karen noticed the look of amazement on Mac's face and
when he sat back down next to her, she leaned toward him
and whispered, "You look surprised.  Good. I wanted to
surprise you."
 "I must say that I am," Mac whispered back,  "I must also
say that you have a beautiful voice. You did a great job."
"Why thank you, Mac."
"Just what else haven't you told me yet?"
 "We'll talk about it after church, okay?"
 "Sounds good."
   The next thing they both knew, Mac's left hand and Karen's
right hand moved toward one another and then they were
holding each other's hand and giving side glances to each
other.

 This concludes Chapter 22.

Shelter from the Storm. (Chapter 21)

While the Sunday School classes were in session, Tommy Hunt sat with
Brian, Dawn, and Julie in the small classroom.  Alex was in another class
for younger children.  While waiting for the class teacher, which was taught
by Kenny Baker and his wife Linda; Brian, Dawn, and Julie discussed with
Tommy about the church and the class.
 "You'll like Mr. and Mrs. Baker," Brian assured Tommy,  "They make the
lessons fun to learn."
"You'll like this lesson, too,"  Dawn added,  "Today we're going to build a
model of the Tabernacle."
"Cool."  Tommy grinned.
 "And it won't be just for this day's class, either,"  Julie put in,  "Mr. Baker
said it would take at least two more Sundays to complete."
"Will we do painting on it, too?"
 "Yes," Brian answered,  "That's the fun part."
 Ah, cool!" Tommy responded happily,  "I like to build
models, too!"
 "You know the man you met outside, Mr. Davenport?" Brian
mentioned, "He still builds models too.  He likes the old cars."
"That's what I build,"  Tommy said excitedly,  "My dad got me
in to it."
 "Because of that," Dawn stated,  "he heads our pinewood
derby races, along with our dad."
 "When do you have those?"
 "In the late summer every year."
 "We actually had it last week this time," Brian added, "because
Mr. Davenport got hurt rescuing a man from a wrecked car so
it was delayed."
 On hearing what Brian had just said, he remembered his dad
talking about an accident and a man getting hurt while pulling a
another man out of a car that crashed into an electrical pole.  He
heard that the car caught fire when the wires from the pole came
down.
 Tommy was still thinking about the accident he heard about from
his father when Kenny and Linda Baker came in with a large flat
box and a kit containing painting and hobby tools.  Kenny started
the class with prayer then proceeded with the lesson which was
the teaching and then the assembly of the Tabernacle kit.


As 10:15am rolled around, Mac resumed his greeting duties as
did Wilfred and Jenny. As Mac stood by the front entrance he
saw Karen Williams coming back from the women's Sunday
School class, which was held in the fellowship hall next to the
church.
 Karen walked over to Mac and began with, "After hearing about
what happened at the trailer park where Julie and Alex used to
live, I thought I was going to go into shock."
 "I understand, Karen," Mac replied, "I knew from where I saw
the glow from the fire where it was."
"And I thanked God that the kids were safe with the Canfields."
"That makes two of us, Karen."  Mac looked at his watch and
saw that it was time to ring the church bell.
 "Excuse me Karen", Mac said, "Time for me to ring the church bell."
"Oh, please do,"  Karen answered, "I always love hearing it."
 As Karen turned to walk to the sanctuary Mac stopped her and asked,
"Is it alright if I sit with you during the service?"
 "Why, Mac," Karen smiled in surprise, "you know you're welcome anytime."
  She lightly punched him on the arm playfully and added with, "Don't be so
modest."
"It just seemed like the thing to ask."
 "Oh lighten up, Mac Davenport," she chuckled,  "I know all about you."
 "Karen, you're scaring me," Mac said in mock fright.
"Good, then I'll see you in there."
  Wilfred and Jenny were observing the playful banter between Mac and
Karen.  Jenny remarked with, "I think they're falling in love with each
other."
"It does appear to be heading in that direction, dear Jenny,"  Wilfred
replied, smiling in the direction where Mac and Karen were.


This concludes Chapter 21.

Shelter from the Storm. (Chapter 20)

Mac Davenport arrived at Newberry Community Church around
seven-thirty in the morning to open up the building and prepare
it for the Sunday morning service. His mind was still on the explosion
he heard last night and knew it had to have come from Sunrise Trailer
Park for that area where he saw the glow came from the same direction
where the trailer park was located.
 What got him was why the explosion was so intense.  Being a former
firefighter and having fought a few mobile home fires knew of  their
intensity to burn.  But for one to explode like the one he heard last
night was unusual even for a trailer fire. It had to have been a homemade
bomb.  The thought of that made him cringe.
 Mac was still thinking of last night when he heard someone enter the
back entrance of the church.  He heard the voices of Wilfred Templar
and Jenny Garrett; his fellow greeters.
 Mac was in the copier room of the church office and called out from
there, "Wilfred! Jenny! Good morning!  I'm in here!"
 "Ah, good morning, young Mac,"  Wilfred replied as he entered the
office with Jenny following.
 "Good morning, Mac," Jenny answered then added, "Do you want
me to prepare the coffeemakers while you and Wilfred do the bulletins?"
"Sure, go right ahead, Jen' " Mac said,  "This won't take long, anyway."
 "Okay, Mac."
 Jenny turned and headed to the tea room to prepare the coffeemakers
and lay out the snacks.  Jenny knew Mac bought coffee cookies and
kept them in the shelf above the table where the coffeemakers sat. She
reached in to get them and laid them on a glass serving tray then got
to work setting up the coffeemakers.  She had the routine down pat
as did Mac and Wilfred.
 As Mac went to the table in the hallway to lay out the bulletins Mac
caught a glimpse of someone entering the church, looked to the right
and saw Officer Frank Hunt step in.
 Mac responded with, "Well good morning Officer Hunt. What's the
trouble?"   Mac went over to him.
 "Are the Canfields here?"  Hunt asked.
  "They should be here any time,"  Mac answered,  "Is something wrong?"
  "Let's talk outside,"  Hunt insisted.
 "Sure, no problem."
 Mac and Officer Hunt went outside through the front entrance and to
where Hunt's patrol car was parked then Hunt began to speak.
 "There was a trailer explosion last night at Sunrise Trailer Park," Hunt
began, "and the trailer involved belonged to the mother of the kids that
the Canfields now have in their foster care."
 Mac felt his tongue go dry and his head buzz when Hunt mentioned
the Hobbs trailer being the one that blew up.  What's going on here?
 "What exactly caused the trailer to explode?"  Mac asked, trying
to stay calm.
"It's still under investigation, but they believe it's arson."
"I see."
 "Mac, I usually don't talk about incidents to those not involved but
I trust you and I know how close you are to the Canfields, but it's
also imperative I talk to them__for the sake of Julie and Alex."
"I understand."
 Just then Mac and the officer heard a car pull in. Mac looked over
and saw that it was the Canfields' maroon Dodge minivan, their
other vehicle.
Officer Hunt was getting ready to walk over to where the Toyota
pulled in when Mac suggested, "Why don't I walk over there with
you, Frank?  It might ease the tension."
"Absolutely."  Frank suddenly stopped short, turned back toward
the patrol car and to the front passenger door to open it.  Frank
then said, "Oh, something else I'd like to ask of you and the
Canfields."  And with that he opened the car door and out of the
car came a little boy with light brown hair, about eight-years-old
and wearing a white collared polo shirt and dark blue pants and
black shoes and carrying a children's Bible.
 "Mac," Frank began to say, "this is my son Tommy."   He then
turned to Tommy and said, "Tommy, this is Mr. Davenport. He
welcomes people to the church."
Mac stooped down to the boy's height and extended his hand to
the boy, the boy reaching to take it; albeit somewhat shyly.
"Well, nice to meet you, Tommy,"  Mac smiled,  If you and your
dad come with me, there are four other kids who would like to
meet you as well."
 "You'll like them, Tommy," Frank assured his son.
"Thank you, Mr. Davenport,"  Tommy finally answered.
 You're welcome, Tommy,"  Mac replied, "Your dad is
right, you'll like these kids."



 Gary and Vera Canfield noticed the Newberry police car and the police
officer talking with Mac when they pulled in to park next to the church bus.
Julie and Alex exchanged uneasy glances to each other then to Gary and
Vera.  Brian and Dawn did the same.
 Gary noticed the nervous expressions of the kids and reassured them with,
"Now let's not get excited. That officer is just talking with Mac."
 "Yes,"  Brian chimed in, "But what about?"
  It was then they saw a little boy climb out from the front passenger side of
the patrol car and walk toward Mac and the officer with Mac greeting the
boy.
 "I think that's our answer," Gary said as he saw Mac, the police officer, and
the boy walk toward to where they parked.
 "Policeman have boy with 'em."  Alex piped up.
 "Well, let's go over and say hello, shall we?"  Gary suggested as they all
got out of the minivan.


This concludes Chapter 20.

Shelter from the Storm. (Chapter 19)

Mac Davenport was almost asleep when a distant explosion woke
him back up. Cornelius; lying next to Mac's bed, suddenly lifted his
head and began barking frantically with Kato suddenly leaping from
off Mac in the process.  Mac, being a former firefighter, knew from
the sound of the explosion that it often meant disaster. He leaped out
of bed and ran into the living room with Cornelius and Kato right
behind.  Looking out the living room window he saw an orange glow
in the northeast area of town.  Mac knew right away it was coming
from the trailer park.
 I'm so glad Julie and Alex are with the Canfields, Mac thought.


 Karen Williams was just about ready to turn out the light on the
small nightstand next to her bed when a thunderous boom caused
her to exclaim, "What was that?"  Karen could hear the thumping
of feet in the hallway as she knew her parents had heard it too.
Karen flew out of bed and to the hallway and said to her mother
and father, "Mom! Dad!  What is that?"
 "I don't know, honey!" came her mother's reply.
 "Sounds like it came from the east!"  Karen's father added.
 As soon as Richard said that, he heard the eerie tone of the
Newberry Fire Department fire siren winding up.
 When Richard heard the siren, he said, "Whatever it is, it's
trouble if that fire siren is any indication."  The three of them
went toward the kitchen as their kitchen window faced east.
Sure enough as Richard pulled the curtains back he, Neva,
and Karen saw the orange glow which lit up the night sky
around it.
 Richard looked out and said, "The only place that would be
in that direction is the Sunrise Trailer Park."
 Karen put her hand over her mouth in shock when the trailer
park was mentioned as she knew Julie Benson and Alex Hobbs
had lived there.  Karen clasped both her hands together, looked
up and praised God aloud, saying,  "Oh thank you Lord that Julie
and Alex are safe with the Canfields!"
 "Yes, indeed," Richard replied, also looking up.
 "Thank you, Lord,"  added Neva.


The sound of the explosion in the eastern part of Newberry had
also reached the home of the Canfields as they were getting
ready to turn in also.
 Brian Canfield was the first to react and immediately ran to the
window to see where the sound came from, with Alex along
side him. He could see an orange glow in the distance. Alex
could see it too and said, "A fire."
 "Yea Alex, I see that."  Brian replied. That was when they
heard the fire siren go off.
 "I hear siren," Alex responded.
 "I hear it, too," Brian said,  "That's the fire department siren."
  Brian and Alex could hear the sound of feet hitting the floor
in both Dawn and Julie's and their parents' bedrooms.
 Dawn and Julie burst into the boys' bedroom with Dawn
the first to start with,  "Brian! What do you see? Is it a fire?"
"Yea," came the answer, "you can see the glow from here."
  All four children were gathered around the window to watch
the glow when Gary and Vera came in with Gary asking, "What's
going on?"
 "There's a fire not far from here," Brian answered, "Must have
something to do with that explosion we heard."
 "We heard it, too," Vera put in, "I think it woke all of us."
  Gary and Vera came over to see where the glow was and
when Gary and Vera noticed which direction it was, they
looked at each other with the look of  realization of how
blessed Julie and Alex were to be with them now.
 Fearing Julie and Alex might figure out where the fire was,
he said, "Okay, let's get back to bed. We have church
tomorrow and we have to get there early to pick up
everybody."
 Everyone went back to bed, the fire siren finally ceasing
its call to summon, but only to be followed by a multitude
of smaller sirens as the fire department raced to the scene
where the orange glow was.


This concludes Chapter 19.