Hula Sisters

This is an excerpt from The Turquoise Cowgirl, In the Shadows of the Palms, A Love Story, which will be released soon:

“The song that we’re going to learn the hula for is called ‘Little Brown Gal,’ and who do you think that is?” Twenty-year-old Lilia asked with a smile of delight at her three-and-a-half-year-old-sister.

“Me-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e!” screeched Ginger with gaiety.

“That is right, my little muffin,” said Lilia with a smile in her mom’s direction.

“Do you mind if I stay and watch?” Francine asked and raised her eyebrows expectantly. She didn’t want to miss any of the fun of seeing her two girls learning to do the hula together.

“No, Mom, I certainly don’t mind.” Lilia replied to her mom graciously, and smiled. “First let’s assume a hula posture. Push your shoulders back, and push your hips slightly backward too.” Lilia demonstrated to Ginger, and she followed Lilia’s example.

Francine laughed at the baby butt sticking out in the back, and covered her mouth with her hand so as not to interrupt the lesson.

“Oh this is too rich for words,” Francine said under her breath with unmitigated humor.

“Next, stick your feet out to the sides at about a forty-five degree angle,” Lilia assumed the stance, and Ginger followed suit. “Now, bend your knees until you can’t bend them any further. That’s good. Bend your arms, and bring your hands to your chest with palms down.”

Ginger bent her knees and her arms, and now she looked like one of the native male dancers. Francine roared with suppressed laughter, and tears ran from her eyes.

She exclaimed, “Oh my!” The sight of the little girl assuming the hula stance looked hilarious to her.

“Sway your hips from side to side like this,” said Lilia as she showed her what she meant. Ginger swayed her childish hips slowly and evenly to each side.

“Am I doing it right?” Ginger asked with interest.

“You’re doing great, little sweet pea,” said Lilia as she smiled warmly at the miniature Ginger. “The next thing we’re going to learn is the Kaholo. Keep your hula posture, and sway your hips as you take two steps sideways to the right. Stick your toes out first, and lead with them. Watch me, sweetie, and then we’ll do it together.”

Ginger observed her intently, and bobbed her head up and down to indicate that she understood, and couldn’t wait to get started.

“Okay, let’s do it together,” said Lilia sweetly.

“Okay, sister,” gurgled Ginger with pleasure. She did exactly as Lilia, which was no surprise, because God had made her as smart as Lilia.

“Now, do the same thing to the left,” instructed Lilia as they did it slowly together. Lilia cried, “That was fantastic Ginger!” She hugged the miniature hula dancer with fervor. “Let’s learn the Ami next.”

Ginger wiggled her head from side to side with excitement, and laughed with merriment, “Hurry up, sister!”

“Take the hula stance,” said Lilia as she giggled under her breath at Ginger. Lilia watched to be certain that Ginger did it properly because it was rather an awkward position even for a grownup. “Rotate your hips to the front to the left side, to the back, and to the right side. You’re making a circle with your hips.” Lilia rotated her hips sensually and gracefully in a circle, and Ginger copied her with slightly less motion. “Exaggerate the movement, and try to make the hips move more.” Ginger performed the Ami four times, and now understood it completely.

“Mom, I’m having so much fun!” Ginger squealed unexpectedly.

“I see that you are, darling,” said Francine. Her heart filled to overflowing with love for her two daughters. She loved to see them interact with each other because they loved each other so much.

Hummingbird Nest

Back at the ranch again, Jim and Lilia relaxed up on the roof of the lean-to. “Look, Jim,” Lilia said quietly and pointed at a mother hummingbird sitting in a carefully constructed nest on a low-lying branch of a queen palm tree. They gazed at the conical miracle. “It looks like green plastic, but I think she constructed it from spume and greenery collected from the area,” Lilia whispered to Jim in awe of one of God’s creations.

Jim peered into Lilia’s amazing turquoise eyes, and said, “Lilia, you’re a hummingbird, too. Your life hums at the speed of light just like the hummingbird’s does.”

“What kind of bird or animal are you like, Jim?” Lilia asked with curiosity. She tilted her head at him and wondered if he’d play along with her.

He chuckled and replied, “I’m probably a tall and proud elk, but to keep up with you, I’m forced to be a coyote.” They laughed easily together.

Over a period of eighteen days, Lilia and Jim watched the nest. She pointed out every change to Jim. The two little eggs hatched and became two tiny little beaks, which stuck straight up from the bottom of the conical home. The beaks emerged into heads, and then the bodies became visible. One little hummingbird tried out its speedy wings, and then poked at the back of the other hummingbird with its beak to tell it,” Move over.” Eventually, the only way that the two little birds could fit in the nest was similar to shoes in a shoebox: head to tail and tail to head.

Jim and Lilia knew that it wouldn’t be long before the little birds took flight. The next morning they climbed up the ladder to the top of the lean-to, and looked down to view that the birds were gone. Star jasmine grew up the side of the barn and lean-to. Lilia and Jim lay on their stomachs and observed as the mother hummingbird and the two little hummers feasted on the nectar. Jim felt sad that the birds had grown too big for the nest, but he took solace in the perfection that the miracle of God displayed in their growth. He realized that it was no different with Lilia. God displayed her growth for the world to see, too.

Christmas Party

This is an excerpt from the third novel in "The Faith Series": Consequence: Importance of the Spirit:

“Next is my favorite part, the games!” Lilia cried goofily. The group laughed and feigned groaning. They knew how inventive and mischievous Lilia could be.

“Oh, you’re going to love this first one!” Lilia laughed at her own creativity. “We’re going to form two lines. I’ll line you up.” Lilia formed two lines of young people alternating the short with the tall. They all laughed at Lilia’s goofiness as she snorted and hiccuped with laughter. “We’re going to have a race. You can’t use your hands or feet or any other body parts, only your necks. Hold your hands together behind you.” She showed them two large red Delicious apples. You’re going to pass the apple with your neck to the person next to you. If you drop it on the floor, you have to pick it up with your neck. The first line to get the apple to the end of the line wins. Oh, and we do have prizes!”

Laughter broke out throughout the room. Bill said, “Only Lilia could think of something that bizarre!” Her entire crowd of friends joined in the fun of the moment, even Dennis, who started to forget about his disappointment.

Lilia handed a big apple to Jim at the front of the first line and to Wilson at the front of the second line. Jim placed the apple under his chin and tried to pass it to petite little Cindy. They bumped against noses, arms, and chests trying to get their bodies in the right position to make the pass successfully. To everyone watching, it was hilarious! They laughed and laughed as each person’s turn came up.

Jan dropped her apple to the floor. She lied prone on the ground and picked up the apple with her neck, but then couldn’t get herself back up again with her arms behind her back. She rolled over, then kneeled, and then regained her stand. “Phew, I finally made it!” She cried.

Kimo hooted with how funny her hair looked from rolling around on the floor, “Don’t you ever comb your hair?” Everyone crowed with laughter.

Wilson tried to pass the apple to Penny, but Penny got her hair stuck around one of Wilson’s buttons. He tried to lower himself to help free it. Penny’s head moved with Wilson’s chest as he tried to untangle her hair. The unexpected entanglement set off the group into hysterical laughter.

Mele tried to pass the apple to the much taller Dennis. He went down on his knees, and she easily bent over and passed it to him. He stood up and tried to pass the apple to Alika, who now laughed so hard that she couldn’t grab it. The apple dropped to the floor. Dennis bent over to pick up the apple on his knees with his butt sticking up in the air. Mele couldn’t resist, she shoved Dennis’ butt with her foot and sent him prone to the floor. The crowd guffawed with laughter.

The apple finally made it to the end of the first line that Jim headed. The entire line jumped up and down! “We won! We won!”

Lilia passed out a perfectly wrapped box of Godiva’s chocolates to each person in the first line. “Congratulations go to you!” she said to each person. In typical man fashion, the men opened the boxes right away, and started eating. The girls saved their boxes for later. “I could have told you that would happen!” Lilia hollered merrily.

The Iguana's Breakfast

We were sitting in an open air restaurant in Xcaret, Mexico eating breakfast. I was eating a customized and freshly made omelet. I first spied the large Green Iguana as he slowly approached our table waddling back and forth. He was huge, at least three feet long to the end of his tan and black-striped tail. He slapped his feet down on the pavement right next to my feet, and looked up at me with his third eye hidden behind the light scale on the top of his head. He stuck out his tongue and inquired, "What's for breakfast?"

They are attracted to the colors yellow, orange, red, and blue, and their most favorite food is, guess what? Eggs! He flirted with my leg with his tongue and encouraged me to share some eggs with him. Some fearless Hispanic children scurried over to our table with a spoonful of eggs and started feeding him.

The rakish creature had a great big fat tail, which he fed on when he's not in the feeding mode. His feeding mode only happens six times a year or so. I think he devoured his full two-months quota on that morning.

It was clear that he thought himself to be a handsome devil with the row of spines running down his back, which made him look like a dragon. He winked at me flirtatiously, and I couldn't resist his advances. I would never eat an entire omelet anyway.

He seemed to love my customized choices of cheese, mushrooms, tomatoes, and spinach for my omelet. He gobbled it down with relish and came closer. His foot rested on my shoe. I was very surprised by the weight of it. I realized he must weigh fifty pounds or so, or more. I let him lick the plate. He offered his thanks, winked devilishly at me, and slipped back down the wall to the lagoon.

I didn't expect him to be loyal to me, his morning's conquest, but instead I waved good-bye and cried, "Have a nice life!"

Homeless Angels

This is an excerpt from the young adult novel Consequence: Importance of the Spirit, Lilia Faith Christian's Family Legacy:

After rehearsal the next day, the four young people donned their old clothes and headed for Fisherman's Wharf.

"Men, I'll watch Lilia, and you watch our backs okay? Face away from us at the ongoing circumstances, and keep a sharp eye," Jim ordered seriously. He didn't want any nasty surprises.

"Yes boss," said Kimo in a no-nonsense manner.

"Ay, ay, chief," Bill replied soberly and saluted.

They carried four backpacks each. They looked like homeless people themselves carrying around all their loot. They met a homeless woman named Linda, who sat by the side of the sidewalk down by San Francisco Bay. Lilia sat down on the ground next to her, and Jim sat down next to Lilia. "Hi, my name is Lilia, what's yours?" Lilia asked as she looked into Linda's eyes, but the woman avoided her gaze.

"I'm Linda," she said and offered nothing more.

"How are you today Linda?" Lilia asked sincerely with heartfelt interest.

"I'm sad Lilia. The only friend I have to walk around with is lying drunk on the ground over there. He doesn't help take care of me when he's drunk," she complained.

"What kind of care do you need, Linda?" Lilia inquired in case there was something she could do.

"I fell down on the sidewalk and hurt my back and scraped up my knees," said Linda mournfully and showed Lilia her bleeding knees. Lilia reached inside of a backpack, and pulled out an antibacterial wipe. She cleaned the wound, put antibiotic ointment on it, and bandaged it for Linda.

"Does that feel better?" Lilia asked as she gently rubbed Linda's back with concern.

"Yes, thank you," Linda said and began to weep.

"Why are you crying Linda?" Lilia questioned her to uncover the underlying cause of her upset.

"Because, most people would never sit down and just start talking to me. They avoid me, as if I have a communicable disease. You've been very kind," blubbered Linda. "I could use a friend like you."

"Linda, do you go to church?" Lilia asked gently. She knew that her question delved into a sensitive subject.

"No, I used to go to church, but I haven't been to church in years, since I became homeless and started living in the street," Linda said painfully. Lilia handed Linda a tissue to wipe her nose and eyes, and gently rubbed her arm.

"Linda, Here is a route map for all the churches in the area, which take in homeless people overnight, and feed them. You see," she said as she pointed at the map, "there is a church only six blocks from here, which does Monday nights and today is Monday. Here is another church a few blocks from the Monday church, which does Tuesdays. You wouldn't have to sleep in the street if you could get yourself on this route, and you'd have something to eat too. Do you believe in God, Linda?" Lilia looked at Linda in a non-judgmental and empathetic manner.

Linda started to sob again, "I used to believe in God, but I haven't given him much thought lately."

Lilia replied with conviction. She said, "God loves you, Linda, and he sent me here today to help you. Everything in this backpack is yours. It contains everything from bandages to antibacterial wipes to food and water. We also put a nice leather-bound Bible in here for you so that you can be comforted Linda," Lilia said sympathetically."May we pray with you Linda?"

"Would you? That would be so nice," answered Linda with hopefulness.

Jim and Lilia each took one of Linda's hands and linked their own. Lilia prayed, "Father in Heaven, your child is grieving for you. She hasn't thought about you for some time, but she's ready to do more thinking about you. Dear Father, we ask you to fill her with your Holy Spirit, and by your power, produce in Linda the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We thank you, Father."

Linda cried out, "I feel so much better! A load of guilt just lifted off my shoulders."

You don't have to walk alone, Linda. God walks with you. He'll be your constant companion if you let Him. Study His Word in the Bible. It will bring you great joy," Lilia said with conviction. Linda sobbed and hugged Lilia.

The two homeless men, who sat near Jim, Lilia, and Linda, listened to the whole conversation and changed forever in that instant.

(I'm happy to report that truth is stranger than fiction because this event actually happened to Don and I in northern California, and the woman's name was Linda.)

Agree to Disagree

This is an excerpt from the novel Providence: Leading of the Spirit:

The female host greeted Lilia and Jim, “Thank you for being with us today. I have to say that the two of you make an astonishing-looking couple.”

Lilia replied sweetly, “Thank you. I think it’s because of the contrast in our coloring.”

“Oh believe me, it’s more than that!” the female host exclaimed brightly. “Individually, you are extremely handsome people.” Jim colored pink from the neck up, and the interviewer apologized, “I didn’t mean to embarrass you, Jim.” Jim smiled nicely and nodded at her graciously.

The female host said, “Congratulations on the Country Music Awards, Lilia and Jim. Your performance on the program scintillated with love, and some other mysterious element that I can’t quite put my finger on. It was reported that families across America, and the world were riveted to their televisions during your performance.”

Lilia looked at Jim for a response because she didn’t want to appear too proud.

He smiled and said in his deep, gravelly baritone, “I didn’t want to do it, but Lilia talked me into it, as she often does.” He hugged her slightly with the arm that rested on the back of the sofa.

The female host laughed, and said, “Yes, we’ve heard that she’s quite the precocious young woman.”

“You’ve got that right.” Jim chuckled and smiled at Lilia.

The female host added, “Lilia, you received four awards at the Country Music Awards. That’s quite an accomplishment: Best Music Video, Best Album, Best Female Vocalist, and Entertainer of the Year. Along with that, your ‘Only Him’ album has sold over ten million copies. What do you think of that Lilia?”

“I don’t think about it. I leave everything in God’s hands,” she replied humbly.

“I understand that you have many ministries, Lilia. What do you plan to do with the proceeds from your album?” The female host inquired pointedly.

Lilia smiled sweetly and replied, “My portion of the proceeds is designated for my orphanage in Uganda, Africa, and the outreach ice-skating rink that we’re currently building in Kauai, along with a few other ministries.”

“One of your bodyguards told me that you dedicate any extra time to ministering to the homeless people,” revealed the female host unexpectedly as she focused her full attention on Lilia.

Jim took Lilia’s hand in both of his, glanced at Lilia for approval, and then fielded the question for Lilia. “Lilia believes that if everyone did their part to help the homeless, we wouldn’t have any homeless people in America.” Lilia smiled up at Jim and nodded her head in agreement.

“It’s obvious that you care for each other very much. What does the future hold for the two of you?” the female host asked impertinently.

Jim peered at Lilia, and she eyed Jim demurely, then she turned and said to the interviewer, “I plan to marry Jim someday when the time is right.” Jim lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. The female host smiled at the revelation and lifted one eyebrow to the camera.

“Let’s talk about a sensitive subject, your beliefs. Do you honestly believe that Christians are the only people blessed by God?” She inquired as she put Lilia on the spot on national television.

Lilia didn’t hesitate with her answer. She replied with dignified aplomb. “God wants to bless everyone. The question is: Are we ready to receive the blessings that God wants to give us?”

“I happen to be Jewish. Does your belief mean that Abraham, the father of many nations, will not receive God’s blessing?” The female host drilled her question at Lilia, and tried to get Lilia to tip her hand, but Lilia had prayed about it beforehand, and she felt prepared.

Lilia replied in a sweet but confident voice. “Abraham found favor with God by faith alone, an inner belief and complete trust in God. God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. That promise became truth in Jesus Christ, who was from Abraham’s bloodline. Abraham never doubted because he trusted God’s promise of a Messiah. Everyone who believes as Abraham believed is a child of God. God will always provide righteousness to those who believe.” Lilia smiled winningly with empathetic eyes at the female host.

The female host fired her missile in a straight line to Lilia and attempted to rattle her, “What will happen to the Jewish people who believe in God, but not in Christ?”

Jim gazed confidently at Lilia as she replied in an even and sincere tone, “The Jewish people are God’s chosen people. If Abraham’s line of descendants were a tree, the Jewish people would be the natural branches. Some Jewish people are without faith, and therefore, some of the Jewish branches are broken off from the tree. In their place, God grafted some Gentiles into the spot of the broken branches so that both the Jews and Gentiles could share the nourishment of the tree. God doesn’t offer salvation based on the law, traditions, culture, or heritage. Instead, God offers salvation based on faith. Because Jesus is the most complete revelation of God, I have faith in Him. If God was willing to do something so contrary to nature by grafting a Gentile into his cultivated tree, he will be much more eager to graft the original branches back into the tree where they belong.” Lilia smiled humbly at the female host and waited politely for her response. Jim waited for the host’s response too.

“I don’t necessarily agree with you,” the host pleasantly replied to Lilia, and lifted a brow in question at Lilia.

“I understand,” said Lilia as she countered pleasingly, “but it’s nice that a Jew and a Christian can sit down and discuss it in an open forum rather than persecuting each other.”

“You are a very well-spoken young woman,” the female host replied to Lilia. “I can honestly see why you are successful at so many ministries.”

“Thank you,” Lilia replied engagingly and smiled at her pleasantly.

“You heard it here first folks, the remarkable Lilia Faith Christian, and her bodyguard boyfriend, James Stewart Rose,” said the female host as she reached over and cordially shook Jim and Lilia’s hands. “Thank you for being with us today,” she said and smiled at them. Lilia and Jim both smiled back at her nicely, and the interview ended.