This is an excerpt from the book Confidence: Reliance on the Spirit:
"Okay, settle down everyone. Remember, you're here to practice!" Lilia hollered at all the young people. The teenagers chattered to each other and sipped their cocoa with melting baby marshmallows. "Here are your music books. Men, before you ask, yes you do have to sing! If I see you moving your mouth with no sound coming out, I'm going to cue Mele and she's going to take this here ping pong paddle and whack you!" Lilia held up the offending instrument for all the men to see. She swung it and smacked it against her hand. Crack!
"That seems a little severe Lilia," Mele tittered with laughter at her goofy friend.
"How do we get these stupid guys to sing then? You tell me! " Lilia cried with candor. The young men stared at her and wondered where she was coming from.
"Men, would you please sing out?" Mele requested sweetly and smiled nicely at them.
"Sure!" They answered in unison. They all wanted to please Mele.
"Who knew you could get a bull into a bullpen with honey!" Lilia declared. All the teenagers whooped with laughter until they cried.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Homeless Angels
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?" asked Lilia 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.)
"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?" asked Lilia 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.)
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Haphazard Hayride
Apelehama drove the hay wagon filled with Lilia's friends. Kimo had secured Jan's wheelchair at the front of the wagon in between three heavy bales of hay. He sat on one of the bales and held Jan's shoulders. Jan reached for his face and kissed him tenderly in thanks. Jan is one sweet girl, thought Kimo.
Jim and Lilia had placed hay bales down the center of the wagon for them to lean on and loose hay all around them. Mele lied in Dennis' arms, Penny cuddled with Jeremy, Bill held Cindy close to him, and Lilia sat on Jim's lap, secure in his embrace.
"It's such a beautiful night tonight Jimmy. All that rain has cleared the air. Listen to the rush of all the water in the creek," Lilia said lightheartedly as she enjoyed the freshness of the evening immensely.
"Lilia, you've changed. What's happened to you?" Jim nudged her nose with his nose and teased her a bit.
"Jimmy, when I had knowledge that I was going to be shot, I realized that I can't live without you. My feelings for you deepened in that moment and so did my love. I felt so sad that I was going to be shot and maybe leave you. You're so good to me, thank you for everything," she said genuinely as she kissed Jim full on the lips and lingered there.
Jim gazed at Lilia in the moonlight with tenderness, "I've waited a long time to hear those words Lilia."
"I know you have and I appreciate your patience with me. I'm a woman deeply in love with a man, and the only man for me is you, my handsome Jimmy," Lilia held his face in her hands and offered him her love. Jim had waited three years for Lilia to turn into a woman. It had happened. He covered her mouth with his and kissed her with passion.
Apelehama drove the tractor and wagon through the meadow, and then turned to take the road over the rushing creek where the culvert allowed the water to roar down to the ocean.
Bill shoved Jim playfully as he yipped, "You're whipped!" Jim set Lilia aside on the soft hay.
"No more than you!" Jim yelled at his best friend and shoved Bill back in jest.
"You've lost all your free will!" Bill shoved Jim hard and they both laughed. Jim wobbled, lost his balance, and then fell off the wagon. Lilia looked on in horror as Jim's head hit the culvert, and he sank into the black rushing water.
Lilia shrieked with terror, "Jimmy!"
She jumped off the wagon and dove into the stream in front of where Jim had fallen in. The water rushed through the culvert filling it to the top. She couldn't see anything, and then an arm hit her, and she grabbed it tight. She swam under the water back through the culvert pulling on his arm and kicking as fast and hard as her muscled thighs would allow. Breathless, she surfaced and Bill reached for Jim and heaved him out of the water. Jim's lifeless form lied on the bank of the creek. Lilia hurriedly turned his head to the side to evacuate any water he had swallowed.
Lilia screamed with fear, "Jimmy!" Jim spewed the water out of his lungs. Lilia held his face tenderly, "Jimmy, are you all right?" He gazed up at her and felt confused. He didn't know what had happened. She informed him gently, "Jimmy you have a nasty gash on your head, Gramps, let's take Jimmy back to the ranch, and then you can continue your hayride without us."
Jim and Lilia had placed hay bales down the center of the wagon for them to lean on and loose hay all around them. Mele lied in Dennis' arms, Penny cuddled with Jeremy, Bill held Cindy close to him, and Lilia sat on Jim's lap, secure in his embrace.
"It's such a beautiful night tonight Jimmy. All that rain has cleared the air. Listen to the rush of all the water in the creek," Lilia said lightheartedly as she enjoyed the freshness of the evening immensely.
"Lilia, you've changed. What's happened to you?" Jim nudged her nose with his nose and teased her a bit.
"Jimmy, when I had knowledge that I was going to be shot, I realized that I can't live without you. My feelings for you deepened in that moment and so did my love. I felt so sad that I was going to be shot and maybe leave you. You're so good to me, thank you for everything," she said genuinely as she kissed Jim full on the lips and lingered there.
Jim gazed at Lilia in the moonlight with tenderness, "I've waited a long time to hear those words Lilia."
"I know you have and I appreciate your patience with me. I'm a woman deeply in love with a man, and the only man for me is you, my handsome Jimmy," Lilia held his face in her hands and offered him her love. Jim had waited three years for Lilia to turn into a woman. It had happened. He covered her mouth with his and kissed her with passion.
Apelehama drove the tractor and wagon through the meadow, and then turned to take the road over the rushing creek where the culvert allowed the water to roar down to the ocean.
Bill shoved Jim playfully as he yipped, "You're whipped!" Jim set Lilia aside on the soft hay.
"No more than you!" Jim yelled at his best friend and shoved Bill back in jest.
"You've lost all your free will!" Bill shoved Jim hard and they both laughed. Jim wobbled, lost his balance, and then fell off the wagon. Lilia looked on in horror as Jim's head hit the culvert, and he sank into the black rushing water.
Lilia shrieked with terror, "Jimmy!"
She jumped off the wagon and dove into the stream in front of where Jim had fallen in. The water rushed through the culvert filling it to the top. She couldn't see anything, and then an arm hit her, and she grabbed it tight. She swam under the water back through the culvert pulling on his arm and kicking as fast and hard as her muscled thighs would allow. Breathless, she surfaced and Bill reached for Jim and heaved him out of the water. Jim's lifeless form lied on the bank of the creek. Lilia hurriedly turned his head to the side to evacuate any water he had swallowed.
Lilia screamed with fear, "Jimmy!" Jim spewed the water out of his lungs. Lilia held his face tenderly, "Jimmy, are you all right?" He gazed up at her and felt confused. He didn't know what had happened. She informed him gently, "Jimmy you have a nasty gash on your head, Gramps, let's take Jimmy back to the ranch, and then you can continue your hayride without us."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg)
