Darrell and Martha's Wedding

This is an excerpt from the novel Confidence: Reliance on the Spirit. (Darrell lost his wife and his middle son on the same night, both from heart complications. Many months later he met Sister Martha, the new principal for the elementary school. Even though Martha's appearance was mousy, Darrell spied the beauty on the inside.)

Darrell and Martha were to be married on their favorite Kauai beach at six o'clock in the evening. All Darrell's children took their appointed places. Darrell's two little daughters, Marti and Maggie, wore their handmade, puffed sleeve, rose-colored, full-skirted flower girl dresses, and stood at the back with baskets filled with white and yellow plumeria petals. Mary wore a similar dress and was ready with a small bouquet of plumeria they had picked from a tree. Bill, Darrell's oldest son and his best man, wore a nice Hawaiian shirt with subtle shades of blue and green with a pair of dark slacks to match his dad. Dick and Dean stood ready in their ushering positions. Sarah and Katie, assigned to the guest book, gathered the guests to sign the book. Ben and Tom checked the refreshment table for forks, napkins, plates, and punch glasses. The entire family felt prepared.

Martha's wedding gown was simple: a white satin gown featuring a scooped neck, an empire waist, long open floating sleeves, and an A-line skirt that fell softly to the ground. She wore only a little makeup, and she was barefoot.

Darrell had good examples in Apelehama and Jacob, Lilia's grandpa and dad. The zeal that they showed for their wives had made them all very happy. Darrell vowed to himself that he would be the same kind of husband. He would love Martha and encourage her to love him back. He would be responsive to her moods and spontaneous too.

Martha wasn't worried at all, even though she was a virgin. She trusted Darrell implicitly and respected him in every way. He was considerate and heedful of her needs. Martha felt certain that God's plan for her was perfect. The instincts that God had built into a woman would kick in when the time came. Martha trusted the Lord to care for her.

The guests arrived between five forty-five and six o'clock in the evening. The awning provided some protection from the sun for those who sat in the back. It didn't matter too much to the guests, though, since the sun would be down by six-thirty anyway. The light ocean breeze felt refreshing and sweet. The sound of the waves crashing onto the shore lent a romantic bent to the entire scene.

Apelehama and Mandy sat in the front with Jacob and Francine, and their daughter, Lilia, and her friend, Jimmy. Francine didn't know quite what to think about sixteen-year-old Jimmy tagging along with her fourteen-year-old daughter, but then he and Bill were friends, and Bill had invited him. Jacob had told Francine not to worry. He had said that all the teenagers were like a beehive - they hummed in a group.

The ceremony was about to begin. Pastor Johnson took his position in the front. Darrell, and his son, Bill, stood straight and tall as they promenaded to the front and took their places to the right of Pastor Johnson.

"Ave Maria" played in the background as Maggie and Marti walked down the aisle tossing plumeria petals about. When they reached the front, they stood off to the left of Pastor Johnson, leaving enough space for their older sister, Mary, and their new mother, Martha. Mary strolled down the aisle of sand next. The rose-colored dress accentuated her attractive dark skin, and showed what a lovely girl she was.

Martha was poised at the back of the venue. Tom switched the music to "Timpani in D Major" by Mozart, which prompted the audience witnesses to stand.

Martha's toes were painted pink with an intricate palette of flowers on each big toe. She wore a traditional veil over her face. She had applied a little aqua-colored eye shadow, mascara, a little lip-gloss and blush, but wore no foundation. That was all the makeup that she wore. Darrell had encouraged her not to wear any makeup at all, but Martha had wanted to be ready for the camera. She wanted to remember that she was beautiful on this most special day of her life.

Martha strolled gracefully the distance of the sand aisle. She pointed her bare toes out and then down landing on the balls of her feet. Martha felt so blissful that she wore an infectious smile on her face all the way down the aisle. Her lips curved up in happy expectation. She strolled so smoothly and elegantly that she looked like an Olympic gymnast on a balance beam. Martha arrived at Mary's side. Now Mary, Maggie, and Marti smiled up at Martha too. Darrell's children loved Martha, and she loved them in return.

Pastor Johnson opened the ceremony. Darrell lifted the veil from Martha's face, and then took both her hands in his as they declared their vows to each other. The ring ceremony followed the vows. They exchanged plain gold bands. As far as Martha was concerned, the gift was Darrell. She didn't need a fancy ring.

Lastly, Pastor Johnson said, "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." Darrell folded Martha tenderly in his arms and kissed her deeply with passion and love. He had loved her from the first moment that he set eyes upon her. Martha was perfect for him, and Martha knew it too. Pastor Johnson said in a formal tone, "I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Linderman."

Out of the Starting Gate

This is an excerpt from the first book in "The Faith Series": Innocence: Simplicity of Spirit.

Lilia came bounding into the kitchen from her bedroom. It was Saturday. She could spend the entire day with her horse, King, and she couldn't wait.

"Guess what I learned on Wikipedia, Gramps?" Lilia cried gleefully.

"Child, I'd have no idea." Apelehama sometimes couldn't keep up with his overzealous granddaughter, and he knew it.

"I learned that King is the 'peacock of the horse world.' He is sensitive and alert, and that he is the most beautiful horse in the world! I learned that he is naturally gaited with the walk, trot, canter, slow-gait, and rack. Most other horses have to be taught the slow-gait and the rack, but not King because it was bred into him!"

"That is interesting," Apelehama admitted.

"I learned that his ancestors were bred from a Narragansett Pacer and a Thoroughbred. Later, some Morgan blood was added for 'substance and action.' They purposefully developed the breed into a 'stylish fancy horse: beautiful for harness, strong enough for farm work, and fast enough for match racing.' I have the best horse in the world!"

"Do you now?" Apelehama thought perhaps Lilia was exaggerating a little.

"Yep, and that's why they used American Saddlebred horses in the movies of National Velvet, Gone with the Wind, and Zorro!" Lilia exclaimed. "They can even be taught to jump or dressage. They're really smart!"

Just like her, thought Apelehama. "Let's pray." Lilia prayed with her family, and gobbled down her bacon, eggs, and toast. She excused herself, and hit the back screen door running.

Lilia's dad smiled, "It's amazing how fast a kid can get out of the starting gate at that age!"

Her mom smiled too, and said, "Oh the joys and enthusiasm of youth."

Apelehama chimed in, "Speak for yourself. I've still got a little something left kicking in these old bones!"

Angels Welcoming a Soul into Heaven

This is an excerpt from Common Sense: Listening to the Spirit:

Jim and Lilia unsaddled and unbridled all four horses, brushed them down, and released them into the paddock. Lilia leaned on the paddock fence, and gazed thoughtfully at the meadow behind the fence. It looked golden in the setting sun and perfect like the Garden of Eden. Green leaves reflected gold and it was as if a halo shone over every plant. Two doves alighted on the fence opposite her.

She said, "Look Jim, two doves." The two doves coo-cooed and sung a sad song to each other.

"It's evening. Aren't they morning doves? Why are they here now?" Jim asked with interest.

She looked at him with meaning. "They're not called morning doves Jim, named after the earlier part of the day, but mourning doves, named after the emotion of death."

A moment passed while she stared into space. Jim watched her carefully and knew she had received knowledge of some kind. Up until now, the day had been perfect, so he didn't ask her, and he didn't want to know.

"Pray for strength Jim, we don't have what it takes to get through life on our own. Remember what it says in John 15:5' . . . apart from me you can do nothing.'"

He understood that something portentous had happened. He let it go. He wasn't Lilia and he didn't have the desire to know of the future or anything other than right now. He tried to distract her with his affection and love, and she let him. She also understood that her knowing couldn't change anything, so she let him wrap her up in his arms. They most certainly had their moments of passion, but this wasn't one of them. It was a moment of contentment in perfect peace with each other and their surroundings. They listened to the birds sing their last song, and then to the chorus of crickets and frogs. It relaxed them both so much just leaning on each other that they didn't want to lose the instant, and they let it be.

Lilia sighed, and tuned to kiss Jim softly. He said with quiet peace, "It's been a really nice day honey. I'd better go home. I love you." He kissed her so sweetly that Lilia heard the singing of angels. They surrounded the couple and poured out a literal chorus of melodic harmony. He ended the kiss and watched her carefully.

"Jim, do you hear the chorus of angels singing?" She looked up at him with sincerity and awe.

"No honey, I don't," he replied uncertainly.

"They're celebrating something. The music makes our music on earth sound like the banging of cans together. It is perfect bliss," she said as she hugged him.

He hugged her back, kissed her on the forehead, and then gently caressed her lips with his. He said, "I wish every day could be like today."

"I do too, my Jim."

He held her hand extended out for a moment and said, "I guess I should go," even though he didn't want to leave.

"Good night Jim, I love you," she cooed. He turned and walked to his truck. He felt full of peace, love, and God's Light."