Angel Promises Fulfilled

by Angel Promises Fulfilled (v5. 0) (epub)

  “You know, Father, I think I have to agree with the Church’s position on divorce. Initially, it upset me. And yet it is based on what Jesus’ said. We do make a vow before God to love and honour in good and bad times until death do us part. There may be instances when separation is definitely required but in most cases it’s a matter of dying to oneself, maturing and taking responsibility for your life.” Henry nodded, “Father and I spoke of this a few months back; dying to oneself and caring more for the happiness of the other is key to making a marriage work.”

  Jenny looked at Henry and then at Father. Her eyes seemed to redden, “You know, when Henry and his family came to Ottawa I was so happy to see Henry and yet his presence made me nervous. I wasn’t sure how to be dealing with James at the same time…and yet, everything just seemed to be so natural…”

  Jenny paused and looked tenderly at Henry, “Although you were there, you accepted the situation unconditionally and allowed me to just go with the moments as they came. I felt free to be myself, Henry, as if you were ready to accept whatever happened.”

  Jenny softly whispered, “Thank you.”

  Henry’s blurry eyes returned the tender gaze.

  “Yes, when Jesus is at the centre of our relationships and in our lives, all things are possible,” added Father.

  Jenny turned to Father, “That’s so true. I was so amazed to see James change before my eyes and he even started to read the Bible! I could see the Holy Spirit working so powerfully in his life.”

  “It is faith-building to witness the power of Lord work in our and others’ lives. You mentioned earlier that you also witnessed this in your son’s life and have reconciled with him.”

  “Yes! It happened so suddenly. I think James’ mother had something to do with it, but it just confirms how God works through us to resolve conflicts and restore love… It’s amazing. I’m certain, too, that James’ changing and trying so hard to be a father toward the end strongly influenced J.J. as well.”

  Jenny paused for a moment and her eyes brightened, “And I couldn’t believe it when Camilla came and met J.J. It was all so incredible how in a matter of a few weeks such harmony and peace prevailed between us all! See, I was meant to go. If I hadn’t, none of this would have happened. All I can say is praise God. I can hardly wait till spring to fill my Angel of Thanksgiving basket with flowers of thanks.”

  Father reached over and patted Jenny’s hand resting beside her plate. “The Lord is very pleased with you, Jenny. Despite a one sided marriage, you have brought a family back together. It is so beautiful if each partner accepts the other and a home is a place of love and security. In all too many homes, unfortunately this is not the case as it was in yours—”

  “That is why I want to start a women’s group of some kind! When I was on the estate, I felt so alone at times. I’m sure other women are searching for companionship and help in dealing with all the challenges we face in our families, marriages, loving and accepting one another, developing our spiritual lives…” Jenny’s words trailed off. She shrugged her shoulders, tilted her head, smiled and then added, “I feel called in this way…”

  “See, the Lord has been preparing you, Jenny. More than ever this kind of support in the community is needed. This is a wonderful idea—”

  “I couldn’t agree more,” Henry interjected. Looking directly into Jenny’s eyes, he added, “You mentioned this before, Jenny. And now that you’re back home, it would be great for you to pursue developing such a group. You are such a good role model and could be so helpful in rebuilding marriages, offering insights and learning from the experiences of other women, as well.”

  “Yes, that’s right. We can be there for one another… and, yes, now that I’m home, I think I will start exploring what is out there…” Jenny wriggled in her chair and added, “I’m so excited to start!”

  After tea, Father asked if Henry could drive him back to the Poustinia. It was past his bed time and he had many prayers to say.

  It was a calm February evening. The sky was clear and a full moon hung low in the heavens. Henry sat up front on the skidoo, Jenny right behind with her arms wrapped around Henry and Father sat perched at the end of the long touring snowmobile. Father gripped the side rails beside his seat as Henry started the motor and pressed the accelerator.

  As soon as the dogs heard the revving of the motor they were out of their doghouse in a flash. Henry flicked on the lights and slowly moved forward. Ginger and Coco knew where Henry was heading and ran towards the road that would take them down the hill to the Poustinia.

  It was different driving at night and more caution was needed. Henry felt Jenny squeeze his waist as the skidoo began to descend around the hill. It was too dark to see the bottom of the gorge but Henry stayed well clear of the edge of the road that dropped off. Soon they were at the bottom and gently sliding over the rolling drifts of snow. The tracks made by the skidoo earlier when Henry picked Father up were hidden underneath fresh fallen snow. It looked like a winter wonderland.

  Henry turned off the motor as soon as he stopped by the deck. Father got off first, then Jenny and last, Henry. They stood on the deck and looked out over the sparkling valley. Each snow flake seemed to glisten like a diamond. Jenny wrapped her arms around Henry, “This is so beautiful… no wonder you love it here, Father.”

  “Yes, truly a paradise. Well, my dear children, I must get ready for prayers and bed. I have a lot to do. Thank you for that wonderful dinner, and evening, Henry. It will be hard to fast after that. Oh well, just the discipline I need…”

  Father hugged Jenny and then Henry. He made his way to the door and turned on the interior light. “Good night,” Father said, just before he closed the door.

  Jenny and Henry turned and looked out at the valley before them again. Suddenly, the light cast by the prayer house went off. Henry turned to see just the dim glow of a candle inside.

  Just as suddenly, the heavens seemed to blossom with millions more stars. Henry and Jenny squeezed each other ever more tenderly.

  “We were out there somewhere spinning around with our angels, Henry. It seems like it was all a dream. I wish we had memory of seeing our angels, like Father does. I am starting to dream more about that… I see us holding hands and spinning around somehow… it’s still so vague…”

  “It’s all so incredibly amazing… not only our dying, our guardian angels and returning back to life on earth, but just the magnitude and wonderment of it all… Human beings with the gift of sight, hearing and touch, love… it’s all so overwhelming and to think the universe has no beginning or end. Our conception of God is so limited and restricted by our finite minds…” Henry’s words trailed off.

  “In moments like this, it’s easy to sense the divine nature of God in everything; so huge, magnanimous, almighty…so utterly overwhelming.”

  Coco nudged Henry’s hand which was hanging loosely at his side. It startled him. He patted his friend.

  “I wonder if Julean and James are looking down on us?”

  “I wonder about that, too, Jenny. So often I feel her presence.”

  “That’s good. That’s how it should be. Our loved ones are always a part of us, even though we feel a void when they go.”

  “That’s another thing, our memory and how we can retain the past and bring it to life to help ease the sorrow of their passing…”

  “And the power to choose our thoughts… to remember the loving thoughts and to let go of the others,” added Jenny.

  “Yes, only when love is present is it real and touches God’s heart… everything else is just our earthly thinking, for better or worse…”

  “Oh, my gosh! How did we get so philosophical and lofty all of a sudden?”

  “It’s moments like this, Jenny, when I realize we are all at one with the Divine.”

  Chapter Eighty Nine

  For all of February and most of March, Henry and Jenny went about their daily living. Henry was still involved with the gallery most days and
Jenny was slowly getting back into her routine, as well. Henry knew Jenny needed time to mourn and let her life slowly come together again. For the most part it seemed as if Henry and Jenny had entered into a courting period in which they began to know each other even more intimately. They both desired one another but had made the decision to wait. But to wait for what…?

  Since Jenny returned from Ottawa, neither brought up the topic of marriage. Jenny thought perhaps Henry avoided this subject as it was too soon after James’ passing. But three months had elapsed and still Henry hadn’t brought it up. Jenny wondered if perhaps she should. Maybe he no longer wanted to marry. He had been talking quite a bit about supporting the missionary work that his friend was doing.

  All such thinking, however, was about to change.

  It was the first week of April and a chinook was moving into the prairies from Alberta. The weather for most of March was very cold but with the news of this forecast and evidence of it warming in the last couple of days lifted everyone’s spirits. It showed on people’s faces and how they greeted one another. The hibernation season would soon be over.

  Jenny was gazing out into her backyard when the phone rang. She knew it would be Henry. He called at pretty much the same time each day and was as dependable as clockwork… but not always…

  “Hi Honey, I bet you were standing by the kitchen window looking at your back yard and visualizing it filled with all the beautiful flowers.”

  “See, I am as predictable as you. I was just thinking that it would be you calling as you do so at this same time each day.”

  “Well now, I better change my pattern… wouldn’t want to be taken for granted. Perhaps what I have to say will get you guessing again.”

  “And what could that be, Henry?”

  “There’s something I want to show you that will lift your heart to the highest height. It’s something filled with so much wonderment that it will lift you instantly off your feet…”

  “Now you have my interest, Henry. I’m very intrigued. What is it that you want to show me?”

  “It’s something that must be seen just at the crack of dawn. This Friday is April 1st and the sun rises at six forty nine. So we have to be at a certain location at least an hour before…”

  “Henry, April 1st is April Fool’s Day… are you going to play a prank on me?”

  “Yeah, that’s right! Friday is April Fool’s Day. That makes it all the better! Yes, it will be a lighthearted celebration, indeed!”

  Henry yawned as he drove into the city to pick up Jenny. At precisely five a.m. Henry pulled up in front of Jenny’s home. Her outside light was on. Just as Henry was about to get out, he noticed the living room light go out and the front door open. Henry’s heart raced just at the sight of her silhouette. But even more so, Henry’s heart pounded in anticipation of what was about to happen.

  Jenny ran to the SUV and opened the door and hopped in. She turned to Henry and with her most serious stare and tone said, “Henry, are you certain this isn’t an April Fool’s joke?”

  “Jen, I am so sorry, I got my dates mixed up. It’s actually tomorr—”

  Jenny punched him in the shoulder, “Please don’t keep me in suspense any longer! I’ve been racking my mind trying to think what you want to show me.”

  “Fasten your seat belt, Jenny. You will soon know.”

  Jenny leaned over and kissed Henry on the cheek before she fastened up. Henry pulled away and made his way to Albert Street and then headed north. Jenny kept looking at Henry to anticipate where he was going to stop but he went straight through the city. Once on the outskirts, he took the turn off ramp to Lumsden and Saskatoon.

  “Henry, where on earth are you going? Not back to your acreage?”

  “No, not quite, about five miles more and we will be there.”

  At exit A, Henry turned off the main highway and headed down a gravel road. It was clear of all snow as were much of the fields. Henry was amazed at how much snow had melted in the last few days.

  Just a mile or so before Tragarva, a small town just outside of Regina, Henry and Jenny saw the lights of several cars in a field. It looked eerie. Henry slowed his truck and muttered, “That must be them—”

  “Who?” Jenny exclaimed.

  “You’ll see…”

  Jenny turned to Henry and punched him again. “Don’t be so cruel! Tell me!”

  Henry chuckled and turned off the gravel road onto the field. At least seven people were working on something and their car lights were positioned to light up what they were working on.

  “What is going on…Henry?”

  Suddenly, Jenny knew what was happening as they pulled up nearer to the site. “Oh, Henry we are not going to go up in a hot air balloon, are we?”

  “We’re going to fly high today, Sweetheart.”

  “Oh, my gosh, Henry!”Jenny shrieked. “I can’t…ooh, Henry, I just can’t!”

  “Yes, you can, Jenny…” It reminded Henry of the little nursery rhyme, The Little Engine That Could and the words he repeated, I think I can, I think I can, that early morning he was rushing Julean to the hospital.

  “Jenny, did I ever tell you of the time I delivered Justin?”

  Jenny wasn’t listening. She was staring intently at the deflated balloon.

  Henry got out of the car and made his way over to someone that was already approaching him. Jenny saw them shake hands and whispered, “Oh my dear guardian angel help me, I don’t know if I can get in that basket.”

  Henry and the other man approached the SUV on Jenny’s side. She rolled down the window.

  “Morning. You’re Jenny, right?’

  “Yes, I’m Jenny, and a terrified Jenny, at that.”

  “I’m Sam, Jenny, and believe me there’s nothing to worry about. It’s very safe and once you lift off it will be the most exhilarating experience of a life time. Trust me.”

  “Oh, Sam…how high will it go?” Jenny wanted to know.

  “As high as you want. There is a limit of course. But we can stay low if you wish, but I guarantee you that once you start ascending, you will want to go higher. You’re in for a heavenly ride.”

  The word, heavenly struck a chord. It gave her a sense of security.

  “We are all set to start inflating the balloon. We would like to have you and Henry up in the air before the sun rise. To see the sun come up, Jenny, will take your breath away. It’s a spectacular sight.”

  Jenny saw several men hold the balloon open at its neck and start up an inflator fan. The sight of this immense balloon inflating took Jenny’s breath away. It was as if the balloon came to life; the fabric billowing slowly lifted off the ground, air easing into its edges and rippling through to its tip. “Oh my God, please help me.” She felt her heart rise along with her stomach. She put both of her hands to her mouth and shook her head.

  Henry came to the door, “Come on, honey, I told you this would lift your heart and sweep you off your feet!”

  “Oooh, Henry…” Jenny gasped, her breath hanging in the cool air.

  Henry held the door open and gestured for her to come out. Sam had a huge smile on his face and offered his hand to help her down from the high SUV. Slowly, Jenny shifted in her seat and swung her legs to the opening of the door and stepped down on the frost covered stubble. The balloon was growing enormously in front of them. Henry had to admit his heart was racing as well but tried hard to conceal it and avoided speaking to cover any nervousness in his voice.

  Once the balloon was half full, the men attached the basket and burner. As soon as the burner was fired up, the balloon expanded more rapidly.

  It was spellbinding to watch this huge monster grow and lift off the ground. Henry and Jenny had seen hot air balloons up in the sky but not at this close range. They never would have believed it was this gigantic. They looked like ants beside it. Henry estimated that it took up more space than a fifty by one hundred foot city lot.

  “Wow. It’s taking the shape of a million watt light bul
b!”

  Sam chuckled over Henry’s analogy, “They get a lot bigger than this one, Henry.”

  “Is the material fire proof?” asked Jenny cautiously.

  “It is coated with a chemical substance,” replied Sam. “Once the balloon is inflated with hot air, it’s very fire proof and safe, Jenny.”

  Sam pointed to the pilot and added, “Don has been flying balloons for over 12 years. He’s very skilled and takes your safety and enjoyment as the prime consideration. You are in excellent hands.”

  Sam’s reassuring words and calm voice was soothing and instilled confidence in both Jenny and Henry.

  “Will it be cold up there; maybe I should have worn something warmer?” Jenny asked, her nervousness chilled her, adding to the brisk, cool air she was feeling.

  “You will be fine. It’s not any colder up there than here and in fact, you feel warmer as the heat from the inside of the balloon radiates out towards you.”

  Jenny grabbed Henry’s arm and hugged it.

  The balloon was fully inflated and upright. It pulled on the basket which was still firmly anchored to the ground.

  “Oh, my gosh,” Jenny muttered in anticipation of getting into what appeared to be no more than an oversized picnic basket!

  Don came over and Sam introduced him to Henry and Jenny.

  “This is a perfect morning for a flight,” said Don, “just a slight breeze and we’ll be up there just in time to see the sun come up.”

  Don climbed into the basket and motioned Henry and Jenny to follow.

  Jenny pulled back on Henry’s arm as he stepped forward. If the truth be known Henry was every bit as frightened as Jenny. Bravely, he muttered, “It will be okay, Jen… let’s go for it.”