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| Blue Topaz |
Part 10
Next day Ruth E went to see her Great-granny Blue; this time bearing a gift of dark chocolate she loved but that the home discouraged residents from eating. Ruth E brought it disguised in a tin of crackers. She told her Great-granny, "What you see is not what you get". Their eyes twinkled as they met in secret cahoots. Great-granny would sneak a sample later back in her room.
As usual, Great-granny was stickin' to her knittin'. Ruth E regaled her with her recent trip adventures and of all the various people she'd met and how the Lord was supplying for her needs.
"There's something else you aren't telling me though. Am I correct?" Great-granny asked.
At first Ruth E was puzzled but then she blushed. "Great-granny what big sixth sense you have!"
"All the more to understand you with my dear," Great-granny chortled kindly.
"When I left here last time I went and had it out with the Lord" Ruth E explained. "I confessed my wayward unforgiveness, anger and bitterness." God forgave me and continues to purify me."
"Shem was at Aunt Violet's BBQ that next evening. He said hello and that was that. But the day Sapphire and I went to visit Grampy Blue, Shem so happened to be the doctor on the on-call volunteering that day. He came into the staff room later where Thelma had blonked us sobbing souls down. Afterwards when Sapphire went to the bathroom, Dr. Shem handed me a note which I'd stuffed into my bag. With the funeral and deputation work I'd forgotten and overlooked it til late. He'd asked me to meet him. I had to call and tell him sorry to have missed the meet and left a message on his cell phone answering service. I'd used our house phone so he couldn't call my hand phone and disturb my peace of mind while I was working.
I arranged to meet him yesterday. He asked me to consider renewing our relationship.
I've been feeling that God wants to do something different with my life but I don't know what exactly. Possibly this? I don't know. I told him all the things I need to do that I'd committed to; said I wouldn't be back for two years but in the interim, if he wanted to write, he could. I kept hearing a prompting to test his commitment, thus the two years.
"That seems a long time to keep him dangling, Ruth E. Make sure its legitimately a test of commitment and not revenge."
"Yes, Great-granny."
"Great-granny, please pray for me. I want to do God's will but I don't feel like I can just jump in where we left off. And I don't want to be rushed. Granted those little girls could use a mother before they get much older, but their Grandmother H is doing a fine job thus far. I await God's timing."
"That's wise. I shall certainly pray in that direction for you then Ruth E. You can be assured of that! Me and my knitting' and my prayers."
"Thank-you Great-granny Blue. You always make me feel better." And Ruth E gave her Great-granny a kiss on her wrinkled, kindly cheek.
"I have a confession of my own to make to you Ruth E," Mrs. Blue giggled. "After your last visit I sensed you still had feelings for Shem and he even for you. I'm afraid I asked the Lord to stir them up more and bring the two of you back together."
"Great-granny!!"
Part 11
Many days, hugs, and farewell tears later, Ruth E found herself winging her way back to Borneo. She sighed happily. It felt like she was "going home" more than when she was going home. She looked forward to getting into her routine and catching up with everyone.
Shem had given her a lengthy parting epistle which she had yet to read. Subsequent missives could be via email, he said, "Faster, more efficient". She cautioned him that her internet was sporadic and her work took large swaths of time and exhausted her in the tropical heat so she didn't know how consistent she'd be in replying but she'd do her best.
During the extra long-haul flight from the States to SEAsia, Ruth E read Shem's letter. He was basically bringing her up to speed on his life since Josie had passed away and how he had slowly but surely, turned back to God and renewed his relationship with his Heavenly Father.
This, in turn, had helped him understand the relationship with his children better. How they likely were relying on and relating to him, and how he could relate and rely on God. He'd gotten the benefit of God's reconciling grace and mercy, and he in turn tried to act and respond to his girls similarly.
He'd felt God's call to work among the elderly even in his capacity as a doctor, sharing the light and hope of life with Jesus as opportunity knocked in the later years of the Oak Villa residents. He told her how he and Grampy Blue had made a good team and would sorely miss Grampy's partnership and fellowship in serving the Lord among the seniors.
"Wow," thought Ruth E, "sounds promising!"
Shem continued to write, "Hannah accepted Christ about a year ago in Sunday School. It came about during class time when the teacher asked who Jesus died on the cross for.
One of the children said, "For the good guys,"
Another child disagreed, "NO! It was for the bad guys."
The teacher then asked what 'good' and 'bad' meant. The children thought a bit and said, "'Bad' are the ones who kill and steal; and the 'good' are everyone else."
Hah! The teacher certainly has her work cut out for her. Anyway, Stacy, the teacher, asked the class, "Is lying a good or a bad thing?"
"Oh, it's bad." they chorused.
"How about cheating on a test at school, or bullying another classmate?' Stacy asked.
"That's bad too," the children answered.
"How about being angry at something bad that happened to you? Is that wrong?"
"Yes" they said again.
Then Stacy asked a cruncher, "How many of you have done any of those: lying, cheating or bullying?"
There was a long quiet as the children mulled that over and then Stacy noticed tears running down Hannah's cheeks.
"Hannah," Stacy gently spoke, "do you want to tell us about it?"
Through her tears she told how she often lied and blamed misbehavior on her little sister Heather. She also told Stacy she was angry at God for taking her Mama away. She was sorry now for that. She now knows it is bad to do that. That it made Jesus sad.
Stacy then asked if she would like to tell Jesus about it and also accept Him as Savior. Stacy explained that the Holy Spirit would then come and live in her and help her to do and say what was right when she'd let Him.
Stacy also acknowledged how painful it must have been to lose her mother. God could help her to overcome her anger and hurt feelings too. She explained that the anger was quite natural but there could be some healing in time. Healing takes time, like when you get a cut. It hurts but heals even if there is still a scar.
So Hannah accepted Christ and has been quite a pleasant and happier little girl since. He was very grateful for that he told Ruth E.
In his loss, he felt he hadn't been attentive enough to Hannah who remembered her mother more so than Heather did. So to help them, he then created a photo album for each of them with pictures of Josie and each of them respectively. Those were treasures for them. He'd often find Hannah, especially, he wrote, fallen asleep with her album left open beside her on the bed.
Ruth E perceived that Shem must miss Josie too but was moving forward bravely with the two girls. She was kind of impressed with what he had to say thus far.
The letter continued...Heather was very attached to his mother; which is understandable, Ruth E reflected.
Shem said Heather was an easy-going child and her favorite hobbies were singing and telling jokes, riddles and puns. She didn't use those terms for them though, instead she called them her "Snicker Doodles". She had appropriated the usage from a type of sugar cookie of the same name. Ruth E smiled; this little Heather must keep them light-hearted.
Heather's latest favorite Snicker Doodle is,
"Q. What part does a lion have in a play?"
"A. The mane part."
She draws these out too and gives them to her Grandmother Hutchinson to stick on the fridge door. So there you get the 'snicker' and the 'doodle'.
My mother, Shem said, is getting quite a compilation of them which, grandmother style, she enters into a scrapbook after the next favorite appears on the fridge. This scrapbook of Snicker Doodles, known as 'Snicker Doodle Scrapbook,' gets shown off to her friends and they have fresh chuckles and chortles all round.
Occasionally Heather will ask for a postcard and replicate the current Snicker Doodle for Josie's Mom who lives out-of-state.
"Hmm, sweet disposition and thoughtful child," mused Ruth E.
"I'm coming to an end of this first letter," penned Shem, "using the opportunity to introduce the girls and fill in some gaps for you. Oh, we also have an Irish Setter named Molly. She has a beautiful copper coat." Ruth E remembered seeing the dog hanging around at the BBQ and wondered who belonged to her.
"Even though Irish Setters are known as good gun-dogs, I don't go hunting and neither does she. She's happy-go-lucky and loves to run and be active. She gets most of her exercise by running, jumping and playing with the girls in the back yard and accompanies me on my early morning jogs.
One time, she did 'hunt' Hannah who had wandered from home when she was three. Scary time but we thanked God for Molly who led us to her in jig time; Hannah being none the worse for the incident."
"I'm looking forward to keeping in touch regularly Blue Belle and really appreciate your allowing this correspondence. May God bless you and your efforts for Him. I wish you all God's speed."
Your happy brother-in-Christ, Shem.
Ruth E was meditative when she finished reading. She had much to think about and emotions to sort through before she could respond to that! No doubt about it, Shem had gone through difficult times, what with Josie's early and unexpected demise and then the aftermath of how to handle and raise the children solo. It was good he had his mother so able to help but she realized a mother's touch for the children was indeed missing.
Ruth E sighed deeply. She didn't know what the conclusion of all this letter-writing was going to be. For now she'd just take it, one letter at a time.
Part 12
Ruth E was so excited to see her Borneo friends, many of whom were in a big welcoming group the other side of immigration that she never even thought to check her passport entry chop. She just assumed she'd get a three month visa, straight off as usual, stay.
It wasn't until twelve days later when she took a peek at it before putting it in its little 'home' that she was shocked to see they'd only given her fourteen days! That got the adrenaline pumping as she scurried about trying to get an extension, dreading the thought of possibly having to exit the country so soon. Thankfully it was a Thursday so she'd have Friday to try and if no satisfaction, Saturday to exit.
Now she understood first hand why they had all those little signs at immigration "Check your passport before leaving the immigration counter."
Don't make assumptions. Sigh, sigh. "Oh Father God, help me despite my negligence."
She called Jessie, her local administrative colleague and asked for her help. Now it was Jessie's turn to sigh; although in a way, it was her job to keep on top of all these matters. Ruth E's got overlooked.
Jessie also recalled the memo she'd gotten from immigration not so long ago with updated rules and regulations for foreigners. She dug it out and found that the airport immigration officer was following protocol but there was still a chance Ruth E could extend her stay without having to exit the country.
She quickly rounded up and filled in appropriate forms, shooed Ruth E out of the office door she'd just come in, and off the pair of them went to immigration. "Have you got the fee, Ruth E?" Jessie asked.
"Yes, thankfully. I was wondering why a supporter had been nudged to give extra per month over and above her usual gifts. Must be extra charges for immigration and flying out if need be, more often."
"Well, wait and see first Ruth E." Jessie exhorted. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves."
Jessie being a regular at immigration on behalf of others knew all the ins and outs of bureaucracy which made the process much more efficient. Needless to say however, there is always that niggling suspense for the foreigner "to pay" whilst awaiting a verdict. Always, hoping and hoping for the positive news of granted stay but comprehending that the mood or whim of an officer may not be favorably inclined that particular day.
However Ruth E liked to keep that verse in mind to minimize the jitters; "The king's heart is in God's hand and He turneth it wherever He will" (Proverbs 21:1). The remembrance calmed her heart and she smiled. She knew God and trusted He knew what He was doing in her life.
Finally her number was called and Jessie submitted the extension-of-stay application forms. Another wait. Another call. "Please pay at the payment counter." What a blessed statement. Hurry up and pay and they wait some more. Payment, but length of time not yet stated.
At last Ruth E's name was called once again. Ruth and Jessie approached the officer's desk and sat before him.
"Miss Ruth Elizabeth Blue" he said, "I've extended your stay for three months but due to new rulings, you will need to exit the country thereafter. Please note, upon reentry you will again receive up to an allowed fourteen days. Further extension may or may not be granted."
Ruth E thanked the man for his candor, grateful for these three months granted. At least she knew what she was up against and could prepare and work the possible exits accordingly. Prayer was needed for such arrangements.
She and Jessie left immigration with five minutes to spare before closing time. God's timing is so precise, they agreed.
They decided to go for a quick cold fresh fruit juice at a nearby beverage stall. They praised God for the three months and asked Him for favorable orchestration of stay for later on. His will be done.
Ruth E also dared to say to Jessie, "If regulations are going to be more stringent for foreigners, more and more of the locals will have to pick up the baton and quickly. It is more than time they become more active in this arena and let other locals fund them. It would make so much better sense especially since they already know several of the local languages and wouldn't be overwhelmed so much by culture shock."
~ERC September 2017~
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