"Good morning, Jasmine," he said as he kissed her cheek.
She smiled with her whole body, so delighted was she, and for a moment both parents just stood and enjoyed her.
"Is it me, or is she cute?" Lily asked.
"She's cute."
"Do you suppose we just think she's cute and wonderful because she's ours, but she isn't?" Lily asked out of curiosity.
"Honestly? Yes, we're biased because we think she's the cutest baby in the world, but I know from the way people respond when they see her that she's adorable to them too."
"Did you hear that, Jazz?" Lily asked her. "We think you're adorable."
A yawn escaped their daughter just then and caused both parents to laugh. Jasmine smiled at their smiles, and with that another day began.
"lily, why are you so nice to me?" Ana asked Lily the first time they had lunch together in weeks. This time they were at the little Bay.
"Why wouldn't I be nice to you, Ana?"
The younger woman looked away, tears in her eyes.
"Nick and I had a big fight this morning." Ana looked back at lily, her eyes showing betrayal. "We live together. We're supposed to be falling in love. Why can't he treat me with as much kindness as you do?"
"Maybe he's being as kind to you as he knows how to be."
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"What do you mean?"
"Ana, I'm not naturally a nice person. I've had to go through great changes not to be selfish." "How did you do that?"
Lily Kapaia was not ashamed of the gospel, but she hated clichés and religious platitudes. Nevertheless, there was only one answer she could give Ana.
"I trusted God's Son, Jesus Christ, to change me."
Ana stared at her.
"A woman just moved in next door to us. She's so nice, and she goes to that Christian church up the road. Is that what you are? A Christian?"
"Yes, Ana. I'm a follower of Jesus Christ."
"Why did you never tell me?"
"Because the first time we had lunch, you said you didn't believe in God. Why would I try to force Him on you?"
"But you kept being nice. You kept wanting to be my friend."
"That's true. I still want to be your friend."
"So you did want to tell me about it?"
Lily smiled. "More that I can say, but only because I care, Ana. I'm not convinced that you're all that happy, and I know what peace I have in Christ. I wanted to share that with you."
"What church do you go to?"
"The one up the road."
"Oh, man!" Ana said, her hands coming to her eyes. "I don't think I'm ready for this."
Lily sat very quietly, and when Ana looked up, she admitted, "I hated church when I was a kid. My dad made me go."
"Why did you hate it, Ana?"
Lily shook her head quietly when she heard the answer, but Ana caught it.
"Are you saying your church is different?"
"I do think my church is different, Ana, but that's not what I would try to introduce you to. You need to come face-to-face with the Jesus of the Bible. If you came to our church, you would have
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a chance to learn about Him. That might be where your journey begins by coming to church with me but at some point you need to face your own mortality and consider eternity."
No one had ever talked to Ana Banks like this. She felt upset and excited all at the same time. At the moment, however, upset won out.
I'll think about what you've said, Lily, but I'm not a bad person. Why would God if there is a God want to punish me?"
Lily crushed a napkin in her palm and set it between them.
"If this was a ball of clay, Ana, and you were going to make something out of it, maybe a cup or a small bowl, would you allow the clay to tell you what to do?"
Ana looked down at the balled-up napkin and then back at Lily. She didn't speak. Lily picked up the napkin and started to work it with her fingers, managing a decent impression of working with a lump of clay.
"Maybe you would start molding this clay, thinking, I'll make a small sugar bowl with this clay. I'll put it on my table to hold sugar.' But while you're working and forming the bowl, the clay speaks up and tells you to cut it out. If that were to actually happen, you would be stunned."
"And you're saying that we're all mouthy lumps of clay?"
"The Bible says we are lumps of clay, Ana, and that God created us. The Bible also says that we all sin, so don't ever plan to stand before God and say you are not a bad person. You might be able to convince yourself, but don't bother with Him."
"So why did He make us this way, if we're so awful?"
"He made us to love and serve Him."
"What gives Him the right?"
Lily picked up the napkin.
"The clay has no say in the matter."
"But He could have made us perfect."
"But He did, Ana," Lily said gently, seeing that the other woman was truly listening. "Remember Adam and Eve and the
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fruit? They sinned in the garden. Man chose to go astray, but God still loved us, so He provided a way back to Him through His Son. Now we don't have to be lost. Now we don't have to remain in our sin. We can be saved in Christ Jesus." "How do you do that?"
"As my husband would say, you get on the same page with God. You agree that you're the problem and He's the answer. You believe that Jesus came to die for you and that He can save you from your sins. But I must warn you, Ana, you don't go into this with a motive of your own. God doesn't want just part of your heart. He wants it all.
"It's a life of joy and peace not always easy and not always fun but once God saves us, He lives inside us and helps us to live for Him. I've known great heartache as a child of God, sometimes because of my own sin and sometimes from outside circumstances. But I wouldn't go a day on this earth without the saving love of Jesus Christ in my life, and that's not even mentioning eternity."
Ana felt frightened more frightened than she ever had in her life. She was used to being strong and taking care of herself, but what chance did she stand against this God that Lily described?
"Are you still going to be my friend if I need to think about this some more?" Ana finally asked.
"Yes. Are you still going to be my friend if I keep talking to you about it?"
Ana smiled. "Yes, but tell me something, Lily. You believe a lot of people aren't Christians then, don't you?" I'm afraid so."
Ana's face said what was in her heart.
"Sounds arrogant, doesn't it?" Lily picked up the napkin. "The only problem with someone telling me that I'm arrogant is that I'm in the same boat they are. I'm a sinner who didn't deserve the love I was shown, but the door didn't close when God rescued me, Ana. Anyone who believes will be received, and I can give you verses from the Bible that underscore everything I've said."
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Almost as if the mentioning of the Bible was more than she could take, Ana retreated from Lily. Lily, immediately aware of the situation, changed the subject, telling Ana she needed to come and see Jasmine in her suit.
"Did it fit?"
"Its a tiny bit big, but when you weigh as little as Jazz does, that's to be expected."
"Is that what you call her Jazz?"
"Sometimes."
"That's cute."
Lily wanted to ask if Ana thought she would ever have children, but she didn't wish to be misunderstood. It was wrong of Ana to be living with Nick before they married. The issue did not need to be compounded by adding children.
But more than that, Lily knew she'd already given Ana a lot to think about. She couldn't lie to make her feel better, but she'd said enough for one day. Lily didn't wait for Ana to find a reason to leave, but was in fact the first one to gather her purse.
Lily exited in the fashion Ana usually did, telling the younger woman to call when she had time. Lily left without looking back, but she would have been pleased to know that Ana ordered another soda and sat alone for a time.
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Chapter 36
Still in the apartment, Jeff and Annika Walsh had Gabe, Lily, and Jasmine to dinner about six weeks after they were married. Jasmine, more than six months old and the apple of her uncle's eye, was now sitting up with only the occasional tip-over. Jeff didn't care in the least if he made a fool of himself. He lay down on his stomach the moment Lily put Jasmine on a blanket in the middle of the living room floor and proceeded to do anything that would make her laugh.
"Look at the bear, Jazz," Jeff encouraged her, as he wiggled a small stuffed bear in front of her.
"Where did that come from?" Lily asked.
"Jeff has been bringing toys home from the grocery store when we shop," Annika filled in, a smile in her voice. "He says Jasmine needs toys of her own at our place."
"Yes, she does," Jeff confirmed. "And I've been meaning to ask you two when you're going to go away for the weekend so we can have her."
"Well, now," Gabe said with a smile for his wife, "that's an offer we can't resist."
Lily agreed with him. It would be very fun, but her mind was mostly on the thought that Jeff and Annika needed a baby of their own. Annika came to Barb's Bible study with Lily and Bailey, and the three of them were having some of the most wonderful female fellowship they had enjoyed in years.
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Lily felt herself running ahead of the Lord and stopped to pray. For all I know, You don't have children planned for Jeff and Annika, Lord. I'm so sure I know what's right. Help me to remember that You're in charge and don't need my help.
"That's a serious face," Gabe said quietly, coming to sit very close to her.
"I was being stern with myself."
"Dinner's ready," Annika said as she put a casserole on the table and began to fill glasses with iced tea.
Gabe's look told his wife he would check with her later.
"Come along, Miss Jasmine," Jeff said as he plucked her off the floor.
"I can hold her, Jeff," Lily offered.
"You don't have to," he said with a smile walking to the kitchen table to put the baby in a little seat that hooked on the edge of the table.
"I've seen those," Gabe said, going over to inspect. "Will it hold her?" Lily asked, a little uncertain as to how it was staying on.
"Yes, come and see."
The baby seat inspected and the aromas of the meal rising up to meet them, the four sat down to eat.
"We got a letter from Father yesterday," Jeff commented.
"We got one Tuesday," Lily said. "And do you know what I realized? His seventy-fifth birthday is coming up. We need to do something special."
"Such as?"
"Well, I was in the Christian bookstore a few weeks ago and found at least three books that Father would love. One was a Bible dictionary, very updated from his own. I didn't think about taking him in there when he was here for our wedding, but I know he would enjoy some new books."
"And how long will those take to arrive?" Gabe asked.
"At least three weeks, so we'd probably better get going on ordering them."
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"Your father is a remarkable man," Annika commented quietly, her face thoughtful. "And very brave."
"What made you think of that?" Jeff asked.
"Oh, just thinking about his life. He had a burden for the people of Kashien, and he went so they could hear of Christ. I know he hasn't always done the right thing, but I still admire him."
"And he's changing," Gabe said. "I can sense in his letters a softening. Even with the little time I've known him, I can see a change. Not an easy thing to do at his age."
Lily had had her eyes on Jasmine, and she now said, "We need to add pictures of all of us, and the latest ones of Jasmine, when we send his birthday box."
"We have film in the camera," Annika said. "We could start tonight."
"It's a plan," Gabe said as he reached for another roll. Leaving the dishes for later, Annika went for the camera as soon as dinner was over.
As was the tradition in Hawaii for a baby's first birthday, a luau was planned. Jasmine Ling Kapaia's birthday luau would be September 7, 2001, the day after she turned one year old. The absolute delight of her parents, who had just started their time off, she would be the guest of honor at this grand affair with family and friends attending.
The cove was not large enough to accommodate all of the people who had been invited, so the luau was set up in the area they used for the guests. But before the main meal began, tours of Ashton and Deanne's almost-completed house were conducted. They would be moving into the three-bedroom home in just two weeks, and things were coming together quickly.
All in all the evening was a delight. Jasmine received various gifts, and when she wasn't attempting to walk in the sand, she Was passed from person to person the entire evening. She suffered the
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attention with grace, but her head was laid against her Uncle Evan's shoulder when the evening ended, and he carried her away from the barbecue pit.
"Well, you charmed everyone who attended," Evan said to Jasmine as he led the pilgrimage back inside. They had just seen the last guest off
She smiled at him, and his heart melted. Indeed, she was as dear to him as though she were his own.
"Where is Sarah?" Evan always asked this question of his niece because it was so fun to watch her look around. At one year old and 15 months, respectively, there were times when the cousins didn't know that other people existed. But when they found each other, it was great fun to watch.
"Go night-night, Jazz," her father now said to her from another chair, and Jasmine smiled as she laid her head down on Evan's chest.
Gloria and Carson had not seen this before, and they melted.
"Come and see Grandma, Jasmine," Gloria coaxed her. "Come and let Grandma hold you."
Evan put her down, and she toddled her way over. Jeff, who was more delighted than ever whenever his only niece walked, took a moment to kiss her before letting her move on her way. Celia held her little hand and led her to Gloria.
Watching in quiet fatigue, Lily wondered if there was a baby who was loved more. But as she sat there she realized that the best way to show love to a child was to obey God. It was easy to lose sight of the important and buy a child gifts and fancy toys. But a heart that could show true love to a child would be a heart that understood what a great God it served, a heart that took obedience seriously.
"That's a serious face," Gabe said quietly when he sat down beside her.
"I was just thinking." "Want to share?"
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Lily looked at him. I'm not sure I can get the words out right now."
Gabe needed no other explanation. He took his wife's hand and sat with the family, enjoying this special time. He had only to look in God's Word to understand the kind of God it was who saved him. But if ever he needed a reminder, he need only look at the faces in this room. Peter and even Celia had come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Now just Sarah and Jasmine needed to follow. Indeed, God had been very good to them.
Gabe took the block from Jasmine's tiny hand and thanked her as though it were a diamond. She was working hard on sharing these days, and her parents were reinforcing this whenever they could.
Jasmine had just handed her father another block when Lily came in the room. In her hand was a letter, and she looked stunned.
"What's up?" Gabe asked as Jasmine spotted her mother and walked over to attack her legs. Lily sat down.
"It's a letter from my father." "Is he all right?"
Lily looked at Gabe a moment before speaking.
"He says there's another baby. When he wrote this, he had just learned of her. She was five days old on the day he wrote."
It was slow in coming, but Gabe's mouth stretched until it was a full-blown smile. Watching him, Lily's own mouth opened a little.
"Gabe, what are you thinking?"
"Have you remembered that the church just gave us a gift for our baby fund?"
"Yes," Lily answered tentatively.
"And did I tell you that we got a letter from Mom and Carson yesterday?"
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"No."
Jasmine had now worked her way into her mother's lap and was snuggling against her in a most adorable fashion, but Lily's eyes were wholly on Gabe.
"Mom didn't have much to say," Gabe went on with great pleasure. "But she included a check to add to our fund, and she said that Carson had been praying that we would have a chance to adopt again."
"Gabe, Jazz is only 14 months old," Lily felt a need to remind her spouse, even as her heart was losing ground. "And we just started the busy season."
"Nevertheless, there's a baby in Kashien who needs a home. What better place than here?"
Lily tried not to smile at his tone or face, but it wasn't working. She didn't know how they would all survive this. But as sure as Gabe Kapaia was smiling at her, Lily knew she was headed back to Kashien to adopt another baby.
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Epilogue
More than Five Years Later
Capital City, Kashien
For the first time Owen did not meet Gabe and Lily as they came out of customs. Another first for the adopting couple was that they didn't come alone. Six-and-a-half-year-old Jasmine was old enough to understand about keeping her eyes down, and five-year-old Cathleen was doing very well too. But three-year-old Alison had no such qualms. Having slept on the plane, she was now ready to take in everything and smile at whoever looked her way. Her parents had nowhere near as much energy, but they knew the routine, and it wasn't long before they were walking into the hotel.
Gabe handled all arrangements and ushered his family to the room, hoping their plan would come together as neatly as it had in the letters to his father-in-law. He opened the door and smiled when he saw him. Owen Walsh had just stood up from his place in the chair, a smile coming to his face as both Jasmine and Cathleen ran to him.
This was the reason they didn't meet in the airport. Lily had done nothing but talk about her father for months, and the children would not have understood why they couldn't hug him and greet him the moment he came into view. The hotel allowed them the privacy needed to do this.