CHAPTER 19
AFTER TELLING THE STORIES of their unforgettable dreams, the group began to wonder where Jasper was. He wasn’t anywhere to be found within the barn. Pastor Reed decided to lead everyone outside. They all stepped out of the barn and into a bright sunny winter wonderland. Ceramecy had taken on a whole new beauty, but it was all wrong. Though it was hidden under the snow, the entire area was almost unrecognizable. Many trees laid on their sides. The prickly pines; white with snow crystals, were beautiful and horrific at the same time.
The crisp mountain wind brushed over their faces with the bite of snow and ice. All around them lay the remnant of the storm’s aftermath. It wasn’t easy to know the full extent of the storm’s destruction with it hidden under the five feet of snow blanketing everything. Broken branches and trees lay under the snow, no doubt scattered all over. Returning to their respectful cabins they found they had all sustained serious damage.
Pastor Reed’s cabin had been flattened completely to the ground. Bobby’s cabin had a tree branch spear right through the roof and through his wooden log bed.
As they stumbled around, in the deep snow trying to clean up and salvage what they could, they began to hear laughing and singing coming from a short distance away, just over a rise.
Pastor Reed put his finger to his lips to signal the others to stay quiet. Silently, they all climbed up the snowy embankment. Some people found it harder than others to climb through the snow, but they all managed to do it. At the top of the hill, they peered through the snow covered Manzanita bushes.
There they saw Jasper covered in snow and laughing as he threw snowballs and climbed a small hill, before he slid down head first on his belly shouting, “I escaped again!” Acting like a little kid, Jasper was found to have large fir tree branches strapped to the bottom soles of his shoes.
As the group observed him, they found Jasper was talking and singing to imaginary people. Everyone thought Jasper was crazy and had lost his mind.
Finally, Pastor Reed had enough of it. “Jasper!” The Pastor called out as he stood up in plain view. Jasper stopped what he was doing and looked up at Pastor Reed.
Breathing heavily with a big smile on his face, Jasper greeted the Pastor, “Good morning, Pastor Reed!” Opening his arms wide with no sign of embarrassment or guilt, Jasper noticed the others were also with the Pastor, so he added. “Good morning to you all!”
“Hey, Jasper.” The Pastor spoke much softer now. “What are you doing?”
“Why, I’m playing and singing with my friends.” Jasper told them truthfully, “The Angels!”
Everyone just looked at one another, before they looked at Pastor Reed. The Pastor just looked down at Jasper with disappointment. Shaking his head at the sight of Jasper’s display he thought, ‘What a sad look into the life of someone we all believed in. We should have known he was too good to be true.’ This was the reality that told the truth once and for all, without a doubt, the group was convinced, Jasper was nuts and it was time to go home.
Then the most amazing thing happened. As Jasper stood looking up at everyone, the six Angels appeared to them. Revealed to the eyes of the people for the first time. The young Angels materialized into existence in beams of light and circular auras. Floating in slow weightless motion, three winged beings to the left of Jasper and three to the right emerged from the invisible realm of spirit, but they remained transparent. The white auras altered their circular shape to reveal the great open wings at each of the Angel’s backs.
The vision; so stunning, the people became fearful at the spiritual manifestation in occurrence before them. “Don’t fear us. We come with love, bearing friendship to you all.” When Wilson spoke these words, the fear melted away and was immediately replaced with an anxious excitement to understand and meet the Angels. Though the breeze was chilling, the sight of such beautiful beings warmed them.
Then Tanya shouted out with a great emotional breath, “I know that one! The one with the darkest hair and a whip. She’s from my dream. Her name is, Elana!” Tanya trembled with joy and excitement, then tears came streaming down her face. From this moment on, she took her assignment seriously, to document all she saw and heard.
The other’s also had similar reactions as they too recognized a different Angel who had visited their own dream. At once the whole group came over the ridge and ran down the slope through the snow toward Jasper and the Angels. The Angels were as real as they had been to Jasper; even more so.
From such clear sight as the people had, they described the Angels as beings of light, communicating telepathically and possessing a deep inner peace. Also, their faces were perfect and beautiful with glass-like skin, or perhaps an oily sheen. The Angel’s bodies of light made them appear beyond perfection. Colors were found in them that the people couldn’t identify.
“Why do you have branches tied to your feet?” Tessa asked Jasper inquisitively and innocently.
“These are my snow shoes, honey.” He told her sweetly. Then Jasper stepped up onto the deep snow and the branches under his feet proved to hold his weight just as well as authentic snow shoes would.
Jasper and Joel wondered off together near the area where firewood was chopped and stacked. It wasn’t easy to find anything under so much snow. Joel helped Jasper locate his axe, then the two of them headed into the forest. Jasper’s makeshift snowshoes worked great to keep him above the surface of the deep snow.
Still socializing with the remaining five Angels, the people learned a great deal from them in a short time. While everyone cautiously walked around the Angels, studying them, they saw details in the evocative eyes, radiant faces, flowing hair, stark white feathered wings, sparkling armor and translucent clothing. Curiously, Bobby reached out to touch the hilt of Roger’s sword. When Roger noticed Bobby reaching out to his belt, he turned to look down at him. Bobby glanced up and met the Angel’s striking gaze.
Backing away quickly, Bobby tried to explain, “I-I was just looking at your sword.”
Roger smiled at Bobby, easing his alarm, then he said, “Then gaze, young Bobby, at the weapon used to protect you while you sleep soundly.” He withdrew his sword and a water blade grew from the hilt. A moment later the water sword hardened into a shimmering blade of ice. This act caught the attention of everyone.
“I didn’t think Angels could fight.” Janet said. Bobby tried to quietly gesture for her to not say such a thing.
“Anything important to you is worth fighting for, is it not? So it is for Angels also, otherwise the legions of darkness would trample over everyone and there would be no victory.” Roger answered.
“But doesn’t that bring you down to their level? You know, make you as bad as Demons?” Tanya boldly but innocently asked. When Bobby realized another such question had been put out there, he slapped his forehead in disbelief. No one wanted to insult the Angels and cause them to leave.
Starr began to explain, “A parent disciplines their child out of love. In this same way we too love the Demons.” This explanation provoked many expressions from the people, but Starr continued by saying, “They were once Angels after all, like us at one time.”
Pastor Reed was more of a pupil than ever, as was everyone else. Such a life changing moment in the lives of the citizens of Ceramecy became an unforgettable fresh start. From this day forward, none of them would ever be the same again.
Pastor Reed discreetly told the others, “Don’t disagree or argue with the Angels. Follow their instructions closely and faithfully. Let order and structure come to Ceramecy from above.”
And instructions did come from the Angels. The people worked very hard to follow what the Angels asked them to do.
The restorations of Ceramecy was a big part of the day. Cutting ice out of the creek, building snow channels to bring the animals out of the barn and other necessary preparations like food and repairs were all gracefully coordinated by the Angels.
The female Angels showed the ladies how to prepare cakes, cookies and other fun rec
ipes from the limited supply of food available throughout the area. Providing guidance and care to each one, the Angels carefully instructed the people to create divine musical instruments from their own natural environment. Using sticks and branches they carved, tied together and weaved drums and harps. Pig skins were stretched over the drums. Long horse hairs were tied to nails for harps. Tin from soup cans were found and beaten into bells and cymbals. Horns from the skull of a bull which Jasper had slaughtered for everyone, were carefully carved into small wind instruments.
Spending time with each person, the Angels practiced the songs they learned from their dreams.
Joel led Jasper to the edge of a steep ravine. Remembering the difficulties climbing the steep ravine the first time he came to Ceramecy, Jasper couldn’t forget falling all the way to the bottom. He was careful not to step too close to the edge.
Joel instructed Jasper to begin chopping trees down. The Angel was very specific about which trees were to be selected. There were so many trees clustered together. Each of the trees Jasper fell, were dropped down into the ravine. After a few hours of chopping, Jasper’s hands were blistered.
Upon his return Jasper found everyone had been very industrious; cleaning the farm and making musical instruments. Noticing how motivated everyone was, getting a lot accomplished, Jasper momentarily recalled how difficult it was for him to acquire such results. The flames of their fire crackled, bright and strong. Meat cooked, roots were stewing and the animals had been tended to. Starr and Elana were with Megan and Tessa. After they gathered up all of the goose feathers, they had them washed and dried before dividing them up to be carried out to the others. Everyone found that by stuffing the feathers between their layered shirts and pants, they stayed noticeably warmer in winter’s chill.
The group laughed as Tessa showed the Angels she could make an Angel impression in the snow. Jasper was so happy and proud of everyone. All of their differences were completely forgotten. An emotional moment caught him by surprise and he thought he was about to cry.
Joining together for a magnificent lunch, the Angels prayed over the people before they ate. The Angels took turns telling a personal story about an experience they had in Heaven; how they came together to be known as the Seven and what it was like to wait for God to call them to a mission such as this one.
Each of the Angels had compelling stories of how Demons had tried to subdue them with cunning trickery and alluring temptations. “The Devil has plans to destroy everyone.” Wilson said. Each of the Angels made a point of ending their stories with the importance of making God number one in life, and the goal to which we must strive. For if God is the direction we move toward in life, then we shall surely meet Him on good terms at the end of our life’s journey. Then the Angel, Joel asked if anyone had something they would like to share.
No one made a sound. It was obvious no one had anything to contribute, until the little voice of Tessa spoke up and said, “I can make ghosts with my breath.”
Everyone looked at Tessa. The tiny princess exhaled into the air and the steam of her breath came out. With a little imagination, it surely did look like a ghost.
“That kind’a reminds me of a good friend of mine in Heaven.” Roger remarked.
The others laughed. Tessa looked at the Angel Roger with big wide eyes of amazement, “Really?” She prompted him to continue.
“Oh, yes, Tessa.” Roger was sure to go on. “Every Angel in Heaven is very important, just as every breath you breathe is very special.” Rising up to address the others, Roger was quick to add, “As every citizen of Ceramecy is a special Ceramecian, remain steadfast in your faith in the Lord and you will be on your way to a life rich with blessings and rewards.”
Silence followed, then a voice said, “I’ve done every evil this world has to offer and I’ve tried every sinful drug known to man at least twice.” Randy’s words cut into the air with a chilling sharpness. “My evil deeds run so deep, God could never forgive me.”
“You are here. You know you have been forgiven. Even if you weren’t chosen to come to this place, your sins would be forgiven. Turn from your ways and you will know the depth of the Lord’s forgiveness.” Jasper interceded.
“Well said, Jasper.” came Wilson, who was impressed, before he turned to face Randy. “Your pain is an inspiration to the rest of us.” Wilson spoke in a most caring tone. “Everyone falls, but victory is at hand to the one who rises from the fall.”
Janet stood up at the table with her eyes tense and closed tightly, “You might want to laugh, but I have a serious problem with shopping. It’s like a disease for me.” With this came a brief moment of silence. “I’m sorry. I know it’s not a big deal.” She quickly added with humility and embarrassment.
Starr glided over the table top, her hair and flowing dress spread out slowly and weightlessly as she slowed to a stop. Inches from Janet’s face; their eyes embracing one another, Starr finally said. “You’ve been romancing things that are new and things that are empty because you yearn to be satisfied. Nothing of this world will truly satisfy you the way you need to be satisfied. No man or woman can give you what you need because only a close connection to the mighty God who created you can ever satisfy you the way you seek. Don’t let yourself be enslaved by this smothering habit any longer, rather, let your voice set others free in this same way.”
Everyone, in turn, acknowledged the wrong committed in their past. With each confession came a sense of release from the things that bound them and held them back from living their lives to the fullest.
When everyone was finished eating and confessing their regrets, they rose up from the table with their new sense of freedom. Casting away the past they spoke privately with the Angels for hours. The people had opportunities to tell their own stories, about; finances, betrayal, drinking, stress, smoking, addiction, complaining, swearing, gossip, abusive relationships, old hurtful memories, selfishness, the choice of being non-apologetic, unforgiveness, theft, envy and jealousy.
Tanya began to record some of the group conversation, but later she decided to erase most of it, but this was what she kept;
“Some things must be unforgivable.” Megan said, “For instance, my sister’s advice to me about my minor marital dispute was to get a divorce. She convinced me this was the only way. I’ve been miserable since, but my ex-husband, who I was so cruel to, remarried. Today he’s happy with his new wife but I am alone. I shouldn’t have listened to my sister. She fed me ideas; undermining the life my husband and I were trying so hard to build… I hate her! I regret confiding in my sister every day of my life.”
Taila spoke up, “Nothing is impossible for God. He can do anything. How much easier could he make things right in your life? He’s merciful, forgiving and so loving.”
“You don’t understand; the situation has left me so devastated, broke, homeless and clinging to life. Why me? I was such a capable mother once, but this situation haunts me. When I think of him, trying to take Tessa from me. Don’t you get it? My husband is happy. It’s too late for apologies! Too late for forgiveness! It’s over! I hope I never see my sister ever again!” After getting so worked up, Megan broke down and wept.
Tanya held her and tried to comfort her. Janet took Tessa away. She was kind’a late in doing so but she didn’t want the girl to see her mother in such a state.
Such a statement of unforgiveness deeply hurt the Angels, but of all the Angels it hurt Starr the most. The troubles Starr faced with her sister Morbidant, like-wise, ran deep and personal.
“God can help you to look forward with renewed strength and forsake the pain of your past.” Taila told her.
“Yes, bringing your thoughts back to a painful experience of your past is such a waste when you could be filling your memories with good times and lasting friendships. Do you not see the beauty set before you in this world?” Roger asked.
Joel flew in and everyone expected him to add to the discussion with a comment of hope also but instead he shar
ed something else, “So many people pray expecting God to do something extraordinary in their lives like find that perfect someone to love, having a business become prosperous, gain popularity or simply to acquire more money effortlessly. People must know God has no problem providing everything one desires, but he wants them to take some initiative. If God doesn’t provide then listen to him. He is talking but people don’t seem to know how to listen. Initiative must be taken. Keep trying and each time try harder. There is always more to be learned.”
Pastor Reed replied, “Generally, I think people know that. We say, ‘God helps those who help themselves.’”
Joel nodded and said, “If that is true and people understand this, then why do most people still do nothing and expect the Lord to provide a miracle for them? A friendship with God cannot be one sided. Become accustomed to helping someone else. I promise, the blessings will begin to pour over you.”
After discussing all of these things, they made their way to the frozen lake at the top of the mountain. The wind swept lake was cleared of the heavy snow.
As the Angels sang and danced over the lake, swirling and flowing and gliding over the smooth surface with tranquil elegance, the soft glow of the Angel’s light reflected off the ice. Voices of the celestial chorus mesmerized the onlookers with awe struck amazement at their expression of perfect form. Stepping out onto the ice, Jasper slid to the center of the lake. Clearing a trail through the powdery snow with his shoes, Jasper turned to face the people with his arms stretched out for balance. It appeared the music enveloped him. The Angels moved around him and he swayed, melting into their song. It was a natural thing for Jasper to be foolish for the Lord. By now he was used to it and the Lord was pleased by it. The other Ceramecians joined in as they skated out onto the ice with their shoes, singing;
You are beautiful,
You’re so lovely,
To my eyes,
So lov-e-ly,
How sweet you are,
Far away,
I want to fly,
So high,
and so, far away,
with your heart,
Come away,
Why don’t you come,
So far away,
With my heart,
and fly,
Fly away,
How you lift me...
Some of the Angels flew so high they could barely be seen amongst the stars. Then they swooped down through the group of dancing Ceramecians upon the ice, passing through the people, the Angels darted off the steep cliffs and encircled the mountain.
Joel went to Jasper reminding him, “We still have much to prepare for this evening.” Jasper tied new fir tree branches to his shoes before they headed off. Soon, Jasper and Joel left the others, returning to the ravine to collect and stack more fallen trees and old logs. There in the pit, the collection grew considerably yet the Angels insisted more wood was needed.
Roger came to assist Jasper’s cause and brought with him Pastor Reed and Bobby. Fir tree branches were tied to the bottom of their feet also to get around.
“Not such a silly idea after all, Jasper.” The Pastor said as he strolled upon the surface of the snow. Collecting enough trees to satisfy the Angels their hefty pile of timber filled the chasm of the ravine.
At the end of the project, Starr came out from the remaining stand of trees and approached the group leading Randy. The sound of footsteps crunching snow was feint but Jasper noticed Randy also wore pine branch snow shoes.
Enlightened, Randy was a whole new person who’d practically fully recovered. Free from his addiction, Randy said, “I feel like I’m one hundred percent ‘me’ again.” With a youthful, zainy quality about him, Randy added, “I really wanted to thank everyone for caring for me so. No one else ever did. I knew I owed everyone my life, and I especially want to thank you, Jasper.” Though sincere about his gratitude, everyone picked up how Randy was smitten for Starr. According to the look in his eyes, Randy was hopelessly under her spell.
Starr asked Randy to collect the final tree. Randy climbed the deep snow of the hillside and lifted a fallen tree. Carrying it to the pit, Randy tossed it in coolly. The others chuckled as they noted Randy never took his eyes off Starr.
All of the saplings growing from the side of the pit and the ones lining the far crest were left in place. An opening through the trees provided by the earthquake allowed the others to see to Princeton and as far away as to the city of Kingston.
“Look,” Bobby said, “The town and the city are without power. The storm must have done a lot more damage than we thought.”
“It’ll be a cold night for many people, I’m sure.” Pastor Reed added with a short prayer.
“The situation for the people is far worse than you know.” explained Roger, “The storm has been the cause of mass destruction. Many are without homes this night, and others have even lost their lives to the hunger of last night’s storm.”
“Can we help them?” Jasper asked as he stood ready to do something.
“Tomorrow, Jasper.” Wilson added, “We set out tomorrow and we will help.”
“Is the strength of the storm caused by the anger of God, or is it because of global warming?” Bobby asked the Angels.
“This planet is in terrible peril. It is up to all of you to save it, and we will show you the way. This is, at its core, the reason we are here. Jasper now understands that he has been a vessel for us to complete this final part of our mission.” Joel’s comment should have been shocking to the others but somehow they knew, with the Angels leading them they could do anything.
The voices of Elana and Taila were easily heard coming from the forest of trees. Then there were other female voices. Taila and Elana had led Janet and Tanya through the woods to Jasper and everyone else. It was incredible how well Janet and Tanya could sing along with the Angels. Neither of the two ladies were shy or ashamed to have the others look and listen to them. They enjoyed it, because they knew they sounded great.
The two ladies joined with Taila and Elana with harmonious perfection. The young women were beautiful even though Janet and Tanya’s clothing was stuffed with feathers unproportionately.
Then a flickering orange light began to appear from between the trees, disturbing everyone. This put an end to the music and worried the men, but the Angels held the living back and calmed them down. From time to time they could see the bright flicker of flame as it was exposed from between the trees. The flame wasn’t like a fire as it somehow moved through the trees without spreading.
Finally, little Tessa stepped out of the forest holding a long stick with a flickering flame at the end of it. Wilson and Megan came out of the forest also. Tessa held her torch high and passed through the crowd. Walking all the way to the edge of the pit, Tessa lifted the torch even higher before she called out. “Let your will be done!” Then she tossed the torch into the pit.
The flame bounced throughout the logs and branches of the ravine until it came to a rest and seemed to have been extinguished until only a spark of light was visible. The spark grew into a small flickering flame. With no help from anyone, the fire grew and grew.
The Angels led everyone around to separate stations around the pit. There, they were told to take up their musical instruments. None of the living people had previous musical skill, until an Angel of the Lord taught them how to play their specific song.
Between the tall flames the people of Ceramecy had taken specific positions by the Angel’s instructions where they overlooked the rising flames of the deep and wide ravine. A smoky cloud rose up high above them and a red light from the fire below illuminated the cloud.
Tessa began to shake her bells. ‘Jing-jing, Jingle-jingle, Jing-jing!’
Randy started in with his drums. He made a surprisingly powerful beat that echoed. The rhythm of bells and drums started everything. Softly, Pastor Reed added his sound to the music from his brass stringed harp. With impeccable timing, Bobby echoed a melody from his tenner harp. Megan me
t every peek of the song with a strike to her cymbals while Janet and Tanya moved every ear with their fluent voices of song. The Lord fashioned harmony by the way they handled the instruments they made.
Jasper blew into one of the bull horns. The sound that came from it was like a trumpet call to war and victory. The strength and nobility of the horn struck a new mood of confidence, boldness and righteousness within the hearts of the others.
As this went on, the people from surrounding towns and cities began to take notice of the strange orange light glowing on top of the mountain. No one could hear the music but people pointed out the strange glowing orange haze reflected under the low clouds.
On lookers would never have suspected Angels surrounded the great fire in a pit and were capable of opening their mouths to join such magnificent music.
“Be silent
and listen
Do you hear your calling,
It’s a gift for you.
Take a step forward,
It’s easy,
It can be as easy as 1 2 3.
Hey, hey, hey-hey,
Hey, hey, hey-hey,
Your precious to God and he loves you.
Hey, hey, hey-hey,
Hey, hey, hey-hey,
Have faith cause if you fall he’ll catch you.
Hey... HEY!!!
I know a place where the sun is always shining.
And I want to take you there cause that’s what keeps me smiling.
There are Angels on the wind,
Each of them’s my friend.
There are Angels on the wind,
Every da-y
Hey, hey-hey,
Just let go,
accept his gift
For it’s the truth.
Because, I know a place where the sun is always shining.
And I want to take you there cause that’s what keeps me smiling.
There are Angels on the wind,
Each of them’s my friend.
There are Angels on the wind,
Every da-y
Hey, hey-hey,
Hey, hey, hey-hey,
Your precious to God and he loves you.
Hey, hey, hey-hey,
Hey, hey, hey-hey,
Have faith cause if you fall he’ll catch you.
Hey... HEY!!!”
The flame grew hotter, before changing color from a bright orange to an icy blue. Then the music came to a halt, but only little Tessa continued to jingle her bells with precise timing. She never missed a beat which only mounted the anticipation of tension. The blue flames of the great fire began to twist like a tall cone shaped tornado before it opened like a spiral flower in bloom. From within, the Tri-Guardian Angels revealed themselves.
Still Tessa continued to jingle her bells steadily. Cherubims flew around the Guardian Angels as they sang a familiar song, “Holy, is the name of the Lord! Holy, is the name of the Lord! Holy, is the name of the Lord on high!” As before, they repeated this over and over.
And a voice cracked like thunder from the Heavens and spoke, saying; “Know that I am the Lord God Almighty!”
A moment of silence passed as the shocking voice of God penetrated the people. Then Randy kicked his drums back into a powerful rolling beat. The others joined in one by one, enhancing the song of the Cherubim. The song shifted in the moment of everyone’s tranquility and they experienced a heightened form of communication originating within the core of the song. From this they were all touched with God’s great love. Not even Pastor Reed could fathom the depths of that mind blowing experience. All Ceramecians received deep meaningful encouragement along with unshakable faith. None of them would be the same after this life changing event.