Shalom Station 3

The six families from Shalom filed into the tiny Seventh-Day Adventist church the next morning, at least tripling it’s size. The friendly elderly members greeted them heartily and gave the Smiths a warm welcome. After the church service, the whole church family fellowshiped over a basket luncheon, then spent a wonderful time together walking beside the creek that ran through the little township.

By the time Kate and Jim got home that night, the sun had already set and there was only time for one song before they tumbled into bed exausted.

When Kate awoke the next morning she groaned and rolled over to find Jim gone. The clock boldly marked 6am and Kate knew it was high time to be about the day’s business. She pulled her well-worn Bible off the bed-side shelf and opened it to Isaiah 25. After reading the chapter, she meditated on it’s meanings and applications for a few moments then closed her eyes for a season of prayer. As she finished she heard the back door slam downstairs and Jim’s heavy boots tramp off in the direction of the stable. She grinned as she swung out of bed and pulled out a pair of clean jeans. That door was her late morning alarm. If Jim thought she had overslept, he would shut the door with a little extra ‘oomph’ as he went out to remind her to get up.

Kate finished dressing with speed and ran the brush through her hair. It trailed out behind her, long, blonde and silky as she took the stairs two at a time and hurried to put the breaky on. Sunday morning’s fare of home-made gluten sausages, fried eggs, tomato and onion on toast was quick and easy so after putting it all on to heat and putting some lentils to soak for Monday, she sat down to read Friday’s mail. Thus Jim found her when he returned from the barn.

“Good morning, Sunshine.” He greeted her cheerily, “Whatcha got there?”

“Six new applications. Can you believe it? On top of the two we got on Thursday.”
Well, tell me about them.” Jim called from the laundry where he was washing his hands for breaky.

Kate go up to put the food on. “One is from a little girl in Sydney who says:...” And Kate picked up the letter they required with each application. “My parents are nobody but they both work and we live in the city. I thought I might be able to come because I love horses but I don’t get to be around them because of where we live and my parents never have time to take me anywhere.”

Jim smiled. “She sounds like a sweet little thing.” He remarked.

They paused for grace and then both picked up one of the other letters lying open on the table and read silently as they ate.

“Well, this is Miss Marrisa Starakie.” Jim said as he buttered himself another peice of fresh toast. “Her mum’s a pastor at some place near the coast and her dad’s a builder. She’s 15 and says she wants to go somewhere where she won’t have to be ‘Pr Starakie’s daughter’. I like it when kids are honest like that. Maybe Jess and Roger would be able to manage Marrisa and what did you say the other little one’s name was?”

“Lina.”

“Lina and Marrisa. We’d have to look through the forms but I have an inkling it’ll work.”
Kate nodded. “Sure sounds good so far but listen to this: ‘Dear Madam and Sir…’”
Jim burst out laughing so suddenly that he sent a shower of breadcrumbs flying across the table. “Go on.” He said with a penitent look at his wife.

Kate tried hard to control her own giggles, barely succeeding.

“‘Dear Madam and Sir,

“‘There are four of us wanting to come. Bradly, Schane, Rily and Elyss. We are all brothers and sisters. Us boys are triplets and are ten and Elyss is nine.

“‘We would all very much like to come to your station and Mum says we can. Us boys want to come because we like horses. We dress up as cowboys whenever Mum and Elyss let us and pretend we are catching cows.’”
Jim tried hard to snuff his persistant giggles in his sleve. Kate tried frowned and went on.

“‘Elyss wants to come because she doesn’t want to be left behind. She hates horses. But she says she’ll be a good girl.

“‘I hope you’ll let us come. Us boys’ll try to be good too. We find it a bit hard though. We’d want to stay together.

“‘Daddy works and mummy teaches sckool (spelt S-C-K-O-O-L).

“‘Yours sinseerly (spelt S-I-N-S-E-E-R-L-Y),

“‘Bradly, Schane, Riley and Woos Elyss.’”

Kate and Jim were both in fits by this time and Jim had to rush for a glass of water before he choked. “They sound like a handful of brats don’t they?’

“Yes,” Kate said slowly when her giggles had ceased. “But I love them already.”
“But what about those two from Thursday? What will you do about them? You can’t give more then two to Jess and Roger and the other houses are full up.”
“Well I’ll have to take them won’t I?”
“Are you sure you can manage?” Jim’s eye’s wore concern.

“You forget that I grew up the eldest of a large family and besides, I can manage anything with you and God by my side.” Jim smiled and bent to kiss her head as he headed off to work.

“See you at lunch time.” He called over his shoulder.

Today was Kate’s cleaning day. As she did the dishes, her eye rested on the frilly curtains above the kitchen windows. As soon as she was finished cleaning up after breaky, she pulled down the curtains and along with the sheets and sundry other dirty items into the washing machine then she settled down to read and pray over the eight new applications.

By the time the washing was finished, all that was left to do was to speak to Roger and Jess. So as soon as she had hung the washing, Kate set off in the hot sun to the Smith home. Here she found Jess hanging her own washing while Roger and the kids played around her feet. He stood up as Kate approached and smiled. In fact, genuine joy seemed to shine from all four faces and their happiness was infectious. They chatted away for a good ten minutes before Kate was able to state her mission.

“How would you guys feel about taking on some youngsters?” She asked.

The smiles faded while the couple before her took in the meaning of this question. Roger’s faces especially wore a “so soon?” expression.

“Anyway, have a think and a pray about it. There are only two that we’d like you guys to take. On is 15, Marrissa, and Lina is 7. Here are the applications for you to look and pray over. Let me know as soon as you descide so I can get acceptance letters off to them. Have a good one.” Kate forced a smile and hurried away. Two cottages downt eh dusty road, Kate literally bumped into Jim.

“How’d they take it?” He asked.

“I think they were a bit stunned. They didn’t say a single word after I first mentioned it but I think they’ll pull through.”
“Good. Where are you off to now?”
“I’ve got to write six acceptance letters to my kids, then I’m gonna start getting ready for them.” Kate replied.

“What about our ride this arvo? You haven’t forgotten have you?”

“How could I? Thats the best part of my Sunday afternoons!”

Unless something else was planned, one of the Shalom couples would gather all the children on the station and, with the help of the older children, entertain them for a few hours while the rest of the adults had a break and some time to themselves. Today, Esther and Sam were babysitting and Jim, Kate, Ely and Tim had planned a foursome. So at two-thirty, they converged on the stables.

“You gonna ride Stella?” Tim half stated, half asked Kate.

“No, Im gonna give Big Boy a chance to prove himself.” She said, grabbing a saddle from the rack and heading for Boy’s stall.

The big black gelding greeted her with a nicker and was perfect as she saddled him up and led him out into the open sun.

“I saw you riding Big Boy, how’d he go?” Asked Sam when the riders returned.

“He was great! He shied once but there was a snake at the edge of the path so I can’t really blame him for that.”

The next morning, Jess came over to tell Kate that they had decided to take the two little girls. Kate smiled and hugged her friend, “I knew you would.” She said.

“But we don’t really know what to do.” Jess half protested.

“Why don’t Jim and I come over tonight? We can have a chat about it all.”
“Oh, yes, do! Come up for tea!” Jess cried, delighted.

“Ok, what time?”

So it was arranged and at five minutes to five, Kate knocked on the Smith’s door. Jess opened it and the two stepped into the kitchen together. 

“What can I do to help?” Kate asked.

“Take Cloe for me while I get Little Mick out of the bath.” Jess shoved the restless baby into Kate’s arms and rushed off in the direction of the bathroom, guided by cries for “Mama”. In five minutes, Roger appeared with his little son and Jess followed close behind,

“Jim’ll be up in a moment. He was just headed for the shower when I came.” At that moment, there was another knock at the door and both families were complete.

They spent a wonderful evening together with much laughter and chatting and by the time Kate and Jim said goodnight, their friends seemed well prepared and even confidant about their upcoming task.

The acceptance letters and information were mailed out the next day and in two weeks time, Jim and Kate met a very excited group of children at the nearest train station. All of them, Bradly, Schane, and Riley - the triplets, their sister Elyss, Marrissa, Lina, Lottie and Emily conveniently were able to arrive on the same train and the trip home was full of excited questions and plans.

Lina was a sweet little child. Actually, she reminded Kate allot of what Jess would have been like as a child and Marrissa seemed like a very capable, helpful girl so Kate knew there would be no problems in the Smith home. In the peace of her own however, she doubted for a second before she remembered that she had God and Jim on her side and she fell to observing her six little charges.

Bradly was obviously the leader fo the rowdy trio of boys who almost monopolised the conversation in the air-conditioned bus. His brothers however were just as rough and then and there Kate prayed that she might be able to penetrate through to their softer selves.

Lottie or Charlotte, was every inch a lady. Her very voice bore haughtiness and she  seemed to look down her perfectly formed nose at everyone. She had an exquisitly gorgeous face and knew it, her long black hair and dark, shiny eyes seemed to be her favorite assets. Kate’s heart skipped a beat when she noticed the youngster’s arrogance and she had a ntion that Lottie would have a very hard time coping with three unruly ‘brothers’ and two ‘sisters who were not as ‘perfect’ as she imagined herself to be.

Elyss, true to her brothers’ report seemed almost terrified of everything, especially the ordeal she envisioned herself about to be put through. As the others expressed delight and chattered endlessly about what they would do while they were at the station, Elyss sat huddled in a corner, newly horrified by everything that was mentioned.

Emily alone was a consolation to Kate. She was a beautiful maiden too, but she carried an expression of peace and benevolence. She was quiet and far from self-assertive but natural childish joy shone from her lovely face. Kate fell in love with this sweet child and thanked God for her right away. Then she compared high and mighty Charlotte to charming Emily. She smiled as she recalled the latter’s greeting and winced at that of the former. Emily had thrown herself into Kate’s arms, kissing her and declaring that they should be the best of friends, a fact which Kate never doubted. Miss Lottie looked as if she would like to do away with greeting such low personages altogether but finally condescended to place her delicate white hand in Kate’s and stooped to shake hands half cordialy. Kate remembered the pang of fear that coursed through her body. Could it be that she was afraid of this crusty female junior? Yes, it was more then possible, but Kate knew she could do it with God’s help.

Here Kate was jolted out of her musings by Emily’s musical voice near her ear.

“Aunty Kate?” (Here Lottie scowled, she had already refused to bestow the title of respect on her temporary guardian.) 

“Yes, Dear.”
“Who am I to stay with? You said there are six families at the station.”
“Which would you like most to be a part of?” Kate teased, half wishing to hear her own name on the fair lips. She was surprised therefore with the answer given.

“I haven’t met them all.” Emily stated gravely. “How could I know?”

“Well I’ll just have to tell you then wont I?” Kate felt a little chagrined but she carried on. “You are to live in my house.”
“With you? Oh goody!” And Kate shook her head fondly at this strange little girl who had wriggled her way into her heart.