Shalom Station 4

The moment the van stopped outside the big two-story house, the door was thrown open and out boiled the Graham triplets. Their whoops and yells filled the whole compound. Kate winced and looked over at Jim. He winked at her, squeezed her hand and hoped out.

“Ok kids.” He called in his powerful voice. “Grab your stuff and come inside. We’ll have tea and then Aunty Kate will explain a few rules and show you your rooms.”

He led the kids inside where Kate had already set the table with hot soup and buns. She was so thankful that Ely had put the big pot on to heat.

Jim stepped up behind Kate as she stood at the table serving the kids. “I’ve gotta head out for a bit. I promised Sam that I’d help him fix the tractor this afternoon. I didn’t think we’d be so late but we can do it in the floodlights. Will you be ok or should I tell him to leave it for tomorrow?”

Kate looked up at him. After just a moment of consideration she said: “Go ahead. I’ll have to get it under control sooner or later.”
Jim smiled, “As you wish. See ya soon kids. Be good for Aunty Kate.”

“Ok kids. Leave the dishes and come with me into the lounge room. That’s right. Sit down anywhere.” She watched the kids find their places and then sat down gingerly on the piano stool. “Now, there’s a few rules that I want you kids to listen to and obey while you are here. Number one: Your house-parents need to know where you are at all times. This is important so that if something happens to you, we can let your parents know or else we could get in big trouble. Number two: Your house-parents are here to help you and in return, they expect obedience. Please, listen to them, obey them. Number three: There are a few places that are out of bounds. Listening? This is very important. The machinery shed. Boys, Uncle Jim will probably take you in there sometimes to help him with a job but you are not to go in there without adult supervision. The horse stalls. You can go into the barn but do not open gates and go in stalls and storage rooms without being asked to. And the loft is out of bounds too. Also, the other houses. Unless you are invited or sent there by your house-parents. Is this understood?” Heads nodded. Riley’s hand shot up.

“Yes Bradly?” Kate didn’t know whether she was talking to Riley, Schane or Bradly but she took a guess at the ringleader. The three boys broke into uncontainable giggles and even Elyss snickered. It took a few moments for Kate, with the help of Roger and Jess, to settle them down again. “Riley, did you have a question?”

“Yeah. When can we go and round up the cows?”
“I’m sure you will get a chance to do that but at the moment they don’t need moving or working. Remember, we’ll have fun outside but there’s lots of work for us to do here in the house too. Now, Marrissa and Lina, Uncle Roger and Aunty Jess will take you up to their house for you to settle in.” Marrissa and the Smiths headed off, the girls already seeming at home talking with sweet, gentle Jess and Lina even took hold of her hand as they started up the dusty road.

“Now for the rest of you. Follow me.” The triplets ran ahead of them up the stairs, Emily and Elyss each took one of Kate’s hands and Lottie followed at a safe and decorous distance. “The three boys will share the room on the right and the girls in the room on the left. The bathroom is up the end of the hall and Uncle Jim’s and my room is next to the boy’s room. There should be a towel and a washer on each bed and there’s soap in the shower. Grab your stuff and get settled in.” The kids started to rush off instantly. “Wait please.” Kate called, halting the children. “If you need anything, I’ll be in the kitchen. Worship in half and hour and then bed-time after that.”

The kids ran to get their belongings and Kate trudged down the stairs after them. Heading for the kitchen, she ran a deep hot sink and began washing the big pile of dishes to the sound of feet banging and loud voices over-head. She washed and dried the dishes, put them away, wiped the table and swept the floor in just under half an hour. She wished that she could take a quiet moment to just sit and pray and think but no, she knew that she had to go and check on the children. Six children is allot to take on at once! She thought to herself. The looked in on the girls first.

They were all finished and Emily and Elyss were sitting quietly on the floor, chatting. Lottie sat on her bed - the top bunk. She was writing in her diary. Kate almost shivered to think what she could be writing.

The boys room still looked like a bomb had hit it. The beds were tousled and there were clothes spread all over the floor.

Kate looked at her watch. Yes, half and hour was definitely over but Jim was still not back. Looks like I’m running the show. She thought. “Ok kids. Lets meet for worship in the lounge room.”

When they were all assembled and a prayer had been offered, Kate took out her bible and reverently turned the pages. “There’s a verse I want to read from second Corinthians thirteen verse eleven. It says ‘Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.’ Now your all smart kids, what does this verse mean?”

Kate looked around at the children, five eager faces were upturned to hers. Lottie still stared out into space but Kate thought she could detect a glimmer of interest in the beautiful eyes. Emily’s expression was one of interest. Emily’s family was christian but not adventist and she didn’t know as much about the bible as the other children. But Kate could tell that she was eager to learn.

They discussed the meaning of the verse for a while and then Emily’s hand went up. “But how can we be perfect?” 

Kate thought she saw Lottie stiffen but she smiled at Emily. “Good question. We can’t be perfect all by ourselves can we? It’s too hard. The only way is to ask Jesus to help us and He can and He will. Let’s pray and ask Jesus to help us and to help us live in peace shall we?” Kate knelt and bowed her head and prayed a short, simple prayer asking God to watch over each child as they slept and to help them settle in and feel at home. Then she sent them scampering upstairs to brush their teeth and snuggle into bed.

Five minutes later, when all was relatively quiet, she slipped into the boys room, gave them all a hug and wished them goodnight, and slipped out, switching off the light. Outside the girl’s room she paused for a moment, took a deep breath and plunged in. Climbing up on the ladder, she gave Lottie the best hug she could from that awkward position. Then she hugged the other girls and turned off the light.

A sigh escaped her lips. Finally she could relax. Or could she? Another sigh. Breakfast had to be prepared for the morning. A plan for the children’s chores and schoolwork had to be mapped out and there was washing to fold.

Rubbing her eyes she looked into her cupboard. I’ll just make porridge in the morning. That way there’s one less thing to do tonight. Next she folded the washing and put it neatly away in her’s and Jim’s drawers. Then she pulled out the schoolwork sent her and spread it over the big table.

Jim found her there when he came in two and a half hours later. “You still up?” He asked from the doorway. Kate looked up, bleary eyed and messy haired. “Sorry I took so long.”
“That’s ok. There’s soup on the stove if ya want it.”
“Thanks, I’ll take a shower first though. I’m covered in grease.”
When Jim came downstairs again Kate had his meal set out on the table. He asked her how the evening had gone so she recounted her activities. To tell the truth, she was a bit discouraged. She was tired and six kids is allot, especially when you have the Graham triplets thrown in, as well as a maiden who’s expressions told everyone what she thought of them and that she thought low of them in no uncertain terms.

“Well, how can we make it work better from here on?” Jim prompted. “For a start. You can put that paperwork away. You’re getting a headache aren’t you? Now, what’s the plan?”
“I think the boys really need the male figure thing. They are really keen to get out and do the practical stuff. I think it would be good if you really concentrated on the boys and I’ll do the same with the girls. Try taking the boys out to work with you. I’m happy to do extra jobs to have them out of the house doing something useful.”
“It’s a deal. Are you sure this isn’t going to be too much for you? I mean Emily or Elyss could go to Sam and Esther’s if you need them to.”

“I can do this. It’s just going to take extra prayer and patience on my part.” Kate yawned. “And decent sleep. I think I’ll head to bed. Will you…”
“I’ll clean up when I’m done. Goodnight Darling.” Jim hugged his wife and kissed her before she headed up the stairs.

Twenty minutes later when he followed her, she was already asleep, blissfully oblivious to the day’s hardships and tomorrow’s challenges. Jim smiled down on her peaceful face and said an extra prayer for his little wife.

The next morning, Jim didn’t leave her sleeping as he would usually do. Knowing she had a full day ahead of her, he shook her awake at 4:30am. “Time to rise and shine Sweetheart.” He whispered.

Eyes heavy with sleep she dragged herself to a sitting position and reached for her bible. She opened it and tried to read on from where she had left off the day before but her eyelids would fall closed over her eyes and her brain would fall asleep in the middle of a sentence. So Kate tried another tactic. She went and had her shower, then carried her precious bible downstairs and, sitting across from Jim in the lounge-room, completed her devotions. She was nearly finished her morning’s study when she saw Jim kneel down and begin to pray. Suddenly she realized that he was praying for her and such gratitude filled her heart that she just had to kneel down too and thank her Lord for her husband. She prayed her for him, for herself, and for each one of the children, especially Elyss. When she had finished, she stood up and straightened her shoulders.

The day’s activities began with putting the breakfast on the stove to cook and cleaning the downstairs bathroom. Then there were letters to read and chore lists to complete. All too soon the clock reminded her that it was 6:30, time to wake the children.

Quietly opening their doors she poked her head in. “Rise and shine.” She called, switching on the light. Worship in half and hour.” The children stirred and she knew they were awake so she left them to their wake-up routine and stepped outside. Looking east at the beautiful rising sun, she breathed another prayer and then, slipping her arm through Jim’s went back inside to face the day.