“Since I know you, I know that you are bent on being mad.  I do not know how long it will take before you will allow yourself to be comforted by the Holy Spirit.  LaQueia you know how you are feeling won’t help you.  And your selective hearing will not help pull you out of it or forward.  That being said, I do not know what you are hearing from me right now, but know that I am praying for you.  I will continue to pray for your comfort, desires and well being.  I love you LaQueia.”

Sister Kelly gets up and before she closes the sanctuary door she gently mentions, “Take as much time as you need LaQueia.  Tell God everything!  Whenever you feel like rejoining us please do.”  Then Sister Kelly leaves.  LaQueia does not come back in.  When everyone begins to leave, Ginny and Teri goes looking for LaQueia.  She is still in the sanctuary.  As soon as Teri sees her sitting there looking weak, humbled and grieved with sadness Teri immediately feels her pain.  Tears swell up in her eyes as she quickly goes over and hugs her compassionately.  “LaQueia, Ginny and I have been praying for you.  We spent our time praying for you!”  LaQueia smiles weakly.  “Thanks!”  She looks back down at her belly and rubs her stomach.  “I appreciate it.” 

Her eyes are red and swollen from crying.  The burden she is bearing is written all over her face as she comments, “It’s not that I just hate him.  I hate myself too.  How could I be so dumb?  Why didn’t I know he was like this sooner?  How could I have been so blind?  Who? What? When? Where? Why?    I keep going over and over in my mind where I went wrong.  I just don’t know.  Then I ask myself, ‘What did I do that is so wrong that I deserve this?  How could I have fixed this before it got so bad.  How can I take care of my babies by myself?  I am just so angry and I don’t know how to make any of it better.  I am going to be a single mom.  God! 

People say, I’ll be fine, because even when your married, you still do most to all of the child rearing.  But I know both sides and having a husband is better than not having one.  Just the thought of knowing that you do not have to do everything by yourself is better.  I worked so hard on my life and I am in the same situation as woman who didn’t plan a thing.  The way he treats me is no better than any man who never married me at all.  It’s like all of my time, love, efforts and sacrifices that I have put in are pointless.  What does that say about me and my babies?”  Sister Kelly comes from behind Ginny and engulfs LaQueia in a warm embrace.  LaQueia just lets herself lean on Sister Kelly, as she cries profusely.  Letting it all out, it is obvious that LaQueia is not doing well.

This tender moment is too much for Teri, she leaves the room and cries for LaQueia and herself.  Teri knows how abandoned she feels, but at least she isn’t pregnant.  That would make things 10 times worst and would have taken things to a whole new level.  Normally Teri is very straight forward, but her husbands infidelity struck a strong cord within her.  She can not even look at him, removing all of his pictures the day she found out.  Several things she is doing is now allows her to avoid him and she is.  Teri does not know how she will react when she finally has to come face to face with her own divorce.  Getting lawyers and dividing all of her personal things seem just way too much.  When Teri is able to stabilize her hurt enough she grabs some tissue and brings it back into the church.

LaQueia is still being embraced in Sister Kelly’s arms.  She is no longer crying out loud, but the tears are still flowing.  Again Teri begins to cry as she gives her the tissue.  Unable to help herself, Teri lays at their feet weeping.  Ginny is sitting on the side of them praying with closed eyes and rocking back and forth cleaving to deep prayer.  Sister Kelly frowns understanding the pain that all of the ladies in the room are dealing with.  In a soft voice Sister Kelly tries to console them through a prayer. 

“Abba father, you know what is needed for the healing of everyone in this room.  I give you permission to intercede and interfere in all of our lives so that your comfort can be provided to all and that your perfect healing is restored in everyone’s lives.  The pain of a divided family is a pain that only you can comfort, bless and restore.  We are all open to you.  Even though we have authority on this earth, we need your grace, mercy and intervention, because the pain is so great.  Please allow your will to be done immediately.  Holy Spirit you are a provided of comfort, please comfort us all.  Jesus we are leaning on your strength because our strength is weak.  We thank you for your kindness, patience, grace and mercy.  Thank you for mending us, preparing us and taking us all through.  You are a mighty and gracious God.  Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 

Teri sits up then lays her head on Sister Kelly’s lap .  “I’m so sorry LaQueia.  I do feel your pain.”  LaQueia whose throat is sore, nods as she tries to clean up her face.  “Thank God I don’t wear much make up or I would really look a wreck.  Syrse, LaQueia’s adopted daughter, comes in holding Christopher.  Ginny quickly gets up and escorts them out of the room so LaQueia can have more time with Sister Kelly.  After cleaning up LaQueia whispers in a hoarse voice.  “I feel better, but I am still hurt.  I don’t know how I am going to stay strong and get through this.  I know that I need to stay strong, but I don’t know how.”  Sister Kelly hugs her again.  “Beloved you are strong through Jesus not by yourself.  So lean on him and let him fight it out for you.  Don’t concentrate on being strong or self reliant.  Don’t put unnecessary pressure on yourself.  All you need to think about is keeping yourself open to God’s strength.  Allow the Holy Spirit to provide you with all that you need especially comfort and strength.”  LaQueia nods, glad, that she will not look foolish if she needs more help. 

Sister Kelly lovingly squeezes her and says, “Bit by bit you will be able to stand.  For now surround yourself in Gods strength and rely on it.  He really is strong and more than you will ever need. And naturally you can always come to me for a well needed hug.”  She hugs her again, and then goes back to touching Teri’s cheek and gently outlining her hair line with the back of her hand.  Feeling the peace that is in the room, Sister Kelly comments, “Beloved your hurts and pains are important to Jesus.  He is your perfect parent and partner.  Always take the time to talk to him about your feelings.  He cares and is always willing to listen, even when others won’t or do listen but judge you while you’re speaking. 

Jesus loves your time.  Talk things through with him and please wait for his replies.  God is not dead and neither is Jesus.  Allow them time to talk back to you.  Please do not feel you have to be strong!  That makes it harder on you and does not help others.  When you need help go to God and allow him in and allow others to know that you are leaning on God so that they can support you accordingly.  Now it is late and I have to get back home, so if you need to talk instead of telling each other your woes, talk to Jesus.”  Both nod and Sister Kelly slowly gets up lovingly hugs them both then leaves. 

LaQueia smiles at Teri and expresses, “This whole time I have been feeling contractions.  I did not want to move, because I thought I would have the babies right here because twins usually come early, but this would be too soon.  I did not want my babies to come into this world with me a total mess.  And I really did not want them to come because of him.  Thank God Sister Kelly prayed.  I feel so much better.  Braxton Hicks contractions are no joking matter.”  LaQueia smiles weakly as she starts to get up.  Teri quickly gets up and helps LaQueia get on her feet.  Thanking Teri, LaQueia adds, “Why don’t we practice praying for each other, which might help us to not concentrate so much on our own selves.  Teri agrees.  They are heading to the door, when Ginny comes in with the children.

“Are you feeling better?”  Ginny asks full of concern.  LaQueia nods.  Syrse watches as Karen hugs her mother knowing that something is wrong.  Syrse finally asks, “Are you going to have the babies now?”  LaQueia, goes over and hugs her and tells her no.  Syrse is still unsure so she makes up in her mind to help out her family as much as possible.  She hands over lil Christopher, who is asleep to Ginny and begins gathering everyones things.  Ginny gently kisses his forehead and snuggles his cheek then hands him over to Teri.   Then Ginny adds, “They were playing with Sister Burney.  She really has a way with kids.  I have a really early day tomorrow so I have to go.  Are you sure you’re alright?”  LaQueia smiles and hugs Ginny thanking her for everything.  Ginny gives everyone hugs then quickly leaves.

Karen tries to help gather things, but Syrse already has everything neatly stacked by the door.  Karen goes over and hugs her mom again who is walking toward the door.  LaQueia turns around waiting on Teri who is making sure that everything is cleaned up.  Syrse had done a thorough job, she has even dumped the trash.  Karen gives Syrse a hug.  LaQueia notices the tears streaking Syrse’s face and immediately embraces her, making her break down and cry.  Syrse tries to quickly control herself.  She wipes her face with the back of her hand and whispers in LaQueia’s ear, “I know that daddy came here!” 

LaQueia finally understands her daughters outburst.  Everything within LaQueia aches knowing that, despite her best efforts, their daughters were constantly in pain too.  LaQueia has been trying to be strong for them, but her husbands presence has made all of them very sensitive, as the pain they all keep bottled up finally boils over, making the tears just pours out.  Normally LaQueia would carry this burden and try to be even stronger for her girls, so that they could lean on her strength, but remembering what Sister Kelly has just said, LaQueia does things differently. 

She gives both of the girls a hug then gets down on the floor.  Normally she would put them both on her lap, but her very pregnant belly consumed most of lap now a days, therefore, she had them sit down next to her so that they could look in her eyes while she spoke.  “As you know, mommy is sad.  Sometimes I do feel bad and not just because the babies are kicking mommy.”  Upon hearing that Karen immediately touches LaQueia’s belly and tells the twins how they better be nice.  LaQueia smiles at her daughters affection, then continues, “I do not want you too growing up thinking that I am always strong and can handle everything by myself.  That is why I always appreciate all of your help.”  LaQueia gives Syrse a little nudge.  “You two are so important to me.  I love you more than words can express.  I need you to know that I will always love you, no matter what happens.” 

LaQueia is starting to tear up so she hugs both the girls pulling them close to her chest.  “I really do think the world of you too.  You are so smart, pretty, good and precious to me.”  They both respond by embracing her back.  “I need you two to understand that just like I love you, God loves me and sometimes when I am sad, God quickly comes and takes care of me.  So you never have to worry about me, or yourselves, because will do that for you too.”  Understanding both girls continue to hug their mother as their own issues are playing through their heads.  Syrse feels better knowing that God is with them all and will take care of them. 

Teri who is sitting next to them smiles and comments, “God is taking care of me too.”  Karen quickly gets up and gives Teri a huge hug.  Teri accepts it by picking Karen up and swinging her around. After all of the emotional outbursts everyone goes home and goes straight to bed.  The days events has been draining for them all.  LaQueia and Teri stayed in close contact as they consistently pray for each other. 

40 days prior to ‘The coming’ the group begins to meet daily.  Everyone is getting closer to God, studying, praying, fasting and observing diverse spiritual training.  Some are fasting three days out of the week, while others are abstaining from certain foods and drinks everyday.  Sister Kelly and Sister Burney are on a total fast taking in no food and drinking water sparingly for the full 40 days as they meditated on specific scriptures.  The meetings are getting more intense as the days draw closer and closer to the big event.