Changed Lives. Introduction & Part One. Free Christian Story, Plus A Poem.

 

Introduction

Dearest Readers,

Welcome once more to Kelby, the quaint town we recently visited as we got to know Wren, from Wren Comes Home. I thought that you might enjoy spending more time in this peaceful place. Who can resist blue-purple coloured mountains, fruit trees, and grape vines? Don't forget Wren and Jasper's spot, the stream, which bubbles along near old fruit trees. Of course, you'll enjoy strolling through Kelby itself, with its Victorian cottages complete with broekie lace, oak flooring, and deep cool verandahs. These old houses were built a long, long time ago using local stone, which keeps them lovely and cool during the hot summers. Wren has moved into Jasper's house, which is a lot like the one I've just described. It has a breathtaking view of the mountains on the other side of the valley, and has a garden filled with peach trees. You will often find Wren and Jasper enjoying the cool of the evening on their verandah. I'll let you pop in and visit them first, so you can see how they are doing. After that, we'll meet some of the other town's people, and we'll visit with Wren's friend Gretchen again. 

***

Part One

Wren couldn't understand why she was feeling so washed out and tired all the time. She was getting enough sleep, and Jasper was so good about helping out around the place, so she didn't have to do everything herself. She pushed her feet into her slippers and shuffled to the kitchen to put the kettle on. It was a good thing it was Saturday, otherwise she'd have been late getting to the school. The kitchen was one of her favourite places: the cupboards were old, but full of character. There was even an old-fashioned built in bread box, and one for eggs as well. Wren smiled as she put coffee in Jasper's mug. Life was wonderful. They'd been married for a little over a year, and she was still floating. She was about to put a spoon of coffee in her own mug, when a now familiar wave of nausea hit her. She settled for rooibos, hoping she'd be able to get it down, and sat on a chair for a moment. Jasper wrapped his arms around her from behind. He'd come looking for her. "Not feeling so good again?"

Wren rested against him, and closed her eyes. "I'll be fine just now. Then we can go to the farmer's market like you wanted."

"Maybe." He smiled. "But I'd rather you go see the doctor. This has been going on a bit long."

"They charge extra on Saturdays." Said Wren stubbornly. 

"Never mind that. You're going, and that's final. But first, let's pray." Jasper continued to hold Wren while he prayed, asking God for healing and thanking Him for their many blessings. Before ending, he prayed for the school children they were both so fond of.

"Thank you Jasper, I feel better already."

"You're still going." He smiled. "I'll make breakfast while you get ready. I'm sure the doc will fit us in somewhere. I'll phone him quickly."

"You're so stubborn." Wren laughed, but she got up to go get dressed.  Submission was a gift she loved to give to Jasper. He loved her so much and was so special. Even though he could be stubborn and grumpy at times. But no one's perfect, least of all me. God's still ironing out all my crinkly bits. Jasper just wants me to go to the doctor because he's concerned. It won't hurt to go.

***

Wren and Jasper took a seat in the doctor's waiting room under an hour later. He'd told Jasper that he'd see Wren between his next two patients. It wasn't long before the receptionist told Wren she could go in to the examination room. Wren answered all of the middle-aged doctor's questions and resignedly allowed him to do some tests. She told herself that it would soon be over and they'd be able to peruse the produce and home made gifts at the market.

The doctor's eyes twinkled as he studied her. "You and Jasper have been married for over a year now, not so?"

Wren smiled and nodded.

"Well, I'm going to fetch him from the waiting room, Mrs Merton. Just a moment."

Mystified as to why the doctor wanted to fetch Jasper, Wren sat quietly, her hands clasped tightly on her lap. Surely the doctor couldn't have bad news. Not with him seeming so jolly.

Once Jasper was sitting beside her, the doctor sat opposite them and gave a chuckle. "Congratulations Wren; Jasper. You're going to be parents!"

"Parents?" Wren gaped at the doctor. She felt extremely stupid all of a sudden, as she recalled the symptoms she'd been having. "We're having a baby?" Wren looked at the doctor's grinning face, then quickly turned to Jasper. "We're having a baby." 

"I thought it might be that." Jasper's face was all lit up like a tree at Christmas time. The reality hit her, and tears began to run down her face. "Are you OK, Wren?" Jasper was at her side quickly.

"Oh, Jasper, I'm more than OK. I'm the happiest woman in Kelby today. God is so good. I didn't think I could have babies." Wren looked at the doctor again. "I suppose that's why I never thought I might be pregnant. Harvey and I were childless."

"Well, now you know, Wren. There is nothing wrong with you. You will probably go on to have more children. You're a healthy woman in her thirties after all." The doctor beamed at the both of them.

Jasper took Wren's hand in his and grinned. "Now slow down a bit there doctor. We need to get to know this little one first."

Wren looked up at Jasper adoration etched on her face. Our little one. Jasper's and mine. We're going to have a baby! Thank you Jesus. Thank you. Thank you.

***

Copyright: Alison Lawrence. 2023. All rights reserved.

Changed Lives is a work of fiction and no resemblance to any persons or places is intended.

Well, I hope you enjoyed our visit. I know I did. It was fun to see how Wren and Jasper are doing, and to pop a baby into their lives. But seriously, God does answer the prayers of His children. Whether the prayers are large or small, God grants the requests of His children. Many prayers are answered here on earth, while some will be answered in Heaven. Either way, we give God all the thanks and glory.

On another note, I touched on the subject of Biblical submission. This is a tough subject for some, but we know that God's ways are good and perfect. He designed marriage to be a safe place for submission to take place in. Although, it is not only women who need to submit in their daily lives. One thing I know, and that is that submission is not an invitation for husband's to be mean or abusive. As you know, that is just not Biblical. If you are in an abusive relationship, please seek help.

If you haven't read Wren Comes Home yet, you can find it here

"Rooibos", directly translates into red bush. It is a South African tea, but is now quite popular overseas. It is a reddish colour, and many people attest to its healthfulness. Rooibos tea contains no caffeine. In our family, we find it beneficial for the relief of allergies and sinusitus.

Ps. The drawing at the top of the page was originally drawn for Lily's Journey. I decided to use it as it suits the story quite well. (Wren does have brown hair, and the couple pictured are in love. :) ) I will share more drawings as we go along. You will notice that I have switched to using my own drawings and photos. They are not perfect, but they make the blog my own and prevent copyright issues.

Part two: Link

Walk With Us:

A Poem

Come,

the river is calling:

urgently we walk

to the water,

away from the

heat of the streets

and houses

without 

electricity.

There.

Jewel water sparkles

and the 

breeze

plays 

on the water,

and we must stop.

To drink it all in:

it's bright and cool

and the reeds are dancing 

while the birds rest on poles.

we walk on comfortably.

See the ginger kitten

and the tortoise 

on his mission?

Pastel purple pink

paper flowers,

and 

the diving kingfisher

next to the little boat

pulling 

on 

its 

rope?

Perhaps he wants to go

fishing too

with his boss

now bent over a pile 

of silver fish

he'll sell to 

people from all over.

Do you see the little ones

in the water?

Like a moment from the past,

their joy and shining faces.

A riverside bench

is the perfect place

to

slow

the 

minutes 

down,

to 

enjoy

the 

children's 

laughter.

In breeze, joy, and sunshine,

in peace you sit

and hear His voice

by the water:

My child,

I'm so glad you came.

Copyright: Alison Lawrence

(Drawing my own.)

Thank you so much for stopping by.

 Until next time,

Love and prayers,

Alison.