Katie Holden sat looking out the airplanes tiny window, watching the earth go by underneath her. Her heart felt unbearably torn into two extremes. Excitement griped her spirit, but a deep sadness and a fear of the unknown seemed to beat out that excitement. She fought the fist that tightened in her stomach as she remembered the look on her father’s face as they embraced for the last time. She still felt the warm tears fresh on her mother’s cheek as she pressed it against her own. Would she ever see them again?
They had waved good-bye at the airport, promising to visit in two years. Katie knew however, that some missionary’s never came off the field for up to 10, even 20 years. Sometimes they never came home again. The threat of losing their established ministries if they left for any period of time, kept them working faithfully in their new homes.
Katie had surrendered her life to do God’s will long ago. Whatever that may be, she would do it with her whole heart, never looking back. “Is it looking back to just remember and think about what we left behind?” She thought as she looked down at her sleeping daughter. Charity lay awkwardly across the seat, resting her sweet head on her mothers lap. “What will it be like for my girls?” She thought for the millionth time about their two little daughters. Closing her eyes Katie remembered the drive they took that morning down her parents long drive way. She had watched her horses running along in front of the car, their majestic manes floating behind them. It was as if they were giving their family a special escort, to say good-bye.
A tear escaped and rolled down Katie’s cheek. She wiped it away quickly, not wanting her husband to see she was upset. He hated to see her cry. She reached for his hand and he looked down at her.
“Are you ok?” Morgan asked his wife. He reached to push her brown hair from her small face.
“I’m fine.” She said. “I’m just feeling a little apprehensive and a bit home sick already.”
Katie relaxed as she leaned against Morgan’s chest. She studied how much darker his skin tone was than hers. She had always had such fair skin. “Will I ever get any sun again in Alaska?” She smiled at the thought and looked up at her husband. His short black hair was hidden under his ball cap and his hazel eyes were closed. “Thank you Lord for my husband.” She prayed silently. “Thank you for calling us to serve you as missionary’s in Alaska. I know you will protect us and give us wisdom. Be with our family back home and keep them safe. Thank you for the communication we will still have with them, and whether or not we ever see them again in this life, thank you that we are promised forever, together in eternity.”
The stewardess came by with a blanket for each of the sleeping girls. “Your little ones are so sweet. What are their names?” She asked interrupting Katie’s silent prayers.
“This is Charity, and the little one in her daddy’s arms is Faith.”
“They’re both adorable. If they wake up and need anything let me know.”
“I will, and thank you.” Katie rested her head back on her husband’s strong chest. Moving her hand from Charity’s back she gently touched her abdomen. There would be one more little one soon. She had to think of the right time to tell Morgan. She had purposely not told anyone yet. She knew it would make it harder on everyone when it came time to leave, so Katie had kept her precious little secret. Morgan would have worried about her even more than he already did. She knew he had concerns about how she and the girls would handle the tough conditions in Alaska, but she was ready.
Katie had only been to Alaska once. Morgan had been several times, but both had fallen in love with the people and the land. They had been exited when they first started feeling Gods call to go there. Closing her eyes, Katie resumed her private talk with her Lord. She finally began to relax and let the excitement of this adventure that lie ahead of her take hold and grow.
~~~~~
Several hours later Morgan led his family through the airport in Fairbanks, Alaska. After collecting their luggage they made their way out to the curbside to wait for their ride.
“Hello! Morgan!”
Morgan looked towards the shouting man hurrying toward them. “Hello Nathan. It’s so good to see you!”
“Welcome home friends, welcome home.” The exited little man hugged each one of them and hurriedly started grabbing their luggage. “We are so happy that you are here. Finally, we have a pastor to lead our church, and my wife will have someone to help lead the ladies meetings, and we will start a youth program for all ages.” Nathan rambled on and on, barely stopping for breath as he closed the trunk of his van and started towards the missionary’s new home.
~~~~~
Katie sat on the edge of the bed meant for her and Morgan. All of a sudden she didn’t think she had the strength to stand any longer. In fact, she didn’t know how she had made it this long. “Only with God’s loving help.” She thought.
“You look pale, Are you sure you’re feeling ok?” Morgan sat next to his wife on the bed and pulled her close to him. She snuggled against him, thankful for the rush of peace that flooded through her as she rested in his arms.
“I was hoping to find a more appropriate time to tell you this.” She said looking up at him.
Concerned, he pulled away and held her out so he could see her face. “What’s wrong?” His voice was urgent and filled with all the worry he had held inside for her since they had first surrendered.
“It’s not that bad.” She said smiling. Cupping his face in her hands she kissed him softly. “It’s just morning sickness.”
A long silence followed as Morgan processed what his wife had just said. “You’re pregnant?” A smile slowly crossed his face as she nodded. He pulled her against him and kissed her soundly, then just as quickly pushed her away again. “When is the baby due?”
“December, hopefully around Christmas. Won’t that be a wonderful Christmas gift?”
“But, what about the snow? What if I can’t get you to the hospital? What if something goes wrong?” The concern was back in his voice as he suddenly realized they were over an hour from the nearest hospital.
“Don’t worry so much.” Katie put her hand over his lips. “You are always telling me that God will provide for us. He will always be here to help us through whatever comes our way. God knew I would be pregnant when He called us to Alaska and He knows when the baby is coming and what the weather will be like. God already knows what will happen. Our lives and our hope are in Him.”
“My beautiful wife.” Morgan kissed her hand and laid it on his cheek. “What would I do without you?”
“Not have as many things to worry about.” She teased, smiling at the man she loved so much. “I’ve already been thinking of names.”
“You have huh.”
“Yep, but I want to find out of it’s a girl or a boy before we decide.”
“Well I think it’s going to be another girl, and I think you have already named her.”
“Don’t do that, what if it’s a boy?”
“Then we will have to think of something else, but for now you have already named her.” “Well if you are so convinced of that please tell me.” Katie giggled, enjoying their game. She loved these moments with her husband after the girls were in bed. It’s when she felt closest to him.
“Hope. You said it your self, our hope is in Jesus. So we will call her Hope. Now we will have Charity, Faith and Hope.”
Katie smiled at the names. She liked the way they sounded coming from Morgan’s deep voice. “I like it.” She curled up next to him and he carefully laid his hand on her abdomen.
“I’m so happy Katie. God is so good.”
“Yes He is.” Katie answered. She relaxed, knowing that everything was going to be alright.
To tired even to change clothes they fell asleep in each others arms, basking in the goodness of God.
