Chapter Sixteen[ The cliff’s edge] Rudolf then devoted himself entirely to his wife and children, shouldering all of the responsibilities while Rhoda recovered from childbirth. Rudolf summons his son Robert, who is busy stirring his wooden toys beside his mother, Ruth, who is currently breastfeeding. "What's the problem, Daddy?" Robert inquires, following his father to the back door with the laundry. "You stay with me so your mother can get enough rest," Rudolf explained. "You make time for your mother and younger sister, son," Rudolf went on. "Ruth needs your mother now that she is weak," Rudolf says. "Do you understand me, my darling son?" Rudolf asks. "I was also like Ruth when I was a newborn," Robert adds as he sees his father throw soiled clothing into the basin and swiftly handwash them. "Good day, Sir!" Do you seem to be preoccupied these days? " Ding approaches from the back door. Rudolf p
Chapter Seventeen[The vacation] Rudolf felt a terrible conflict raging within him. The conflict of believing what's right and knowing what's wrong. The conflict of duty versus desires. He wanted nothing more than to tell Rhoda that he married her for love and family, but that his family should be financially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually secure in his hands as the family's head. He had been the head officer of the United States Army for nearly twenty years. Now, he has begun to be the head of his family since rescuing Rhoda and Robert from the slavery of Josie and Bong's syndicate three years ago. They rarely slept and made love to satisfy each other's longings and desires, despite the fact that they already have two children. It's early in the morning, and Robert appears to be sleeping well in his own small bed as Rhoda began to check Baby Ruth's diaper. This time, he's completely aware of his duty as a husband to
Chapter Eighteen[ Family Heritage] The second night at home is uneventful. Rhoda could feel the pressure inside her. "I want to know honey," she said softly. "I don't know why, but I have all these questions." "We understand," Rudolf and the others said quickly. "But for tonight, this is enough." She nodded obediently. The family felt so good to be at home, even though their parents had left. They feel as if they are carried in arms of love. Despite everything, God appears to be very close. Three days later, when the family is feeling well enough to walk around the house slowly, Rhoda notices something else that piques her interest. "I haven't been upstairs since my return home," she says quietly. So she began slowly climbing the stairs, one step at a time, like a little child, holding onto the banister. She reaches the top and sees her mother and father's memories in their bedroom, where she us
Chapter Nineteen[Authoritarian Family] When Rudolf promises to settle the disputes between Ron and Rhoda's families, he only sees what Ron did against the family and has no idea who or what he was before the family. Rhoda must now recollect all of the family's memories to determine the facts and reasons for Ron's behavior. "I'm not sure why Ron is so angry at us and determined to fire his pistol at us through the window." Rhoda ponders. "Think about it, Rhoda," Mildred asks. Rudolf was quietly listening to learn how he could begin to assist his beloved wife in her distress. "You know, honey," Rhoda explains to her husband. "Ron was my childhood playmate, and he's almost like a younger brother to me," Rhoda explained. "He stayed with us in Manila and worked as a company guard," Rhoda added. "And since I entered the mission, I haven't had much time to spend with my family until I met you and we married." Rhoda continues. "I o
Chapter Twenty:[ The Classmates] The preparations for the October feast in Benguet Mountain excite everyone as Rhoda returns to her family life. While Rhoda searches for her Kuya Caloy, and cousins who have turned rebellious, she rushes to find her husband and children, who have happily reconnected with relatives' simple ways of life. "How are my beloved honey and children doing?" she exclaims. "Mommy!" Robert exclaims upon Rhoda's sudden appearance in the living room. She kisses her husband tenderly on the forehead and crumples his son’s hair signs of a giggle as she takes her young infant Ruth from his father's arms."I have full of milk for you, my baby," Rhoda's excited to offer her breast milk to Baby Ruth, who turns 7 months old. Ruth appears to be missing her mother's milk after such a long time as she grabs it quickly. Rudolf smiles and giggles to his daughter again while sucking her mother's nipple.
Chapter Twenty-one: [Release from the bondage] "We all need it. I, too, need justice because I suffer from it, as well as protection when ruthless people attack me and respect when they humiliate me," Rhoda continues. "Jesus Christ suffers more even though He is sinless, He accepts and embraces it. I'm a sinner too, and so are you with others," Rhoda says. "Let us all turn to God Edwin because He is the only God who has the power to protect us." "If you truly seek justice and protection, prove yourself and turn to God as you all pray with me now," Rhoda continues. Rhoda, encourage the group to pray. ”Rhoda, stop! " Edwin exclaimed hastily. "We need tangible shreds of evidence that no one has harmed us and that no one has taken our farmland, which we started tilting, clearing out weeds, destroying snake dens, and eliminating predators until we are all able to raise into the fertile rich ground and harvest rich a
Chapter Twenty-two:[Preserve the peace] Rhoda and Rudolf look back at that early morning and marvel at how perfectly normal everything is. Rhoda is dressed in a dark brown long-sleeved shirt and the light faded long pants, while her two children are dressed in a protective coat and rubber shoes for outdoor hiking. Rudolf has just taken his light jacket and jogging pants as they go on walking. "Where do you think you're hiking?" Rudolf exclaims quickly "Why didn't you notify me?" "He laughs again." "Come on, Daddy," Robert exclaims, "no more talking, instead follow us!" "Baby Ruth, come with me!" Rudolf grabbed her from her mother's arms instead as they walk straight downhill to the nearest farm. "We could have been working on our plans for more than 8 hours," Rudolf grumbled. "How did your devised schemes with them turn out?" Rhoda asks softly as they take their time walking down the small, narrow embankment that runs alongside
The requests of Edwin and all his co-farmers were gradually granted thanks to the hard work of Rudolf, Rhoda, and the Rescuers teams who took all the risks to fulfill the poor farmers' dreams. Tears of joy flowed from their eyes as they realized that God had answered their prayers after all their hard labors and sufferings. The family and the rescue team return to Benguet for some rest and refreshment. "Look, I know it's the way you've been raised," Rhoda grumbled to Rudolf, "but you've got to get rid of this idea that women are either saints or scrubbers."“So are you going to lighten up and enjoy with me this evening?” Rudolf whispers.”We’re designed for this bedroom after hard labor, I wanted us to have privacy.” He added grinning while their two kids are fast asleep."First, let's take a warm bath for a fresh start," Rhoda suggests. “Good idea” he replies."Can you imagine the food hunters passing by our nipa hut in Cagayan region?" "Rhoda sparkles in her mind."
It's past half past midnight, and Rhoda is battling between life and death inside the emergency room. Rudolf has been watching her outside the glass partitions, waiting for the doctors' diagnostic results. His heart is racing. He appears unable to accept the loss of his beloved wife. He prays earnestly to God for compassion and mercy. He's thankful for having a wife like Rhoda and is so happy with her. He doesn't have any complaints about her. He's begging with supplication and requests for more extension of Rhoda's life. She's still young to go home. She still has many things to accomplish and people will be happy with her life as she shares it with them. "Oh God, Father Almighty, the Great Healer, heal Rhoda, my wife. I needed her and I love her so much," Rudolf cries, tears streaming down his beard Robert and Ruth rush towards him, teary-eyed. "How is Mommy, Dad?" Robert softly asks. "Your mommy is still unconscious since I found her in the seacoast where we used to stroll
Chapter forty-four[The Night trip] It is very dark along the entire road leading to the Southern California Airport Terminal. It has amazing weather that is favorable for travelers. The sisters are determined to travel to where their parents went on a mission in order to obtain accurate information about their mother. "I can't bear the thought of losing our mommy. She promised not to leave us. I know how much mommy loves our daddy and us." Julia concluded as the car passed along the northern seacoast highway. "And I can't believe mommy ran away from their lovely nest. I'm just wondering why they separated to work in the mission field while leaving her as a couple of missionary pastors?" Carina's voice cracks as she talks with Andrea, who is busy dialing different contact numbers to check on their mother's whereabouts. After a few hours, they boarded flights straight to the NAIA in the Philippines. On the other hand, due to ongoing terrorist a
Chapter forty-three[Family emergency calls] Carina, the youngest daughter, is now an 18-year-old young beautiful lady. The eldest son is 25 years old and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education graduate. While Ruth was studying Psychoalaytic Psychiatry at the university and will be graduating this year. Andrea is 21 years old and is studying for a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education as well as Basic Pastoral Theology at Bible school. She aspires to be a missionary pastor like her parents. Julia stays at home, managing the small coffee shop and pet shop her parents established as sources of daily income, while also pursuing a bachelor's degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management and Business administration at the university. Carina appears to miss her parents, who have been serving in the mission for quite some time. Carina became a church worker after studying theology in Bible schools. She was alw
Chapter Forty-two[The Holy Anointing] It's getting back to normal." A new normal! " Rudolf smiles slightly. "The big barn crowded our backyard." He whispers while Rhoda fixes the beddings. "Now it's only an open meadow through the apple trees that remain. Would you like to visit our nest, honey?" Rudolf inquires of his wife "I need to finish fixing our children's rooms, honey. It would be best to do it now while they're all in school and Carina is sleeping. Why do you want us to go to the old barn house now?" She inquires. "I wanted to get your thoughts on my plan to use the barn house as our family chapel." Rudolf expresses. "I received word from our Senior Pastor Kris that the associates and elders are praying for my anointing as Assistant Senior Pastor of the Remnant Church of Christ and Ministry very soon. I'm considering using our Barn house as a House of Prayers for all of us so that we have a place during our
Chapter Forty-one[Bedtime stories] Hours must have passed and the family is unaware of it. They are used to people coming in and spending time in their coffee shops. And into that evening, Rhoda kept an eye on her children, whom she had missed for so long. ”Mommy! " Her four growing children exclaim with delight. "Finally, I have what I wanted all along through you, my darling babies. Now that you're presence is complete here," Rhoda says as she holds Carina in her arms. She strokes them one by one, embracing and kissing them with love and care. "It took me years to be with you. Although I can see you while I was unconsciously in my spiritual state and I was trying to speak with you while you were playing. And I saw little Carina crying as your daddy watched my physical body lying on a bed. I know it all but all of you were unable to hear and see me while I was a spirit." Rhoda continues, and her children listen
Chapter Forty{In His own perfect time] Everyone got up early and prepared for school."Good morning! Do you need any assistance with your school bag, Kids? " Rhoda questions the kids as they rush out the door. " Thank you, Mommy, but we can already manage to carry it all," Robert responds quickly, gasping, as they are all excited to face their classmates and teachers after the family's previous tribulations. "I'm really excited about returning to school. But for some reason, as the time approaches, the thought of panicking strikes me." Ruth exclaims as she turns her gaze towards her mother, who has been separated from them for a long time. "How would I cope with the loss of our dear mother, whom we adore?" "Don't jump to conclusions about past events that were unavoidable." Andrea quickly responded, "You also watch your word that daddy may not hear you. He will be the first and foremost to be hurt if mommy r
Chapter Thirty-nine[God's unconditional love] Rhoda notices a man riding a donkey in the distance. As he approaches, she tosses her coat into the ground. Suddenly, she hears strange sounds. A man is cutting down fig tree branches because he has found no fruits on it and he is very hungry. Then she heard voices again. This time it was a woman's voice saying, "God sent you to me tonight!" Those are the parting words from the woman in front of her as she gets ready for her flight to somewhere she doesn't recognize. The man arrived in a white robe that sparkled like crystal white, but he was splattered with red blood all over his body. The man's eyes looked at her and said, "Come! " She turned around to look for her family and saw Rudolf standing in front of a bed on which a woman was lying unconscious and dying. She turns around again, and her young children are a little further away, playing innocently as if they w
Chapter Thirty-eight[ [Accident while horseback riding] "Are you preoccupied? " Pastor Kris inquires about Rudolf and Rhoda's home visits that day. "We have plans to start our business here," Rudolf responds. "Our Church has decided to go on a family camping trip somewhere in the Northern region. This is important for all candidates for Basic Pastoral Theology graduation." Pastor Kris elaborates, "The Candidates will give an opportunity to share the Gospels in three regions. It's time for all of you to realize life camp of seeing God's works as we cooperate together as students and ministry workers." "At the same time, we will experience beautiful Pastor's things that are visible last forever as shining jewels and a crown as we experience spiritual healing through the Gospel and evangelism." Pastor Kris requires Rudolf and Rhoda to attend the camp seminars as a training ground for their Practical Theological education in preparati
Chapter Thirty-seven[ The Feeding Program] “This early morning, the weather is neither cold nor hot. The fog appears to dissipate as the sunrise gleams from the east. What a beautiful morning today!" "Rudolf says as he stands in front of the gate, stretching and bending his musculature body and long-legged body built under the gleamy windy atmospheres. "At long last, we can move into our newly renovated and painted house. Shall we start moving in, Honey?" He invited Rhoda, who is preparing breakfast with Aunt Chel and Rachel. Rudolf appears to be alive and enthusiastic as he gets up early in the morning. Unlike any other early morning in San Diego, Rudolf appears eager to move and become a leader of a civic action program after resolving the previous uncontrollable, unavoidable situations that they have encountered with his deceased childhood playmates. "I never realized that a great awakening c