Together for Good

By Carol Stowe

After hardships come into their lives, God leads a couple to become foster parents. The foster children who come to them and the couples subsequent life itself present further problems. They struggle trying to see how God works all of their life events together for His good.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Oct 5, 2015
• ISBN: 9781512710960

Carol Stowe

Carol is a retired school teacher with a master’s degree in elementary education. She always loved writing and diligently tried to inspire her students to love creative writing as well. Now she finally has time to pursue her passion for writing. She and her city slicker husband have moved to the country in their retirement to try their hand at raising goats and enjoying two Arabian horses. It is quite a change but still leaves her time to write. God not only inspired the nature and plot of this story, but He has already given her three more ideas! Please slow down, Lord!

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Copyright © 2015 Carol Stowe.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

The information, ideas, and suggestions in this book are not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. Before following any suggestions contained in this book, you should consult your personal physician. Neither the author nor the publisher shall be liable or responsible for any loss or damage allegedly arising as a consequence of your use or application of any information or suggestions in this book.

Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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ISBN: 978-1-5127-1097-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-1098-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-1096-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015914379

WestBow Press rev. date: 10/5/2015

Contents

Chapter 1 — Laura

Chapter 2 — Monty

Chapter 3 — Justine

Chapter 4 — Shatina

Chapter 5 — Alaska

Chapter 6 — Howard

Chapter 7 — Evena

Chapter 8 — Laura

Chapter 9 — Monty

Chapter 10 — Aster

Chapter 11 — Reunion

Epilogue

Acknowledgments

Questions For Discussion

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

Dedicated to Margaret Stork, wherever you are.

You inspired me with that first red Big Chief

manuscript tablet. It has taken more than 50 years,

but I finally did it!

BigChiefTabletHighResolution.jpg

CHAPTER 1

LAURA

T he thought of being a foster mother came to her decades ago. Somewhere back in high school the idea took root in the recesses of her soul, but while it would simmer, it never really came to birth until much later. Life happened.

She was born an only child, but definitely not raised as a doted prima donna that the stereotype might indicate. Her father was a successful traveling salesman. He was gone so much that he never established a bonded relationship with her. He provided financially well enough, but was always away on a business trip when the important events of her life happened. Eventually, he hooked up with one of the probably many girlfriends he acquired during the lonely nights on the road, and then relocated to another state. He left the family financially in about the same boat they always enjoyed, with his absence being only marginally noticed. He sent moderate, if inappropriate, gifts for her at her birthday and Christmas until she’d graduated from high school, and probably until child support was no longer mandated. After that, she really never knew what happened to him. Like him, his siblings weren’t into the family thing, so no one ever really tracked the family tree.

Her mother took good enough care of her. She always kept the girl well-fed, well-clothed, and privileged to reside in a fashionable, upper-middle-class house, in a safe neighborhood. She was a good student, so she never needed support from Mother with homework.

If she needed special school supplies for some assignment or another, she’d follow her mother’s instructions, and simply put the needed items on her mother’s shopping list, and they’d appear.

Mom, I’ve been assigned a science project, so I’m going to need some poster board and a few other supplies.

Just add them to my shopping list, Laura.

So it went. Abuse? Certainly not. Or was it?

Her mother and father never laid a hand on her, not in the punitive sense, not in any sense at all really.

Laura, that’s not how a young lady sits. Laura, don’t forget to make your bed neatly. You really could do a better job of hanging your towel on the rack. Don’t forget to brush your teeth, and floss each tooth carefully.

Her parents never spoke to her or treated her harshly, but never touched her affectionately either, as far as she could remember. No one played with her, shared experiences with her or took an interest in her deepest thoughts, interests or concerns. It was just a stoic, flat existence.

Not now, Honey, I really have work to do. You know I’m not the outdoors type, so maybe you could find a friend to throw a ball with you. There are a lot of other children your age in the neighborhood. You’re a good reader, so you don’t really need me to listen to you read your book. Just follow the directions on the cake box, and you’ll do fine.

She wondered if her birth was an accident.

Her father made enough money that her mother did not have to work at a paying job outside their home. Since Mom wasn’t a career woman, she found her fulfillment in volunteer causes. She was active in her political party, and volunteered almost as much of her time in non-election years as in the years a new president was making his bid for office. Mom spent her days either doing telephone work from home, raising money for the newest candidate or referendum, or preparing mailings for same. Then she had her animal rights concerns, yard beautification projects, and global warming issues. She had other matters of importance as well, but the girl never really knew or understood them. Once Laura began school, more time was freed up for her mother to expand her interests out of the house into surrounding regions.

Oh, Mom baked, and she allowed Laura to share in the yummy, home-baked goods, but the bulk of the confections always went to fund-raising efforts, refreshments at rallies, and such.

Mother, may I try one of those chocolate chip cookies? They really look and smell wonderful.

Certainly, Laura, but just one. I need the platter for the rally, and I need to get them over to the convention hall before noon.

The girl really never knew or understood all the causes, issues, or places that took her mother from her. She just knew that they were important.

Fortunately, her school chose really good, loving teachers for her. These instructors gave her the encouragement and life guidance she needed. She adored the many pretty ladies who showed an interest in her, spoke to her, worked with her, praised her and even touched her. They patted her head or shoulder or sometimes her hand. Their touch sent warm, life-giving surges through her entire being. She willingly did anything indicated for these women, and sought any way to get their kind attention, so she was a successful student.

Laura, I can always count on you to have your book reports in on time, and you almost never miss one word on your spelling tests. You’re the type of student a teacher loves to have in her class. Do you need some help with long division? Here, let me show you. Divide, multiply, subtract, bring down, repeat. Just continue that pattern, and you’ll have it.

With a smile and a shoulder pat, the teacher left, but Laura was aglow.

Her mother taught her at home to be socially appropriate, and she became reasonably popular. She made girlfriends to play with in the neighborhood, as long as they lived close by, so Mom didn’t need to provide transportation. She had others to play with at recess and later to eat lunch with in middle and high school. Occasionally, her mother allowed her to walk home with one of her friends to play together after school, or hang out when she was older, as long as she was still able to walk home in time for dinner and not need a ride from her mother. Sometimes her girlfriend’s mother picked both of them up at school and took them to their house for the afternoon. Wow, what a special mother!

Sure, Mom would be glad to drive you home before dinner. That way we can play longer. She hates for you to have to walk all that way home. Maybe you could even stay for dinner. It’ll be dark then, but she’ll be happy to drive you home later on.

Her friend’s family dynamics puzzled Laura greatly.

The summer she turned sixteen and got her driver’s license, her parents agreed upon getting her a reliable, used car. That was one of the few times they actually talked to each other, but since that expenditure was significant, they had to agree to the cost and particulars. That car was in no way meant to spoil her. Rather, it was a way for her to fend for herself even more and require less of them as parents, but it opened up a whole new life for her.

No one ever gave her any spiritual guidance or training to any significant extent. There were a couple of teachers who suggested that there was a supreme being, an intelligent designer and God who loved, cared and knew all about her. They indicated that He was all knowing, all powerful, and everywhere, yet personal enough to know. That really caught her attention.

Without really choosing it, she developed a strong, somewhat magnetic pull to find out more about the abstract, spiritual side to life.

I want to check into this whole God thing. I think I’ll go to the library and research all the religions of the world, then mentally decide which one seems best for me. Libraries must have all sorts of books and information on how people around the world practice their faith in whatever god they understand, she reasoned to herself.

Oh, contraire! The God of the universe had other ideas for her.

From seemingly nowhere, but providentially guided by God, a girl in Laura’s school for years suddenly became a new friend to her.

Hey, Laura, how’d you do on that science test? Mr. Talley always gives such hard tests. What did you answer for that question about the layers of the atmosphere?

They chatted at lunch about teachers, tests, and television. Neither was really into the boy-crazy schema.

Can you believe how Glenda and Marta ogle over those boys over there? I’d rather get on the A or AB honor roll than have those bores hanging around me all the time. Agreed?

Yeah, maybe someday, but for now, I’m more concerned about that history project coming up in a couple of weeks, Laura insisted.

Getting a good education was the high priority to both of them, but this new girl interjected words into their conversations that Laura was familiar with, but her friend used them regularly in her speech in a new way, words like faith, believe, trust and obey.

Right, Laura, we just need to have faith that God will provide the right guy at the right time, when He’s ready. I just trust Him to lead me as long as I obey Him.

Laura realized how her heart somehow accepted and craved more about the spiritual side of her friend’s life. God was at work.

If you’re far enough along on that history project, would you like to join me for church on Sunday? My folks would be glad to pick you up and take you back home afterwards.

When her new friend invited her to join her for church, she found herself accepting, even eagerly. Where did that come from?

In ways she didn’t understand, she immediately felt like she belonged in that new church environment. The building looked inviting, not foreboding. The people looked friendly and accepting, regardless of age, ethnicity, or background. The warmth she felt when the pastor, youth director and others she was introduced to looked at her, really looked at her fully in the eye, was a sensation that was new to her, but something she realized she craved.

Hi, you must be a friend of Andrea’s. Welcome to our church. We’re so glad to have you. I’m sure Andrea will show you all around. There’s lemonade over there in the church kitchen. There’s also coffee for the adults, but I’m guessing lemonade might be more to your liking.

This staff member affectionately tapped Laura’s shoulder as he shook her hand, then went on to the next group of people to welcome them as they entered the building.

The music was different but somehow special, moving something inside of her that she didn’t know existed. Andrea and her parents really seemed to get into all of it. Andrea showed Laura where the words to the songs were, but she just had to wing it on the melody. Praying was also a new experience, but she liked listening to how these people seemed to actually talk comfortably to that supreme being, like He was an old friend, but a powerful force to be reckoned with at the same time. She watched how Andrea’s family and the whole congregation bowed their heads and closed their eyes while they prayed. She took that cue to bow her head also, but she kept her eyes open to check out just what was going on.

Then came the preacher’s message. Everyone got really quiet, and a lot of them opened books that Laura later found out were called Bibles. Of course, she didn’t have one, so Andrea shared hers, then showed her some copies the church had for visitors underneath the seat in front of her. Laura actually was interested in what the speaker was saying. She felt like the man in the pulpit didn’t notice anyone else sitting before him except her. Everything he had to say seemed to be directed only at her. He was bold, but compelling. She couldn’t get enough.

Her mom didn’t refuse her participation in the church events, so Laura continued to visit church activities with Andrea, and she even joined the youth group. She began attending a teen, home Bible study with Andrea. Her mother didn’t mind because the more time Laura was gone, the more time her mom had for her special activities. Over time, Laura came to realize that tremendous tug on her heart, on her soul, was the working of the Spirit of that amazing God who sought her out. She didn’t need to go searching for Him. Gradually, yet not overly so, she felt a longing to have what others in that amazing place had, a personal relationship with that all-knowing, all-powerful, all-loving God, who provided the bridge between herself and that perfect God Himself, through his Son Jesus Christ. With a yielding that was much more controlled by Him than her, she opened up her entire being to Him and became a devoted follower of that amazing God/Man Jesus Christ. She became a Christian!

CHAPTER 2

MONTY

A fter that nothing changed, but really everything changed. School was still school. Her father was still gone. His financing still arrived. Her mother still had her causes. But Laura herself was different. She still attended most church events with Andrea and her family. It pretty much amazed her that Andrea’s whole family attended their church’s activities, all except youth group, of course. But they were always glad to drop both girls off and pick them up again. She realized that God really loved her and thought she was special.

Mom, you know all the times I go to church with Andrea? Well, her church is not just for kids. Lots of adults go too, and I really like what goes on. It’s really good, Mom, and the God they sing and teach about has become truly special to me. I’ve learned how important He is, not just to me, but to everyone. I now know that I need Him in my life as my best friend and Savior. Would you come with me sometime and check it out, too?

When she shared her newfound faith with her mother, the reply was simply, That’s nice, dear. Whatever works for you is fine with me.

Laura came to understand now that this new relationship with her heavenly Father was where her worth lay, not in her academic performance, but she also came to see how much sin played a part in her seemingly good life. She never participated in big sins. No drugs, no booze, no sex, no crime, but she lied, was proud and envied. She needed a Savior as much as the mass murderer did. But like a loving daddy celebrates each small victory of his precious baby girl, her loving heavenly Father was much more about celebrating each of her steps of faith and obedience that she was learning, rather than chastising her for each failure.

When she felt envious of Andrea’s family all going to church, not like hers, that small voice of God inside her would remind her not to be jealous and to leave the future in His hands. When she became mad at her dad for always being gone, God would again remind her not to judge her father and leave him in God’s hands. When she got puffed up that her name was almost always on the A honor roll at school, that Spirit inside her would remind her that her academic ability was a gift from God, and she wasn’t to take pride in it as if it were all her own doing. Life now was all about forgiveness and humility. She was forgiven. She should be forgiving of others as well.

She learned in church about a whole multitude of new causes that before were evaded by her radar. These were causes her mother never noticed. There were entire cultures void of ever having heard the message of the love of God she was blessed to hear. There were starving children in distant countries and not so far from home. There were girls and boys lured into illicit sex trafficking all over the world. Children were living in horrible conditions of physical, emotional and sexual abuse that tore at her heart. That was where the seed to nurture these needy children first was planted, but she was a mere teenager herself. She tried to develop that new skill of praying for them, but what else could she do?

Her idyllic life proceeded, nothing extravagant, but nothing tragic. She continued attending church with Andrea’s family or sometimes now driving herself.

High school ended. Her mother actually attended her graduation ceremony, but then declined any graduation party in Laura’s honor.

I’m really proud of you, Laura, sounded empty and scripted, but Laura tried to appreciate the words anyway.

After much research on her own with Mom lending little support or interest, Laura found a college that seemed to suit her, and went away to that exciting university continuing to pursue her valued education. Her academic advisors suggested a degree plan focusing on her math aptitude, even though long division gave her some challenge! Andrea chose another school much further away, but fortunately, in her new college town, Laura was able to find another wonderful church with a different style of music, a younger minister who gave even more dynamic messages, and many more youth her age, but still the same, loving God. She gradually connected with the other college students there and slipped in Bible studies when her studying time would allow it. She was sure, though, always to make the Sunday services.

Laura returned home less and less often for visits since her mom showed little interest in having her there. Laura developed more reasons to keep her in her college town on weekends where friends of like belief values and getting a good education were the rule. She wondered if her mother even noticed.

Then she met Monty, and oh, what a difference he made in her life! He came from a family like she could only imagine. He had several siblings, some older, some younger, in various stages of education, working, marriage and family. His parents, though both gainfully employed, made it clear through word and deed how important every part of their family was to them. Monty was an engineering student seriously planning his future career, and most important to her, he really loved the same Jesus Christ she did. She met Monty at church in one of those college Bible studies. That made attending the studies even more important to her. They began dating and quickly realized what a good match they were for each other. Here was a young man she could