The Journey Home: A Testimony to the Power of Prayer

By Kim Michelle Gerber

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Sometimes fairy stories say best what needs to be said.

--C. S. Lewis

Kelly, a mother who has been estranged from her daughters for three long years, is about to find help from a very unexpected place!

Her constant prayers for her two daughters, Shayla and Summer, have finally reached Heaven, and the creatures of the woods near her cottage home have been called in by the Great One to help fight the battle for her daughters' souls.

Fairies and owls, alongside the angels, formulate a plan to free the two college students and two college campuses from the demons that hold them and endeavor to bring the two girls back home to Him and to the mother who loves them.

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• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9798886164657

Book preview

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The Journey Home

A Testimony to the Power of Prayer

Kim Michelle Gerber

ISBN 979-8-88616-464-0 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88616-465-7 (digital)

Copyright © 2022 by Kim Michelle Gerber

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Preface

Elaina and the Sisters

Annabelle and Kelly

Kelly's Encounter with the Great One

Many Years Later

Kelly's Dilemma

The Commissioning

Preparations to Leave

Elaina's Journey West

The Angels and the Fairy

Summer

Elaina's Mission Begins

Summer's Conflict

Elaina's Second Surveillance Mission

Summer in Crisis

Preparations for the Battle

The Day Finally Arrives

Annabelle's Adventure

Meeting with the Angels

Shayla

Annabelle's Introduction to Campus

The Holidays

Day Two for Annabelle

A Shocking Event

Heaven and Earth Fight the Battle for the Campus

Final Goodbyes

Home Sweet Home

About the Author

Preface

This story is a fanciful tale from my imagination, with a little bit of truth thrown in.

The fanciful part goes like this…

I've always wondered and dreamed about things that God hasn't yet told us about.

One day, when we go through that door into the other world, I wonder what we will find there.

What if, in the beginning, God created beings other than those mentioned in Genesis and the rest of the Bible?

What if, when He created the angels, He created other spiritual beings that were responsible for other parts of His creation?

What if the many accounts through a multitude of cultures throughout the ages of other beings have an element of truth to them?

What if fairies are real?

And now here's the known part…

From the Bible, we are told about a spiritual world that exists right here, right now, alongside our own. We are also taught in the Bible that time in our world is winding down, and the battle between the forces of God and the forces of Satan will intensify as that time draws nearer. If we believe in Jesus and accept Him into our hearts as our Lord and Savior, we can participate in this other world. We can, through prayer, achieve change in this physical world that we all exist in right now!

Prayer is a very powerful weapon entrusted to believers that too often goes unused. That age-old battle between good and evil, between angels and demons, is going on right now whether we participate or not. Wouldn't you like to take part in it and make a difference in this world? Wouldn't it be wonderful to help change things for the good of those around us? Wouldn't you especially love to intervene for the good of those whom you love and take as many souls with us into God's kingdom?

I hope my fanciful tale inspires you to participate in this battle that God has called us all to take part in.

Blessings to you, and as you read this…blessings to those whom you love.

Kim Gerber

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12 King James Version)

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. (Psalm 107:28–30 New International Version)

Chapter 1

Elaina and the Sisters

As the sun slowly peeked through a break in the trees, and a sweet smell of morning was in the air, the little woodland fairy roused in her bed of petals and sat up to greet the new day. Oh, how Elaina loved her little woodland home. The large sprawling oak trees and winding rivers rushing down sloping hillsides formed a haven that had stayed unspoiled since, well, since the beginning of time.

Things seemed to stay pretty much the same in Elaina's neck of the woods. Yes, there were times when Mother Nature rumbled, and the sky opened up to clear out the old and bring in the new, but that was the way the Great One had ordered it, and it was always for a very good reason. Today, however, was going to be a beautiful day. It was April, and the promise of new life was all around. Spring flowers were blanketing the forest floor, and honeybees were going about their business buzzing around the azalea bushes. It was time for Elaina to find some breakfast and start her daily rounds.

As she flew off toward the eastern edge of the woods, she stopped by the stream and found some ripe strawberries and some nectar juice—a perfect breakfast for a hungry woodland fairy. She settled herself down on a smooth rock to enjoy her fare when paddling down the stream came a new family of ducks—Mama Duck and five little ducklings paddling along in her wake, trying to keep up.

Good morning, Mrs. Duck, Elaina said as the family came into earshot of the tiny fairy.

Good morning, my dear, said Mama Duck. Beautiful day, isn't it?

It sure is! exclaimed Elaina. Perfect day for flying and visiting. She prepared to be on her way. Be safe and enjoy your swim. She spread her wings and was off again.

It was time to fly up and check on the ruby-throated hummingbirds who had just arrived and had made their nest in an old cypress tree on the edge of the woods. Welcome friends! exclaimed Elaina. Welcome back to our woods!

A beautiful little soon-to-be mother bird named Ruthie popped her head up out of her newly constructed nest. Hello there, Elaina! she said. It's lovely to see you again! How are all our friends? We've missed you all so much!

Everyone is doing well, Ruthie. We were anticipating your arrival. Everyone is very excited to get acquainted again and hear all the news from down south.

Rudy will be back soon. He's busy as usual getting stocked up on nectar and reacquainting himself with some old friends. We will have you over for tea when we're settled.

I look forward to that, Ruthie. You both have certainly been missed. Please let me know if there is any way I can help you settle in and if there is anything at all I can do for you…

Thank you, Elaina, I certainly will, said Ruthie.

I will see you next time I'm around this way. I'm excited to meet your little ones when they finally arrive. It's time to go check on those mischievous new babies in the thickets—they sure are a handful!

With that, Elaina spread her wings and was off again, back into the center of the woods. She could hear a commotion a little way ahead and decided to check on it. It looked like the new baby faun, Freddie, had strayed a little too far away from where his mother had left him. The squirrels and bunnies were getting concerned and were trying to get him to turn back toward his thicket, but he was an adventurous little guy, and he wasn't having it!

What's going on down there? called Elaina as she alighted on a nearby bush. Can I help?

Miss Elaina! Freddie is going the wrong way! We want him to turn back before, well, before he gets lost. You know how he is!

Where are you off to, Freddie? asked Elaina kindly. You know your mama will worry if she can't find you when she gets back, and you know she will be back soon to give you some lunch. Come on, young man, your friends are only trying to help you. They don't want you to stray too far—just in case.

Aww, okay, Miss Elaina. I'll come back, just for you! He gave the squirrels and bunnies a look and turned back toward the thicket just in time to see his mama coming around the bend. Hi, Mama! he shouted and bounded up to snuggle by her side.

Thank you, Elaina, said his grateful mum with a knowing look on her face.

One more stop on Elaina's agenda before a well-deserved midday break: Mrs. Raccoon had let it be known that she needed some herbs to give to her youngest who had come down with a spring cold. The little one was miserable, so Elaina swooped down to fill the order. She found the plant she was looking for and retrieved the leaves she needed. Before she knew it, she had arrived at the raccoon's front door and knocked lightly. The sleepy mother answered quietly and thankfully took the medicine from Elaina. One more happy resident, and one more mission accomplished!

Elaina's days were mostly filled with watching over little ones and keeping the peace and harmony in the woods. She loved her job and took it very seriously. Even though her woods were small compared to many, she knew her work was important and pleased the Great One. That was her highest honor.

The early afternoon breeze picked up and Elaina decided to ride it up to a leafy haven high in the canopy to rest up and plan the rest of her day. She enjoyed the peace and quiet up high. It gave her a broad view of her precious woods. She found her favorite vacant nest and settled down with some berries and forest tea. The morning had been busy, but all in all, the state of her woods was peaceful, and for that she was thankful.

*****

Two sisters raced out of the cottage and made for the stream. Free at last from another day of homeschooling toil! Oh,