“Let’s swim!” one of them begged.
“Yeah, I wanna swim!” another chimed in.
“Me too!” Patrick agreed, jumping up and down.
Settling into their rooms, Therese opened a bag and pulled out the bathing suits she’d packed that morning before their flight from Sacramento, Calif. Patrick wiggled as his mom worked to get him squeezed into his bathing suit. Pausing, Therese decided to put Patrick’s little blue shirt on him as well.
The five wiggly, small people in her life filled Therese’s heart to bursting, which is why each morning she and Shawn prayed protection through the blood of Jesus over them. Each night, when they prayed with the children, they always thanked God for the angels encamped around them.
Grateful to be there, Therese felt like dancing a little jig herself. This wasn’t just a vacation, it was a family reunion. Her parents, Bill and Cindy Krause, were pastors of Family Community Church in Sacramento. Each of their five children, had married, producing 22 grandchildren. Now scattered across four states, they didn’t get to see one another as often as they’d liked. Each year at Christmas, they each bought gifts for all 34 members of the family. However, for Christmas 2015, they had decided to forgo gifts. Instead, they saved their money to meet here for a reunion.
Outside, the place swarmed with family members. Each of the Hardesty kids teamed with cousins, aunts and uncles. Except Patrick, who Therese kept close in his life vest. As he played in the water, Therese sat next to her sister-in-law and visited.
Shawn joined other family members in the restaurant.
Some of the 34 went scuba diving.
2 p.m.: On the Beach
Bill Krause, patriarch of the clan, was nowhere to be seen. The Lord had instructed him to get away by himself and pray in the spirit. Although he wanted to see all his kids and grandchildren, he wouldn’t disobey the Lord.
3 p.m.: In the Hot Tub
A pediatric ICU nurse from Houston looked at her watch. She had two hours before they needed to leave and catch their flight home. Consulting with her two children, they settled into the hot tub.
When Patrick needed to go to the bathroom, Therese removed his life vest. Turning to one of the older cousins, she said, “Would you mind taking Patrick to the bathroom?”
“No problem! Come on, buddy!”
BVOV : 17
