Faith Unseen (20 page)

              “Yes, I remember your concerns.”

              “Well, I don’t have those concerns anymore. I’m sure things will come along that will take some adjusting too but your love has given me confidence to know that we can get through those things together with prayer.”

              “We will have God as the priority in our family and that will help us deal with anything that comes our way. In fact, let’s start now…
Dear Heavenly Father, We thank you for leading our lives and leading us to this place. Help us to always put you first in our relationship and lives. Please bless our family as it starts and through the changes to come. In Jesus Name Amen.
”

              “So who are we telling first?” Faith asked “And who is going to marry us since you are the preacher? And when are we getting married?”

              “Your family, someone we decide on and I have no idea.”

              “What?”

              “We will tell your family first, since my parents are on a plane. We will have to decide on who marries us and I have no idea when we are getting married because I doubt that the groom gets much say in that.”

              “Should we go to my parent’s house now and tell them?”

              “I’m ready for that. Let’s call Leah and see if they can meet us there.”

              Nathan and Faith were still walking over the property when they met a teenage boy.

              “Hi” he spoke shyly “Are you lost?”

              “No” answered Nathan “I’m buying this building.”

              “What for?”

              “I plan to remodel it into a youth center.”

              “Yeah right.” the teenage scoffed “We’ve seen those start up before and then they shut down.”

              “Well, I don’t think this one will.” Nathan answered truthfully. “I’m Nathan Lindstrom and who are you?” Nathan held out his hand to shake hands with the teenager.

              “Malcolm” he said and shook Nathan’s hand

              Faith choked and gasped while Nathan chuckled a little. “Malcolm, I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to meet you. This is Faith, my fiancée”

              “Hello Malcolm”

              “Hi” he said shyly

              “Malcolm,” Nathan started “do you live around here?” Nathan pointed in the general direction of the building

              “Sure” he answered.

              “If I come back tomorrow afternoon, can you meet me here about four?”

              “I guess, why?”

              “I may need to hire you. Can you give this card to your mom or dad and have them call me tomorrow?” Nathan handed Malcolm a business card

              “Sure, my mom can probably call you.”

              “What is her name so I’ll know who I am talking to?” Nathan asked

              “Mary” Malcolm answered.

              “Fabulous.” Nathan answered “If you get tied up tomorrow and can’t come, just call any of those numbers and someone can get me a message if I can’t answer. Deal?”

              “Deal” Malcolm answered then turned to walk away.

              Nathan watched him walk away and then turned to walk Faith back to the car. Nathan was chuckling hard as they got closer to the car.

              “That was incredible Nathan.” Faith laughed also. “I’m simply amazed at God sometimes.”

              “Me too. I believe I will be hiring my first employee for this organization.”

              “Could be.” Faith agreed
“Thank you Lord”

              “
Amen”
Nathan ended

              “Will you go back with me tomorrow to meet with him and hopefully one of his parents?”

              “Yeah, sure. We need to call Leah.”

              Nathan pushed the number for Leah and handed Faith the phone. “Hi Leah. We are going to mom and dad’s, can you meet us there?”

              “I guess so.”

              “Great, bring Tom with you. We should be there shortly.”

              “Okay, we will leave now. Bye.”

              “See you.” Faith said as she hung up. Nathan took the phone from her and dialed her parents number then handed the phone back to her “Hi Dad. Are you busy?”

              “Just reading the paper.”

              “Is it alright if we come to see you?”

              “Sure.”

              “We will be there shortly.” Faith handed the phone back to Nathan “Do you think they guessed at why we are gathering them all together?”

              “Probably” he laughed “Let’s go and get the suspense over with.”

              “You’re crazy.”

              “It’s too late to back out now. I have your acceptance on tape and it is evidence in a court of law.”

              “When I first heard your voice on my business line, I never imagined that this short time later I’d be happily engaged to you.”

              “I told you…you impressed me from the first phone call. And when I found out you were a member of the church I had just been called too, I made it my goal to find you.” Nathan kissed her again. “Come on sweetheart, we have some people to surprise.”

              Nathan pulled in from the Newham’s house with his fiancée a short time after proposing to her. “Tom’s car is here. What about your brothers?”

              “They are probably here too.” Faith answered.

              “Okay” Nathan helped her up the stairs at the front of the house.

              Faith opened the door and called out “We’re here.”

              “We are in the living room sweetie.” Pearl answered back

              “Lead the way” Faith directed

              “And so it begins…” he laughed

              “Oh you.” She laughed with him. Nathan guided her into the living room. “Hi everyone.” Faith said “Who is here?”

              “Your sister and brothers, Tom also and us.”

              “Good. We have something to tell you.”

              “Could this have something to do with the rock that is weighing your hand down?” Leah asked

              “Yes, it does. Nathan has proposed and I have accepted.”

              “Congratulations!” Nathan and Faith were mobbed with hugs and well wishes. Eventually they sat down so the wedding plans could begin.

              “First of all, Jacob you are mighty good at keeping a secret.” Nathan stated “I’m impressed.”

              “It was tough. A week is a long time to know something that no one else knows.”

              “Why did he know?” asked Faith

              “Because I asked his permission to marry you.” answered Nathan.

              “You did?”

              “Yes, he did. I was very glad to give it. I asked him a couple of questions and received good answers and I gave my permission. Well, blessing is more accurate.”

              “Faith?” asked Leah

              “Yeah?”

              “I told you so.” Leah stated

              “What?”

              “I told you so.” Leah repeated and Faith blushed and nodded.

              “What does that mean?” Pearl asked

              “It means I knew they were going to get married after that first dinner we had here with Nathan.”

              “That may be sweetie, but you weren’t doing anything about it so I did it for you.” Jacob announced proudly

              “I knew it.” Faith exclaimed. “We figured that out just recently.”

              “Nathan didn’t do a very good job of hiding his attraction to you during that dinner. So, I encouraged a little.”

              “Jacob!” Pearl exclaimed “You are embarrassing Nathan.”

              “No, he is right, Pearl.” Nathan stated and then squeezed Faith’s hand. “I did have a hard time hiding my attraction to her. She probably thinks I was just curious to see if she would spill but that wasn’t it.”

              “That is what I thought. I knew you watched me that night. But, Dad, how did you know I would take the “bait” so to speak.”

              “I knew that once I mentioned that Nathan had a
need
, you would do your best to see that it was met. It is what you do best.”

              “See, I told you.” Nathan commented to Faith as he kissed her.

              “This is not pick on Faith day.” She joked “It is my engagement day.”

              “Well, actually…” Nathan stated watching Leah try to not show her left hand

              “Don’t you dare, Nathan.” Leah exclaimed and Tom laughed

              “We didn’t plan it, Leah. It just sort of worked out that way.” Nathan apologized

              “No way.” Faith exclaimed “Why didn’t you tell me on the phone?”

              “Because I was still amazed.” Leah answered “But yes, I have an engagement ring too.” Leah showed her hand and was then mobbed with hugs too.

              “This has been quite a week.” Jacob announced proudly

              “You were good at keeping secrets.” Tom agreed

              “Yes, I am. Between you two, I got lots of free lunches this week.”

              “People at church are going to think we do everything together. They will assume we are going to get married on the same day.” stated Faith.

              “No, that won’t happen. I want Nathan to marry us.”

              “I’d be honored too.”

              “We have two weddings to plan.” Pearl announced “I’m calling for help. Someone bring me the phone.”

              “Mom, relax.” Faith said quietly “It will actually be easier, same florist, same caterer, two different days.”

              “That’s my Faith” Nathan announced proudly “Organized”

              “Oh you.” Faith elbowed him gently

              Nathan’s phone rang and he checked the display and handed it to Faith. “Just answer, Hi dad.”

              “Hi Dad” she announced happily

              “Congratulations sweetie and welcome to the Lindstrom family.” Marcus said “Tell Nathan, congratulations too. I can’t talk to him right now, they are calling my name. I love you.”

              “Bye” she said handing the phone back to Nathan. “He had to go give his speech but he said Congratulations. I take it that they knew?” asked Faith

              “Yep, I told them after church as we said our goodbyes.”

              “Nathan?” Pearl asked “Do we need to work with your father’s staff to plan your wedding?”

              “Probably to some degree, yes. And it will be easier to find a date if you work with Mom and his staff. He will clear his schedule for the most part, but there are some things he can’t change.”

              “I’ll talk to them Mom, we will figure out some dates.” Faith said confidently

              “I can’t wait to go dress shopping with both of you. When do you want to go?” Pearl asked excitedly

              “I’m not going shopping until this cast comes off which isn’t until late next week.” Faith stated “Then I’ll be thrilled to go.”

              “Do I get to go too?” Nathan joked

              “NO!” Pearl, Faith and Leah answered at the same time

              “I was just kidding.” Nathan replied squeezing Faith’s hand “I know the time honored tradition of the groom can’t see the wedding dress. I have officiated at a few ceremonies.”

              “You are in big trouble.” Jacob laughed at Nathan

              “I know, but it was great fun to see their reaction.” Nathan laughed “Anyway, I need to head to a meeting, are you ready to head home?” Once again, the couple was embraced by her family as they headed out the door as a newly engaged couple.

Chapter 12

              “Nathan Lindstrom” he said as his phone rang Monday morning while he was at the church working.

              “My name is Mary and my son Malcolm gave me this number to call.”

              “Hello, I’m so glad you could call me.”

              “What is this about?”

              Nathan began to explain about who he was and the youth center he was going to open at the warehouse. He explained about how he’d met Malcolm the day before and what his plans were for Malcolm if his parents were amenable. Faith and Nathan had agreed on some tasks they would like him to perform even before the center would be open.

              Malcolm’s mom agreed to come with Malcolm to the warehouse today and meet with Nathan and Faith. “I’m so thrilled, I can use all the help I can get.”

              “Malcolm is a good kid. I know I’m his mother and I am biased but he is trying to stay away from the wrong crowd and do good in school.”

              “I got that impression myself. We will see you later today.”

              “Thank you Mr. Lindstrom.”

              “Call me Nathan, and you are welcome.”

              Faith was working at home Monday morning when her phone rang.

              “Hello”

              “Hello, this is Jessica Lindstrom”

              “Hi, this is Faith”

              “Honey, I’m so excited for you and Nathan.”

              “I’m more than excited myself. I’m glad you called, we need to talk about dates.”

              “Yes, and that is why I called.” Jessica agreed. Faith gave her the list of possible dates they had discussed last night and Jessica said she would talk to her husband’s staff and narrow it down for them. Faith and Jessica discussed a few more things then said their goodbyes.

              Faith’s phone rang almost immediately after disconnecting from Nathan’s mother.

              “Hello”

              “Hello fiancée”

              “Hello fiancée. I just talked to your mother.”

              “And I just talked to Malcolm’s mother, she is coming at four today with Malcolm.”

              “Great”

              “I’ll pick you up no later than three if I can wait that long.”

              “Wait that long for what?” Faith asked confused

              “Too see my future bride.” Nathan responded lovingly

              “Ohhh” she cried “You are going to make me cry.”

              “Nope.”

              “Nathan, something hit me this morning. Where are we going to live?”

              “Is that something we need to decide now?”

              “Right this second, no. But soon. I need a place that has specific requirements.”

              “Okay, how about this….we can have dinner or a picnic at my house with your family. They can look it over and see if it will work.”

              “That would be great. I’ll check with my family but does a barbeque on Saturday work for you?”

              “Fabulous. I’ll talk to you later. I love you.”

              “Bye Nathan. I love you.”

              Nathan arrived at Faith’s house at two. He went around to speak to Leah then let himself into the house. “Faith” he called from the top of the stairs.

              “I’ll be right up.” She answered. Nathan heard her clomping up the stairs with her bulky cast.

              “Are you ready to get that thing off your foot?”

              “This minute would not be soon enough. It itches all the time and my leg is going to look hideous when it comes off. It is a good thing it is still cool and I won’t be wearing shorts for a while.”

              Nathan laughed at her grumbling “Faith, my love, you need an attitude adjustment and I have just the thing for you.”

              “What?”

              “A little bird told me that you have a weakness for chocolate chip cookies.”

              “Martha squealed on me.”

              “Yes, she did. And I happen to love them myself so I stopped at the store…” he said leading her to the kitchen table. “Here” he said handing her a cookie from the bag.

              “Yum” she said enjoying the cookie “These will change my attitude anytime.”

              “Good to know. When I screw up and forget to call you I’ll bring cookies as a buffer.”

              “I like how you think. But really, I’m going to try not to be that kind of a wife. Sure, I’ll wonder if you are late what’s wrong, but I’ll try really hard not to minutely follow your every move.”

              “Faith, honey, listen to me. There will be times that I can’t tell you who I am meeting with and if it is a person I’m counseling, I’ll have to keep the meeting subject confidential but I’ll always tell you where I’m going. There could also be times that it is vice versa and someone will want to meet with you and not me or maybe both of us together.”

              “I know and I’ll learn as we go along. I want to be the best at supporting you.”

              “You already are sweetheart.” He said cupping her face and kissing her. He hugged her tight then asked if she was ready to go. A few minutes later they were leaving her house after saying goodbye to Leah.

              “So what did Mary say when you told her your plan?”

              “She was silent for a while, then asked if I was serious.”

              “What else did she say?”

              “Not too much. You know me, I asked her a bunch of questions and then we talked about Malcolm some.”

              “She said okay to hiring him?”

              “Yes, if he is willing. I’ll hire her too if necessary.”

              “To do what?”

              “Assist him and me.”

              “Again, to do what?”

              “I’ll have to see what her skills are.”

              “You are such a softie.”

              “Yep, ‘fraid so.” He said softly

              “That isn’t a bad thing in this case sweetheart.” Faith said kindly “Just ask the right questions and be comfortable with your decision before you rush into anything.”

              Nathan was a little uncomfortable with this subject and decided to change it “Did you talk to your family about the dinner at my house?”

              “Yes, but their schedules were not open this weekend, but would next weekend work?”

              He agreed as he turned into the parking lot. The realtor had called earlier and told Nathan his bid had been accepted and that the escrow would close in sixty days at Nathan’s request. Nathan relayed that information to Faith and she was as excited as he was. “We are a little early, do want to wait in the car or walk around?” Faith wanted to wait in the car so he agreed and filled her in on more of the plans. She, as usual, was good at asking the right questions and helping him clear up is plans. Nathan thought to himself
She is going to be a wonderful support to me.

              “Here they come.” Nathan announced as he opened the car door and went around to help Faith.

              “Hi Malcolm. This must be your mother?”

              “I’m Mary.” She answered holding out her hand to Nathan

              “This is Faith” Nathan introduced

              “Hello Mary, I’m really glad to meet you.”

              “I’m glad to meet you too.”

              “How was school, Malcolm?” Faith asked

              “Okay, I guess.” He answered surprised.

              “So Malcolm, how would you feel about coming to work for me?”

              “Doing what?” Malcolm asked surprised. Nathan laid out his plan for the center and the help needed Malcolm to start gathering. He wanted Malcolm to hire some local kids to design flyers to advertise for workers to help with the remodel. They could be men, women or high school age to learn to do remodel work. He was to recruit a group of kids to work on the design of the building and they would meet with Nathan and the architect. Nathan told him how much he would be paid and how much he would pay the different jobs.

              Malcolm was stunned and kept looking at his mother for input. Nathan had already told her his plan so she had had time to think about it. Malcolm’s first question was “Why me?”

              “Why not you?” Faith asked

              “Because I don’t know anything about this work.” He answered

              “You’ll learn.” Faith returned

              “It is okay if you don’t want to do it.” Nathan stated “But I believe you’ll be great at it and will like it.”

              “Mom, what do you think?” Malcolm asked

              “It would be good for you. Do you want to do it?”

              “Yes, can my mom and dad help me?”

              “Sure, I was going to ask about that too. What does your father do?”

              “My husband is in construction.”

              “Wonderful, can you have him give me a call?”

              “Okay.” Malcolm answered after looking at his mother.

              “So, do you want the job?”

              “Yes” he answered shyly

              “Great.” Nathan cheered then turned to run to his car. He came back with a cell phone for Malcolm. “Here is your business phone. Call me anytime with questions, my number is already programmed in there and so is Faith’s. Call me when you have the flyer’s design team ready. I’ll come and pick you all up and we can work at the church to design the flyers. Give yourself and them time to think up some ideas. Then at the same time be thinking if these are the same kids you want on the design team for the facility. You are going to be mostly responsible for them doing their jobs. I’ll help you and so will Faith but we are relying on you to bring us the right kids for this project. Oh, and another thing, none of this interferes with your school work or theirs. Any questions from parents, have them call me. Any questions?”

              “Tons” he answered stunned “I’m …” he stalled

              “Malcolm, Nathan will be just a phone call away and you and he can meet whenever you need too. If you have an emergency, call me and I’ll try my best to help you. You’ll be fine, just keep the lines of communication open.”

              “She’s right. And your mom and dad can help you and then you tell me how much you want to pay them.”

              “My mom is a great artist.”

              “No, I’m not.” She disagreed

              “She is.” Malcolm countered

              “Good, then you draw me some sketches for some artwork for the inside of the facility. Do you have time to do that?”

              “Uh, yeah. What theme do you want?”

              “Just draw me something and I’ll decide.”

              “Mr. Lindstrom…”

              “Nathan, please.”

              Mary started again “Thank you for everything, we are a little overwhelmed by all of this.”

              “Me too” Nathan replied.

              “Why are you having Malcolm do all this?”

              “Someday I’ll tell you the whole story.”

              “Malcolm, I have one more thing for you.” Nathan reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a credit card. “This is for your business expenses. Keep all your receipts and I’ll collect them weekly. I don’t believe you’ll have any trouble using it but you have my number in case you do. Also, the first few times, call me before you use it and tell me what you need it for.”

              “Sure” he said accepting the card from Nathan “What kind of expenses?”

              “Paper, pens, pencils, markers, paint, anything to organize your work, stuff for your mom to use to draw, items the design team may need to work on the flyers. No expenses for this project get paid by your family. None. Keep track of your time too.”

              “My mom is good at organizing, I’ll ask her too.”

              “Then you keep track of your time too.” He said to Mary and she nodded.

              “Any other questions?”

              Malcolm and Mary looked at each other and then he answered Nathan “I guess I’ll call you when we do.”

              “Good, then call me tomorrow and let me know your progress. Thank you for doing this for me.”