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Authors: Monique Miller

BOOK: Redemption Lake
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Chapter 1
Phillip Tomlinson
Sunday: 3:00
P.M
.
“Ready or not, Redemption Lake, here we come.” Shelby ran her finger down the lines on the map representing the highway to trace the route they were taking.
“I've even got you calling it Redemption Lake.” Phillip kept his eyes on the road as he joked.
Shelby nodded in agreement. “You're right. After a while, I won't remember it's really called Lake Turner.”
Phillip smiled to himself, a grin covering his entire face.
Noticing, Shelby asked, “What's the big grin all about?”
“I'm just remembering when we first came up here five years ago. We didn't know what to expect. Just as I'm sure all the couples who are coming this week don't really know what to expect either.”
“I know what you mean. A week long marriage retreat wasn't something I'd ever heard of anyone going to. All I knew was I was full of hope that the retreat would at least help us to strengthen our marriage,” Shelby said.
“Me too. Little did either one of us know how God was planning to completely change our lives for the better; especially mine.” Phillip continued to smile with fond memories. He had found his redemption at Lake Turner by accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. And it had happened just outside of the same cabin they were about to drive to.
As if reading his thoughts, Shelby said, “Maybe it was because I'd been praying so long for you to get saved.”
“You're probably right.”
“Especially all those times I invited you to attend church with me, and you sat on the couch watching sports.” Shelby laughed as she mimicked Phillip's voice. “‘Say a prayer for me.'”
“It only took what, seven years of prayers for them to finally come true?”
“What matters is that the Lord heard my cry, and he answered me,” Shelby said.
Phillip nodded his head.
Shelby laid her head on the headrest. “I still remember our time at this retreat like it was yesterday. I had such a wonderful time. Mostly because you got saved here, but also because of the wonderful couples we met that week.”
“I am glad you suggested we come up a day early. It'll be nice to get in a little rest and relaxation before all the couples get here.” He stopped speaking and sighed.
“What's wrong?”
It was uncanny sometimes how his wife could read him like a book. “I've been praying, and I don't know what to expect this time.”
“What do you mean?” Shelby asked.
“I know God called me to do His work. And our history of marital problems a few years back is part of His plan for our coming back to this lake today.”
Shelby nodded her head. “That's pretty deep. I hadn't thought about it like that. But I guess you're right. They say when someone goes through a storm, often the trials and tribulations aren't for them, but for someone else's life who will one day need to be touched; someone who will be helped by the testimony of that similar storm. A testimony that will tell how God brought them out.”
“Bingo. I wish it were just that simple. But the true fact is that there are three couples' whose lives will be affected by this weekend. Three couples who will be looking for sound advice, guidance, and answers from me. That's a huge responsibility.”
“It is,” Shelby agreed. “And you'll do just fine. We've both been assisting with the couple's ministry at church, and I truly feel your education and background in marriage counseling has more than equipped you.”
“I know, honey, but the couples in church know us. They trust us already.” Phillip shook his head. “These people don't know us from Adam.”
“They don't have to, honey. Trust in the Lord. He is worth more than someone already knowing you and your degrees put together. Don't forget that,” Shelby encouraged.
“I haven't. Why do you think I've been praying so hard?”
“In a day or so, you have to start living on faith. Don't doubt the power God has put in you. As long as you let God lead you, this week will turn out fine.”
Phillip shook his head. He agreed with his wife but didn't feel fully optimistic. From what he read in the couples' applications, there were some emotionally bruised husbands and wives about to seek his counsel. He didn't want to let any of them down, and he really didn't want to let down God.
“Okay, take this exit,” Shelby said. “The directions say to bear right off the exit then go 1.7 miles. We should start seeing signs for the lake.”
Phillip drove as Shelby directed.
“Help me look for the little sign that says,
THE LAKESIDE B&B
,” Phillip said.
“I hope they've made a bigger sign than when we were here five years ago,” Shelby said. “How many times did we pass the little dirt road leading to the cabin that night?”
“Three I think.”
“Well, at least it's daylight this time,” Shelby said.
“The daylight is a plus. Man, it was pitch black out that night. I was barely able to see the little path with the headlights, especially with the thickness of the forest.”
“If we hadn't seen the cabin when we had, we would have driven right into the lake.”
“Don't remind me. Another ten more feet and you're right; we would have.”
“I felt like I was on my way to Camp Crystal Lake, and Jason, from
Friday the 13th
, was going to jump out at any moment.”
“I never told you, but I had been thinking along those same lines.” Phillip chuckled.
“But when we stepped into the cabin and saw how warm and inviting it was, my fears soared right out of the window. Not to mention the warm greeting Reverend and Mrs. Nelson gave us.”
“They are one of the sweetest couples I've ever met,” Phillip said.
“They are. Too bad we won't get a chance to see them this time.”
“Maybe we can come back up one weekend with the kids and spend some time with them.”
“The reverend said he was going to leave the key under the mat, right?” Shelby asked.
“Yeah, he e-mailed me a detailed list complete with emergency numbers and their cell phone numbers, just in case.”
“Hopefully all will go well, and we won't have to bother them. I'm sure they need a rest. They've been doing this retreat for over ten years.”
Navigating the car with ease, Phillip said, “I was surprised when he asked me to fill in for him this week.”
“See, even Reverend Nelson feels you are capable in conducting the retreat.”
Phillip nodded his head, acknowledging what Shelby was saying.
“There it is.” Shelby widened her eyes as she pointed to the sign for the B&B. “They did update their sign.”
“I'd say.”
The new sign was billboard sized.
Shelby laughed. “Hopefully none of the couples will arrive late at night like we did. But if they do, they'd have to be blind to miss that one.”
“Blind as a bat,” Phillip added.
Phillip lifted the welcome mat on the front porch of the log cabin. Just as noted in his e-mail, the key was there.
He opened the front door, allowing Shelby to enter first. Once Phillip stepped inside, his memories were heightened as he heard the tick of the grandfather clock that sat next to the fireplace. And his nostrils were filled with the aroma of many years of long put out fires. Also noticeable was the smell of oak and pine from the various pieces of rustic furniture the Nelsons had decorated the house with.
Shelby took a deep whiff of air. “Smell that pine. The smell brings back so many memories.”
“In a way it feels like we never left.” Shelby turned and gave Phillip a loving hug, and he embraced her in return with a tight squeeze.
“I love you so much, sweetheart,” he said.
“I love you too.”
After looking around the cabin and checking each room to make sure everything was in order, Phillip said, “Let's get the bags out of the car.”
They retrieved their luggage as well as what felt like hundreds of bags of groceries that Shelby had packed that morning.
Once all was unloaded, Phillip rummaged through a couple of the grocery bags on the kitchen cabinet. Picking up a bag of cheese doodles and a bag of pretzels, he said, “Uh, honey, did you forget something?”
“Like what?” Shelby asked.
“Like the real food. What are we going to do, snack the whole trip?” He held up a container of dip. “And what are we supposed to eat for breakfast?”
“Now, Phillip, baby, you should know me better than that. I've got it all under control. You worry about the counseling and ministering of the couples, and I'll take care of everything else.” Shelby smiled.
“I know you are the hostess extraordinaire. But baby, the closest convenience store is at least ten miles away. And the closest grocery store is probably twenty miles away. Our schedule will be pretty tight. We won't have time to run to a restaurant every day for food,” Phillip said.
Shelby pointed to the bags on the floor. “What do you think is in all these bags?”
Upon opening each one, Phillip's eyes widened as he gazed at the rest of the food. The bags held juices, eggs, bread, breakfast meats, cheese, milk, coffee creamers, jams, jellies, condiments, fresh vegetables, and fruits.
Then she led him to the deep freezer, and when Phillip opened it, he saw that it was filled with boxes of frozen entrees.
Shelby looked at Phillip and said, “Do you think we have enough food, or do I need to make a quick run to the store before our guests arrive?”
Phillip shook his head, finally understanding. “No baby, you've got this under control.”
“You should know I have your back.”
“What's the deal with all that food in the freezer?”
“You are not the only one who has been in contact with the Nelsons. I spoke with Mrs. Nelson, and she helped me coordinate ordering the meals for the week. Mrs. Nelson is so wonderful and so detailed that she gave me a sketch of where everything is kept in the kitchen. I told her what kinds of meals I was planning and what ingredients I'd need, and it looks like everything I need is accounted for. Plus she gave me a secret weapon.”
“A secret weapon?” Phillip's eyebrows rose with curiosity.
“Yep. I won't have to slave over meals all week,” Shelby said.
“What kind of secret weapon?” Phillip asked.
“Don't worry about that.” Shelby grinned.
“You are something else,” Phillip said.
“I know. Now don't concern yourself with trivial things like the food. And except in the matter of counseling, I'll take care of everything.”
“Everything?”
“Yes, everything,” she reiterated.
Phillip looked toward the fireplace. His wife followed his eyes.
“Okay, maybe not everything,” Shelby said.
The previous winter, Shelby had tried to light the fire in their fireplace and had ended up almost burning down their house. It took months for the smell of smoke to finally dissipate.
“You can take care of a fire if we need one.” Shelby tapped the tip of Phillip's nose with her index finger. “But I assure you if you need anything else, I'll take care of it.”
“I will probably need your help during some of the sessions,” Phillip said.
Shelby pulled his head down and kissed his forehead and lips. “I've got you, baby.”
Phillip sighed with more relief. “Now let's unpack the rest of our stuff and get this place ready for tomorrow. I want to relax a little tonight.”
“You got that right. I didn't come up here a day early just to look in the freezer,” Shelby said as she winked her eye.
“I believe that's everything.” Phillip looked down the checklist that the reverend had sent him.
“I'd say we're ready for tomorrow.”
Shelby assisted Phillip in putting the welcome packets together, which held each couple's agendas, notepads, pens, nametags, and a set of keys for their respective bedroom.
After setting the packets up on the bar separating the kitchen from the dining room, Shelby asked, “Did you call the kids?”
“No, not yet.”
Shelby pulled out her cell phone and pressed the number two for her speed dial. “I'll check on them and let Mom know we got here okay.”
As Shelby proceeded to call and check on their children, Phillip's mind drifted back to the upcoming retreat. While Shelby was filled with hopeful anticipation, he was feeling differently. He'd actually read the couples' applications, and from what he had seen it was probably going to take a miracle to help some of them.

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