“You alright there, Nicklet?” I heard Haxsel ask Nicky, and turned my head back to see him stroking Nicky's head which was resting on his lap.

We had gotten from the Canfields' private jet when we landed in Chicago airport and was on our way to home in a car Maxell had send to pick us up. The journey was just fine until Nicky vomited when we got out of the jet. This was so unlike him, he always loved travelling and never used to have this problem. And seeing him laying tired on Haxsel's lap like that, instead of standing past us on the seat looking out through the window, made me slightly worried for him.

“Do you think he's alright?” I whispered to my brother, making mom glance back as well.

“Of course he is,” my brother said, not looking away from our golden retriever and slowly leaned over his ear. “Just homesick, right Nicks?”

But Nicky was too tired to even move his paws.

I sighed and turned my head to my side, glancing outside. It's been two months I've been away from home and it's so good to be back finally. I really missed this place and my loved ones.

When the driver rode the car inside the walls of our home, my heart was bursting with joy. Even tired Nicky lifted his head to glance at our home from Haxsel's lap. We got out and got our things out of the car with the driver's help and he left, not receiving the cash from my dad who tried to press it into his pocket.

I took out my phone as I remembered the promise to Benjamin and texted him saying we've arrived back home safely. And just as I clicked the send button and my eyes rose to the hallway of our home before stepping in, I saw Nicky froze on the way.

“Nicks?” I quickly ran towards him, as he threw his head ahead and vomit again. I petted his back, throwing myself beside him. “It's okay, it's okay, easy now...” I kept telling him. “Jonny... mom... Nicky is vomiting–”

I cut off my own words, screaming as I saw Nicky vomiting blood.

Blood?

I panicked. It looked nothing like normal blood in color, but too dark red, red as a brick.

“What's it?”

“What happened?”

“Nicky?!”

“No, Nicky, no no no!” I exclaimed as Nicky collapsed on me, his body weight on my lap. “No, Nicky! Nicklaus!” I kept shaking him as my brother and parents came behind me, equally panicked as I was.

“Did he...” mom trailed off, glancing between Nicky and the blood he threw up.

Haxsel got up from Nicky's side quickly and ran to the inside, “I'll get the keys, we need to get him to the doctor.” he said, hurrying to get his car keys.

Dad scooped up Nicky into his arms and walked to Haxsel's car, as mom helped me up to my feet. I shook with the sob I was holding off as we followed dad, fearing for Nicky, and Haxsel soon came bursting into the car, driving Nicky to the hospital.

Everything happened in a sudden. And mom and I stood there, staring after the car, clutching our hearts that were beating for our Nicky.

The night dropped by and still there was no sign of them coming back. Two hours ago, mom called Dad who told us that the doctor is checking on Nicky and has struck a needle and tube to his paws. My stomach lurched as I heard this and kept praying to God for his health.

Almost half an hour later, Haxsel's car pulled into our yard, making both mom and I jump up to our feet and rush outside. Expecting an energetic happy Nicky to bounce over to us, when we reached to the veranda, the sight was disappointing.

Nicky wasn't with them.

“Where's Nicky?” mom asked Dad and Haxsel, who miserably climbed up the stairs to us, after parking the car inside the garage.

“He's still.... unconscious.” dad said. “The doctor told us to come back tomorrow.”

“What if he wake up?” I asked, worried that what will he do when he see only strangers and not his family.

“I tried to stay with him but they told me to go back, promising they'd to take care of him.” my brother approached me with a hug. “Don't worry hun, he'll be alright.”

“And what about the check up results?” mom asked Dad.

“Only can know by tomorrow.”

But no one expected that tomorrow to bring a shocking news to the Houston family.

The doctor called Dad on phone the next day while breakfast and they both spoke for straight fifteen minutes. Dad was speaking without giving us a clue, which made us more suspicious and Haxsel frustrated.

At last when the call ended, dad sighed and turned to us.

“Well?” Haxsel asked, holding his impatience at bay.

“Good news and bad news.”

I dropped my fork.

“What's the good news?” Haxsel asked eagerly.

“Nicky is awake.” we all exhaled when Dad said it. “Still tired, but awake. He's not eating anything, but... awake.”

“And the... bad news?” Haxsel's voice slightly shook.

Dad's eyes travelled on all three of us and I knew, what he's going to say next is indeed a bad news. And with rapidly beating heart, I waited for him to speak.

“What's it dad?” Haxsel pressed, impatiently. I don't blame him, I would be so, if I wasn't too shaky to speak a word.

Dad let out a deep sigh, and looked away from us to his empty plate on our dining table. “He has cancer.”

I covered my mouth immediately, pressing it harder and harder as tears crammed into my eyes.

“No.” Haxsel whispered firmly to himself, shaking his head. “No.”

Mom's chest rose and fell as she stared at dad with wide eyes, that were now glossy. “Cancer?” she whispered in disbelief.

Dad nodded solemnly. “Affected on kidneys, both of them.”

Haxsel clutched onto the table edge, glaring at the garlic bread in front of him.

“And?” mom asked.

“Well,” dad began, uncertainty, glancing at my brother and I. “we know everyone's life is in our God's hands, so we actually don't have to mind what they said about him that–”

“He's hopeless.” Haxsel cut in, still glaring at the garlic bread, filling in what I guess as dad was trying to tell us.

I glanced at dad for his confirmation. He caught my eyes and nodded, before turning away. And I, still having my hands covering my mouth, stood up from the chair, pushed it backwards and ran straight to my room, falling onto my knees before God, before letting tears take over me.

Why God why? Why Nicky? Please not Nicky. Please don't take him away from us. I couldn't bare it! I've had enough pain of a lifetime heartbreak, not this too.

Though I couldn't open my mouth to pray, fearing my cries would fill the air loud, I kept praying in my heart.

That day, before noon, dad took us to visit Nicky at hospital. First it was me, now him; and it was heartbreaking. But I kept reminding myself of the words Jesus spoke to me directly. Nothing will happen in my life without God knowing and all will be for good.

Three days passed like this and on the third day, the doctor called us to the hospital, saying Nicky's in a critical state. By evening, when we reached there, we found our Nicky laying on a small bed of his size, breathing faster and faster.

He weakly wagged his tail as he saw us, trying to get up, but he failed. Haxsel and I threw ourselves at his each side, falling over him, holding him and crying. I've cried a countless times before over different circumstances in my life ever since I can remember, but I've never seen my brother ever crying, like this.

“Don't leave us, Nicklet, don't go please...” my brother kept whispered this to Nicky, who wouldn't tear away his eyes from the four of us, his family and wagged his tail with all his strength he has left.

He was going to go; I came to understand that from how badly faster his breathing had got.

“No Nicky, no!” I held his face in my hands, kissing his beautiful golden hair that has now turned rather oddly dark.

Mom and dad stood by our side, stroking us and Nicky at the same time, comforting. Mom was crying silently, holding firmly onto Nicky's paw.

“Jesus, please...” I begged, “please don't take him away.” For a moment, I forgot that I should leave everything for God's will, no matter how much it's harder for me to accept.

Nicky had his tongue out, panting and dad quickly turned to get some water. There was no one in this small room except us, the doctor left to give us our space. Dad quickly came back with a small bottle of water and helped Nicky to drink it, silently praying as he did this.

He drank only a bit of water and soon turned his head aside, giving us one last helpless glance, before he stopped breathing and closed his eyes.

He was gone.

That was the unbelievable and unacceptable moment of my life.

I burst into tears, hugging Nicky's lifeless body heartbrokenly. Haxsel didn't let go of his hold from Nicky's face as cried over it. I could heard mom's cries increasing and dad's deadly silence, accepting the loss with broken heart.

A member of our family was gone. We're no longer a family of five. Nicky has turned into a memory.

*****

Days passed by, but the shock of Nicky's departure was still seen on each of our faces and in our daily life from then on. We buried Nicky on our backyard, near to his favorite strawberry plant and planted a tree for his memory. It wasn't just shocking for us, but to all who loved Nicky and admired him had the same shock when we shared the news of his departure with them.

Life became harder to survive and sometimes I wished if Jesus hadn't sent me back to earth after He brought me to Paradise. If this was what Jesus was trying to tell me, if I had known this would've happened to Nicky, I could've prepared not only my heart, but my family's too.

Nicky's absence was killing us in everything and everytime we glance around. Haxsel was gloomy all over than ever before and we barely spoke to each other but only stayed in a silent embrace. I think Nicky's departure has affected Haxsel more than me, because Nicky was his everything, more like a brother if I may say, before God brought me into his life. And seeing Haxsel like this, it pained me more.

Nicky's absence had left our home all silenced, like dead. And mom found playing music as the only way to keep our home alive, along with our hearts.

Harry even offered that he'd get me another puppy if I like, but I kindly refused the offer from my ever so kind best friend; I couldn't let anyone else occupy Nicky's place in my heart, at least, not this sooner.

In those days, I realized I should draw near to God. If I want my broken heart to be mended back, only Jesus can do it and the first step is mine to take; surrendering.

Surrendering was something that I didn't know how to do, when back in last December I had tried. But this time, I could feel God leading me to it. I was ready to do whatever God wanted me to do, and the first thing I did was, preparing myself.

I removed all socials from my phone, except WhatsApp, for the sake of my friends. Taking about friends, Diana called me from the jail telephone with the permission from the inspector and I was happy to hear that how happy she was since she gave her heart to God. She said she's in love with reading Bible and never thought it has interesting histories in them and that she couldn't get her nose out.

And then there's Meghan with whom I was texting often and we both were enjoying each other's company.

And Benjamin... I thought we would be keeping our friendship like how it was in the beginning between us back in Colorado, but it didn't happen. Somehow I thought it's good this way, only texting each other once in a week or two, saying, Hi, Hello, How are you doing, Had food, How's school ect. Because, even with my heart, it wasn't like how I thought it would be; every time I remember Benjamin, my heartstrings tighten up. So the more we are distant, the more better.

As a part of preparing myself for God, for a period of time, I decided to shut myself from reading any books but Bible and same for movies, only biblical and faith based ones. I found more time for these and listening to Christian music and sometimes singing the songs by myself, playing the piano.

Choosing God's will above yours is what surrendering is, in a way. Letting God's will to be done –though we might not actually feels to be satisfied with it– is also surrendering, in a way. Humbling yourself and being nothing but a fool in front of God is surrendering, in a way.

All these things, that I once wondered how to do or how is it done, came to me, for me, when I was in need. And I realized that, it's not the healthy that needs a healer but the sick. And I came to know more about God, as the one being in need of him, broken, unlike some months ago, where I didn't realize I need God more and more than I already do.

For the first time like never before, I realized that, Jesus is enough for me. And if I have if, I'm whole and I have everything I want, because in Him I can find all I need.

Music was magical. It was keeping me closer and closer to God more than anything. And so I decided to keep music as a part of my daily life. Passion's Fade Away and Hillsong's Broken Vessels were my top favorite.

Slowly slowly, I felt God healing me. Slowly slowly, I felt Him drawing closer to me. Slowly slowly, I realized He's changing me. Slowly slowly, I realized I'm changed, even before a week had passed.

It's not just me who began to feel the change God brought in me, but my family too. And as a part of the change of my character, God helped me to behave nice to my old school rival; Orlana Norris.

When I tried to act nice, she kept ignoring me like usual, but slowly, she changed her behavior towards me. And I even welcomed her to sit with Emmy and I for lunch, after making sure Emmy is okay with it.

Several days passed like this, Orlana, her two best friends, Emmy and I were in good terms and sat together for lunch. But, as this continued on, I noticed that someone didn't seem much happy with this as she was in the beginning; Emmy.

It was so unlike of Emmy to be like that and I wondered why. And the only chance I got to ask her this only came one Friday, when we both were walking through the school corridors after school, looking for Harry.

“I've been led by Holy Spirit that I need to be baptized soon, my time has come.” I said ad we walked side by side. “And when I told my parents about this, they said I can get baptized next month when we go to Israel, in the river of Jordan!”

Emmy seemed to be over the moon, not quite having her attention in the world she's walking. “Oh, that's great.” she said, not sounding great at all.

I frowned, “Oh Emms, I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, were you planning on our baptism to be held together?” I asked. “It's okay, we can have it here if–”

Emmy quickly stopped walking, making me stop as well, and turned to me with her hand on head. “Oh sweet potatoes! How come I forgot to tell you this!” she slapped her forehead.

I raised an eyebrow, “Tell me what?”

“My parents are planning on taking us to Israel this summer! I was planning on telling you... urgh, how did I forget this!” Emmy kept blaming her in disbelief.

I stared at her with wide eyes, “You're freaking kidding me!

“No! I was actually going to suggest you that maybe we should have our baptism together, with Rex as well!” Emmy said. “It's not every year I get to be in Israel to get baptized in Jordan like you two.”

I covered my mouth in utter surprise. If I wasn't in a public place like this, I would've bounced and squealed happily. “Emms! This is marvelous!” I breathed, still in disbelief at this news. “Rex told me she's planning on her baptism too! Oh this is going to be fantastic! We can get baptized together!” I almost exclaimed, making several people who were standing nearby, to turn their heads our way.

“Yes, it is, isn't it?” Emmy smiled. But it wasn't the smile I was expecting from her, it wasn't the smile of a truly happy Emmeline Birchwood. Something was indeed wrong with her.

“Emmy?” my happy smile dropped into a sad frown. “What's bothering you?”

“M–me? Bothered?” she chuckled nervously. “You–”

“Yes, there's something bothering you, I can see it in your face. I'm your best friend.” I said, holding her hand. “Ain't I? Come on, tell me, you know you can tell me anything.”

Emmy's face dropped, she sighed and looked away. “It's nothing, really.”

“So there is something!”

Emmy didn't answer.

“Come on Emms!” I whined. “Wait, ow, did I hurt you in any–”

“No, it's not you, you didn't do anything.” she assured me.

“What's wrong?” I asked, my voice suddenly turning hard at the thought of my best friend bring hurt by someone. “Who hurt you?”

Emmy sighed. “Nobody hurt me, it's just... stupid me..”

I shook my head impatiently, “Come on Emms, spit it out.”

Emmy looked up, meeting my eyes, and I could see her preparing to tell me. “I just... feel like... we're falling apart.”

“What?”

“I know you're being nice to Orlana for good and I really appreciate it, but...” Emmy paused, unsure if she should continue or not.

“But what?” I pressed, “Emms, I wouldn't have let her eat with us if –”

“No, it's fine.” Emmy cut my words off, “I just... don't want her to come in between me, you and Harry.”

I smiled, “Really?” I asked, “You think she can ever get between us? Really Emms?”

Emmy shook her head, shrugging.

I sighed, “Emmy, you're worrying for no reason. You have my word, I'm not hanging out with Orlana to make best friends with her, but only trying to be nice, like you agreed it's a nice idea.” I said and smiled a tad before continuing. “And Harry... He's like, I don't give a darn about Orlana. He was saying it's a stupid idea to befriend her, so it's completely fine there.” I assured her.

Emmy bit her lip, and shook her head. “I don't know what am I talking about.”

“ 'course you don't.” I smiled. “I told you, you're worrying about nothing.”

“But have you seen the way she look at him? Harry.” Emmy asked, frowning. “I–I really don't like it.”

“Emmy... –”

“I think I'm falling for Harry.” she cut off my words and said quickly in one breath, before biting her bottom lip, going pink on cheeks.

I blinked twice, repeating her words in my head and then gasped, covering my mouth, in order to hide the uncontrollable smile as well. “Double kidding.” I breathed in disbelief. “Emmy you're freaking kidding me!”

“I wish I could.” Emmy blushed even more. “But I'm falling helplessly.”

I shook my head in disbelief, chuckling. “Does Harry knows?”

“What? No!” she almost exclaimed, keeping a hand over her chest. “I couldn't tell him, you can't tell him. I have only told this to you, because you're my best friend.”

“When did this happen?” I asked eagerly.

Emmy bit her lip, trying to control her smile. “Harry and I had been spending a lot of time together ever since you went to Colorado and I guess, that's when I was able to know what's going on with me.” she said. “But I don't know how hopeful this could be, I don't know if he likes me back this way, even if he does, I couldn't date him because he's not a believer...”

I stopped myself from rolling my eyes, “Stop worrying about those things.” I slapped her arm playfully. “We don't know how exactly God is planning on saving Harry for Him, but we know He will. Just you wait, girl. If he's the one God has meant for you, everything will work out well.” I paused and smirked at her. “But, what we really need to focus on is, hey, someone finally got your heart, and I'm happy for you.”

Emmy let her under-control smile to widen and gave me a quick hug. “Thank you, Hailey. I was counting on you.”

“What are best friends for?” I asked as she pulled back.

“Well....” Emmy began, “I thought... you might be liking him as well...” she said, glancing at me at last.

“What?” I stifled a laugh. “I–I love Harry, yes I do, but... not in that way, never in that way.” I shook my head at her. “You're unbelievable.”

Emmy chuckled, still blushing and shrugged. “Well, I thought it's not obvious because, you know we both are thorns in the eyes of every girl who fancies him, because we're his close friends.” she said.

Yes, Harry's handsome, funny, cool and extremely loyal and friendly... but I've never found him attractive in any way like those girls does, nor like my best friend just confessed to me.

“Honestly Emmy, I'm really happy for you. I'll pray for you both.” I said, squeezing her hand in mine. “So are you planning on telling this to Rex too?”

“Of course –”

“Hey, what are you two doing here?”

Emmy and I suddenly snapped our heads towards where Harry's voice came from and saw him walking towards us. I gently nudged Emmy with my elbow, smirking in my head; I'm definitely not going to miss my chances to mess her around.

“We?” Emmy suddenly grew nervous and glanced at me sideways. “We...uh–”

“Looking for you.” I said. “We were looking for you, yeah.” I added noddingly and glanced at Emmy and she nodded at Harry as well.

Harry raised an eyebrow, amusedly. “Well, you don't look like you're looking for me but looking at each other and talking.” he said sarcastically before waving his hand. “Well, come on then, Pizza Hut awakes.”

We followed Harry as he walked towards the gate where his bodyguard was waiting in the car. I took a peek at Emmy with the corner of my eye and saw the blush still on her cheeks.

“Your cheeks are traitors, you know that?” I whispered to her, only to be pushed away playfully.

“I know one day you'll be in the same state.” she said, amusedly defending herself.

But her words echoed in my head all over and over again. One day you'll be in the same state.

How so?

Finding a boy interesting? Feeling your heart race when he's around? Smiling stupidly at the mention of his name? Blushing time to time? Feeling the butterflies when he speaks to you?

I think I've already had it with Benjamin, and I wasn't looking forward to it any sooner, if that's what she meant.

I had given up on crushing on all handsome boys I see, I even let go of my fictional crush, who hadn't broke my heart or hurt my feelings. I just did, only wanting God and to wait for His perfect timing for my true love warrior.

I kept my distance from boys I didn't know. What if they come to me and take me by surprise like once my classmate Adam Lerch did to me?

With this thought in my head, I was unknowingly welcoming bad dreams to my sleep. Not just nightmares became my problem, I began to view all boys I see as a scary being who might devour me if I give space and they get chances. And so, whenever I see a boy, I quickly look away with my heart beating crazily and if I see anyone looking at me, my whole body shook badly.

This became a huge problem.

What if my true love warrior is a stranger that I don't know of? How will I ever meet with him if I keep ignoring all boys and escaping them like this?

Just trust in God and wait for the sign. That was the only thing I could calm myself with; and music, they really made me forget all my worries.

Rex and Emmy asked me if I can at least tell them what of kind is the sign God has given me, that is only if God allows. When I told them that I can't tell anyone about anything, Rex told me, “We were just asking, you know... wondering if this sign is something that'd be appearing in the skies, to tell you to keep your eyes always up for it.”

I literally laughed at this. I don't blame them; the first thing that comes to one's mind upon hearing sign would definitely be the skies.

*****

When the term was over and the summer vacation began, all I could think of was going to Israel. And by the middle of June, we flew to the land of our fathers. Emmy and her family were coming to Israel for this year and would only be arriving by the beginning of July. Meanwhile Harry and his some brothers, along with their cousins were going to New Zealand.

The warm breeze of Jerusalem washed over me, making me remember the last time I was here. That was six months ago. Along with the memories, two boys' face appeared in my head; one being Benjamin, because, that night when he asked me to be his girlfriend, we had planned on spending our summer together in Jerusalem. But it turned out to be all empty.

And the second boy was the boy I had tried to forget, the boy I didn't want to think of, the boy I hadn't thought of even since I fell for Benjamin.

Rilden.

The name itself made me sigh. But why? A year ago, by seeing him playing guitar on stage for live worship service of our Jerusalem community, I fell for him. I was mad for him when I came here last time. But what? I was crazy then, extremely crazy that I feel embarrassed at myself now. I shook my head to get rid of his thought from my head. I don't want to think about him.

Though, deep inside by the corner of my head, I silently wondered if he'd be here this time.

But then again, I shushed myself. What good can it do for you anyway?

I was welcomed back to the community when I went there, to engage myself with godly people and things. Most of them were told of what had happened to me and praised God for what He did for me. My best companion in the community, other than Rex was, Rachel; a sweet friendly and young woman in her earliest thirty's, tall, slim with cropped black curly hair and dark brown irises. She was the godliest and the most kindest woman I've ever known, and the children who attended Bible classes and activities there loved her so much.

Yet still, there was one thing about her that I didn't want to bring into my head; she was the one to lead the worship that day when I first saw Rilden on TV.

Oh shut it, Hayline and focus.

I occupied myself with helping Rachel to take care of the children and teaching them. And there was no Rilden in Israel as I wondered.

By the beginning of July, when Emmy and her family landed on Ben Gurion airport, my enjoyment had a new era. This was the first time we were able to have summer vacation together, if I remember right. And mostly, this was the very first time Rex and Emmy were meeting in person, out of the devices and internet. And it was so beyond my happiness to spend time together with my two female best friends.

Since this was the first ever trip of Emmy's family to Israel, they had a lot of sites to visit. And so, we arranged the first to days two be spend in Jerusalem, so the three of us could hang out together in the streets of the city of gold. At that time, we were planning on our baptism, that made Rex and I agree on meeting Emmy and her family by the River of Jordan, while they reach to that site, in part of their tour.

And on the fixed day we had fixed with our families and upon their agreement, Rex and I went to Jordan with our family and our pastor, whose name was Thomas, and his brother. Here in Israel, baptism was mostly done with two people to baptize a person, standing either sides of the person to dip him/her into the water together.

The place was so crowded than usual since it was summer vacation, the main event of the year that people floods to here. It wasn't just my friends and I, who were there to be baptized. But there were a lot of people, from different parts of the world, who have come to get baptized in the same River where their savior was baptized two thousand years ago.

We waited until we got some space. The river probably had a lot of space, yes, don't get me wrong. But there's this certain place where the baptism was held, with high rails built for the people to be not get lost in the water.

Excitement filled the air, goosebumps all over my skin, as I watched Rex step down, climbing down the stairs to the river first. Her family watched with tearful eyes and her brother, along with my brother and Emmy's brother, recording the event as a video in their phones.

After Rex, Emmy stepped down.

And after Emmy, it was my turn, after watching my two best friends climbing out of the water with tearful eyes and wide smile as a new creation in Christ and being embraced by their families.

I turned back to look at my family. My brother, my favorite human in the world, had a wide proud smile on his face, nodding his head at me. Mom and dad smiled at me with glossy eyes. Grandpa was smiling high-spirited and Grandma had her hands over her mouth as she looked at me. I smiled at all of them before turning to the river, where pastor Thomas and his brother were waiting.

I took each steps down carefully and pastor Thomas lend his hand to me as I reached the water. I took a deep breath; this is my moment. My moment of change.

“Hailey, do you believe that Yeshua –Jesus– is the son of God?” pastor Thomas asked me, smiling.

I took a deep breath and smiled, “I do.”

“Do you believe that He died for your sins and was raised to life?”

“I do.”

“Do you accept Him as your Lord and Savior?”

I felt tears spring into my eyes as I nodded, “I do.”

“Hold your breath now,” Pastor Thomas said as he and his brother, both held my each hand.

I closed my eyes, taking my breath in as Pastor Thomas said, “I now baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” and I was dipped backwards to the water.

My eyes opened automatically as the cold water of Jordan river washed my face and saw the water surface over me. All my past, the bad girl I was, the mistakes I've done, all of them are being washed away, making me a new creation in Christ. And I'm never going to be the same.

I gasped as I was raised from the water, smiling as I heard my family and friends clapping their hands. Pastor Thomas offered me a small hug, before helping me to climb up, out of the river, dripping all wet.

Rex threw a bath towel over me and I was soon pulled into a group hug by her and Emmy, laughing overjoyed. Then came up my mom, tackling me in a hug, and then by dad, who whispered to me, “We're so proud of you, honey.”

As dad pulled back, I was pulled into my brother's embrace, who squeezed me closer to him. “You're gonna get wet, dear brother.” I joked as I hugged him back.

“Who cares?” he asked, making me laugh. “Do you think it could stop me from hugging the little girl I'm so proud of?” he kissed the top of my head and whispered, “This is just the beginning.”

Just the beginning.

No sin has hold on me, no death has hold on me, Satan can never win me, cause I'm being held by Jesus' grace.

This was truly the happiest moment of my life ever and I knew this is just the beginning of my new life, just like my brother told me.

Now what I couldn't wait for was, to know what's more to come, what's God's purpose for me, what are the greater plans God has on me for His glory.

And it all started with a vision.