Quiet Strength: Book II, The Offering

Quiet Strength

Book II

The Offering

Tina Hawkey Baker

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2014-Tina Hawkey Baker

Discover other titles by Tina at Smashwords.com:

Quiet Strength-Book I-Loves Mission

When God Said No

In Self-Defense

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Dedication

To my sister, Debbie who knows the difference between an offering (freely giving) and a sacrifice (giving up something you wanted to keep). You are a passionate fighter for those you love. I am glad we are on the same side.

To my friend, Shelia Chapman, it's obvious that your love language is gifts. The best gift you give is friendship. Thank you for reminding me that I am not dead and it's ok to follow your dreams.

Special Thanks

To Chuck and Diane Hammond, your beautiful faith and smiling faces make my book look good. God has used you to bless more people than you will ever know. When heaven is one day our home, lots of people will come to say thank you for ways you have blessed them that you weren't even aware of. I want to be standing close when this happens. I don't think God will mind if I tell you 'I told you so' in heaven. Thank you for everything!

To Eric Hammond, a young man with promise. When I look at the book cover and see you standing there with your parents, I see the future. The sword at your side is more than a prop for a picture, it a tool for you to move on and do good things with purpose. The sword is not a weapon, but is a way to clear your path and show your determination. God has a plan for your life; draw your sword and go!

To Melody Dunn Fox, when I was trying to explain my passion for this series, you looked at me and said, You don't have to explain, I can see it is your offering to God. That comment has stayed with me and became the subtitle of this book. Your faith is amazing. I love it when you finish a conversation with, God's got this!

To Robert (my hub) Baker, Frances Cooper, and Lane Pullins you are my wonderful, faithful, amazing editors, I would never have the courage to publish without you.

I interviewed many people who have taken at least one missionary trip. I asked for a quote or an experience that summed up their thoughts about missionary work. These three quotes hit home with me

Judy Meier, missionary to China. Giving them God's word was so important, but staying and teaching them was my passion. I could not look them in the eyes, give them this treasure of God's word, and not pastor them in their relationship. It was just as important to me to stay, love them, and teach them.

Kevin Haines, missionary to Honduras. My word is ownership. As a missionary, we know that we will only be there a short time. Our goal isn't to go in and do everything for them, but to work and worship right beside them. We wanted to give them ownership of the work we set out to accomplish and give them ownership of their relationship with God. That ownership gives them accountability.

Geri May Addis, missionary to Nicaragua. Everything I could possibly struggle with physically happened to me. Motion sickness, stomach problems, and most of all sleep deprivation. God gave me strength to get over myself to see His love at work. Unexplainable with knowledge and words, medical miracles happened. The ability to reach out with love that is beyond your capabilities is something everyone should experience. I will return there one day.

Table of Contents

Chapter One - A Word Fitly Spoken

Chapter Two - How Much Should Be Said?

Chapter Three - History and the Future

Chapter Four - What Did You Say?

Chapter Five - In Time

Chapter Six - Surprises and Blessings

Chapter Seven - Would You Consider...?

Chapter Eight - Building an Agreement

Chapter Nine - The Wedding and the Open Door

Chapter Ten - Counting the Cost

Chapter Eleven - Where It All Began

Chapter Twelve - When Love Happens

Chapter Thirteen - For Unto Us

Chapter Fourteen - High Energy

Chapter Fifteen - Focused

Chapter Sixteen - The Dangers of Change

Chapter Seventeen - Standing Tall

Chapter Eighteen - Calm the Child

Chapter Nineteen - Final Offering

About Tina Hawkey Baker

Chapter One

A Word Fitly Spoken

Yes Sir, there is one more thing. Ryan straightened his posture and looked him in the eye. I love your daughter and I want to marry her…

Mr. Waltz was taken aback. He leaned heavily on the EMBEA knowing it could support his weight if his legs gave way. Ryan, I don’t know anything about you. I have had less than a total of four hours of conversation with you. During this time you have let me know that you have a plan for my company and my daughter. Don’t you think you are being a little forward? He paused and with much affect asked, What about Amy? Does she know your plans? Does she know you want to marry her? Mr. Waltz leaned forward as his demand for answers started giving him balance. We need to talk!

Ryan wasn’t afraid, but he wasn’t sure why. Mr. Waltz was a big man with a booming voice. Ryan came to the conclusion that anyone smarter than himself would be shaking in their shoes by now.

Yes, Sir, he replied. He wasn’t trying to be disrespectful. He prayed with every step he took. Ryan wanted to have the right words to explain himself, and to ask forgiveness for bulldozing Mr. Waltz over with his heart’s desire. Mr. Waltz led him back up to the apartment toward the same bar stools where he and Amy had sat the night before. Sit down, Ryan. He did as he was asked. Mr. Waltz opened the small refrigerator and pulled out two bottled beverages. The room was silent with the exception of the bottle caps spinning on the counter top, after Mr. Waltz popped them off. He sat down across from Ryan and took a long drink from the bottle. He wiped his mouth with the closest thing to a napkin he had, his sleeve. Ryan had not moved a muscle much less muttered a word.

Alright, Ryan, we are going to pray and then I am going to give you a choice, Mr. Waltz was serious. Ryan was serious too. They needed a common ground and prayer was the way to get there. Mr. Waltz prayed aloud. At first, his prayer was for direction for Ryan and himself. He prayed for Ryan’s vision and for clarity. Ryan coveted every word he prayed. Secondly, Mr. Waltz prayed for Amy, his oldest daughter and the object of Ryan’s intentions. He prayed for assurance of heart and mind for the calling God has on her life. He prayed for the right young man to love and protect her spiritually, physically, and emotionally.

Although he did not mention his name when he prayed for Amy, Ryan felt that Mr. Waltz was willing to consider him.

In your name we pray. Mr. Waltz lifted his head and wiped his eyes with the same sleeve that he had used as a napkin earlier. Okay, now you have a choice to make.

Ryan wasn’t sure what Mr. Waltz meant, but he knew he was going to have to speak up and be direct. Yes, Sir, Ryan was ready. A certain peace had come over him when Mr. Waltz prayed.

He remembered his first conversations with Ed when he was 16. Ed had befriended him over a conversation about a car. He had earned Ryan’s trust and vice versa. It was that same trust had led Ryan to the Lord. Ryan’s desire was to earn Mr. Waltz's trust even if it were a slow and long process.

You tell me what we are going to discuss first, the EMBEA or my daughter. Mr. Waltz thought Ryan would be hesitant and hoped that a sense of intimidation may be added for a fatherly affect. To which there was neither.

The EMBEA first, Sir, Ryan said as he went from what Mr. Waltz had first thought to be a bulldozer (it really was a good description) to being seen as a young man whose heart had been touched and spirit had been stirred. Ryan shared in depth what he got out of his experience in Maldives. He also gave Mr. Waltz some insight to his past. He shared how a hammer and the Bible that Ed had given him had become the tools that gave him purpose. Ryan expressed his sense of helplessness in sharing the very thing that had given hope for eternity.

It didn’t take long for Mr. Waltz to see the sincerity of Ryan. He believed Ryan had a good vision for outreach, but the fact that he needed his new packaging machine as a cover-up for smuggling Bibles was very alarming. After all, he had taken out a second mortgage on the house to be able to afford the machine. If something went wrong, he would not only lose his business, but his house too.

Mr. Waltz listened to Ryan. He didn’t ask any more questions. Now that he had heard the whole story from Ryan and understood why he felt as strongly as he did, he knew if God were in it, God would make a way. I am satisfied with your explanation, Ryan, Mr. Waltz said, Now what about my daughter?

He sure didn’t give Ryan time to think between subjects. Ryan paused, but only briefly. I cannot tell you why I so abruptly said that I wanted to marry Amy. I don’t blame you for being leery of me. It was as much of a shock to me as it was to you. However, it is true.

Do you realize that you are asking me to believe that in the four weeks you have known Amy, which you have fallen in love with her? Mr. Waltz had the authority as Amy’s father to question all of Ryan’s intentions.

Mr. Waltz, Sir, Ryan went back in his mind and pictured Amy in Maldives. He wanted to share this image with Mr. Waltz. Amy was so amazing in Maldives. She talked to people even though they didn’t speak the same language. She played with the children and worked with the women. She was gentle, strong, and so loving. We stayed busy, but I couldn’t help myself every time I had a second, I found myself watching Amy. Relationships came so easily to her that I envied her ability to be so open and friendly. The people on the island loved her because they knew she was genuine. Ryan was beaming as he recalled all the times he watched Amy interact with the people. He was embarrassed when he realized that Mr. Waltz was staring at him.

You have raised a young woman with a beautiful heart that loves the Lord. I admire her so much. Ryan stopped. He didn’t want to get any more in depth because he didn’t want to get emotional.

Mr. Waltz tipped up the bottle and drank the rest of his beverage without stopping to take a breath. He sat the bottle down and asked Ryan two important questions What about Amy? What does she say about marrying you?

Well, I guess I have led you to believe that she is aware of my affections for her. Truth is, I don’t know how Amy feels about me. It was hard for Ryan to confess this to Mr. Waltz. Ryan didn’t think of himself as a dreamer. He was more the type to make a plan and work hard to finish what he started. Mr. Waltz, I am not asking to pack up Amy and marry her tomorrow. What I am asking from you is for an opportunity to win your daughter's heart. I need you to know that I have seen her heart of gold and I promise to protect it. For the first time, Ryan's hands began to shake. He was nervous waiting to hear a response from Mr. Waltz.

One more thing, Sir, Ryan added as a last thought, I want to show you that I can be worthy of your daughter's love and your respect. It sounds like your company will be moving out of your garage before long. You have been good to help me and I would like to repay your generosity. If I can ever help you with anything, let me know.

Mr. Waltz tried not to grin. This young man was sincere with his intentions, but he couldn’t let Ryan know that he had gotten to him that easily. I will talk to Amy and pray about our conversation. He got up from the bar stool and walked to the doorway then down the stairs. He left Ryan sitting there not knowing what to do next.

After a few minutes, Mr. Waltz’s voice could be heard echoing up the stairwell. Are you going to sit there all day or help me out?

Ryan smiled and jumped off the stool. Yep, he was needed and willing to work on being wanted.

Chapter Two

How Much Should Be Said?

Thursday was busy. Amy stayed in the house for the most part. She was talking with her mom and sharing in more detail the events in Maldives. Amy explained how to make coir rope and showed her mom the slight discoloration of the scar on her hand. She talked about the children and how beautiful they were. She told how she took up quickly to mat-making and how almost the whole village had bracelets, compliments of the children she had taught to crochet. She rattled on and on until she got to the parts where Ryan was concerned.

Whenever Amy spoke about Ryan, her voice would mellow and slow as though she was reliving every moment. Amy and her mom laughed until they cried when Amy demonstrated the crazy frog-jump way of climbing the palm trees. There was only one event that Amy didn’t share with her mom. Her memory of getting caught in the tropical storm with Ryan was too precious, too personal to share with anyone right now. Amy folded the laundry as she remembered how Ryan had run to the dock to get one of the small fishing boats to protect them from the pounding rain. Their talk and time together under that boat was a memory Amy would treasure for the rest of her life.