Date: Fri, 1 May 2015 02:05:12 +0000 (UTC)
From: Tom Sims <tomsims563@yahoo.com>
Subject: Headed West  chapter 6

The characters and events in this story are fictional and any resemblance
to real people is purely co-incidental. The following story may contain
sexual or reference to sexual situations. If this is illegal in your area,
you are underage or you find it objectionable, do not read any farther and
exit now.

tomsims563@yahoo.com

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Headed West

Chapter 6

We were all up early and ready for church . Buggies started going past our
place headed for church. We had our wagon hitched and ready to go. When we
arrived at the church, we were amazed at the number of wagons and buggies
in the church yard.


We went inside and found a seat. Soon the minister took his position behind
the pulpit. "I am sorry to announce that Sally Young won't be with us
today. She and her husband had to leave and will be gone several weeks. Her
mother is severely ill. I would ask that you remember this family in your
prayers. We will just have to get along with out the organ to accompany
us."

Betty rose and asked if she could play the organ. The minister was very
pleased and agreed at once.

"I haven't planned any songs for the service. So I will leave it up to you
to select any songs you choose," said Reverend Smith.

"Why don't we just let those in attendance choose. Before we get started, I
would like to ask Jimmy, Jeff and Gerald to come forward and lead us. Boys,
would you like to sing your favorite hymn before we ask for favorite
hymns.""Yes, Mother! We were waiting for you to ask!" exclaimed Jimmy.

Betty played the introduction to `Amazing Grace'. The boys came in on cue
and started singing. The audience came to their feet. The boys finished the
first verse and Betty stopped playing and asked the audience to join on the
second verse. I think the rafters started shaking and rattling.

Betty asked for requests and got a good response. She took them in the
order that the songs well called out. Finally, Betty announce that she
would call a halt to the singing and let Rev. Smith take over.

"Thank you for coming forward and leading us in the singing. I hope that
you'll continue to do so until our regular player gets back."

"I am willing to play. Boys will you lead the singing?"

"Yes."

Everyone stood and started clapping.

Mary Ann and I were informed that , the social would be held at our place
because we had the biggest barn. There would be a hoe-down and barn dance
after the social.

On the way home, we talked about how we had been completely accepted by the
whole community and how lucky we were to have chosen this place to
settle. This area had everything anyone would want-a school, a church, a
doctor, and a little town and all the friendly people. There was a lot of
wild land nearby which was loaded with all types of wild game. There was a
small river running through the community which had some of the best
fishing in the whole northwest. On top of this, the land was very fertile
and we could actually live off the land.

"Charley, We must talk with God and thank him for all he has done for
us. He brought us together. He gave us 5 beautiful children. He guided us
to this wonderful land filled with all the good neighbors that one would
ever want. The land is very fertile and filled with wild game. What more
could we ask for?"

"Mary Ann, I agree completely. We'll hold a day of Thanksgiving and invite
all our friends and neighbors back for another shindig!

Is this the end or really the beginning?