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AcknowledgementsI dedicate this book to my family and those who have been there forme throughout my entire life. All of these people have been therefor me and then some. I thank you. This is a long list of people andI wish I could thank all of them personally. But most of all, I liketothank God, for He has saved me and given me the strength to carry onthis Christian walk. Without Him, I would not be here to write thisbook. God is still a God of miracles.May He richly bless all of you.Sincerely,
Gail N. Gerald 
 Gail N. Gerald
 
Esther Raines was a pious woman of who lived most of her 80 yearsserving the Lord. She was a hard-working woman who also dedicated herlife to the service of others, whether cooking meals for the elderly,reading to the children at the local library, or singing in the churchchoir. Many in the church have always commented that the Heavensopened up whenever she sang. Mrs. Raines, or Mama Raines, as she isknown in the community. But to me, she is Grandma Raines.I'm Alisha Raines Walters. I'm 25 years old and I am currentlystudying Chemistry at George Mason University. My dream has alwaysbeen to be a Forensic Scientist like on "CSI", but I have found outthat life is not as simple as it looks on TV. Crimes aren't solved in60 minutes or as in the case of the Dollhouse Murders, an entireseason. Sometimes, I wish it were with all the long hours in thefield, the homework assignments, the dedication, and all of the tragedythat goes along with it.In those moments, I think of my Grandma Raines with her melodies, herlaughter, and her stories. I remember when my brothers and I werechildren she would tell us stories of Jesus and how He healed the sick,raised the dead, and fed five loaves of bread and some fish tothousands with a lot left over. There were times when I wish Jesuswould do amiracle right then and there. But whenever we would ask a question,Grandma Esther would say, "God is an all-time God. Wait on Him.Don'tgive up. Keep on believing and He will come through."I am one of three children, triplets to be exact. My brothers, Aldenand Allen, were born just after I was. I would make fun of how I wasthe big sister and that I should be just. But it all in fun, justbrother and sister stuff. We were as close as siblings can be. As Iam telling my story, I think about Grandma Raines directing us to theliving room every Christmas.Alden, Allen, and I would gather around Grandma Raines sitting on therug of our hardwood floor as Grandma Raines would open up her Bible toMatthew Chapters 1 and 2. She would tell us of the Birth of My Lordand Savior Jesus Christ. She would tell us of Jesus being born in amanger surrounded by animals because there was no room in the inn. Shewould also tell us of the Magi following the star to see the baby Jesuswrapped in swaddling clothes; they offered him gifts of gold,frankincense, and myrrh. I remember once Allen asked her what does ithave to do with Christmas. She told us that Jesus was born on December25 and those things we should value such as giving, family, and ofbeing humble are lessons that we should learn about all of the storiesabout Jesus Christ. This same Baby is the One who died on the crossfor all of us, and rose on the third day so that we could be in Heavenwith Him.Alden asked how long will we be in Heaven with Jesus. Grandma Esthersaid forever. Then I asked her how long is that. She explained to usthat we should think of a second lasting an hour and the clock slowlychanging hands. But think of it that having to occur all day long, allmonth long, all year long, and that is what forever feels like. Wewere all amazed at how long we could spend eternity with Someone whowould do that for us! I remember telling Grandma I want to spendeternity with Jesus and my brothers said, "Me too, me too." She re-
 
iterated about Jesus' death on the cross and His resurrection and askedus if we truly believed with all our heart and all our might if webelieved that Jesus rose from the dead. Puzzled, all three of usmumbled that we did. Then she told us that if we confess that Jesus isLord AND believed with all our heart that Jesus rose from the dead, aswe have told her, then we will be saved. Alden asked if that was in theBible? She smiled and told us that it was.She thumbed through the Bible and showed us the verses about how onecan be saved. We were amazed at how easy it was. How do we call onJesus, Grandma Raines? She turned to Romans 10 in her huge, brownleather, Bible. She quickly turned to that chapter and directed uscloser so that we could all read. She pointed out the exact verse."Here it is, Romans 10:9-10, "That if you confess with your mouth,"Jesus is Lord", and believe in your in your heart that God raised himfrom the dead, you will be saved." Then verse 10 says, "For it is withyour heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with yourmouth that you confess and are saved." "It is right here in thisbook. That is why folks call it the Good Book. God cannot lie. Godmakes no mistakes. Every word in this book is the truth." We alllooked at each other and nodded our heads.Alden asked Grandma Raines this question, which I wished I could haveasked. But I was so surprised that he even asked. Looking back, I wasso surprised by my reaction. "Why did Jesus die on the cross for us?"Alden was always the talkative one. He was the one who should have hadmy job. At least it would have been easier for me. Grandma Esther, asI sometimes called her, just smiled and flipped back a few pages. Sheturned to Romans 3:23, which said, "All of us have sinned and comeshort of the glory of God.". Allen himself wanted to know what sin wasand what was the glory of God. The look on her face was that wasamazement, cheerfulness, and pride.She called our mom, who was in the kitchen fixing dinner. "Carolyn,turn down the stove and take a little break. I will be there to helpyou. There's something I have to tell you first." Mama asked her,"What's going on, Mama? I am glad you told me to take a break. ICOULD use some help in the kitchen." Mama smiled at us and asked us ifwe were bothering Grandma Raines. "Child, no. I was telling thesechildren all about getting saved and they wanted to know. Isn't thatgood?" Mama's face radiated pure joy at what she was told. "Children,I love you so much. This is the best news I have heard all day. Amen." Allen asked her, "Mama, why are you smiling?". "Ald, do youbelieve?" Then Alden answered, "I do, mama." Then I shouted, "Me too,Mama." Her face became even more radiant. Mama was so pretty whenshe was happy. Mama has short, thick, wavy-curly hair. She was ofaverage height and curvaceous. She had a slender nose, full lips, highcheekbones, and beautiful dark chocolate brown skin. She loved us andwe loved her, too. I was so happy to see her happy after all she hasbeen through. When we were six, our father was killed by a drunk driverwhile on his way home. He died instantly. He was only 30 years old.She paused for a minute and looked at us. She sighed as she watchedour faces, "All of you look just like your father. I miss him somuch." Grandma Esther gave Mama these words of comfort, "We all dosweetheart. He is with Jesus, baby." At the time, they didn't seemlike words of comfort. I just wish that my daddy was home. I remember
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