A/N- I had such a big fan, I had to update in a week's time. Haven't I earned a cookie? By the way, the poll is still going on my profile. Vote, please!
Disclaimer- I do not own the 39 Clues or "Starry Night" by Chris August.
Amy's POV
I came back happily from the concert. Casting Crowns was my favorite band. I stood alone on that though. My brother's was Newsboys or Third Day and Nellie's was Kutless. Well, it was Kutless most of the time; her choices of music seem to differ day to day.
Anyway, the drive home was pretty quiet. My guess everyone was tired. Natalie rode to my right in the passenger's seat, looking out the window and up into the stars that weren't hidden behind the few dark clouds. She looked like she was in deep thought. Jonah, Ian, and Dan talked for a few minutes. Mostly it was Dan and Jonah talking about the newest video games or about the music tonight. I learned that Jonah liked TobyMac's style of music.
I pulled in our house's long driveway, following Nellie and Uncle Fiske into the large garage. We parked inside the garage and we all got out of the cars and made our way up to the living room to receive further instructions from my Uncle Fiske. As we sat down on the couch sofa, Uncle Fiske stood up.
"Alright, Cahills! I've set up some large tents outside-"
"How did you do that Uncle Fiske?" Dan asked. I was wondering that, too. He wasn't exactly an outdoorsman.
"I-um- hired some help."
"What? And I'm not allowed to get help on my math homework!" Dan exclaimed. I was surprised he hired someone. We were always told to not waste money like that. That's the "Pot calling the kettle black."
"Anyway, two tents were set up in the back of the mansion. I also paid someone to get a campfire started. It's in between the two tents. There's a portable radio outside. Try to keep it from getting wet." Wet? It's the middle of summer, the sprinklers are off, and it's not going to rain. So, why worry. This is very suspicious, but this is my uncle. He would never plan anything, right? "Get your stuff, go upstairs and get into your pajamas and get ready for bed, then go outside. Try to get to bed by midnight, please. We need to get to church by 10:30 tomorrow." I started to speak, but he cut me off, "No, Amy, we will not go to Sunday School."
"Alrighty everyone, we have some bug bands to keep those pesky misquotes off of you. Genius inventions. Bug spray on colorful bracelets. Should have thought of it sooner." By then, most of my cousins were staring at him weirdly. He stopped and saw their stares. "Well then, I'll let you kids do whatever. I'll be in my bedroom going to sleep. Don't bother me."
And with that he left the room. Again everyone stared at him, and then they all stared at me. "Yeah…" I said, "It happens often…"
"You heard the old man, let's go!" Dan said, and then everyone followed Dan and me upstairs.
Still Amy's POV
We all sat around the campfire, laughing, about thirty minutes later. In times like these, it seemed like we were always friends. Never trying to kill each other, or poison each other, or lead one another into a trap… You get the point. The Radio was playing and everyone was laughing at Dan and Natalie; they were fighting. Over what, you might ask? Justin Beiber. Dan hated him. Natalie was his number one fan, so naturally, a fight broke out. It had to be one of the most hilarious things that had ever happened at a Cahill reunion.
I secretly brought out my camera, which I had stuck in my pajama pocket. Yes, my pajamas did have pockets; that's why I loved them so much. That, and they're covered with cute little owls.
Anyway, I brought out the camera and took a quick picture. They were so into the argument that no one noticed. I looked at the picture on the camera's screen. Everyone's faces were covered in the orange glow of the campfire, and I had caught everyone in either mid-laugh or smiling. It was one of the best pictures ever taken.
I smiled. Then I heard the radio turn on a song I knew. I reached behind me and turned it up some. Everyone stopped and turned to listen.
"Starry Night by Chris August?" Ian asked.
"Very good. You're getting to know your music."
"I actually have this one on my iPod."
I turned it up louder so everyone could listen.
From the Birds that Sing, In the Tallest Trees.
To the Human Life, of you and me.
From the Desert Sands, to the place we stand.
He is God of All, He is Everything.
Whoa
I'm giving my life to the only One who makes the moon reflect the sun.
Every starry night, that was His design.
Ian: His design was amazing. And some scientists think this creation comes from an explosion. It had to have had a creator. It screams out that it does.
I'm giving my life to the only Son, who was and is and yet to come
Let the praises ring, 'cause He is everything
'Cause He is everything
Amy: He is everything we need. Although, sometimes for me, it's hard to remember that.
From the autumn leaves, that will ride the breeze
To the Faith it takes, to pray and sing
From the Painted sky, to my plank filled eye
He is God of all, He is everything
Whoa
I'm giving my life to the only One who makes the moon reflect the sun.
Every starry night, that was His design.
I'm giving my life to the only Son, who was and is and yet to come
Let the praises ring, 'cause He is everything.
Dan: When I look up to the stars at night, they remind me of Him. Video games can't come close to this beauty.
Ohhhhhhh (everything)
Hallelujah (Hallelujah)
Hallelujah
I believe
Ohhh
Hallelujah (Hallelujah)
Hallelujah
I believe
I'm giving my life to the only One who makes the moon reflect the sun
On that starry night, He changed my life.
Ian: I do remember that night Amy called me. It got me back to where I need to be. I won't forget that night.
I'm giving it all to the only Son who gave me hope when I had none.
So let the praises ring,
Ohhhh Let the Praises Ring
I'm giving my life to the only One who makes the moon reflect the sun.
Every starry night, that was His design.
I'm giving my life to the only Son, who was and is and yet to come
and the Angels sing, that He is heavenly
So let the Praises ring
'Cause He everything
Natalie: Should I give my life to Him? But I'm too scared to. I don't understand it all. I don't think I ever can. But… Should I?
About fifteen minutes later, we all headed to our sleeping bags into our tent. In the girls' tent, the Holt twins slept on the left, Sinead in the middle, me to her right, and Natalie to my right. The bug screen on the top of the tent allowed us to see up to the few stars (most of the clouds were covering them by now) and the half moon. I stared up into the sky. I prayed silently, "Dear Lord, I pray that You'll touch the hearts of my friends as we go to church tomorrow. Continue to work on Natalie's heart. I pray that they will all know You and Your unconditional love. Amen."
By then, I could hear Madison and Reagan's snoring. Sinead's breathing had slowed, telling me she was also asleep. Only Natalie lay awake. I had been praying for her everyday since Ian got back on track with the Lord.
I wonder what she was thinking.
Natalie's POV
Should I? I know who He is. I know what He's done. I want to. Something in my heart is telling me I should ask Amy. Right here; right now, "How can I accept God's gift and go to heaven if I die?" I don't want to go asleep again without knowing.
I turned to her. "Amy," I whispered. "Amy?"
"Yes, Natalie?" She softly whispered back.
"How-," but then a feeling tugged me back. I shouldn't do this. Not now anyway. I wanted to. I wanted to so bad. My heart was telling me to. But I didn't. "Never mind."
"We can talk about anything. Just let me know."
"No, that's okay. It can wait."
"Okay, Natalie. Good night."
"Good night, Amy."
I turned over and listened to the crickets chirp for a while before falling asleep.