Hey, guys! I hope your summer went well! I can't believe vacation is almost over. I actually start school on Thursday. I thought I'd update before I start school, and I probably won't update as much as soon as school starts back. Starlinglover requested that I do another chapter with the Starlings, which was a great idea since I've kinda left them out for a bunch of chapters!

Anyway, I do not own the 39 Clues, as always. I also don't own Lifeway's Fast Facts app, which is where I got a lot of the information for this chapter. Thanks for reading!

As school started back, my brothers and I went back to our daily grind, with the addition of church on Sunday and Wednesday. Our parents were first unsure about our decision made while at the Cahill's; but, when they saw the change in our behavior, they let us go. We've asked them to come with us a few times, and they politely declined. I think they just don't really know what Christianity is about. Well, saying that my Ekat parents don't know anything is a straight-up lie. They know about as much about Christianity as you would find in the textbook.

"We're home, mom!" I said as my brothers and I came through the door. I saw my mom sitting on the computer, working on her next article in National Geographic or another magazine of the like.

"Have a good day, guys?"

"Same stuff." Ned replied.

"Any trouble with headaches or eyesight?"

"No, ma'am." They both replied. This conversation happened everyday when I walked in the door. My parents were polite and practical and stick to a schedule. They love us, they're just not very creative about showing it. It's a same thing everyday.

"Hey, mom?" I asked.

"Yes, Sinead?"

I was throwing a curveball to our everyday plans. "Can you take us to church tonight? Or better yet, go with us?"

My mother sighed. "Sinead, church is not for me. I can take you and your brothers because it's your choice, but I don't think it's for me."

I knew I would never get my mother to church by just asking her. I had been praying for a while, but why not try a new tactic? "Why don't you try it once? Just for the full culture value and the experience. You'll learn more about the world."

And I knew I had struck a chord. My mom always wanted to learn everything and anything. My dad was the same way. "I'll tell you what, Sinead, when your father comes home, I'll ask him if we can go as a family."

"Alright. Thanks, mom." I said with a smile. I might as well get cracking on my homework before church.

oooOOOooo

"Hey, dad!" Ned and Ted said as our father stepped through the door.

"Hello, boys." He said as he sat his brief case on the couch. My mom sat the supper on the table as I finished setting it. It was our daily routine, and hardly was ever altered. I knew the clock said about 6:20 pm and my brothers would be wrapping up homework. We all made our way to the kitchen, and sat down in the same seats. The conversation was polite as always, until I spiced it up a bit.

"Dad," I said, putting my fork down, "would you like to go to church with me, Ned, and Ted tonight?"

He seemed quite started at the question, and looked at my mom for approval.

"I said we would go if you wanted to." My mother said nicely. My dad still looked unsure. "It would be good for us to learn a little more about the world and culture. What do you say?"

He was quiet for a few seconds. "Well, we could go once for the experience."

Ned, Ted, and I smiled.

And so, about forty-five minutes later, we were all going to church. I took a few seconds to pray. The pastor planned to give a salvation message tonight, and I prayed that they would understand it.

oooOOOooo

Few Hours Later

"I'm glad you went to church with us tonight, mom." I said. This was one of the few times I had alone with her. We were folding the towels fresh from the drier before we went to bed.

"It was," she hesitated, "quite the experience. I learned a little more." She continued folding the dish towels, and then said quite unexpectedly, "You've been acting… Different lately. Just more polite, respectful, and kind. I want to thank you for that. Whatever changed you, it worked."

"Mom, the Lord changed me." I saw all the towels were folded, but it seemed like the conversation was just getting somewhere. She sat down on a nearby chair.

She shook her head and smiled. "I never thought you would believe something like I went to tonight. You were always so logical like your father and I."

"I think it's logical."

"Really? A man who lived a perfect life, died for others, and rose again three days after he died. That's impossible, sweetie."

"I shook my head. But remember, He was also God."

"But, that doesn't make it logic!"

"Mom, you study history, right? Like, old books, documents, and events?"

"Yes. But what does-"
"Did you know that the Bible was written by over forty men over 1500 years and spoke three different languages, but yet it all fits together? There are no contradictions. The Bible has also been confirmed historically, archaeologically, and geographically accurate?"

"That's great, honey, but that doesn't mean it's all true!"

"Did you know that the Old Testament contains over 300 prophecies about the coming Christ's birth and all were fulfilled by Jesus? Verses in Psalms and Zechariah foretell of Christ's death, long before crucifixion was introduced to Israel. Psalm 16:10 actually foretold of Jesus' resurrection."

"That's great, but-"

"Many Jews, Romans, and early Christians all agreed that Jesus' tomb was empty. More than 500 people saw the risen Jesus before He ascended back into heaven. Many were in large groups."

"But, think logically, sweetie. It's not humanly possible."

"You think logically, too, mom." I made sure my tone stayed calm and respectful through it all. "Do you think, since the Christians were being persecuted for hundreds of years, just one person would have slipped and told where the body of Jesus was, if there was one? All but one of Jesus' disciples died a martyr's death; do you think one could have slipped up and told the truth, if the Christians were lying?"

My mom became quiet. "You would think that someone would have slipped up, yes."

"Think of all the things that still need to be proven. If we all started in one civilization in the fertile crescent, then why do we have thousands of different languages? Why would we create different languages? The Bible explains that. Or how did life start? How is DNA so complex? We need a Creator. You know and have learned of those little things we can't explain. The Bible won't tell us everything, but we do have some answers to the questions."

She nodded. "I see where you are coming from. But what makes this religion so different than others?"

"Well, Christianity isn't just a religion; it's a relationship. We can talk to God and He loves us and guides us and cares for us. Jesus is the only founder of a major world religion who claimed He was God and prophesied His resurrection from the dead and it actually happened. There are many things that make God so different than other gods."

My mom nodded again, a sign saying that she understood me. "Well," she yawned, "I think it's time to go to bed, don't you think? You have school tomorrow and I have an article to turn in."

"Good night, mom." She got up and so did I. "Just think about it, will you?" I asked when she was walking towards the hallway of her bedroom."

"I always think." She replied with a smile.

I went up the stairs to my bedroom, prayed for my mom, and went to bed.