This is a chapter that deals more with Kitty's faith than anything. If anyone wanted to skip this chapter because of that I understand. you might miss some of the story, later on, but that is up to you.

Kitty woke up with her mind on Matt's letter, she smiled as she thought of the effort and attention he put into each word. She knew he meant every line and every phrase he wrote.

While Kitty played with a few strands of her hair that she twirled around her finger; She tried to think of what to write back to him, but the more she thought about it, the more her mind would draw a blank.

It wasn't long when the door hinges gave a low and slow groan as it opened, followed by the sound of two sets of little feet walking across the floor.

Knowing it was both girls, their mother decided to play possum and let them wake her up for a change.

Bethany and Maddie tip-toed to the foot of the bed. Kitty smiled as she could hear the girls whisper to each other.

"Maddie, you climb up this side of the bed and I'll get up on the other. Then we both wake Mama, okay?" Bethany whispered.

"Oktay," Maddie nodded to her sister's instructions as she climbed onto the bed.

"Mama," Maddie said as she peered over at her mother, who was acting like she was sleeping and laid completely still. "Beth, she's not moving."

Bethany gave her sister a stern look. If it wasn't for waking their mother, Maddie would be in trouble for shortening her name. But she gave her little sister some grace and let it slide, "Well, then say it a little louder."

Maddie let go of her dolly, then crawled closer to her mother. The three-year-old placed both of her chubby little hands on Kitty's cheeks and squished her mother's face, "MAMA!" Maddie said in a louder voice, "Time to wake up! It's Sunday morning."

Kitty laughed as she opened her eyes, "Good morning my darlings." she said kissing each one.

"Mama, you were awake the whole time?!" Bethany and Maddie sighed in unison. Their mother chuckled, as she cupped Maddie's small chin and gave her an Eskimo kiss, "Yes, my sugar plums I was, but I didn't want to spoil the fun. Because it's not every morning you two wake me up." She then leaned over to Bethany and gave her an Eskimo kiss as well. Kitty then sat up a little more.

"Come on, girls. We better get ready for church. Knowing your auntie, she's already got breakfast on the table."

Both girls nodded as they and Kitty walked to their room to get dressed.

"Mama, you're coming to church with us aren't you?"

Kitty smiled at her youngest child, "I haven't missed a Sunday yet since I've been here, have I?"

Maddie shook her head back and forth as her brownish-red curls did the same.

"Besides, it doesn't take me as long to get dressed, like it does the two of you."

Kitty said as she pulled the child's blue dress over her head. Once the dress was on Maddie, Bethany worked on doing up the back buttons while Kitty helped Bethany with hers.

Once Kitty placed ribbons in the girls' hair, she looked at them both.

"There, all finished. Now go on downstairs I'll be down in a few minutes."

She said as she winked to both the girls then patted them on their bottoms to get them moving a little faster.

The girls only giggled as they raced down the hallway to the stairs.

Kitty wasted no time in getting herself dressed. She picked her white lace blouse and a blush pink skirt with ruffles. It had become one of her favorites since the girls helped her pick it out. She put on her rhinestone brooch; Matt had given it to her, for her birthday a few years ago. She loved how it sparkled and shined when the light would catch it. Once she put her hair up, she made her way downstairs.

Twenty minutes later all four ladies made their way to church.

The girls raced on ahead to say hi to their friends.

Kitty and Sarah walked into the building, saying hello to people as they passed by.

"Mrs. Dillon, Mrs. Anderson!"

Abigale Webber said as she walked to where both women were standing.

"Good morning, ladies. It is so nice to see you."

Abigale gave hugs to both women.

"Good morning Abby."

Just then, both girls came up next to their mother,

Abby smiled as she knelt to their level,

"Good morning, girls. my goodness, don't you both look pretty today."

Bethany curtsied, holding her skirt out as Maddie spun around, showing off their new dresses.

"Thank you. Mama helped us pick them out."

Kitty only smiled as the girls enjoyed the newfound attention. Abigale smiled with delight, "I can see that. You both look beautiful. Your mother has wonderful taste in clothes."

The woman took her finger and tapped the girls' noses gently. Both girls smiled as giggles erupted all over again.

It was then the girls saw their Sunday school teacher, "Mama, it's Mis Lucy Travers. Can we please go say hello?" Bethany said as she pulled on her mother's hand while Maddie tugged at her skirt.

Kitty nodded, and the girls quickly walked over to their teacher before anyone else did.

All three women laughed, "Kitty, your girls are some of the sweetest ones I know."

"Thank you, Abby. They take after their..."

Kitty let the last of her words fade, as her smile faded too.

Why did she almost bring Matt into this? She was losing her touch, Kitty sighed with relief as Sarah quickly changed the subject and asked Abigale about the last summer picnic before school started. Before anyone could ask anything more, John Webber came walking through the side door. "Well, if you ladies will excuse me," Abigale smiled as she stood up, both ladies nodded to her. "That's my cue." with that Abigale took her place up at the piano.

Sarah and Kitty took their seats in the back row so the girls could be near their teacher, as they were still talking to Lucy.

Pastor Webber cleared his throat, giving the signal to everyone to find their seats.

And with his gentle voice, he spoke, "Please turn to page 272 in your hymnal, as we sing Just as I Am."

The older man started leading his congregation in a baritone voice as his wife accompanied him on the piano.

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bid's me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Kitty could remember hearing this song as a little girl at church. She could remember her mother humming it when she put her to bed. They would sing it at seminary school and church when she would go.

As the song continued

Kitty's heart quickened its pace as she thought about Matt, his letter, then the girls.

"What is wrong with me?" she wondered.

"Why do I feel nervous? It's just a song."

Just as I am - though toss'd about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
-O Lamb of God, I come!

As she read the words and heard the song together, something hit her. She froze and her mouth went dry. Those words they pierced through to her heart like a dagger,

"But why, it's only a song? Isn't it?!"

Kitty swallowed back the tears that threatened to fall.

She could not hear the rest of the song, for her mind repeated those words,

"Though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt, Fightings and fears within, without."

And she thought of Matt and the girls.

Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

She slowly sat down. The thought of it all was overwhelming.

"How could I? When I have made a mess of things. All I have been running from, the truth, reality, my past."

Her heart cried out.

Just as I am, Thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down;
Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

The song ended as everyone sat down.

Kitty felt like she could hardly breathe, that she was in a hot stuffy room with no fresh air to breathe.

But then a gentle whisper was heard,

"Peace, Be still."

Kitty felt like a window had been opened in a stuffy room. She looked up,

That voice, it was so still, so calming.

She was baffled. That, that voice, she remembered it now. It was the one that woke her from that devilish nightmare from the dog soldiers, as Matt was holding her hand through the night. She could remember it saying, "Wake up."

She could also remember hearing Doc, Festus, and even Sam praying for her to make it through.

Her heart stilled to its normal pace, and she could focus on things again.

As preacher Webber began his sermon, she heard the still small voice speak to her again.

"Come unto me."

Kitty sighed, could she run from God any longer any more than she had already?

"But why me? What would you want with me, after everything I have done?"

"Because I love you."

Kitty sighed letting everything, if this would have been a few months ago, let alone years ago.

She would have thought she was going crazy.

Thank you guys so much for all the sweet and kind comments and reviews.