JoJo 17.9: Summer of 1976 Conclusion

"What's for supper, Dear?" Dan yelled as he and JoJo came in the house.
It was 6:10 and Alice and Remi had been back home for about 20 minutes. Alice was fixing something that smelled good!
Before she could answer Dan, JoJo let out an, "OW!"
Alice immediately turn her attention to her 'Baby.'
"Are you OK, Jo?"
"Ha! Yea, Mom. Dad's knuckleball was moving today! I took a hit to the foot. No biggie."
After Alice chided Dan for laughing, she said, "Dan, we are having spaghetti, and you are on restriction for hitting JoJo."
"Aw, Honey! The boy needs to learn how to catch better."
Alice laughed. "JoJo, should we allow your father to eat supper with us?"
"Sure Mom. Let's wait for him to really mess up to get on Food Rations!"
"Enough about that you two. Alice, how were the girls?"
"Samantha and Jane are dog-tired. But, Trudy is feeling much better."
"Praise the Lord!!!"
"You can say that again!" Alice made the mistake of giving her smarty pants husband an opening.
"Praise the Lord!!!"
"Dan! You can not say 'Praise the Lord' too many times!"

JoJo went to bed about midnight. As usual he got up at noon. Did chores Dan left him. Watched TV. And, played baseball at the SRD. This was the first year JoJo had ever made an All-Star team. He was really a good hitter, but he stunk in right field. JoJo had always played infield, and somehow judging the distance of a fly ball was not his best asset. The team stunk! They managed to win a few games, but the season ended faster than the team would have liked.

Meanwhile, Samantha's family was doing great! Thanks to Alice and her Bible Study Group, there was food brought each week while Trudy healed up. Jane was beside herself!
"Alice, I am thankful--first, to God. And, then to you, your family, and your church group! Would you mind if I started going to your church?"
Jane exclaimed, "Noooo! I don't mind. I will come pick you up this Sunday at 9:30."
However, Trudy--while thankful for all Alice and the church ladies had done--wanted no part of church. Alice told Jane that some people take a little longer to come to God, and they would be praying for her.

Remi went to every camp imaginable! Canoe Camp, Softball Camp, 2 different Church Camps, and Scout Camp.

Dan had learned a valuable lesson about spending time with the family. He attended the children's games and performances. Dan also spent more time at home. He stilled played golf, but not at the expense of his family.

It seemed sudden, but it was Friday, September 3rd. It was the first day of school.
JoJo said, "I really don't know why we go to school for ONE day, then get a holiday the following Monday!"
Whether JoJo liked it or not---and he didn't, he and the other students found themselves back in school. My oh my how a year can change things. JoJo walked through the doors on 9-3-76 of Smallville High School as a Sophomore with a girlfriend. He and Tommy had already decided they were going to give the Freshman the 'Business.' After all, it was SHS tradition!

JoJo 17.8; Summer of 1976; Part Eight; A Father and Son Game of Catch

At 5:00, Dan wheeled in the driveway. Alice had taken supper to Samantha and her family, and had not made it back home. JoJo did not even wait for his Daddy to come in the house. He ran out with the gloves and ball for a game of catch.
Dan said, "Can I change my clothes?"
"No Sir! I am ready to roll!"
Dan laughed and responded, "At least let me take off my tie!"
"Fair enough."
This is where the two Smith men communicated...Throwing the baseball.

"JoJo, we're off the record. No running involved. Can you recite Proverbs 21:24 to me right now."
"Off the record---even if there was running involved, here goes: Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance."
"That's my boy!"
"Dad, the words that are about to come out of my mouth are no indication of further issues that may occur in life. Agreed?"
"Agreed..."
"I am glad you gave the punishment. I was a real jerk. I didn't get it until I memorized the verse and God dealt with my heart."
The two continued to throw and think. For about 90 seconds, neither of the guys spoke.
Finally...."Son, would you elaborate?"
"Yessir, the words seemed to go into my heart. I felt bad about the way I treated Runt and Sydney. So, I called them and apologized."
"Well that took some humility."
"Yessir."
"I am so proud of you, JoJo. This is a major step in becoming a man."
"Honestly, I am happy to be here, throwing the baseball with my dad."
"Thanks Son! Am I missing something?"
"Dad, after listening to Samantha tell me about her mom's story. Plus, after watching some of my friends whose Dads are not around, has made me realize that I am blessed."
Dan kept throwing. He knew if he talked that he would cry---right in front of JoJo. And, that had NEVER happened. After a while, Dan got it together.
"JoJo, the words you just spoke, made everything about our relationship--good and bad---worth it."
"Thanks, Dad."
"Let's don't get too mushy. See if you can catch my knuckle ball."
"I'll try."
JoJo had no chance! Dan's knuckle ball was mean. It dropped as it reached JoJo. His stab of an effort to catch it was pathetic, and the ball hit him in the foot.

JoJo 17.7; Summer of 1976; Part Seven; Round Two of Fun

"O..o..OK, Mom." JoJo was out of breath. "I finished the three miles."
"Not bad, JoJo. You did it in 42 minutes. Your father's instructions are as follows:
1. Take a shower
2. Eat something
3. Call him.
PS Do this within 30 minutes."
"Really? Are you going to help me with lunch, Ma?"
"Yes, Silly! I will have a BLT sandwich, fries, and banana pudding. Now, go clean up."
"What time is it?"
"12:14"

After JoJo showered and ate lunch, the time was 12:39.
"Dad, I am ready for Round Two to begin."
"Let's see. It is 12:40. I will call you back in one hour...GO."

JoJo read the verse (Proverbs 21:24) three times. Then, he tried to say it aloud.
"Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with...."
JoJo read the verse 3 more times.
"Mockers are proud and haughty: they act with boundless arrogance."
JoJo said it again.
"Mockers are proud and arrogant; they act with boundless arrogance."
Unexpectedly, JoJo felt conviction about the way he treated Runt. The words had worn into his soul. I am a chump.
JoJo decided to call Randy.
"Hello"
"Hey, Randy. It's JoJo."
"Hey JoJo."
Wow! I thought he would give me the business for the way I treated him. JoJo thought.
"Uhh, Randy...I want to apologize for the way I treated you last night at the Rec. Department."
"Oh, that's Ok. People treat me like that ALL the time!"
"Really?"
"Sure. I am used to it."
"Randy, I will never treat you like that again!"
"Oh gee wiz, JoJo. That's super!"
"Cool. I'll be seeing you, Randy."
"Yea, see ya."

"Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance."
JoJo knew there was one other person he needed to call.
"May I speak with Sydney?"
"Hold on."
"Hello."
"Hey Coach. This is JoJo."
"Well, my batting taunter."
"I know Sydney. I am really sorry. It was rotten the way I acted."
"No Problem. Hey, what made you decide to call me?"
"I don't want you to get the wrong idea. No-one made me call you--or even knows I called you. But, my Dad found out about it."
"Ha! What is your punishment?"
"My Dad calls it 'FUN' which makes it worse. He is making me memorize a Bible verse. For every word I got wrong in the first hour, I had to run a mile."
"And, how many miles did you run."
"Three."
Sydney laughed so hard that he had to put the phone down.
"Woo hoo. Sorry, JoJo."
"Naw man, I deserve it."
"What verse did you have to memorize?"
"Proverbs 21:24; Mockers are proud and arrogant; they act with boundless arrogance."
"Go Mr. Smith. Sounds like you learned a lesson."
"Huh. I really wasn't even thinking about learning something from this. I just wanted to get right with everybody. But, you are right. I learned a lot!"
"It's none of my business, but did you call Runt--I mean Ray?"
"I sure did."
"Good JoJo. I am proud of you!"
"Thanks Coach. Is it OK for me to come to the next game? Am I on Suspension or anything?"
"Let me think about it." 3 SECOND PAUSE "You can come back."
"Cool. See ya next Tuesday."

At 12:40, the phone rang.
JoJo didn't say Hello. Instead, he said, "Proverbs 21:24; Mockers are proud and haughty: they act with boundless arrogance."
"That's my boy! Round Two of Fun is over. See ya at 5. Have the ball and gloves ready...."

JoJo 17.6; Summer of 1976; Part Six; Salvation for One and Spiritual Exercise for Another

At 10:38, JoJo's phone rang. He was trying so hard to remember each word of Proverbs 21:24.
I really don't need ANY Interruptions! JoJo thought.
After 4 rings, JoJo picked up the phone...
"Hello."
It was Samantha. "JoJo, you don't sound very good."
"Oh, hey Samantha. I'm fine." He was not going to add to her emotional burden this morning.
"I have some wonderful news! Oh, wait...Have you talked to your mother since last night?"
"No, I haven't talked to Mom. What's going on?"
"Momma got saved last night!!"
"Wow! Praise God!!! Tell me what happened!"
"We went in to the chapel to pray, right?"
"OK."
"Your momma asked my momma about her previous church experience, and it was bad! I didn't know about all this stuff."
"I'm sorry, Samantha."
"Well, it was bad, but God used it for good---kinda liked Joseph told his brothers when they were scared he was going to kill them."
"Oh, yea. What good happened?"
"Momma had things all mixed up about church, and I don't blame her the way she was treated because she was poor. It really helped me understand her and Aunt Trudy. Momma said that is when she started drinking a lot. If you can believe it, they even took me to the bar when I was 2 years-old!"
"Dang!"
"I know. Momma started crying. Then, all of the sudden, I felt God's power well up inside me. I told her Jesus was with us."
"Did she believe you?"
"She asked me how I knew. I told her---For the Bible tells me so!"
"What did she say?"
"Momma said, 'What must I do to be saved?' I had just been reading in Acts, and those were the exact words of the dude holding Paul and Silas in the jail."
"Wow! Did you look it up and read it to her?"
"No! God gave me the words! It was almost like he was flowing through me."
"Did your Mom listen?"
"To every word! When I got through, Mom told me she wanted Jesus to come into her heart."
"What did you say?"
"I asked her, 'Do you believe He is the Son of God? That He died on a cross for your sins, and was raised on the third day?'"
"Well..."
"Momma said, 'I do!' Your momma and me were praising the Lord! Then, my momma fell on her knees. She must have thanked Jesus 44 times! It was so cool! I am so happy, and tired!"
"Samantha, I am so happy for your momma and you! Listen, Dan's got me doing some stuff, can I call you back?"
"Well, Momma and me are taking shifts watching Aunt Trudy---oh, we're home now! Then, I'll crash. Would it be OK if I call you tomorrow?"
"Oh sure! Dan's got me running around anyways. I'll talk to you then."

After JoJo hung up the phone, he looked at the clock, it was 10:58! He had 19 minutes before Dan would call from work to hear his progress!
It's only 10 words! You can do this, JoJo!
Let's see: Mockers are proud and...
JoJo read the scripture again.
Mockers are proud and haughty. Yes! Half way there!
JoJo looked at the clock. 11:13! OH NO!!!!!!!
Mockers are proud and haughty; they act
JoJo was about to read the verse again, and the phone rang. He knew he had to pick it up: It was 11:17
Dan sounded cheerful, "How's the memory work going, Pal?"
"Uhh. Pretty Good."
About that time Alice came to JoJo's door.
Dan explained, "It's not that I don't trust you, but to make things fair, Alice will watch you say your verse from memory."
"Yessir."
Alice said, "I am ready when you are, JoJo."
"YesMam. Proverbs 21:24 Mockers are proud and haughty, they act......um um"
Dan had explained the details to Alice before he went to work.
"Got 7 right, JoJo. Do you know how many total words there are?"
"Yessir 10."
"10 minus 7 would be?"
"3 miles."
"You are correct, That ends Round One of Fun. Mom will watch you run the mile track by the pond."
"Alice, after 3 times, call me. We'll have Round 2 of Fun."

JoJo 17.5; Summer 1976; Part Five; Run for Fun

Meanwhile, back at the hospital...

Samantha, her mother, Jane, and Alice were in the Chapel praising God!!! Samantha pictured it to be much like Paul and Silas' singing and praising the Lord in the jail that night! She could feel the very presence of God! There were angels rejoicing over her mother being saved! The three must have stayed in the chapel for another 45 minutes. They prayed, cried, and finally Samantha led them in a song. It was the only "church song" her mother knew.
He's got the whole world in his hands...

Samantha and her momma spent the night at the hospital. Jane went home. It was about 11:00 when she arrived, and not a creature was stirring, not even a......
Jane found Dan in almost a comma-state of sleep. That was his nature once he dozed off. So, she snuggled in with Dan. As soon as she closed her eyes, she was asleep.

The next morning, JoJo was rousted out of bed at 10:00 AM!
"Hey, what's the big idea?! Oh, sorry Dad."
"Son, get up," Dan succinctly communicated.
"Yessir." JoJo was used to sleeping until 12:00...but NOT today.
"Anything you want to tell me about last night?"
JoJo's head was hearing words, but it was too early to make sense. His dad helped him.
"Uhhh. Son, did anything happen at the Rec. Department."
Now JoJo was waking up. "Oh, sure Dad! I had 3 singles, a walk, stole 10 bases, and scored 4 runs!"
"Congratulations. Did you get along OK with everyone?"
"Uh, no sir."
"Go on, Son."
"The stinkin Dodgers were poor sports! They didn't appreciate the fact we beat them 22-0! We demolished them."
"Oh, so I suppose you were a good sport."
JoJo thought about it. "I don't know about 'good sport' but I kicked butt!"
"JoJo, that's a pathetic attitude!"
"What do you mean Dad?"
"My favorite coach was named Ralph Parsons. Coach Parsons taught us to be Humble Winners and Gracious Losers. You sound like a sore winner."
"Really Dad?"
"YES SON! But, let's move on.... I got three phone calls this morning. The last one was from Tom Jones, the Smallville Recreation Leader."
"Really? What did they want?"
"They wanted to know why my son--that would be YOU---acted like a jerk last night at the ball yard."
"Me?"
"You"
"What did I do?"
"Let me see....JOJO SMITH, YOU'RE OUTTA THE BALLPARK!"
"Oh that?" Looks like Squid squealed on me.
"Son, what were you thinking?"
"Dad, I was just having fun."
"Would you like to have some more fun, Son?"
"I don't think so."
"JoJo, get up, get dressed, and be in the backyard in 5 minutes."
"YESSIR!" Oh man....I never heard Dan talk that calm when he was mad! This is bad! bad!

Dan told JoJo about the 'Fun.' "Son, you will learn a Bible verse today."
"What verse Big Dan?"
"Proverbs 21:24."
"Sounds good."
"Here's the Bible, JoJo. Look it up."
"Uh..got it. 'Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance.'"
"Now, last night, you were that Mocker! You acted with boundless arrogance. You were just plain-out mean and told people 'I was just funning.' Today, I am going to allow you to do some more funning."
How...How does Dan find out..it's the next morning. For crying out loud.
"How long do I have to learn the verse?"
"It's up to you..."
"Cool."
"Here's how the fun works....Each hour you will have an opportunity to recite the verse to me. For each word you get wrong, you will run a mile. When you have it just right, we'll quit. Sound like fun?"
"No Sir!"
"You hurt the Smith name last night. I am going to help you learn how 'I was just joking' can hurt."
"But, Dad. I said funning."
"You want to make that 2 miles?"
"No sir."
"Good. It is 10:17. At 11:17, we will have our first FUN. GOOOO!!"

JoJo 17.4; Summer 1976; Part Four: You're Outta the Ball Park!

Meanwhile, Dan had to juggle the 2 kids, so he called Fire and asked if JoJo could ride to the Ball Park with them. Of course, Fire was glad to help. Even though JoJo's game was at 5:00 and Tommy's was at 6:30, the boys always went to both games. They loved to hang out at the Smallville Rec. Department.

Dan explained to Remi, "Honey, we need to go home and feed you supper."
"OK Daddy."
Dan smiled, and thanked God for his two kids.

The Wildfires pulled up at the Smiths at 4:30. Fire honked the horn, and JoJo ran out of the house. However, half way to the car, he did a 360 and headed back to the house for his all-important glove that he forgot.
When JoJo got to the car, Tommy said, "You got everything, Bro?"
"I do now! I bout forgot the ole Trusty Rawlings!"
As Fire began to drive away, he said, "JoJo, I'm sorry to hear about Samantha's aunt. How's she doing?"
"Thanks, Mr. Wildfire. She is doing remarkably better. Mom's Prayer Team prayed for her, and I believe it worked!"
"Praise the Lord!!!" Fire said. A few years ago, he would have never uttered those 3 words.
Tommy changed the conversation. "How you think you'll play today, JoJo?"
"Well, I don't mean to brag, but I would be scared if I were the Dodgers!"
Tommy laughed. "Ha! You got that right."
JoJo turned the tables, "So how you going to do today, Tommy boy?" (In his best Rocky voice)
"I feel a double and a triple coming on!"
"I hear ya!" The boys gave each other a high-five. It was a new thing. In the past, everyone just gave a regular five, slid skin, or a handshake.
Tommy said, "I see your wearing your red sanitary hose that you got at the Champs House!"
The Champs House was the cool sports shop that the boys frequented at least twice a week.
"I like your gold ones, my friend!" JoJo returned the compliment.
(In 1976, baseball players wore sanitary socks underneath their stirrups. Since the beginning of time, everyone had worn white sanitary hose, but not the guys in Smallville. Well, at least the "cool ones."

As they entered the SRD Complex, there were a few players form the Dodgers (JoJo's opponent) and the Expos (JoJo's team), plus SRD Coaches Jones and Daniels. Fire told the boys he would be back around 8:00 to pick them up.
As Tommy and JoJo walked up, JoJo started cutting the fool--right off the bat.
"Well, if ain't ole Ty Cobb,"--referring to Thomas Randolph.
"Hey, Pumpkin Head!" Thomas fired back.
This would be a foreshadowing of the mood for the evening.
The guys loved teasing each other as much as playing baseball, and that was a lot!

When JoJo's game started, Tommy would hang around the park. There were other kids to talk to, plus he had to get his arm warmed up just right! During Tommy's game, JoJo would hang out at the ball park as well.
"Play ball!" Umpire Sydney Truffant said. Sydney was also a coach for the SRD. There were no "volunteer coaches" in those days. The SRD Staff did everything: coach, keep the book, and umpire. It just happened to be Sydney's turn to umpire for that night.
The Expos got the Dodgers out easily---3 Up and 3 Down in the top of the first inning.
JoJo was the lead-off hitter for the Expos. He would love to have been a home-run hitter, but he was a singles-doubles hitter. Sure enough, the first pitch JoJo saw, he slapped it into left field for a single. Right away, JoJo began talking smack.
He told the first-baseman, Joel Langston, "Rag-Arm better bring more than that if he wants to get me out!"
Joel succinctly said, "Shut Up, JoJo!"

Pony League rules were quite different from Little League rules. First, the field was bigger. Next, you could lead off base as the pitcher came set for his delivery to the plate. All of this led to players stealing bases much more easily than in Little League. JoJo was one of the best base-stealers in the League. Sure enough, on the first pitch he was gone. The next pitch, he stole third. After a foul ball, JoJo stole home on the fourth pitch.
As soon as JoJo touched the plate, he looked at the catcher, "Sad" Mellow and said, "That was easy!"
Sad didn't say a word.

The game was dominated by the Expos. JoJo ended up with 3 singles and a walk in his 4 unofficial at bats. He also had 10 steals and scored 4 runs. The final score: Expos 22; Dodgers 0.
JoJo was not a good sport! He told Tom Champion, the Dodgers third baseman, "You guys stink!"
Tom fired back, "If that umpire could see, we would have beat y'all!"
Jose Lopez told JoJo, "You got a BIG mouth."
JoJo responded, "Guys, I am just funning."
The Dodgers walked off in a huff.

The crowd for Tommy's game was sparse. JoJo played in the park for a little while. He threw the ball with his teammate, Eric Dixon, until Mrs. Dixon came to pick up Eric. After that, JoJo got bored, so he walked over to the game. He stood at the fence, and began ragging players. At first he was talking quietly.
"What a swing! Too bad you missed!"
"Striiiiike 3!!"
Then, JoJo decided it would be more fun if he allowed the batters to hear his commentary.
Kevin Sams came to bat. He was not the best hitter in the league, but he always tried.
JoJo didn't care if he was trying or not. He began, "Hey, hey batter---SWING!"
Which is exactly what Kevin did, followed by a look towards JoJo.
"You looking at me? Is he looking at me?" JoJo, as usual, used his Rocky voice.
After Kevin struck out, Sydney, the home-plate umpire told JoJo to cut it out, without looking in JoJo's direction. That curtailed JoJo for the rest of the inning. However, in the bottom of the third, Tommy came up to bat.
JoJo in a cat-call voice, "Tommy Boy..."
He did this after every pitch, until Tommy got a hit.
Once again, Sydney told JoJo, "I told you to cut it out, Smith!" This time he looked right at JoJo.
Something about being called "Smith" didn't sit right with JoJo.
He thought to himself, What is Syd, the Squid going to do to me anyway!
JoJo turned up the heat. The next batter was a small boy named, Randy Rewis. The boys just called him Runt. Since Runt was only about 4'2" tall, his pants were almost at his ankles. However, to match his uniform, Runt had blue sanitary hose on. Now, only a small part of the sock could be seen, which opened the door for JoJo.
In a loud voice, JoJo said, "HA, look at those socks! Oh wait--I can't see them. HaHaHa!"
JoJo was so pleased with himself. It was a euphoric moment!
Until....Sydney had a belly full of JoJo's nonsense! He took off his mask, and shouted, "JOJO SMITH, YOU'RE OUTTA THE BALL PARK!!!!!!!!!"
It was as if time stood still. All the fellers were laughing at him. Sydney's face looked like a cherry--kinda frightened JoJo. It was almost like a dream, but JoJo started walking away from the field. Honestly, he wanted to go somewhere--he was totally embarrassed. He never heard of anyone getting "thrown outta the ball park." Sure, "thrown out of a game." Where would he go. He knew Fire would not be there until 8:00. That was 45 minutes away, so JoJo found a dark place in the Parking Lot and just walked around. He didn't understand how one of the classic, most-fun times of his life evaporated because of 6 words!

When JoJo woke up the next morning, he didn't remember much of the night after getting "kicked outta the Ball Park!" He just knew he was still embarrassed!!

JoJo 17.3; Summer 1976; Part Three; What must I do to be saved?

Meanwhile at Aunt Karen's...
"Remi, are you hungry?"
"Remi ALWAYS hungry!"
"HaHa! How bout some Mac n Cheese?"
"Ummm"
Thankfully, Karen was taking care of Remi.

Things at the hospital could have been better, but they could have been worse.
Alice and the girls were back from lunch, and Dan & JoJo were in the ICU Waiting Room.
Samantha said, "I hope y'all haven't been here the entire time!"
JoJo took the lead, "No, Dad and I spent some time in the chapel."
Jane, Samantha's mother responded, "Honestly, my sister Trudy and I have not been to church in a long time. We have not prayed in a long time. Our daddy took us to the river every Sunday when we were growing up. Heck, I didn't know anything about church...until Samantha was born. I talked to Trudy about going to the church down the road, The First Self-Righteous Church. She said that would be a good idea. They could help us raise Samantha--the correct way. So, when Samantha was about 2, we walked down to the church. But...."
Alice jumped in, "What Jane?"
With a mist in her eyes, Jane uttered, "They laughed at us. Our clothes were older than theirs. Shoot, we looked bad. But, I never knew you needed to look good to go to church!"
Alice again, took the lead, "That is awful! Jane, it matters what is on the inside of a person, not what is on the outside."
Jane said, "That's what I thought, but..."
Alice pushed things (maybe a little too far), "Did you stay for the service?"
Jane shed a tear. "No, we left after a few minutes. We could hear the mean things the people were saying. I started drinking bad after that. Trudy too. We went out every Saturday night. Sometimes, we took Samantha with us. We found a quiet back room at most bars, and left her there."
Jane was now in full Boo Hoo mode, and Alice realized she asked too many questions.
Alice suggested the men go home. JoJo had a baseball game at 5:00, and Karen was probably feeding Remi Mac n Cheese.
After a brief conversation between JoJo and Samantha, the fellers left.
Alice suggested that Samantha, Jane, and she go in the chapel. That is what happened. They were joined by a fourth member...Jesus. Jane poured out her heart. Jane knew Samantha had changed.
"I want what my daughter has, Alice! Is it too late for me?"
"NEVER!" Alice exclaimed.
Samantha stepped in, "Momma, I love you! Jesus does, too! I know He is here with us right now!"
"Oh, Honey....how can you know?"
"Jesus promises in God's Word that He will be where 2 or 3 gather in His name!"
"Oh Samantha! I am so proud of you! What must I do to be saved?"
Samantha told her about the account in Acts 16. "Momma a mean crowd beat 2 men with wood rods."
"What were their names and WHY?!"
"Their names were Paul and Silas. They ruined some men's business by casting a demon out of their fortune teller."
"Oh my. Did the business men beat em?"
"No, they told lies on them to the city officials. Then, this mob formed."
"Like in the movies?"
"Exactly! After they were beaten, they got thrown in jail."
"I've been there a few times."
"True. But, did you ever pray and sing hymns at midnight?"
"Heck no!"
"That is what they did."
"Why??"
"They loved Jesus!"
"Well, don't stop now, honey! Tell me the rest of the story."
"So...Suddenly, there was this BIG earthquake. The jail doors flew open, and the prisoners chains fell off!"
"Ha, I bet they high-tailed it outta there!"
"That's what the jailer thought, too. He knew he would die for letting them escape, so he drew his sword to kill himself."
"That's awful. He didn't cause the earthquake. Heck fire!"
"Before he could kill himself, Paul shouted for him to STOP. The jailer saw the prisoners were all there."
"And, what happened next??"
"The jailer asked what you just asked---WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?"
"Honey, PLEASE tell me." Jane was sobbing.
"Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everybody else in your household."
"Did he believe?"
"Yes mam! The jailer took em home, clean their wounds, and fed em!"
"Did he get saved?"
"Yes mam! He and his whole family believed in the Lord Jesus and were saved! They even got baptized that night."
"Honey, my heart is warm. I want Jesus to come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior!"
"Well, do you believe He is the Son of God? That He died on a cross for your sins, and was raised on the third day?"
"I do!"
"Praise the Lord, Momma! You are saved!"
Alice had been sitting back watching, now shouted, "PRAISE THE LORD!!!"
Jane fell to her knees and kept repeating, "Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, Jesus!"

Samantha couldn't wait to tell JoJo!!

JoJo 17.2; Summer of 1976; Part Two

July 5, 1976

JoJo couldn't believe the phone was ringing at 7:00 AM. It was summer!
JoJo, cracky voice and all, answered, "hello."
"JoJo?"
It was Samantha! Aww Man, I forgot her Aunt was in the hospital.
"Hey Samantha! Are you ok?"
"Yea, I'm fine. But..."
"But What?"
"My aunt is not doing well..."
JoJo knew that Samantha was holding back tears.
"I'm sorry, Samantha. Can I do anything to help?"
"Would you be offended if I talked to your mom?"
My MOM?! JoJo thought. His selfishness quickly went away when he heard a sniff on the other end of the line.
"Sure Samantha."

JoJo went down stairs. Alice was cooking breakfast. JoJo was glad he told his mom about the accident before he went to bed. It's bad to get a shock early in the morning.
"Good morning, mom."
Alice was shocked to see JoJo up before noon in the summer time.
"You OK, JoJo?!!"
"Ha, yes mam. Samantha is on the phone and wants to talk to you."
"Oh my, Sure."

Samantha and Alice didn't talk long.
Alice started calling out orders, "JoJo, please stay here with Remi. I need to go to the hospital. When your Dad gets home, he can take care of Remi and I'll come get you."
JoJo started to question his mother, but stopped himself. "Yes mam."

JoJo ate his breakfast and went back to bed. Remi usually awoke at 10:00, unlike his noon-sleeping self. So, he set his alarm clock for 10.
It seemed like 5 minutes passed when the alarm clocked yelled for JoJo to GET UP! He got Remi up and fed her. JoJo explained, as best he could, the situation. Then, he and Remi played X-Box.

Dan came home for lunch. This was unusual for JoJo's dad! He was usually gone from 6:30 AM until 7:00 PM, however Alice called and filled Dan in on Samantha's aunt.
"Hi, JoJo and Remi."
"Hey my daddy," Remi joyfully blurted prior to giving Dan a big hug.
'Thank you Butter-Cup! Jo, how ya feeling?"
"I don't know. Confused. Helpless."
"Would you feel better if you could see Samantha?"
"YESSIR!"
"Good. Let me wolf down this sandwich. Remi can go to Aunt Karen's and we can go to the hospital."
JoJo didn't know what to say. But, he was grateful.

When the Smith men arrived at the hospital, they each received hugs from Samantha first, then Samantha's mom and Alice.
Samantha appreciatively thanked the Smith men, but her mom fell all over herself with joy.
"I can't tell you how much I love the Smiths! My sister was in bad shape, but after Alice and her Prayer Group prayed, everything changed! The doctors think she can get out of here tomorrow! "
"Wow!" Dan exclaimed. "Praise the Lord!"
Samantha fired back, "Praise the Lord!"
Alice looked ragged. "Dan, I am going to take these ladies to get something to eat. Will you and JoJo hang around."
"That's what we're here for!"

After Alice took Samantha and her mom to Chick-A-Yum Yum, Dan looked at JoJo.
"It's our turn to pray."
"Yessir."
Samantha's aunt was in ICU, so the guys went to the chapel. Dan let the nurses know where they would be.

When they got in the chapel, Dan began, "Oh Lord, our Lord! You are God, and we are not. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of Samantha's family. Praise you for allowing us to be a part of your family. Praise you for the healing that has already taken place, but Father----don't stop there. Heal our dear friend completely! Furthermore, we pray for salvation for Samantha's family. We pray for strength for her. Thank you, Lord that my son reached out to this young girl..."
Dan very quietly began to cry.
From that point forward, the two Smith men continued to silently pray.