From the journals of Matthew Levi Franklin and his wife,

Sarsaparilla Sue Franklin

Don't ask how I came to possess these journals; let's just say I have them. Before I tell you the tales in these journals, I would like to give some background information on Matthew and Sarsaparilla (called Sassy for short). Matt and Sassy are both Presbyterian ministers. They live and work in Meade, Kansas ~ well, they live just outside of Meade ~ raising chickens, a goat and doing a little truck farming. It's kind of strange having both man and wife being the minister. The townsfolk say sometimes you don't know who's doin' the preachin'! They do it, however, and have led several souls to Jesus. Well, it's in their journals. Matt and Sassy are counselin', baptizin', evangelizin', sermonizin', and takin' names! - - - We first meet the Franklins at their farm just after breakfast....

Part One: ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Missionary Encounter ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pushing back from the breakfast table, Matt said, "Those were mighty fine biscuits, Sassy."

"Well, you could've helped make 'em."

"You mean after I fed the chickens, took care of the goat, and looked after the garden vegetables? Oh, by the way, the watermelon and cantaloupe seedlings are comin' along fine. We're gonna have a great crop this year, Sassy. As for helpin' you with the biscuits, why, Sassy, you know I'd never want to take any of your glory away from you. Heh, heh, heh."

Sassy started to reply when they heard a knock at the door. From his chair, Matt could see through the living room to the front door. Through the screen he saw two men on his porch. "There are two young men out there, Sassy."

"Is it the Hendricks boys? I have some chores for them to do. They wanted to earn a little bit of spending money."

"No, it's two FINE lookin' boys. What do ya suppose they want, Sassy?"

"I don't know, Matt! Go ask 'em in for coffee. I still have a few biscuits left."

Matt got up and went to greet the two strangers at the door.

"Good morning, Sir. We have a wonderful message to share with you about Jesus. May we come in and speak with you?"

Matt smiled, "Sure, come on in. I always enjoy talkin' about Jesus. Come on into the kitchen. We'll talk in there. Sassy's got some coffee and biscuits. Her biscuits are the best in the whole state."

The taller young man smiled and said, "Well, thank you. But could you make that Kool-Aid® or water? We don't drink coffee."

"Sure, no trouble at all." Matt grinned as he walked back into the kitchen. He knows Sassy's gonna blow a gasket when she sees who these guys are.

In the kitchen Sassy was getting ready to bake Matt's birthday cake. She set the bowl of flour on top of the refrigerator to make room for the guests.

Matt led the two visitors into the kitchen, "Sit yourselves down here."

As Sassy turned around, her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open as her eyes focused on the black badges, which were pinned to the front of their dark suits.

"They don't want any coffee, Sassy, but they'd like some Kool-Aid®."

Sassy, stammering a bit, answered, "Well, I think I have some lemonade in the refrigerator." As she opened the refrigerator door, the mixing bowl full of flour came tumbling down on her head. Sassy, looking like a specter from a grade B movie, grimaced as she heard Matt and the two young men snickering faintly.

One of the young men, ignoring the flour that had covered Sassy, said, "Uh ... we're here to give you a wonderful message about Jesus and his ancient visit to this continent."

Sassy's eyes narrowed and she muttered, "Uh-huh," as she dusted the flour out of her hair.

-- more later on the adventures of Matt Franklin and his wife, Sassy.
~ ~ Simon A. West
© December, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Seven

&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& ~Sassy~ &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&

From the journals of Matthew Levi Franklin and his wife, Sarsaparilla Sue Franklin

Part Two: ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Enlightenment ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Matt glanced at his watch while Sassy finished dusting the flour off of herself. "Hey, Sassy, I've gotta get goin' right now, so I'm gonna hafta leave ya alone with these young men. I'll be back later."

The two young men looked puzzled as Matt got up and left. Sassy explained, "Oh, there's a funeral at a nearby Baptist church and their minister's asked Matt to give a talk." The missionaries nodded, understanding.

Sassy took down some glasses and poured lemonade for all three of them. "Fellas, there's somethin' I think you ought to know before you tell me your message. We're Presbyterians. My husband, Matt, and I are both ordained ministers in the Presbyterian Church. We are called of God to preach the Good News of the risen Lord, Jesus Christ. I know somethin' about your church; I know somethin' about the Mormon teachings, and I don't think you're gonna be able to convince me that what you're sayin' is enlightenment."

As Sassy was taking a long drink of her lemonade, the shorter missionary who said his name was Elder Harris replied, "Oh, well, that's great, Sister Franklin. We have about seven lessons we'd like to give, and I guarantee you, Sister Franklin, that at the end of those seven talks, you'll be wanting to tell your congregation the whole truth." A fit of coughing came upon Sassy as she choked on the lemonade. The senior missionary, Elder Gardner, looked with disbelief at his companion as he made these bold promises.

Sassy's response was quick, and angry it was! "You look here. I know what the truth is! The truth -- and the light -- is Jesus Christ, thee Son of the living God."

Elder Harris exclaimed, "Yes, that's exactly what we're trying to teach you!"

It is almost impossible to imagine and hard to describe someone getting red faced with anger and getting pale at the same time, but that's what happened to Sassy. Her body tensed and for a split second, she looked like a frozen piece of granite jutting out of the landscape. The fire in Sassy's eyes flamed, but slowly cooled as it thawed her frozen body. - - Sassy managed a smile and said, "Look guys, you come and teach me your seven lessons, and I'll teach you what I believe, and hopefully you and I will come to an understanding!"

Elder Harris responded, "Oh, we will, Sister Franklin, I already have your baptism planned."

There was an almost imperceptible twitch to Sassy's left eye. "Look, fellas, right now I hafta get myself cleaned up because I'm conducting a wedding service at my church today, and I only have an hour and a half to get ready for it. So you make an appointment to come back next week, and we'll start your lessons."

Elder Gardner, thinking he needed to take control of this situation, smiled and responded, "That's great. How about Tuesday afternoon, say, 2:00?"

Sassy thought a minute and answered, "Great. Matt will be here and you can talk to both of us."

Elder Harris asked, "Could we close this meeting with a word of prayer?"

Sassy, still angry, and not wanting to pray under Mormon guidelines, said "I think this time maybe we'd better not. Let's wait until after the first lesson. Give me time to take everything in."

"No problem at all. We'll see you next Tuesday, then, at 2:00," Elder Gardner responded cheerfully. - - -

On their way to the car, Elder Gardner commented, "Boy, she's a tough one."

Elder Harris replied, "Yeah, maybe, but I'm still going to get her baptized."

"You really are new, aren't you, Elder Harris."

"Yeah, I might be new, but not only are we going to convert and baptize her, but she's going to help us convince their whole congregation to be baptized and they're going to go out and get others, and they in turn will baptize others..."

"Oh great, the Holy Scriptures according to Amway®."

Elder Harris said, "Joke all you want, Elder, but I know what's going to happen."

As Elder Gardner laughed lightly, there was a puzzled look on his face, as a scripture seemed to come from nowhere into his mind. -- 'Pride goeth before the fall.'

-- more later on the adventures of Matt Franklin and his wife, Sassy.
~ ~ Simon West
© 1 January, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Eight

&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& ~Sassy~ &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&

From the journals of Matthew Levi Franklin and his wife, Sarsaparilla Sue Franklin

Part Three: ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The Funeral ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As Matt was driving over to the Baptist Church for the funeral, he wondered how Sassy was faring with the Mormon missionaries. Chuckling a little bit, he almost wished he could be there -- for he knows his Sassy!

Matt's thoughts changed to Edna Clayton. He had known her for many years. As people will do, he remembered a lot of the pleasant interactions he had had with Edna. He had never met anyone more spiritual, or more "Christian" than Edna was.

Praying out loud, he said, "Heavenly Father, people need comforting today, and they have asked me to speak to them about Edna. Edna doesn't need comforting because she is with You now. I ask You to give me the right words to comfort Edna's friends and relatives, and if possible, to somehow turn their sadness into joy. Amen."

Matt pulled up to the Baptist church and noticed that most of the people had already arrived for the service. While getting out of his truck he spotted Pastor VanVleet and waved. Pastor VanVleet saw Matt and went over to greet him. "Reverend Franklin, I'm glad you could make it. We're just about ready to begin. I see Sassy's not with you; she must be getting ready for that wedding service you already had scheduled."

Matt smiled, "Yeah, she just has one little problem and then she's gonna head over to the church for the wedding."

Pastor VanVleet and Matt went into the church. As the service started, Matt, sat quietly observing all the people in attendance. He looked at the older woman whose sister was being buried today, and understood this woman's grief and tears. Twenty years ago Edna's husband had died, and Edna had moved in with her widowed sister, Beatrice. For the past twenty years everyone has been used to seeing these two women together -- at the county fair, church socials, and almost anything that the community wanted to put together for celebrating various occasions. Now Beatrice was alone again....

Pastor VanVleet finished his talk and introduced Matt. Reverend Franklin stood at the pulpit and looked over this gathering of Edna Clayton's friends and relatives. "I have known Edna Clayton for many years. She has always been a strong and diligent Baptist. I never could get her even once to come over to my service." Matt smiled to himself as he remembered the times he and Edna debated the differences between denominations. "But, you know, there is one thing that all of us Christians have in common, and that is Jesus Christ. He is our Lord and Savior and it is Him to whom we must look for our salvation. Edna has already found that salvation and she is with Him as we speak.

"I will dearly miss Edna Clayton. I will miss her sense of humor. I loved seeing the joy in her face. She loved life so much. I will not say that she has gone into death. She has gone on to even more life and a greater life than we have here, for she has gone to live and dwell with God forever. While her body is here, her spirit -- young and alive -- has already run like the wind into Jesus' waiting arms, and He has taken her home. We will see Edna again, when it is our turn to go home. We cannot rush that time and we cannot delay that time, for God calls us when he will -- in His own time and in His own way. Even if we do not understand it, His wishes are always best, for He knows so much more than we do. - - - So I will say this, my dear Edna, I am so very glad you are home, but I will miss you dearly. I hear your laughter as it echoes in my memory, but I am sure your laughter is even more pleasant sounding than it ever was here on this earth. I am happy for you, Edna. I am happy that your body no longer aches, that your spirit is free, and that you are home with your Father, your God. Thank you, Edna, for what you have given us here in this world. Thinking of you being so carefree and alive, with your Father in Heaven -- oh Edna, that makes me feel so young.

"My wife is conducting a wedding service over at our church and we are conducting a funeral service here for a dear friend. It makes me realize that there are never, really, any endings in life -- only new beginnings. A young couple is about to begin their lives together.

"-- And Edna -- her life hasn't ended. It is just beginning on a new plane. We can't even imagine all of the wonders that Edna is experiencing right now. I am envious of Edna for she is with God and I, knowing I cannot rush my time, must stay here. In all these years that I have lived, and the years that I have been a minister, I have learned that in every case, if you look closely enough, you will see that God has had a mission for each and every one of us. We sometimes think that a person hasn't finished their work on this earth when they are called to go on to their Father in Heaven. But I don't think that is so. I think that God has much more control in this world than we might notice. That is why I believe we must be diligent in our duties. - - -

"We love you Edna, and we will see you again when God calls us home. Good-bye, dear Edna, ..... for now."

Matt sat down. Pastor VanVleet, with a tear in his eye, got up and his voice cracked as he spoke, "We wish to thank our brother in Christ, Reverend Franklin. As we end this service, we will sing the hymn that Beatrice told me was Edna's favorite, Nearer My God To Thee." - - -

After the service Matt was standing with Pastor VanVleet, greeting the people as they left the church. A young man, who Matt did not know, held out his hand and said, "That was a very good talk, Reverend." The young man seemed to hang on to Matt's hand just a little bit too long. Then he suddenly released his hand, turned and walked away. Matt, looking puzzled, turned to Pastor VanVleet and asked, "Who is that young man?" Pastor VanVleet answered, "I don't know, I've never seen him before."

Matt shrugged, said his good-byes to his Baptist friend, and headed home.

-- more later on the adventures of Matt Franklin and his wife, Sassy.
~ ~ Simon West
© 3 January, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Eight

&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& ~Sassy~ &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&

From the journals of Matthew Levi Franklin and his wife, Sarsaparilla Sue Franklin

Part Four: ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ God's Hand ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Driving down the dirt road back to his home, a lot of things were running through Matt's mind; about the funeral; about the comfort God gave everyone through his sermon; and about how well Sassy is doing with the missionaries. He said a silent prayer, thanking God for guiding him through his dear friend's funeral service. Matt could tell by the reactions of those at the service that the sermon he gave was helpful and encouraging. He was pleased that the funeral was faith promoting and drew people closer to God instead of chasing them away.

Now, with all of his work done for the day, he might as well go fishing. He didn't realize that his work wasn't quite over for the day. There was still one thing left to do.

A couple of miles from the Baptist church there was a little rest stop where the locals sometimes went to have a picnic lunch. Matt noticed someone sitting at one of the picnic tables and he wondered who it was, when he heard the sound of one of his tires going flat. He remembered he had that one bad tire he should have changed. "Oh, man, why didn't I change that tire! I guess I'll change it now," he said with an unenthusiastic laugh. As Matt got out of the truck, he recognized the young man he saw at the funeral. The young man came over and smiled at Matt.

"Flat, huh?"

"Yeah, no foolin'."

While Matt was changing the tire on his truck, the young man stood watching, not saying a word. Matt hummed a little hymn as he was tightening the lug nuts. He knew this young man had something to say to him, and he waited patiently for him to reveal what was on his mind. Just as Matt was about to finish with the tire, the young man said. "That was a great sermon you gave today."

Matt smiled as he looked up at the young man. "It wasn't my sermon. I asked the Lord to give me a good sermon and it looks like he did."

The young man looked down at the ground, not speaking. Matt noticed that the young man's eyes were moist and he put a hand on the young man's shoulder. "Is there something you need to tell me?"

The young man broke down, and through tears, told Matt about this last tragic month in his life -- how he lost his job, and then his wife and his eighteen-month-old son were killed in a car wreck. He went on to tell Matt about his thoughts of suicide and how he bought a gun and then how, for unknown reasons, he went to a funeral service for someone he didn't even know. After hearing the sermon he realized that God wanted him to go on and that God had other plans for him.

Matt, feeling compassion for the young man, told him, "It was the Holy Spirit that inspired you to go to the funeral. It was the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart telling you that your life must go on. And the sermon was God's word confirming what the Holy Spirit was impressing upon your heart. Everyone goes through trials in this life, and just when you think you can't climb any higher on your mountain of troubles, Jesus reaches out His hand and, if you let Him, He will pull you over the top."

The young man embraced Matt and thanked him for everything. The young man handed Matt a paper sack. "Can you give this to the police? I don't need it anymore."

With that, the young man got into his station wagon and drove away. Matt suddenly startled, hollered at the dust left by the car going down the road, "Hey, what is your name?"

Matt opened the sack and saw a revolver and a box of shells. He slowly closed up the sack. He got back into his truck and headed for the sheriff's office. - - -

After turning the gun and the ammunition over to the sheriff's office, Matt got into his truck and headed towards home. He realized just how much control God has had over this day.

Pulling up to his house, Matt realized that he was not going to get to go fishing today. It was getting too late now.

Sassy heard Matt coming in. She poured him a cup of coffee, and as Matt came into the kitchen, Sassy said, "Took a little longer than you'd expected, huh?"

"Yeah, I had a flat."

"Oh, that's too bad, Matt."

He picked up his cup of coffee and said, "Yeah, maybe."

He walked out the door, went over to the barn, and leaned against the fence. Sassy, watching him through the window, realized that Matt needed some private time with his God. She smiled at her husband and then turned and sat back down at the kitchen table and continued preparing for her first discussion with the missionaries.

-- more later on the adventures of Matt Franklin and his wife, Sassy.

~ ~ Simon West
© 10 January, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Eight

&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& ~Sassy~ &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&

From the journals of Matthew Levi Franklin and his wife, Sarsaparilla Sue Franklin

Part Five: ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ River Currents ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

While Sassy was sitting at the kitchen table taking notes preparing for her first discussion with the missionaries, the stove timer went off. She got up and took the supper she had been preparing out of the oven and began setting the table. As she finished with the table, she looked out the window and saw that Matt was still by the fence. Opening the kitchen door, she called to him, "Supper's ready, Matt. Come on in."

Matt, coming back from his wandering thoughts, smiled at Sassy, waved, and walked back towards the house. Going through the kitchen door, he headed over to the sink to wash his hands.

"How did things go with the missionaries, Sassy?"

"Everything went fine."

As Matt was drying his hands he looked down at Sassy's side of the table and saw her Bible, pen, and paper where she had taken a lot of notes.

"Uh, what are you doing? Writing the sermon for next Sunday? "

"Uh, no, I'm preparing for our first missionary lesson. They'll be back Tuesday at 2:00 in the afternoon, and we'll both be here!"

"Oh, no, no, no, Sassy, I have a date with a fishin' pole Tuesday."

"Not at 2:00 you don't!"

Matt grimaced slightly as he sat down. During most of supper there wasn't the usual amount of conversation between Matt and his wife. Matt, remembering the day's events, smiled as he tried to think of a very good reason for going fishing Tuesday. He watched Sassy as she read her Bible and took down notes. With the meal over, Matt got up and started clearing the table. Without looking up from her Bible, Sassy said "I'll take care of that, Matt."

"No, I'll do the dishes. You go into the living room and finish what you're doing. I'll bring you a cup of tea."

Sassy picked up her Bible and her notes and headed for the living room. She turned and said thank you to her husband. Matt nodded while he put the dishes into the sink.

With the dishes finished, Matt picked up Sassy's tea that has been brewing while he did up the dishes and took it into Sassy. As he handed her the tea, he said, "It's 'Almond Sunset'." Matt sat and looked at the small fire Sassy had started in the fireplace. "Since you're preparing for this encounter with the missionaries, I'll give the sermon this Sunday."

Sassy glanced up and said, "Okay -- thanks." Matt bowed his head and said a little prayer, as he always does before he writes a sermon.

While deep in thought, Matt did not see Sassy get up from her chair. She walked over and touched her husband's shoulder. "I think it's time for bed."

Matt stretched in his chair and was surprised that a couple of hours have passed since he started working on his sermon. Sassy started turning the lights out as Matt closed his Bible. They went upstairs together. - - -

In the morning Sassy finished setting the breakfast table and then she walked out to the barn where Matt was taking care of the animals. Sassy opened the barn door and walked in and saw Matt with all of his fishing gear spread out.

"What are you doing, Matt?"

"Oh, jest organizin'."

"Uh, huh." Sassy said as her eyes narrow just a bit. "Breakfast is ready."

Matt grinned to himself and put away his fishing gear. Walking back to the house, Sassy said, "Remember, Matt, 2:00."

Matt nodded and said, "I remember, Sassy." - - -

At two o'clock Matt was sitting in his living room with Sassy and the missionaries. He was not really hearing the discussions; he really wanted to go fishin'. - - He needed to go fishin'.... - - -

As the weeks pass, Matt watched Sassy and the missionaries parry and thrust back and forth with the scriptures. Matt realized that these missionaries were well versed in their beliefs and they were very familiar with the Bible.

With all of the discussions finished, Matt got up early the next morning without waking Sassy. While the sun was just starting to come up, Matt was sitting by the creek watching his cork bob with the current. Back at the house Sassy stirred from a restful sleep, stretched, and noticed that Matt was already up. Sassy dressed and went down to the kitchen. As she walked into the kitchen, she saw Matt coming through the door with three fair sized catfish. Her eyes widen as she said, "You went fishing on a day like today?"

"Couldn't think of a better way to start the day, Sassy." Matt chuckled as he took care of the fish. Sassy just shook her head as she got herself a couple of pieces of toast and poured herself a glass of milk.

All during the morning Matt and Sassy were excited about the coming events of the day. At noon they would be down at the creek with the missionaries. After they finished with their morning chores, they got dressed and headed for the creek. While riding in the truck over to the creek, Sassy said, "It's a beautiful day, isn't it, Matt?"

Matt looked at Sassy, all dressed in white, and said, "It surely is, Sassy."

As they pulled up to the creek, they saw that the missionaries were already there. Sassy waved at them and the three people the missionaries had brought with them. Matt and she had met these three earlier this week. Elder Gardner, also dressed in white, walked out into the creek. He turned and smiled at Sassy.

Matt and Sassy were standing, hand-in-hand next to the creek. Their hands slowly separated as Sassy walked into the creek towards Elder Gardner. Elder Gardner raised his right hand and with the ceremony that he was very familiar with, slowly lowered Sassy into the water. As Sassy went under the water, she noticed how bright the sun was shining today. Suddenly, her feet slipped and it almost seemed as if she was being pulled down. She struggled, flinging her arms out and kicking with her feet. She heard Matt's voice, but it seemed distant and far away. She felt the plants on the floor of the creek wrapping around her arms and pulling her down. - - No, they seemed to be shaking her. Sassy heard Matt's voice. It was closer now. He was calling to her. At first she could not understand what he was saying. And then she slowly comprehended the words.

"Sassy! Sassy! Wake up!" Sassy looked up and saw Matt's face. She was no longer in the creek; she was in her bed. She stammered, "Uh, uh, Matt. Wha.. , What?"

"Boy, Sassy! That was some nightmare you had." Sassy, still disoriented, said, "Uh, - - yeah, yeah."

Matt got up and started downstairs. "Where are you going?" Sassy asked.

"I'm going down stairs to get me a cup of coffee." While rubbing his nose, he added, "And maybe a couple of aspirin."

Sassy said, "Are you all right, Matt?"

Matt raised an eyebrow and recounted, "There I am - - sleeping soundly, when out of nowhere comes a fist and socks me in the nose! I wake up and you're twistin' and turnin' and moanin', like some monster's got ya. I try and wake you up; you hit at me; you kick me, you knee me. - - I'm goin' down for some aspirin and coffee!"

Matt was sitting at the table, drinking his coffee. Sassy came in and looking sheepishly at Matt, poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down at the table.

-- more later on the adventures of Matt Franklin and his wife, Sassy.
~ ~ Simon West
© 12 January, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Eight

&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& ~Sassy~ &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&

From the journals of Matthew Levi Franklin and his wife, Sarsaparilla Sue Franklin

Part Six: ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Surprise Beginnings ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Matt looked over his cup of coffee at Sassy and said, "Some nightmare, huh?"

"Yeah...."

Matt stretched and headed for the door.

"Where are you going?" Sassy asked.

"I'm goin' fishin' today, Sassy. I earned it."

Sassy shudders, remembering how Matt went fishing in her dream. Noticing her shudder, he asked, "You got a chill, Sassy?"

"Yeah, I did, but it's passin'."

"I'm goin' out to take care of the livestock."

Sassy watched as Matt went out the door, then got up from the table. Speaking out loud to herself, she said, "Well I can't go back to sleep." So Sassy started baking her bread while the morning was still cool.

After taking care of the goat and the chickens, Matt came back into the kitchen. "Oh, good, biscuits!"

"No, bread and rolls."

"Cinnamon rolls?"

"If you'd like."

Matt poured himself a cup of coffee and headed for the living room. The phone rang and Sassy said, "Could you get that, Honey?"

"Yeah, sure." - - - "Hello; this is Reverend Franklin." - - - "Yeah! Yeah! That'd be just great, Son." - - - "Yeah, okay. I'll tell your mother." - - - Okay, bye, Son."

As Matt hung up the phone, he said, "Sassy, our boy's comin' home from college for a few days."

"Jedd Lee's coming home?" Sassy said, with joy bubbling out of her.

"Yeah, he said he'll see us Sunday afternoon. And he said to tell you he loves you, and that he hopes you can make that roast he likes so well."

"Oh, you bet I can!"

As Matt took his coffee into the living room, Sassy seemed to just float around the kitchen.

An hour later Matt came back into the kitchen. "Sassy, if it's all right with you, I'm goin' fishin' now."

"Oh, sure, go, go. - - Our boy's comin' home, Matt!"

"Yeah, I heard." Matt chuckled, then headed for the barn to gather his fishing gear.

Sassy, working in the kitchen, checked to make sure she had everything she needed for the special meal for her son. She was still glowing from the news that her son was coming home from college after two years. Jedd Lee graduated a year early from high school, and instead of going to Kansas State, insisted on attending a university on the East Coast. Six months ago his sister, Rachael, went east to the same university. Sassy would have preferred both of them to have gone to K. State. She had told them both that she would even allow them to go to the University of Kansas if they'd stay in Kansas, but her children were as stubborn as Sassy. And so off to the East Coast they went.

Sassy, remembering it was Matt's birthday, began fixing his cake. As she was mixing the cake batter, tears were forming in her eyes. Sassy's joy was overwhelming. She was glad that Matt went fishing. Now she would be able to bake his cake and have it as a nice surprise for her husband when he came home. Besides, a man should be able to go fishing on his birthday if he's a mind to.

After finishing with the bread and rolls, Sassy started in on the household chores. She didn't mind doing all of the chores today, even though Matt usually cleaned the house, but left the kitchen to Sassy. Matt always said he couldn't boil water without burning it. Tears moistened Sassy's eyes again as she reflected over her life - - her two beautiful children and a husband who not only shared a ministry with her, but shared in household duties. There aren't very many women who can make this claim.

Sassy finished with the household chores and relaxed, sipping a cup of Emperor's Choice. She had several flavors of tea, but Emperor's Choice had always been her favorite. Sassy returned to her game plan for the meeting with the missionaries. She was pleased with her preparations and she believed she would be able to show the missionaries where they were mistaken in their beliefs.

She heard Matt's truck pulling up to the house, and realized he had been gone most of the day. She ran into the kitchen, checked on supper, and lighted the candles she had put on the cake. She dimmed the lights in the kitchen and waited for Matt. Matt walked through the kitchen door. "Whoa! What is this?"

Sassy, running into his arms, told him Happy Birthday and then kissed her husband. - - -

Sunday, after church services, Matt and Sassy were sitting in the living room waiting for their son to arrive. Matt was reading his newspaper and Sassy was crocheting another doily, even though her husband complained there must be a hundred of them around the house. They were so engrossed in what they were doing and in the joyful anticipation of the coming event, they did not hear Jedd Lee pull up to the house. Their son walked through the kitchen and into the living room.

"Happy Birthday, Dad, -- uh, -- yesterday."

Matt and Sassy jumped up and ran to their son, greeting and hugging him. Matt said, "We didn't even hear you pull up."

"I noticed, Dad. Maybe you should get your ears checked," Jedd Lee teased.

After supper they went into the living room to talk about the last two years and all that Jedd Lee had done. Their son explained all that had happened to him -- the work after school and the dig he went on in during the summer to accent his study of archeology. Jedd Lee told about Rachael coming out east and how well she was doing in school. As Sassy listened to Jedd Lee, she couldn't help but notice his speech was often broken and quite rapid. She finally said, "All right, Jeddidiah Lee, what's going on. You have something you want to tell us, so spit it out."

Jedd Lee laughed and said, "Right to the point as always, eh, Mother? - - I am changing universities, Ma......."

"Are you switching to K. State? "

"No, Mom, in two years I'll switch to BYU."

Surprised, Sassy asked, "Why would you want to do that?"

"Well, they have an excellent archeology department."

Matt asked, "Well, why are you waiting for two years before you switch?"

"Well, Dad, - - - I'm leaving school for two years. I have something to do. - - To make a long story short, Dad, I belong to another church now, and I'm going to work for this church for eighteen months."

Sassy asked, "Just what are you going to be doing for this church, - - and what church is it?"

"Mom, I belong to The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints, and I'm serving a mission starting the first of the month........."

Matt was sitting there, just staring at his son, saying nothing at all. Sassy, coming halfway out of her chair, cried out her husband's name. - - -

-- more later on the adventures of Matt Franklin and his wife, Sassy.
~ ~ Simon West
© 13 January, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Eight

&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& ~Sassy~ &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&

From the journals of Matthew Levi Franklin and his wife, Sarsaparilla Sue Franklin

Part Seven: ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Missionary Woes ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"What do you mean you're goin' on a mission?" Sassy demanded.

"Mother, I was taught the lessons from missionaries. I believed, and I've been a member of the church for over a year now. I've been very active attending meetings every Sunday, and even during the week. I have studied and I cannot see how there can be any way the church cannot be true. And now, I have been asked to go on mission, and I feel strongly that it is my duty to do so. I must teach other people the truth about God's true church."

The anger in Sassy showed. "Jeddidiah Lee Franklin, the Bible does not support that church. You read the Bible and you will see where the teachings of the Mormon Church are wrong."

"No, Mother, as a matter of fact they are NOT wrong. The Bible supports the church in every way. And if you'd like I could teach it to you."

Sassy's breath caught. "I do not need you to teach me about a cult."

"It's not a cult, Mother. It is the true church of God."

"No it is NOT," Sassy responded angrily. "And I am a minister of God."

"Mother, I supported you being a minister, but now I don't approve of it. But I allow it."

Sassy shrieked, "ALLOW?"

"Yes Mother, allow! It is your life, and you won't let me interfere with it. My life, now, is that of a Mormon. I expect you not to interfere with that."

"Matt," Sassy lamented, "Where did we go wrong?"

"Sassy, we did not go wrong."

"Well, something's wrong here. -- Jedd Lee, how could you do this? How could you join this church with all of the Christian upbringing you've had? -- with all of the Bible lessons that I have taught you?"

"Now, Mother, the Bible lessons you taught were good. Some of them were misguided, though."

"I think not." Sassy moaned, almost inaudibly. "Jedd Lee, I think not."

"Oh yes, Mother."

Sassy exclaimed into the air, "Oh, all the pain I had giving him birth, and he ......"

"Oh, Mother, stop it! That is the same line women always use when they argue with a man and they know they are wrong."

Sassy's eyes narrowed.

"Mother, I really don't think women should be in the ministry. It is a priesthood calling. There are certain things for men to do and certain things for women to do. Read I Corinthians 14: 34 - 35. It says in there that women are not permitted to speak in the church. Now, that is God's Holy Word."

Matt, whose eyes were already wide, moaned silently to himself and shook his head back and forth.

"Well, Mother, you want to be a minister, but according to God's Word, you must be silent in the church. How can you be a minister and be silent in the church? If you speak in church, you are in violation of God's Word. And you should, if you were righteous, be silent in the church. So, Mother, don't you think it is time you humbled yourself and became obedient to God's Word and gave up the ministry? Listen to me, Mother. I speak the truth to you. I hold God's Holy Priesthood."

Sassy gulped a couple of times.

Matt came out of his chair. "Jeddidiah, -- go feed the chickens!"

"What?"

"I said, go feed the chickens -- NOW, Boy."

Jedd Lee said, "Fine! Good!" He walked out of the living room, through the kitchen, and out to the barn. He paced back and forth in front of the barn door. - - -

In the living room, finally gaining enough composure to speak, Sassy whispered, "Did you hear the way he talked to me? He's my own son!"

"I heard, Sassy. You need to take a couple of deep breaths."

"You take the deep breaths, Matt." Sassy circled the living room nervously a couple of times, talking mostly to herself, and then reached for the phone.

"What are you gonna do?"

"I'm gonna call the missionaries and cancel our meeting."

"No, Sassy, I'm not in the habit of telling you what to do, but I will this time. Hang the phone up, NOW."

"I can't teach the missionaries with my own son..."

"Yes, you can, Sassy. Yes you can." Matt walked over, took the receiver out of Sassy's hand and hung it up.

Matt began, "I will teach Mormons, whether they be missionaries or other members of the church. I will teach anybody who comes to me -- comes into my yard or into my house -- and asks me about God. I will tell them what I know and what I believe, and I will show them with the Bible why I believe what I believe, and how I came to believe it. I will teach Mormons, heathens; I will even teach those Baptists - - hehehehe. (Matt laughs a little bit remembering the Baptist minister who is his friend.) But I am not called to teach these two Mormon missionaries. But I do believe God called you, Sassy. Partly because I know you, and partly I feel it. I think I knew it from the moment that bowl of flour fell on your head; I knew you were called to teach these missionaries the truth. God gave you this calling, Sassy, and He expects you to bring these two missionaries out of the church and back to Him."

"Well, I can't with my son....."

"Yes you can, Sassy. You see, God gave you a calling. He did not say He would take away all of the obstacles so it would be smooth sailing for you. -- So you have a personal problem...."

"A personal problem?!! Matt, our son is ....."

"Is what?"

Sassy felt exasperated. "He's doing the very same thing for that church that these two young men are, that I'm trying to bring out."

"Yes, Sassy. God expects you to bring these missionaries home, and you can't go to Him and say that you couldn't because of your son. That's not an acceptable answer to Him, and you know it. -- Sassy, you know the Bible very well. You know God very well. You know what He wants from people -- what He demands from people. And that is what He will judge you on, Sassy.

"You know in your heart that you need to forget about your differences with our son right now. You need to concentrate on bringing these missionaries out. And as Jedd Lee hears and sees what you do with these missionaries, I am sure he will come to his senses -- and we'll be there for him when he needs it. - - - But, he is a lot like you, Sassy. Youu can't give him orders. You give him instruction and you trust him to make his own decision -- the correct decision. He's too much like you. What if I started giving you orders every day -- told you to do this or do that -- and told you how to do it. If our marriage would last after I tried a stunt like that -- well -- if it did last, I would be ann iinvalid.

"The Holy Spirit works in you, Sassy. I see that almost every day. You are a very passionate person. Your flaw is your stubbornness. You are opinionated. Now, I will grant that a lot of your opinions are correct. But you should teach these missionaries the truth, and you should temporarily forget about the clash with our son. We cannot force the missionaries to leave the church and we cannot force our son. We cannot stop our son from going on a mission.

"Now, I'm gonna go get Jedd Lee, and bring him back in here and we're gonna have a nice, pleasant conversation. You're gonna continue preparing for your discussion that will be Tuesday. I promise I'll be here -- 2:00. I won't forget; Jedd Lee will be leaving Monday afternoon -- tomorrow. He'll write, and we'll write back, and we'll tell him about these missionaries. After you've been successful (and I know you will be because I know your heart), we'll have them write to our son. And our son will either listen to them and us, or he'll totally reject us. You know the drill for cults, Sassy, same as I do. And so we pray, we trust Jesus, we listen to inspirations -- we listen to whisperings from the Holy Spirit to guide us, and that is all we can do. We raised our son, but even as a child we couldn't live his life for him. Now that he is a young man, he has to make his own decisions. So we will wait." ---

At breakfast Monday morning, Jedd Lee and Sassy said very little to each other. By the afternoon, Sassy wished her son well, hugged him and sent him on his way. As she stood on the porch with her arm around her husband, she watched her son drive away. Her eyes were moist, partly because of the decisions her son had made, and partly because she was sad to see the only son she had drive down the road and leave her once again. But this time there was a deeper fear that he might be gone forever.

Sassy turned and went back into the house. Matt brewed them both a cup of tea and brought it into the living room. They sat in their chairs -- the ones they have sat in most of their married life, where they read, or think, or ponder on the day's events -- the routines they have fallen into. Sassy got on her knees, spreading her notes out onto the coffee table - - neat piles with her Bibles with their various translations.

Matt looked at his wife and he smiled. He knew she would do well with this new calling of hers. Oh, she will hurt, but she will bury that deep inside of her. She is definitely was one of God's ministers and she knows her duty and has always performed it well.

Sassy planned to go to bed early tonight so that she could get up early in the morning. She wanted to bake some muffins, and also have some cinnamon rolls that she could feed to the missionaries while she enlightens them to the truthfulness about Jesus - - the true Jesus. Tonight she will fix a light supper for Matt and herself. They will relax for about an hour, and then they will go up to bed so they will be prepared for tomorrow.

-- more later on the adventures of Matt Franklin and his wife, Sassy.
~ ~ Simon West
© 14 January, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Eight

&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& ~Sassy~ &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&

From the journals of Matthew Levi Franklin and his wife, Sarsaparilla Sue Franklin

Part Eight:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Mormon Invasion ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In the morning as they were finishing breakfast, Matt said, "I'm goin' outside to take care of a few things. I'll have to go into town this morning to the lumberyard to buy a new hinge for the door on the chicken coop. Is there anything that you want me to get for you while I'm in town, Sassy."

"No, not that I can think of right now."

"Okay, then I'll be goin' now. I'll see ya later."

As Matt left, Sassy began thinking about the missionaries. She already knew the first lesson that they would give, and she had her answers. She was fully prepared to meet the missionaries. She went about straightening up, doing her usual household chores for the day. She put on some Christian music and started singing along. Sassy was very pleased with herself. It seemed like a day when nothing could go wrong.

Sassy heard Matt honk and looked out the window and watched him go down the road. Matt was in a good mood too. He was feeling close to his Lord, and he too thought things were going along smoothly. As he drove along, he was humming some Christian tunes. It seemed almost as if Matt and Sassy were of one mind, for frequently they thought the same things at the same time.

Matt pulled into town and drove up to the lumberyard. As he was getting out, he saw this man dressed in cowboy boots, brand new jeans, and a nylon black cowboy shirt that looked silky in the sunlight. Matt watched him and one of the employees at the lumberyard load up the back of his pickup truck. He noticed the Utah plates, looked at the guy, and thought, "Oh, Great! Another city boy from another state comin' to Kansas thinkin' he needs to wear shiny new boots. He's even wearing dogging heels. I'll bet he doesn't even know what a doggin' heel is or what it is used for. A city cowboy! Hehehehehe." Matt laughed to himself. As he walked in the door, he heard the lumberyard helper say, "So you bought the five-acre lot next to the Franklin place, huh?"

Matt's hand froze for a moment on the door.

The man said, "Well, I don't know who the Franklins are. I bought a five-acre lot outside of town, but I haven't met any of the neighbors yet."

Overcome with curiosity, the helper asked " What did ya say yer gonna be doin' here?"

"Oh, uh, I have an advertising business in Salt Lake City, but mostly my son takes care of that now. I just get a monthly residual, which is more than enough for my wife and me to live on."

"So this is gonna be yer retirement place?"

"Oh no. I'm the new bishop for the LDS ward here. LDS means the Mormon Church."

The helper nodded. "Uh, ... yeah, ... I know who the LDS are. I even helped the construction crew who built the building for your new ward. It ought to be interesting, you livin' next to the Franklins."

"Oh, why is that?"

"They're Presbyterian ministers."

"Oh, well, that IS interesting."

Matt went on through the door, muttering, "Oh, Sassy, Sassy." He bought his hinge. On his way out he saw his new neighbor was finishing loading up his truck. The helper looked up and saw Matt and said, "There's Reverent Franklin now." He hollered and motioned for Matt to come over. Matt smiled and walked towards the two men.

"This is your new neighbor, Reverend. He's the new Mormon bishop here." The excitement in the eyes of the helper was of someone at a boxing match watching two opponents meet.

Matt ignored the excitement of the helper and said, "How do you do?" Looking into the back of the truck, Matt commented, "A lot of stuff there."

The bishop replied, "Yeah, there's a lot of repairs to do. I want to fix up the place up, and there's no time like the present. Something needs doing, it is best to do it now instead of later."

Matt said, "I couldn't agree more. Are ya gonna do that all by yerself?"

"Yeah, I think I can handle it."

"Well, if you need any help, just give me a holler. I'll be glad to give ya a hand."

"Oh, I'll do that. Thank you very much."

Matt added, "Oh, by the way, what's your name?"

"Oh, my name is Consham Doltass, and it has been a pleasure meeting you."

"Well, I'm Matt Franklin."

"Why don't you just come on out to the place now, if you're not busy and you can meet my wife. She likes to get settled into the community as soon as she can."

Matt said, "Uh huh, - - sure, sure, why not. I was just gonna fix my hinge on my chicken coop, but that can wait. I'd be glad to give ya a hand."

So Matt followed his new neighbor out to his house. As Bishop Doltass stepped out of his truck, his wife, Giddy, came out onto the porch. He hollered, "Giddy, this is our neighbor, Reverend Franklin. He's the minister for the Presbyterian Church."

Giddy said, "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"He's volunteered to give me a hand with some of this work, so if you wouldn't mind going and fixing us some lunch, Giddy, we might be needing it. - - Well, that is if Reverend Franklin has that much time."

Matt smiled and said, "Sure. I'm always glad to help someone out, and since you have no one here to help you out with this (and this is at least a two-man job) I'll be glad to give ya a hand." Matt had never failed to give a helping hand when needed.

They worked through the morning, repairing the door to the barn, fixing the corral, and putting some new side panels on the greenhouse. The whole place was pretty run down. The men talked about many things. They both liked fishing. They both were active in their respective churches. Matt thought, "I like this man. He's very pleasant. He sure knows his fishing. I think he's going to be a fine neighbor."

At lunch, Giddy asked all sorts of questions about Sassy, wondering when they could meet. She was taken back a bit when she found out that Sassy was also a minister and that together she and her husband ministered a church. Giddy glanced at her husband, but didn't say anything. Matt noticed the glance and smiled to himself a little bit. Matt enjoyed the time spent with his new Mormon neighbors. Time just slipped away.

Matt is one of the most kind and pleasant people anyone could ever meet. The joy that is in his heart in helping a neighbor fix a fence, paint a barn, or even raise a barn, is surpassed only by his love for the ministry. The only thing he likes better than helping out is giving his sermons on Sunday morning. There isn't anyone in the whole county who does not like and respect Matt once they have met him. It only takes a few minutes. It is just his natural way. He will stop and help a stranger or new neighbor without giving it another thought.

They worked on through the afternoon. Matt lost all track of time until Giddy came out and asked "Will you be staying for supper, Minister Franklin?" Startled, Matt said, "Uh, no, no I can't. Maybe some other time. I left this morning just to get one hinge, and I was supposed to be right back. Sassy's gonna be worried."

As he turned and headed towards his truck, Bishop Doltass thanked him for all the assistance he had given. Matt nodded, and climbed into his truck. Sister Doltass added, "I hope your wife didn't get too worried."

"No, she'll be all right. She knows me." Matt waved and drove off. As he turned down the lane to his own place, he said to himself, "No, Sassy won't be worried. She is going to be mad at me!" - - -

Sassy was sitting at the kitchen table, drinking a cup of tea as she heard Matt pull up to the house. Matt came in the door, and Sassy said "Hi."

Matt, raising his eyebrow, replied, "Uh - - - Hi." He poured a cup of coffee and sat down at the table. He cheerfully asked Sassy, "What's for supper?"

Sassy smiled and said. "Nothing....."

"Now Sassy, I know I was supposed to be here. But I was helping our new neighbor, and time just got away from me......."

"You promised me you'd be here, Matt. You said you wouldn't..... - - - What new neighbors?"

"They just bought those five acres right next to us."

"You mean you were right next door, and you couldn't come home?"

Matt started to answer, when Sassy asked, "Well, who are they?"

"Now Sassy, they're really nice people. I think you'll like them......"

Sassy's eyes narrowed as she said, "Matt!"

"He's the new Mormon Bishop......"

Sassy came out of her chair, "What??!!!??"

-- more later on the adventures of Matt Franklin and his wife, Sassy.
~ ~ Simon West
© 24 January, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Eight

&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& ~Sassy~ &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&

From the journals of Matthew Levi Franklin and his wife, Sarsaparilla Sue Franklin

Part Nine:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ A Different Route ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The morning was gray - - clouds hung low. There was a light mist. It was damp and chilly outside. Sassy looked out the window, thinking about the past few weeks. She heard Matt in the barn cleaning out the old room they have been using as storage. It used to be a room with two bunks in it for hired hands, but that was long before Matt and Sassy bought this place outside of Meade, Kansas.

The look on Sassy's face was reflective of the weather outside. The missionaries were coming over today. What had begun as an exciting challenge, had changed to a mild listlessness. The last meeting went okay, but it wasn't a happy time for the missionaries. Elder Gardner seemed to be taking things in stride, but the younger one, Elder Harris, was not happy the last time he left. Sassy did not know for sure what time of day they were coming by. They had not set a specific time; they just said they would be here today.

There had been four lessons. This fourth lesson they weren't very enthusiastic about, and they said they had to go and pray before they could give Sassy answers to the questions she had asked. Sassy knew they were affected by all that she had been telling them these last four weeks, but she wasn't sure about the outcome. She just knew that she was not going to be baptized as a Mormon. In the beginning she had hoped to convince them of the truth. And now, after four weeks of discussions and all the emotions involved in trying to take someone out of a religion they were born into, Sassy was tired. She did not have any enthusiasm for continuing. She had it in her mind today to tell them that she did not want them to come back. She knew that she had the truth, but it was almost like she didn't want to give it to them. It's not that she wanted to hold back the truth of God from the missionaries. It was more like she didn't want to hurt them. And at the same time, she knew that growth can cause pain and anguish. It's all part of growing up - - all part of living. In the beginning, she was like a commander going after an enemy. With each week that passed, Sassy was less aggressive, more compassionate - - still telling the truth; still teaching them where they were wrong in what they taught. So far the younger missionary had not listened, but she thought she had gotten through to Elder Gardner, enough so that he did not speak. But she could see that he was thinking and reading the Bible. She no longer wanted to take them out of Mormonism - - she just wanted this whole experience to be over. She thought to herself that it was depressing to destroy someone's way of life. But as a Christian and as a minister, it was her duty to do so. It wasn't the fun and games it was in the beginning when the missionaries made her angry, especially Elder Harris.

Sassy was going to end it today. When the missionaries came by, she would talk to them, but she did not want another lesson. She was tired of trying to convince them that they were wrong. She had a life of her own; she wanted to get on with it. Matt had been doing most of the sermons while she prepared for the weekly fencing sessions with the missionaries. Sassy was emotionally drained. She realized it is hard on an individual to always be defending their ground. The missionaries, as with a lot of members of the Mormon church, are so brainwashed that they can not see the truth, even when you show it to them. They can read the same verses out of the Bible that you read, but because of their brainwashing, do not get the same inspiration that you do. Even though it is right there in black and white before them, they still can not see. Matt had told her how that's where the Holy Spirit would come in, and of course she knew that.

Some of the aggressiveness had gone out of Sassy. It's almost as if she had aged. She only wanted to give sermons to those who were already Christian. She wanted a rest from fighting with unbelievers. She did not want to deal with people who said they were Christian, yet did not know Jesus. She did not want to deal with Mormons who twisted Biblical verses to suit themselves and ignored other verses that contradicted their way of life. They would either ignore those verses, or try and to find other scripture to contradict it. Mostly they kept going to the Book of Mormon -- not very often to the Bible. Sassy knew why. They were trained mostly in the Book of Mormon, not very much in the Bible. But in the Bible, Sassy knew that the Mormon church could not stand. And if they would truly sit down and read the Bible from the beginning, by the time they got to the 'Amen' in Revelation, she did not think that they would believe what the Mormons were teaching anymore. But as with a lot of people, they tend to ignore what they don't want to accept.

Sassy had prayed this morning, that she be released from this mission - - this calling, if you will - - to convert these missionaries. Itt was depressing - - as depressing and gloomy as this day was. She had wanted to talk with Matt, but for some reason he had decided to clean up the barn. Sassy sat down with a cup of Earl Gray and began listening to Chopin on her C.D. player. Her thoughts went to the new neighbors, who Sassy had tried to ignore. The wife had been over about five or six times during the past month, and Sassy got so she didn't even want to speak to her. This Giddy was too much for her now that she was dealing with the missionaries. As a matter of fact, Sassy had just about had her fill of Mormons for a while. She needed a break from them. Even though no one new, outside of the new Bishop and his wife had moved into the area, it seemed there must have been a thousand Mormons had moved in all at once - - like a swarm of locust. She was tired of being the one to fight them off. So today would be the last that she would discuss anything with the missionaries. She had decided that the best way would be not to try and pull people out of the Mormon church, but rather to fortify the locals around here with enough Biblical understanding that they would not be deceived by the Mormon lie.

Sassy had decided that was the better route to go, so that's what she set out to do. People she knew that hadn't been to church for a while, she wanted to go visit. She had told Matt this, this morning. All he did was nod, finish his breakfast, and say "Well, I have to go out and clean the barn." That was like Matt. He never tried to tell anyone how to live their life - - never tried to tell them what to do. There are times when she loved that about Matt, but right now she wanted him to tell her to stop teaching so she'd have an excuse - - 'Well, I can't take the lessons any more because my husband has refused permission.' She knew the missionaries would not believe that. They would see right through her. They would know that she didn't want the lessons. So finally she had decided to face things and tell them that this would be the last. If they wanted to come over, it would not be to talk about religion. It would be to come over to have a cup of coffee, or whatever, and maybe just enjoy each other's company, as human beings.

Sassy had decided the best way was not to attack, but to rather to 'defend the flock'. She had talked to Edna Graves yesterday, and Edna said she'd be in church. And then there was a young couple down the lane from her on the next farm. She'd never really talked to them - - just nodded in passing - - waved when she went by. She'd never seen them in church. Maybe they went to another one. She didn't know, but she was determined to find out. It was time for her to be active, just as active as the Mormons were. She wouldn't mention the Mormons. She would just teach Jesus and the Bible and to people who weren't Mormons, and strengthen them so they wouldn't be duped.

While Sassy was thinking on all these things, Matt opened the door and came in and said, "Sassy, I need a couple of sheets and blankets and pillows. I fixed up those old beds out there. The mattresses are still good, and I put some plastic covering over the mattresses and I want to get a couple of mattress covers and sheets and blankets and a pillow for each of the beds."

"Well, why do you want to do that, Matt?"

"I don't know, Sassy, I just thought maybe every once in awhile we could have fun sleeping out in the barn. I have a heater out there, so it would be nice and warm. It's getting close to summer now, and we wouldn't have to worry about it bein' too cold. Maybe just for fun, you know, a change of pace. That's what we need. If we can't afford a vacation, maybe we can just change where we sleep."

Sassy's eyes narrowed a little bit. "Matt, you are out of your mind if you think that I'm going to sleep in that dusty, dirty barn. I want to sleep in my nice, soft bed."

Matt smiled. "Well, I want to get a couple of sheets and fix them up anyway. Maybe you'll change your mind."

"Since you know where the sheets are, Matt, go get them and do whatever you want, but I'm not sleepin' in that drafty, dirty barn. I'll go to sleep out there and a rat'll crawl across my face!"

Matt chuckled a bit as he walked through the kitchen to pick up the sheets and blankets. As he left Sassy shook her head and muttered to herself. "I can tell him when I want things done - - when I want things cleaned up, and he won't do them, and then all of a sudden he gets a cleaning urge and he goes 'a cleaning." She wasn't upset with Matt. She just needed a break from her routine. Maybe that's what Matt was thinking about, just a break from the routine like he said. She smiled as she sipped her cup of tea. She thought how lucky she was to have a husband who picked up on the things that she needed just when she needed them. So maybe she would sleep out there. Maybe....

Sassy got up and walked into the living room as Matt was carrying the sheets and blankets out to the barn. She sat down in her chair, picked up a magazine and started reading. She looked over to where she had all of the information that she had gathered today in preparation for the discussion with the missionaries. She put her magazine down, went over, scooped up all the papers, walked over, put them into the drawer of the night stand, picked her Bible up, put it back in its place on the bookcase, and told herself it was time to get on with her life. - -

-- more later on the adventures of Matt Franklin and his wife, Sassy.
~ ~ Simon West
© 10 February, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Eight

&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& ~Sassy~ &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&

From the journals of Matthew Levi Franklin and his wife, Sarsaparilla Sue Franklin

Part Ten:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Embryo Christians ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The sun had broken through the clouds and the afternoon was warming up nicely. The missionaries breathed in the smell of the wooded area as they drove along the dirt road to Sassy's. Elder Harris was agitated while he and Elder Gardner were discussing the events of the past four weeks. Both of the young men had gone through traumatic changes. They had discussed church doctrine and religious philosophy and considered ideas they had never thought of before. The truths that Sassy had given them were working on both of them.

Elder Gardner was excited, if not a bit apprehensive as he learned about Jesus according to the Bible. He realized that his old ideas and concepts of Jesus did not coincide with those of a true Christian, and he began to realize that being a Mormon was not necessarily being a Christian. He was anguishing over how the new ideas he had learned would affect his family. He was also troubled by the fact that Elder Harris had reviewed the same information and had denied what was obviously the truth. He had it in his mind to privately ask Sassy if she would pray for Elder Harris. Elder Gardner had prayed as a Mormon all his life. He wasn't sure if he knew how to pray as a Christian. He decided he would ask Sassy to teach him how to pray.

The bright enthusiasm that Elder Harris possessed when he first met Sassy had changed to agitation. Elder Gardner noticed his companion was easily angered; sometimes even just the slightest incident would send Elder Harris into a snit. Elder Gardner observed that Elder Harris had been reading the Book of Mormon intensely, but he also noted that he had been going back and forth fervently between Bible and Book of Mormon. The last few days Elder Harris hadn't even picked up the Book of Mormon, but was constantly reading out of the Bible.

Elder Harris spoke, to no one in particular, and yet probably to everyone, "Today is probably do-or-die-day."

Elder Gardner asked, "What?"

Elder Harris said, "Huh? - - Oh, it's do-or-die-day. I think todaay wee either convince Sassy of the truth, or we just walk away from her - - because, if she doesn't accept the ideas in the lesson today..."

Elder Gardner interrupted. "Elder, I think maybe..."

"Maybe what?" Elder Harris snapped angrily.

"Timmy, I've noticed you've been reading the Bible the last couple of days."

"So, - - - You've been reading the Bible everyday for the last week, Stanley!"

"Why are you so angry, Timmy?"

Elder Harris bowed his head a little and looked straight out towards the front - - watching the road -- saying nothing.

Elder Gardner breathed in deeply the smells of the earth after the rain. He enjoyed walking through the wooded area near his house right after a rain. He did not tell Elder Harris that he was going to leave his mission - - that he could no longer teach what he had been told to teach. Elder Gardner no longer believed the Book of Mormon. He had investigated all of the information that Sassy had given him on the Book of Abraham. Elder Gardner had not told Elder Harris that he had kept all of the printouts of the information that Sassy had given them to read. He was surprised at all of the documented material that proved the LDS church was nothing more than a scheme concocted by a man who, according to courthouse records, had been involved in money making ruses.

The missionaries have one day a week off from their missionary duties. Elder Gardner was pleased that Elder Harris was his companion, because they both loved the time they spent in the library. They would spend hours there, forgetting about time, the outside world, and even forgetting their noon meal. Last week, while they were in the library, Elder Harris was going over the woodworking books he found in the Do-It-Yourself section. His father was a cabinetmaker, and Elder Harris loved making whatnots out of wood - - toys, little shelves that you can pllacce small porcelain ornaments on, and cabinets of all sizes.

During that time Elder Gardner picked up a couple of books about Mormonism and read them. He read everything in the library about the Kinderhook plates. He also read what several anthropologists said about the American Indians and their professional opinion about whether the American Indians were descended from a branch of the Jews or not. He had come to the conclusion from all of this evidence that indeed Joseph Smith was a con man. He just couldn't

continue teaching Mormonism anymore. He was hesitant in leaving the LDS church, because he thought of his family. He also did not want to leave his mission right away because of Elder Harris. He could see this was a very rough time for Elder Harris -- that the truth was not sitting well with his companion. Elder Gardner was grateful that Elder Harris had heard the truth and that it was there for him when he was ready to accept it. - - -

The cloud of thoughts that surrounded Sassy dissipated as she heard Matt coming in. He sat down with a glass of iced tea. "It's a beautiful afternoon, why don't we go on a picnic?"

"I have the missionaries coming over, don't you remember?"

Matt nodded, "Yes, I remember."

"I'm gonna tell them that it's over - - that the lessons are over; we're not gonna listen to them any more."

"Whatever you say, Sassy."

She loved Matt, but there were times when he irritated her, like right now, saying, 'Whatever you say, Sassy.' - - agreeing with her. She knew it wasn't logical, but every once in awhile when Matt agreed with her, it irritated her.

Matt said, "Sassy, since we're not going on a picnic, I need to go out to the barn and finish up a few things." With that he got up and went out the kitchen door.

Sassy sighed as she looked at the door Matt had just gone out of. She had wanted to talk to Matt more about her feelings. She wanted that little bit of encouragement to help her justify her plan of action. She obviously was not going to get that from Matt today. Sassy started fixing supper. As she was washing some vegetables in the kitchen sink, she looked out the window and saw Matt coming from the old storage shed carrying a small, round, three-legged table, heading towards the barn. She shook her head and went back to preparing the evening meal. A little bit later she glanced out the window again and saw her husband carrying two buckets of paint out to the barn. She just smiled and said, "Oh, Matt."

She had the roast in the oven now. It would take about three-and-a-half hours, so she went back into the living room, sipping her cup of Cranberry Cove. She started a Mozart tape, turned it down low, and began reading her Bible. After awhile, she decided it was high time she wrote a sermon. It had been too long since she had written a sermon. So with pen and paper, she'd write down the general ideas and then go to the computer and polish it up - - add a few things; subtract a few things. Then, she'd have her sermon. For now, she'd write down notes, and ideas that came to her as she was reading the Bible. She paused a moment. She could faintly hear from the living room Matt' using his skill saw in the barn. Smiling, she went back to her Bible.

About an hour later Sassy heard a car driving up. She put down her Bible to go see who it was. The missionaries were pulling up to the house. Sassy sighed and then the thought of food popped into her mind. She had been so busy preparing the evening meal that she had forgotten to make a little snack for the missionaries, which was customary for her to do. She started looking for something to feed them. Some blueberry muffins were left over from yesterday. She put those out and started brewing some chamomile tea for them. The Elders knocked on the door; Sassy opened it and invited them in. - - -

-- more later on the adventures of Matt Franklin and his wife, Sassy.
~ ~ Simon West
© 15 February, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Eight

&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& ~Sassy~ &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&

From the journals of Matthew Levi Franklin and his wife, Sarsaparilla Sue Franklin

Part Eleven:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The Lie Confronted ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As they came into the living room Elder Gardner smiled and shook Sassy's hand, "How are you doing, Sister Franklin?"

"I'm doing fine, Elder Gardner." Elder Harris seemed somewhat preoccupied and lamely shook Sassy's hand, giving her a slight smile.

"I have a snack in the kitchen. We can eat in there while we talk."

As they sat down, Sassy gave them their cups of tea and told them to help themselves to the blueberry muffins that were on the table. Sassy had wanted Matt to be with her when she told the missionaries what she was about to tell them. She walked to the window and saw Matt out by the barn. She waved at him through the window, but he apparently did not see her. Being slightly irritated, Sassy walked back and sat down.

Elder Harris began, "Well, we'd like to start off this lesson with a word of prayer."

Sassy's first reaction was to object, because she didn't want the lesson today. Then she thought, well, maybe that is what she needed - - a prayer, to help her with what she was about to tell the missionaries. So she agreed and she asked Elder Harris to offer the prayer. Elder Harris's prayer was short and nondescript. He simply said 'Heavenly Father, Bless us as we study this lesson today. We say this in Jesus' name, Amen.' Sassy was surprised because usually when Elder Harris said a prayer, it was rather long.

Elder Harris opened his books and Elder Gardner said, "Elder..."

Elder Harris seemed slightly irritated, and said "What? I'm - - I'm starting the lesson."

Sassy noticed there was friction between the two of them but she did not understand it. She said, "Look. I have to tell you something. I am a Presbyterian minister. I believe in Jesus. I accepted Jesus as my Savior a long time ago. But I have to tell you two, I am to the point in our relationship that I do not want to have the lessons anymore. I do not believe what you have to say is the truth. I know it is not the truth. I dearly like having you come over. I have become fond of you both, but I do not want to discuss Mormonism with you anymore. I am never going to be a Mormon. I will never accept the teachings that you are teaching. So, let's please dispense with the lessons."

Elder Gardner was smiling which puzzled Sassy somewhat, but she was not at all surprised with Elder Harris' expression. His eyes narrowed and Sassy could tell he was angry.

Elder Harris snapped, "Fine!" He placed his hands on the table and stood up and commanded, "Elder, let's go."

Elder Gardner stood up. He looked at Sassy. Sassy said, "I'm sorry. I just really don't believe. I know Joseph Smith was a con man. He lied about everything."

Elder Harris grabbed his companion's arm and pushed him towards the kitchen door. Elder Gardner said, "Elder Harris, wait. I have something I want to say to Sassy."

Elder Harris angrily demanded, "We are leaving now. She doesn't want to hear the truth. She can't see the truth. She doesn't want the truth. And I am not going to stand here while this Old Hag slanders the church any more. Now let's go!" With that he opened the kitchen door and shoved his companion through the doorway, following him out without even looking at Sassy. If Elder Harris would have looked back at Sassy, he would have seen her eyes opened wide and her mouth slowly forming the words 'Old Hag' over and over again. Perhaps Elder Harris was lucky that he left when he did.

Sassy regained her composure as she heard arguing out in the yard. She walked towards the door and saw that Elder Harris and Elder Gardner were about halfway between the house and the barn. Elder Harris was gesturing wildly and angrily as he was shouting at Elder Gardner. She could hear what they were saying. Sassy looked up and saw Matt come out of the barn. She saw him lean against the fence, watching the two missionaries as they were arguing.

Elder Harris was screaming, "How can you stand there and listen to her tell those lies about the church?"

Elder Gardner bowed his head and said, "Look, Timmy. She is not telling lies. We were telling the lie. We have been telling a lie from the first time we set foot on the mission trail."

With that, Elder Harris made his hand into a fist, and that fist promptly landed on the jaw of his companion. As Elder Gardner staggered back, Elder Harris stepped in with a left to his solar plexus and a right to his upper chest. Elder Gardner's right connected with Elder Harris' eye and his left grazed Elder Harris' shoulder. As Elder Harris staggered back, he kicked dirt at Elder Gardner. Regaining his footing, he dove toward Elder Gardner's mid-section. They tumbled and rolled into the dirt, flailing each other with their fists. Sassy, shaking her head, looked up and saw Matt standing by the fence with his own fists doubled, in pugilistic style, jabbing with his fists and ducking as if he were a part of the altercation. Sassy's right eye narrowed slightly and she muttered to herself, "Men!" Matt looked up and saw Sassy glaring at him. He put his hands down and walked towards the house, giving the Elders a wide berth as they were rolling in the dirt. He walked through the door into the kitchen. Headed toward the cupboard to get a cup for some coffee, he walked by Sassy and commented, "I guess they're havin' their religious discussions without ya today" and chuckled a bit. Sassy just stared at Matt as he poured his cup of coffee.

"How can you make a joke?"

"Oh, Sassy. Just sit down and drink your..."

"Yes, but they're fighting. They're gonna get hurt out there."

"Yeah, well, probably so."

"Well, maybe we should go out there and stop it." With that Sassy headed toward the door.

Matt stood up and grabbed Sassy's arm. "Sassy, you've brought 'em a long ways, and this is the part of the journey that they have to walk by themselves. You can't walk it with 'em. You can't walk it for them. Sit down, have a cup of coffee, and we'll wait."

Sassy looked out the window. The sounds of scuffling had stopped. She saw that Elder Harris was sitting on top of his friend who was lying on his back. Elder Harris still had his fist up in the air, doubled. Matt got up, poured some coffee for Sassy, and took it to her as she stood by the kitchen sink. They could hear plainly the words that Elder Harris was saying, and they stood together, drinking their coffee and listening.

Elder Harris was saying, "You're telling me that everything I was taught from when I was a baby - - everything that we were taught from wheen we were babies - - is a lie. You're telling me every story my mother ever told me, everything the Bishop ever said to me, every talk we heard in church and all the discussions we had with the General Authorities when we first came on our mission - - all of that, you're telling me was for naught. Everything that my father taught me about the church - - everything is a lie. Our priesthood is a lie. Everything!"

Elder Gardner quietly spoke, "Yes, Timmy, it is. And you know it is. You've read the evidences that I have read. And I've noticed that you have constantly studied your Bible these last few days. You know it's not true, the same as I do."

Elder Harris moved off of his companion and sat down on the ground beside him. "You are saying that I have wasted nineteen years of my life?"

Elder Gardner answered, "We both have. Let's not waste anymore."

Elder Harris's hand, which was still doubled into a fist, slowly opened as he placed his hand on his companion's chest. Elder Harris bowed his head, and the tears that he had been holding back, rushed forward.

From the kitchen window, Sassy also felt the heartache of Elder Harris and she could not stop her own tears from flowing. Matt said, "Come on, Sassy, sit down at the table. We'll have a cup of coffee. They'll be in in a minute."

"No, I wanna talk to them."

"No, they need to be alone for now. They'll be in in a minute."

"How do you know that, Matt?"

"Oh, because they left their lessons here, and their quads. They'll be back in to get those before they leave, and you can talk to them then. Right now they need to be with God."

Sassy turned and checked the roast in the oven. "We have enough for them. I wonder if they'll stay for supper."

Matt smiled and replied, "I'll bet you can talk them into it, Sassy."

Matt took his cup, sat down at the table, picked up one of the blueberry muffins, eyed it, and put it back down. The tears had stopped outside. There was an occasional groan, and a sigh or two. Their talking had become low and muffled and the Franklins could no longer hear what they were saying. Matt and Sassy were finishing the last bit of their coffee, when the door opened, and the two missionaries walked into the kitchen. - - -

-- more later on the adventures of Matt Franklin and his wife, Sassy.
~ ~ Simon West
© 22 February, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Eight

&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& ~Sassy~ &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&

From the journals of Matthew Levi Franklin and his wife, Sarsaparilla Sue Franklin

Part Twelve:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Transmuting Mormons ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sassy almost grinned as she noted the disheveled condition of the two young lads coming in the kitchen door. "Supper's almost ready and I have enough dishes set out for four people, so you might as well stay for supper."

The missionaries glanced at each other. Elder Gardner replied, "No thank you, Sassy. I think we need to be going."

Matt kicked out one of the chairs and countered, "Oh, set yourselves down, boys. We have plenty. You might as well stay for supper. You need to eat."

The missionaries shrugged and Elder Harris responded, "Okay! I'll be glad to eat!" That put a smile on Sassy's face.

The two young men started to sit down and Sassy said, "Wait a minute. Go outside, dust yourselves off, and then come in and get washed up. After all that rolling around you did out there in the dirt, you need to clean yourselves up before you sit down at my table."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. We are kind of dusty." agreed Elder Gardner.

Elder Harris turned just as he stepped out the door, "Well you know, Sassy, it's your fault we got dirty." Sassy just smiled.

Both Elder Gardner and Elder Harris dusted off outside. They, then, went in to the kitchen sink to wash their hands and faces.

"You noticed our little scuffle?" asked Elder Harris with a sheepish look.

Sassy chuckled. "Couldn't help but notice it."

Matt got up and walked towards the kitchen door as Sassy started to set the table for supper. "Where are you goin', Matt?"

"Sassy, I have something out in the barn to do. I'll be right back."

Sassy raised her eyebrow, but continued with getting the meal ready as Matt went out to the barn. After washing up, the missionaries helped Sassy finish setting the table. No religious subjects were approached in the little conversations they had while they were preparing for supper.

Finally everything was ready. Supper was on the table; the places were all set. It had been half an hour and Matt hadn't come back yet from the barn. Sassy said, "Elder Gardner, .....

"

Elder Gardner interrupted, "My first name is Stanley. Call me that."

Elder Harris chimed in, "And I'm Timmy."

Sassy nodded. "Stanley, would you please go to the barn and tell Matt that supper's ready."

"Sure, I'd be glad to."

Right at that moment the door opened and Matt came in.

Stanley remarked, "Oh, I was just about to go out and get you."

Matt nodded. Everybody sat down. There was a calmness, but yet an uneasiness during supper. Not much was said - - - a little bit about the weather, a little bit about the chores - - - nothing about missionary work; nothing about the church.

Following supper they all took their cups of herbal tea into the living room, sat down and chatted - - at first solely about pleasantries.. Thhen they started talking about religion and the church. Soon they went more into the details about the church and the reasons that both missionaries had decided the LDS church wasn't true. Elder Harris confessed his anguish. He spoke of how his life would be changed and wondered how his family would accept him now that he had decided to leave the church.

Sassy noted the sadness in their eyes. She noticed it more in Elder Harris. Elder Gardener disclosed, "I don't know what we're going to do now, Sassy. I have to learn Jesus all over. What we both need is steady teaching. We need to read the Bible everyday; study everyday. I just don't know how to do that."

Sassy looked at Matt. Her raised eyebrow was her silent query. Matt nodded. She questioningly pointed towards the barn, but Matt's gesture indicated a negative on that one. Sassy announced, "Guys, Our children are gone. We have two rooms here we've merely used for storage. You two can help us clean them out. We'll fix up the rooms the way you like and then you two can stay here with us. That way, everyday we can have Bible study together and you both can learn about who Jesus really is."

The two missionaries looked at each other and large grins started to fill their faces. Elder Gardener responded, "Sassy, we would dearly love that, if it wouldn't be too much trouble."

Sassy smiled and offered, "Well, if we're gonna do that, we better get started on it now. It'll be dark pretty soon."

Timmy timidly inquired, "Sure you wanna do this, Sassy, after I called you an Old Hag?"

Matt raised an eyebrow. "Hadn't heard that - - -."

Sassy responded, "You didn't call me an Old Hag, Timmy. That wasn't what you meant. You were only expressing your frustration at the church, and at all the lies you had lived all of your life. I wasn't upset at all." - - That wasn't entirely true, but Sassy wasn't going to let that minor point interfere with these embryonic Christians getting on their feet. She now saw that her calling was to teach these burgeoning Christians how to walk in the light of the true Jesus. And that is precisely what she was going to do. Besides that, she had come to love these two youthful proselytizers as friends.

Walking down the hall to the rooms, Stanley came up short. "Timmy, we have a problem. We both have savings accounts; we can get money from those. But we're going to have to get jobs, you know."

Sassy had an idea. "I was talking with my new neighbor, Giddy. (She is quite a talker!) She mentioned that the lumberyard was short of help. They had two people quit recently. If you get down there in the morning, maybe you can get those two jobs. You shouldn't over dress for it, though. I don't think you should go down there in your dark suits." Stanley chuckled a bit at that.

The four friends walked into the moderately sized, adjacent bedrooms. They were generally dusty, with a few boxes here and there. Matt and Sassy hadn't used these rooms for a lot of storage - - - just small things. Whenever they had something and they didn't know where to keep it - - - something they didn't want to put away immediately, they had just tossed it into one of the rooms. Well, now, everything had to be put away. Sassy and the two young men got right to it while Matt went back into the living room.

With all three of them pitching in, they made short order of the two rooms. Everything was dusted. Some of those miscellaneous items were put into boxes and stored in the basement. Some larger articles were taken to the garage. Even though it didn't seem so long, three hours had passed before they had finished cleaning the rooms and getting them ready.

As they were finishing up, Sassy asked, "When are you going to tell your Mission President?"

Stanley sighed, "I don't know. He's going to suspect something after a couple of days when we don't show up. To be honest with you, Sassy, we'll have to deal with that soon enough. I'd like us to be settled here for a couple of days before we have to confront that problem."

Sassy smiled and agreed, "That's a good idea. Why don't you get some sleep now and you can make plans in the morning."

"Well first thing in the morning. we're going to go down and see if we can get those jobs down at the lumberyard. We need to find a way to support ourselves."

Leaving the boys to get ready for bed, Sassy turned and went back into the living room. Matt was sitting there with a cup of coffee, working on his sermon. Sassy walked up behind him and started rubbing his shoulders. "How are you doing?"

"Oh, I almost have my sermon finished."

"You know, it was kind of spur of the moment that I invited the missionaries to stay with us. I hope it was the right thing."

"Oh, Sassy, I think everything is gonna work out just fine. We'll work with them on a daily basis and help them to learn what true Christianity is."

"Yeah, we can do that, and they said they were going to go down and apply for the two openings at the lumberyard."

"I think I'll go down and talk to Cyrus in the morning before they get there."

"Well, I think they'll probably get the jobs."

Matt added, "You know, it wouldn't hurt to put in a little request to Cyrus. I'll tell him they're staying with us until they can get their own place."

"Yeah, that's a good idea, Matt." Then Sassy glanced at the sermon that her husband was working on. She began thinking about the remodeling Matt had been doing. "What're ya doin' in the barn?"

"You can go see for yourself, Sassy."

"Okay, in the morning I'll go out there and see what you've been up to."

Matt nodded, took another sip of his coffee, and went back to his sermon. "You know, I think I'll change my sermon."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, I'm gonna talk about miracles. We had one here today."

"Well, I'm not sure I'd call it a miracle," Sassy countered.

"Oh, I would, Sassy. Elder Harris called you an Old Hag, and lived to talk about it!" Matt chuckled as Sassy tapped him on the back of his head. - - -

-- more later on the adventures of Matt Franklin and his wife, Sassy.
~ ~ Simon West
© 4 March, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Eight

&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& ~Sassy~ &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&

From the journals of Matthew Levi Franklin and his wife, Sarsaparilla Sue Franklin

Part Thirteen:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Matt's Determination ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The next morning, Matt went into town first thing to speak with Cyrus about Stanley and Timmy. While Sassy was setting the breakfast dishes around the table, Matt told her about how he had talked to Cyrus, who had said he'd be glad to have their friends start today.

"You mean you talked him into hiring them?"

"Yeah, sure. Cyrus didn't want to haul all that lumber around all by himself."

"That's great, Matt," Sassy put breakfast on the table and called the boys.

The two missionaries came in and sat down at the table. After exchanging morning pleasantries, they got down to the business of eating breakfast. As soon as breakfast was finished, the two eager boys jumped up and Stanley stated, "Sassy, we'd love to help you with the breakfast dishes, but we'd like to get down to the lumberyard and see if we can get those jobs."

Matt chuckled a little bit. "Oh, don't worry about that. I already talked to Cyrus early this morning and he has agreed to hire you. He wants you to start today."

Timmy said, "Hey, well that's just super! We still have to get our personal things out of the apartment, though."

Stanley said, "Don't worry about the apartment now, Timmy. We can take care of that right after work."

"Sure, you can take the truck. After work you just pick up your stuff and then come right on back here. Sassy will have a good supper ready for ya."

Stanley thought, "But we have the mission car."

Matt came up with a workable plan. "Okay, I'll tell you what. You drive the mission car back to your apartment and I'll follow you in the truck. We'll load up your belongings into the truck and then I'll take you on down to the lumberyard. I can pick you up again when Cyrus is finished with you for the day."

Stanley said "Thank you, Matt. I want to thank you both for all you and Sassy have taught us --- and all you have done for us."

Matt nodded. "We'd better git goin'."

Sassy watched them leave, waving as they drove away. She started to go back into the house when she thought about the barn. Curiosity had gotten the better of her -- she had to see what Matt had been doing out there! Walking around the house, she headed towards the barn. The bunkroom was just to the left as you went inside. It used to have just two beds in it, sitting on a dirt floor. Matt had laid a wooden floor and cut a section out of the wall on the right side of the room. The beds sat in the northwest corner of the room - - one bed on the west wall and the other on the north side. A square empty space was formed where the beds came together. Matt had placed a small round table back in the corner space and had put a lamp on it. He had made a lower table in the shape of a triangle for in front of where the two beds met. The top of the triangular table came to the top of the mattress, making an efficient nightstand for both beds. A Bible lay casually on this stand. Sassy smiled when she saw the Bible, knowing full well how easy it was to stray from the Lord. Reading the Bible everyday is a good system for helping one stay on the straight and narrow. Sassy was puzzled by the hole in the wall on the east side of the room. Speaking out loud to herself, she mused, "I wonder why he cut that hole in the wall?"

Sassy glanced around the bunkroom once more and then returned to the house. She went about doing the everyday household chores that never end. When she realized Matt hadn't come back yet, Sassy stopped her work to fix herself lunch. Finishing her lunch, she grabbed her Lemon Zinger tea and headed for the living room. Just as she sat down and started sipping her tea, Matt came in the front door. "You've been gone awhile." Sassy remarked with an inquisitive eyebrow raised.

"Uh - - yeah, I picked up the missionaries' belongings."

"They're not missionaries any more, Matt."

"I know Sassy, I..."

"It took you all this time to pick up their stuff?"

"No, I had to drop Stanley and Timmy off at the lumberyard...."

"I know that...."

"Then I needed to buy a few things while I was there."

"Like what?"

"Well, like plumbing supplies - - a couple of sinks, a toilet and..."

"Whoa, Matt! I think we need to talk about what you think you're doing. You're startin' to spend a lot of money for just remodeling the barn. I think you're going a bit too far with this."

Matt looked straight into Sassy's eyes and began, "We can talk about the remodeling, Sassy, and I know I am spending a lot of money on the barn. But I'm gonna spend still more before I'm finished. I have to close off an area for the goat. I sure don't want her running around in the area where I'm working. And I have further plans as well. I want you to know I will continue to do what I am doing until I have finished. I will complete this project with or without your approval, and that is the end of that, Sassy!"

Sassy stared in shock as Matt left the living room heading for the kitchen. For a moment she was bewildered by his determination to go ahead with this project - - evidently with disregard as to the financial cost. Nor did he want Sassy's opinion on this matter, apparently. As she thought on Matt's comments to her, her left eye started to close ever so slightly and irritation was slowly replacing the bewilderment. Sassy came out of her chair, walking with determination towards the kitchen. As she got close to the doorway into the kitchen, she hollered Matt's name. - - -

-- more later on the adventures of Matt Franklin and his wife, Sassy.
~ ~ Simon West
© 8 March, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Eight

&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& ~Sassy~ &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&

From the journals of Matthew Levi Franklin and his wife, Sarsaparilla Sue Franklin

Part Fourteen:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Disturbing Dreams ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

All sorts of emotions were coursing through Sassy about this barn remodeling

development. She almost marched into the kitchen as she declared, "Fine, mister. I wanna know that's going on, and I want to know why you think that the remodeling of this barn is none of my business."

"It's not that it's not any of your business, Sassy. It's just something that I have to do. It has to be done."

"Why, Matt?"

Matt began with a sigh. "Sassy, I had a dream."

"A dream?"

"Yes. Some kind of disaster coming.... In the dream, there was a disaster and someone was staying in the barn. It was fixed up. I saw our daughter there. I'm not sure if she was there before, during, or after the disaster, but she crept into the dream somewhere."

"Our daughter?"

"Yeah, yeah, our daughter. I don't know what's coming, Sassy, but I know something is, and I believe the Lord is having me get prepared for it."

"Well.... Will.... - - - It involves our daughter?"

"I don't know, Sassy, who it involves. I know I have to have this barn ready."

"Well, we could call her."

"No, it's ..... It doesn't..... If the disaster happens, it will only be after she comes here.... or.... I don't know. I don't know, Sassy. I don't know. I don't ... I don't have that... But I've had this same dream three times, Sassy, so I'm going ahead with the barn."

"So you're worried about our little girl, are ya, Matt?"

"Yeah." So much emotion in just one word! Sassy knew Matt expended considerable effort trying not to worry about his daughter.

"And you didn't tell me!?"

"I didn't want to worry you, Sassy. You do get emotional, you know." He didn't even mention that she had really been too wrapped up with the missionaries to think about a remodeling project.

"Ohhh....," Sassy tried to get her thoughts organized into words. "You know we have a marriage here, Matt. That means we are equal partners. You have a dream about a disaster. You believe a disaster is really coming. So you go about preparing for the disaster. Well, this effects my life too, Matt. If you have a dream and do nothing about it, you can keep it to yourself. But if you have a dream, and you feel you have to do something about it, then I have a right to know."

"Yeah, I know, Sassy. "I'm .... I'm sorry. I just ..... I'm ... not sure what to do." "Well, if you believe it is God telling you to do this, then the only thing to do - - - is do it!"

"Even if I don't understand it? Heh, heh, heh." Matt's laughter reflected some of his frustration with this whole undertaking.

"So the only difference is - - now, Matt, we'll work on this projecct together. So what do we have to do yet?"

"Well, I have to get a plumber out. I'm going to lay some plumbing - - - add on to the sewer line there. ; There's some carpentry work and some wiring to do. And when we get finished remodeling, we'll be able to handle whatever disaster comes."

"What are we going to do when the disaster hits?"

"I don't know. We'll think of something. God will provide."

"Then you should remember that, Matt, and stop worrying. If 'God will provide', then we don't have to worry, do we? So we'll just continue on."

Matt finished fixing his sandwich, got a cup of coffee, and sat down at the table. Sassy poured herself a cup and sat down with him. For a couple of hours that afternoon, Sassy worked side-by-side with her husband remodeling the barn. Matt was grateful that she was helping. He was also relieved to finally share his burden with his wife. Together they would deal with anything that came along - - good or bad.

As the afternoon wore on, Sassy said, "I'd better get inside and start preparing supper. I thought we'd have my famous spaghetti with some garlic bread and a fresh lettuce salad - - sort of a celebration meal for Stanley and Timmy - - for their new jobs, for their coming out of the church, and for them learning about who Jesus really is."

"Sassy, better be careful about preparing celebration meals, 'cause with what's gonna happen with those two young men during these next few months, you're gonna feel like fixin' a celebration meal nearly everyday. Lifestyles will be changing fast for those young men, and for us. It's going to be a bit chaotic around here for a time. Our former missionaries will have numerous 'firsts' to celebrate with the new wisdom they will be gaining, and you know, Sassy? I think for the first time in their lives, they will truly begin to feel the love of God through His Son, Jesus Christ. But go ahead with the spaghetti for tonight; I'd love that. And besides, Sassy, I think all of your meals are special, anyway." Matt winked. "I'll finish up here and then come in and see if I can give you a hand. Tomorrow after the boys go to work, if you'd like, you can come in town with me and help me pick out some paints, and some - - maybe some wallpaper. I'm not sure about that; I'm thinkin' on it. But we'll see. We'll need little doorknobs. We're gonna make a couple of cabinets to put in here."

"Matt, are you making this just an extended bedroom or are you turning this into an apartment?"

"I don't know, Sassy. We'll figure that out as we go along, huh? Deal with what we're doin' today, and we can decide tomorrow while we're out what we're doin' tomorrow, and the next day the Lord will give us inspiration on what we need then. We just have to be careful we're not goin' overboard, doin' more than what God wants. That's easy for people to do. - - - 'course you've never gone overboard, have you, Sassy?"

Sassy looked at Matt and smiled - - turned and walked out of the barn, heading towards the kitchen. Matt chuckled a little bit as he continued with his work.

Sassy poked her head back into the barn. "Oh, and Matt, no more secrets. We're a team. We deal with things together - - good times and bad. Remember, a house divided against itself cannot stand."

Matt nodded. As the barn door was closing, he hollers in response, "Ya got it, Babe." Matt could see in his mind his wife cringing at the term 'Babe'. - - -

-- more later on the adventures of Matt Franklin and his wife, Sassy.
~ ~ Simon West
© 19 March, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Eight

&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& ~Sassy~ &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&

From the journals of Matthew Levi Franklin and his wife, Sarsaparilla Sue Franklin

Part Fifteen:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ All in a Day's Work ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sassy was humming a Christian hymn when Matt came through the kitchen door. "Well, you seem happy now, Sassy."

"Huh? ... Oh, hi, Matt. Sure. I'm just fixin' supper."

"Is there anything you want me to help you with?"

"No, Matt, I seem to have it all. You can set the table, though, if you'd like to do that."

Matt nodded and got down the dishes for supper. He began setting the plates around the table, and then stopped with a jerk, "Oh, my! I've gotta go. It's time to go pick up the boys. I'll see ya later, Sassy. You can finish here." Matt turned and rushed out the door.

As Sassy heard the truck drive off, she muttered, "Men. Always offerin' to help with housework, and then immediately findin' a way to get out of it." - - -

Matt saw the boys standing by the front door of the lumberyard when he pulled up. They waved and got in the truck. Matt inquired, "How'd work go today?"

"Oh, it was just great. He got a shipment of lumber in - - kind of busy for us today - - - for a first day." Timmy, who had not actually ever had a job before, was trying to cover up how overwhelmed he felt.

Matt nodded and chuckled a bit.

"It felt good, though, to be working." Stanley was used to work. He had always helped out on the family farm.

The boys settled down, not saying much more. They looked tired. Timmy was almost asleep by the time they turned into the lane leading to the house. The two former missionaries were not used to hard manual labor, but they would get used to it after a few days - - maybe a week or so. Matt noticed there seemed to be more of a calmness about them. They seemed happier.

As they had pulled up to the house, Matt woke Timmy up. They got out of the truck and headed towards the house. As they walked through the living room Timmy sat down on the sofa. Stanley and Matt went on into the kitchen. It was a nice kitchen - - very large - - enough room for their dining room table. As they walked in Sassy had just finished with the preparations and supper was already on the table, ready. Stanley said, "I'm gonna go wash up." He headed toward the bathroom.

Sassy asked, "Where's Timmy?"

"Uhhhhh, I donno. He was with us when we came in the door." The Franklins walked into the living room and halted when they saw Timmy - - - half sitting, half lying on the sofa, sound asleep.

Sassy put her arm around her husband's waist. She remarked, "Timmy's worked hard!"

Matt chortled, "Yeah, he looks like he's been dragged through a knothole, backwards."

Sassy smiled and woke Timmy up. He stretched and yawned. Sassy said, "Supper's ready, Timmy. You need to eat. You'd better go wash up and then come on out into the kitchen."

Timmy mumbled, and nodding his head, walked down the hall. Stanley passed Timmy coming out of the bathroom and patted his shoulder as he stepped by him. "It was a good day's work, wasn't it, Timmy?" Timmy just mumbled again, moaning.

Stanley walked on out to the kitchen table. "Sassy, is there anything I can do to help?"

She turned and smiled, "No, I think you've done enough work today. Just sit down and we'll wait for Timmy and then we'll eat. After supper I expect you'll probably be going to bed early tonight."

"Oh, no." Stanley affirmed. "I feel ... I feel fine."

Sassy just nodded as she sat down. There wasn't much for conversation this night. Timmy barely had the strength to finish his meal. After Stanley had sat down and stopped moving, even he started drifting off to sleep a little. Matt and Sassy looked at each other and snickered a little bit. Sassy tried to talk to the boys.

Stanley revived, "Huh?"

"How was work today?" Sassy repeated.

"Oh, it was great. It felt good."

Sassy responded, "Well, that's nice, Stanley."

Stanley looked up from his food, "Sassy, we don't want to put you out. Maybe we should get our own apartment."

Sassy grinned, "No, I'm enjoying the company. If you need to get an apartment, you can get one in a couple of months. You need to get on your feet, first."

"Well, when we get our first check we need to be paying for some of the food....."

"Don't be worrying about that. We'll talk about it later."

Stanley started drifting to sleep again. Timmy's fork fell on his plate and they both startled a bit.

Sassy smiled, shook her head, and suggested, "Why don't you two boys go lie down. You can put your stuff away in the morning. Matt, take them in there to bed." Matt hadn't put anyone to bed since long before his children left.

Stanley objected, "Oh, no, that's okay. We can manage. Bed sounds like a pretty good idea about now." So he touched Timmy's shoulder, "Come on, Timmy. I think we need to rest. I'm a lot tireder than I thought I was." They slowly headed off towards their rooms, almost hobbling.

Matt and Sassy sipped their coffee as they watched the two young men leave the kitchen and walk down the hall. Sassy looked at Matt and they both giggled. They sat quietly for a while, and then Sassy brought up the remodeling in the barn. Now that she had a hand in it, she told Matt that she had a few ideas. Matt said, "I figured ya would, Sassy."

The evening shadows started creeping over the afternoon light, slowly enveloping the room in dimness. They stayed at the kitchen table and talked for about an hour. Then Sassy said, "Well, I'd better get this cleaned up." Matt stood up and started clearing away the dishes as Sassy was putting away the leftovers. Matt set out to washing the dishes. By the time he had finished, Sassy had the table cleaned and was wiping down a cabinet door, as she had found a couple of smudges on it. She went over and brewed two cups of Almond Sunset tea, handed Matt a cup and proposed, "Let's go sit in the living room now"

"Sure." They walked into the living room. Sassy sat down on the sofa. Matt sat down next to her, and put his arm around her, pulling her in close. They sat and talked a mite longer. Sassy stood up to take the two cups back into the kitchen and Matt heard her rinsing the cups out. He stood up and headed towards the bedroom. Sassy followed him. They got into bed and pulled the covers over themselves. It had been a satisfying day, overall. - - -

-- more later on the adventures of Matt Franklin and his wife, Sassy.
~ ~ Simon West
© 23 March, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Eight

&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& ~Sassy~ &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&

From the journals of Matthew Levi Franklin and his wife, Sarsaparilla Sue Franklin

Part Sixteen:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Standing For Jesus ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Everything went along pretty much the same at the Franklin residence for the next two days. Stanley and Timmy worked at the lumberyard. Matt and Sassy worked on the remodeling of the barn after they fulfilled their ministerial duties. The congregation at the church was getting larger. It seemed that Matt and Sassy would both be kept fairly busy ministering to the flock. Matt visited Ella Proctor in the hospital and Sassy gave her talk for the single's meeting. The following day, Matt and Sassy threw a birthday party for one of the residents at the old folks' home. The days were full for the Franklins. They had a calling that they loved. Their days consisted of doing what they believed the Lord wanted them to do.

A lot of events had transpired over the past few weeks and it looked as if even more new events were on the horizon. After all, they were remodeling the barn to prepare for some unnamed disaster. The fact that they both believed that this disaster was coming showed in the untiring labor that they each of them put into the barn. Every free moment from their duties as ministers was dedicated to working in the barn. They put in a shower and a toilet. They expanded the living area some and made a small kitchen. Matt found a used refrigerator and stove and had the gas and electric hooked up. The plumber had been in earlier in the morning and had put in a hot water tank. Matt looked at all they had added to the bunkroom that had been in the barn, and he said, "Well, Sassy. I guess this has answered our question. I think this bunkroom has turned into a small apartment."

Sassy suggested, "I think we need to close off this half of the barn and put another entrance door into the back end of the barn."

"Well, I don't know if we need to do that, Sassy."

"Matt! Every time you go to feed the goat you're gonna go right by their living room. If we're gonna turn this into an apartment, then we need to close off half the barn. We'll use the back half and leave the front half for the apartment. The part that is not actually in the living area of the apartment can be used as a storage area for their possessions. But they need some privacy. Do you think I would let someone walk through my living room to feed their goat?"

Matt chuckled at the enthusiasm Sassy had for this project. He knew that with Sassy's ideas, the remodeling would be more than sufficient to deal with the coming disaster. Matt had decided earlier that they were going to have to put in a ceiling. He was planning to have Stanley and Timmy help him with the ceiling over the weekend. With the money they had in their savings account, Stanley and Timmy had been able to buy an old Chevy pick up which they drove back and forth to work. Matt had planned to have the boys bring home the materials they would need for the new ceiling on one of their trips home from work.

Matt and Sassy stood admiring the work they were doing, and what gave them even more pleasure was that they felt that they were doing it for the Lord, for some reason that they did not quite understand. But they were happy to do it. - - -

Matt and Sassy walked out of the barn just as the boys' pick up pulled in out front. They walked around to greet them. Just as the boys were getting out of the truck, Matt noticed that two men wearing suits were pulling up right behind them in a large Buick. Timmy started walking towards the house, when Stanley grabbed his arm and said, "Hold it, Tim."

Timmy turned to look at Stanley when he noticed the two men getting out of their car. A moan escaped Timmy's lips as he recognized the visitors. Stanley put a consoling hand on Timmy's shoulder and said, "Well, we knew this day was coming."

Stanley walked over to one of the men and said, "Hello, President." It was the LDS mission president.

The mission president stared at both missionaries for what seemed to be a long time. He finally said, "You've been missing for a few days. We were worried about you."

Stanley said, "Yes, I know. I've been meaning to contact you."

"Well, what are you doing here, anyway, Elder Gardner?"

Stanley, not really wanting to confront his mission president, sighed and Timmy leaped in, being his usual enthusiastic self, "Well, we're not missionaries anymore. We quit! And another thing.... We're not even members of the church anymore, either. We quit that too. We found the real Jesus, and we're workin' for him now, not you."

When Timmy was first introduced to Stanley as his new missionary companion, there had been an immediate irritation because of Timmy's over enthusiastic exuberance. Today, however, Stanley was grateful for his now close friend's exuberance.

By this time Matt and Sassy had walked up and stood beside Stanley and Timmy. The mission president said, "I don't understand. What's.... What's going on here?"

"If you can't understand Timmy, I'll explain it." Stanley, being a little nervous and sounding more disrespectful than he wanted to, continued. "We have found out that... that... that your church.... that the LDS church is not the true church. It is your church. It is not our church anymore."

"So what, Elder Gardner, you think these people have the answers for you?"

Stanley said, "Jesus has the answers for us. We've been reading the Bible and studying everyday, and it just does not.... I cannot read the Bible and believe the Bible, and believe the LDS church at the same time. One of them had to go. I chose the Bible."

Timmy said, "That's right. That's where we found Jesus. Not in the temple in Salt Lake City, not in an LDS meeting house, but right there in the Bible. This is what we've learned, so this is our new life now."

"But what about your parents and your families?" The mission president exclaimed.

"You let us...." Stanley hesitated, then standing a little firmer, started again, "Now you let us worry about our families. That's not your concern. Your concerns are, that you have the church car back, you have everything that belongs to the church left in the apartment, and all of our personal things are gone."

"But you know what this means, don't you?"

Timmy said, "Yeah, it means we're finally on the way to Jesus."

"Elder Harris, shut up." With that, the president grabbed Stanley's arm and said, "You're coming back with me."

Stanley said, "President, you will let go of my arm, and you'll let go now."

Matt took a step towards the mission president. His hand slowly released Stanley's arm.

"I didn't tell you," Stanley said, "to be honest with you, because, at first, I wasn't sure this was the move I should make. Everything just happened so quickly. But I wasn't totally sure it was the right move. I needed to sort things out. I thought maybe the discrepancies could be explained away. But they can't be. I've studied it and I've gone over it and gone over it again."

The mission president, looking at Matt and Sassy, but talking to Stanley and Timmy, stated, "Well, we're going to have to send you back to your families, so you better come along with us."

Stanley said, "No. You forget, President. We are young; that is true. But according to any definition of any law, anywhere in this land, we are adults - - of voting age. And we will do as we deem right. You have no say anymore over our movements, our actions, or anything else we should decide. When I go back to my family, I will go in my own time. I will contact my family when I am ready to do so."

"You can be sure I will call your parents."

"Well, it's none of your business, but if you want to contact them, and tell them all the evil that you think I've done, then you go ahead."

"Well, you know you'll be excommunicated for this."

Timmy jumped in, "Excommunicated? We quit! So you're telling us we can't quit - - we're fired, huh?"

Normally Stanley would've cautioned Timmy to be quiet, but this time he let him vent his emotions. "You, know, I believed everything. I really did. And then I found truth - - documented truth - - - proof that it's all been a lie. Now you can play your little game about excommunicating us if you want to, but it's not going to mean anything. And if it makes you feel any better, go ahead and do it. You can have your church, because I've got Jesus."

The mission president looked at Stanley and said, "Well, we'll talk later."

Stanley said, "No, President, we won't talk later. I don't want you to come out here again. I don't want you to bother us. This is the end of our conversation. Now, good-bye."

With anger and irritation covering his face, the mission president turned with his companion and walked back to their car. As they drove down the lane away from the house, Stanley leaned slightly against Matt. Matt placed his arm around Stanley's shoulder and he felt Stanley tremble a little bit. "I know that was very hard for you. But you both did all right. I'm sorry you two had to go through this, but you now have a real desire for Jesus, and in pursuing this desire, you had to make this change in your life. And in making this change, the confrontation that just transpired had to happen."

Stanley nodded and admitted, "I know you're right, Matt, but I didn't want to confront the mission president at this time."

Matt said, "You know, in all of my dealings with Jesus, I have learned that there are many times when a person thinks that they would like to put something off for a while. But they learn, as every Christian does, that when Jesus says "Now!", that's when it happens. And you will find out that Jesus' now, is always the right time."

Stanley, exhausted from all the stress, nodded and said, "I think we'll go on in and wash up. Supper's ready, isn't it, Sassy?"

Sassy raised an eyebrow. "Oh, pretty close, pretty close. We'll be in, in a minute."

Stanley nodded and he and Timmy walked towards the house. As they walked through the front door, Matt and Sassy, stood there, watching them. They stared at the closed door for a moment. There was a slight smile drifting onto Sassy's face. "You're pretty proud of your work, aren't you, Sassy. Well, you did good."

"Oh, no, Matt. I'm not proud of me. I'm proud of them. They've embraced Jesus, and now they can really feel His heart, and hear His message." Tears were forming in Sassy's eyes as she spoke. "I am very proud of them, Matt. I think it's time they contacted their families, though. And I think they should do it before that man has a chance to call their families."

With that, they turned and walked into the house. - - -

-- more later on the adventures of Matt Franklin and his wife, Sassy.
~ ~ Simon West
© 26 March, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Eight

&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& ~Sassy~ &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&

From the journals of Matthew Levi Franklin and his wife, Sarsaparilla Sue Franklin

Part Seventeen:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Facing Their Convictions ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As they walked through the door, Sassy asked, "Matt, can you put some coffee on?"

"Sure, I'd be glad to."

With that, Sassy turned and walked down the hall. She could hear the boys talking in Stanley's room. The door was open, and as she walked up, she could see they were sitting on the floor reading, with their quads opened to the Bible. She stood there a moment, and then knocked on the doorframe. They turned their heads and looked at her.

"May I come in a minute?"

They both stood up, "Of course."

Sassy stepped in. "I think it's really time that you called your parents and told them what you've done."

Timmy said, "If I do that, Sassy, they're gonna kill me."

Sassy said, "You have to face up to it sooner or later, Timmy, and I think it's better that you do, before that man calls your parents. Why don't you two go into the living room and make your calls. Matt and I will wait in the kitchen."

Stanley said, "Well, maybe you ought to be there with us."

Sassy shook her head, "No, I'm sorry. I can't. Just as I had to let you two fight it out when Timmy was first admitting to the truth, I now have to let you talk to your parents alone."

Both boys reluctantly nodded in agreement . As they walked into the living room, compassion for the boys filled Sassy's heart. By the time she reached the kitchen that compassion had begun to flow out of her eyes. She walked over and buried her face into her husband's chest. The build up of tension from the last few days caused Sassy's body to tremble slightly. She had dreaded this meeting with the mission president for fear that Stanley and Timmy would go back into the church. Sassy's compassion for people was a little more than average. She wasn't sure why she had more compassion for these two young men than she had had for other people she had helped, but in fact she did. Somewhere deep inside of her, she knew that the lives of these two young men would be intertwined with her and her husband's lives for some time to come.

Matt said nothing. He simply stood there with his arms around his wife. He held her for a few moments, and then, knowing he needed to help ease the emotional stress, he lightheartedly said, "Well, Sassy, I see we've come to one of those special moments in our missionaries' lives. Do you want to fix another special meal?"

Sassy laughed through her tears and lovingly punched Matt on the arm. As Matt and Sassy were finishing preparations for getting supper on the table, they could hear the muffled sounds of the missionaries talking to their parents. At times their voices were strained - - first Stanley's and then Timmy's as they each talked to their parents. Timmy's voice went from exuberant excitement to muffled silence.

After a few minutes, the two boys came into the kitchen. It was obvious that tears had filled their hearts as well as their eyes. As they all sat down, both boys reached for their forks and started eating. There was no blessing on the food this night. All through supper there was only silence. After supper, Stanley and Timmy, without saying anything to the Franklins, turned and walked back to their rooms. Matt stood up and walked over to refill his coffee cup. As he passed Sassy, he put his hand on her shoulder for a brief moment and then filled his cup. He turned to Sassy and asked, "Would you like to join me outside?"

Sassy nodded and walked towards the kitchen door and went on outside. Matt followed her. While looking at the changing lights in the evening sky, they watched a myriad of colors from the setting sun mingle with the drifting clouds, showering the horizon with shimmering lights of red and gold. It was as if God Himself was bathing the Franklins in a blanket of peace. They did not speak, but more communication passed between them in the few minutes they stood there, than some couples speak in a lifetime.

Matt and Sassy returned to the kitchen and cleaned up after supper. As they walked to the bedroom, both doors were closed to Stanley and Timmy's rooms. No light showed from underneath the doors, testifying that both boys were already asleep. Matt and Sassy, hand in hand, entered their bedroom where their bed invitingly beckoned to them with its promise of a much-needed rest after this exhaustingly intense day. - - -

The next morning the two boys were up early, and over herbal tea they were discussing in low tones about the events of last night, and their plans for the day. They leaned back in their chairs as Sassy came into the kitchen, still dressed in her nightclothes with her robe pulled tightly around her. Stanley said, "I already have the coffee on."

"Yes, I know. I can smell it. Thank you." Sassy poured herself a cup, sat down and started sipping her coffee. "You two are up early this morning."

Timmy said, "Yeah, we had a lot of things to think about."

Sassy quietly said, "I know." and sipped her coffee.

The three just sat there and chatted idly. As Matt walked into the room, Sassy said, "Oh, what would you boys like for breakfast?"

Timmy said, "That's okay. We each had a bowl of cereal. We've already washed the bowls and put them up. If you don't mind, we're gonna go on into town."

Sassy said, "Well, you're not supposed ... You don't have to be at the lumberyard until ... till 7:30, and it's 6:00 now."

Stanley said, "I know, Sassy. I think maybe an early morning drive is what we need. We want to ... Well ... We'll see ya later. okay?"

Sassy was concerned, but merely nodded.

As the boys left the kitchen and went outside on their way into town, Matt sat down with his coffee. "Well, Matt, what would you like for breakfast?"

Matt showed her the toast that he'd already cooked and said, "I'm eating it right now."

Sassy looked down and saw that he had a small plate with four pieces of toast on it. She reached over and took one of the pieces of toast and started nibbling on it. Matt, knowing his wife after all these years of being together, reached over and said, "Hey, Hon, they'll be okay. They're gonna be just fine." Sassy nodded.

Matt got up to wash the small plate that he had used for his toast. As Sassy watched him walk towards the sink, she said quietly, "They never said anything about what they talked about with their parents."

Matt turned his head and looking at his wife, he replied quietly, "I know, Sassy." - - -

-- more later on the adventures of Matt Franklin and his wife, Sassy.
~ ~ Simon West
© 27 March, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Eight

&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& ~Sassy~ &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&

From the journals of Matthew Levi Franklin and his wife, Sarsaparilla Sue Franklin

Part Eighteen:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ A Troubled Gathering ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As the morning wore on, Sassy slowly put aside her concerns about Stanley and Timmy and their interactions with their parents. She worked on her sermon for Sunday morning. She hadn't taken the lead in their Sunday services in awhile, so it was definitely her turn. Matt continued working on the barn project. He checked the entire new plumbing hookups for leaks, and then took measurements for the ceiling. He would have to go to the lumberyard soon for the ceiling materials; everything had happened so fast he had not had time to talk to the boys about getting what he needed. He was looking into the possibility of putting in that back entrance door when he heard a truck driving up in the back. Sassy stepped out the door, and hollered back, "It's the boys. It's Stanley and Timmy." Matt came out and together they walked over to the truck.

Looking down at his watch, Matt commented curiously, "It's 11:30.....?"

"Yeah. It was a little slow at the lumberyard and we talked to Cyrus and told him our situation. He said we could have the rest of the day off, and we could have Monday off as well. Sassy, look. We have to fly back to Utah. Our folks sent us some money. Timmy's folks are going to meet us at my house. We're going to have a family conference."

Matt said, "Fly back? Uhhh.... "

"Yeah, we called our folks and they wired us enough money to buy the tickets."

Sassy's worry filled her voice, "Are these one way tickets?"

"No, Sassy, they're round trip. We're going to stay there a couple of days, and talk. We'll be back Monday afternoon. They sent enough money for three round trip tickets. We'd like you to come with us, Sassy. We'd like both of you to come with us if you can. If you could get the money for the other ticket, we would pay you back out of our first paycheck."

Sassy was torn. She wanted to be with them as support, but also the Wilkerson wedding was coming up and she was the one they had asked to do the ceremony. That was this Saturday - - tomorrow. Sassy mentioned that. So she couldn't go this Saturday. And she had prepared to give the sermon for this Sunday. If they could just put it off ....

Stanley said, "No, we have to get this over with. We have to get back here and be back to work by Tuesday."

"Matt, you can come with us, can't you?"

"Well, I am working on the barn."

"Matt, we can't do this without one of you there. We go there by ourselves, and we might not come back. I'm not even sure if we would have the courage to go without you."

Sassy spoke up, "Matt, go with them. Go on with them and be there for anything they need. I'll be all right. I have everything covered for this weekend at the church. Besides, I could use a few days of peace and quiet without three men running under my feet."

Matt nodded.

Stanley said, "Well, Matt, I hate to rush you, but you'd better hurry. The plane leaves in two hours."

"Two hours!" Matt rushed into the house.

Sassy chuckled, "I'd better go help him pack."

Stanley and Timmy went into the house to pack their bags. When they were finished, they came into the living room. Matt and Sassy were there, discussing details about the church duties this weekend. Matt was all packed and ready to go. Sassy had her eye on the time, "Well, let's get a move on." As the boys headed towards the kitchen, Sassy objected, "No. Leave your truck here. Let's get in the suburban and I'll take you to the airport. That way we won't have to worry about any undesirables messing with your truck while it sits at the airport."

So they all left through the front door. Sassy started out the front door, but then ran back into the kitchen to make sure everything was off. Reassured everything was all right, she came out and drove Matt and the two missionaries to the airport. She stayed there long enough to watch the plane take off, after reminding Matt to call her when he got there. - - -

As she drove back to the house, Sassy stretched, settled back into her seat and sighed, "Ahhh, peace and quiet." - - -

A few hours later, Sassy got up for the fifth time to get herself a cup of coffee. She muttered "It's too quiet!" She turned the radio on and unsuccessfully hunted for another Christian radio station. Her regular station had a talk program on that she was not in the mood for right now. Having no luck, she tried some CD's. Sassy walked back into the kitchen for a sixth cup of coffee. She poured it into her cup, then stopped, and poured the coffee down the drain. She walked over to the kitchen table and sat down with disgust. "Great! I've gotten rid of everybody, I have all this peace and quiet, and now I don't know what to do with it." Sassy had just gotten too used to the customary noise of her household, as is the case with all who have several people living at home. When everyone goes away for a day or two, the one left behind finds himself at a loss as to what to do. It suddenly becomes TOO quiet.

Later that evening Matt called Sassy to tell her they had made it safely. He explained to her that it had been a little hectic at first. The families were very upset, but everything seemed to have calmed down now. He would have called earlier, but the families started in on them just as soon as they stepped off the plane. "At first they weren't too friendly to me. They looked on me as a demon. But now they've settled down, and we're all goin' out to eat in a restaurant."

After Matt hung up, Sassy was going over the conversation in her mind. She looked at the cold biscuit she was eating, and thought about that restaurant Matt had said he was going to, and she let out a long woeful sigh. Sassy went to bed early with a book, and read herself to sleep. She woke early the next morning before the alarm when off. Noting it was 5:30 in the morning, she went to the kitchen and decided to start baking her bread. - - -

Over at the Bishop's house, across the field, the topic of conversation was the missionaries who had just left the church. Bishop Consham Doltass and his wife Giddy were in their kitchen talking as she was cutting up a fresh chicken for her marinated chicken meal she was going to have later in the day. Erik Zimmerman was also there with them. He was helping the Bishop do a little bit of work around the place. Erik obviously had some emotional problems, but the Bishop seemed to be able to work fairly well with him. Erik would occasionally say a few strange, way-out things in Priesthood meetings, but everybody tended to put up with him.

Erik had served a mission for about six months, but was sent home due to his very hostile nature. His father had been extremely stern with Erik all his life. And then his father had died in an automobile accident just one week after Erik started his mission. Bishop Doltass was sure Erik had only gone on a mission to get away from his compulsive father. Erik believed in all the teachings of the church literally, and he sometimes expressed his opinion that it was the devil who actually stopped the plural marriages of the church. The previous bishop had tried to get Erik to get professional counseling, but to no avail. Bishop Doltass thought if he could keep Erik around, he could help him work out his problems. He knew it made Erik feel important to hang around the bishop. Bishop Doltass allowed it because Erik seemed to be calmer.

Giddy and Consham were both agitated that these missionaries had left the church. "You know, Con, it's very upsetting to me that those young men left the church. If they hadn't been hanging around Sassy Franklin, they would still be fulfilling their duties as missionaries, teaching the rest of the world about salvation, instead of losing their own salvation. Con, if we still had Danite warriors in the church, maybe this would not have happened."

Consham looked at his wife, and said, "Now Giddy, the only thing we can do now is pray for those missionaries. I saw them get into the car with Pastor Franklin and Sassy yesterday afternoon. They had suitcases and Sassy came back alone, so I suspect they went home to their parents. Maybe their families can talk some sense into them."

Giddy said, "Well at least they'll be away from the Franklins."

Consham said, "Yes. That might just be what will do the trick."

Erik interrupted, "Hey Bishop. Can I have this apple?"

Giddy said, "Sure, Erik."

Erik smiled and took the apple and walked back to his chair. He muttered silently to himself, "Danites... Danites...."

Bishop Doltass heard the telephone ringing. "I'd better go answer that."

Giddy put down the knife, rinsed her hands and followed him into the living room. - - -

The eyes of Erik Zimmerman glowed with the crazed light of his mental instability. As he came up to the Franklins' kitchen door, he peered through the window and saw Sassy as she was making her usual Saturday morning bread. Erik kicked open the kitchen door with such violence that it caused Sassy to become paralyzed with fear - - all she could do was turn around and stare. The back of Erik's hand knocked Sassy backward onto the floor. He immediately kicked her in her ribs, and screamed at her. "You cannot steal salvation from the church of the living God."

Sassy's scream mingled with Erik's maniacal yell, as the knife that Erik had picked up from Giddy's counter plunged deep into Sassy's chest. As Erik pulled the knife from Sassy's body, he watched the blood drip from the knife and deranged laughter rang throughout the kitchen. - - -

-- more later on the adventures of Matt Franklin and his wife, Sassy.
~ ~ Simon West
© 28 March, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Eight

&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& ~Sassy~ &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&

From the journals of Matthew Levi Franklin and his wife, Sarsaparilla Sue Franklin

Part Nineteen:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Distressful Events ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Giddy stood next to her husband in an attempt to hear his phone conversation. The call was from the mission president, and the conversation, from what she could gather, concerned the missionaries. Giddy was anxious to find out all the latest developments. She could not hear very much, and the conversation was coming to an end. "Well, thank you very much, President. It's good to know."

As he hung up, Bishop Doltass began filling his wife in. "Well, the mission president had just gotten off the phone with the two elders' parents when he called me. It seems that both sets of parents are there together at Elder Gardner's house. The missionaries flew in to Utah without any incident The only bad news is that Pastor Franklin is in Utah with them." Giddy groaned at that.

"It doesn't look good for the missionaries. Indications are that they are quitting not only their missions but the church as well. There will be an official excommunication if they continue on their present course. And even if their parents could talk them into returning to their missions, the mission president doesn't know if the church would put them out into the mission field again. Elder Gardner's mission was almost over anyway. He only had about four months to go. Elder Harris had just been on his mission about seven months. I don't know. I don't know, Giddy. We'll just have to wait and see, but I have a feeling the church has lost two young men."

"Well, what...? Did...? So Pastor Franklin went with them?

"Well, they.... From what I understood from the mission president, the missionaries insisted that Pastor Franklin go with them. So, Pastor Franklin, the two missionaries, and their families are sitting down to talk it all out."

"Well, you know, since Sassy's alone, maybe I'll just go over there and talk to her. Maybe... "

"No, Giddy. I know you have a deep concern and love for all people. You have the truth and you want to share it with everyone. But Sassy is a Presbyterian minister, the same as her husband. They believe their own doctrines too strongly. On occasion there is a minister who will come to believe the truths of the Church; he may even bring his flock with him. I think I've heard a rumor of that happening, but it would be a rare thing, Giddy. I don't think you could talk Sassy into anything. You just couldn't convince her."

"Well, the Holy Spirit...."

"Giddy, the missionaries tried, and they have the calling and a special blessing for that work."

"Yeah, but Bishop, they're young and inexperienced."

"Elder Gardner was fairly experienced, but young they are. I think we'd better just let it ride. We need to take care of the flock here, Giddy. As the missionary effort brings in new people we can counsel them and teach them, but I want to get Relief Society going - - and the Elders Quorum. I want home teaching to be one hundred per cent and visit teaching to be one hundred per cent. I would like you to call the Relief Society president and tell her that I insist that everyone is visit taught, and I'll call the Elders Quorum president and tell him that everyone will be home taught -- without fail.

We lost these missionaries - - two missionaries we had sent out intto the missionary field - - because they came in contact with the Franklins. And we need to steel our people up against the Franklins. Trying to keep them away from people like the Franklins would be one avenue, but another way is to keep our members well taught in the doctrines and beliefs of the church. We'll have talks in Sacrament Meeting on obedience and on following our priesthood leaders. We'll push reading the Book of Mormon. Oh, and we'll talk up Jesus a lot more so no one can say we don't teach about Jesus. That's how the Franklins got their foot in the door with the missionaries.

Elder Harris said something to me about the 'real' Jesus. Well, we're gonna teach them the real Jesus. We're gonna teach them and they're not gonna forget. We're gonna build a stone wall against any anti-LDS feelings. And with one hundred per cent home teaching and one hundred per cent visit teaching, we can make this an impenetrable wall. And if they want to use the phrase 'real Jesus', well, we'll use the phrase ourselves. And we'll put Jesus at the forefront of our talks and our lessons. It's like building a fort, Giddy. The hostiles are all around us. First, before we build up, we protect what we have. We'll be friendly to other ministers, but let's just bypass the Presbyterians. I don't want them to be... - - - those two - - - I don't want to deal with them, to tell you the truth, Giddy. I don't want to deal with them at all.

Now, I think you better go ahead and - - - well, no. I'm right here. I'll just call the Relief Society President. You were going over there, and I thought you could just tell her what I said, but it's really my duty. I shouldn't have you doing my responsibilities. I'll just call her now. Then you can explain in more detail what's going on. But you know, not too much detail. We don't give out information, any more than is necessary. Let's get to it!

Giddy couldn't remember when she had seen her husband so agitated. She could tell that this situation had disturbed him considerably and on a multitude of levels. She stood by while the bishop called the Relief Society president and explained to her what he wanted. Giddy was going over later in the afternoon to visit with her anyway. The bishop then called the Elders Quorum president. He finished speaking with his quorum leaders and hung up.

"Well Giddy, that's all we can do for now. All that is left is to pray and wait. I need to get my mind off of everything for a while, Giddy, so I'm going to go out and do a little more work on the place here. I'll take Erik and we'll fix the fence line. It's sagging in a couple of places." Giddy nodded, and they went back into the kitchen.

Giddy didn't see Erik anywhere. "Well, where is Erik? He was here a minute ago." She walked over to finish fixing the chicken. "Did I take the kni... Where's my knife? Did I take my knife in there? No, I laid it down and washed my hands. It was right here."

Bishop turned and looked at his wife. "Maybe he's out in the barn. I'll go see."

Giddy looked at the half-eaten apple Erik had been eating. It was sitting right in the place where she had laid down her knife, next to the chicken. As intuition started rising in Giddy, she cried out, "Bishop!", calling her husband by his title instead of his name.

The bishop walked up next to Giddy as she turned and exclaimed. "The knife is gone!"

The bishop did not follow what his wife was trying to say. "What?"

"My knife is gone, and Erik's apple that he was eating is in the place where the knife was. And Erik's gone. You don't think...?"

Bishop Doltass turned and ran out the door. Giddy followed after. The bishop ran for the fence where it was sagging slightly and stepped over it. Giddy was a portly woman, but on this day she moved with the speed and a grace that belied her overweight condition. The worry about what Erik might do gave added strength to Giddy, and she leaped over the fence that her husband had stepped over. The fear and the concern for what Erik might do to Sassy were deeply etched into Giddy's face. Her dress caught on the barbed wire, but she didn't even notice it tearing.

Before Bishop Doltass reached the door of the Franklins' kitchen, he could hear Erik's laughter. The bishop charged through the doorway, and without thinking, leaped on top of Erik, grabbed his hand, and struggled for the knife. He wrestled the knife away, yelling, "Let go, Erik. Let go."

Giddy rushed in and with a startled cry ran over to Sassy. "He stabbed her, Bishop. He stabbed her!"

"Well, call 911. Hurry! Hurry!"

Giddy ran to the living room phone and dialed 911.

Consham Doltass saw the frenzied light in Erik's eyes, and he knew that Erik was extremely dangerous. Erik spoke in an almost sing song, hysterical voice. "I did it Bishop. I stopped her. She won't take anymore missionaries away from the church."

"Erik. Erik." A combination of emotions caused the bishop's voice to tremble.

"Why are you angry, Bishop?"

"Because this was wrong, Erik. We don't kill people."

"But the Danites..."

"The Danites do not exist, Erik. What you did was bad. You have caused more trouble for the church with your actions today than you realize. You did not help."

"I.. I.. I was helping. I was... I was..."

"No, Erik, you were not helping."

Giddy returned from the living room. "Con, the ambulance is on the way and the police are coming too."

The bishop loosened his grip on Erik as he looked up at his wife when she spoke. With a shriek, Erik shoved the bishop away with almost superhuman strength and bolted out the door. The bishop hit his head on the corner of a wooden chair sitting in the kitchen. Blood began flowing from the gash. Giddy ran to her husband and was trying to stop the bleeding from the wound on his forehead when the paramedics came through the door.

Assessing the situation, the paramedics could see that Sassy was in critical condition. As they began working on her, one of the paramedics turned to Giddy and asked "Is he all right?"

"Well, he has this gash and I can't stop the bleeding.

The one paramedic looked to the other. "I can handle this one now. She's stable." He began calling in. The second paramedic instructed Giddy, "Hold pressure here, and as soon as we take care of this critical lady we will see to him." Giddy nodded and held the bandage tight to her husband's forehead.

As they were carrying Sassy out to the ambulance, the police came. One of the medics came back in and said to the police officer, "Let's get him into the ambulance. We have to go now. This lady is critical."

Giddy was worried about Sassy and her husband. "I'll come with you."

"No, Ma'am, there's not enough room. I have two wounded people in the ambulance and there's just not enough space. I'm... You know where the hospital is in Meade, don't you?"

"Yes. Yes, I know."

"That's where we're going."

The panic on Giddy's face was obvious. The paramedic put his hand on her shoulder. "We'll take good care of them. We have to go, now!"

The police officer walked up to Giddy. "We have to know what happened."

Slightly confused and with tears filling her eyes, Giddy told the police about Erik. She tried to explain to them that the Franklins had talked two of their missionaries into leaving the Church. Erik must have reasoned that if he killed her, she wouldn't be getting anyone else to leave the Church. Explaining all this hurt Giddy, but she didn't know what to do. She had to tell them about Erik. They had to catch Erik. She told them how Erik shoved her husband against the chair and ran out. She told them about Erik's mental condition.

The officer, after getting a description of Erik, sensed that Giddy was still quite upset. "That's all we need for now. We'll just need your name and address."

Another officer touched Giddy's shoulder. "Do you need a ride home?"

Giddy said, "No, I just live right over there." She pointed to her house across the field.

"Would you like us to drive you up there?"

With tears welling in her eyes again, Giddy said. "No, I think I'll walk." With that, Giddy left the police at Sassy's house, and headed towards home.

-- more later on the adventures of Matt Franklin and his wife, Sassy.
~ ~ Simon West
© 3 May, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Eight

&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& ~Sassy~ &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&

From the journals of Matthew Levi Franklin and his wife, Sarsaparilla Sue Franklin

Part Twenty:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Death Brushes Sassy ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As Giddy crossed the field she was praying for both her husband and Sassy, - - and then she was praying for Erik too. She prayed that he would calm down and turn himself in. More importantly she was praying that he wouldn't hurt anyone else. She prayed that this incident would not hurt the church, and that people would understand that Erik was just a lunatic, not representing the church. She had known he was crazy; she just had not realized he could be violent.

Giddy walked up to the fence and tried stepping over, but she could not. It was much too high. The trivial question of how she got across the fence in the first place flitted through her mind. She didn't remember crossing the fence at all. After considerable struggling she managed to get over the fence. Then she noticed her dress was torn. Once in her house she changed her clothes and cleaned herself up. Why she wasn't running right to the hospital, she didn't know -- shock probably.

Giddy finally found herself in her car. Tears were flowing as she drove to the hospital. Giddy was a bundle of thoughts and emotions, but many more emotions than thoughts. Before she knew it she found herself at the hospital It was not too difficult to find her husband. Hospital personnel had just finished putting four stitches into his forehead. She asked the doctors about Sassy. They inquired, "Are you relatives?"

"No." Giddy said. "I don't think she has any relatives outside of her husband." Giddy did not know about the Franklins' children.

"Do you know where her husband is?"

"Uh... Yeah, yeah, yeah, he's in... uh... Utah right now."

"Do you have a phone number?"

"Uh... Well, I can call. I'll call and... and... and notify him."

The doctor told her, "Well, I suggest you do that right away, Mrs. Doltass. She's in serious condition. Her husband is going to need to be here."

"Do you have a phone I could use?"

"Sure." The doctor gestured to the pay phone on the wall. Giddy noticed she didn't have her purse. "Bishop, do you have your calling card with you?"

Her husband, seeing the confusion surrounding Giddy, replied, "Giddy, why don't you let me make this phone call. You sit down now." He realized she was not in a good state to give this distressing message to Pastor Franklin.

As Giddy sat down the nurse who was standing near walked over and started comforting Giddy as her husband made the phone call. - - -

As they finished breakfast and Matt was helping clear away the breakfast dishes, Sister Gardner said. "You don't need to do that."

"Oh, I'm used to it. I do it with Sassy all the time."

Sister Gardner chuckled, "Oh, really?"

"Yeah, really. We share everything -- work, laughter, tears, and an immense amount of love that you can't even measure, Mrs. Gardner. Just listen to me go on. I must miss Sassy a tad." Matt smiled thinking about his lady.

Sister Gardner liked this minister even though she was upset with her son leaving the church. For some reason she did not blame Matt.

The phone rang and Stanley picked it up. "Hello? Who is this? Oh, Bishop Doltass. Well, yeah, he's here, but why do you need to speak to him?" Stanley did not mean to be impudent, but he was a little defensive around Kansas Mormons.

The Bishop realized he wasn't going to get through to Matt directly, so he explained the situation to Stanley, going over the events of what had happened.

Stanley said, "Oh no! How is she?"

The hair stood up on the back of Matt's neck. He turned and stared at Stanley. There was a fear starting to creep into his heart.

"Oh yeah, oh yeah. We... we'll be on the next plane." Stanley was saying. Matt took a step toward Stanley as he hung up the phone.

Stanley said, "Timmy. Call the airlines and see when the first plane back to Meade leaves."

Tears were in Stanley's eyes. He looked at Matt and said, "Sassy...."

Matt's voice trembled, "What about Sassy?"

"Sh... she... she's been attacked -- by Erik."

Timmy exclaimed, "That lunatic?"

"Yeah, Timmy. He stabbed her because she talked us into leaving the church. She's in the hospital now. We have to go, Matt." - - -

The plane did not leave for an hour and a half. Matt called the Meade Hospital. There was no change with Sassy. He learned that her wound in was not life threatening in itself, but that Sassy's body was still in shock and she had not regained consciousness. He needed to be there as soon as possible. The doctor got as much medical information as Matt could remember about his wife. It was deathly quiet in the Gardner living room as they all listened. Stanley and Timmy knelt beside Matt with their arms around him.

Stanley tried to express some of the feelings he had. "I'm sorry, Matt. It's our fault."

Even in this almost overwhelming grief Matt was a minister of God. He grabbed Stanley's arm and spoke intensely, "You listen to me, Boy. I don't want to ever hear you say that again. If you want to lay blame, lay it on the devil, but nothing that happened to Sassy is your fault. Do you understand me, Boy? Now we just have to pray for Sassy. We have to get home." With that, he stood up.

Stanley's mother left the room. She came back with some bags hurriedly packed. As she handed Stanley his bags she said, "I just figured you'd be going back with him." Stanley nodded. He was always amazed at his mother's understanding. Timmy gathered his suitcases and they went out to the car. Stanley's father drove them to the airport.

Once they were settled on the plane, Matt, Stanley and Timmy sat quietly, not speaking to each other or to anyone else. The flight attendant did not know what was going on, but she could tell something serious had happened to these men, and she left them alone. She understood their unspoken desire to not be bothered. The three men sat quietly in their worry and their grief. They were all three praying for Sassy. What would their life be like without her? This thought had crossed the minds of all three of these men several times on their way home.

After they landed at the Meade airport, Bishop Doltass met them. Stanley had called him to let him know when their plane would arrive. Bishop Doltass had been sitting there waiting for them. When they asked about Sassy he told them, "All I know is that she is stable. She's still alive, but has not come to the last I heard."

Timmy, looking at the Bishop, asked, "Bishop, what happened to your forehead?"

"Oh, I just banged my head against a kitchen chair." He wasn't the kind of man to complain about each little thing - - to tell every detail.

Matt sat quietly staring at his neighbor. Bishop Doltass was aware of Matt's eyes on him and Matt quietly said, "Thank you for Sassy." No more was said the few minutes it took them to get to the hospital. Once there they inquired about Sassy and found out which room she was in. The doctors had done all they could for her. They said she was still in shock and unconscious.

Timmy and Stanley stood up against the wall while Matt sat in a chair beside Sassy's bed. The nurse came in and checked Sassy. She put her hand on Matt's shoulder. As she headed towards the door, she looked at the two young men and said, "I'm sorry, but family only -- you'll have to leave and come back later."

Matt turned in his chair and insisted, "They are family, and they will stay right there. They're not going anywhere."

"Oh, they're family? Who are they? Oh, I didn't know they were family."

Matt looked at the two boys. "They are our sons." Stanley and Timmy stood a little straighter as tears rolled down their faces. Matt knew at that moment that in his heart he had not lied.

Three hours later the nurse came in again. She noticed the two boys still standing against the wall. They hadn't moved. - - -

-- more later on the adventures of Matt Franklin and his wife, Sassy.
~ ~ Simon West
© 4 July, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Eight

&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& ~Sassy~ &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&

From the journals of Matthew Levi Franklin and his wife, Sarsaparilla Sue Franklin

Part Twenty-One:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The Final Chapter ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

While Matt stood at the pulpit there was a tear in his eye as he glanced towards the casket. In the front row of the pews he saw the two former missionaries he and Sassy had spiritually adopted as their own. They had all been through a great deal these past couple of months -- the missionaries leaving the church they had believed in, finding the true Jesus, and then the attack on Sassy that came from that misguided individual, who in his insanity had decided to end the life of the one he thought had destroyed the missionaries’ lives. It was regrettable that this young man did not have enough sense to realize that Sassy had helped give these two young men a new life and had introduced them to the Spirit of eternal light and glory.

Matt reflected over the events of his own life. Along with all the troubles and all the agony and heartaches, there was joy and happiness -- for the light of God did indeed bless Matt’s life. He had been blessed, he knew, from the very first time he had met Sassy and it seemed like his love for her grew a little bit everyday until it reached a point where he could not express to anyone, not even to God, how much he loved her. But he knew God understood his love for Sassy, how much she meant to him, and how much a part of his life she really was.

Matt’s attention was brought back to the business at hand. He did not know if he could get through this service for the woman lying in the casket. Through the years that he had known her, she had given him encouragement, comforted him when he was depressed, counseled him when he was doubtful, and she had even stood by him when he was wrong. Tears welled up in his heart as he realized how much he was going to miss her.

When the last person came into the church and sat down, Matt fought back a tear as he began to speak. "I am grateful that all of you came here this day. I must tell you, this is not the first Franklin I have buried, and it probably will not be the last. But this one I shall miss with all my heart." You could see a tear from his eye rolling down his cheek. You could sense his heartache in the tremble of his voice. And even a stranger could hear the tears echoing in his heart.

"I do not need to tell you how devoted she was to the Lord. Every week most of you saw her, spoke to her, and listened to her enthusiasm. She taught us all about devotion. She always said that no matter what happens, one must have faith, and trust in Jesus that He will always let the best work out, even if we can not see it. I remember years ago she spoke about her own death. She told me that she knew I loved her and she knew I would miss her when she was gone. She said she did not want me to be sad for her. She had served God all of her adult life and she would be going home to Him -- a far greater and more glorious place than any man or woman could ever imagine. She said we shouldn't be saddened by her leaving, but rather we should be envious. I remember she laughed and said, ‘Not so envious that you try and follow.’ She looked me in the eyes and said, ‘For your time will come. We all have our allotted time on this earth, and if we have faith in Jesus -- if we love God, we will keep His commandments. Then the time will come when He will call us home and we will go into the glory of the Most High God.’ So today we say farewell and God's speed. And we know that one day we shall meet again.

"You know, I remember her laughter over the years. I remember her anger. I remember her joy -- and her sorrow. I remember her cookking. I remember her sewing my shirts -- and all things great and small that she has done for me. -- I remember her life. And while I wiill miss her presence here, I will have the memory of her. The memory of her hopes and dreams shall always echo in my mind and my heart.

"I cannot say this is the final chapter in her life, because she will continue to influence the lives of those she came in contact with. The lessons that she taught all of us will be with us forever, and the wisdom she gave to us will help guide us throughout our lives. The things we do because of what she taught us will add a new chapter unto her life. So her life lives on in this mortal plane.

"We are not of ourselves. We are part of the whole. We are molded by the influences of the people and the situations that surround our lives. I have come to realize that a person is not completely dead to this world when they die, for their life is reflected daily in the workings and doings of everyone who they have influenced. Each of our actions -- the deeds we do -- are formed and shaped and influenced by our loved ones who have gone on to their final glory. No, today marks just the beginning, not the end, of her final chapter." ~ ~ ~

Matt then bowed his head for a moment and did not speak as he fought back tears and emotions that were causing his voice to tremble. He looked out over the members of the church and the members of some of the other churches around -- those who had known her and loved her. They were all here. He saw the tears in the eyes of her closest friends. He looked at each of these neighbors -- most of them the Franklin family had broken bread with, shared laughter and tears and heartaches -- experienced life together. And now they are experiencing death.

As Matt’s sermon continued tears filled the eyes of those listening. You could hear a gasp once in a while as he spoke when they relived the days gone by. Tears of sadness and joy mingled together. She would be missed and most certainly would not be forgotten. ~ ~ ~

After this service was over, Matt stood on the steps outside and greeted the people. As they were leaving, they left words of comfort, a warm handshake or a touch of the arm. Most of them would go on to the cemetery as they took the casket out to be placed in its final resting spot. As Matt grasped their hands and looked into the eyes of the people he greeted, he realized that quite a few of them loved her as he did.

Stanley and Timmy came out of the church last and stood beside Matt. Matt looked at them, put his arms around them and gave them a quick hug. They all three walked down the steps towards the limousine that was to take them out to the cemetery. There was to be a brief service at the graveside and then everyone would go their own way. Matt and the boys would go back to the farm and they would do what everyone else does -- get on with life. For that is the only thing you can do. After a brief moment of grief one must continue on until the Great God of all that is living calls us home. We are sent here to learn. We are sent here to have trials. We have a duty to do and we must carry it out right up till the last moment.

Matt stood and watched the casket being lowered into the grave. He watched all of the people filing away from the graveside back towards their cars and going on their way. Matt looked down into the grave and took one deep breath that seemed to shake his body. And then one tear rolled down his cheek. He turned back to the limousine that would take him back to the church. ~ ~ ~

Later back at the farm Matt walked out to the barn that he and Sassy had been remodeling. Stanley and Timmy went on into the house. A little later Matt came into the kitchen and saw Stanley and Timmy busy working and cleaning. Stanley was wiping down the kitchen counter where he and Timmy were preparing a meal. Matt glanced at the biscuits that Stanley had already put together and was ready to put into the oven.

Stanley glanced at Matt, "You can have a snack over there. The meal will be ready in about an hour. I will have everything ready by then. We've tried to make everything just as Sassy would've made it. We followed her recipes. We know it won't be as good as Sassy's but we wanted to make it as close as we could..." Stanley's voice trembled a bit as he fought back a tear. Matt walked over and put his hand on Stanley's shoulder, squeezed it and nodded. He answered, "I’ll just take a cup of tea and go into the living room."

Timmy said, "Well, I’ll fix it for you right now. You just go in and sit down." Matt smiled at Timmy. He looked at Stanley and then walked into the living room. Later when Timmy came in and brought the tea, Matt was so deep in thought he did not notice Timmy setting the cup and saucer down. He did not really hear him when Timmy announced that his tea was here. Timmy looked at him, then turned and walked back into the kitchen, knowing that he needed to leave Matt alone.

Matt, thinking deeply, moved his hand off the arm of his chair and as he touched the end table next to the couch, his hand brushed against the teacup. He realized that Timmy must have made the tea and brought it into him. He took a sip and found that it was still warm. He sat with his cup cradled in his hands and took another sip. With his mind slipping deep down into his heart, Matt bowed his head and began reliving memories.

After a few moments Matt picked up his cup and walked to the living room window. As he stood there, not really seeing the field that was before him, he heard the telephone ringing. He took a step towards the phone but halted his movement as he heard Timmy pick up the phone and start speaking. Matt turned back and looked out the window. This time he watched as a western meadowlark was making his way along a branch in a tree just out front. He glanced towards the kitchen as he heard Timmy's excited voice after he hung up the phone.

Stanley and Timmy both came through the door from the kitchen. It was obvious they both were very excited. Timmy, not being able to contain himself, blurted out, "That was a phone call from Pastor VanVleet. He said he was bringing Sassy home! The doctor wanted to keep her another couple more days, but you know Sassy." Matt smiled at the thought of Sassy arguing with the doctor. Timmy went on to say, "Pastor VanVleet said he was visiting one of his parishioners at the hospital and decided to stop by and see Sassy. As he walked into her room he heard Sassy arguing with the doctor. When she saw Pastor VanVleet, she insisted that he take her home. He said to make a long story short, the doctor gave in to Sassy. They were going to give her one more complete checkup and said she would be ready to leave in about an hour. So Pastor VanVleet said he and his wife would get a bite to eat and then they would be bring Sassy home as soon as they released her. He also said that Sassy cried when she realized she couldn't be released in time for your mother's funeral."

Stanley spoke up, "Well, we'd better get ready if Sassy is coming home. We need to get a meal ready and ....." Matt chuckled as he put his arms around both boys and they all headed towards the kitchen. The boys went on in as Matt paused at the door. He turned and he sighed as he glanced over the living room. He thought about going into Meade to pick her up himself, but decided he would rather spruce up the house and have everything looking nice for when Sassy came home. A little smile crept into his face as he thought, "My Sassy is coming home!"

-- more later on the adventures of Matt Franklin and his wife, Sassy.
~ ~ Simon West
© 24 October, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Eight

&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& ~Sassy~ &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&

From the journals of Matthew Levi Franklin and his wife, Sarsaparilla Sue Franklin

Part Twenty-Two: ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I Know How You Feel ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Matt and the boys were just finishing up getting the house squared away when they heard a car pulling up. Timmy ran over, looked out, and reported, "It's Pastor VanVleet and Sassy's with him!"

Matt went out to greet Sassy while Stanley and Timmy hurried around the living room straightening things up, even though they were already finished. Timmy and Stanley then went to the kitchen and stood, anxiously waiting for Matt to bring Sassy through the door. Matt pushed open the door and let Sassy enter first. The school boy smiles which were on their faces faded a bit as they looked into Sassy's eyes, which seemed sunken and hollow. Her whole demeanor was altered. Yet what concerned them the most was that the laughter which had always been quick to come to Sassy seemed now to be sleeping -- hibernating for the winter. Sassy shook her head negatively as Stanley asked her if she wanted anything to eat. She nodded when Timmy suggested, "I could bring you some hot tea. If you want to go in and sit down in the living room, I'll bring it to you as soon as it's ready."

Matt glanced at the boys, and noticing their worried looks, nodded to them, quietly mouthing, "It'll be okay." As he ushered Sassy into the living room, Matt helped her sit on the couch, but then asked her if she preferred to lie down instead. That old fire in Sassy's eyes started to rise for a brief second as she responded, "No Matt, I've been lying in bed for a long time. I want to move around a little bit." With a half smile, Matt nodded his head and asked Sassy if she wanted to be left alone for a minute, to which Sassy quietly nodded her head. Matt bent down, lightly kissing her on the forehead, and felt her flinch. He looked at her for the briefest of seconds, and left to go into the kitchen. He understood some of what she must be going through and he realized it might take time for her to get over the trauma. Her body was healing, and now they must wait for the mind and the spirit. He was content to let Sassy come around in her own time.

Back in the kitchen Matt helped himself to the lunch Stanley had prepared. As he ate, he watched the two young men quietly conversing at the sink. Timmy noticed the tea had finished brewing. As he reached for the tea, Matt gestured that he would take it in himself. Matt picked up Sassy's tea, put a pleasant smile on his face, and walked into the living room. He saw Sassy still sitting on the couch, bent forward slightly, staring down at the floor by her feet. He set her tea down on the table. "Here's your tea Sassy."

Sassy looked up and as her tired eyes focused on Matt, with a very slight smile, she mustered a thank you. Matt reached out and touched her knees, "Anytime you're ready to talk, Sassy, I'll be here, ready to listen."

Sassy nodded and spoke with barely audible words, "I know."

Matt smiled at her, then walked over to the papers he had next to his chair. He gathered up the sermon he was preparing, and started to sit down in his chair. Noticing Sassy apprehensively watching him, Matt paused. With a half of a smile he said, "I'll just take my work into the kitchen and leave you in peace." As Matt left the room, Sassy's attention returned to an inward reflection.

Matt sat down at the kitchen table and spread out his sermon materials, preparing to put on the final touches. Stanley interrupted him, "Is she okay?"

For a brief moment Matt paused, and then looked up at Stanley and Timmy, "Yes, Stanley. She's okay. She's healed just fine, but it's gonna take time for the trauma of the attack to leave her. It could take a few days, a few weeks." Deep concern spread over the boys' faces. Matt continued, "It could take a year or two. Actually she might never get over it completely. You just don't know about these things. We just have to wait and see -- and be patient with Sassy. We'll taake ccare of her needs, remembering not to baby her too much. She has to learn to stand on her own two feet again." Matt went back to his sermon as the two young men walked out of the kitchen into the back yard.

Over the next several days, it was pretty much the same routine. They all got up and ate breakfast. Sassy spent much of the day sitting on the couch in deep thought. After several days with no apparent change, Matt thought he had had about enough and confronted his wife.

"Sassy, this has been going on for days, and I have been quite patient. It's not healthy for you to stay in this limbo. You need to be up and doing things. You don't have to write a sermon; I can handle the ministry myself for awhile. However, you do need to get up and do something. Do some baking -- or anything."

With a puzzled look on her face, Sassy asked, "You want me to bake you some bread?"

"No, no, no, Sassy, I don't want you to do anything -- except just do for yourself. Act like you are alive! Bake some bread if you want -- by all means, bake some bread -- but only if you want to. Go plant a flower -- pull a weed. Walk around the outside of the house. Just do something! Look, Sassy, I know how you feel...."

The deadpan look that had settled on Sassy face while Matt was speaking quickly changed to one of anger. "No, Matt! You do NOT know how I feel. You weren't there. I was alone. I was totally helpless. There was absolutely nothing I could do. I was frozen in fear which seemed to last for an eternity." A tear slowly rolled down Sassy's cheek. "Do you want to know how I felt when that knife plunged into my chest, Matt? I’ll tell you exactly how I felt. I was grateful. Yes, grateful, because the fear which had locked me in its eternal grasp had released its control over me and I welcomed the death I thought was coming to me, because it was an escape from this insane world and the lunatics who seem to rule it. Don't ever tell me you know how I felt, because you'll never know until you're in that situation yourself. And even then you will not know how I felt, because each person deals with tragedy and traumas in their own way. Besides that, you're a man, Matt. Now, while the assault and terror can be just as horrifying to a man, there is a difference. I'm a woman, Matt, and no man on the face of this earth can understand what a woman goes through when she is attacked."

Sassy stood up and the fire in her eyes abated. She took a shallow breath and said, "I'm going outside for a moment." She headed to the front door. With her hand on the doorknob, she looked back at Matt briefly, and then walked out into the yard. Deep in thought Sassy continued on until her footsteps brought her to the fence that separated her place from the Mormon bishop's land. She stared up to the bishop's house. Then as she started to sit down on a fallen log next to the fence, a piece of material attached to the fence caught her eye. Sassy reached out and pulled it off the barbed wire and speaking to herself, remarked, "This looks like material from a dress." Sitting down, Sassy stared at the material in her hands and began reliving the day of her assault....

-- more later on the adventures of Matt Franklin and his wife, Sassy.
~ ~ Simon A. West
© 5 July, Two Thousand

&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& ~Sassy~ &&&&& &&&&& &&&&& &&&

This page last modified: December, 2006.                Email Simon:

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