Facing the Storm Along the Oregon Trail Read Online Free PDF Page A

stood there looking at what she had written, Cal came up and looked over her shoulder and he said “Miss Emily, I guess I just don’t understand your strong faith in a God that would allow things to happen the way they do. Don’t you ever doubt whether He really cares for you or not?”
    “Oh no Cal, never do I doubt that, because it is clearly seen that the Lord does care mightily. Can you not see how He has taken care of Benjamin, or is it that you just see what your eyes allow you to see?”
    That gave Cal something to think about because to him, it was clear that his eyes did see what had happened to Benjamin and to him, it was the Indians that helped Cal’s leg and not God. He didn’t say a word to her, but shook his head and walked away.
    It broke Emily’s heart to see Cal struggle with the Lord, but she kept herself in deep prayer about it and she slowly walked back to the wagon to tell Benjamin what she had written. After each person had left their mark on the Rock, they climbed back into their wagons and headed back down the trail.
    Their plan was to drive about twenty more miles and then they would camp for the night. Emily looked back and she noticed the sky behind her was beautiful, filled with gorgeous clouds, but as she looked forward it seemed to be darker and something just didn’t feel right.
    But there was no evidence of a storm coming in, only a strange color on the horizon. So, she carried on talking with Benjamin until he had nodded off to sleep. She then climbed up front and sat next to Cal and she decided that it might be a good time to speak with him about the ways in which God works and to find out more about why Cal had decided to give up on the Lord.

Chapter Six
    Embracing the Banks
    SITTING BESIDE CAL after leaving Independence Rock was a different experience for Emily. She was finally able to feel some relief about her brother and she was now allowing herself to take a closer look at Cal, this young man who had been so much help to her and such a comfort to her through Benjamin’s ordeal.
    She began to notice how tall and strong he looked and he had a face of strength mixed with softness. He was a very good looking young man and she realized that she had never noticed that before now, and as she sat next to him, she felt very glad to be traveling with him.
    With her brother beginning to heal up, she could now concentrate on things at hand and she found herself interested in Cal’s life. She reached over and touched his shoulder and told him that she would like to pray with him if he wouldn’t mind.
    He looked down into her tender young eyes and could not find it in himself to deny her that, so he shook his head in approval. As she began to pray, Cal felt a surge shoot through him that he couldn’t recognize and it left him feeling a warmth he had not known for a very long time.
    As she continued to speak to God, he caught himself refusing to stop her and he listened on as the words flowed from her lips. He was uncomfortable, yet he couldn’t resist leaning in closer to her every word.
    When she’d finished, Cal’s response was silence and with patience from the Lord, Emily accepted his silence, knowing that it would be God working upon Cal’s heart and she joined him in silence.
    GREEN RIVER was miles ahead and there the company of wagons would be able to do their washing and would settle in to prepare their noon meal. While all were looking forward to the break, they were getting restless and wondering if they could wait to even get there.
    There seemed to be a shared unknown swirling and uneasiness surrounding them. No one realized what was taking place with the train, but some had felt the presence of a warning--an oppressiveness--settling in.
    Even the sir felt heavy.
    Emily was one who had felt it and she began looking around her in every direction, but could see no tales of warnings. She glanced over at Cal to see if he was feeling anything, but he was carrying on as