Chapter 12 of Travels to John (Day 5 of NaNoWriMo) by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy, LLC

Chapter 12
FALLON RUBBED HER HANDS OVER HER face as she took in the information they revealed to her thus far. "Wow."

'Wow' wasn't exactly how Erin would phrase it and she couldn't wait for Daniel and her to tell Fallon the rest of the story. They barely scratched the surface at this point. Fallon needed to hear the rest of the story before she thought too much of this segment. There were far more important details Fallon needed to hear about and respond to, than this one.

"It's been two weeks already and both of you have barely gotten me through the first chapter of the Gospel of John. I know I'm slightly tired, and am far more amazed, by the beauty you've shared with us about Jesus, and seeing Him and spending the day with Him, but you need to know that at this rate, it will take us several lifetimes to go through John, never mind the rest of the Bible.

"Well, look at the bright side." Daniel tried to encourage Fallon who sounded more stressed than anything else.

"What's that?" She sounded hopeful.

"In the time Erin and I have told you the story of our travels to John, we've already gone back to several Books of the Bible and have that information for you already." Daniel shared with her. Erin tried her best to not say a word and looked downward.

Fallon got a look of excited satisfaction on her face. "Seriously?"

"Not at all." He glanced at Erin and they both laughed.

"That wasn't very nice," Erin scolded him, but with a huge grin. She loved his sense of humor and they definitely needed a mood elevator.

"You're right, Erin. Now, Fal, we know you'd kill us if we went again without you. But, I can sure picture it and remember ever detail of my experience even to the rocks on the ground and how they were placed. It's rather quite remarkable." Daniel shared with her.

Fallon punched him in the arm. "That wasn't funny and you're right, I would kill you if you did go ahead and explore the Bible times without me."

"Actually, I thought it was and your face was pretty priceless." Daniel chuckled at himself and Fallon rolled her eyes.

"Okay, maybe a little." She had to agree.

"But, I am serious with how I can recall every minute detail. It's quite extraordinary and I can even remember every reaction I had to all of it." Daniel tried to explain to Fallon. He glanced at Erin. "Can you explain how vivid things are now and how much greater of an understanding we have now after seeing the place and getting to know the people--even while being on the outside looking in?"

"We're sorry it's taken so long, but there is so much to tell, Fallon. Please bear with us. You needed to know the dynamics and we can't very well glaze over--seeing Jesus and spending time with Him." Erin tried to validate the amount of time. "Now, we can move along a little faster with the story. Wait a minute, Fallon." Erin started to form an idea.

"What is it, Erin? You look like you've come up with another brilliant idea." Fallon was serious. Erin came up with moments of brilliant insight and it would radically change what they did for the project--in a good way so Erin recognized Fallon wasn't being sarcastic.

"Rather than have us go on and on about what we experienced, you need to see if for yourself, Fallon. However, here's my idea. Why don't we get a group together of brand new baby Christians who really don't know a thing about the Bible together and take them there? We would be able to get more accurate and reliable findings to our study of whether God and the Bible are true and proving it once and for all." Erin decided the new Christians could be the control group since they already have both of the outliars in the original six.

"Huh." Daniel sounded like he needed to reflect on her idea for a moment. "If we move in that direction, the new Christians would need to have a very strong faith already." He warned and wondered if they would be able to find anyone who could fit the criteria and who could have enough faith to get there.

Fallon hadn't said anything yet.

"Daniel, you and I can take people there the first time. I bet that would do it. Maybe we shouldn't have someone with a strong faith yet so that we can see if their faith increases or decreases while they are there. But, we can escort them there and then get out of the way. We could return here and leave them there so we don't sway their feelings at all. Then, we can give them a questionnaire and ask them to log their experiences and what they thought of their experiences and the conclusions they made." Erin suggested what she thought and took into account how few people had this strong of a faith. she still wondered if she could muster the faith needed to travel back to the Bible times.

"You've brought up several good points." Daniel gave her some encouragement since Fallon was still silent.

Fallon cocked her head and looked at Erin. "I like your idea, Erin. It would also prove more that our invention and theorizing was a success, other than the fact that the BTTM destroyed itself. But, the fact that we can return with the Mustard Seed Express and through a little faith, then that will also give us another study. I really like it. We can alternate and take people there at different times. Have two groups stay behind and record everything we just experienced in our travels, Then the other group can go there and gain their own experience to share with the world abut how to live the Bible and abide in the Word in a fresh way. Let's do it." Fallon sounded excited to have a new phase of their study.

“By the way, I like that. The Mustard Seed Express.” Daniel slapped his leg and chuckled. “Cute.”

“It’s appropriate.” Erin had to agree.

By Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy