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Mustard Seed September/October 2008
Repentance and the Feast of Trumpets
Following or Surrounding
Mustard Seed - September/October 2008
It was my very first Feast of Tabernacles and I was determined to attend it at the assigned site in Squaw Valley, in Northern California. I had only been attending services for about two months in Norwalk, California, a small city east of Los Angeles. Having been recently widowed of a husband who had been instrumental in our conversion to God’s way of life. No longer observing birthdays and man-made holidays and celebrations--- had ostracized me from my family and former friends..
Talk about needing a Comforter as promised by Christ, I had received it following my afternoon baptism on August 20, 1972. I was driving home following the baptismal service along the I-22-freeway when the whole car became flooded by a light that invaded me with the most glorious feeling I had ever felt. I knew then, without any question, that I had fully embraced God’s Truth about His Laws and Holy Days, that His Spirit would be with me forever. This was comforting as I faced a 2,500-mile trip by myself driving my 1968 azure blue Cadillac de Ville to my first Feast.
Entering the garage from inside my house, depositing my suitcase in the trunk, a package and a large round tin of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies in the back seat, I climbed into the drivers seat, activated the garage door, drove out, closed the garage door by remote control, exited the driveway and drove a few blocks to the freeway that would take me northward. The I-5 Freeway had only been open for a matter of a few weeks and had few rest stops. I stopped at Bakersfield to refuel and wondered how far it would be before the next stop would be necessary. With so little traffic and a brand new surface over a vast openness it was easy to look at the speedometer and gasp at the speed my car was traveling. When the gas meter got down to a quarter of a tank I began praying for an off ramp to be announced by a sign telling me where and how many miles it would be to a filling station. It wouldn’t be until the town of Fresno, with no stops in between.
Finally, a sign appeared that told me that a station and rest stop was a mile ahead. You drivers will relate to my near panic as I slowed the car down to make the turn off. Going at nearly eighty miles an hour takes a bit of nursing the brakes to slow down. The tank was nearly empty…thank you Lord, I said to myself. Out on the freeway again and a stop by Fairfield Air Base to drop off some things to my late husband’s son, I studied the map to drive to Lake Tahoe. Squaw Valley is near by. But I needed to get to a cabin where some other brethren were awaiting my arrival. It was an overwhelming experience to attend my very first Feast, with at least ten thousand of God’s people. Our cabin accommodated sixteen adults and children that often found more room at the huge table for guests for meals cooked by us joyous women. Laughs were on me as I waited my turn for the bathroom, as often happened, a child would run in front of me and leave me to suffer. Ha.
Following the Feast, my return trip home would take me by Salt Lake City where my pregnant daughter and her husband were teaching school. It was on the long drive across Nevada where God’s protective presence was again appreciated. There were few other cars on the road but I noticed a beautiful white Cadillac had appeared behind me about ten car lengths back, if I slowed a bit or sped up….it stayed the same distance behind my car. I felt reassured of being looked after…it seemed to have disappeared as I entered the city limits in Utah. The rest of the return trip home was without anxiety; and I praise our caring God for his continuous surrounding love.
Jane Stanwood
Updated Audio Version