Faith

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As soon as Joe left, Rick said to Ashlyn, "Hey, Ashlyn, I have an idea. How about we invite Emmy and her mommy over on Friday and we go out for dinner, ice cream, and a movie to celebrate?" Even as he said this, Rick had a feeling he wouldn't have to ask twice. Ashlyn loved ice cream and going to the movies.

"You bet I would!" Ashlyn exclaimed, jumping up and down.

"All right, then. I'll call Emmy's mommy right now," Rick said. He went to the phone and dialed Mari's number. He was a little nervous. What if she thought he was asking her out again and turned him down? He thought about it again. No, she wouldn't. If the kids were coming along, she would know it wasn't a date. She wouldn't reject him. They did things with their kids before. It would be fine.

Mari was busy bandaging a scrape that Emmy had gotten by falling and skinning her knee as she rode her bike when her phone rang. After making sure the bandage was secure on her daughter's knee, she went to answer the phone. "Hello?" she said.

"Mari, hey, it's Rick. I have some wonderful news. Joe liked my invention so much that he wants me to make more and sell it at science conventions!" Rick exclaimed.

Mari's eyes widened, and a big smile came to her face. "Rick, that's wonderful! I'm so proud of you!"

"Thanks. I was going to take Ashlyn out for ice cream and dinner and a movie to celebrate on Friday night, and since you're good friends of ours, I thought I'd invite you to come with us to celebrate. It's not a date or anything, just friends celebrating together."

Mari kept smiling. "Rick, I think that would be wonderful," she said. "Emmy and I would love to come!"

On Friday night Rick and Mari took their daughters out to celebrate Rick's success. Everyone enjoyed themselves. After the movie Rick discovered he had to use the restroom really badly. He'd eaten way too much--dinner, three scoops of ice cream, and popcorn and other treats at the movies. He was gone for quite some time, and while he was gone, Ashlyn asked Mari, "What's your science project going to be?"

"I'm going to be seeing how many different colors I can make water," Mari answered.

"Mommy loves water," Emmy told Ashlyn.

"Why?" Ashlyn asked Mari.

Mari sighed. How could she explain this to a little girl who was being raised to believe there was no God? She decided to give it her best shot. "Well, sweetie, I like water so much, because it makes me think of the Holy Spirit, who is our Living Water. Emma and I believe He is our Living Water."

"Do you learn about Him in church?" asked Ashlyn.

Mari nodded.

"I want to go to church with you and learn about Him, too!" Ashlyn exclaimed. "I know Daddy says I can't go to church with you, but is it OK if I slept over on Saturday night and told him I was just going for a sleepover and will be home in the afternoon on Sunday?"

Mari thought about it, then decided it would be wonderful. Even if Rick disapproved, maybe she could plant a seed in his daughter, and possibly him, so they could come to know the Lord. "You'd be more than welcome to," she said with a smile.

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