CHAPTER ONE

But Mom!!! I don’t want to leave!” Fourteen-year-old Miralee sobbed.
“MI, honey, it’s all settled. We’re going to move to California.”
“But what about Dad?”
“Hu, I’m tired of this Seventh-Day Adventism! I don’t want any more with it! Josh bought a big new house in California that you and I are going to live in. And once I and Josh get married, he will move in with us. and we’re going to start a new life, without any SDA stuff. I hate religion.” Mira’s mom scoffed.
“Who’s Josh?”
“He’s going to be your new dad.”
“NO MOM!!!! I don’t want a new dad!” Mira cried.
“Honey, dear, go pack up your stuff. We’re leaving tomorrow in the morning.”
Miralee and her mom were going to live in a house Josh bought until Josh and Amber, Miralee’s mom, married. Then Josh would move in with them from his apartment. But for now, it was just Miralee and her mom who were going to live in a HUGE house. But Josh would visit often, about every other day or so.
Mira’s dad passed away two months ago, and Mira hadn’t been to church since. She’d loved her church family. They were always so kind and generous to her and her family. Mira sent a quick prayer up to heaven. She prayed for a miracle, that her mom would someday become an Adventist, but her hope vanished when she’d heard about her mom going to marry Josh. Mira guessed he wouldn’t be Adventist or even Christian since her mom hated religion.
* * * * *
The next day, Mira sat in the front seat of the GMC. Tears swelled in her eyes. She thought about running away last night, but she didn’t know where to go. and if she got caught running away, she’d be in trouble, and big time! Josh must be rich. Her mom used the word “big house,” and she said it was in California. and all the people in California were rich. Mira didn’t want to be rich. She’d listened to the pastor say, “It is harder for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven, because his riches become his idols.” Mira sure didn’t want her riches to be her idols, and no one was going to stop her from obeying God and keeping his commandments. No way was anyone going to stop her from loving her God! Mira remembered the Bible verse she’d memorized. “If you love me, keep my commandments. – John 14:15.” Just then Mira’s thoughts were interrupted by her mom’s voice.
“Do you want some music, Girl?”
“No thanks.” Mira knew what kind of music her mom would play, and she didn’t want any of it. plus she’d liked the quietness.
“Do you want to stop on the way and get a coffee?” Amber asked.
“NO WAY. God wouldn’t want me to drink that stuff.”
“No more about this SDA stuff! I’m tired of it! We’re not going to have any more of it!”
Mira glanced at the back seat. She’d secretly hidden her Bible in her suitcase, and no one was going to stop her from reading it!