ohn had told her to get some sleep, but she could not obey. Excitement raced through every nerve of her body, as she thought of what had happened that morning. God had stepped into her life, transforming night into day. Before she did anything else, Izumi got down on her knees, and closed her eyes.

"Dear God, thank you, so much, for John. Please make me a good Christian. And most of all, thank you for not forgetting me." Standing up, she danced around the room, careful not to make any noise. Suddenly, a terrible thought came to her. She opened the door to the adjoining bathroom, and peered into the mirror. Izumi let out a small groan. The white sheet that covered her bed, had not been removed before she fell asleep on it the night before. A thick layer of fine dust had settled on top of the sheet, and to her dismay, had coated her face, her hair, and the slept- in school uniform.

"What he must think of me!" exclaimed Izumi out loud. She had a lot of work to do before eleven o'clock. Tip- toeing down the hall, Izumi unstacked her suitcase, and returned to her room. First removing the dirty white sheet, Izumi lifted the suitcase onto her bed. She opened it, shaking her head. She had packed so hurriedly, that not many items of clothing had made it to America. Strewing the contents on the bed, she pulled out her socks, an old nightgown, and a beloved doll. She soon discovered, to her dismay, that everything else was "junk."

"God, please help me," she silently pleaded. Returning to the bathroom, Izumi decided to clean what she could help. She hand- washed her clothes in the bathroom sink, and took a bath, for there was no shower. She got into her old nightgown and hung her wet clothes in the sunlight of her room.

"If only I didn't have to wear my school uniform, today, of all days!" she exclaimed. She thought of opening her mother's suitcase, and borrowing some of her clothes. Anna was much taller than Izumi, but anything seemed better than her uniform. She paced the floor, asking God for wisdom. There was only one thing standing in her way, Anna. As long as Izumi did not do anything that affected her mother, she was more likely to be left alone. And Izumi desperately wanted to be left alone today. Except for John, of course.

No, she would wear her uniform. Thanking God for the decision, she glanced at the clock hanging on the wall. It read nine o'clock. She would have time to dry her clothes.

Izumi climbed up onto her bed, and put her arms upon the sill, resting her chin on them. She took in the beauty of Chaumont Bay, silently rapturing with every wave. The calming rhythm relaxed her, for soon, she was asleep.

With a sudden start, Izumi woke up. She looked at the clock. It was ten forty-four am. With a hurried gasp, Izumi rushed to her uniform. It was very damp, and still wrinkled. Izumi had hoped it would look better than it did. She pushed aside her disappointed tears, and got dressed. Izumi brushed her hair with her fingers, and stood in front of the mirror, testing the over all effect. To her disgust, she still had the appearance of a little girl. "Oh well," she sighed, trying to conceal her disappointment from herself.

Izumi tip- toed down the hall, and past Anna's still closed door. She opened the front door, and sat down on the steps. The sun was shining warmly, but there was a cool breeze from the bay, that made Izumi shiver in her damp clothes. She suddenly had a terrible thought, "He never asked where I live!" Her horror was short- lived, however, for John soon appeared, coming up the walk.

"Be of good comfort, rise; He calleth thee."
~ Mark 10:49 ~