I did it! I did it! Yippee for me!

It's almost 1 in the morning, but I'm grateful to say that I, Darren Barkman, have won at NaNoWrimo! "On the Fritz is complete, clocking in at 50,151 words. Get out your hankies and prepare to read the last installment. I'll write more about what God has shown me this month a little later. After I sober up from the binge I'm going on to celebrate this puppy!


May 17. Graduation day. Steven had been at Liberty Hill exactly six months. It
hasn’t been easy. There have been struggles, spiritual attacks, fears about the future. But today was the day Steven walks out of Liberty Hill a free man. In more ways than one. It was the custom of Liberty Hill to invite friends and family to the ranch for a special commissioning service, where the former patient is prayed for by the staff and the other men in the program, then released with God’s power firmly behind them. Heather and Bree were going to be coming in to Kalispell this morning on a flight from Denver. Steven had talked with them by phone at least once a week through the whole six months. He discussed every aspect of his recovery. Piece by piece, as his life was put back together, it was as if his wife was by his side; even though she was nearly 2,000 miles away. The airplane stuff? Steven hadn’t mentioned a word.
Steven had complete faith that God has spoken and not stuttered. He was to relocate to Kalispell, train for his pilot’s license, work with Woody, then continue the air charter business as Woody retires. How do you explain that to your wife over the phone? He had tried to just ‘bring it up’ in conversation. It just never seemed appropriate. Steven’s plan was to get Heather and Bree out to Big Sky country, have them fall in love with it, then spring it on them that they were going to live out here. What if Heather hated it? What if Bree was upset and wanted to stay closer to her friends? What if the whole thing flopped and they fell flat on their faces?
What if Steven ignored God? What if Steven ignored his true heart that was now on the surface after getting rid of the sin that had so deeply entangled him for so long? God had spoken so clearly about this plan for the future, there was no way the girls could not want to go along with it. He hoped...
Steven waited inside the main commercial gate at the airport as Heather and Bree stepped off the plane and onto the pavement. The closer they got, the more excited he got. So much that he ran out the door to meet them outside.
“Hi.” Steven said as he reached his wife, and took her hands.
“Hi. I’m so glad to be here. I love you.” She held his face with both hands and kissed him hard, then held him around the waist, not wanting to ever let go.
Steven reached over. “Breeanna, come here.” Steven and Heather made their hug a threesome. All three of them started to cry, overjoyed that their family was together again.
“Let’s get your stuff. I want to show you some of the sights before we go up to the camp.” Steven hustled over to the baggage claim and carried all four of the suitcases himself over to the camp SUV. One of the privileges of the graduation process is a greater amount of freedom. Steven was allowed to drive the truck down to Kalispell by himself to pick up his family.
“Steven, it’s gorgeous up here,” Heather remarked as they drove out of the airport parking lot and up into the mountains. “I just can’t believe it.”
“I’ve really fallen in love with this part of the world,” Steven added. Was this the moment to discuss the future? Steven wondered.
“I’ll bet the skiing is great up here,” Bree added from the back seat. That’s about as much of an endorsement as he imagined to get from his teenager. “There’s an overlook on Route 2, about ten miles up. I want to stop for a minute, all right?”
“You’re driving,” Heather said. There. The family meeting was set.
The newly reunited family stood on the scenic over look that Steven and Clyde had first stood on six months earlier. They marveled at the view - the mountains, the lakes. Breeanna saw a pack of mountain goats on a ledge below them. She laughed at how funny they looked and sounded. It was so peaceful. No other vehicles on the road. Just the birds singing and the light whoosh of the breeze through the air.
“Every time I stand up here,” Steven said, “I think about the psalm that says ’The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork. It’s just so cool.”
“We should live up here,” Heather said matter-of-factly. Steven was stunned, but played it cool.
“Oh, really?” He asked incredulously. “How do you figure that?”
“Well, there’s nothing for us in Spring Arbor. My sister is staying with my Aunt in Shortville now. It’s just as far to visit my mom in Missouri from here as it is from Spring Arbor. We could easily live here now.”
“And what are we to do for money? Jobs?”
“I don’t know,” Heather shrugged her shoulders. “God will figure something out.”
“What if I were to tell you He already has?” Steven asked, continuing to look off toward the valley below.
Heather shot Steven a quick look. “Excuse me?”
Steven held Heather’s hand. “Here’s the deal. Clyde, my sponsor at the camp, gave me a airplane tour of Glacier Park for my birthday. I know flying drives you crazy, but you know how much I love it. Well, God started speaking to my heart about how free I was up there. Next thing I know, Woody, the pilot, is telling me he doesn’t want to fly the planes any more and that he thinks I’d be perfect to take over the business. He’ll train me for my license for free and when I do start flying on my own, we buy the company and give the tours.”
Heather turned white as a sheet. She stared dumbfounded at Steven.
“What?” Steven asked. “You look like you saw a ghost or something.”
“When did you go on that trip, Steven?“
“It was on my birthday, April 19. Why?“
“I had a dream that you were flying an airplane. It was the night of Bree’s party with her friends. Bree, honey...” Heather called across the parking area to her daughter, who was sitting on a bench listening to her ipod. “What date was Kristen’s party?”
“It was dad’s birthday, the 19th of last month.” Bree called back.
Heather turned, stunned and amazed. “I remember it so vividly. You know I just about throw up every time I know you’re flying. But I wasn’t in the dream. I was watching you fly the plane, but I had this incredible amount of peace. No fear at all! I figured it was God saying, figuratively, that everything was going to be all right. I had no idea...”
“...that he was talking literally,” Steven finished.
“Yeah...” Heather was practically speechless. They both realized what God was up to.
“What do we do now?” Heather asked, staring off toward the valley below, a small tear trickling down her cheek.
“Well, it is time to get back to camp,” Steven looked at his watch. “The ceremony for me starts at 7:00. Then, I guess we start looking for a house!”
Heather and Steven hugged and kissed again, but in a much different way than ever before. Now they were partners. Up until now, they were together as a couple; but they both would tell you the didn’t need the other. That had all changed in one moment of God intervening in their lives.
Bree snuck up behind them. “Why are you guys crying now?”
“We’ll tell you on the way,” Heather said. The three put their arms around each other as they made their way to the SUV, climbed in and headed for Liberty Hill, all the while praising God for His goodness and guidance.

The main hallway of the Liberty Hill lodge was decked out in balloons and streamers. Every time a participant leaves as a success, the staff throw a big party. It’s called a graduation; but it more resembles a victory party. Victory over sin, the enemy, the flesh, everything and anything the patient hopes to get rid of while they’re there. Tonight, it was all for Steven. Six months to the day of his complete collapse, he stood before his fellow members a new man. Steven was truly ’in Christ’ now; the old had gone away and the new had come. It was his desire to do God’s will, but not in a way that had to bring glory to himself or his name. All pride had been stripped away. In one of his last journal entries, Steven wrote -
It was neat to hear about Ryan’s desire to go to China and minister to the underground church. To really rejoice in someone figuring out where God wants them to be. When he asked me if I wanted to go, at first I emphatically said no. But the more I thought about it, I don’t know why I can’t go. In the past, I’d be going so that I could list ’ministering to the Chinese Christians’ on my resume. It had everything to do with furthering MY agenda. But now I have no agenda. The only thing I need to do is figure out how to be a pilot. And to win back Heather and Bree’s trust again. I know without a shadow of a doubt what I’m supposed to do and what will bring me the REAL joy I’ve been looking for. Going to China would help Ryan and bless those in the church that I minister to. I have no TV show to broadcast pictures on, no pulpit to say Hey look at what I’m doing. It’s for an audience of one. What does HE think? Is HE blessed? No one else’s opinion matters.
Steve would be going to China later in that year. He would have a profound impact on the pastors in the cell churches. He shared his testimony of brokenness before God and, with Ryan’s help, was able to lead many pastors to a deeper concecration in God.
For the night of his graduation, Steven was the center of attention and it was very good. Pastor Wilkins, the chaplain for the camp, addressed the audience of about forty men, along with various staff and townspeople.
“We’re here tonight to send off someone who is probably the most well-known person to come through our doors. He had a crisis in his life six months ago. But he faced it with honesty and dignity. Today he is a shining example of what a broken and contrite heart looks like in practice. It has been my privilege to see him grow beyond a bombastic, erudite preacher, to a man who believes God for great things. We want to celebrate him tonight, as he ventures back out into the world. Folks, may I introduce to you...Steven Hassmann.”
A standing ovation quickly followed as Steven jumped up out of his seat, buttoned his suit jacket, and stepped on to the stage. He came over to Pastor Wilkins and whispered something into his ear. Pastor Wilkins looked a little puzzled, but nodded his head and stepped back to the microphone.
“Normally at this time, we give the graduate a few minutes to say some thank yous if he wants. Steven has requested something a little different. He would like to invite his wife Heather up on to the stage and he would like the two of them to renew their wedding vows. Right here and now!”
The audience cheered again as Heather, obviously a little surprised, stood up, stepped on to the stage and stood next to her husband.
“I’m going to get you for this!” She said to Steven.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” Steven stayed looking straight ahead.
“Now there was no rehearsal,” Pastor Wilkins admitted. “So let me have the couple here at the front of the stage. Face each other. Hold hands. Hmmm, I’ve never had to do this from memory before. I hope for your sakes I get it right!”
Everyone laughed.
Pastor Wilkins began. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here tonight to, now among other things, restate the wedding vows of Heather and Steven Hassmann. It obviously has been a long, hard road the last few months, but for the last...” Pastor turned to Heather. “How many years have you been married?”
“Nineteen,” Heather whispered.
“...for the last nineteen years,” Pastor rolled on, “they have been an example to their churches and families of what a marriage can be when God is in it. And now, they are truly an example of what grace, forgiveness, and peace will bring even to the toughest situations. Steven, will you repeat these words?
“I, Steven Hassmann...”
“I, Steven Hassmann...”
“...do once again take Heather Grant Hassmann...”
“...do once again take Heather Grant Hassmann...”
“...to be my lawfully wedded wife.”
“...to be my lawfully wedded wife.”
“To have and to hold...”
“...To have and to hold...”
“...For richer or poorer...”
“...For richer or poorer...”
“...In sickness and health...”
“...In sickness and health...”
“...Forsaking all others...
“...Forsaking all others...”
“...for as long as we both
shall live.”
“...for as long as we both shall live.”
“Heather,” Pastor Wilkins continued, “Repeat after me - “
“I, Heather Grant Hassmann...”
“I, Heather Grant Hassmann...”
“...do once again take Steven Hassmann...”
“...do once again take Steven Hassmann...”
“...to be my lawfully wedded husband.”
“...to be my lawfully wedded husnbnad.”
“To have and to hold...”
“...To have and to hold...”
“...For richer or poorer...”
“...For richer or poorer...”
“...In sickness and health...”
“...In sickness and health...”
“...Forsaking all others...
“...Forsaking all others...”
“...for as long as we both
shall live.”
“...for as long as we both shall live.”
“You’re already wearing your rings. I guess that’s about it,” Pastor Wilkins concluded. “Did either one of you have anything you want to say?”
“I have something I want to say,” From the front row, Breeanna stood up. Steven and Heather were amazed. She never wants to talk in public. What was she going to say?
Heather took the microphone. “My dad, as you probably know, was a famous pastor. It was hard for me being a pastor’s kid. I had to be perfect. I couldn’t do anything wrong or all the ladies at church would gossip about me non-stop. When the news hit that my dad had been seeing pornography and going to sex shops, it got even worse. I would hear people whispering behind my back, talking about me. Calling me the pig’s daughter and stuff like that. It was hard. But my mom held me and told me it would be OK.; that dad was here and that he was getting help and he’ll come back better than before. I didn’t believe her; I thought I’d end up another divorced family kid, just like most of my friends.
Steven and Heather held hands behind Breeanna, admiring her as she spoke.
“Ever since my dad’s been here, I can testify to the change in him. He’s nicer to me on the phone, he doesn’t criticize me like he used to. He talks to me, not at me. Since we’ve been here, he’s kissed me and hugged me and put his arm around me. He never used to do that. And look! He’s holding my mom’s hand right now!”
Steven raised their clasped hand over their heads. The audience cheered again.
“I just wanted to say that I’m proud of my dad. He made some mistakes but he was big enough to admit it, change his life and be better. I’m glad I get this dad, not the one I used to have. I love you, daddy!”
Steven cried more tears as he hugged his only daughter tightly.
“Thank you.” Steven whispered in Bree’s ear.
After the clapping and cheering subsided, Steven took the microphone.
“I just wanted everyone to know our plans. I haven’t told too many people, just Ryan, Clyde and my family. God has orchestrated it so that we’ll be staying here in the area. I’m going to be taking over Minuteman Aviation someday soon, when I get my license to fly. I’ll give everyone a free ride! How does that sound?”
The whole audience voiced their approval by cheering again.
“God has been so, so good. Since we’ll be here, we plan on volunteering to help other who come get free as well. It’s a whole new life. We’re so looking forward to it. Thank you and God bless.”
The people who came Steven’s graduation gave another long, loud standing ovation. Steven was humbled. He remembered how once this type of resopnse would have puffed up his chest and made him all the more excited about where his career was going as a successful minister. Now he simply cares about his family and, soon, his new company. As he stood on that small stage, Steven thought to himself,
All is well. All is certainly well.

Cindy and Charlie literally picked Montana as their honeymoon destination by throwing a dart at a map. That was the type of people they were - spontaneous, ready to do anything at any time. That’s why they called SHB Aviation to take an air tour of the mountains. A new adventure awaited the newlyweds around every corner.
They pulled up to the hangar in their rented pick-up truck. Cindy in her faux fur coat; Charlie in khaki pants and golf shirt, with the fancy leather jacket. They walked up to the Cessna CVI sitting on the runway and approached the man under the wing, giving the plane one final spit polish.
“Excuse me, is this the right place for the air tours?” Charlie demanded.
Steven stuck his head out from behind a panel that had dropped down off the wing. “It most certainly is. Steven Hassmann, at your service. And you are?”
“I’m Cindy Van Bonder and this is Charlie. We’ve just gotten married last week and we’re here for your tour.”
“Right! The newlyweds from California! Great! Well, I’m ready if you are. We’ve got some papers to sign. We can do that on board. I like to get right into the air with you folks. Don’t want to wait around. There’s too much to see!”
“Cindy, do you think our lawyer should read the papers over first?” Charlie asked.
Steven gave a slight smirk. “They’re pretty standard release papers. They just say that we can send you to the hospital in town if the plane were to explode and you meet your untimely death in an amazing fireball of gas and shrapnel.”
Cindy and Charlie just stared at Steven.
“It’s a joke.” Steven explained.
The couple looked at each other, wondering if illegal drugs were common up here in the mountains.
“If we can, we should go now. The weatherman says we might get some rain before too long. Clouds and fog off the mountains doesn’t make for a good show up there.”
Steven took Cindy and Charlie inside the hangar and gave them a brief safety lesson, including proper use of a parachute, just in case. After just a few minutes, they crossed the landing area and boarded the Cessna CVI that Steven had taken on that prophetic trip seven years before. He had grown the company to three planes and four pilots serving most of the state. He still chose to fly the tours at the flagship hangar himself. He had done at least two trips almost every day since he took over from Woody. When business doubled in the first year, Woody was amazed. Steven was able to witness to the goodness of God in the situation and also how Steven came to Montana in the first place. Woody ended up giving his life to Jesus not soon after that. In fact, Kalispell had itself a mini-revival in the months soon after the Hassmanns arrived. The small church they attended, Communion Baptist Church, quintupled in size. Not because the once-famous Rev. Steven Hassmann began attending; but because so many were becoming Christians that they all needed a place to be discipled. There was even rumors swirling around town that Steven was going to split off and start a church in town, and that it was going to be twice as big as his church in Spring Arbor. It was going to be a tourism mecca for the Glacier Park area. Millions of dollars flooding the streets as people come to see what the Reverend is up to now.
Steven had no desire for that, though. His days were too busy flying the charters and living close to God to think about going backwards. There were no computers in the house or the business. One small TV in the Hassmann’s home had no cable; just the two network channels from Great Falls. Steven and Heather had settled into a very nice routine. It was never boring. But it was always full of God. Just the way they’d hoped it would be.
Cindy and Charlie settled into their spectator seats, right behind Steven’s pilot seat. They noticed two pictures on the dashboard.
“Who’s in those pictures?” Cindy asked.
“The one on the left is my wife Heather and I the day we decided to move up here. What a day that was. The other is my daughter, Breeanna, with her fiance Cody. He’s a pilot with me up here and my maintenance guy. She’s a blessed girl and we’re going to be blessed in-laws. He’s from Olney. Neat little town up Route 93. Best food in the area. You ought to try it.”
“What do they serve?” Charlie asked.
“Only the best hash in the world. You ever eaten hash before?”
The newlyweds crinkled their noses at the thought of eating something so repulsive.
“Guess that’s a no. OK, folks, buckle up...we’re ready to go.” Steve said as he spun his seat around to face the dashboard, adjusted his headset and turned the key to start the engine.
“Tower, this is Eagle one. Tower, this is Eagle one, over.”
“Roger, Eagle one. Steve, you ready to go to work?”
“That’s an affirmative, Henry. Let me go!”
“You’re clear. No one’s supposed to be around while you’re up. I’ll talk to you in an hour, ok?”
“Make it two hours. I’ve got newlyweds with me.”
With a pushing forward of the throttle and a release of the gas button, the plane quickly lifted its nose off the runway. Effortlessly and seamlessly, the plane ascended into the sky and cruised past the first ridge of mountains and over Whitefish Lake. Cindy and Charlie were amazed at how smooth the takeoff was, noting that no commercial pilot had done better, in their estimation. They both proceeded to look out their respective windows, admiring the terrain. Steven gave out tidbits of information - the elevation of the mountains, the climate and temperature information, tales of bear sightings in the passes and ridges below. He knew most of the time the passengers weren’t listening. But Steven enjoyed talking about it just the same. It was the kingdom God had given him. Who was he not to brag about it a little bit? About half way through each trip, no matter who he was escorting, Steven strayed from the facts and figures and began to quote from one of his favorite philosophers -
“You know folks, from way up here most people will see the mountains. The snowy peaks. The lakes and the beautiful trees. I see all that. But do you know what else I see?
“Possibilities. Endless possibilities...”

tHE END