Our June/July issue of Mysterious Ways went to press last week and should arrive in subscribers’ mailboxes toward the latter part of May. I wrote recently about how excited I was for this issue—the completion of our first year publishing Mysterious Ways. We couldn’t have done it without your support.
Below is a picture of the wall where we map out every issue. You can probably make out some of the goodies in store if you look closely. I thought I’d share with you some snippets from this issue’s incredible stories:
In His Hands (page 8): “Chills vibrated through my body. A swell crashed over my head and dragged me under. I choked. This was it. I gave in to my fate. But somehow, I shot back up, coughed, sucked in a sweet breath, glimpsed a glint of moonlight. I sank again—and again I popped to the surface. Startled, I felt something around my waist, something holding me up in the water. Was I hallucinating? No, hallucinations couldn’t keep you afloat…”
The Lost Macaw (page 11): “The couple passing me on the street did a double take. So did the lady sitting on her front porch. I gave her a smile and a wave. In the hazy summer sun, maybe they thought they were seeing things. But then my traveling companion greeted them, her loud, singsongy voice cutting through the briny ocean air and echoing among the overhangs of the Queen Anne-style houses. ‘Hello, Macalaina, hiyyyyy. Twee-hoo!’ No doubt the green miniature Hahn’s macaw perched on my shoulder was an odd sight…”
I Dreamed of a Drowning (page 14): “For an instant I wasn’t sure where I was. Everything around me was suddenly dark. I reached under me and felt… my bed. Thank God. Just a dream. But the same dream. Again. I felt sweat running down my neck. I looked for J. She was stretched out on the floor, sleeping, with Bo, my other Border collie, beside her. Their chests rose and fell. Everything was fine. But why did I keep having this nightmare? It was so real, so frighteningly vivid. I couldn’t get that horrible moment out of my mind—being frozen, watching my dog disappear in the rapids…”
The Bridge at Eichel River (page 16): “It was very risky, but we had to do something. That evening Papa invited the Germans inside. Perhaps they would like something to drink? Something to warm them up? He offered his best schnapps. Surely a glass or two wouldn’t hurt? Her father poured them glass after glass, led them in drinking games, listened to their songs, their stories. At one point Papa gave a signal to Mama and me. We spread sheets on the hay in the barn. They were so drunk they slept right there. That’s when Papa rushed to the river and clipped the wires to the explosives…”
More Than a Ballgame (page 28): “I wanted more from him, to feel the certainty of his faith, to know for sure that God would be waiting for Dad with open arms when the day came. I told him I wasn’t always sure what I believed in. His blue eyes drilled right through me. ‘Of course I believe in God and heaven,’ he said. ‘Are you crazy?’
‘Pop, it would make me feel better if I could get a sign after you’re gone—to let me know you’re OK.’
‘Sure, Mick,’ he said. ‘I’ll send you a Western Union telegram.’
‘Dad, I’m not joking,’ I said. ‘I want to believe.’
He realized how upset I was and laid a thin hand on my shoulder. ‘Son, believe me, if I can send you a sign I will. I promise…’ “
That’s all for now! But there’s so much more. Let us know what you think of Mysterious Ways. And send us your stories. You might be featured in a future issue!
