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Before researching what it would take to plan and host a city-wide event, Stephen knew there would be a great deal of work involved. Little did he know there would be as much work as there actually was. Permits, safety, insurance, sponsorships, ticketing, vendor fees… The work was exhausting, and of course he had to come up with a backward-planned, actionable, step-by-step framework outlining the timeline of a profitable festival fundraiser. He had help, but even with the assistance of a dedicated committee it was a lot to do before April, which is when the festival would take place. Working fewer hours at the hospital freed up some more time for him to do what he had to do. Whatever a man sows, that he shall reap, he kept thinking.

Since Stephen and Olivia had been attending church more, they’d been more conscious of right and wrong in their daily lives. All the dreams taking place had this effect, making residents more aware of the wrong they were doing. Like reverse psychology, as more and more good things came down from heaven, people became more and more fearful of God’s judgment. As far as Stephen and Olivia were concerned, they couldn’t pinpoint many exact instances when they had sinned, but they felt guilty overall about their outlook on the world and how they viewed other people. They were subtly resentful toward people they didn’t like or to whom they couldn’t relate. They were judgmental, and now they were afraid they’d be judged for it.

“I think we’ve lived a certain way for so long we’ve begun to dislike people who don’t live like we do, who don’t share our opinions,” he said to her one night after dinner. “We’re so set in our ways, it bothers us when others don’t do what we want. Closed-minded self-centeredness. It’s exactly what I criticize other people for, and here I am doing it.”

“You aren’t closedminded. Neither am I. Have you stopped to consider that maybe we’re right and that’s why we don’t like people, because they’re wrong and we aren’t supposed to like them?”

“For what, not recycling? I saw a man throw cardboard in the trash can the other day instead of the recycling bin that was right there, and it ate me up inside. I almost ran after him and punched him in the stomach.”

“He would have deserved it. All the waste and pollution in the world—“

“But that’s not me, do you understand? That would have been wrong of me, I have to be better.”

“You should have shown him a photo of a baby seal covered in oil.”

“He wouldn’t have cared. People are too busy to care these days. There needs to be more love, more festivals and charity. Dreams are coming true all around us and still our hearts are growing cold. The absurdity.”

“You’re preaching to the choir.”

“The fundraiser is so much work though, it’s almost not worth the trouble. This is my full time job now.”

“Maybe it should be. Why not devote your time to planning fundraisers. More care and resources for the poor would be the best way to accompany the miracles every day.”

“I love my job at St. Perpetua’s. I’m making a big difference there. More festivals would be great, but I like focusing on the details, helping just one person at a time.”

“If you can reach one person, then it’s all worth while.”

“Exactly.”

“So you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing.”

“Yes, I mean I think so.”

“Then don’t stress about it. Enjoy yourself and be grateful in what little free time you have.”

On the other side of Weatherview Ethan was struggling with his faith as well, but in a different way. To him repentance wasn’t so much about the good you could do, but rather more about what you feel. He was sorry he’d let such negative emotions infect his heart and endanger his soul. The time he’d spent in hell had rearranged his priorities, taught him a few things, and gave him a new perspective on life. No matter what was happening in the world around him, he had to keep watch over his own heart and make sure only good resided there. Peace, love, forgiveness. Once you stop praying and meditating on good things, you start down a path leading further and further away from God, and before you know it you’re surrounded by demons tormenting you and laughing horribly at your pain. Ethan had been spoiling his son with more gifts and fun outings, and he had been humble and grateful with his wife. Not long after he left the hospital he’d told her about his time in hell. All he could do was keep begging God to forgive his sins by His holy cross. All he could think about was the hope of another chance with her and Casey.

“If I lost you I’d die,” said Ethan.

“Don’t worry, baby.”