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Jerry Reynolds could hardly wait for his tenth birthday. It meant more to him than most birthdays. His parents had promised that when he turned ten he would be old enough to go to his Uncle John's cabin on Rock Island. For three summers Jerry sat home while his older brother Andy would go away for the weekend with his uncle. Finally, this summer he would get to go too.

Jerry knew a lot about Rock Island even though he had never been there. His brother Andy always had exciting stories when he returned from his trips. There were big boulders all over the island and it sounded like great fun to climb all over them.

Andy told him about fishing from the docks down by the shore and all the rainbow trout that he and his uncle would catch.

Rock Island was a two hour car ride and a thirty minute ferry ride from Jerry's house.

The day finally came when Uncle John called with all the details. He would pick up Jerry and Andy at 5:00 Friday afternoon.

Uncle John explained all about the different gear that they would need to bring. Just before Uncle John hung up the phone he said,"Now remember that I'll be there at five on Friday. If you aren't ready I can't wait. The last ferry to the island leaves at seven and we can't miss it.

Jerry thought that Friday would never come. He started to pack all of his gear on Tuesday night. He rolled his sleeping bag into a tight roll. He packed his fishing pole and all the clothes he could possibly need. On Thursday night, Jerry noticed that his brother Andy had not started packing yet. Jerry said,"Aren't you going to pack? Uncle John said he couldn't wait."

"I'll get to it tomorrow", said Andy.

At 4:55 p.m. on Friday, Uncle John pulled up in his station wagon. Jerry came running out of the house with all of his gear. "Where's Andy?", asked Uncle John. "He's inside packing," said Jerry. Uncle John went into the house and found Andy busily packing. "I'm sorry You're not ready," said Uncle John, "but we'll have to leave without you." Andy stood sadly and watched as the station wagon pulled out of the drive at exactly 5:00 p.m.

In the Bible story about Nehemiah, the men were ready for anything. Many of them worked with one hand and held a sword in the other. You need to be prepared for something too. Someday soon the Lord Jesus Christ is coming back and those that are not saved will be left behind. Salvation is offered freely today. Won't you accept Christ now? "The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10

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