A miracle is God doing only what God can do. — Ronald Dunn

Someone once said that when God steps in, miracles happen. Paloma could attest to the certainty of the statement. 

"Thank you so much!" She grinned as a person penned their signature. 

"You are welcome. All the best." The person said and walked off.

Paloma grinned as two other persons came forward and signed in the empty boxes. She expressed her appreciation and they departed. 

Her eyes glistened with tears of joy as she looked down and counted the signatures. 

Thank you, Jesus! 

20 more to go. 

"How's it going, cupcakes?" Timothy asked as he reached her,  armed with two shopping bags. 

She looked up and beamed. "It's going wonderful. We have gotten 30 signatures altogether." 

"That's great. Things are looking bright." He produced a toothed grin. "I guess your idea of coming to this trade fair was right."

"Yeah…I was quite skeptical at the beginning but I am glad things turned around for good." She smiled. 

Timothy nodded. "I guess we should get going. We acquired some signatures and some supplies. That's enough accomplishment for the day." 

"True. It's close to dinnertime." She tucked away the petition and picked up the shopping bags at her feet. 

The father and daughter strolled to where Timothy's blue truck was parked and loaded the goods in the backseat. 

Paloma took her place at the passenger seat and Timothy veered the car onto the road. 

Paloma leaned back and her lips lifted into a smile. She hummed a happy tune and her heart danced with glee. 

                      ★★★★

Birds chirped at the window the next day. Paloma's eyes peeled open and she produced a yawn.  She said her prayers and ambled inside the bathroom to prepare for the day. 

With a song on her lips, she returned, stood in front of the mirror, and combed her brown locks. A smile glued on her face as she went through the rituals of putting on her accessories. 

Satisfied with her look, she turned to the side and her eyes lightened up as they landed on the petition. Her smile widened and she picked it up.  As she gazed at it, a thought crossed her mind, and she decided to execute it.  

She sauntered out of the room with a grin and the petition in her hand. Her legs padded over the floor as she headed towards the room opposite her own. She gave a swift knock and stepped back. 

"Come in." A muffled voice called out. 

Paloma put her hand on the doorknob and pushed the door open. Her brows rose but she wasn't surprised at the scene that greeted her. It was Alexa's room after all. 

She grimaced and hopped over a pair of shoes scattered in front of the door.  Her eyes touched the bed. Half of the blanket lay on the floor and clothes were strewn all over it. 

Paloma jumped as a slamming sound rang in her ears. She clutched her chest and turned to the side with wide eyes.  "What was that for, Alexa?" 

"Sorry, I forgot I wasn't  the only one here." A sheepish look crossed her face. 

"Fair enough." The door closed behind Paloma and she stepped further in. She sidestepped some more pairs of shoes. 

"You seriously need to arrange this place," Paloma said as she scanned the room. 

"Yeah, I know. But the problem is that no matter how many times I arrange, it gets messy again." Alexa shook her head. 

"Hmmm, well then, I guess you just have to keep rearranging." Paloma moved to the bed, pushed aside some heaps of clothes, and sat down. 

"Yeah, I will try my best." Alexa picked up a cloth and folded it. "Anyway…I believe you didn't come here to discuss the state of my room; what's up?" 

Paloma chuckled. "You got that right. I came to thank you." She grinned.  

"Thank me?" Alexa's brows furrowed. "For what?" 

Paloma's smile broadened. "I came to thank you for this." She waved the petition in the air.

Alexa's eyes lit up with recognition. "What about it?" 

"See for yourself." Paloma stretched it out with sparkling eyes. 

Alexa snatched it. "Oh my word, this is great!" A grin split on her face as she read it. "20 more to go and we'll hit a hundred. And then we can submit it to the government." Her eyes crinkled at the side.  

"I know right? God is awesome!" Paloma beamed. "It's a miracle."

Alexa looked at her. "Tell me how it happened." Her eyes gleamed with excitement. 

Paloma smiled. "Well, after the pep talk you gave me, I got a new drive to take up the petition again. And the opportunity to get signatures came up in the form of the annual trade fair that comes up in town. As you know, Papà and I attended. While Papà bought stuff, I stood to the side and presented our cause to whoever cared to listen. At first, disappointment wanted to set in as some people disregarded me.  

However, that's when the miracle happened." Paloma's cheeks hurt from smiling so wide but her grin didn't waver.  

"I mean, it was like magic. Without thinking too much, people began to smile, drop their signature, and leave with a word of accolade and encouragement."

 Paloma's mind traveled back to the numerous "good luck" and "all the best" people said to her. 

"And do you know what was shocking?" Paloma's voice rose an octave. 

"What?" Alexa leaned forward with anticipation in her eyes. 

"The people who once turned their backs on me were among the people who put in their signature." Paloma let out a laugh. "Isn't that wonderful?" 

Alexa's lips puckered. Yes! It was a miracle indeed." Alexa's eyes shimmered with amazement. However, her eyes clouded. "But I still don't get why you want to thank me." She shrugged. 

Paloma produced a chuckle. "I want to thank you for pushing me to continue with the petition. If you didn't chide me, the petition would probably still be tucked away in my room. So thank you for your encouragement." She reached over and squeezed Alexa's arm. Her eyes shone with appreciation and affection. 

"Pfft, don't mention it. I just did what I felt was right. It was probably God's plan. He wanted to work a miracle." She cracked a smile. "Anyway, what's your next plan?"

"Well…" Paloma rose to her feet, "after breakfast, I plan on going scouting for more signatures." 

"That's good. Hopefully, by the end of the day, all the remaining boxes would be filled. We are running out of time so we need to submit the petition as soon as possible."

"Yeah, true. Papà said they would be holding a meeting to decide on the exact date the deforestation will commence." A lump formed in Paloma's throat as she envisioned the forest being torn down. The thought caused a shiver to course through her. 

"Ahh, I hope that day never comes. It would be a nightmare." Alexa rubbed her arms as fright glistened in her eyes. 

"Yeah, I hope so too. We'll just keep hoping for the best." A shadow of a smile formed on Paloma's lips. "I just hope this day will bring us closer to our goal." 

                       ★★★★

Ayy, things are looking bright for the Jaramilos. 😁
I hope it remains that way. XD

Hmmm, I don't have much to say.

However, don't forget to 👇

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Until next time, never lose hope no matter what ❤