"I feel like shopping, let's go to the Holy City," Grandmother suggested as the family sat visiting on the terrace. Cindy loved the idea, but David and Ricky groaned.
"Do we have to go?" Ricky asked. "I hate to go to town with women."
"Come on fellows," their grandfather said. "While the ladies look around we'll go to the carpenter shop."
"All right," Ricky agreed. "That�s different."
"We'll get some things to build," Grandfather said.
"Let�s take the boat to the City," Grandmother suggested.
"That sounds like fun," Cindy said.
They were soon ready. They walked through the park to the water's edge. A boat, without engine or sails, pulled up and the family stepped into it. The vessel seemed to move by itself. Sitting on soft cushions they were transported on the current. The only noise was music that played as they cruised.
"What a variety of songs," Cindy said. "That was one of my favorites."
"They play music that we liked when we were on earth," Grandmother said.
The boat passed many homes with their yards full of trees and flowers. One huge park was dotted with lovely houses. The craft glided effortlessly down the river to the gigantic Holy City where buildings towered far into the sky.
The light grew more glorious as they came near. Around the city was a tall, shining wall that shone with brilliant brightness. Flowers of unfading display in an endless variety of colors surrounded them. There were thousands of angels and happy people passing in all directions. The boat landed upon a marble terrace close to the gates of the city.
"It's beautiful," Cindy said as they climbed out of the boat onto a wide grassy parkway. "Look how wide the streets are, they shine just like -- like --gold. Look how they gleam in the light."
"The streets of the city are pure gold," Grandmother said. They strolled down the path. Tall structures towered over them, but there were still trees, lawns and flowers all about.
"What kind of stores are there, Grandmother?" Cindy asked.
"Book and music stores, department stores, fabric stores, just about everything we had on earth, except grocery markets." Grandmother pointed to the buildings. "We also have publishing houses, art rooms, picture galleries and libraries."
"Don't forget the hardware stores and the lumber yards so we can build furniture for inside and outside," Grandfather said.
"But you won�t find any churches here," Grandmother added. "We all go to the temple now."
"Here comes someone you would like to meet." Grandfather smiled as a tall, dignified man came near to them. His hair and beard were dark. "Hello, Abraham."
"How are you my dear friends?" Abraham greeted the party.
"We are fine, our friend." Grandfather shook his hand. "I would like you to meet my grandchildren."
"Abraham?" Ricky gulped. "Would you be the Abraham of the Bible? The father of Isaac?"
"Yes," Abraham laughed. "The same one. And I have heard about you."
"You have?" David was surprised.
"Yes," Abraham said. "Your parents are still on earth, and so is your brother Joseph."
"How did you know that?" Cindy asked.
"We often see earth," said Abraham. "And many times we visit people who are having a hard time. They don�t know we are there but we can offer encouragement to others that way."
"We�re going shopping today. We want to show the children the stores," Grandmother explained. "Would you like to join us?"
"I wish I could," Abraham said. "But I have work to do. Don�t worry I�ll see you on many occasions." He waved good-bye to the astonished children.
"I never thought I would meet someone so famous," Ricky said as they walked down the street.
"No one is famous here. We are all equal," Grandmother explained.
"Our brother, Jesus said that the first would be last," Grandfather said. "And the last first."
"That means that we are all the same in Him," Grandmother squeezed Cindy's hand. "There are no presidents or celebrities here, but there are many people who were kings and presidents on earth."
"Jesus is our President," Grandfather added. "And Governor, King, and Lord." He laughed. They walked on down the golden streets until they came to a huge shop.
"This is the carpenter's store," Grandfather said. "Come on fellows, you�ve never seen such fine things."
"It looks like a nice place," David said with enthusiasm.
"We'll see you at the Heavenly Cafe later," Grandmother said as Grandfather and the boys went into the shop.
"Where are we going?" Cindy asked as they continued down the street.
"I thought you might want to see the shops," Grandmother said. "I'd like to get some material so we can start decorating your mother and dad�s rooms."
"Oh, can I help?" Cindy asked.
"Sure, I'll be glad for your help," Grandmother smiled. They went into a fabric store and picked out material of green and gold for Cindy's parents.
"This will be fine," Grandmother told the shopkeeper.
"Very good," the woman smiled. "This is your granddaughter, Cindy, isn�t it?"
"Yes," Grandmother said. "Cindy this is Julia." She picked up the material and started out the wide door.
"Have a good time shopping," Julia told them.
"Grandma," Cindy said. "You forgot to pay for the material."
"Oh, no, Cindy," Grandmother laughed. "We don�t have to buy things here. We are fully trusted, we do the work Jesus has given us and there is no need for money."
"Wow," Cindy said. "So I can go into any store and buy whatever I want?"
"That�s right," Grandmother said. "But we usually don�t want much because the Savior has provided everything we need."
"This museum is one of the finest." Grandmother pointed to a huge building. "Sometime when the boys are with us we'll go through it. Let's stop at the library." She smiled at Cindy, knowing her love for books.
It was a tall building and when they went in, although the shelves reached high into the air, Cindy found that she could reach the top shelves with no effort.
"You'll find some new books too," Grandmother explained. "People who have come to Heaven have written about their experiences while on earth."
"I�d like to check these out," Cindy said as she picked out an armful of books.
"There is no check-out here," Grandmother explained. "Everyone takes the books they want and brings them back when they are finished. There�s no dishonesty in Heaven." When they left the library they walked past stores with huge columns. One large building was a print shop.
"That's where they're printing the new books," Grandmother said.
Cindy loved to shop; now she found that she could walk for miles because she had a body that never got tired.
"No need for the zoo, is there?" She asked as they passed shops and art galleries.
"No," her grandmother agreed. "We don't have to cage the animals anymore. Let's go see how the boys are doing. They're waiting for us now at the Heavenly Cafe."
"How do you know?" Cindy asked.
"I can see them," her grandmother pointed to a group of tables far off in the distance.
"Isn't it wonderful how far we can see here?" Cindy asked.
"Yes," her grandmother rubbed her eyes. "I had to wear such thick glasses when I lived on earth, I was nearly blind."
"This new body is perfect," Cindy said.
"Let's glide over to the Heavenly Cafe," Grandmother suggested.
"Yes, I love to glide." Cindy soared easily into the air. Grandmother followed as they drifted just over the trees. It felt almost like floating in water.
"This is fun," Cindy cried as they landed on the sidewalk next to the outdoor cafe.
"You can see so much while you're gliding," Grandmother said as they joined David, Ricky and Grandfather at a table beneath a large, shady tree.
"Isn't this beautiful?" Cindy looked around at the tables covered with silver cloths and flowers.
They ordered lunch from the menu. Cindy and Grandmother had fruit and breadfruit for lunch. The food was truly heavenly, for it was like Manna or angel's food, such as the Israelites ate when they were in the dessert. They watched laughing and smiling people who mingled on the walks and lawns.
"We got material to build a desk in the den for Dad," David said.
Cindy told David and Ricky about all the things she had seen in the Heavenly City and the huge library with all the books in it.
"Next time," David grinned. "Let's go to the library."
"So," their grandmother smiled, "You like shopping in the Heavenly City?"
"Yes," the two boys agreed loudly.
After their lunch they walked slowly through the city.
"Here is Heavenly Park," Grandmother said as they stepped into a large park with fountains, miniature lakes and shaded seats. They soon came to an immense circular open temple with seats surrounding it.
"Every day an angel choir assembles," Grandfather said. "They are getting ready to sing now. The angel choirs give concerts and plays."
"Let's listen to them," Cindy said as she watched the gathering crowd.
The family found seats and watched the happy people. They spoke often to people they knew.
A hush fell over the crowd as the angel choir assembled with their instruments. The music was more beautiful than Cindy could have imagined as the angels sang the hymns of praise to Jesus and played the tunes on instruments of all types. Suddenly the angels stood aside as a magnificent person came on to the stage.
"It's Jesus," awed whispers filled the air and everyone stood up.
"He's beautiful." Cindy grasped her grandmother by the hand.
"How I love Him." Grandmother's eyes shone almost as if there were tears in them.
"Welcome my friends," Jesus said. "I am so glad you are finally here and will be with me throughout eternity."
Loud voices joined in praise as Jesus stepped out into the audience to greet the people. There was no crowding or shoving; everyone waited their turn to meet the Master.
The Kahns left the amphitheater filled with happiness as they went to the river's edge and caught the boat for home.