Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, December 23, 2023

GIFT - Continued from page 1

“Mr. Thomas Green, do not be afraid of me,” the 
voice insisted.

At the completion of these words, he turned toward 
the man to confront the features of a round face and 
well-worn display of clothing. “How is it that you 
know my name? I demand an answer from you.” 

“I know everyone’s name, Thomas, but the 
misfortune is that you have forgotten so many names 
of importance. I have been given the opportunity to 
bless you with a reminder of their value. We are given, 
on Christmas night, a certain power to persuade, and 
ability to restore lost memories. It has been decided 
that you shall meet with God before the morning’s 
light.”

“Look, I do not know who you are or how you know 
my name, buddy, but you are definitely missing a few 
numbers on the calculator upstairs. I am not meeting 
with anyone tonight. And I just saw the doctor last 
week. He says that I am in perfect health. If you are 
planning on poisoning me, kidnapping me, or some 
other nefarious act, I am going to call the police with 
the phone in my hand before you have a chance to lay 
a single finger upon me.”

“My dear Thomas, you are not going die tonight, for 
Christmas is the celebration of birth. I might hope that 
you should live a long life. You do not comprehend 
the gift which I desire to bring. For you have already 
been poisoned by the indifference of your heart, a 
heart that does not weigh the importance of your own 
deeds. When your canteen is amply supplied, why do 
you not spare a single cup of kindness to that fool in 
the desert? Have you masterminded a philosophy 
where the world is made a better place, when people 
are encouraged to perish? The mistake you commit 
at this moment is far more inhumane and grievous 
than the ones you condemn. It is easy for us to argue 
the right and the wrongs of the world, but what about 
the plight of these people, and the suffer you see, and 
that of the world you willfully fail to look upon? Is 
their injury equal to their crime? Is their sentence of 
neglect, loneliness and want a sufficient punishment 
in your eyes? How should we judge the person who 
possesses the ability to grant mercy, but withholds 
the power of such a gift? Does a small drink from 
your canteen alter your situation?

“How do you know what I was thinking tonight?” 

The voice replied: “I am given certain items of 
assistance to help you understand, Thomas. Heaven 
has entrusted you with an immense responsibility. 
Your ignorance to this gift has summoned my 
presence. Will the wealth you so tightly clutch onto 
have any value beyond this world? There is still time, 
there is still hope for you, Thomas, to honor the 
greatest gift of all. The awesome power to build this 
hope or ignore this gift of mercy that rests within 
your power. I offer myself on behalf of those broken-
hearted people. Know this well, Thomas, it is a 
ponderous road you walk, and how you preside over 
these decisions will make you welcome or wise in the 
world that is to come.”

A frightening bang emanated out from the solid steel 
pipe that was struck against the chain link fence 
beside Mr. Green. 

“You get out of my neighborhood,” a delirious woman 
screamed in rebellion against the whole of the world, 
oblivious to the fact that she had frightened the 
people around the fire, or the man standing on the 
sidewalk next to her. The wheels of her home groaned 
with movement, as she nudged the shopping cart 
forward with all of her belongs.

“And you want me to help these people?” Mr. Green 
defiantly questioned as he whirled back in the 
direction of the man, only to discover an empty area 
of street. 

“It is impossible,” Mr. Green mused. “He could not 
have gone anywhere. There is no place to run or hide. 
Is it reasonable to believe that I could have imagined 
this man? No, it can’t be, I saw him, I spoke with him 
and heard his voice.” He announced these words of 
self-assurance and confusion into a night that uttered 
no answer. “Maybe this winter’s cold has frozen my 
mind and caused me some sort of delusion or dream. 
Yes, that must be what has happened here. For the 
cold and the wind must have conjured some craziness 
in me.”

A half an hour later, the world in which he worked 
seemed as far as distance of the moon on this night. 
He typically enjoyed a great sense of security within 
his home, but on this evening, an odd uneasiness 
occurred, unlike any he had ever felt before. So 
disturbing did it become that he dragged a chair from 
the kitchen table and firmly wedged it under the knob 
of the front-door. “There,” he triumphantly claimed, 
“the phantoms of the night will need to smash a five-
inch oak door if they attempt to torment me.” 

Laughing as dismissed the earlier events of the night, 
he was now well into a restful slumber when a loud 
knock came from the door. “What in the goblins of 
the night is going on here at this hour?” Leaving his 
bed, he went toward the door as the knocks became 
ever more urgent. “What in the blasted world are 
you doing? It is twelve o’clock in the morning!” He 
shouted through his side of the door.

 

“It is the police. I need you open the door, 
immediately.”

A clever trick, Mr. Green thought, but when he 
glanced out the window, the red lights of the police 
car were plainly seen. He threw the chair aside and 
opened the door in haste, instantly asking, “What do 
you need, officer?”

“There is no time to explain. Just get into my car,” 
replied the office.

“But I must grab a change of clothes, and my wallet is 
in the other room, officer,” said Mr. Green.

“Look, Mister, there’s a ruptured gas line on the next 
block, and this place will be engulfed by dangerous 
gas any second now. We have no time for wallets or 
clothes.” The officer grabbed his arm and rushed 
him out to the car before entering the other side of 
the vehicle and sped away.

“You don’t know how lucky you are, Mister. There are 
a bunch of very sick people a few houses down from 
here.”

“I am sorry for them, do believe that, but when will I 
be able to return to my home?” said Mr. Green.

“That’s way above my pay grade, Mister, but by the 
looks of this problem, it might be tomorrow afternoon 
before they will let you return.”

“What? I don’t even have my wallet, not a sandwich 
to eat, and these skimpy clothes I am wearing are all 
that I have in my possession! Wait one second, hold 
on, why are you turning here? Where are you taking 
me officer?”

“The church -- it has offered to shelter and feed 
everyone.”

“Absolutely not! exclaimed Mr. Green. “I have no 
desire to visit a church. I am a law-abiding taxpayer 
in this city. Do you know that I pay your salary?”

“Sure, Mister, you and everyone else.”

 

“Well, officer, my paying your salary would sort of 
make you my employee. And being your boss, I want 
your badge number, for starters, and then I want to be 
dropped off at a shelter in Beverly Hills.”

“Go ahead and memorize the badge number if it 
makes you feel better, Mister,” said the policeman, 
“and Beverly Hills isn’t even close to us. I know this is 
all very sudden, but try and make the best of it. There 
isn’t anything I can do about this situation, honest. 
All I was told on the radio was to gather every person 
I could, drop them off at the church, and head back 
for others. You don’t have to stay here, that’s your 
choice, but I am required to leave you here.” 

As the vehicle arrived at the front of the church, the 
officer turned toward the back seat with these words, 
“I hope you have a great Christmas, in spite of all of 
this, Mister, and please exit the vehicle as quickly as 
you can.”

The door of the police car closed as the church door 
opened. A healthy-looking man of gentle features 
went forth to greet his guest. “You poor thing, come 
in and make yourself warm.”

Mr. Green entered the church and upon the placement 
of few steps, stopped and studied the rows of benches 
that stacked high against the wall. “I am sorry, we 
cannot provide five-star hotel accommodations, nor 
is it an easy sight on the eyes, but I believe you will 
find some human comforts of a different sort. Forgive 
me for not introducing myself. I am Pastor Carlson.” 

“My name is Thomas Green.” Why do you have all of 
these benches stacked to the ceiling?”

“They are well secured, Mr. Green,” replied the 
pastor. “So there is nothing to worry about, but it is 
sort of a designer’s nightmare that must be endured.”

“Why must it be endured?”

“Because every night we open our church to the 
homeless of the city. During the day the benches 
come down for our volunteers to provide lunch, and 
at night, the cots take their place. Opening our church 
in this way makes it easier for everyone, as we are not 
forced to search the streets for these people in need.”

“That is very interesting, but where are they now, the 
people?”

“After we heard about the accident, we moved them to 
our sister church. We are equipped with a full kitchen 
at this location, so it will be easier for us to feed those 
who are displaced when they arrive.”

“That is nice to hear, but I have no plans of staying 
the night, Pastor Carlson. Do you have a phone I may 
use?”

“Of course, but they are all down at the moment, 
Mr. Green. There is something going on in the city 
tonight - all the cell phones and landlines are down. 
But the moment the phone is operational, I am certain 
that you will hear it ringing in my front office. You 
can be assured of that. Have a seat and make yourself 
comfortable. The time will go rather quickly, and 
then you will be able to return to your home.”

In the industry of ants, the helpers of the church 
marched into the room. One team carried blankets to 
the cots, and the second group placed their pillows. 
Upon the ceremonial lowering of each pillow, a 
colorful piece of red paper was placed atop. Mr. Green 
curiously walked over and read the sheet. 

And the Angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, 
I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to 
all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of 
David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

Mr. Green returned to his seat and watched as the 
room began to fill with many others taking refuge 
in the church. A few hours later, most of the people 
were already asleep when the pastor returned to the 
room. “I need to know if there is a doctor in room?” 
His questioned returned a void of silence. “Well then, 
does anyone have any sort of medical experience?”

“My father was a veterinarian, Pastor Carlson, but he 
rarely spoke about his work, and I only watched him 
practice a handful of times.”

“We must take what God grants, Mr. Green. Please 
follow me.”

The door was opened, and a scared young girl lay 
across a bed with her husband at her side.

“Pastor Carlson! I can’t do this. I have no experience 
in delivering a baby. Where are the paramedics for 
this emergency?”

“We have no phone reception since the accident, and 
the paramedics are overloaded assisting the sick of 
the city. We cannot anticipate their help, the baby is 
coming, and it must be delivered. I am a practitioner 
of prayer and teacher of God, Mr. Greene, but you are 
a professional of a different sort. I know that you are 
capable of delivering this baby.”

The brown eyes of the girl looked up at Mr. Green 
when Pastor Carlson announced these words. “I 
will need some clean towels and some freshly boiled 
water, pastor.” The items were quickly brought in as 
Mr. Green patiently waited for the head of the child 
to appear.

“She is in excruciating pain, but there is no sign of 
the baby yet.”

“Feel her stomach, Mr. Green. Make a determination 
of where the child is positioned.”

“Oh my Heavens, it’s a breech, Pastor Carlson, the 
baby is completely sideways.”

“Relax and think, we will need all of your senses at 
this moment. Now that the problem is clear, take your 
hands and run them over the outside of her stomach, 
and offer some gentle encouragements to turn the 
child.” Mr. Green began to move his hands over the 
girl’s outer stomach. He repeated the same steps 
several times before excitedly exclaiming. “Look, 
pastor, the body of the baby has turned, and the baby 
is beginning to come out.” 

Five minutes later a loud scream was heard, and 
precisely at that moment, the ambulance arrived and 
rushed into the room where the newly delivered child 
was quietly feeding. Another man entered the church, 
as the ambulance started off toward the hospital. 

“Hello, I am Reverend Anderson. Are you the man 
who delivered the baby?” 

“Yes, I am,” said Mr. Green.

“You are a hero. The paramedic told me that the 
mother was very weak, and it is likely you saved both 
the mother’s and the child’s life with your idea about 
turning the baby. The father of the baby said that he 
would like to name his son after you.”

“I can’t believe that I would be given such an amazing 
honor. You may tell him my name is Thomas.”

“Thomas, that is an interesting name from the Bible. 
He was the one who said that he would not believe 
until he touched Jesus after his resurrection. I will 
call the hospital and let the proud father know what 
the child is to be called.”

“It is a miracle that you were brought here on 
Christmas, Thomas. “I must know how you felt the 
moment you saw the baby.”

“It was a wonderful feeling, Reverend Anderson. It 
is something indescribable.” stopping for a moment 
to collect his words…. “As much a miracle as I have 
ever seen. 

“Do you know their names? The parents of the child, 
Reverend Anderson?”

“Indeed I do, their names are Mary and Joseph.” 
Reverend Anderson looked at Thomas who had 
changed expression. “Is there something wrong with 
you, Thomas? You appear as if you have seen a ghost.”

“I definitely spoke to one earlier this evening. There 
was a man in the street, and he said that I would see 
God on this night. You do don’t believe that baby was 
God, do you Reverend Anderson?”

“What you saw tonight was the image of God, and 
what you did tonight honored His image.” 

“I should like to speak with Pastor Carlson for a 
moment, if that is alright with you?”

“Pastor Carlson? That is a curious request, Thomas, 
for that great man went to Heaven many years ago.”

“But it cannot be, for I saw him with my own eyes, 
Reverend Anderson. I heard his voice with these 
two ears, and I spoke to him with these lips. He 
even instructed me about how I should deliver 
Mary’s baby.” As those words left Mr. Green’s 
lips, he remembered the man in the street, and the 
resemblance of the face he had just seen.

“Why do you act surprised, Thomas? There is great 
power in this world, especially on Christmas night, 
when the angels came down to proclaim the perfect 
gift of God, who humbled Himself in the form of a 
baby. Miracles are all around you if you only wish to 
believe. Tell me this, how does a newborn baby know 
that it must wait until it is outside the womb to take 
its first breath? How many miracles in life do you 
take for granted? Examine a simple seed and weigh 
the wonder, for its wisdom instructs that it must wait 
until spring before it begins to grow. There is a hand 
of intelligence and a mind of imagination in these 
mysteries that is vastly superior to ours.

Your presence was needed here on this night. But 
it will be needed again, for something else, in some 
other place. I wonder Thomas, what will happen to 
the next baby, or person in need, when no Thomas 
is there?”

I am certain you are telling the truth about Pastor 
Carlson. He was here, but he didn’t come just to help 
save that precious child and his mother tonight, he 
came to give a blind man sight. A good friend of 
Pastor Carlson’s was a military man who encouraged 
us by saying that we should continue to fight for the 
Army of God until we have poured every last drop 
of kindness from our canteen. I am glad that I did 
not arrive here earlier on the night, because I could 
have done very little to help you. But it is perfectly 
reasonable that Pastor Carlson was here to guide you, 
for he was not only a pastor in life, but a doctor as 
well.” 

The magic of miracles taking place this Christmas 
season is at the Union Rescue Mission (URM). Their 
needs are enormous, and when you supply a monetary 
gift, you are answering a prayer that seeks to transform 
the darkness of this world into a life changing light. 

If you have been blessed, then consider sharing that 
blessing: https://urm.org/

A Most Merry 
Christmas!

Craig Hakola

13

LEGAL NOTICES 

 Mountain Views News Saturday, December 23, 2023 

 

NOTICE OF PETITION TO 

ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

JASON LAVERT DeWITT

CASE NO. 23STPB12011

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or 
estate, or both of JASON LAVERT DeWITT

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by BRENDA DeWITT in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS 
ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that BRENDA DeWITT be appointed as personal representative to administer 
the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act with full 
authority. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before 
taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested 
persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will 
be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant 
the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 01/10/2024 at 8:30AM in Dept. 67 STANLEY MOSK 
COURTHOUSE located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written 
objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy 
to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance 
of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from 
the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code.

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney 
knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court 
a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition 
or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for Petitioner

MARLENE S. COOPER, SBN 082793

LAW OFFICE OF MARLENE S. COOPER

1605 Meadowbrook Road

Altadena, CA 91001-3228

Telephone

(626) 791-7530

12/9, 16, 23, 30,2023

MOUNTAIN VIEWS NEWS 

Mountain 

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: DANA GELBERT 

CASE NO. 23STPB13549

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the lost WILL 
or estate, or both of DANA GELBERT.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by GEORGE P. MILTON in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS 
ANGE-LES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that GEORGE P. MILTON be appointed as personal representative to administer 
the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests the decedent's lost WILL and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The lost WILL and any 
codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This 
authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking 
certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons 
unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be 
granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant 
the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 01/12/24 at 8:30AM in

Dept. 2D located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written 
objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a 
copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first 
issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 
60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code.

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney 
knowl-edgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court 
a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition 
or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for Petitioner

HOWARD BRIEF - SBN 37820

222 MAIN STREET

SEAL BEACH CA 90740,

Telephone

(562) 431-3559

12/16, 12/23, 12/30/23

CNS-3765705#

NOTICE OF PETITION TO 

ADMINISTER ESTATE OF FRANCIS JOSEPH SPEERS aka 

FRANCIS J. SPEERS aka FRANCIS SPEERS

Case No. 23STPB13156

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or 
estate, or both, of FRANCIS JOSEPH SPEERS aka FRANCIS J. SPEERS aka FRANCIS SPEERS

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Michael Speers in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS 
ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PRO-BATE requests that Michael Speers be appointed as personal representative to administer 
the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests the decedent's will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are 
available for examination in the file kept by the court.

THE PETITION requests au-thority to administer the estate under the Independent Admin-istration of Estates Act. (This 
authority will allow the personal representative to take many ac-tions without obtaining court approval. Before taking 
certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons 
unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be 
granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant 
the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held on January 10, 2024 at 8:30 AM in Dept. No. 67 located at 111 N. Hill St., Los 
Angeles, CA 90012.

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file writ-ten 
objections with the court before the hearing. Your ap-pearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the de-cedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a 
copy to the personal representative ap-pointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first 
issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 
60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code.

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an 
attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court 
a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an in-ventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition 
or ac-count as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for petitioner:

JANICE LEE SHEN ESQ

SBN 290049

CUNNINGHAM LEGAL

2700 FOOTHILL BLVD

STE 306

PASADENA, CA 91107

CN102265 SPEERS Dec 16,23,30, 2023


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