EXCERPT
From the (Prelude):
She was back in time, a precious time, when her mother and father would bend with her to smell the peonies. She felt their presence, and it was bliss. She fell to her knees, tears of joy on her cheeks, and with heartfelt gratitude praised God—not only for this day of days but also because she knew that her memories, her life today and all she would ever be, were because of His love and care for her.
In Chapter 15 “A Stirring”:
Janine met with Pastor Jim.
“So you are saying that the Holy Spirit is actually talking with me?” “Yes. That’s exactly what I’m saying. There is no big loud voice, Janine. It is the Spirit himself moving within you, stirring up your soul to get you to turn toward the thing that you are to do… He brings you to Himself, and He points you in a direction that will fulfill His purpose in you… Give Him the praise and allow Him to deliver you.”
In Chapter 17 “Calling the Realtor”:
Janine is drawn to a home near West Hope.
“Oh, just look at you, so beautiful and hospitable. Do you know who I am?” She sat on the back steps for a long time. How blessedly quiet. There are no distractions here… A beautiful cardinal began to sing from the very top of the pine tree… From somewhere in the woods, a song came in response. She was immediately drawn to the prelude of a duet. Soon the two birds were closer together and were singing the same song… Then she heard the glorious sound of a robin in the apple tree. The robin’s solo voice became the descant to a pleasant and happy chorus unlike any other she had ever heard. Someday I will add my songs to theirs.
In Chapter 28 “From Scene to Shining Scene”:
“Have you ever smelled the yellow iris, Marvin?” “I’m not sure.” “You would remember if you did. It has a subtle spice fragrance. There is nothing quite like it. I remember how surprised I was. It was not like a flower, and yet just as pleasurable. The fragrance would be suitable for a man’s cologne… Anyway, we’ll have some of our own, thanks to Bea… and they will bloom every year.”
In Chapter 30 “Click”:
(The old ladies of West Hope buy balloons to take to a dear friend.) With difficulty, they managed to get into the van (with balloons)… The crippling pains of arthritis and stiffening hips had been somewhat of a problem when they were picked up earlier. Now, with the balloons, it took a little more figuring out; but they moved past the pains and stiffness, helping one another and laughing themselves right into their seats.
From Chapter 31 “They Come and They Go”:
The sun was setting behind a hill. It was such a beautiful sight that she continued to stand there until the sun completely disappeared. The clouds developed into beautiful swirls of orange and purple, and the sun’s rays projected from behind the hill with beams of light reaching to the heavens as the last breath of the day’s undertaking.