Sweet Sounds From Heaven

We were headed home after nearly 2 wonderful weeks in the mountains with fabulous family and friends. What a great trip this has been. We spent the last night at the Walker Inn. Frank had told us exactly how to go and where to turn to hit the interstate. Now we’re fairly intelligent, but this particular morning, we were cloudy headed, trying to solve all the worlds problems, and had traveled a long ways before we realized, we’re lost. The phone call at 4:00 a.m. notifying us that Uncle Bruce had died didn’t help. But like Shirley said, “I can follow him better to the grave than back to the nursing home.” He was, after all, 85. These Blonde’s were off to a great start, winging their way back home!!

Our back seat driver got on her cell. “Hey Frank, we’re in front of the Laurel Springs Post Office, can you help us?” “Oh my goodness, you’ve missed the first turn on to16 right out of the gate.” “We’ve driven at least 20 minutes.” “Well, you’ll have to drive 20 more minutes almost back to Walker Inn, because you’ve missed the turn.” “Oh Great!, well, thank you Frank. Oh Frank, when you and Shirley go to church, could you keep your phone on vibrate, just in case?” I’m thinking, since we’re going almost back to Walker Inn, maybe I could use his bathroom, but dismissed it as trivial as we must all focus on getting to the interstate. Hang in there bladder, breakfast is on the horizon.

We don’t get all our prayers answered, but one thing is sure, we do know without a doubt that HE hears and delights in answering when we call. Our first 2 nights were spent at the Greer’s Bed and Breakfast in Lenoir, N.C. What a great time with five star accommodations. With little to do in Lenoir, we created our own entertainment.

Antiquing and shopping were on the agenda. Jeretta announced to the band of believers, “After we rummage every sale item in Belk, I want to eat in the food court and ride the merry-go-round.” I’m thinking, O.K. girlfriend, you’re on!!!! “Bill and I will sit on the bench. Glancing at her watch, you’ve got one hour, go for it.” “Wanda, you paid $9.99 for that beautiful cashmere sweater that was originally $l29.99? Teach me how to not sit on the bench, Lord Jesus!!!!!”

The food court was crowded, which added to the adventure. “O.K. Jeretta, now that we’re five pounds heavier, let’s see if these horses have a weight limit. Will we break these horses backs?” Coming back in broken English, “no, no, you con ride, no break de back.” Jeretta chose the horse; the ostrich appealed to me, they’re slower. I can hardly believe we’re doing this. Wanda took pictures as evidence of the crime scene. Seeing Ann and Bill afar off, I could not resist the urge to throw both my arms up and shout over the crowd, “look mom, no hands!!!” Their faces turned a light red. They did not dare break and run for fear of identifying themselves with the two clowns entertaining the crowd.

Suddenly, a gentlemen appeared in uniform with a walkie talkie on his shoulder. He sat down at a table close to the merry-go-round and observed. On one go-around, I said to him, “this is the most fun I’ve had since I was ten.” He nodded, saying nothing. His eyes said it all. “Just keep it in the middle of the road, kid, just keep it in the middle of the road.” No worries, I’m thinking as we bounced up and down and around and around, after all, I ain’t driving. Once back at our table, deciding how to top this one, we concluded we could not, and stay out of jail, so we returned to the Greer B & B.

Before leaving the food court, however, a lady came up and tapped me on the shoulder and said, “this is probably the dumbest question you’ve ever heard from a black woman, but Why did you ride that merry-go-round? I looked up at her, grinning and replied, “to entertain you.” Well, you certainly did that,” she said as she and her male friend walked away still gawking in our direction. Couldn’t help but notice that she, and everyone else in our sight, had light hearted looks and happy faces to prove it. If we’re the toughest job security ever has, next time I‘m in the area, believe I‘ll put in an application!!!

The next morning, we were leaving for the Maple Syrup Festival at Mt. Rogers High School in Whitetop, Va. We stopped to pick up Frank, Shirley, and Ronnie. Ann and Bill decided to come too. That was our hope all along. The weather was contrary to our wishes, cold and rainy. Jeretta and I ask God to stop the rain. HE decided to ignore us and let the vegetation have some moisture, which admittedly, was badly needed. I can still see Ann walking around the house saying in a sing-song fashion, “you need to pray harder, it’s still raining.” What fun we had with them. Yes, and granted, we need to pray harder. We both need lots of practice.

The Maple Syrup Festival was like a mini family reunion. We saw lots of people, some for the first time in a very long time. It was a great occasion of fellowshipping and reminiscing. Thousands of people come for the Maple Syrup, and rightly so. It is so good you could sit under a tree and drink it, and not even get arrested, sick, but not arrested. Hated I missed getting a picture of the trees in all their glory, giving up the sap. It really did look like they had stethoscopes around their necks.

On up the mountain we went, to deposit my belongings at the LaFon Lodge. Greeted upon arrival by Linda’s three cats and, “Karen called and Chris wants you to call him. Shanna has had a miscarriage.”  ”Oh No!!”  They had been trying to have a baby for several years, finally conceived with a due date in July. They were so excited. Not good news. It was difficult to enjoy my good company and the festivities with a heavy heart.

Back at the Lodge, a call was placed to Chris, thinking consoling would be the topic of discussion. “Hey Chris, what’s happening?” “Hey, Aunt Sandy, it’s still happening.” “What do you mean, it’s still happening?” “Well, Shanna got an infection in her womb, and she is leaking embryonic fluid; the doctors have tried to induce labor and her body won’t cooperate. They are going to try again tonight at 8:00.”

“Wow!!!, so she did not lose the baby?” “No!, but she is only 24 weeks and things are iffy at that stage of development” “Chris, what do you want God to do?” “I want Shanna and the baby to live, the infection to go away, and the doctors to know what to do and how to do it, so we can have a healthy baby.” “Me too, Chris, let’s pray. Just remember, Chris, God’s God, and I’m not, but I can believe for everything you said.” “Me too, Aunt Sandy, I knew if I could just get in touch with you, things could change for the better.” We prayed and asked God to deliver everything Chris requested, using our faith and giving God something to work with, we both said Amen!

My body was in Virginia, but my heart was in Florida with Chris and Shanna. While taking my bath, a spirit of intercession came upon me like I’ve not experienced in several years. Excusing myself and locking myself away in the bedroom, on my knees before God for Shanna and the baby. All I knew was, the doctors needed heavenly help! Within an hour, I was confident God had everything under control, including me.

Three days later, a call was placed to Chris’ cell. Shanna answered the phone. “Where’s Chris?” “He went to work for the first time in nearly a week.” “How’s everything going?” “Lot’s of things have happened since we talked last. The doctors decided not to induce. They started carefully fighting the infection. Aunt Sandy, the infection is gone.” “Wow!”, now I’m crying. Shanna said, “Aunt Sandy, I’m no longer leaking embryonic fluid.” “Wow!”, and Aunt Sandy, the wound is completely cleared up where I was leaking. The doctors are baffled, they have never seen anything like it, but pleasantly amazed.” “That’s our WOW GOD that we serve and pray to, Shanna. I’m grateful that He delights in hearing and answering our prayers.” “Me too, Aunt Sandy. What a turn-a-round!!” I’m so glad I got on my knees.

Spending the night at the Hensley Hide-A-Way seemed prudent, since Slick was coming to take me to Greer’s B & B in Virginia the following day. Carla and Jean cooked, and Shelby came. Thankful to see so many people on one visit, and breathing easier since Shanna was out of the woods. Slick and Jean were glad to return with me to the mountain and see old friends at Senior Citizens. It’s weird how the words “senior citizens” don’t taste so bad in my mouth now; it used to be like a brillo pad, now, it’s more like cotton candy.

One thing, I know. Ann was right. We need to pray harder. Even on vacation, there’s no break from prayer. There’s no time for separation from God. There’s no time that we don’t need HIS HELP. Ps 27:13,14 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD be of good courage, and HE shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. Ps 119:89 Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven. So we have to know what the WORD says. Matthew 21:21, 22 Jesus answered and said unto them. Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. God is not a slot machine, however HE honors faith and HIS WORD. If we can find it in HIS WORD, meditate on it until our believer is full, we can have whatsoever we believe in prayer. Shanna is home and doing fine, and closing in on her 28^th week. Thank You Jesus that we are not in this thing alone!!!

Filed under: True God Stories