GOD IS SO GOOD

Tonight we're sleeping in Hinesville, Georgia. We've logged more than 4,000 miles on our truck and still haven't put our feet in the Atlantic. Tomorrow is the day. We're heading into Savannah to have a good look at the historic city and then plan to walk on an Atlantic beach.

On October 7th, when we drove into Nashville, I felt a bit discouraged. It was too late to go downtown and stop in at some of the honky tonks. Plus Loretta Lynn was performing at the Grand Ole Opry and there was no way to get tickets. So instead, we had a late dinner at a very nice restaurant and met a sweet gal who served our meal. It turned out to be a good evening in spite of MY unfulfilled plans. God is so good to me.

The morning of the 8th, we decided a trip to the Country Music Hall of Fame would be something my characters would do and so we went. It's an amazing place. Three floors each more than a block long and a block wide are filled with history, videos, music and all kinds of instruments, stage costumes and stories about the stars. There were even some of the well-known performers cars.

I learned a lot and gained a new respect for the country music industry and its celebrated musicians. Being there gave me insights that will help me better understand one of my characters and her great passion for music.

I had a mishap while there. My husband and I took seats in a small theater and waited for a showing of country greats. I asked Greg, "Do you have the camera?" He said, "No." I looked around my seat to see where I'd put it. I couldn't find it. Panic set in. There were more than 200 photos on the card in that camera, all taken since leaving Oregon.

Greg and I set out in different directions to look for it. I was near tears and praying. Retracing my steps, I checked all the places I'd sat to watch and listen to videos. I couldn't find the camera anywhere. And then I saw Greg. Triumphantly he held it above his head. Yay! I'd left it on a bench where I'd sat down to rest. This is not the first time I've left something behind. Greg is now in charge of the camera, except for picture-taking. God is truly good.

It was nearly time to head down the road and I still needed to get inside the legendary honky tonk, Tootsies. An important scene takes place there. We were told there'd be no parking anywhere close to the bar and by this time my back was hurting too badly to walk several blocks so we drove to the corner where Legends (another honky tonk) and Tootsies are located. Greg parked on the street and said he'd try to stay put while I went in. I hurried inside Tootsies, clicked a few photos, tried to get a feel for the place and then hurried outside. Greg was gone. I figured he'd driven around the block and would be back any minute.

I looked up and there he stood grinning at me. The truck was parked right across the street. A parking spot "just happened to open up." God is sooo good.

We went in, found a seat at the bar and ordered two cokes. It was great! A country singer, getting experience and hoping to be discovered was on stage playing her guitar and singing her heart out. She was good. I hope she makes it. It was fabulous to be there, soaking in the history and character of the place. I am sooo ready to write the scene! God IS good.

We left Nashville and headed south down Interstate 75. Driving through Atlanta was a real thrill--huge freeways and wild drivers. We stayed in Jonesboro that night and then headed for Hinesville the next day.

While driving down Highway 16, my husband spotted a Dodge dealership in Macon. Our brakes had been acting funny, so we stopped to get them checked. One of the mechanics said it might take up to three hours to look them over and fix them. I was not thrilled; I wanted to get to Hinesville. But God's timing is always perfect.

We settled into chairs in the customer waiting room and chatted with another man,
Anthony Butler, who was also waiting. He turned out to be a terrific guy and as the time passed he shared some of his life with us. What he said impacted me, and his knowledge and experiences will make my story richer. We plan to stay in touch. God is so good to me.

I have to mention my hero--my husband. While I've been taking notes, talking into my tape recorder, and typing scenes on my laptop, he's been driving. And every night when we stop and I'm resting my back he unloads all our stuff, which includes my writing paraphanalia and everything I need to make me more comfortable. And the next morning while I'm giving my back time to unkink he loads everything back into the truck. And tonight while I'm working on this, he's doing laundry. God is so good to me.

Tomorrow, we plan to make a trip to Savannah and to the beach where we will dip our toes in the Atlantic. It promises to be a special day.

Blessings to you all,

Bonnie