I've sort of followed the government closure and now the reopening, but I am sure most of you have done the same. Some of you have gone without pay and that is extremely tough. My retirement comes from the State of Alaska so I was safe, but I'm not sure if it had any effect on those living on Public Assistance and Social Security. Which I have to apply for now. My insurance company quit paying for my meds until I get medicaid, which is a four month process I'm told. I'd appreciate all your prayers while I got without meds- fun times ahead. But the Lord continues to bless us. It can be truly amazing what you can do when you simply have to do it. Military life and being a cop taught me a lot about that, then being a Christian furthered my education.
I woke up at just before 6 a.m. this morning with a strong desire to pray, which I did and then I came into my office and worked through 2 more chapters of editing my current book assignment. I actually seem more awake early in the morning and catch quite a few more of my earlier mistakes.
For sometime, I've been telling you about my new series, "Fire and ice" , the conclusion to my "A Coming Storm" book- This was my first published novel and I thought of making a 13-book series to wrap it up. That is now history. Somehow, I'd set aside the conclusion I wrote way back then and recently stumbled across it. This is "The Final Challenge", and this is what I m working on- again. I didn't like where I was going with the Fire and Ice series. As to why I had lost this conclusion, I do not know, but it is now flowing well as I edit it.
The Final Challenge is about what happens in our world when the 1,000 year reign of the Lamb of God ends and once more Satan is released to tempt mankind. Amazingly, there is little scripture concerning this, except how this ends, in the Book of Revelation. This story of mind is a tale, and interesting story of what might be in our near or far future. With current events, I'm beginning to wonder if were coming closer to Armageddon.
I don't do the research of the news I used to, but I check in here and there and take notice of particular events. The joining of France and Germany, now that could become bothersome. For when such events happened before, World War I and II occurred. I keep an eye on Quebec, for they are so close to us and Muslim Law is growing there very rapidly. Antisemitism is growing in the Lower 48 and that's even in Congress. Our recent changes in New York and elsewhere having to do with Abortion is just plain wrong in my way of thinking. Gun control is no problem for Congress as they have their own private security companies to protect them, plus Secret Service. China is becoming a major mover in war machines....list is long. I read some briefs on the "Covington Kids", one of many growing stories as unrest spreads because people are tearing at the very fabric of what made America great.
I woke up the other morning and thought of my book, "A Coming Storm". I suddenly became concerned that my idea in the book for the Chinese secret attack on the Lower 48, might actually give some General over there an idea. Still, part of my idea came from a James Bond movie, though I revamped it quite a bit to keep me from being sued by some film company. While I was writing that story I was given most of my insight in my dreams, to which I felt the Good Lord was encouraging me. Oddly enough, I later found out a lot of people across the country were being given basically the same ideas.
I the "Final Challenge", during the thousand year reign of the Lord, people have once more gained the ability to speak with animals, as it was in the Garden of Eden. But they lose this ability if they fall away from God and take to sinful lives. At the end of the 1,000 yrs, Satan is released, according to the Word of God, and the Lamb of God leaves the earth for the first time since taking his reign in the New Jerusalem. Sides are formed, those who serve the Lord and those who serve Satan. Thievery and murder returns to the land and once more police departments are needed. (I use all the main characters as found in A Coming Storm.) For these 1,000 years no one has aged or died, families have grown to replace all those lost in World War III. I wrap it up with the final battle fought between evil and good on the shores of Israel and in Jerusalem. You'll have to read the book to see how it happens and how I bring it to a conclusion. As I said, this story is a tale....a fable, but based on the Word of God as found in the Holy Bible. I do hope when published you'll enjoy it, but you just might need to read A Coming Storm to get your bearings. But please remember, this was my first book. I feel it taught it quite a bit about writing and helped with my writing of "Apache Snow", which has been my best novel.
Enough about writing and politics. Life continues to move along here and with winter our church numbers have dropped quite a bit. I'm in trouble in that area too as I seldom make it to services in the winter. Though I keep my Bible handy and as the days pass by Mona and I are praying more often.
Hey, I scored! Most, if not all of you might recall I am a collector of police things, especially police cars and figurines. My office is covered in them and I still have more stored in our school bus we acquired and use for storage. ( I also collect robots, but on a smaller scale). Mona is unsure what we're supposed to do with it all when our days draw closer to our ride to Heaven. Probably 20 yrs away at least, so don't fret. Anyhow, I was scouting cop toys in Etsy, not a bad sight to find stuff, and low and behold I found a police toy I've been looking for for nearly 30-years. I played with it as a kid and it may have helped me get the idea to enter police work- who knows. This is a blue- hard plastic, 1950's style police motorcycle cop and it comes with yellow wheels. I couldn't believe it. I had a chance at one over 20 yrs ago but the antique dude was asking to much. Toys, especially old ones can be costly. Well, they only wanted $35 for it on Etsy, but it was before Christmas and I just couldn't swing it. But, I left it in my cart, and the other day I checked and it had dropped to $15, so I talked it over with Mona and I ordered it. Oh, I know, I have a lot of cop toys and dozens of motorcycle cops of all sizes. Too bad Alaska doesn't use them. But, this one comes with a bit of history from my boyhood. Now I have to find a place to put it. The thing that has my wife concerned is what we're going to do with it all when our time is at hand. Divide it among the family, as I have two sons who are in police work. she thought of offering it all to the Alaska Public Safety Museum in Anchorage. a lot to think about, but until then I enjoy my collection. The hard part is keeping up with the new issues, from $1 to $100- those I avoid, too much.. I need a much larger room, but for now this will do. Oh, I gave most of my 350 police patches to my dear friend Udo, who is a retired police captain in Germany. We traded patches, uniform articles and such for over 20 years. but I kept those patches special too me.
Just thought I'd share that with you, so you can see where my crazy head is at when I'm not glued to my writing. I've said this before, but I wanted to mention it again. I've been told over and over again, everyone has it in them the capability to write three books, and a writer can find and endless supply in his thoughts and dreams. Try writing and don't be down on yourself, keep at it. Mona said my first attempt at writing a novel came out like a police report. That taught me alot right there and then. When my first short story was published I was so proud and grateful- but they changed the title. One of these days I'll write the full story, of the shabby little tree in Vietnam. (Mike- do you remember? Our little Christmas tree and what it meant to us?)
Well, time to get back to work, I feel a nap calling me. Love to all and may the Good Lord bless your days. BILL