I wrote this blog on March 3, 2015. I am reposting on my website because of the connection to my book, “Showered By Grace”.

“Tonight I am wonderstruck by God’s movement !!! Yesterday was an amazing day, and today has proven even more incredible. After I won the book publishing contest, God prompted me to write several letters as seeds for the book as part of His instruction to ‘plant many seeds’. He specifically directed me to contact the photographer of the “Oak Arches” print, which I have shared on my page previously as well as the significance of this photo in my life. (The details are covered in the book.) God reminded me to follow-through with this particular assignment, and I spent a considerable amount of time searching the internet for contact info for this photographer. I only knew that his name was Jim Morris. Finally, I found an email address on one site, but no other personal or professional information was provided. I sat down and composed an email to Mr. Morris, and hit the “send” button in faith that he would receive the letter. After sharing morning coffee with a special girlfriend from church, I returned home and my answering machine was flashing a new message. I pressed play and listened in astonishment as the male caller identified himself as Jim Morris. He stated he was so moved by my email the previous evening that he wanted to call and talk to me further. He left his phone number but said he would be out of the house most of the day and would try to reach me later. I sent him an email in response and expressed my delight at his message and hoped that he would contact me again.

He called me earlier this evening and we talked the better part of an hour. He shared that he had snapped the ‘Oak Arches’ photo about 20 years ago in Beaufort, SC. His youngest son was on spring break at that time and they were visiting friends in Charleston, SC. He explained that Beaufort is between Charleston and Savannah, GA. This had been a plantation site in the past and the house no longer remained. He took the picture in early- to mid-March that year on a misty morning. He is now 85 years old, retired, and very familiar with East Tennessee. Originally from Memphis, he moved to Alabama in the 1960s. He was so impressed with my story that he had shared it with several of his retired friends and they were very moved as well. They felt an emotional impact from my writing and had never heard such a story. He wants me to keep him informed about the book and let him know when it is published. I am going to share some excerpts from the book and send him a few pictures as well. I am blown away by God’s movement in this connection and look forward to future communication with Mr. Morris.”