This Too Shall Pass

By Deanndra Torres and Roxann Horton

This is the story of a woman who has truly discovered the meaning of walking with God. Through her experiences traveling down the paths of life that God has set before her, Flossie has learned that all things are possible with Gods help, love, and forgiveness. She uses the phrase, this too shall pass, when she goes through a rough time in life; she remembers to rely on God to help her through them. Flossie has traded heartache for healing and sadness for sunshine. She is such a blessing to be around. Flossie shares the love of Christ and makes you want to know him more. If you ever poured out your heart and soul to God, you will love this book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Inspiring Voices
• Release date: Nov 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9781462404001

Deanndra Torres

Roxann M. Horton was born in Wisconsin and was raised by her wonderful, loving, godly mother who inspired her to live right in the sight of her heavenly father.

Book preview

Chapter 1

The Birth of Flossie McKinzie

Flossie McKinzie was born on a hot sunny afternoon in the middle of July, the 16 to be exact in 1927. Her proud parents, Emma and Fred Barns, lived in a quiet little town by the name of Bellefontaine. It was somewhere in Ohio. This town had a hypnotizing way of making people and time elapse very slowly. When life was built on hard work and where God and family meant a great deal more than silver and gold. Where everyone knew each other’s first name, even the simple act of helping a neighbor was never met with grief or a moment's hesitation.

Emma Barns started her morning as usual around six o'clock. She was making biscuits and gravy from scratch for breakfast. As she began, she took out her bowl and started to add her flour. Hmm, she thought to herself this should only take fifteen minutes. She began to add her ingredients into the bowl as she prepared the flour to roll out on her flour covered table. She began to roll the dough and kneed it paying special attention to the strokes not to knead it too much. One more fold! she smiled to herself. I know Fred is really going to like this. She began to hum a little tune as she started to cut out the biscuits and place them on the baking sheet. All the while she took the broth from the chicken they had the night before. I bet this is going to taste really good. She continued to smile to herself. She shook flour and water in a jar to remove the lumps, and then added it to the broth which made the gravy for the biscuits. Soon after her husband Fred came in and said Boy, am I hungry! as he sat down to the table in his usual chair and Emma brought over to him a fresh hot plate of her biscuits and gravy along with a piping hot cup of freshly brewed coffee. When Fred had finished his meal, he politely stood up, gently pushed in his chair and went over to his wife who had just sat down to eat. Thanks hon! he said and proceeded to kiss his glowing, pregnant wife gently on the forehead, I'll see you tonight. He smiled at her then he eagerly shuffled off for work.

Hon, don’t forget your lunch! Emma smiled as she swung his black lunch box back and forth.

Oh, thanks dear! he smiled as he leaned over to give her a kiss.

Emma sat and leisurely finished her breakfast before starting on the dishes, which never took long; she started gathering the remaining biscuits that she would save for supper later that evening. At that moment, an intense pain ran down through her legs, struck her. Oh! she said in agony as she sat down for a minute to catch her breath. After a few minutes had passed, she regained her composure and got up to carry on with her day.

While in the process of preparing a blueberry pie Emma noticed she had run out of flour, so she nipped over to her next-door neighbors' house and knocked firmly on the door. Through the window, a figure could be seen bustling toward her and with cheer, her neighbor Betty opened the door.

Hi Betty, could I trouble you for half a cup of flour? I've run out.

Sure. Betty replied, Come on in and I'll give you some. They made their way to the kitchen where Betty found her flour bin, scooped out the amount that Emma had asked for and handed it to her.

Thanks so much. Emma said making her way back toward the door, I'll talk to you later. I want to have the pie that I'm making done before it gets too hot in the day. She smiled at Betty as she was leaving her home.

By noon that day, it was eighty-five degrees in Bellefontaine; Emma was glad she finished her pie early in the day, and made her way out to the porch to unwind for a while. She strolled outside with her fan in one hand and a glass of iced tea in the other trying to keep cool. As she settled on the porch swing, another pain swiftly swept across her lower back, but this one lingered a little while longer. What a wonderful day she thought and what a wonderful life she thought as well, with the sun beaming in the sky she closed her eyes and began to hear the birds sing, she just started to take in the beauty and the wonders of Gods nature around her. Her breath now seemed to slow down almost to a crawl and before she knew it she was fast asleep. One of those naps you take sometimes unexpectedly. The sound from a large truck passing by awoke her. Oh my! Emma exclaimed I must have dosed off. As she sat up quickly from her nap. From that point on the afternoon seemed to pass fleetingly. Emma slowly made her way out to the garden where she picked just enough green beans for that evening’s supper.

It came time to start on supper as she consistently had it ready and on the table by the time Fred came through the door. He was always hungry after a long hard day at the Tannery. Emma's back began hurting again so she thought to herself, At least I can sit while I'm peeling potatoes. After a few minutes, the pain subsided, so she stood back up, finished the potatoes and started working on the pork chops. She was able to finish supper on time as she normally did before her husband got home.

Fred walked in from work, set his things down by the door, and said Boy honey that smells delicious! Emma smiled faintly as her husband sat down to her freshly prepared plate of pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, and of course, the biscuits she had saved from breakfast. She was handing him a glass of iced tea as he asked, Where's your plate, honey?

I don't feel well, she replied so I'm going to just sit on the couch for a while and rest.

Here, let me help you. he said while getting up from the table. As he helped her to the couch, he gently asks, Will you be alright?

Yes dear, I'm sure the pain will ease up soon. she calmly replies to him. Now go and eat your supper before it gets cold! she insisted.

Reluctantly, Fred went and sat down to the dinner that had been lovely prepared for him, but every few bites seemed to follow with the words Are you alright?

Yes, I'm okay. Emma would reply from the couch as she whispered to herself, This Too shall pass.

Are you sure you're okay? Fred would insist.

Yes, I'm sure. Emma would comfortingly say to him.

I just want to make sure you are okay. her loving husband replied.

Mr. Barns, if you don't stop asking questions and eat your food, you won't get a slice of that blueberry pie I made for you. Emma jokingly echoed through to the kitchen.

In addition, with that, Fred sat contently and finished his supper. To Emma's surprise, Fred finished his meal, not to mention a slice of that blueberry pie, wrapped up the leftovers, put them in the icebox as well as putting his dirty dishes in the sink, and washed them. After cleaning up the kitchen he slowly made his way into the living room where his pregnant wife was peacefully resting on the couch, he gently brushed the hair from her face and kissed her. That meal was delicious, and that pie… well that pie was just absolutely fantastic! he smiles at her as he carefully sits beside her.

Fresh hot tears roll down Emma's cheeks as she replies with hesitation I tried not to cry, but my back was killing Me. she sighs as she leans over and put her head on his shoulder.

With complete passion Fred carefully stands to his feet as he replies, I need to get you to bed. I know you don't want to, but I need you to do this for me and most of all for you and the baby. he requests as he reaches down to help his wife to her feet. Gently they make their way to their bedroom and he carefully put her to bed. Before leaving, she assures him that everything is going to be all right and all she needs is a little rest.

Now leave me alone and let me rest. Emma sighed.

Since there was still some daylight left on that hot July evening Fred decided to go to his shed and work on an old radio his grandfather gave him just before he passed away. This would make a great gift for Emma and the baby. he smiles to himself.

Just as he was about to dive in, Evening Fred! echoed from the door.

Evening John! Fred smiled as he beckoned his friend to come in.

What you got there? John asked as he leaned over and saw