A Christmas Homecoming

By P A Wilson

A Christmas Homecoming, the sequel to The Peace Within, is the continuation of the compelling and powerful story of the Moore family and their unexpected encounters with people, problems, and the past. It is a gathering of the family at Christmas after eight years apart. This is a story of a familys love, hopes, dreams, adversities, compassion, joy, faith, and finally peace. The story, once again, is told from the standpoint of the narrator, Ino, who weaves us in and out of the lives of her family and others to give us an insightful look at how faith, love, adversities, and prayer can impact lives. The narrator takes us from Louisville, Kentucky to Birmingham, Alabama and places beyond through reflections, letters, revelations, and brief encounters. The story resumes December 1994 with a reflective look to the 1970s. In this Christmas experience, the characters come to live and know what Christmas means through many remarkable incidents, continuous revelations, insightful reflections, sincere prayers, and thoughtful acts of love. Come on this heartfelt, faith-filled journey with this remarkable family as you remember the peace and joy of this incredible season!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 20, 2010
• ISBN: 9781456840488

P A Wilson

Perry Wilson is a Canadian author based in Vancouver, BC who has big ideas and an itch to tell stories. Having spent some time on university, a career, and life in general, she returned to writing in 2008 and hasn't looked back since (well, maybe a little, but only while parallel parking). She is a member of the Vancouver Independent Writers Group, The Royal City Literary Arts Society and The Federation of BC Writers. Perry has self-published several novels. She writes the Madeline Journeys, a fantasy series about a high-powered lawyer who finds herself trapped in a magical world, the Quinn Larson Quests, which follows the adventures of a wizard named Quinn who must contend with volatile fae in the heart of Vancouver, and the Charity Deacon Investigations, a mystery thriller series about a private eye who tends to fall into serious trouble with her cases, and The Riverton Romances, a series based in a small town in Oregon, one of her favorite states. Her stand-alone novels are Breaking the Bonds, Closing the Circle, and The Dragon at The Edge of The Map. Visit her website http://pawilson.ca/ and sign up for the newsletter subscription to get news on upcoming releases and book recommendations. Check her out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorPAWilson She tweets between writing and creating on-line courses. Follow her @perryawilson for odd comments and retweets.

Book preview

Copyright © 2011 by P. A. Wilson.

Library of Congress Control Number:       2010919176

ISBN:         Hardcover                               978-1-4568-4047-1

                   Softcover                                 978-1-4568-4046-4

                   Ebook                                      978-1-4568-4048-8

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

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Contents

Chapter 1

Nothing Just Happens

Chapter 2

Endless Blessings

Chapter 3

The Season of Possibilities

Chapter 4

A Renewed Spirit

Chapter 5

A Christmas Eve Gathering

Chapter 6

A Memorable Christmas Homecoming

Chapter 7

The Gift for All Ages

A Christmas Homecoming is dedicated to the memory of my husband, William Wilson, who passed away on February 10, 1991.

A special thank you to my family for their love and support and for being, once again, a perfect captive audience. In addition, a special acknowledgement to my parents, Mrs. Irma Burton and the late Mr. J. C. Burton, for providing such a loving, nurturing environment during my formative years and for being excellent role models.

In addition, I would like to thank my publisher, Xlibris, for an outstanding experience. Finally, most of all, giving honor to God for such a dynamic writing experience and a lesson on faith that only He could teach.

This year was unbelievable! It began with a question, Are you ready? but ended with an amazing journey. While writing this book, I had many unexpected experiences. I believe that I experienced a deeper walk of faith after each chapter and each experience was written. Amazing! So, I give honor to God, once again, for His guiding hand, continuous revelations, an immeasurable journey, and finally the peace. This experience, throughout the year, provided food for thought and gave me credibility to write such an heartfelt piece. What a year!

For our life is a matter of faith, not of sight.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (GNT)

Important Photos 157.jpg

Chapter 1

Nothing Just Happens

Bitter cold winds howling during the early morning hours, brittle branches brushing against the bedroom window caused me to rise earlier than usual. As I awakened, the words walk by faith kept hanging on my lips. I tiptoed about the bedroom until I realized that Liam had probably fallen asleep in his office in the basement. Anticipation of the day’s activities and the delight of the season’s joy brought about complete gratification.

As I walked into the kitchen and stood in the doorway, I was reminded of the day that Jamie and I had hashed out the toils of her plight. It had only been two months, but because of the experience, it definitely will have a lasting impact on all of us! Guided by our faith, we were able to weather another storm. The reflection served a dual purpose. It shined a light on the past and also provided a glimpse into the future as well. Yes, my sister had come through it; we all had, and we were better for it.

About mid-November, Liam stated that he would be home for the holidays. With everything that had happened to Jamie and the brief trip to see our parents, fall and winter had blended into one. Liam is now home, and what a great feeling! We love this home; it is so peaceful, and it is so us. I remember the day that I saw it because Liam had to work, so I accompanied the realtor. After countless hours of searching from brick and mortar to wood and siding, from two-story to ranch, I finally decided upon this one—a ranch. It offered everything that we desired in a house, a cozy fireplace, an open floor plan, but most of all, it screamed home as I peered into the window. Upon entering, I felt a peace about it, and I just knew that this was the one. So entering only enhanced the experience.

As I roamed from room to room, every step was a confirmation of what I had originally felt, so I said to the realtor, This is it!

He responded, Okay, let’s do this!

After returning home from such an incredible day, Liam asked, Did you find anything that you liked?

With complete satisfaction, I replied, I did, and I know that you will like it too!

Surprisingly, Liam echoed, It’s whatever you like. If you like it, then I will like it.

Now I was completely thrown aback and breathlessly delighted from Liam’s response, so I uttered, Thank you, sweetie, but I know that you will like it too.

That day I talked nonstop about the house until I looked up and saw that adorable smile that had warmed my heart during courtship. Everything is just perfect, I thought. The sparkling fire in the fireplace and the smell of the bacon lingering in the air was a joyful reminder of that day. It was truly a memorable day because Liam made a shocking statement that put a spin on the entire situation.

Completely amazed, he managed to utter, Ttthat sounds like the house that I used to tell my friends that I was going to live in one day! We used to walk by it every day on our way to school. Could it be after all this time? Is that possible?

Now I was completely dumbfounded but managed to blurt out, Are you serious?

I am and from your description and the location, it is definitely possible. Wow, after all this time! he said as his boyish grin lit up the room.

Well, you could have just imagined how surprised I was, and I completely understand Liam’s joy. After all these years, I had been led to the house that Liam had picked out for his future family so many years ago. From that, we knew that this was not a coincidence. This was fate! This was a parallel to Jamie’s plight. What a blessed life we had, and this was our confirmation that we were soul mates! For a moment, we paused, stared at one another, then smiled, and thanked God. Who would have thought?

While preparing a light breakfast, sipping a cup of hot chocolate, and listening to the soft sound of Little Drummer Boy on the radio, the memories flooded my mind. Soon the peace and joy within caused me to let out a high-pitched sound which probably could be heard throughout the house. Then I remembered that Liam was downstairs sleeping, but it was too late because I heard him coming up the basement steps.

Was that you, Ino?

Yes, did I wake you? I replied.

I was just getting up. Is there something that you want to share with me? he said as he lightly touched my right shoulder and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

I was just thinking about the day when I found this house and how it was destined for us.

Are you sure that’s all?

I am.

"I