Finding the Gold Ring

By Vivian Brown

It wasnt that uncommon for kids from the Baby Boomer generation to have big dreams. Growing up during the Happy Days of the 1950 era in sunny Los Angeles, California, we listened to Judy sing Somewhere Over The Rainbow knowing in our hearts we would find our pot of gold someday. Similar to the dreams of American pioneers traveling west in their covered wagons to California in search for gold, many spiritual pioneers are making a new journey in a different direction.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 12, 2008
• ISBN: 9781462810161

Vivian Brown

Author Vivian Brown connects a murder mystery with complex social issues and spiritual insights as her main character, Rose, walks through a dramatic series of events in only a few days time. JUST LIKE YOUR MOTHER ~ Unforgettable Heavenly Encounters is a short read that captures your total attention until completed…usually in one sitting. Vivian has also published two non-fiction books: THIRSTY FOR LOVE FINDING THE GOLD RING

Book preview

1 Follow the Nickel

There are many times in the Bible when God gave people a symbol or something to follow. The first account that jumps to mind is of course the star that led the wise men to the baby king who would one day rule the world. Then there were the angels that told the shepherds where to find the baby Jesus in the manger. Also there was the cloud in the sky at day and the ball of fire in the sky at night that led the Israelites in the wilderness. And what about that burning bush Moses saw? Would it not be unreasonable for me to believe that God still may chose to give us a clue now and then in our modern day journey through life?

I was in desperate need of another clue to help guide us on our trek from California to Missouri.

It was the middle of the night in mid-October of 1995 when I awoke and sat straight up in the bed. My husband, Paul, was sound asleep next to me. Why is it that he can be so peaceful and I seem to be the partner chosen to carry all the stress and worry in our marriage? At first I thought I was in our bed at home in Fresno, California, but as I took inventory of my surroundings in our hotel room in Springfield, Missouri the reality of my current whereabouts came into focus. What was that gnawing sensation in my gut? Oh yes, now I remember. Earlier that day we had signed a sales contract to purchase investment property in Missouri. Our signatures on this agreement would complete our first business act that would ultimately bring us to Missouri to live. This move was both frightening and exciting. I tried to settle back down and keep my body still to capture what opportunity might be left for some recuperative sleep, but my mind was filled with questions and concerns. As the hours ticked by, my body was tossing and turning restlessly with each question: Whose idea was this anyway? Will our friends forget us? What changes are there going to be in our family with so many miles separating us? How long will it take us to catch up financially as we start all over again in our business? The prayer I whispered was also full of questions: "Oh Lord, what did we do? I know you have shown me several good reasons to move to the Ozarks and it is embarrassing for me to admit my doubts, but could you please give me another sign for assurance?"

The night moonlight changed and early morning sunlight invaded the room. At this point I was pondering over God’s great capacity for patience and kind compassion in dealing with my human insecurities. I came to a conclusion that He would understand my heart and forgive the many questions I had tossed into the dark atmosphere. A few hours later it was time to get packed up and be on our way back home to California. After our luggage was rolled into the hallway, Paul stopped in the doorway of the hotel room and did a quick final glance to double check that nothing was forgotten or left behind. A ray of morning light beamed through the hotel window causing something on the floor to sparkle. Paul walked across the room and jokingly exclaimed, This must be my lucky day! As he bent down to pick up the shining nickel on the floor, he was enabled to get a view of something far more valuable lying under the hotel desk.

Each night before going to bed, Paul had a habit of removing his watch, wedding ring and the loose change in his pockets before hanging up his clothes. The night before I threw my robe over the back of the hotel desk chair and it had hit Paul’s stash of valuables knocking a nickel on the floor. Just as Paul bent down to pick up the nickel, he turned his head at the exact angle needed to catch a glance of something hidden under the desk that was worth thousands of nickels. Actually,