His Truth Be Told Tales: An Inspirational Fantasy Adventure about Folks with Different Abilities

By Roberta Ann Lowenthal

As the wheelchair-accessible van climbs the hill toward 12-year-old Annie Behr's new home, she senses that her life will be changed forever. This feeling is confirmed when she sees the once elegant old Victorian house that her family has just inherited from Great Uncle Truth B. Told. From the beginning to the end of the story, puzzles, mysteries, and secrets abound with every twist and turn as this fantasy adventure brings the kingdom of God down to earth. Even though they don't know it at first, Annie, Alan, and Teddy""who are differently abled children of two families""are on an encouraging life adventure of learning to cope with their challenges. They meet God on the way, through a mysterious stranger named Truth. This mystifying man eventually guides the youngsters in finding the true meaning of life""that is, having a personal relationship with a loving and compassionate God. This inspirational novel is the first of a series in which the characters grow into adulthood. Although this book centers on the town of Peaceful Valley in 1957, the adventure doesn't stop there. The reader visits fantasy worlds where strange wonders are discovered. As Annie, Alan, and Teddy grow up, the books increase in maturity and complexity and so do the challenges the characters encounter along the way. As you read this book, prepare to be surprised, enlightened, and encouraged.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 31, 2018
• ISBN: 9781641912976

Book preview

Chapter 1

New Beginnings

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

—Philippians 3:13b–14

It was a perfectly clear spring morning in the town of Peaceful Valley. The quiet of the day was interrupted by the chirping birds and now the rumbling of a large moving van. It slowly chugged its way up the narrow lane to the three-story old Victorian house at the top of the hill where no one had lived for many years. Even the lovely lacy gingerbread decoration nailed to its eaves could not disguise the fact that no tender loving care was given to it.

Behind the moving van, twelve-year-old Annie Behr sat in the back seat of her family’s accessible van, taking in the beauty of the day. So why was she holding back tears of unhappiness? Beside her sat her little ten-year-old brother Teddy, who had Down syndrome. He was happily clutching his colorful new bouncy ball that he couldn’t wait to play with in his new backyard.

Annie wished she could be as content as Teddy appeared to be. But the fear of the unknown that awaited her in this seemingly welcoming town was beginning to overtake her usually cheerful mood. Annie couldn’t help feeling that her life would be profoundly changing in the not-so-distant future.

In the front seat, the children’s parents, Lou and Blanche Behr, were getting excited as the house on the hill came into view.

Look, kids, Blanche said, pointing at the house. Isn’t this exciting?

Annie could not hold back the tears any longer. She bawled, large teardrops running down her face. No, Mother, this is the worst day of my life!

Whatever are you talking about? This is a chance to begin anew. We are so fortunate your Great Uncle Truth B. Told left us this wonderful inheritance in his will.

Oh, Mother, you know I have weak legs. How in the world will I manage to navigate that big old barn with my problem? And besides, it looks so run-down and the paint is peeling.

Never you mind, dear, I’m sure there will be many wonderful surprises waiting for you to discover. Now look, your brother is crying too.

Annie, who loved Teddy so very much, was sorry she had started this incident. She took him in her arms and wiped away his tears. Hush, Teddy, she whispered. I’m sure Mother is right. We’ll need to look for wonderful surprises in the house.

As the neighbors peeked through their curtains, trying not to be seen, the Behr family pulled into the driveway and scrambled out of their van. Annie gasped as she looked up at the enormously high and dangerously crumbling front steps of her new home and moaned, I’ll never be able to get inside with my wheelchair or even my walker. Turning to her father, she said, This is a surprise but not a very good one!

Her father said calmly, Now let’s try to figure this problem out. I’ll look around the house. Maybe I can find a solution. He walked behind the house and with great shouts of joy cried out, Come back here, we have a solution.

As all turned the corner, they saw a new, very well-constructed wooden ramp going up to the back door.

Oh, Father, this is a wonderful surprise! said Annie.

Teddy scratched his head and said, It’s a wonderful surprise only if I can slide down the railing. He smiled impishly.

Blanche chuckled. Don’t be silly, Teddy. Turning to Annie, she smiled and said, I’m sure this very practical surprise is probably the best one of all. Now we can enter our new home together. Annie wholeheartedly agreed. They all waited with anticipation as Lou turned the key opening the back door.

DEAR READER

We invite you, the reader, to put on your thinking cap and be an interactive part of this story by answering the following question.

How do you feel about the way Annie reacted when she first saw her new house? Put yourself in Annie’s place and choose how you would have responded.

Cry about the situation as Annie did.

Hide your disappointment and put a smile on your face.

Trust that your mom or dad will do what’s best for you.

DID YOU NOTICE?

Annie’s character seems to have two sides. The first is positive, where Annie loves and hugs her crying brother, Teddy. The second is negative, where Annie gets upset easily when she fears she cannot get into her new home in her wheelchair. We all have a two-sided character, both positive and negative. Which way do you lean? Hope it’s toward the positive.

INCREASE YOUR VOCABULARY

(Grow your word understanding)

At the end of chapters in the story will be a list of words that may need some more explanation.

Accessible: (of a place) able to be reached or entered

Eaves: edges of a roof

Impish(ly): inclined to do slightly naughty things for fun

Interactive: allowing a two-way flow of information

Navigate: to plan and direct a route of travel

Profound(ly): having deep insight or understanding

Chapter 2

Alan’s Dilemma

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

—Jeremiah 29:11

At the same moment Lou was unlocking the Victorian house, a serious situation was taking place around the block at the church parsonage where fifteen-year-old Alan Lyons, the unusually mature son of the pastor, was sitting at a desk. He was pondering two life-changing events that had happened to him during the week.

His mother, Alice Lyons, came into his room and announced eagerly, Oh, Alan, the new neighbors we expected have arrived. I think that later today I’ll welcome them with my special tuna casserole. Would you like to come with me?

Alan, who had been deep in thought, slowly turned toward her. I don’t think so.

Sorry, I didn’t realize you were busy with other things.

It’s not that, Mom. I have a dilemma that needs solving.

Can I help, dear?

I don’t know. He sighed, his usual good sense of humor not evident. "This past week I received two big messages. The first one was from God, who laid something on my heart. He gave me a calling to become a pastor, just like