My friend Jack

"I told baby Jack about you. I hope he gets to meet you someday."

Each week I read to Jack Kinder, a friend of Dad's stricken by a stroke while speaking to a Chicago audience in 2006. For awhile his survival was in question. His valiant spirit overcame. He returned to Dallas and resides in a rehab facility.
After Dad's death in 2007, I began reading to Jack. Each week we share 30-40 minutes of reading and prayer. Although he cannot speak, I can tell by his facial expressions he understands.
One of the books is a 1972 edition of The Selling Heart, written by Garry and Jack Kinder. The principles are still true, and the underlying philosophy is priceless. As I read some of their thoughts today, he showed great agreement. He is still a great salesman at heart.
Jack didn't know his last words would be spoken on a Chicago stage. When he prepared for that speech, he had no idea those would be his final utterances.
His life reminds me to "keep current" in my relationships. I say "I love you" more frequently, and ask forgiveness more quickly.
None of us wants to die with our music in us. None of us wants to die with unfinished business. Jack encourages me to appreciate life. His strength of character and his attitude of gratitude make our weekly reading times most precious.
In Christ, all things are possible....even when they look most impossible. I am crazy about my grandon - sweet baby Jack....and awfully glad to have a friend named Jack, as well.

PS - Jack coordinates well with the Cruiser, doesn't he?

Chatting at the CNB

"Hello, how was your trip? Let me show you a graduation card for a friend's daughter." Being greeted by my friend, Carol, at the bank is always a treat, but today it was especially newsy.

She showed me the card and then told me about her friend.

After receiving her degree in dentistry, she chose not to practice professionally, but only missionally. She and her husband adopted 6 children and spend summers in the remote areas of Honduras where she applies her dental skills to help villagers. She told of pulling teeth from sun-up to sun-down on one trip.

We chatted about my trip, about the sale of my house, about her family, and about the faithfulness of the Lord. I cannot remember doing this in my Dallas bank. Not that they don't have those same concerns, but they just don't have time.

Piney woods time is totally different. But, it also lets you stop and think about what's important in life. What fills my heart with joy like the ministry of dentistry does for Carol's friend? What draws me closer to those who need a touch from God?

If grandson Andrew is right, the next chapter of my life is going to be written in these woods, with these people, and with the guidance of the Lord. I don't anticipate paddling upstream to pull teeth in Honduras, but I can see strengthening hearts with a word of life and hope.

Jesus went about doing good.....He came with a plan, but He lived it out step by step. I don't think I need to dream great dreams about service. I think I need to keep on chatting at the CNB and listening to the stories of great Christians who are my neighbors.

How far is that?

Here is a map of US 41 --- just in case you get an urge.

Country Ham 'n Biscuits

How in the world could I say goodbye to the trip without mentioning Loveless Cafe? As I drove toward US 40 (one of those truck-filled interstates), I passed the Loveless...a time-honored tradition in the Nashville area. The parking lot was so empty I thought it was surely closed. BUT NO~ So, "day last" of the trip began with a country ham biscuit and a glass of milk.

Random Pics

Just a few extras.

Brenda's Blog

I don't have any nifty pics for this entry. I just want you to know how much fun I have had thinking about the sights and sounds on this road trip. Thank you for the emails, the calls, the FB messages, and the prayers.
My friend, Gary, wrote tonight on FB and said "Congratulations! I don't know any men who would take on a trip like this alone."
It has been so exhilarating, I don't want to stop for awhile. No, I can't drive out on another fabulous road trip (at least not for awhile), but I am continuing with the "eyes wide open living" learned while blogging.
Every day or so, I will share observations. Feel free to come along for this ride. And, if you want to toss ideas my way, feel free to write on my FB wall, email me at Brenda@breakfastwithfred.com, or grab me as I chase the deer out of my yard in the piney woods.
See you in the blogosphere!

Miles of Smiles

"You drive for awhile and I will nag you, then I will drive for awhile and you can nag me." The very old couple standing at the Arkansas Welcome Center tickled my funny bone. I guess that was their system for staying awake. I decided to hit the road before they did.....

The drive from Nashville to the log house was a time for reflection. I clocked over 4000 miles in 25 days. I completely drove either North to South, or East to West through Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and Arkansas, as well as North Central/East Texas. I saw many friends, made some new ones, and told lots of people about http://www.breakfastwithfred.com/

I was able to get signatures in my traveling copy of Breakfast With Fred. Someday, I will have it autographed by all but two of the authors: Charlie "Tremendous" Jones, and Dad.....both are thoroughly enjoying their heavenly endeavors.

The Cruiser has been a faithful friend and companion. David Hasselhoff isn't the only one who talks to his car. Now, I don't think the Cruiser talks back! That would be a sure sign of road weariness, wouldn't it?