© 2016 by Lemuel.

Library of Congress Control Number:      2016901715

ISBN:        Hardcover         978-1-5144-5635-4

                  Softcover           978-1-5144-5634-7

                  eBook                978-1-5144-5633-0

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the

product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance

to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by Zondervan Corporation.

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Rev. date: 05/20/2016

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Contents

Presentation

From the Author

Prologue

Chapter 1 Down at the Point

Chapter 2 Kava

Chapter 3 Big City

Chapter 4 The Border Patrol

Chapter 5 It’s Rough

Chapter 6 Smiles and Sisco

Chapter 7 I’ll Be Here Waiting

Chapter 8 My Grace is Sufficient for Thee

Chapter 9 The Pendulum Swings

Chapter 10 But the Children of Israel Went on Dry Land in the Midst of the Sea.

Chapter 11 At the Brink of Eternity

Bibliography

Disclaimer

PRESENTATION

Dear Friends,

God bless you! I pray that you are prospering even as your soul prospers. I wanted to give you some background on myself as an author, composer, singer, and musician. I am a Christian who has studied the Bible — the history of it, eschatology, and related theologies for more than forty years, and I have been involved with creative writing since I was a child. I started writing when I was only seventeen years old and have attended several colleges and universities where professors respected my talents and encouraged me to enter various state and national contests. I was a recording artist back when engineers used wide tape and producers cut records as 45’s. I have taken private lessons on several different instruments including percussion, violin, piano, organ, bass, and guitar. I have also taken vocal lessons from three different professors and composition from a conservatory composer. I played as a professional musician on the road for over ten years. At one time, I was being produced as a single artist with a management organization out of Washington, DC. I have worked with many recording studios and have had bids on my results from major recording labels.

The reason I have mentioned my qualifications as a musician here is that the main character in this book is a musician. In order to write his story I needed firsthand experience and a clear understanding of the music industry — I had to be informed on the culture and trends of the era of which I have written. To write this character’s adventures I studied many areas of the globe and became intimately involved with various religious beliefs. Having had close relationships with many families, I have done extensive research on this subject.

I am dedicating my first book, I’LL BE HERE WAITING, to my mother... and to yours. The sequel is entitled UNDER MY WING. I hope you will enjoy them both and find them informative and interesting.

Sincerely,

Lemuel

This book is dedicated to my mother who lovingly

encouraged me with my music and creative writings.

From the Author

Dear child, it is my sincere intent in writing the following books that you come to realize that something else; other than the existence we feel, experience, and see with our eyes, is at hand. If Sherlock Holmes were here today he might relate to the subject in these terms: The mystery of God is afoot. Truly there is something hidden happening to us all. It’s as George Harrison noted: Life goes on within us and without us.

The human race is on a search for self-fulfillment; but many never find it, and if they do, it all ends suddenly when death comes knocking at their door. So much emptiness... what is this life really about? The Bible speaks of another world that will meld into this one. Relating to this Christ preached to us of self-denial and of waiting; he spoke to us of the emptiness we experience every day in this world and how it pertains to the gathering of treasures in His soon coming kingdom. Is there something else about to happen in the creation of God... is all this a preparation for our entrance into eternity? What does it mean to be rich toward God — can we really ever be completely full?

When you look out the door of your house, do you ever wonder if there is

life somewhere else other than here on earth? Scientists have never found anything visible though they have combed the entire universe. In the

United States there is actually a technological marvel located in New Mexico; it is called the Great Array. This group of huge satellite dishes continually

transmits radio waves into outer space… they are asking, Is there anybody there? Their search for signs of life have been futile, but what about the things that exist outside of our limitations. Is there really a God; and if there is He is surely very mysterious... has He only revealed Himself to a few people?

You are beginning to take a journey; an in-depth study within three books. The first two I refer to as Sunny Smiles. They are an indiscriminate depiction of a literal pre-millennial, pre-tribulation apocalyptic eschatology. If you are Evangelic you might appreciate the fact that I did not deviate from the written Word or interject outside ideas. This basic story developed from the Bible follows a nonfictional timeline you might have experienced. It magnifies reality and the contemporary aspects of the text so that the reader identifies with the pre-millennial perspectives currently being broadcast over our airways. This gives me a basis from which to discuss eschatology with you.

With the things written within these books, I want to achieve a point of awareness… where are we in these prophecies today? This question has been on my mind since the first day I was converted, and now after more than forty years of study and prayer, I feel the Lord has allowed me a close-up look at it. In the end-time events, near the beginning of the Tribulation Period just prior to the Antichrist being revealed, there will be a great falling away. Paul points this out in 2 Thessalonians, the second verse. It is important not to confuse the reference here, as it does not refer to people not going to churches anymore; rather it pertains to that society no longer holding to established doctrine prescribed by the founding fathers. The dictionary defines the word "apostasy as the abandonment or renunciation of religious beliefs — in other words, foundational principles will be abandoned for lawlessness. It will become apparent that the whole loaf has been leavened; iniquity will be abound and the love of most waxed cold. This is a sign to the believer that Jesus talked about; at that time the Redemption will be very near — even at the doors. He said to be ready for He will come as a thief in the night. I do not believe we will know the day nor the hour, but we will know the signs. Take heed, for there are no second chances. Matthew wrote this in chapter 25:1 thru 13: Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." Are we in that apostasy now? Are we at the doors of the Rapture? After reading the information I have extracted from the prophecies you will be in a position to answer this question for yourself.

My third book addresses differences and themes that I believe can be proven by the Bible, the signs, and the confirmation of the Spirit to set a platform for the Truth from which we can examine this document of antiquity. This third endeavor I have entitled: The Exposition.

The first book on the other hand follows the years of a normal human life. Could this be you? Born in the last generation spoken of in the King James Bible, the setting takes place after World War II at the edge of Maryland near the Virginia line. This is where the Appalachian Mountains follow the Potomac River and the railroad. A small country town called Point of Rocks is situated here. On top of these mountains several small caves overshadow the water, at the bottom the railroad cuts through its cliffs creating a solid rock tunnel. Years ago mules used the river bank for C&O Canal barges. They towed from Washington, DC. to Cumberland — it’s now national park land.

The main character is Sunny Smiles — this is not his real name, it’s just a nickname. When he was little his dad called him Sunny and I guess it kinda stuck. He was a shy kid, his father never wanted excuses. When he was questioned regarding something he had done wrong he’d look up at his dad and just smile. Most people had trouble pronouncing his real name so as he got older they just called him Sunny. His real name was Erasmus — what a first name. He didn’t mind it though, he was named after his grandfather; it always reminded him of his ancestors who first came to America. This transcript is about Sunny’s life and the way things were. You’re gonna like this. Now put on your blue jeans and come with me — this is the beginning of Sunny Smile’s great adventure ...

IT IS THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME.

PROLOGUE

January 11, 1948: Leap Year

The snow was silently falling, softly on the frozen pond as the stillness of the winter evening quietly crept through the towering white pines. Below in the valley of the town a woman crying in travail with an unwanted child hated to exist another moment. Tomorrow would be the funeral of her father and she wouldn’t be there. The tears that rolled down her cheeks were from pain for many reasons.

It’s a boy. A nurse smiled to the man worrying in the waiting room. He didn’t lift his head; it was the fifth child, and even now they scarcely survived.

His name is Erasmus Godwin Smiles, the father told the doctor when he came out.

Well, that’s strange, Doctor Marshall replied. The mother told us Godwin Erasmus, and that’s what’s on our papers. Tell the office what you decide — when you come to an agreement that is; I have to put a name on the birth certificate.

The tired hardworking thirty-seven year old man already had two jobs, not to mention the farm work he had to keep up with. He slumped back down in the waiting room chair and picked up the newspaper beside him.

Arab militants have laid siege to the Jewish Quarter of the Old city of Jerusalem. War seems certain in the Holy Land. Zionists from Kfar Uria attacked Khirbat Beit Far. Police in armored cars arriving at the scene found that the attack was still in progress, and some fifty Zionists were arrested in possession of a large quantity of arms.

His eyes fell further down the page:

Warner Brothers shows the first color newsreel (Tournament of Roses Parade and the Rose Bowl.)

Huh, we can’t afford a television. We don’t even have an indoor bathroom yet, he said to himself.

~ ~ ~

May 15, 1948:

The preacher and his wife lived in the house with our family —the Church couldn’t afford a parsonage. There wasn’t much privacy; everybody knew everyone else’s business.

~ ~ ~

Mom, four kids, and a baby squeezed into a pew together. The Deacon and his wife hardly talked; and when they did it was usually an argument. He sat by himself. The preacher scared them all with his hellfire and brimstone sermons.

Did you see the headlines in the newspaper? –– (the minister was getting warmed up.) After 2,500 years: Israel, A Nation Born in a Day!’ That’s what it says. (He continued holding up the newspaper in his hand.) "This is right out of the Bible.

Matthew 24:32 thru 34:

Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:

So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

Listen to these verses out of Isaiah, chapter 66." He looked intensely at the little congregation and walked around the pulpit.

"Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.

Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the Lord: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.

Verse 15 says – For behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.

Jesus said the generation which sees the budding of the fig tree would not pass away until all these things have been fulfilled...

THIS GENERATION SHALL NOT PASS!"

CHAPTER 1

DOWN AT THE POINT

Summer 1958:

My dad had a little country store on the Maryland side, right in front of the big bridge that sat across the Potomac River. When I was growing up, it seemed like Point of Rocks was a l-o-n-g ways from Frederick. The Point only had about twenty houses but I thought it was a right exciting place to be… the river, the railroad, a big mountain, and country people — this was a real experience for a ten year old boy.

Hi, my name is Sunny. Every Saturday morning, Dad and I would come bouncin’ down Ballenger Creek Road in an old 1939 black Ford pickup truck, Dad had borrowed it from a man he worked with. There was a 200 lb. block of ice in the back we had just picked up at the ice plant, when we’d get to the store this would go in the ice trailer. It was my job to break it up into little pieces and put it in bags to sell to the customers; other than sweepin’ and pumpin’ gas, that was my main obligation. It was an honor to be able to ride with Dad in the truck. The vehicle had a long stick shift on the floor, and even runnin’ boards. The weather was warm and balmy and I was especially contented, Dad had bought me a White Star hot dog and a small Coke at the square corner before we had left Frederick.

Mom was at the store and I was glad to see her. She and Harvey, our hired helper, was the extent of the work force. Saturday was Harvey’s day off but it wouldn’t take long before Hammond his little brother (and my buddy), would come in to see what I was doing. Mom usually let me have some time to go exploring, so when she wasn’t looking, I’d sneak a couple of Rum Crook cigars from behind the counter and grab a few candy bars — and I was out of there. Me and my buddy would go down by the river underneath the bridge and try to see what was so special about Rum Crooks. After we got green in the face from smokin’ we’d scurry on down to the railroad tracks and put a nickel or penny on them. When the train came past they’d be thin as a sheet of paper – man, that was somethin’ to see.

There was always somebody fishin’ off the river bank. Fishing and ’coon huntin’ was the main thing at the Point; some people just about lived off the river. They’d stay in a tent indefinitely — night and day — and some had good dogs that could even climb a tree. Muskrat and ’coon was good eatin’, and most of these folks ate possum… and groundhog too. Ya know… I never did get to try ’em. Makes me wonder what I missed.

Saturday night was a real treat at the store. Slim and Vernon would pull up in their hot cars out front; everybody knew a race was brewin’. I remember lookin’ out across the bridge — rubber and smoke was all I could see. Nobody ever knew who won or if