Blog

Core Beliefs – Chapter 51 - Uninvited Guest A spring day in 2011, Eldridge Coblentz cruised toward home down the county road, feed for his critters piled in his pickup bed. A peppy Gather’s gospel tune filled the truck cab from a new CD his boy, Elvin, had bought him. Eldridge hummed along, tempted to join in the song, but mostly listened to the guitars pickin’. An unexpected flash of light caused his left eye to wince. His head twisted, looking for the source. On his neigh

Core Beliefs – Chapter 50 - Christmas Thanks Christmas came, and many gathered at Armonia House. The tables were decked to the hilt with food and trimmings. The kids would get their food first and head to the family room, and the adults would stay in the dining room. Everyone knew about the narrow escape Ling and the baby had experienced, though they did not know the details regarding her recovery. With everyone standing and Chris about to say grace. Matt interrupted, “Chri

Core Beliefs – Chapter 49 - Crisis It was nearing Christmas. Ling’s pregnancy started to show. Her energy levels plunged, and she needed more sleep. She had handed duties over to the staff at the clinic and, under her doctor’s orders, Ling found herself in bed. Matt worried. He had never seen her so exhausted. The doctors couldn’t explain it. Matt snapped awake in the middle of the night, terrified and drenched in sweat. A frightful nightmare had rampaged through his mind.

Core Beliefs – Chapter 48 - Clean Up Crew. The “Fantastic Four” continued to develop new technology. The breakthroughs seemed to never end, as one discovery led to a plethora of others. Surprisingly, Joe had provided the first lead for the practical application of the new technology. A company specializing in hazardous waste cleanup and site remediation had consulted his law firm. They were falling behind schedule on a project and were threatened with large, liquidated dam

Core Beliefs – Chapter 47 - Real-time The next two weeks were non-stop for Matt and Ling. Ling finished the presentations for the neuroimager and the software. Matt was as active as ever with the companies. They both made a point of talking during the day and not working after hours. *** At the end of June, Matt assembled the team going to Houston. Ling, Marcus, Clarence, Melissa, Doug, and Ellie all went. The recipients were researchers from Wheatley and the entire neurolo

Core Beliefs – Chapter 46 - We are one. Matt and Ling set a May 1, 2009, wedding date. Ling turned in her resignation to both Wheatley and Baylor. She was surprised at how fiercely they fought to keep her on staff. There were moments when Ling found herself torn, an ache in her heart at not being able to help heal people in need, yet she knew she could no longer live without Matt, who had made her life whole and healed. When the institutions learned the reason, they grudgi

Core Beliefs – Chapter 45 - The Proposal. Almost before they could believe, Christmas was upon them. Matt and Ling celebrated Christmas Eve with Joe and his family. The time at Joe’s was the happiest Christmas Matt could recall. Doug had brought Ellie, and Charley joked constantly with anyone who would banter. Cynthia was singing and baking cookies. There was a special feeling about family that gripped Matt, causing him to appreciate his brother as never before. Christmas

Core Beliefs – Chapter 44 - Neuro Analysis Thanksgiving morning arrived. Matt and Ling had arisen early and had taken a walk in the fields behind Armonia House. On their way back, Ling spotted Eldridge’s truck pulling up, with Elvin driving, and behind it, in Doug’s rig, were Doug, Ellie, and Charley. Eldridge’s truck had something in it. Matt couldn’t make it out from where he stood. By the time they reached the house, it was apparent that a sizable tent was being set up.

Core Beliefs – Chapter 43 - New Beginnings Matt and Ling packed on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and drove Ling’s rental to Kansas City; Matt hadn’t replaced the Buick. Ling paid careful attention as he drove, evaluating his reflexes and coordination. As time passed, she became comfortable, knowing he had complete control. They stopped briefly to visit Joe and Cynthia, appreciative of the chance to rest before heading for Wichita. *** It was almost 7:00 p.m. when they pu

Core Beliefs – Chapter 42 - Resurrection Morning. 4:30 in the morning, and as usual, Ling had spent the night in the recliner next to Matt’s bed. The room was dark except for the monitors and some lights on the equipment. The night had been peaceful, with Ling dreaming that she was talking with Matt. The thoughts flitting into her head told her Matt was trying to come to her. Through her dream, Ling implored him, begging Matt to please hurry, professing she wanted and neede