I visited my 100 year old dad last week before making my trek to Mustang, OK, to voice my newest book - Laughing with the Lord -  for audio. I try to keep him abreast of my comings and goings so he will know why I might miss a few days visiting him in his home at an assisted living facility. 

It falls my lot to start conversations and keep them going, because he just doesn't think of much to say.

"Pop, I'll be gone for a few days."

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"Steve and I will be traveling to Oklahoma for me to record my new book for audio."

He looked up a bit astonished and replied, "That's a mighty far piece, isn't it?"

"Yes, it will be a long drive."  He asked more about what an audio book is, and I tried to explain.

Being the pragmatist he is, he asked in his most serious tone, "Is that completely necessary?"

"No, nor will it be a very profitable proposition, but I feel it is a type of ministry.  By producing and offering the book on audio, some people, who no longer can read or some who travel a lot, can listen to some humor and some spiritual inspiration at the same time," I explained.

Well, Friends, I promise you, Oklahoma is a far piece from Alabama.  Several times during the trip my dad's words echoed in my being.  First of all, I am somewhat clastrophobic, and the sound booth, which was to be my spot for the duration of the recording, is small, dark, closed in, and tight.  It took great prayer effort for me to get in and then even more, for me to stay there for a period of time.  "Is this completely necessary," I thought.

After a day and a half of constant reading, something happened unusual for me - I tired of talking.  People who know me well either wouldn't believe that or would think it very strange, because I am known for being quite loquacious.  Toward the end of each sessions, my tongue would get so tangled and twisted I would have to lay down a marker ( I learned that was the term for hitting a computer button when I made a mistake and read the sentence again).  I would try the same simple sentence once more, only to mess up again.  I'm sure the sound editor thought I must have had my finger hung on the marker button.  Again, the words, "Is this completely necessary?" rang in my mind.

Finally, I completed the laborious process and bid my friends at Tate Publishing farewell.  Steve thought it prudent for us to get on the road and travel at least part way home so the drive would not be so long the next day.  I didn't know how to appreciate the beauty of Alabama's landscapes until we had traveled through Oklahoma and Arkansas.  Now, I don't mean to speak disparagingly against these fine states, but the interstate view offers nothing appealing.  We reached Conway, Arkansas, about 6:00 P.M., had a wonderful dinner at a downtown restaurant - Mike's Place, and enjoyed a restful night's sleep.

After a good breakfast and several cups of coffee, we got on the road again.  We had traveled about my limit before my usual need for a restroom break, and I told Steve, "I need to stop at the next exit and find a restroom."  I had hardly voiced the words when traffic started slowing and then coming to a halt.  As far as the eye could see ahead, and very soon, that far behind also, cars and trucks filled our lane.  With rails in the median and on the side, there was no escape.  After  several minutes, people started standing outside their vehicles trying to see what was holding us up.

A sense of community arises when people find themselves in these circumstances.  We talked with the young ladies who were directly in front of us.  Soon a trucker emerged who was in front of them.  He brougt not so good news.  "There is a tanker truck overturned and burning ahead.  We may be here several hours."  We turned off the motor so as to avoid overheating the car, but in the 102 degrees weather, we had to drink our water and soft drinks to avoid ovrheating ourselves.  You know where that led, don't you.  With an already full bladder, the added liquid soon had me dancing the dance. "Was this trip completely necessary?" I thought again.

Several vehicles forward, I spotted an RV with a big, University of Alabama Roll Tide sign on the back of it.  The saying, "Any port in a storm"came to mind.  Never having been a shy one and at the moment, being one in great distress, I walked up to the side of it, knocked on the window, and said, "Hello, Alabama Friends." I introduced myself, told the lady my dilemma, and asked if I might use their toliet.  She did look a bit apprehensive but opened the door for me to come in.  I expected her to ask, "Is that completely necessary?' but as evidenced by my floating eyballs, she knew it was.  Anyway, we Alabamians just do things like that for people.

Just as I positioned myself on the squatty potty, I heard her voice on the other side of the door.  "My husband said if traffic starts moving, you are with us."  I didn't even care because I was enjoying some relief. Traffic didn't budge though and I made it back to our car only to hear Steve laughing as he told some of our friends over the phone what I had just done.  "Only Barbara," he said shaking his head.  Our delay proved to be somewhat shorter than first feared, only about one hour.

Was the trip necessary? Maybe not, but I committed it to the Lord and trust Him to use the results to minister to someone along the way.  For some reason the following verse came to mind: 1 Corinthians 10:23

"Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive.

I trust God will find this audio book both constructive and beneficial.  Now if each of you will order about three or four of them for friends for Christmas, I just might be able to pay for the trip. ( Keep checking my web site for release date.)