Lost History II

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Click here to read about an introduction to memoir: Journey through Memoir: Introduction .
Lost History II, written a couple days after the workshop session, is a continuation of Lost History I.
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Within a couple days I received a card. It was from Craig, a response to my letter.

On the outside of a craft-brown sealed envelope was handwritten in Craig's cursive, J. Carol Hamby EOB - Room 9.

I opened the envelope. I pulled out a card. On it was a pen and ink print of The Way Corp Chalet embossed on a rustic-brown card.

The Chalet was a crafted log home built by Way Builders in the Way Woods. Dr. Wierwille was proud of the chalet and had talked about it's fine craftsmanship and materials. Only the best for The Ministry. As believers our temptation was no longer between good and evil, but rather between good and best.

Craig and his family lived in the Chalet; it was the president's home. I recall a gorgeous log or wooden staircase inside, seems it was spiral or deck. On the lower level in the back were a few small furnished guest apartments that were not accessible from inside the structure; they had their own separate entrances from the outside. Those rooms housed certain Corps leadership when they were visiting Headquarters. A rustic deck arrayed the outside of the Chalet's upper level.

I loved The Way Woods. When Dr. wasn't on the road, his motor coach was parked in the woods. The House of His Healing Presence, The Campfire Area, and Uncle Harry's Cabin were in the woods. There were a few small one or two room buildings where some Corps folks lived. One or two other homes graced the woods, where some leadership staff families lived. There were a few spaces where RV's could hook up for a stay.

Most of the Corps and staff lived on the grounds on the other side of Wierwille Road, across from The Way Woods. We were housed in the Executive Office Building or in trailers. Doctor's family lived in the old Wierwille home place. It had been remodeled sometime in the early 70's I think. Some other homes were around the Wierwille home. Leadership lived in those homes too. A few of the staff lived off grounds.

The woods were blessed with lots of trees and at least one open meadow area. One or two bridges arched a grassed gully. The meadow was beautiful in the warm months, a soft field for repose and rest. Trails ambled through the Way Woods too. I preferred jogging on trails as opposed to pavement any day. Jogging was part of the Corps program. I had enjoyed it until I had started suffering with asthma a couple years ago.

I opened the card. Inside was a calligraphy print from Dr. Wierwille's quotes:

"It Is Written"

"You are the salt of the earth. You're the light of the world. You're Corps.... Wherever you go you're Corps. When you eat, sleep, drink, speak, walk, talk .... you're Corps. And let them see Corps. Let them see the greatness of the Word of God in you....because it's the Word of God that changed your life."

Dr. Victor Paul Wierwille

I could hear Doctor's voice when I read it. The serious resonance yet with a fatherly touch of authority. I was Corps, committed to "It is Written."

Handwritten in cursive below Doctor's quote was Craig's response.

J. Carol - love you sweetheart & thanks for writing; I certainly did notice when you didn't stand but it was up to you, your problem. Glad you handled it. Love you. We'll see about a trip sometime. ~Craig
P.S. Thanks for the poems.

My heart was thrilled! God did work in Craig to not holler at me. God knew I was sick and that I was doing my best to be His best. Craig did notice. He was walking with the Father. How cool is that!? God's mercy too. Thank you Father. And a trip! Oh boy. I had written in my apology that I liked to drive and would love to go on a road trip with Craig sometime. Yes!

He liked my poems too. I wonder if he'll read one at mealtime?

But, he was probably just being nice. We were all taught the importance of correspondence and that people were to be loved, never used. Things were used. I remember Dr. talking about penmanship too, that if you loved people you'd take time to write so it was legible.

Maybe I was doing o.k. as Corps. A road trip with the man of God, little ole me. Woopee! Wow.

But, who was I to ever get to go on a road trip with the president of The Way?

Within a few weeks I was walking down Wierwille Road. Craig drove up in his station wagon, one of The Ministry fleet cars. He asked if I wanted a ride. Sure! As we rode along a 1/2 mile or so he chuckled and teased, "Well you said you wanted a road trip." We laughed.


Over 25 years later, I still have that card in that envelope.

I never did take the dream road trip.

(End memoir snippet.)

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Nor did I ever finish my Corps commitment, proof to my young mind that I wasn't good enough leaving me with an unrelenting shame for over 25 years. That will take a lot more memoirs! Ha!

Click here to view the memoir index: Journey through Memoir (an index).
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