From JOAB Coming in the Fall of 2012 October, 1868 Oxford, Mississippi Dearest Mama, … I have read, and as you have taught me, living in the past is much like reliving sins committed, which is highly discouraged by the Apostle Paul, and I want you to know I’m trying to search for a better way. As we spoke while sitting on the swing before I left, I desire to live in the spirit of restoration and healing. The war left our country in shambles, and I think the Lord would be pleased if I help restore what was taken away.  I could not be doing this if you had not said the things you did and allowed me to vent my frustrations with what has been going on for years now. We had so much heart. And so much of that is either gone or waning. I know that bitterness slows healing of the old wounds and at all hazards I intend to dispense with my portion of that. I took Will and Aggie back with me to Shiloh for a purpose. I’ve learned much from Aggie about facing the trial...

Chapter 10 Excerpts from JOAB Joab woke early, even before the waking call promised by Mrs. Raines. He had slept well, at peace with yesterday’s decisions and promises to himself. He had a job, a place to pillow his head at night, food to eat. There was little more that he needed—there was yet more that he wanted. Aggie had promised to meet him at the tea room tonight. He must stop by at noon and tell her it would be near seven before he could get back from the sawmill, which was at the edge of town on the road that leads to Harrisburg. He dressed and slipped out of the house thinking what a lovely southern lady, Mrs. Raines. Their home was quite comfortable, in Oxford town, a bungalow under shady oaks and huge magnolias, with ivy growing from the brick street to the front porch steps, a porch that wrapped around over half of the house, behind which was a small barn and a corncrib all fenced about.  He was blessed to have stepped into such a fine setting. He didn’t...