Joe Holloway

My Cup Runneth Over: the Committed Servant Joe Holloway

Set in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina is the story of Will Early's total commitment to his calling. A decorated WWII Chaplain who finds himself running one of the areas largest cattle farms and rearing two children after a tragic accident takes the life of his twin brother and his wife. His best friend is the driver of the truck which caused the accident and is accused to driving drunk on moonshine. Will knows that is impossible as George is a tetotaler. Will and the local Sheriff work to solve the mystery. Tim, his twelve year old nephew is in total rebellion. Fights on the school grounds, cursing toward others and cheating are a daily problem. Elizabeth, Liz, is a seventeen year old outstanding student, church leader and Choir member. She has shown cattle with great success. She is wise beyond her years and helps Will find his path as he struggles. He finds his bachelorhood has not equipped him to deal with the problems he encounters. Will grew up on Early Farms living the all american life. He excelled in sports, cattle shows and education. He studies Agriculture at Clemson University and Divinity at Wake Forest Seminary. His search for a mate, often comical and the joke of several community leaders. His commitment to teach the Gospel often causes problems in the communityas he battles hard case church leaders who seem unable to forgive others for past sins, real or perceived. One of his converts, Sam is dying of cancer. John Dixon, Senior Deacon, refuses to allow a funeral at First Baptist. Will finds a sympathetic Methodist minister who understands the situation and the whole community cannot believe the outcome when Sam's will is read. God is great. Mystery, love, cattle shows and the joys children derive from the pleasure of accomplishment. The love of his life is found and lost to circumstances beyond his and her control. Life can be hard. God did not promise us trouble free lives, only that he can provide the strength to bear it all. He continues to pray that God will provide him with the mate he is supposed to have. The beauty of farm life in the Great Smokies brings us back to the fifties and the simple life we had and wish we could go back to. This book is fiction, loosly based on several people the author knew well. It reflects how they actually lived their lives on a daily basis. Some may have problems with parts of the story, but that is how it was.