For Part Two of Tonya B. Ashley’s visit to my blog, we are talking to the main character in her Christmas novella. From the picture she sent, I have a feeling that the young ladies in the community might have been looking for an excuse to visit the blacksmith’s shop! But, back to business. We’ll let this intriguing young man introduce himself.
Jenny: Hello. Thanks for visiting today. Could you please tell us your name and where you live?
Levi: My name is Levi Snow. I’m the local blacksmith in Van Buren, Arkansas. It’s a small town on the Arkansas River at the edge of Indian Territory. The city was named after Secretary of State Martin Van Buren and incorporated just this year, 1845. Of course, that might be more than you’d like to know. I never knew much about where I came from or my family history. So, I enjoy being part of the origin story of this town. I never had that before.
Jenny: Could you tell us a little bit about your family and friends?
Levi: I’ve been on my own since I was fifteen. I guess the Hogues are the closest thing I have to family. I rent a room in the stable bunkhouse at their boardinghouse. They allowed me to add a forge to their property. They don’t charge me for the forge. Instead, I do any metalwork for them in exchange for the space. I hadn’t thought of myself as having friends. I’m a loner, but I guess Sam Mooney, the owner of Mooney’s Mercantile, would be the closest thing I have to a friend. We have a close working relationship.
Jenny: It’s great that you have found welcoming folks in Van Buren. So, what is happening in your life right now? What are you looking forward to in your future?
Levi: A big storm cropped up on the river. It did some damage in town. Run a steamboat aground. I wouldn’t be surprised to discover a tornado hit somewhere near here. That’s got me covered up in steamboat repairs and other repairs. You’d think a thing like that would get folks around here dispirited. Instead, they’re all talking about Christmas. Christmas has always been difficult for me. I don’t like to talk about it. And I wouldn’t say I like to talk much about the future either. Anything could happen between now and tomorrow. Best take each day as it comes.
Jenny: Okay. We’ll avoid the whole subject of Christmas then. Have you met anyone interesting lately? What intrigues you most about this person?
Levi: Sam has this niece who’s come to visit, Allie McLaughlin. She is ever an optimist. Full of hope. Wants to make sure the hope of others is also getting fed. Sometimes, that makes her seem like a bit of a busybody. I have tried to avoid being intrigued by her, but it’s more complicated than you’d imagine. She has this sense of wonder, curiosity, and faith that pulls you in.
Jenny: She sounds like a good person to spend time with. Hope is a good thing. On a less positive note- what is the major annoyance or obstacle in your life right now?
Levi: The passengers on the steamboat that ran aground were separated from their belongings. Most folks collected their things, but this nativity set was left behind. Allie is obsessed with the thing. Says we must find the owner. Says the babe in the manger is the hope of the world. Anyway, since she’s new and doesn’t know her way around town, she’s dragging me everywhere looking for an unknown person. It makes it a challenge to get any work done, and I’ve got this onery steamboat captain breathing down my neck about his repairs.
Jenny: I’m sorry for the extra work this is causing, but I think I’m with Allie. The owners would probably be very happy to get that nativity set back. It sounds like Allie has lots of faith, too. How important is your faith to you?
Levi: I’ve never thought it was important before. But Allie, Allie—she believes Jesus is real. When I say that, I don’t mean she believes He was real. She believes He is real. Immanuel, God with us. I want to see what she sees. I want to know Him like that.
Jenny: Allie sounds wonderful. Do you have any parting words for our readers today?
Levi: Allie is always sharing this quote from some fella named Tertullian. It goes like this, “Hope is patience with the lamp lit.” So, I’d tell readers your candle may be small but light it anyway. Because everywhere that little light pushes back the darkness, there will be pockets of hope.
Jenny: Thanks so much for stopping by, Levi. I hope you and Allie enjoy the adventure of looking for the owner of that nativity.
(An aside to my readers- I have a feeling that if Levi hangs around with Allie for a little bit longer, some of her faith may rub off. Who knows, he might even enjoy Christmas. I hope you’ll read their story to see if I’m right.)
Is anyone up for a contest? Answer this question in the comments below, and you could win a Kindle copy of the novella collection A Gift for All Time. The winner can either claim this for themselves or make it a Christmas gift to someone you love.
What is one thing about Christmas that renews your hope each year?
Here’s the link to keep up with Tonya’s writing and her adventures:
https://www.facebook.com/tonya.b.ashley.author/.
Leave a Reply