I Know My Father's Voice

I

Father’s V y M oic ow n e K

Florida Peppermint goes to the Market

Regina Cloman-Moore

Living Water Books The Christian Division of Butterfly Typeface Typ peface Publishing House, Little Rock, Arkansass 72201 7220 01 Visit Visit us at Livingwaterbooks.org

Florida Peppermint Copyright © 2022 Regina Moore Illustrations: Digital Art Studio Book Design and Layout : Living Water Books Publishing LLC ISBN:978-1-7373292-8-2 All rights reserved Thank you for buying an authorized edition of this book and for complying with with copyright laws by not reproducing, scanning, or distributing any part of it in any form without permission. You are supporting authors .

Print Book Edition 2022 Library Library Of Of Congress - Cataloging in publication

This book is dedicated to the Father’s children who hear and know His voice.

“If we teach our children to know the voice of God, they will more than likely ignore the voice of strangers.

Train up a child...”

Author Regina Cloman

“Florida, Florida,” whispered dad as he quietly enters her room. “Florida, wake up, it’s market day and we will be leaving in one hour, so come on Missy, rise and shine.”

Florida slowly opened her eyes when she heard her dad’s voice and then she remembered.

“It’s Market Day! It’s Market Day,” yelled Florida. She jumped out of bed swirling around in a circle singing, “To the market we will go!”

Florida dressed herself in a hurry, grabbed Mr. Hinkel and hurried downstairs.

Georgia and Virginia would be helping mom today and David was on a college tour which meant Florida would be going to the market with dad all by herself.

She loved these special times with him because he always made her feel very special.

Florida sat at the table with mom as mom gave here instructions. “Florida,” said mom, “Remember to stay close to your dad and don’t wander off. Going to market can be lots of fun but I don’t want you getting lost in the big city.” “I won’t Mom, I will hold my daddy’s hand and I will not let go.”

“Good girl Florida, now finish your breakfast and I will make you and dad a snack. The drive to the city will take two hours and the two of you will need goodies in between stops.” “Thanks Mom! Dad and I love goodies.”

“Florida.” “I hear my dad. My dad is calling.” “Come along Florida, it’s time to go to market.” “Hooray,” said Florida. She grabbed Mr. Hinkel and headed for the door.

The ride to the market was lots of fun. Florida and dad told knock, knock jokes; they shared stories with one another and they sang their favorite songs.

Soon they were in the city driving to Market Street. “Florida, remember to stay close to me and hold my hand.” “I will dad,” said Florida.

Market Day was a special time for those who grow and sell fruits and vegetables and for those like Mr. Peppermint who purchases them to sell in his hometown.

Farmers from all over the state of California gather for this special weekend.

Not only do the fruits and vegetables look great, they smell wonderful too. Mr. and Mrs. Smith’s juicy oranges, Mr. Stewart’s ripe peaches and nectarines and the Douglas sisters’ walnuts, almonds and pistachios were all displayed with perfection.

Florida stayed close to dad as he purchased produce for Peppermint’s Delivery Service. The people in their hometown depend on them and others like them for their fresh fruits and vegetables.

As Dad approaches the Pierce Family’s stand to select spinach and avocados, Florida saw her friend Londyn from school. Londyn came to the market with her mom and two sisters, Kristyn and Grace. The children love the excitement of everyone buying and selling. They love tasting too. “I have an orange,” said Florida. “We have nuts and raisins,” the girls replied, “and they are delicious.”

Suddenly, someone was running and yelling through the crowd of people. Joey and Ivan Pierce were chasing their dog, Comet, who had escaped from the back of their parent’s truck and was headed straight for the Pierces’ stand. Market was no place for a dog but of course, Comet didn’t know that.

He was happy to finally be free. Officer Jim tried to stop Comet before any damage was done but it was too late. Comet had already jumped onto the Pierces’ stand and it started to fall.

People started running and Florida was forced to let go of her Dad’s hand.

“Florida, stand back,” said dad as he quickly assisted the other men. Officer Jim quickly gathers the girls and leads them to safety across the street.

“Dad, dad,” called Florida, “Where’s my dad?” She was afraid and started to cry.

“Don’t worry Florida,” said Officer Jim. “Your dad will come for you. Stand here and quietly listen for his voice, he will find you.”

Florida closed her eyes and listened. There were so many voices and sounds but not one of them was Florida’s dad. She was still a little scared when all of a sudden, she hears a voice.

“Sandy,” a father is calling for his daughter. “Is everyone ok?” asked Officer Jim. Florida listened and realized that was not her dad’s voice.

She continued to listen to all the voices all around her and heard. “Quiet Comet,” the Pierce children were trying to keep Comet still. That wasn’t her dad’s voice.

Florida started getting more scared as she opened her eyes to see Officer Jim approach a child that was crying while his mom wipes his face. Officer Jim assured the child by saying, “Everything thing will be alright, don’t worry.”

As Florida continues to listen to the voices all around her, she finally hears a voice…a very familiar voice. Florida! Florida, where are you? “That’s my Dad,” said Florida! “I know my daddy’s voice.”

She turned around to see her Dad running across the street with open arms.

“Daddy, you found me! I heard your voice and I knew it was you.” Dad smiles and hugs Florida saying, “That’s great Florida, I will always find you. Always listen for my voice and I will come for you.

Dad smiles and hugs Florida saying, “That’s great Florida, I will always find you.

Always listen for my voice and I will come for you. Now let’s get our things and go home. We’ve had enough excitement for one day.”