Guest Author, Erma M. Ullrey

 

Erma is a sweet friend and critique partner. I found this story powerful and eye-opening.

 

BEFORE LETTERS WITH LOVE
By
Erma M. Ullrey

 

Have you ever met someone whose impact so greatly affected your life that it continues on today?

When Lila Concord first came to life in my imagination, her love for the Lord and her wisdom inspired me. From the moment she uttered her first words, I knew she’d change me. How, exactly, I didn’t know. After all, she began as a minor character in my rom-com, Journaled With Love. But she hinted at something larger, igniting her scenes with her undeniable presence. Lila had heart and grit and a stick-to-it strength that commanded a story beyond her sub-character role.

As a writer, you pray and hope your character(s) will share their stories with you. …thankfully, Lila opened up like a beautiful, fragrant flower.

She and I talked throughout the dreary Winter of 2025. By the Spring of 2026, I understood the passion and pain that pumped through Lila James Lane Concord’s veins enough to flood the pages of Letters With Love.

While Lila joyously remained conversant, she put me to work, demanding I do my research. I learned, for example, that 1940s car radiators forbade distance driving. Painted gray, the retired Queen Mary safely crossed the Atlantic 1001 times during WWII, transporting people and soldiers back and forth between N.Y. and England. Mixed race couples could legally marry only in a handful of states in the early 1940s. Black pilots were used as decoys for fighter planes piloted by whites. Inhumane experiments were performed on base in Tuskegee, Alabama.

On a happier note, Mrs. Spinnler* became the catalyst for good in Lila’s life, encouraging her to learn Latin, which opened the door for her WWII codebreaker position. These behind-the-scenes heroes translated intercepted messages, giving the Allies an incredible edge over the Third Reich.

Much like her parents, Lila’s life didn’t begin as one of ease. But even when she didn’t see it, she trusted the Lord, choosing to walk beside Him come what may. As a young Negro woman, she experienced merciless prejudice, moments of joy, heartbreaking disappointments, and victorious miracles. Her darkest nights eventually yielded to brightest, golden days.

As only the Lord can, He placed other inspirational people in Lila’s life. Her best friend Dotty revealed the heart of a true friend. Joseph Lane believed love was colorless and proved that in undeniable ways. Anna Lane and Thurston Bunkard III taught Lila to fight for herself. The risks Bessie Smith and Dannetta Applegate took pushed Lila to find God’s purpose for her life. Duncan healed her heart with the love God meant for her to enjoy.

I’m not sure what more the Lord will say through Lila to me, but I know the adventure He began hasn’t come to an end. He reminded me of that through His word in Philippians 1:6: “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (NKJV)

Lila, you, and me … we’ve still got more races to run. And thanks to people the Lord brings into our lives, we’ll find His purpose.

By the way, Mrs. Spinnler taught eighth grade history at Memorial School, West Paterson, N.J. From 1926 to 1970, she took the stage daily, delivering unforgettable scenes from the Civil War. But it was what she did beyond the classroom—giving up her lunch hour to help struggling students—that brought her and Lila together in this WWII historical romance.

 

Letters With Love
Available on Amazon June 25, 2026.

Website:    https://onceuponaromance.substack.com

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A Great Summer Meal From Kathy's Kitchen Rerun

I’ve been checking out some summer and salad recipes, and these sound great. I’m planning to have this potato salad soon.

From July, 2024

This delicious potato salad recipe has been tested and approved in Kathy’s kitchen. And the sloppy joes—or juicy burgers as I learned to call them growing up—sound like a winner to me.

 

From my friend, author Mary Lou Cheatham

 

Sloppy Joes

 

2 pounds lean beef such as ground round

1/3 cup finely chopped green bell pepper

1/2 cup finely chopped onion 

1 15 ounce can tomato sauce

1 package (dry powder) sloppy joe mix (store brand?)

1/3 cup barbecue sauce

1/4 cup Louisiana hot sauce

1/2 cup salsa

1/2 to 1 teaspoon barbecue seasoning (I used McCormick's Grill Masters.)

Brown the meat, pepper, and onion. Drain the grease. Add the other ingredients and let it simmer.

 

Serve on hamburger buns. Toast them if you like.

 

From my friend Nina:

 

I heard of a recipe that I want to try- a former Amish woman suggested it on her blog.  Ranch potato salad.  A few pounds of baked potatoes, peeled, cooled and diced. A cup of chopped celery.  A half cup of cooked and crumbled bacon.  And enough ranch dressing to make the salad moist but not gloppy. It doesn’t sound healthy but it does sound good! 

Daily Gifts

I’ve spoken before about dealing with mental health issues, depression and anxiety. Many years ago, I was not able to function because of these. But thanks to my husband’s insistence I receive help, and because of the miracles God gives through medication, I was able to come out of that pit.

 

I still have trouble with mental health problems, sometimes more than others. But I wish I could more fully describe the difference from where I was before.

 

Many mornings I wake up feeling down, maybe from disturbing dreams, maybe just from happenings in our lives and in the world. But one gift I received long ago from my church in college was the suggestion to start every day with Bible reading and prayer. That has stuck with me for over forty years, and what a gift it is.

 

Most days, after I’ve spent time with Scripture and prayer, I am lifted up. Recently, I’ve been reading in Psalms, and I run across verses that I have learned through song. Some days, God’s Spirit reminds me of other praise songs. These are simple daily gifts that I will always be grateful for.

 

I’m not claiming that some days aren’t worse than others, but I do praise God for the gifts he’s given me, that he daily gives me, to bring me to health.

 

Psalms 40:1-2:

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.

 

John 14: 25-26:

 “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 

Psalm 32: A Shower of Hope

Of David. A maskil.

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven,

    whose sins are covered.

Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them

    and in whose spirit is no deceit.

When I kept silent, my bones wasted away

    through my groaning all day long.

For day and night your hand was heavy on me;

my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.”

And you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found;

surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.

You are my hiding place;

    you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

    I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding

but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.

Many are the woes of the wicked,

but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.

Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous;

    sing, all you who are upright in heart!

 

Father, what a gift of hope this Psalm has always been to me. Your desire is to forgive and counsel us. To bring us to joy.