Finding hope and keeping faith in times of crisis are two themes prominent in The Final Journey series, a trilogy written by Dr. Larry D. Horton.
The story follows a Christian survivalist couple as they leave their home in Houston, Texas, and travel all the way to the Allegheny National Forest, just to the west of Ridgway, Pa.
The trilogy is written as diary entries, and follows the couple’s year-long survival journey.
Written by Horton, who along with being an author, has a PhD, is a pastor, missionary, Old Testament professor, historian, executive and cross-cultural scholar.
“The books illustrate very clearly that survival skills, knowledge and capabilities alone are not a
guarantee of successful survival,” said Horton. “One needs hope, a reason to live, a reason to face the stresses and challenges that might be presented. Within the three books it is quite clear that the two main characters put their hope in their Christian faith.”
He said he chose the Allegheny National Forest due to the fact that the area experiences harsh winter, heavy snowfalls and has few roads or paths through it. Horton, who is a native of Brookville, says the area sits directly on the I-80 corridor, a main route for any violent weather. Thus, the couple ends up finding some protection from said dangers, in the deep forest, just west of Ridgway.
When asked why a story of survival was so important to him to write, he stated it was because he wanted to show the importance of the relationship between one’s spiritual life and faith, along with their professional life.
“When you blend the two together, something very surprising and simple becomes clear,” Horton said. “The fundamental things that are necessary to find success, to survive in the professional world, and to know one’s eternal future is set, turn out to be the same things. Common sense, discipline, courage, basic life skills, adaptability, all core life, professional and spiritual capabilities and skills, turn out to be the keys.”
There are four words that are important to the story; evaluate, escape, evade and endure. Horton used these words because he wanted them to be the underlying words that help guide the characters’ decision making along their journey.
“You ask why these four words, the “4 E’s,” are important to me. I believe, when combined with
my Christian faith, that these words describe how I have tried to live my life,” he stated.
Horton himself has also had to brave the elements and face other survival situations.
While living in Taiwan, he had to face multiple typhoons, as well as facing multiple hurricanes in 15 years. Along with this, there was a political change while he was in Taiwan, and that resulted in him and his family having to prepare to escape from any potential dangers, threats and physical harm.
Along with being an author, Horton has a diverse professional background, and when asked what advice he would give on how to balance work and family, he gave a simple, yet strong response.
He said, “Simply put, family is always first.”
Horton believes that meaningful work provides the means to be able to support his number one priority, his family. Part of this meaningful work, his writing, is something that he loves to do.
He stated, “I enjoy the discipline and actual putting words on paper, or in this case on my laptop. I always have.”
Although the next book, “The Final Journey: Part Three: A Diary of a Journey Finished,” will be the last of the trilogy, Horton plans to continue writing. He is working on his next fictional series titled, “Journey to the Mountain Top,” followed by “A Road to Rome.”
“A Diary of a Journey Finished,” will be out in March of 2018.
Horton stated, “I want to leave a legacy for my children, grandchildren and those that follow them. If only one person makes the effort to prepare and then undertake their and their family’s survival, then writing The Final Journey trilogy has been worthwhile.”
Horton and his wife, Jude, live in Katy, Texas, and have three children, five grandchildren and two dogs.
