An Amish Christmas Wedding Page 29

  That started everyone talking again. Micah heard several amens and “We love you both” comments, and then he thought he heard someone say it was about time they admitted they loved each other. The dishes were being passed around with many smiles and a few tears and predictions of many years of happiness for the new couple.

  * * *

  Rachel should have felt worn-out by the meal and commotion. But strangely, she didn’t. Instead, the family’s reaction to their announcement had energized her. The clouds continued to press down, but the snow had held off. After she helped Naomi and the girls clean up the kitchen, Rachel and Micah walked out to the barn after she helped Naomi and the girls clean up after the meal.

  Penny and Samson were in adjacent stalls.

  Rachel thought they looked good together—her chestnut mare beside Micah’s coal-black gelding. They reminded her of Chloe snuggled in her mudroom at home and Nancy’s question.

  “What will we do about Chloe?”

  “She’s our dog. We’ll keep doing what you’ve been doing.”

  “Ya, but I mean your family is allergic—or some of them are.”

  Micah pulled two carrots from his pocket and handed one to her. Rachel fed hers to Samson, and he walked over to Penny and stroked the mare’s nose. She was a fine animal.

  “I think the question you’re asking is where we’ll live.”

  “Where will we live?” She turned toward him, a smile playing on her lips.

  “Wherever you want. If you’d rather stay in your house, we can.”

  “And if I want to sell it to Josiah?”

  “Tom just pulled me aside and offered to build us a dawdi haus.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her to the door of the barn, where they could see across the property. “There, to the north of the main house.”

  “Our front porch would be perfect for watching the sun rise.”

  “And the back porch would be shaded by those maples, but we’d still be able to see the sun set.”

  She turned toward him and placed the palms of both hands on his chest. “If we had a dawdi haus, Chloe could stay with us, and Nancy and Melinda could play with her.”

  “But she wouldn’t be in the main house, so the others wouldn’t suffer from their allergies.”

  Rachel turned back toward the open door, toward the view of their future. Micah stepped closer and put his arms around her, drawing her back against him.

  She let out a contented sigh, then said what had been troubling her since he’d asked her to wed. “It almost seems too wunderbaar to be true.”

  He took a moment answering. Then he kissed her cheek and asked, “Do you believe that? Do you believe Gotte doesn’t want you to have the very best?”

  “When you put it that way . . .”

  “Ya?”

  “I’ll try to stop worrying and instead appreciate the direction my life has taken. Especially all the people Gotte has seen fit to put into my life. After all, I prayed for more people in my life. I’d say it was my Christmas prayer.”

  “Sounds like a fine idea.”

  “It does, doesn’t it?”

  “You know what else sounds like a fine idea?”

  “Shoofly pie and a cup of coffee?”

  “Exactly.”

  Rachel loved the feel of her hand in Micah’s as they walked back to the house, toward the life they would share.

  Discussion Questions

  Discussion Questions for Evergreen Love

  Lorene’s Christmas family traditions include making Christmas cards, decorating, and baking. What Christmas traditions does your family have?

  Lorene was hurt five years ago when Ryan failed to build the house she expected, causing her to believe he didn’t love her enough to marry her. She broke up with him, not realizing the real problem was Ryan’s struggle with being a dairy farmer. Can you relate to Ryan’s struggle? Or can you relate to Lorene’s giving up on him? Why or why not?

  Lorene’s father tells her that God gives second chances. Do you agree? Have you ever experienced a second chance in your life?

  Which character can you identify with the most? Which character seems to carry the most emotional stake in the story? Lorene, Ryan, Emma Grace and Jon, or someone else?

  At the end of the story, Ryan and Lorene realize they’re still in love and want to marry. What do you think made them change their minds about each other?

  What role did the wedding play in the relationships throughout the story?

  Some people say Christmas has become too commercialized with too much focus on material items and not enough on preparing to celebrate the coming of Christ. What are your thoughts about this? Share them with the group.

  Discussion Questions for Holiday of Hope

  When Tommy’s aunt gets sick with cancer, he prays that God will heal her, but she still dies. Tommy loses faith. He’s mad at God. This is a tough outcome to prayer for adults to understand, let alone a child. How would you explain “unanswered” prayers to a child?

  Henry comes to recognize that God has put him in Tommy’s life to help the boy find his way back to his faith. Has God ever put people in your life who need comfort from someone who has been through similar life experiences? How did you respond?

  Henry tells Tommy that God can take any situation and use it for his good, a statement based in Scripture. But Henry also knows what it’s like to doubt God’s plan. Have you ever doubted God’s plan for you? Have there been times when later you were able to see God’s hand in the outcome of your situation?

  Henry and Leesa decide to work together to help Tommy overcome his anger and pain at losing his aunt and moving to a new community to live with a stranger. Do you think it’s a coincidence that they too are in need of healing? Leesa didn’t want to teach. Henry didn’t feel suited to be a father figure. How did each of the three benefit from their unwanted, unexpected circumstances?

  Discussion Questions for Wreathed in Joy

  Mary and her family had special Christmas Eve traditions. What Christmas traditions does your family have?

  Christmas gifts are often special surprises, but Mary’s father wanted her mother’s gift to be extra special. Have you ever surprised someone with a gift they didn’t expect but treasured? What was their reaction?

  Because Mary liked to do things for other people, she often overextended herself. Jakob’s favorite saying was “One day at a time,” and Mary tried to take that advice when she felt overwhelmed. How does that phrase help you when you feel stressed?

  Even though Mary and Jakob were friends, she had difficulty trusting him with her heart. Was there ever a time when you had difficulty trusting someone, or even trusting God? Discuss.

  Discussion Questions for A Christmas Prayer

  At the beginning of this story, Rachel thinks of the Bible verse Hebrews 13:2: “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” What do you think this verse means? How should it affect our actions?

  Rachel struggles with how to celebrate the holidays alone. What can we do for those around us who might not have family or close friends to celebrate with?

  Rachel tells Micah, “Old things are valuable . . . We don’t throw away people or animals or things simply because they’ve aged.” What can we do in today’s world to show that we value what has aged?

  After Rachel explains how she ended up alone, Micah says, “Gotte has a plan for your life, Rachel. Same as he does for every life.” What Bible verses assure us of this truth for ourselves?

  Acknowledgments

  Acknowledgments for Evergreen Love

  As always, I’m grateful for my loving family, including my mother, Lola Goebelbecker; my husband, Joe; and my sons, Zac and Matt.

  I’m also grateful for my special Amish friend who patiently answers my endless stream of questions. You’re a blessing in my life.

  Thank you to my wonderful church family at Morning Star Lutheran in Matthews, Nor
th Carolina, for your encouragement, prayers, love, and friendship. You all mean so much to my family and me.

  Thank you to Zac Weikal and the fabulous members of my Bakery Bunch! I’m so grateful for your friendship and your excitement about my books. You all are awesome!

  To my agent, Natasha Kern—I can’t thank you enough for your guidance, advice, and friendship. You are a tremendous blessing in my life.

  Thank you to my amazing editor, Jocelyn Bailey, for your friendship and guidance. I’m grateful to each and every person at HarperCollins Christian Publishing who helped make this book a reality.

  I’m also grateful to editor Jean Bloom, who helped me polish and refine the story. Jean, you are a master at connecting the dots and filling in the gaps. I’m so happy we can continue to work together!

  Thank you most of all to God—for giving me the inspiration and the words to glorify you. I’m grateful and humbled that you’ve chosen this path for me.

  Acknowledgments for Wreathed in Joy

  Thank you to my editors, Becky Monds and Jean Bloom, for their suggestions, edits, and support. A big thank you to my agent, Natasha Kern, who is always there for me.

  Acknowledgments for A Christmas Prayer

  This book is dedicated to my students—both present and past. I’ve had the pleasure of being an educator for twenty-two years in a variety of settings (public school, private universities, public colleges), and in each of those I’ve been amazed at the energy, optimism, and work ethic of my students. They inspire me in so many ways, and it’s a pleasure to teach them the fundamentals of both reading and writing.

  I’d like to thank Heather and Eric for allowing me to use their sweet Labrador, Chloe, in this story. As is always the case, I want to thank my pre-readers; Kristy and Janet have been with me for so many years that I’ve lost count. Writing and publishing a book is definitely a team effort, and I appreciate every single person who helps me in that endeavor. My family is also a constant source of encouragement; plus they bring me things like coffee and pizza to sustain me throughout the process. Thank you also to my agent, Steve Laube; my editor, Kimberly Carlton; and the staff at HarperCollins Christian Publishing.

  Christmas among the Amish is very different from what most of us experience. Minus the trappings of elaborate gift-giving and holiday travel, they have maintained the simplicity and poignancy of this special season—celebrating the birth of the Christ child. My hope is that this story will remind you, dear reader, of the same.

  And finally, “. . . always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

  Ephesians 5:20

  Glossary*

  ach: oh

  aenti: aunt

  appeditlich: delicious

  bedauerlich: sad

  bopli/boppli: baby

  boplin/bopplin: babies

  brot: bread

  bruder: brother

  bruders: brothers

  bruderskinner: nieces/nephews

  bu: boy

  buwe: boys

  daadi/daddi: grandfather

  daadihaus: small house provided for retired parents

  daddi haus/dawdi haus: grandparents’ house

  daed: father

  danki: thank you

  dat: dad, father

  dochder: daughter

  dochdern: daughters

  dummkopp: moron

  Dummle!: Hurry!

  Englischer/Englisher: non-Amish person

  eppies: cookies

  familye: family

  fraa/frau: wife

  Frehlicher Grischtdaag: Merry Christmas

  freind: friend

  freinden: friends

  froh: happy

  gegisch: silly

  geh: go

  gem gschehne/gern gschehne: you’re welcome

  Gmay: church district

  Gott/Gotte: God

  Gotte’s wille: God’s will

  grandkinner: grandchildren

  grossmutter: grandmother

  Gude mariye: Good morning

  gut: good

  Gut nacht/Gut natch/Gute nacht: Good night

  haus: house

  hund: dog

  Ich liebe dich: I love you

  in lieb: in love

  jah: yes

  kaffee/kaffi: coffee

  kapp: prayer covering or cap

  kichli: cookie

  kichlin: cookies

  kind: child

  kinner: children

  krank: ill

  kuche: cake

  kuchen: cakes

  kumm: come

  liewe: love, a term of endearment

  maed: young women, girls

  maedel: young woman

  mamm: mom

  mammi: grandmother

  mann: husband

  manns: husbands

  mei: my

  mudder: mother

  naerfich: nervous

  narrisch: crazy

  nee/nein: no

  nix: not

  onkel: uncle

  Ordnung: written and unwritten rules in an Amish district

  rumspringa: period of “running around” for Amish youth before they decide whether they want to be baptized into the Amish faith

  schee: pretty

  schmaert: smart

  schnee: snow

  schtupp: family room

  schul: school

  schweschder/schwester: sister

  schweschdere/schweschders: sisters

  seltsam: strange

  sohn/suh: son

  vorsinger: song leader

  Was iss letz?: What’s wrong?

  Wie geht’s: How do you do? or Good day!

  wunderbaar/wunderbarr: wonderful

  ya: yes

  Yankee: non-Amish person

  yer: your

  yers: yours

  yerself: yourself

  youngie: teenaged to young adult person

  *The German dialect spoken by the Amish is not a written language and varies depending on the location and origin of the settlement. These spellings are approximations. Most Amish children learn English after they start school. They also learn High German, which is used in their Sunday services.

  About the Authors

  Amy Clipston

  Photo by Dan Davis Photography

  Amy Clipston is the award-winning and bestselling author of the Kauffman Amish Bakery, Hearts of Lancaster Grand Hotel, Amish Heirloom, Amish Homestead, and Amish Marketplace series. Her novels have hit multiple bestseller lists including CBD, CBA, and ECPA. Amy holds a degree in communication from Virginia Wesleyan University and works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and five spoiled rotten cats.

  Visit her online at AmyClipston.com

  Facebook: @AmyClipstonBooks

  Twitter: @AmyClipston

  Instagram: @amy_clipston

  Kelly Irvin

  Photo by Tim Irvin

  Kelly Irvin is the bestselling author of the Amish of Big Sky Country, the Every Amish Season, and the Amish of Bee County series. Her novel Upon a Spring Breeze was the Reader’s Choice Award for long romances. The Beekeeper’s Son received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, who called it a “beautifully woven masterpiece.” The two-time Carol Award finalist is a former newspaper reporter and retired public relations professional. Kelly lives in Texas with her husband, photographer Tim Irvin. They have two children, three grandchildren, and two cats. In her spare time, she likes to read books by her favorite authors.

  Visit her online at KellyIrvin.com

  Facebook: @Kelly.Irvin.Author

  Twitter: @Kelly_S_Irvin

  Instagram: @kelly_irvin

  Kathleen Fuller

  With over a million copies sold, Kathleen Fuller is the author of several bestselling novels, including the Hearts of Middlefield novels, the Middlefield Family novels, the Amish of Birch Creek series, and the Amish Letters series as well as a middle-
grade Amish series, the Mysteries of Middlefield.

  Visit her online at KathleenFuller.com

  Facebook: @WriterKathleenFuller

  Twitter: @TheKatJam

  Instagram: @kf_booksandhooks

  Vannetta Chapman

  Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She is the author of thirty-two novels, including the Pebble Creek Amish series, the Shipshewana Amish Mystery series, and Anna’s Healing, a 2016 Christy Award finalist. Vannetta is a Carol Award winner and has also received more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She was a teacher for fifteen years and currently resides in the Texas hill country.

  Visit her online at VannettaChapman.com

  Facebook: @VannettaChapmanBooks

  Twitter: @VannettaChapman

  Copyright

  ZONDERVAN

  An Amish Christmas Wedding

  Evergreen Love copyright © 2020 by Amy Clipston

  Holiday of Hope copyright © 2020 by Kelly Irvin

  Wreathed in Love copyright © 2020 by Kathleen Fuller

  A Christmas Prayer copyright © 2020 by Vannetta Chapman

  Requests for information should be addressed to:

  Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Names: Clipston, Amy. Evergreen love. | Irvin, Kelly. Holiday of hope. | Fuller, Kathleen. Wreathed in love. | Chapman, Vannetta. Christmas prayer.

  Title: An Amish Christmas wedding : four stories / Amy Clipston, Kelly Irvin, Kathleen Fuller, Vannetta Chapman.

  Description: Grand Rapids, Michigan : Zondervan, [2020] | Summary: "From bestselling authors of Amish fiction come four delightful stories perfect for celebrating love, joy, and the everyday miracles Christmas brings"-- Provided by publisher.