Abram's Daughters 05 The Revelation (34 page)

As is our custom, I quit working for Dr. Schwartz and his wife I'vcral weeks before I got married, and it is Lydiann who now earns i l)it of pin money by checking on the house when the Schwartzes ire overseas helping with their church-related mission projects. Especially because of the change in the doctor's heart, I was relieved to hear from Lorraine that Peter Mast vowed never to press charges i^ainst him for what he did so long ago, which was awful good of IVter to go and say, seeing how Dr. Schwartz lived in fear of that very thing.

A few weeks following Jonas's and my wedding, Eli and Sadie were married. About a hundred family members were on hand for

294'.';

the half-day affair, and Sadie was the prettiest bride I've ever seen, Now she's the happy mother of blue-eyed, fair-haired Leah my sweet little namesake. Goodness knows Sadie has longed for ilii* baby! To think I'll be hearing my own name for many years to come when they visit or on Sunday-go-to-meeting days.

Jake still lives in Grasshopper Level, working at home, having taken over many of the duties of the orchard and farm from Peter. He happily takes Mandie to singings, as brothers do. And he's seeing a serious "sweetheart," too, I hear. Sadie says he spends much of hi* leisure time visiting her and Eli, often playing blocks with his wee half sister, who reportedly has learned to stick out her tiny tongue on command when he is near.

A few months ago Hannah surprised Gid with his firstborn son named Gideon, of course. So tiny Ada has a close-in-age play mate, and their big sisters keep out a watchful eye, acting as live-in baby-sitters, Hannah says. Thankfully my sister is more settled than she's been in years, regularly enjoying quilting bees and other work frolics, even though she has more children than ever before.

Mary Ruth is expecting her second baby late spring of next year, \ and she and Robert are as busy as ever in the work of their church, , When she and Hannah and their families get together, it's most enjoyable for all of us to watch their children frolic, Ruthie and Ada in particular playing much as the twins themselves once did.

As for dear Lydiann, she has decided to follow in Mary Ruth's footsteps and join the Mennonite church, and I gather from her recent confidences in me that she plans to become Mrs. Carl Nolt not long after her church baptism. There is that certain bounce to her step, giving us all cause to smile even Dat, I daresay.

Well, it's nearly time for Jonas to come home for the noon meal, and I look forward to his company. What with cooing twin boys 10 make over, I sometimes forget how to talk like a grown-up.

Jonas is as gentle a father as ever was with our little ones. Having two babies instead of one was quite a big surprise, but Jonas believes it's the Lord's way of making up for lost time. That just may be, aiul I'd have to say tiny Abraham and Peter are the joy of our lives. They look ever so much like both Jonas and me, our families say, but truly

-,,'' ' ': ' : '. : ' 294 ' ' 7' : ' ' ' ' 295The Revelation

^Hjlik both boys bear a strong likeness to Jonas and his father. I had ^Bltlficul, even worried a bit while carrying them close to my heart, ^W 1**1 led if either of them bore a resemblance to Dr. Schwartz, ^H it* |ukc has always looked so much like Derek as if the secret ^H ildrnnined to be known, stamped as it is upon his face but ^Bl Irc((ing was needless in the end.

^HAihI (hen there is our Abe, who unnerves all of us when he says ^H "livin' in his rumschpringe," and this with a mischievous grin. ^Hiicscm he is thrilled to have two boys in the Ebersol Cottage, and ^Hn lie iind Jonas like to get right down close and jabber in Dutch ^H)ln babies.

^H An lot' me, I like to whisper to my sons while holding them near,

JH ill c.uh arm. Always I begin with that day of days Second

'lUtin.is on Grasshopper Level when I first caught the blue-eyed

t of (he dearest boy ever. "I'm talking 'bout your father," I say,

'ling down and kissing each downy head.

|nst today Dat came into the kitchen while I was relating to my

I Nil ties how I'd fallen for Jonas back before I was old enough to know brller. "Well," he said right out, "just listen to you go on so." He was milling to beat the band, and when I waited to hear what was on his 'mini, he said, "I can only hope I live long enough to tell these

ing'iiiis how wonderful-gut it is that their mamma ended up tried to their Dat."

"Oh, now . . . for goodness' sakes," I said.

"No . . . no, 'tis* quite a love story." His gray head bobbed up in.I down, as if to emphasize the words.

1 couldn't help but thank God anew for the enduring love uiiids, divine and otherwise, that brought Jonas and me together, ii. i iids that bind us together even now.

Dat stood near where I sat in the rocking chair, gazing down at

I1 ir matching bundles in my arms. "Bless the Lord and Father of us ill," he said, a catch in his voice.

"You're not becomin' weechhatzich, are ya?" I looked up at him.

"Softhearted?" To this he waved casually. "Well, ain't such a ter-

111>lc thing, I don't think."

I rose from the rocker with his help and went and tucked my balucs into the double-wide wooden cradle crafted by their father.

':.. '. . 295 :; "'' ..';,/'' ' " : ,296Beverly Lewis

Then I followed Dat into the front room, walking past the spm where Jonas and I had stood and promised to love each other all i In days of our lives.

Dat bade farewell as he walked through the doorway connectiup, the Dawdi Haus to this one, and I stood at the window and staivil out at the multicolored patchwork squares of fertile fields stretch i i } , out in all directions. After a while I turned and walked the length >l the room, recalling the several times Jonas and I had hosted Preach ing service here as husband and wife, thankful for the way Jon;r. heart was turned toward the Lord and His Word.

The familiar creak of the kitchen door signaled my darling's ;n rival, and I hurried to greet him, always eager for his strong embnu i and fervent kisses.

"How's my perty wife?" he asked, holding me ever so tight.

"Busy as a honeybee, I s'pose."

"Must be why you're so sweet."

I laughed softly, not wanting to wake the babies. That brought another smile to his handsome face . . . and a kiss for me. Then, hand in hand, we tiptoed over to the wide cradle to gaze at our most precious gifts, ever grateful to God. j

297/ / y

My first debt of gratitude is to my husband, Dave, for mak-: i|i it possible for me to skip meals and work late in order to create a i|!*i style series like this from idea to publication. There would be M Ahuam's Daughters without the encouragement, love, and con(iiii support of our family, as well. Thanks to Julie for reading the ii! draft with such enthusiasm ... and for making all those litMliliy snacks. I also always appreciate Janie's and Jonathan's . ,ii iicsi prayers. And my gratefulness goes to my son-in-law, Kenny, I hi hi.s research assistance.

I'll is final bodk could never have come together in the amazing wjy il did without the fine attention to detail from my editors: Carol loliuson, Rochelle Gloege, and David Horton. I also wish to thank lulic Klassen and Cheri Hansen for their editorial input; Jerad Mil|j,rlm (or his military research assistance; Fay Landis, Priscilla Stoltz-

11ik, and Hank Hershberger for their answers to Amish-related i|Ucsl'ions; and Carol Johnson for her description of the cafe in Floinice, Italy.

My heartfelt appreciation goes to Monk and Marijane Troyer lor their contribution of the "flying horsehair escapade," and for prmiitting me to include it. To the anonymous Lancaster County irisciirch assistants who wish to remain so, I offer my ongoing debt t il gratitude and love.

" '': 297 "'.. ; , ''-. ". ; ' .. .:' ; '298 For readers interested in making the Amish roast referred to i 11 this book, the recipe is found on page 82 of The Beverly Lewis Amhh Heritage Cookbook.

As always, I offer earnest thanks to my loyal readers for tinthoughtful e-mail (and snail mail) notes and comments so encoui aging to me. To my faithful partners in prayer, may the Lord Jesus bless each one.

"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and lonj* and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love thni surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:17b 19, niv

299

Picture Books

Annika 's Secret Wish Cows in the House Just Like Mama

The Cul-de-sac Kids

(For ages 7 to 10)

/ //c Double Dabble Surprise Tarantula Toes

The Chicken Pox Panic Green Gravy

11 if (!tu:,:y Christmas Angel Mystery Backyard Band,

No Grown-ups Allowed Tree House Tro

Frog Power The Creepy Slet

I 'he Mystery of Case D. Luc The Great TV'.

I 'he Stinky Sneakers Mystery Piggy Party

Pickle Pizza The Granny Ga

Mailbox Mania Mystery Mutt

The Mudhole Mystery Big Bad Beans

Fiddlesticks The Upside-Do\

The Crabby Cat Caper The Midnight i

Green Gravy Backyard Bandit Mystery Tree House Trouble The Creepy Sleep-Over The Great TV Turn-Off Piggy Party The Granny Game Mystery Mutt

The Upside-Down Day The Midnight Mystery

Girls Only (GO!)

(For ages 8 to 13) Dreams on Ice The Midnight Mystery

Only the Best Better Than Best A Perfect Match Photo Perfect Reach for the Stars Star Status

SummerHill Secrets

(For ages 11 to 14)

Whispers Down the Lane House of Secrets Sefret in the Willows, Echoes in the Wind Catch a Falling Star Hide Behind the Moon Night of the Fireflies Windows on the Hill A Cry in the Dark Shadows Beyond the Ga

Echoes in the Wind Hide Behind the Moon Windows on the Hill Shadows Beyond the Gate

Holly's Heart

(For ages 11 to 14)

Best Friend, Worst Enemy Straight-A Teacher Secret Summer Dreams No Guys Pact

Sealed With a Kiss Little White Lies The Trouble With Weddings Freshman Frenzy

California Crazy Mystery Letters Second-Best Friend Eight Is Enough Good-Bye, Dressel Hills It's a Girl Thing www.BeverlyLewis.com