Grantville Gazette, Volume 64

by Bjorn Hasseler

  A memory: Our first down-time Christmas. And then the second one when all of Grantville tried to get together. And last year in Erfurt.

  A verse: Ephesians 3:20-21 "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."

  Love you, Sugar.

  Reed

  ****

  Our House, Grantville

  Wednesday, December 26, 1635

  Dear Reed,

  The Sanitary Commission lifted the quarantine before Christmas. VOA and the newspapers say there haven't been any new cases of measles in over a week. There's still influenza going around, so we'll keep being careful. But your parents were able to come over on Christmas. It was nice. I told the kids we'll do presents on Three Kings, the same day that the wise men brought presents to baby Jesus. They're rolling with it.

  I wasn't quite ready to take the kids out in public yet. I'm probably just being overcautious. We have gone out and played in the snow a couple times. So we didn't go to church on the 23rd. Deacon Underwood announced that the deacons had voted no confidence in Pastor Green on the 17th and that there will be a congregational vote on January 6. Word spread pretty quickly. I don't know how it's going to go, Reed. It wasn't our church, so in some ways we're just as much outsiders as any down-timer. But in other ways, it shouldn't matter.

  I think Lydia is going to be ready to go back to school. Thomas and Mark need to spend some time around other kids—once we're sure the measles outbreak is over. Mary is crawling around and cautiously standing up.

  A memory—The two of us wanting summer vacation to be over once we figured out we saw each other a lot more during the school year.

  A verse—Numbers 6:24-26 "The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace."

  I love you, Reed. ♥

  Kathy Sue

  ****

  České Budějovice, Bohemia

  Thursday, December 27, 1635

  Dear Kathy Sue,

  I'm so sorry Nora Craft died. If you see Norris and Alysa, please tell them how sorry I am. Nobody should have to deal with that but so many parents have had to.

  The radiomen have been keeping us up to date. I know the doctors are getting the measles under control. And I know you're being careful. And I know it's been a sad Christmas. I hope you're all well.

  We're doing ok here. Mostly we're bored. We had a nice Christmas, but I'd rather be home with you and the kids. There's no real reason for us to be here.

  Thank you for sending Luke 1-2. It'll help keep me focused.

  A verse: Rev 21:4 "and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."

  A memory: Coming home from work and seeing you and the kids.

  Love you, Sugar.

  Reed

  ****

  Our House, Grantville

  Thursday, January 10, 1636

  Dear Reed,

  Banér opened fire on Dresden. The Crown Loyalists really are going to try to suppress us, aren't they? Or so they think. Did you see this Charter of Rights and Duties they issued? They really think they can go back to how things were before the Ring of Fire? They say they're moving the capital to Berlin. I don't think they understand that we're not going to have that kind of Germany this time.

  And then Bavaria attacked Ingolstadt. VOA said that Tom Simpson sent a radio message, but they haven't heard anything since. The National Guard already marched out. It's been on the radio, so it's safe to write.

  Our block captain came by and told us to make sure we had winter clothing ready. So I had a winter go-bag ready for the kids when they called a defense drill on Tuesday. The girls and I grabbed the kids and got to our positions. Grantville's ready. Reed, I didn't have any nightmares that night or last night. Maybe later. Right now, I think I'm too mad. Your mom says she needs some grandma time with the kids. I was going to work on the next Bible study, but I'd better get in some range time instead.

  On the 6th, First Baptist voted out Pastor Green. Great example on Three Kings, huh? The Greens are going to move up to Old Joe Jenkins' place on the mountain and open a Bible school. Joe left town a while ago. I don't know where he went. We hear stories sometimes. I'm pretty sure some other folks are leaving with the Greens.

  I can't see going back to First Baptist. You're in Bohemia, Dad's in Erfurt. I guess I'll tell the ladies they can come by on Sunday morning if they want to, and we'll have church. Or they can go to church somewhere else and come here for Bible study. Whatever works for them. I'll have to see if we can get a pastor to preach sometimes.

  The measles outbreak is definitely over. The schools are open again. Lydia was so glad to see her friends again. Mary took her first steps. Now that she's got it figured out, it looks like she's stuck on full speed ahead. Mark's pretty happy she's walking. I think in his mind it promoted her from "baby" to "playmate". Thomas is really energetic, as in wearing Mommy out. I think it'd be good for him to play with somebody his own age so I'll try to figure something out. We had a good time on Three Kings.

  A memory—Our dads and grandpas talking about being in the military. And our moms and grandmas telling us what it was like at home.

  A verse—1 Corinthians 7:23 "You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men." The song that Marla Linder sang reminded me of this verse. I had to hunt around in a concordance to find it while the kids were at story hour.

  I love you, Reed. ♥

  Kathy Sue

  ****

  České Budějovice, Bohemia

  Saturday, January 12, 1636

  Dear Kathy Sue,

  I can't tell you how relieved I am to hear that the outbreak is over. I hope all of you had a fun Three Kings.

  One crisis down, three to go. What is First Baptist thinking? How did the vote go? Kathy, you've got a lot on your plate, but can your women's study take in anybody who doesn't have a church anymore?

  The other two are Oxenstierna and Maximilian. We got word that Oxenstierna has arrested Prime Minister Wettin. I have no idea what's going on. But this could get very bad, Kathy. And Maximilian attacking Ingolstadt? It's insane. I mean that. The guys call him Mad Max. Please talk to my dad. Have a plan ready, just in case. We're doing our thing.

  I can't wait to see you and the kids again. I'm so glad they're doing well.

  A memory: Mike's speech right after the Ring of Fire. We might be back there.

  A verse: Psalm 23, especially verse 4 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

  Love you, Sugar.

  Reed

  ****

  Our House, Grantville

  Friday, January 18, 1636

  Dear Reed,

  Thank you.

  I went over to see the Krafts. Alysa and I had a good cry. They're hurting.

  I told Lydia and Thomas. Sometimes I don't think they really understand but then Thomas asked if Nora would grow up in heaven or if she'd always be four. I told him I didn't know but that Jesus would have a really long time to teach everyone lots of things so maybe we'll all seem more grown-up than we look. He seemed okay with that. I hope I'm at least somewhat close to correct.

  You probably hear all this before I do. The Bavarians are in the Oberpfalz, Banér is still besieging Dresden, and a bunch of nobles who got thrown out of Mecklenburg during Krystalnacht tried to take it back. They lost.

  VOA is saying it's no accident that the USE Army just happened to be out of the country when this all happened. It's also saying that some Crown Loyalists are honorable and trying to stay out of it—like Landgravine Amalie of Hesse and your General Brunswick.

 
; Alicia Rice has agreed to teach Sunday school if we have church. Plus, Marta Engelsberg said that there are a whole bunch of Anabaptist pastors and elders who don't get to preach as often as they'd like. So we're going to start Sunday services this week. Of course having an Anabaptist preacher is a problem. So I told the ladies that we'd go in alphabetical order: Anabaptist, Arminian, Calvinist, Lutheran, Roman Catholic for the next five weeks. They've all got assistant pastors who think they don't get to preach often enough, too. Half of them objected to our arrangements, but that just narrowed down who to pick.

  Alicia says A & A Day Care is really good, and she wants to work there. What do you think of having Thomas there one day a week to get him used to playing with other four-year-olds before kindergarten next year?

  Mary is walking and sort of talking—mostly "mamamama." We'll work on "dadadada." Mark is getting into everything. Lydia has settled back into a routine at school.

  I don't suppose they'll let you guys come home soon? I miss you.

  A memory—The Fourth of July, 1631. I think that's when a lot of us realized that not only we were still going to be us, but it was going to work, too.

  A verse— Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." I know I sent you this verse in my first letter in June. It's still appropriate.

  I love you, Reed. ♥

  Kathy Sue

  ****

  Our House, Grantville

  Monday, February 4, 1636

  Dear Reed,

  Yeah, we had a good time on Three Kings. Thomas wanted to put out gold, frankincense, and myrrh for Jesus. We've still got some work to do.

  I got your letter on Saturday but waited to write back so I could tell you how this Sunday went. It was our third service, so it was Calvinist Sunday. We had nine ladies and twenty or so kids. That's about average, although it's different people each week. Next is Lutheran week, and then Roman Catholic week. And at that point we'll have to decide if we've got one mini-church or if people might as well go to five different churches.

  The vote at First Baptist was actually pretty close, but they voted Pastor Green out. Some people left with the Greens, some more since then. I just heard that the Chengs have had a house church for a few months, so I sent them a letter telling them a little about us, asking for advice, and trying to make sure we don't accidentally step on their toes.

  I think you and I should coordinate, too. I know it could be dangerous to send lists of who is attending, especially since people think Oxenstierna will try to take away freedom of religion. But I also know that a couple of the ladies have husbands in Third Division who've come to your services at least once. I even thought about coded messages but I don't know anything about super secret spy stuff. I'm trying to remember missionary stories from up-time, how they dealt with this.

  Yes, the papers call them the Ox and Mad Max. I don't know how much you can say, but I can't figure out why Third Division isn't attacking the Bavarians. I mean, nobody thinks the Austrians can take Wallenstein, do they? I talked to your dad. We're set. Can't write anything down, but you know your dad.

  It is really cold out today. I hope you guys are staying warm. As soon as it warms up a bit—like gets back to zero—I'm going to take the kids over to the middle school so we can run around in the gym. They need to run off some sap, and I need to do something, even if it is just running in circles inside.

  A memory—Going to the movies up-time. You know that kind of movie where the bad guys finally just push the hero too far? I think the Grantville television station has been playing all of them. There's no way that's a coincidence.

  A verse—Acts 11:20-21 "But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord." I heard that's what Okey Rush preached on yesterday at First Baptist.

  I love you, Reed. ♥

  Kathy Sue

  ****

  Bohemia

  Friday, February 8, 1636

  Dear Kathy Sue,

  I'm glad things are better in Grantville. Be safe. We just got word of two things. Yesterday, Banér tried to storm Dresden and got his butt kicked. And then earlier today, Princess Kristina and Prince Ulrik flew into Magdeburg. Which means Oxenstierna isn't as in charge as he thinks he is. We need to keep praying about this.

  The church is doing well here. Well, some of Wallenstein's men think we're pretty sketchy, but we're getting along great with the Unitas Fratrum. We're learning a lot from each other, but I wish I could answer their questions. Half the time all I can say is, "I don't know."

  A memory: I've been telling them about up-time missionaries. They're fascinated. And sometimes they already know up-time stuff. It's weird how that knowledge gets around. I told them about the time that pastor spoke at your church, way back when we were in high school, and had a translator. Remember how he had to be so careful?

  A verse: Matthew 28:18-20 "And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

  Love you, Sugar.

  Reed

  ****

  Our House, Grantville

  Thursday, February 28, 1636

  Dear Reed,

  I was wondering what was going on with our letters. Now I know. Please tell me you're okay. VOA reported the Battle of Ostra yesterday. Mike really attacked in a snowstorm? I'm sure you'll hear it before you get this, but Captain-General Gars is awake—alert—I'm not sure of the right word, but he's back, and Oxenstierna's dead. You guys did it! Thank you! Grantville's going crazy.

  I just got your February 8 letter. I get what you were saying. And now why. I've got some questions for you that I don't think I'll be writing down.

  It's over, right? Thomas is very proud of Daddy. Lydia's worried so we prayed for you tonight. Me, too.

  Hoping to hear from you soon. But I know—you're doing your thing. Get 'em organized and supplied.

  I love you, Reed. ♥

  Kathy Sue

  ****

  Dresden, Saxony, USE

  Sunday, March 2, 1636

  Dear Kathy Sue,

  I'm positive you've heard. Third Division defeated Banér at Ostra, just outside Dresden. Mike left our unit at Děčín, and we had to move up fast. This is the first time I've sat down since we got here.

  Another huge answer to prayer: The Captain-General's better. I'm sure Princess Kristina is overjoyed to have him back. So are we.

  Banér's army is gone. Casualties are heavy on both sides. A lot of the survivors are joining us. We're trying to get them straightened out. It's pretty bad.

  I got your January 18 letter, but couldn't answer. Your analysis was right on.

  Uh-oh. They're calling us back in to resupply somebody.

  A memory: You know how it feels coming home from camp? Can't wait to see you and the kids.

  A verse: Acts 22:28 "The commander answered, 'With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.' And Paul said, 'But I was born a citizen.' " Preached on that this morning. To Banér's men. Well, used to be Banér's men.

  Love you, Sugar.

  Reed

  ****

  Grantville

  Tuesday, March 18, 1636

  "Lydia, please help Rosina clear the table," Kathy called as she plunged another glass underwater.

  "But Mom, I want to play, too." A crash told Kathy that Thomas and Mark were already knocking down towers of building blocks.

  "Right after you bring me those plates, honey." Kathy rinsed the glass and placed it in the drying rack. Magdalena attacked it with a dishtowel.

  The doorbell rang.


  "Is Anna Maria back already?"

  "She has a key," Kathy reminded her. "I'll get it." She shook dishwater from her hands and hurried to the front door. She unlocked the door, swung it open, and screamed.

  "Reed!" Kathy threw herself into his arms.

  "Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!" Lydia, Thomas, and Mark charged into their parents, arms outstretched.

  Kathy took the opportunity to kiss her husband properly, whether the kids were jumping up and down and pulling on them or not.

  "Wow," Reed said when they came up for air. "I should come home more often."

  "Yes, you should."

  Reed picked up each of the kids for a hug. Mary studied him intently.

  "This is Daddy," Kathy told her. "Daddy."

  Mary ducked her head but allowed Reed to hold her.

  "How did you get here?"

  "Sleigh from Dresden to Altenburg and railroad from there. Kathy, I'm not home for good. We've got orders to take care of Bavaria, and you can probably figure out the rest."

  "Mike sent your Supply Company on ahead to have things ready and waiting. You'll make sure the supply depot in Grantville is all set, and then you'll move on. Bamberg, probably."

  "Not bad. Not bad at all."

  Kathy's smile vanished quickly. "How long?"

  "A few days."

  "Darn." It came out more mildly than she felt.

  Reed shifted Mary to one arm. "I know. I was hoping that once we got settled in Bohemia, they'd let us rotate home. But, well, Oxenstierna had other plans. And now we need to deal with Mad Max."

  "Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!" Lydia and Thomas tugged in opposite directions.