Emma felt tears sting her eyes and blinked rapidly to keep them from falling.
Henry squeezed her hand, and Clyde said, “Now, if it’s all right, I’d like to pray for you both and for your new life together.”
Her son’s words poured over her, washing the last remnants of grief from her soul and causing her heart to rejoice. And then they were walking outside. The sun was shining brightly, but the chairs had been arranged so they were facing to the south. A slight breeze cooled the air, and in the distance the mountains rose to touch a cloudless sky.
Abe preached from 1 Corinthians, and Leroy shared Scripture from Proverbs. They sang again, and then Clyde was standing and motioning for them to join him. Henry reached for her hand. Emma looked down at that, at her hand in his, and all the butterflies that had plagued her stomach vanished.
“Do you, Henry Lapp, and you, Emma Fisher, vow to remain together until death?”
“Yes, we do.”
“Will you both be loyal?”
“We will.”
“Will you care for each other during adversity?”
Emma stifled a laugh. Henry had been by her side through the worst she could imagine. He’d saved her life on at least one occasion.
“We will.”
“During affliction?”
“Yes.”
“And sickness?”
“Yes.” Softer now, remembering the past, and praying that God would guide their future.
Clyde reached forward and covered their hands with his own. “All of those assembled here, as your friends and family in Christ, and I, as your deacon, wish you the blessing and mercy of God.”
Emma did laugh then, just as Sarah must have. She laughed at the surprises life brought, at the joy still hers to claim, and at the sound of applause coming from those watching.
“Go forth in the name of our Lord.” Clyde turned them to face their guests. “You are now man and wife.”
The rest of the day passed in a blur, but Emma didn’t worry about what she saw or what she remembered. Henry could draw the scenes for her later. She would ask him for that gift. In fact, she’d purchased him a special sketchbook so he could chronicle their lives together.
There was food and laughter; gifts for their new house, including sheets and towels and dishes; games for the youngies; and then more food. Sometime during the late afternoon, she was aware that the men had slipped away and were unloading Henry’s furnishings and clothes in the dawdi haus that had been finished just the day before. They would return the next afternoon to move his workshop into the building on the back of the house.
Emma thought of Clyde’s choice of Scripture, she thought of Sarah and Abraham and laughter, she thought of the goodness of God, and she experienced a happiness and contentment she’d never expected to find again.
Seventy
The next evening, Henry and Emma sat on the front porch, their new front porch, in a double rocking chair that had been a gift from Lewis Glick. They were watching Stephen and Thomas attempting to catch lightning bugs in a jar. Lexi ran between the boys, yipping each time they jumped for one of the bugs. Soon the mason jars were little beacons of light, a renewable resource free to all who bothered to pause and appreciate them.
“They let them go, you know,” Emma said. “Katie Ann insists on it.”
“She has a tender heart, and the boys… they’re so full of energy.”
“Reminds me of when I was their age.”
“Oh, did you catch them too?” Henry nodded in understanding. “We did, even when we were older, and then we took them back to the pond, where we’d night fish. The jars acted like miniature lanterns.”
“God’s light source.”
“I was thinking… ” Henry set the rocker into motion and reached for Emma’s hand, entwined his fingers with hers, marveled at the satisfaction he felt.
“You were thinking?”
“Oh, that. I was thinking I’d allow Albert’s small wind-powered gizmos. He’s the one who suggested we adopt the solar power.”
“And look how well that’s worked out. It’s been a real blessing to families.”
“Most folks find the idea of alternative energy favorable—with the restriction that we only charge those things already allowed.”
“No cell phones.”
“No.”
“Or electric scooters.”
Henry laughed. “None of those either.”
“It’s a good decision. A nice balance between the old way and new.”
“Lanterns and weather radios, even an alarm clock. It will save people money, eventually. I like the idea of renewable energy, God’s provision.”
“You’re a good bishop, Henry.”
“How could I not be? Gotte has given me a fine community, and now… a family.”
Rachel stepped out on the porch at the main house, waved to get their attention, and then hollered some of Henry’s favorite words. “Pie’s ready!”
Hand in hand they walked down the steps of the dawdi haus and across the yard. Stephen and Thomas continued to dart back and forth, catching lightning bugs, but Lexi gave up the chase and followed at Henry and Emma’s heels.
The sun was setting across the valley, sending a riotous display of purple, blue, gray, and even pink across the darkening sky.
“It’s a good life here, Emma. Plain and simple.”
“No more murder mysteries.”
“I believe we’ve had enough of those.”
“More than enough.”
Before they stepped into the main house, Henry turned and looked back at their new home. It was small but efficient, and the workshop added onto the back would allow him to keep working, keep contributing. Emma paused beside him, leaned in, and kissed him on the cheek.
“Is everything okay?” she asked softly.
“I didn’t realize how lonely I was before… until… well, until now.” She stepped into his embrace and followed his gaze. They stood there a moment, appreciating the goodness of the bounty before them. The goodness of God.
The boys dashed past them, clambering into the house. But then Stephen turned back and stopped next to them, pushing his jar of lightning bugs into Henry’s hands.
“I caught them for you. I thought you might want to take Mammi on a night walk later.”
“That’s a gut idea. Danki.”
“Gem gschehne.”
Stephen bounded into the house. They could hear Katie Ann describing an owl she’d helped Doc Berry tend, Thomas teasing Silas about Naomi, and Rachel and Clyde asking who wanted ice cream on their pie.
Henry snagged Emma’s hand in his, held the jar of lightning bugs in the crook of his other arm, and together they stepped into their new life.
Epilogue
Excerpt from the Budget
MONTE VISTA, COLORADO
February 8–Snow covers the mountains that surround the San Luis Valley. The Sangre de Cristo and San Juan ranges have seen more snowfall than in the last seven years. Local farmers are hopeful that the spring snow melt will produce good crops this summer.
Josephine and Lewis Glick’s daughter, Susie, was born on February 1. Both sets of grandparents have visited, and Josephine reports that Susie is eating and sleeping well.
The barn raising at Seth and Roseann Hoschstetler’s went well. The Hoschstetlers bought a home previously owned by Englisch, and the place needed a larger barn. Though snow continued to fall in the mountains, the valley had cold temperatures but no precipitation. Bishop Henry Lapp reports that more than seventy people showed up for the workday, including families from Westcliff, who hired a driver to bring them over. Seth and Roseann seem quite happy with the results.
During our last church meeting, Katie Ann Fisher and Albert Bontrager announced their intentions to wed in the spring. Katie Ann’s brother Silas and your humble scribe announced our intentions to wed as well. It seems I will finally be Katie Ann’s sister! Rachel and Clyde Fisher say it’s time to build an addition ont
o their house.
Speaking of Bishop Henry, his drawings were recently featured in a Monte Vista artist publication. When asked if he plans to give up building birdhouses and such, his answer was a simple “nein.” He later mentioned he was teaching Emma’s grandsons the joy of birding. They, in turn, insist that their new daddi take them fishing at least twice a month. Emma and Henry wed in August of last year.
The widows’ bakery, formally known as Bread 2 Go, received a Chamber of Commerce award for most innovative business in the valley. Franey Graber, Nancy Kline, and Ruth Schwartz recently added an enclosed sun porch and solar energy to their store.
If in February there be no rain, ‘tis neither good for hay nor grain. (English proverb)
Naomi Miller
Discussion Questions
1. Henry Lapp has long struggled with his “gift,” his ability to accurately draw in detail anything he has seen. When Jeremiah Schwartz is killed, Henry is asked by those closest to him if he’ll be able to assist in the investigation, but Henry didn’t see the shooting. His unique ability in this instance is no help at all. If he’s unable to draw anything relevant, how can he help the investigators? How can he help his congregation? What can any of us do to help when someone we love is grieving?
2. We learn that Jeremiah was planning to audition for a reality television show. Reality television first became popular in the late 1990s. It supposedly documents unscripted, real-life situations. What do you think explains society’s fascination with these types of shows? Are they a good thing or a bad thing, or does it depend on the show? You can read Ira Wagler’s blog regarding the reality show Amish Mafia at http://www.irawagler.com/?p=8029.
3. At the end of chapter 11, as Emma and Ruth are standing on the front porch, Ruth comments that “life is certainly full of grief and uncertainty.” Emma doesn’t argue with her. She does, however, think of words from Ecclesiastes. Read chapter 3, verses 1-8 from this book in the Old Testament. How do the words minister to your heart?
4. In chapter 18, Grayson lays out the contradictions in Jeremiah’s life, and Henry is reminded of an old proverb—Go far from home, and you will have a long way back. Unlike the prodigal son (Luke 15), Jeremiah won’t have a chance to find his way back home. How do you think this applies to us today? What can we do to help others attempting to return to their spiritual or physical home?
5. By chapter 31, Henry realizes something is amiss within his community, and he can’t figure it out alone. He has that itchy need to do something, anything, rather than sit and see how things unfold. Have you ever felt that way? Waiting is hard work. The Scriptures Henry finds (Hebrews 4:12 and Galatians 6:2) convince him he shouldn’t wait alone, and so he goes in search of his deacons. Who can you call when waiting is hard? How can you support someone who is going through a difficult time of waiting?
6. Chapter 42 finds Emma sitting through their church service, hearing Henry quote from 1 Peter 3:15: Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. Although she hears the words, and she believes she does have a divine hope in her heart, she is consumed by her worry. What are specific steps you can take when anxiety and worry threaten to overwhelm you?
7. When Henry and Sheriff Grayson are discussing Norman Rockwell, Henry comments that once Englisch life and Amish life were quite similar. Do you agree or disagree? What did we have in common then? What are the most obvious differences now?
8. When Henry goes home to draw, to find the answer to what has happened to the girls, he first prays, and in his prayer he remembers the words from the psalmist. Why do psalms touch our hearts when we’re in a time of need? What is it about David’s story that allows us to see God’s protection and providence?
9. The morning after Naomi and Katie Ann disappear, Emma tells Henry she feels optimistic, and Henry suggests she’s received a word from God. Was a personal word from God a momentous once-in-a-lifetime thing, or was it something so everyday—so commonplace—that they forgot to listen? What do you think? Does our heavenly Father speak to us daily, or do we hear His voice only in our darkest moments?
10. As Emma and Henry enter the arena, they begin discussing their wedding plans. Even in the midst of their trouble, they’re able to look forward to better times. We read that Henry “could look past the present hour and glimpse the future God had for them.” How can we do that in the worst of times? What specific steps can we take to remind ourselves that our present trouble will pass?
Glossary
Aenti
Aunt
Ausbund
Amish hymnal
Bruder
broder
Dat
father
Dawdi haus
grandparents’ home
Danki
thank you
Englischer
non-Amish person
Freind(en)
friend(s)
Gem gschehne
you’re welcome
Gotte
God
Gotte’s wille
God’s will
Grandkinner
grandchildren
Grossdaddi
grandfather
Gut
good
Kapp
prayer covering
Kind/kinner
child/children
Loblied
hymn of praise
Mamm/Mammi
mom/grandmother
Nein
no
Rumspringa
running-around years
Ordnung
the unwritten set of rules and regulations that guide everyday Amish life
Wunderbaar
wonderful
Ya
yes
Youngie/youngies
young adult/adults
Recipes
Light-as-Air Biscuits
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp. salt
2 tsp. sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. cream of tartar
½ cup shortening
⅔ cup milk
Preheat the oven to 450°. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, salt, sugar, baking powder, and cream of tartar. Cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbles. Make a well in the center and add the milk all at once; stir with a fork until the dough leaves the side of the bowl.
Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead about 5 times. Roll or pat dough to a half-inch thickness and then cut with a biscuit cutter.
Place the biscuits on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes or until done.
Recipe from Georgia Varozza, 99 Favorite Amish Breads, Rolls, & Muffins
Buttermilk Whole Wheat Quick Bread
1 qt. buttermilk
4 cups whole wheat flour
3 cups brown sugar
Pinch of salt
1 tsp. baking soda
Mix together all ingredients and pour the batter into 2 greased loaf pans. Bake at 350° for 60 to 70 minutes.
Recipe from Georgia Varozza, 99 Favorite Amish Breads, Rolls, & Muffins
Honey Whole Wheat Bread
4½ tsp. (2 packages) active dry yeast
2 cups warm water (110° to 120°)
2 cups warm milk (110° to 120°)
½ cup butter (1 stick), softened, or ½ cup oil
½ cup honey
¼ cup molasses
2 tsp. salt
9 to 10 cups whole wheat flour, more or less
Preheat the oven to 375°. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let it stand until bubbly, about 5 to 10 minutes.
In a large bowl, mix together the butter, honey, molasses, and salt. Add the yeast mixture and stir to mix. Gradually add the flour, stirring with a wooden spoon until the dough comes away from the side of the bowl and a soft dough forms. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth, about 8 to 10 minutes, adding small amounts of flour
as needed.
Place the dough ball in a large greased or buttered bowl; cover and let rise until double, about 1½ to 2 hours. Punch down dough and let rest for several minutes; knead dough about 20 times and then divide into 4 equal pieces. Shape each piece of dough into a loaf and place in greased loaf pans. Cover the dough and let rise for about an hour or until almost doubled.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until done. Cool in loaf pans for about 5 minutes, and then turn out loaves on a wire rack to finish cooling.
Note: This recipe makes 4 loaves. You can freeze what you won’t eat right away. Just make sure the bread is completely cool before wrapping tightly and freezing.
Recipe from Georgia Varozza, 99 Favorite Amish Breads, Rolls, & Muffins
Molasses Nut Cookies
2 cups sugar
1 cup shortening
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup molasses
1 tsp. vanilla extract
6 cups all-purpose flour
3 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
3 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 tsp. ground ginger
2 cups sour milk or buttermilk
1 cup nuts, chopped
Preheat the oven to 375°. Cream together the sugar and shortening and then add the eggs, molasses, and vanilla. Mix well. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and ginger. Add that to the creamed mixture alternately with the buttermilk or sour milk. Stir in the nuts.
Drop the batter onto greased cookie sheets by the spoonful, spaced 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 minutes until golden brown around the edges. Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.
Who the Bishop Knows Page 31
