by Kelly Irvin
5.Barbara is having a hard time adjusting to married life. She comes home to her mother to escape. What do you think she should be doing?
6.Kenneth’s friends include him in their play and games. How is that different from the way children with physical or mental disabilities are often treated in mainstream society? The Amish believe their “special” children are gifts from God. What can we learn from that attitude?
7.Burke blames himself for his wife’s suicide. Have you ever blamed yourself for someone else’s actions? With hindsight it’s possible to know a great deal more than we do before something horrible happens. How do we reconcile our feelings with the reality that we are not in control and that God does have a plan, even when it doesn’t seem possible?
8.Second Corinthians 1:3–5 says God is the God of all comfort. He comforts us in our times of grief and loss so we can provide that same comfort to others. Do you believe that the difficult times you have experienced are preparing you to minister to others in their time of need? Did your sorrow bring you closer to God? How do you feel about having your character honed through painful experiences? What kind of person would you be if you never had difficult times?
9.Do you believe there’s only one true love for you in this life? How do you feel about finding The One a second time? Is it possible? Why or why not?
10.Mary Katherine and Ezekiel were both willing to give up their dreams in order to be with the other person. They both took steps to help the other reach for those dreams. How do their acts of selflessness make you feel? Could you or would you do the same in a similar circumstance?
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I have so much for which to be thankful. The support and kindness I receive from readers never ceases to amaze me. Your prayers for my writing and my health have given me great comfort as I continue on this journey. Thank you for reading my stories.
I’m thankful for my agent, Julie Gwinn. You made the transition to a new agent so much easier by your boundless enthusiasm and energy. Your kindness is deeply appreciated.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record (you remember what those are, right?), again I thank my editor Becky Monds for seeing the forest while I’m stuck in the middle of a bunch of trees. Your unerring sense of story never ceases to amaze me. I’m blessed to know you and to work with you. That also goes for the HarperCollins Christian Publishing team that works so hard to produce, promote, and sell these books.
My thanks to Julee Schwarzburg, my line editor for all my books with Zondervan. There’s a certain rhythm a blessed writer is able to establish with editors who dig down into the nitty gritty of stories—to grammar, word repetition, number of children and grandchildren, whether a term is one word or two, whether a number is written out or appears as a numeral. I’m all over the place when it comes to style and consistency. I’m the most repetitious writer ever. I make the same mistakes over and over from book to book. And I’m having so much fun writing, I forget to pay attention to details. Which is why you are such a blessing, Julee. What’s more, you are kind and gentle in your presentation of my waywardness. I’ve had snarky editors, and having someone make jokes at the expense of your baby is no fun. Thank you.
As always, I owe a debt of gratitude to my loving family, especially my husband, Tim, who puts up with me.
Thank You, Jesus, for placing all these people in my life. Every blessing comes from You. Thank You for the opportunity to write for You.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo by Timothy Irvin
Kelly Irvin is the author of the Every Amish Season and Amish of Bee County series. The Beekeeper’s Son received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly, who called it “a beautifully woven masterpiece.” A former newspaper reporter and retired public relations professional, Kelly lives in Texas with her husband, photographer Tim Irvin. They have two children, two 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
*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.
