A Welcome at Our Door
Page 29
Her eyes burned just a little. “I’m so grateful God brought you to me.”
“Me too.” Drew held out his arms, and she handed him Emalyn. He kissed the baby and then grinned at Cindy. “Let’s go see our family.”
Together, they walked outside, where her nieces and nephews played on the elaborate swing set her father and brothers had built for them.
“Before you know it, Emalyn will be on there too,” Drew said as he patted the baby’s back.
“Ya, she will.”
When she turned, she spotted a cow trotting out of the pasture toward the street. “Look! It’s Cucumber! She’s on the loose again!”
“Oh no. That narrisch cow!” Drew shook his head and laughed.
“We love that narrisch cow.” She looked up at Drew. “We have a cow named Cucumber to thank for bringing us together. You know what they say,” she began. “The Lord works in mysterious ways.”
“Ya, he does.”
“Cucumber!” Jamie called, running after the cow with Mark in tow. “Hoi! Hoi!”
“That gegisch cow,” Dat muttered as he approached Cindy and Drew.
“I think Jamie needs to padlock that gate,” Drew said.
“Welcome to our community, sohn,” Dat said as he shook Drew’s hand, and then he kissed Cindy’s cheek. “I’m so glad you’re back.”
“I am too.” Cindy smiled at her father. They were a family, and she and Drew finally belonged to the community.
As the two men talked, Cindy touched the cross necklace she kept hidden under her dress. She was so grateful for the path God had set for her and Drew, and as she looked around at her family and community, she realized she’d never felt so welcome.
Discussion Questions
When Cindy left the Amish church to marry Drew, she believed she’d never go back. By the end of the book, she’s realized the Amish community is her true home. What do you think caused her to change her point of view throughout the story?
Priscilla is Cindy’s closest confidante when Cindy finds herself falling in love with Drew. While the rest of the Riehl family turned against Cindy, Priscilla told her she would always be welcome at her home. Why do you think Priscilla accepted Cindy’s decision to marry Drew more readily than the rest of the Riehl family?
Cindy suffers a miscarriage and yearns to talk to Laura since she experienced two miscarriages of her own. Could you relate to Cindy and her experience? If you feel comfortable doing so, share this with the group.
Drew is searching for a family and a home after losing his parents and then the aunt who raised him. When he and Cindy decide to join the Amish church, he finally feels he’s found his true home. What do you think drew him to the Amish church?
Laura feels guilty for staying away from Cindy when she comes to see Cindy after the miscarriage. Why do you think Laura stayed away from Cindy after she married Drew? What do you think made Laura change her point of view about her relationship with her sister after Cindy’s miscarriage?
Vernon refuses to talk to Cindy after she chooses to leave the Amish church and marry Drew. Close to the end of the story, he comes back to Cindy and asks for her forgiveness. What do you think made him realize he’d been wrong to disown Cindy?
Florence and Sarah Jane both try to convince Cindy to join the church and find a nice Amish man to marry instead of pursuing a relationship with Drew. Have you ever had a friend or family member who insisted they knew what was best for you? If so, how did you handle that person? How did the situation turn out?
Which character did you identify with the most? Which character seemed to carry the most emotional stake in the story? Was it Cindy, Drew, or someone else?
Cindy is still grieving her mother’s death even after seven years. Think of a time when you felt lost and alone. Where did you find your strength? What Bible verses helped?
What did you know about the Amish before reading this book? What did you learn?
Acknowledgments
As always, I’m thankful for my loving family, including my mother, Lola Goebelbecker; my husband, Joe; and my sons, Zac and Matt. I’m blessed to have such an awesome and amazing family that puts up with me when I’m stressed out on a book deadline.
Special thanks to my mother and my dear friend Becky Biddy, who graciously read the draft of this book to check for typos. Becky—I’m sure you ran out of a few dispensers of tape flags on this one! Also, thank you, Becky, for your daily notes of encouragement. Your friendship is a blessing!
I’m also grateful to my special Amish friend, who patiently answers my endless stream of questions. I’m especially thankful she generously shared the story that inspired this book.
Thank you to my wonderful church family at Morning Star Lutheran in Matthews, North 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 thankful for your friendship and your excitement about my books. You all are amazing!
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 appreciate how you push me to dig deeper with each book and improve my writing. I’ve learned so much from you, and I look forward to our future projects together. I also cherish our fun emails and text messages. You are a delight!
I’m 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 thankful that we can continue to work together!
I’m grateful to each and every person at HarperCollins Christian Publishing who helped make this book a reality.
To my readers—thank you for choosing my novels. My books are a blessing in my life for many reasons, including the special friendships I’ve formed with my readers. Thank you for your email messages, Facebook notes, and letters.
Thank you most of all to God—for giving me the inspiration and the words to glorify You. I’m grateful and humbled You’ve chosen this path for me.
The Amish Homestead Series
About the Author
Dan Davis Photography
Amy Clipston is the award-winning and bestselling author of the Amish Heirloom series and the Kauffman Amish Bakery series. She has sold more than one million books. Her novels have hit multiple bestseller lists including CBD, CBA, and ECPA. Amy holds a degree in communications from Virginia Wesleyan University and works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, mom, and four spoiled-rotten cats.
* * *
Visit her online at amyclipston.com
Facebook: AmyClipstonBooks
Twitter: @AmyClipston
Instagram: @amy_clipston
Acclaim for Amy Clipston
“Seasons of an Amish Garden follows the year through short stories as friends create a memorial garden to celebrate a life. Revealing the underbelly of main characters, a trademark talent of Amy Clipston, makes them relatable and endearing. One story slides into the next, woven together effortlessly with the author’s knowledge of the Amish life. Once started, you can’t put this book down.”
—Suzanne Woods Fisher, bestselling author of The Devoted
“This story shares the power of forgiveness and hope and, above all, faith in God’s Word and His promises.”
—Hope by the Book (Bookmarked Review) on A Seat by the Hearth
“With endearing characters that readers will want to get a happily ever after, this is a story of romance and family to savor.”
—Parkersburg News & Sentinel on A Seat by the Hearth
“[A Seat by the Hearth] is a moving portrait of a disgraced woman attempting to reenter her childhood community . . . This will please Clipston’s fans and also win over newcomers to Lancaster County.”
—Publishers Weekly
&n
bsp; “This story of profound loss and deep friendship will leave readers with the certain knowledge that hope exists and love grows through faith in our God of second chances.”
—Kelly Irvin, author of The Beekeeper’s Son and Upon a Spring Breeze, on Room on the Porch Swing
“This heartbreaking series continues to take a fearlessly honest look at grief, as hopelessness threatens to steal what happiness Allen has treasured within his marriage and recent fatherhood. Clipston takes these feelings seriously without sugarcoating any aspect of the mourning process, allowing her characters to make their painful but ultimately joyous journey back to love and faith. Readers who have made this tough and ongoing pilgrimage themselves will appreciate the author’s realistic portrayal of coming to terms with loss in order to continue living with hope and happiness.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4 stars, on Room on the Porch Swing
“A story of grief as well as new beginnings, this is a lovely Amish tale and the start of a great new series.”
—Parkersburg News and Sentinel on A Place at Our Table
“Themes of family, forgiveness, love, and strength are woven throughout the story . . . a great choice for all readers of Amish fiction.”
—CBA Market Magazine on A Place at Our Table
“This debut title in a new series offers an emotionally charged and engaging read headed by sympathetically drawn and believable protagonists. The meaty issues of trust and faith make this a solid book group choice.”
—Library Journal on A Place at Our Table
“Clipston (The Cherished Quilt) fills these four cheerful Amish romance novellas with uplifting, simple love . . . Fans of Clipston’s wholesome stories will relish these novellas.”
—Publishers Weekly on Amish Sweethearts
“These sweet, tender novellas from one of the genre’s best make the perfect sampler for new readers curious about Amish romances.”
—Library Journal on Amish Sweethearts
“Clipston is as reliable as her character, giving Emily a difficult and intense romance worthy of Emily’s ability to shine the light of Christ into the hearts of those she loves.”
—RT Book Reviews, 41/2 stars, TOP PICK! on The Cherished Quilt
“Clipston’s heartfelt writing and engaging characters make her a fan favorite. Her latest Amish tale combines a spiritual message of accepting God’s blessings as they are given with a sweet romance.”
—Library Journal on The Cherished Quilt
“Clipston delivers another enchanting series starter with a tasty premise, family secrets, and sweet-as-pie romance, offering assurance that true love can happen more than once and second chances are worth fighting for.”
—RT Book Reviews, 41/2 stars, TOP PICK! on The Forgotten Recipe
“In the first book in her Amish Heirloom series, Clipston takes readers on a roller-coaster ride through grief, guilt, and anxiety.”
—Booklist on The Forgotten Recipe
“Clipston is well versed in Amish culture and does a good job creating the world of Lancaster County, Penn. . . . Amish fiction fans will enjoy this story—and want a taste of Veronica’s raspberry pie!”
—Publishers Weekly on The Forgotten Recipe
“[Clipston] does an excellent job of wrapping up her story while setting the stage for the sequel.”
—CBA Retailers + Resources on The Forgotten Recipe
“Clipston brings this engaging series to an end with two emotional family reunions, a prodigal son parable, a sweet but hard-won romance, and a happy ending for characters readers have grown to love. Once again, she gives us all we could possibly want from a talented storyteller.”
—RT Book Reviews, 41/2 stars, TOP PICK! on A Simple Prayer
“. . . will leave readers craving more.”
—RT Book Reviews, 41/2 stars, TOP PICK! on A Mother’s Secret
“Clipston’s series starter has a compelling drama involving faith, family, and romance . . . [an] absorbing series.”
—RT Book Reviews, 41/2 stars, TOP PICK! on A Hopeful Heart
“Authentic characters, delectable recipes, and faith abound in Clipston’s second Kauffman Amish Bakery story.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4 stars, on A Promise of Hope
“. . . an entertaining story of Amish life, loss, love and family.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4 stars, on A Place of Peace
“This fifth and final installment in the Kauffman Amish Bakery series is sure to please fans who have waited for Katie’s story.”
—Library Journal on A Season of Love
“[The Kauffman Amish Bakery] series’ wide popularity is sure to attract readers to this novella, and they won’t be disappointed by the excellent writing and the story’s wholesome goodness.”
—Library Journal on A Plain and Simple Christmas
“[A Plain and Simple Christmas] is inspiring and a perfect fit for the holiday season.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4 stars
Other Books by Amy Clipston
The Amish Homestead Series
A Place at Our Table
Room on the Porch Swing
A Seat by the Hearth
The Amish Heirloom Series
The Forgotten Recipe
The Courtship Basket
The Cherished Quilt
The Beloved Hope Chest
The Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel Series
A Hopeful Heart
A Mother’s Secret
A Dream of Home
A Simple Prayer
The Kauffman Amish Bakery Series
A Gift of Grace
A Promise of Hope
A Place of Peace
A Life of Joy
A Season of Love
Story Collections
Amish Sweethearts
Seasons of an Amish Garden
Stories
A Plain and Simple Christmas
Naomi’s Gift included in An Amish Christmas Gift
A Spoonful of Love included in An Amish Kitchen
Love Birds included in An Amish Market
Love and Buggy Rides included in An Amish Harvest
Summer Storms included in An Amish Summer
The Christmas Cat included in An Amish Christmas Love
Home Sweet Home included in An Amish Winter
A Son for Always included in An Amish Spring
A Legacy of Love included in An Amish Heirloom
No Place Like Home included in An Amish Homecoming
Their True Home included in An Amish Reunion
Nonfiction
The Gift of Love
Copyright
ZONDERVAN
A Welcome at Our Door
Copyright © 2019 by Amy Clipston
This title is also available as a Zondervan e-book.
Requests for information should be addressed to:
Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication
Names: Clipston, Amy, author.
Title: A welcome at our door / Amy Clipston.
Description: Grand Rapids, Michigan : Zondervan, [2019] | Series: An Amish
homestead novel ; 4
Identifiers: LCCN 2018054716| ISBN 9780310349129 (trade paper) | ISBN
9780310349105 (ebook)
Subjects: | GSAFD: Christian fiction. | Love stories.
Classification: LCC PS3603.L58 W45 2019 | DDC 813/.6--dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018054716
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com
Any Internet addresses (websites, blogs, etc.) and telephone numbers in this book are offered as a resource. They are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement by Zondervan, nor does Zondervan vouch for the content of these sites and numbers for
the life of this book.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.
Publisher’s Note: This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. All characters are fictional, and any similarity to people living or dead is purely coincidental.
Printed in the United States of America
19 20 21 22 23 / LSC / 5 4 3 2 1