had grown long enough to touch his chest and the brown hairs were now sprinkled with grey. But he was still the handsome man who used to court her with a sparkling new buggy, one that caused the bishop to raise an eyebrow while the community wagged their tongues.
“It was a tough few days,” she whispered.
He nodded his head but he didn’t speak.
“I’m not going anywhere,” she said softly.
He shut his eyes as he gave another stiff nod of his head. “Don’t,” he replied. He looked up at her then, his eyes tired and concerned. She realized that he, too, had been affected by Martha Yoder’s death. He tried to act stoic and strong, but in that moment, she saw that he had visualized himself in Menno’s place. Clearly, the thought had left him frightened, but as soon as she saw the concern in his face, he released her hand and, as he cleared his throat, Elijah turned his attention back to the Budget.
Rachel could tell that he wasn’t reading. Perhaps he hadn’t been reading at all that evening. It touched her that he, too, was so wrapped up in the tragedy that had befallen the Yoder family. It was comforting to know that she was not alone in feeling fear in God’s decision to take Martha Yoder home at such a young age. She also suspected that, like her, Elijah was also praying for guidance on how to help that family through the upcoming weeks and months.
With a deep breath, she set her Bible on the seat of her chair and turned to leave the room. The Yoder family suffered, but alongside them, the entire community was feeling their pain. It would take a long time for them to heal and move on with their lives. Of that, she was sure and certain.
Chapter Three: Leah’s Letter
Dear Family,
With so much happening in our district, I near forgot to write. Sister Rachel was kind enough to remind me several times this week that I needed to write a letter and continue the circle letter. Figured I best do it before a fourth reminder came my way.
Mary Ruth has been such a blessing to us, helping not just with the kinner while I tend to Jacob’s needs but helping with the Yoder family as they adjust to life without Martha.
Rachel set up a community schedule for women to help with the daily chores, especially cooking. Mary Ruth has been taking the kinner during the day. Between watching my Elmer, Edna, Emma, and Caleb as well as the Yoder kinner, she sure has her hands full. I’m pleased to see such a motherly instinct developing in her after all.
Church Sunday is only three weeks away and I’m sure looking forward to having the entire family here. Jonah has been working from before sunrise to well after sunset to make certain the barn is fixed and proper. It’s too hot to have the service in the house. He also has to cut and bale the hay before then, something we are all apprehensive about these days, given the terrible accident at Yoder’s farm.
Was sorry to hear about the vandalism at Steve’s farm. I sure hope that cow is better and the window fixed. Such sad times that we live in.
Not much else to add to the news so I will send the letter onto James’ Lizzie so that I’m not holding up the circle anymore.
May the good Lord bless each of you and your families.
Leah
Leah tossed the pen onto the table and quickly folded the letter. She shoved it into an envelope and pushed in the other two letters, the one from Rachel and the original one from Mamm along with the list of addresses. She didn’t care if they crinkled. Get this out of here so Rachel stops asking me about it , she thought as she licked the envelope and dropped it on the table. She’d ask Elmer to run it to the mailbox later that evening. She just hoped that she wouldn’t forget.
Circle letters , she thought. Who has time for writing letters, especially since everyone would be at her house in just a few short weeks! She had far too much to do with tending to the house, the garden, and baby Jacob. His needs were so great and her time was
“It was a tough few days,” she whispered.
He nodded his head but he didn’t speak.
“I’m not going anywhere,” she said softly.
He shut his eyes as he gave another stiff nod of his head. “Don’t,” he replied. He looked up at her then, his eyes tired and concerned. She realized that he, too, had been affected by Martha Yoder’s death. He tried to act stoic and strong, but in that moment, she saw that he had visualized himself in Menno’s place. Clearly, the thought had left him frightened, but as soon as she saw the concern in his face, he released her hand and, as he cleared his throat, Elijah turned his attention back to the Budget.
Rachel could tell that he wasn’t reading. Perhaps he hadn’t been reading at all that evening. It touched her that he, too, was so wrapped up in the tragedy that had befallen the Yoder family. It was comforting to know that she was not alone in feeling fear in God’s decision to take Martha Yoder home at such a young age. She also suspected that, like her, Elijah was also praying for guidance on how to help that family through the upcoming weeks and months.
With a deep breath, she set her Bible on the seat of her chair and turned to leave the room. The Yoder family suffered, but alongside them, the entire community was feeling their pain. It would take a long time for them to heal and move on with their lives. Of that, she was sure and certain.
Chapter Three: Leah’s Letter
Dear Family,
With so much happening in our district, I near forgot to write. Sister Rachel was kind enough to remind me several times this week that I needed to write a letter and continue the circle letter. Figured I best do it before a fourth reminder came my way.
Mary Ruth has been such a blessing to us, helping not just with the kinner while I tend to Jacob’s needs but helping with the Yoder family as they adjust to life without Martha.
Rachel set up a community schedule for women to help with the daily chores, especially cooking. Mary Ruth has been taking the kinner during the day. Between watching my Elmer, Edna, Emma, and Caleb as well as the Yoder kinner, she sure has her hands full. I’m pleased to see such a motherly instinct developing in her after all.
Church Sunday is only three weeks away and I’m sure looking forward to having the entire family here. Jonah has been working from before sunrise to well after sunset to make certain the barn is fixed and proper. It’s too hot to have the service in the house. He also has to cut and bale the hay before then, something we are all apprehensive about these days, given the terrible accident at Yoder’s farm.
Was sorry to hear about the vandalism at Steve’s farm. I sure hope that cow is better and the window fixed. Such sad times that we live in.
Not much else to add to the news so I will send the letter onto James’ Lizzie so that I’m not holding up the circle anymore.
May the good Lord bless each of you and your families.
Leah
Leah tossed the pen onto the table and quickly folded the letter. She shoved it into an envelope and pushed in the other two letters, the one from Rachel and the original one from Mamm along with the list of addresses. She didn’t care if they crinkled. Get this out of here so Rachel stops asking me about it , she thought as she licked the envelope and dropped it on the table. She’d ask Elmer to run it to the mailbox later that evening. She just hoped that she wouldn’t forget.
Circle letters , she thought. Who has time for writing letters, especially since everyone would be at her house in just a few short weeks! She had far too much to do with tending to the house, the garden, and baby Jacob. His needs were so great and her time was
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