Christmas Gift for Rose (9780310336822) by Zondervan Publishing House Page B
Authors: Zondervan Publishing House
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walking in the way of the world. I saw a lot, but … but I like what this world—our world—has to offer better.”
She’d heard those words, but most in the community doubted them. She doubted them.
She also doubted that either of them would be fully welcomed into this community when the others found out the truth of who she really was.
“I want to believe you, I really do, but you didn’t tell the truth when you left, did you?” Rose lowered her voice. “Besides, what if it never works? What if the community doesn’t forget? What if leaving the Amish is the best answer after all?”
Eight
T HERE WASN’T A FREE PLACE TO SIT IN THE Y ODERS’ house. After a quiet morning of fasting and contemplation, Rose’s stomach rumbled as she mashed potatoes for their Thanksgiving meal. A group of children watched her—their eyes wide, hungry. Jonathan watched her too. Questions, so many questions, filled his gaze.
She checked the green beans simmering in a large pot, a gust of steam rising as she lifted the lid.
In addition to her siblings, her aunt Bertha and uncle Eli were there with their nine children, and their oldest daughter, Rebekah, with her husband and new
boppli.
Vera and LeRoy had slipped in right before it was time to serve the food. Little Ira had a tummy ache, and they’d had a rough morning.
Rose’s aunt and uncle and cousins seemed uncomfortable to see Jonathan there. There had been so much talk about him around the community that it almost seemed they’d forgotten he was a real person—and someone Rose cared about.
Once they were all seated, Dat spoke. “Before we eat,let’s all share one thing we are thankful for.” He looked around. “
Aenti
Bertha, since it’s your birthday, why don’t you start?”
“I’m thankful for our ancestors who stood up to persecution so we could know the truth. They died so we could live for our Lord.” Tears filled the corners of her eyes and her voice quivered.
“I’m thankful for a good harvest this year,” Uncle Eli spoke next. “The barns are full. The shelves are too.”
They continued around the room, her cousins and siblings thankful for health, for family, and for their community.
“Mary, what about you?” Dat turned to Mem.
She folded her hands on her lap. “I’m thankful for the children God granted me to raise … all eight of them. They are a gift to me, each and every one. I don’t love one more than any other. I carry them close to my heart.” Her voice trembled as she spoke, and the house grew quiet. She wiped a tear and then glanced up, looking at Rose.
“Rose, I believe yer the last one.” Dat’s gaze was intense, and she was certain Mem had told him about their conversation—and how she knew the truth.
“
Ne.
I’m not the only one left.” Rose glanced over to Jonathan, who sat beside her. “Jonathan still has to go yet.”
“You first, Rose.” He nodded his chin in her direction.
Rose glanced from Jonathan to Dat to Mem. “I’m—I—” She blew out a soft breath. “I’m thankful that my Lord knows me better than even I know myself. I’m thankful He watches over me, even on the coldest nights.”
There were a few nods in the room, but puzzled looks from the younger ones. She breathed a little easier because of that. They didn’t understand—not yet—but she knew that someday, most likely soon, the truth would be known to all.
“I am thankful too.” Jonathan leaned forward slightly in his seat. “That because of our Lord, good wins over evil. Because of our Lord we can have hope in this life.” He glanced at Rose. “With God we can always cling to hope.”
D INNER HAD BEEN EATEN IN ONE QUARTER OF THE TIME it took to make it. Telling her that he had to get back to visit with family, Jonathan left with a promise that they’d talk sometime in the next few days. After the meal, the rest of the family—except for Rose, Vera, and baby Ira—left to travel just a mile down the road to visit with
She’d heard those words, but most in the community doubted them. She doubted them.
She also doubted that either of them would be fully welcomed into this community when the others found out the truth of who she really was.
“I want to believe you, I really do, but you didn’t tell the truth when you left, did you?” Rose lowered her voice. “Besides, what if it never works? What if the community doesn’t forget? What if leaving the Amish is the best answer after all?”
Eight
T HERE WASN’T A FREE PLACE TO SIT IN THE Y ODERS’ house. After a quiet morning of fasting and contemplation, Rose’s stomach rumbled as she mashed potatoes for their Thanksgiving meal. A group of children watched her—their eyes wide, hungry. Jonathan watched her too. Questions, so many questions, filled his gaze.
She checked the green beans simmering in a large pot, a gust of steam rising as she lifted the lid.
In addition to her siblings, her aunt Bertha and uncle Eli were there with their nine children, and their oldest daughter, Rebekah, with her husband and new
boppli.
Vera and LeRoy had slipped in right before it was time to serve the food. Little Ira had a tummy ache, and they’d had a rough morning.
Rose’s aunt and uncle and cousins seemed uncomfortable to see Jonathan there. There had been so much talk about him around the community that it almost seemed they’d forgotten he was a real person—and someone Rose cared about.
Once they were all seated, Dat spoke. “Before we eat,let’s all share one thing we are thankful for.” He looked around. “
Aenti
Bertha, since it’s your birthday, why don’t you start?”
“I’m thankful for our ancestors who stood up to persecution so we could know the truth. They died so we could live for our Lord.” Tears filled the corners of her eyes and her voice quivered.
“I’m thankful for a good harvest this year,” Uncle Eli spoke next. “The barns are full. The shelves are too.”
They continued around the room, her cousins and siblings thankful for health, for family, and for their community.
“Mary, what about you?” Dat turned to Mem.
She folded her hands on her lap. “I’m thankful for the children God granted me to raise … all eight of them. They are a gift to me, each and every one. I don’t love one more than any other. I carry them close to my heart.” Her voice trembled as she spoke, and the house grew quiet. She wiped a tear and then glanced up, looking at Rose.
“Rose, I believe yer the last one.” Dat’s gaze was intense, and she was certain Mem had told him about their conversation—and how she knew the truth.
“
Ne.
I’m not the only one left.” Rose glanced over to Jonathan, who sat beside her. “Jonathan still has to go yet.”
“You first, Rose.” He nodded his chin in her direction.
Rose glanced from Jonathan to Dat to Mem. “I’m—I—” She blew out a soft breath. “I’m thankful that my Lord knows me better than even I know myself. I’m thankful He watches over me, even on the coldest nights.”
There were a few nods in the room, but puzzled looks from the younger ones. She breathed a little easier because of that. They didn’t understand—not yet—but she knew that someday, most likely soon, the truth would be known to all.
“I am thankful too.” Jonathan leaned forward slightly in his seat. “That because of our Lord, good wins over evil. Because of our Lord we can have hope in this life.” He glanced at Rose. “With God we can always cling to hope.”
D INNER HAD BEEN EATEN IN ONE QUARTER OF THE TIME it took to make it. Telling her that he had to get back to visit with family, Jonathan left with a promise that they’d talk sometime in the next few days. After the meal, the rest of the family—except for Rose, Vera, and baby Ira—left to travel just a mile down the road to visit with
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