“Prayer is an important part in our relationship with God. Just like it is important for the two of us to communicate. If we don’t talk to each other, we won’t know how the other one feels,” he explained. “When we do talk to each other, our relationship becomes stronger and we understand each other better.”
“I see. So I can talk to God just as if He’s sitting right next to me?”
“Well, if you are a child of God, He is even closer than that.”
“How do I know if I’m a child of God?”
Luke smiled, taken aback by her innocence. She was like a child in so many ways—so impressionable, so trusting. “Has your father read the Bible to you since you’ve been back?”
“Jah, he reads it at night after supper and in the morning too. But I have to admit there is a lot I don’t understand.”
“Sometimes God only reveals bits and pieces of His Word to us because we are not ready for more. Then, when we are ready, He gives us more understanding,” he continued. “Sometimes I will read a verse that I’ve read many times, but this particular time it will stand out to me and I will see something that I never saw before.”
“I think I understand.” She looked up as if trying to store the information in her mind.
“The Bible calls those who have received Him—who have faith in His Son Jesus Christ—His children. Have you received Jesus Christ?” Luke asked sincerely.
“What do you mean by receive?” She cocked her head and Luke couldn’t get over how sweet she was.
“The Bible says that each person is a sinner and everyone is wicked in the sight of God. God cannot allow sin into Heaven, so we must get rid of our sin somehow. If we don’t, then we have no hope of Heaven.” Luke found a side road, turned on it, and then pulled off to the side so they could talk without distraction.
“But how? I don’t know how to get rid of my sin.” The desperate look on her face was almost Luke’s undoing. He longed to take her into his arms and hold her forever.
He shook his head. “We can’t remove our own sins, it’s impossible.” Then his eyes lit up. “But that’s the beautiful thing about it, though. Jesus is the only one who can take our sins away. The Bible says that God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Jesus came down from Heaven and died on the cross to remove our sins for us.”
“Someone died for my sins?” she asked as she closed her eyes. Was she trying to picture the scene? He’d done that many times.
Luke turned in the seat to face her. “Not just someone. God’s only begotten Son. He loved us enough to sacrifice His own life so that we could be saved. The Bible says that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin.”
“What a beautiful and terrible thing! I don’t know what to say.” Tears welled up in her eyes.
He took both of her hands in his. “Do you want to be free of your sins?”
“Yes, but at what cost? I’m not worthy to have someone die for me.” She stared down at their hands, and a tear slipped down her cheek.
“But Jesus already has. And the best part about it is He’s not dead anymore. Three days after they buried Him, He arose from the dead. He’s in Heaven sitting at the right hand of the Father.”
She wiped away a tear. “I want to go to Heaven too.”
“Gut. Because I couldn’t imagine it without you there by my side.” He offered a loving smile. “Just ask Jesus to save you and believe in what He did for you. God’s Word says, ‘For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ His promises are always kept. He cannot lie.”
She nodded. “Okay, I will.” Brianna bowed her head and spoke aloud, “God, hello. This is Elisabeth. Luke told me about what you did for me and how Jesus died on the cross for my sins. I want to go to Heaven. Please take my sins away and save me. Denki. Amen.”
As Luke looked into her tear-streaked face, his eyes clouded with tears as well. He pulled her into a hug and held her for several minutes. “I love you so much. I’m really happy that you’ve found the Lord.”
Brianna melted at his words. “I want to marry you this fall,” she said in a near whisper.
Luke immediately sat up and held her at arm’s length. “You’re sure?”
At her nod, he drew her into his arms again and kissed her on the mouth. He knew it was wrong to compare earthly things to heavenly. But as far as he knew, this was as close to Heaven on earth that he’d ever been. She said yes! Not only yes to him, but yes to God as well.
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Chapter 11
Mattie and Elisabeth both looked into the visor mirrors of Mattie’s car before exiting. After making sure their makeup was just so and their hair was brushed properly, they walked into the bridal shop. Today would be the final fitting for their dresses—Mattie’s bridal gown and Elisabeth’s maid of honor dress.
Mattie could scarcely believe she would be donning a thousand dollar wedding gown. And it had been one of the least expensive in the store. If she’d been married in her Mennonite community, her dress would have been self-sewn and wouldn’t have cost more than a mere fifty dollars. But she couldn’t imagine ever sewing something as fancy as the wedding dress she’d purchased. Since her now-Mennonite mother had grown up as an Englischer, she hadn’t learned the sewing skills most Plain women possessed. But she wouldn’t think of home right now.
Mattie couldn’t express how thankful she was to have Elisabeth by her side. She couldn’t have asked for a better friend. Now they would both be marrying fancy Englischers, as they would have called them back home. Now they themselves were fancy Englischers. It was funny how she’d chosen the life her mother had left behind to marry her father.
“Hello, ladies!” A congenial sales representative greeted them. “Mattie Riehl, correct?”
“Yes, this is our final fitting.” Mattie turned to Elisabeth and smiled.
“Ah, yes. I will grab your gowns from the back and meet you at the dressing rooms.” With that, the woman made haste to the back of the store where the purchased dresses were kept. Mattie and Elisabeth made their way to the large dressing rooms.
“Alright, ladies. I bet you’re excited about the big day!” By the sound of it, one would think the salesclerk was the one getting married. She placed the dresses on the hooks of the private rooms. “Go ahead and try those on and I will be back in a few minutes to be sure they fit properly. Your petticoat is already in the room.”
Mattie smiled exuberantly at Elisabeth and they both entered the fitting rooms to try their dresses on. “I’ll probably need your help with the zipper.”
“Okay, it shouldn’t take me long to put my dress on and then I’ll come in to help you,” Elisabeth said before parting into the fitting room.
A couple of minutes later, Elisabeth joined Mattie in her dressing room.
“Ach, Elisabeth! You look so beautiful in that bridesmaid’s dress. I think Carson’s gonna faint dead away when he sees you.”
“Maid-of-Honor,” Elisabeth corrected, then laughed. “I don’t think so. Now if Luke were to see me in it, he’d definitely faint dead away!”
Mattie giggled. “I think you’re right. Red is not exactly an ‘approved’ Amish color, nor is that style of dress. But I know Carson will love it, especially when he gets to dance with you at the reception.”
“I’m a little nervous about that. I keep envisioning Bishop Hostettler walking into the reception hall and scolding us for being worldly,” Elisabeth said, pulling up Mattie’s zipper while she held her hair up.
Mattie giggled again. “Now, I don’t remember Grossdawdi being that bad, but maybe Minister Fisher, Uncle Jonathan, was.”
“You know they say the reason Minister Fisher is so serious about preaching is because he had a pretty wild past. I guess that explains the twins’ behavior,” she said wryly.
“Well, he’s quite different at home from what I’ve seen and heard from my folks. He must be, otherwise they wouldn’t have all those kinner!” Mattie l
aughed.
“Ach, if they only knew we were speaking of such things.”
“That’s good, though. You can’t be that serious all the time.” Mattie ignored Elisabeth’s previous comment.
“Do you think any of his kinner will go Englisch?” Lis asked.
“You never know.” Mattie shrugged. “I know JJ—Johnny and Judah—always got me into so much trouble!”
“Your cousins were ferhoodled. I’m surprised your father let you hang out with them.”
“I know. Me too.” Mattie looked into the long mirror, experimenting with her hair. “How do you think I should do my hair? Should I wear it up or down?”
“How does Richard like it?”
“Down. He thinks the curls are cute.” Mattie smiled.
“And so they are. Wear it down. Do you have your veil so we can see how it looks?” Elisabeth looked around the dressing room and spotted the veil on one of the wall hooks. “Here it is.”
Mattie took the veil and placed it on top of her shoulder-length curly brown hair. “How about if I put half of it up? How does that look?”
“Perfect!” Elisabeth declared.
“After we’re done with mine and Richard’s wedding, we’re going to have go shopping to find you a wedding dress,” Mattie commented.
“Oh, I don’t think so. I wouldn’t be able to afford anything like that. I’ll have to check out some thrift stores,” Lis said practically.
“You may borrow mine if you’d like,” Mattie offered kindly.
“I really appreciate that, Mattie, but I’m taller than you and my hips are a little wider.” Elisabeth hoped her denial didn’t dampen Mattie’s spirit.
“I’m sure they can alter it for you,” Mattie insisted.
“I’ll think about it.”
As Mattie and Elisabeth left the bridal shop, Mattie still couldn’t get over the fact that her wedding was only a week away. It was a shame no one from home would be present to see her take her vows. The bittersweet thought brought tears to her eyes.
<><><>
Brianna glanced over at Jacob, who sat on the driver’s side of their spring buggy. Jacob had been in a sullen mood since the youth gathering last weekend. When Brianna pushed him for answers, Jacob had brushed her off and told her to mind her own business. She still didn’t know how the ride home went with her brother and Rachel, but she got the feeling it didn’t go well.
“Denki for taking me to Rachel’s, Jacob. It would have been too awkward for me to walk with all these baking supplies,” Brianna said.
Jacob grunted. “It’d be better if you just learned to drive yourself, or had taken the cart along.”
Brianna knew she could have done that, but it wouldn’t have given Jacob and Rachel the opportunity to see each other. She was hoping that they could work out whatever was going on between them because she didn’t like Jacob somber all the time. She much preferred his fun, teasing self. “Maybe you can teach me how to drive soon.”
“Jah.” He shrugged.
The short ride only took a few minutes. When they pulled up to Rachel’s, her friend opened the door and descended the porch steps to help unload. Jacob sat in the buggy and ignored the girls’ cheerful greetings.
Brianna spoke up, “Jacob, will you help me take these things into the house, please?”
Jacob sighed. “I’d think the two of you could handle that.”
When had her brother ever been so rude? Was he acting this way because of Rachel’s presence?
“There are some heavy things that we girls shouldn’t be carrying. Please?” Brianna pleaded. She hoped stroking his ego might move him.
He grunted. “Ach, alright.”
It had worked.
Brianna smiled to herself and took some supplies into the house quickly, purposely leaving Rachel and Jacob outside alone together. She sat the items on the kitchen table, and then stood by the door to eavesdrop on their conversation. She was sure she heard arguing.
“I hope you had a good time riding home with Jake Yoder,” Jacob said accusingly.
So that’s why Jacob has been in a bad mood. Rachel rejected his offer for a ride, Brianna realized.
“Well, I’m sure it was better than if I’d ridden home with you!” Rachel retorted.
Ouch! That wasn’t very nice, Brianna thought.
“You would never have gone with me. Your mamm would never approve of it!” he sneered.
Rachel’s tone became sober. “What’s that supposed to mean, Jacob Schrock?” she said with her hands on hips.
“Oh, give me a break, Rachel!” Jacob bellowed, and then mimicked a woman’s voice, “I’m sorry, Jacob, but I can’t go riding with you anymore because my mamm won’t let me.”
Brianna had to stifle a giggle.
“So, that’s what this is about?” Rachel replied tersely, “You’re upset because my mamm won’t let me ride with you? Do you expect me to disobey my mother?”
“We both know you’re hiding behind your mamm’s skirts, Rachel. Every time I ask you to do anything, you always have a reason why you can’t.”
“So, you think I’ve been making up all those excuses just to put you off?” Rachel said indignantly.
“Yes, I do!” Jacob shouted.
Brianna was beginning to think maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.
“For your information, I wanted to ride home with you last Saturday! I only went with Jake Yoder because he asked me first. And when my mamm said I couldn’t ride horses with you anymore, I ran upstairs to my room and cried for hours!” Rachel admitted loudly.
Jacob stood there speechless, as if trying to comprehend what she’d just told him. A minute ticked by in silence.
Brianna couldn’t believe what she saw next.
Rachel forcefully grabbed Jacob’s shirt and pulled him toward her. She then proceeded to give him a kiss like Brianna had never witnessed before—at least not that she could remember—right in front of her father’s house! Jacob wrapped his arms around Rachel and pulled her closer to him than she’d ever seen any Amish couple. They seemed lost in each other’s embrace until Brianna figured she’d better break up the party before Rachel’s father came in from the field and pulled out his hunting rifle.
Brianna cleared her throat before descending the steps. “Uh, Rachel, we’d better start baking before your mamm returns.”
Jacob and Rachel reluctantly broke apart, but stood gazing into each other’s eyes.
Jacob spoke up, licking his lips. “Uh…yeah. I…I’ll just go then.” But instead of moving, his feet stayed planted to the ground.
“Denki for…uh…helping, Jacob.” Rachel bit her bottom lip, seemingly bashful about her boldness now.
“Anytime.” He tipped his hat, and then finally moved and hopped into his buggy.
Brianna could hear him whistle as he traveled toward home. She had to smile to herself in satisfaction.
It worked!
<><><>
Chapter 12
Caroline Mitchell walked slowly down the hallway of the home she’d lived in since the birth of her first daughter nearly twenty-five years ago. She came to a bedroom door, reached out for the doorknob, and then stopped. Excruciating pain tore through her heart once again.
It had been months since her daughter Brianna’s passing, yet still she didn’t have the strength to sort through her belongings. To do so would be dreadful for certain, it would also be final. It would force her to come to terms with the devastating plane crash that snatched her daughter away so suddenly.
No, she wouldn’t do it today. She wouldn’t disturb the quiet sanctuary that had sat vacant for four months now.
<><><>
Pachelbel’s Canon in D filled the air as Elisabeth walked down the aisle toward the front of the church. Her eye caught Carson’s. He was so attractive, standing next to Richard, in his black tuxedo. The red cummerbund and bowtie matched Elisabeth’s dress precisely.
Not many months hence, she would be walking d
own the aisle in this same fashion. But next time, she would be the one walking to the Wagner’s Bridal Chorus. She’d be the one wearing the long white dress. She’d be the one looking into the eyes of the man she’d be spending the rest of her life with, longing for the honeymoon vacation that would follow.
She took her spot at the front of the altar as they’d rehearsed the day before, then watched in awe as the guests rose from their seats. The church pianist played the “Here Comes the Bride” and her best friend floated down the aisle with tears streaming down her cheeks. The wedding coordinator had informed them that the bride would normally be escorted by her father. Since that was not possible, Richard’s father had stepped into the role and volunteered, to which Mattie was grateful.
The ceremony was shorter than expected, especially since she was used to the three hour long Amish wedding ceremony. She’d caught Carson gazing at her several times while Mattie and Richard said their vows. She wondered if he was looking forward to their wedding day as much as she was.
Although Elisabeth wasn’t accustomed to dancing, she acceded at Carson’s prompting. She discovered that she enjoyed being held in his arms as they slowly swayed to the romantic music. But, as she’d been warned by the elders in her former Amish church, being in such close proximity to Carson, with his warm breath on her neck and their bodies nearly touching, had stirred feelings of desire that were better left alone until after they were wed. And even though Carson had wanted to dance to more songs, she had to decline for reasons she was uncomfortable discussing. Surely the Lord would not approve of such intimate desires.
“Do you know what kind of bridal gown you would like to wear?” Carson asked as he set his salad fork back onto his plate.
“I’m not sure. Mattie offered to let me borrow hers. I was thinking of doing that,” Elisabeth said.
“You mean, you wouldn’t rather have your own dress? Not that Mattie’s isn’t nice, I just pictured you in something more…elegant.” Carson forked a bite of rice pilaf and chewed.
“They’re just so expensive. I can’t see myself paying that much money for a dress I’ll only wear one time. I could attempt to sew my own, but I’ve never made anything so fancy. I’m afraid I’d mess it up. Not to mention, I’d have to purchase a sewing machine. It feels like it’s been forever since I’ve even sewn anything.” She shrugged. “Or, I suppose I could look at the thrift stores.”
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