by Katlyn Grace
Lord, please don’t let there be any messes.
He breathed a heavy sigh of relief as he examined the room, realizing the dog hadn’t used the bathroom or thrown up anywhere. Ethan knelt to pet the excited puppy. “Hi, girl. Let’s go meet your owner.” The pup licked Ethan’s hand and he chuckled. If he married Hope, this dog would be theirs. He found himself liking that idea very much.
Ethan hid the squirming puppy in his sweatshirt. The entire process to this surprise was too amusing. He walked backwards into the living room. “I need Hope to close her eyes and open her hands up.”
“On it.” He heard Mark reply and footsteps pitter-patter across the living room to the couch Hope relaxed in. Ethan heard a giggle from the woman he loved.
“Okay, she’s ready,” Brianna informed Ethan.
Ethan turned around to see Mark covering Hope’s eyes and he laughed at the scene. He would remember this moment forever. He pulled the fidgeting puppy from his sweatshirt and heard gasps and giggles from everyone whose eyes were open. Sara pulled her Polaroid camera out and positioned herself to take a picture.
“On the count of three, Hope, you can open your eyes,” Ethan instructed her. “Now, if you don’t like this gift, there’s no receipt…so, you better like it.”
Mark laughed at Ethan’s worried statement.
“Okay,” she replied to him in a high-pitched giggle. She seemed as excited as a child on Christmas morning.
“One…” Ethan stroked the puppy that was too eager to meet its owner.
“Two…” He slowly lowered the puppy right above Hope’s hands.
Snoopy barked and yipped at the sight of another dog that could potentially be his new best friend. “Three!” A camera flashed as Hope opened her eyes, snapping her flabbergasted reaction and Ethan’s enormous grin.
“You really did get an animal!” Hope snickered as the puppy licked her face. “Ethan, oh my! I love her.” She sank into the couch and let the dog lick her all over.
Ethan watched as Hope’s smile seemed to grow larger by the minute. “You won’t be getting any kisses from me with slimy doggy kisses all over you.” Ethan chuckled and settled down beside of her.
“How in the world did you manage this?” his sister asked him from across the couch.
“I know a guy.” He proudly smirked as he shrugged his shoulders.
Ethan poured a cup of piping hot coffee for him, and a cup of jasmine tea for Hope.
The house was empty and quiet now, except for Hope and her dog. Tonight’s Christmas gettogether couldn’t have gone any more perfect. It had been wonderful to see their families gather together and be as one. It was a type of fun that didn’t require getting wasted. Ethan experienced love and the excitement of being a part of a Christian group again. It was something that made his soul rejoice.
He carefully made his way back to his living room with the two mugs and took a seat beside Hope. She happily accepted her cup of tea and rested her head on the headrest of the couch. “I loved the look on Mark’s face when he unwrapped the rock.”
“It was priceless,” Ethan agreed with a chuckle. “You know what else was priceless?”
Hope beamed, already knowing the answer. “I had no idea I would be getting a dog tonight.” She carefully caressed the small puppy curled up in her lap. “I decided on the name Maya. I thought it was cute.”
“Surprises are fun. I like the name, by the way.” Ethan ruffled the puppy’s curly fur. “I got to thinking, Maya can be our dog.”
Hope laughed and brushed her bangs to the side. “You’re quite attached to her already, huh?”
“Indeed I am.” He took a taste of his steaming coffee. “I know a simple way to settle this…how we can both have her.”
“How’s that?” She seemed to hold her breath.
Ethan took hold of Hope’s dainty left hand. “What about putting a ring on this finger?” He pointed to her ring finger. “What about marrying me?” Ethan’s curious gaze met hers.
Hope grinned from ear to ear as her emerald eyes glistened. Ethan loved Hope more than he could ever find words to describe. He would love to spend year after year endlessly chasing after Hope’s beautiful heart.
She bit her lip and nodded with a smile. “Can we elope?”
“I think the quicker, the better.” He chuckled and squeezed her hand, taking her reply as a yes.
“Only thing is, my dad won’t like not getting to walk his daughter down the aisle.” Hope maneuvered herself and the dog, so she could lay her head in Ethan’s lap.
“He can meet us at the courthouse.” Ethan winked at her.
Hope giggled and played with Ethan’s fingers, and Ethan traced the freckles perfectly aligned by God on Hope’s face. How had he gotten this lucky?
God. He answered his own question.
Hope was going to make the loneliness of this big house disappear. He couldn’t wait to come home to her gorgeous smile, to make her cinnamon rolls on Sunday mornings, to take her to church. It was the small things that would change that excited him the most. It was time for a new chapter, and Ethan found himself more than willing to move on with God and Hope by his side. It was a solid foundation, an overwhelming start. And it was absolutely thrilling.
Ethan inhaled a deep breath. “I’ve wasted three years of my life, Hope. And I believe God sent me you in the lowest time of my life for a purpose. He knew that I felt so alone and heartbroken. So, He sent me hope, quite literally.” They both laughed at his comment. “Hope we have as an anchor of the soul.” He smiled as he quoted the familiar Scripture from the book of Hebrews.
He wiped a tear with his thumb that escaped from the corner of Hope’s eye. “Through you obeying God, I now have a relationship with Him on my own. I don’t ever want to lose that again. So, I just want to simply say this…thank you, Hope.” He exhaled as a tear fell from his own eye. “I want to spend the rest of my life chasing your exquisite golden heart.”
Hope sighed heavily, seeming to ponder each word he said. “God is faithful.” She whispered and closed her eyes as another happy tear rolled down her cheek. “I love you so much, Ethan.” Hope kissed the back of Ethan’s hand.
“I’ll love you always.” He kissed her nose and she smiled.
Ethan played with her slick strawberry-blonde hair that had originally attracted him in the first place. Well, that…and the freckles. “Hope Lawson, I just thought you would like to know that you have stolen my heart.”
She blushed and closed her eyes. “That’s okay, I’ll just steal your last name.” She winked with a smirk beginning to form at the corner of her mouth.
Ethan laughed as he gently stroked Hope’s hand with the back of his thumb. He was going to love this woman for the rest of his lifetime, then he’d spend an eternity with her and God in Heaven. Never had he experienced so much hope in one moment.
Double Chocolate Chip Muffins
What You’ll Need:
¾ cup of brown sugar
⅓ cup of vegetable oil
6 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder
6 tablespoons of hot water
2 eggs
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
1 ⅔ cups of all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons of baking powder
½ teaspoons of baking soda
¼ teaspoons of salt
¾ cups of sour cream or Greek yogurt, heaping
1⅓ cups of semisweet chocolate chips (or a mix of regular and mini)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a standard size muffin tin with liners.
In a large mixing bowl combine the sugar and oil. Beat on high for 2 minutes. Combine cocoa and hot water in a small bowl, whisk until smooth. Add to sugar and oil, beat for 1 minute. Add eggs and vanilla, mix until combined.
In a different mixing bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Gradually alternate adding the dry ingredients and sour cream or yogurt to the large mixing bowl. Don’t ov
ermix! Fold in 1 cup of the chocolate chips with a spatula.
Using a large scoop, scoop up the muffin batter and fill each liner. Sprinkle the remaining ⅓ cup of chocolate chips on top and gently press into batter. Bake for 7 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and continue baking for 10-12 more minutes. Cracks should appear slightly moist and edges should be firm. Remove from oven and allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Enjoy Ethan’s all-time favorite!
Mixed Berry Streusel Muffins
What You’ll Need:
2 cups of sugar
2 cups of self-rising flour
2 cups of milk
Splash of vanilla
1 cup of blueberries
1 cup of strawberries
1 cup of blackberries and/or raspberries (optional)
1 stick of butter, melted
1/3 cup of light-brown sugar
2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons of butter
½ teaspoons of ground cinnamon
½ cup of packed light brown sugar
1 ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
Instructions:
Preheat oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mix sugar and flour together. Add milk, vanilla, and butter.
Pour batter in Texas-size muffin pan (pre-lined with cupcake liners) and sprinkle desired berries into muffin cups in batter.
In a bowl, combine the 1/3 cup of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of flour, and ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Add the 2 tablespoons of butter in tablespoon size increments, then cut it into mixture and mix. Sprinkle the streusel on top of batter and bake for 25 minutes. Pull out of oven.
Combine ½ cup of packed light brown sugar and 1 ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon and sprinkle on almost finished muffins. Place back in oven for 5-10 more minutes or until toothpick comes out clean and edges are golden. Top with fresh berries.
Indulge in Ethan’s amazing new concoction!
Apple Streusel Bread
“Ethan’s Thanksgiving Alternative”
What You’ll Need:
½ cup of packed light brown sugar
1 ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
2/3 cup of white sugar
½ cup of butter (softened)
2 eggs
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder
½ cup of milk
1 large apple (peeled and finely chopped)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Grease and flour a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan.
Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl and set aside.
With a mixer, combine white sugar and butter until smooth.
Add eggs and vanilla to mixing bowl and beat on medium speed until combined evenly.
Add flour and baking powder, then milk.
Pour half of batter into the loaf pan you prepared earlier. Cover that with half of your apples. Pat apples into batter with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle that with half of cinnamon-brown sugar mixture.
Pour the remaining batter over apple layer; top with remaining apples and more of the cinnamon mixture. Pat topping into batter with the back of a large spoon.
Bake for around fifty minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Enjoy Ethan’s Thanksgiving alternative!
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for reading Finding Hope. I absolutely fell in love with the story of Hope and Ethan. I am honored to be able to share this inspirational romance with you.
Being my first book, I must thank God for this amazing opportunity. He laid upon my heart to write about hope, so I literally did. Finding Hope brings Hebrews 6:19 to life. No matter the condition and shape you are in right now, God will welcome you in with open arms. He casts your sin as far as the east is to the west. He loves you. He cares deeply for you. He would love nothing more than to have a relationship with you and give you Heaven. Anchor in that hope.
Not only did I learn that throughout writing this book, but I also learned that God lets things happen in our lives not to destroy us, but to make us stronger, better people. Things happen, and sometimes they’re unexplainable, but we must hold tight to the anchor that is hope.
God has a plan.
He cares for your needs.
He loves you. It’s that simple.
I cannot wait to share with you the story of Mark in book number two of The Lawson Series, Finding Faith. Until then, feel free to e-mail me:
[email protected]
You can also find me on-line at: www.rosepetalsandfaith.weebly.com
Instagram: @RosePetalsAndFaith
Twitter: @KatlynGracee
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/KatlynGrace
Thanks again for letting me share my first special story with you. God Bless.
Keep Smiling,
Katlyn Grace
about the author
Katlyn Grace resides in a small town in West Virginia and adores spending time with friends and family. She enjoys writing, photography, music, early mornings, and gong on walks. Katlyn also runs a Christian advise blog, RosePetalsAndFaith. She writes with the intent to inspire others to follow God and pursue His calling on their lives.