Murder Freshly Baked
Page 31
2. Preston is struggling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. He wants to believe God’s promise of peace, but he’s having a hard time reconciling that with the struggle he faces day to day. If you had a friend going through a similar situation, how would you assure them of God’s love?
3. Hannah reflects in chapter 12 that she prefers the peaceful days of the last few months. She doesn’t want any more danger or drama. It seems that God does bless us with times of peace before trials. Share a verse about God’s peace.
4. In chapter 13 Preston offers a “foxhole prayer.” Sincere, from the heart, and desperately honest, he falls on the mercy of God. The Bible tells us to cry out to God in our time of need. Read Psalm 18:6. David was also crying out to God. Discuss a time when you prayed in desperation.
5. We see a lovely image in chapter 20 of an older man and woman walking through the rain into the furniture store. Their love for each other is obvious. What can we learn from older couples in our community about love and faith?
6. In chapter 25 Amber realizes, “Everyone needed help. A wise person realized it before disaster struck . . .” Discuss a time when you had to depend on someone else. How did they come through with the type of help you needed?
7. Martha has her heart broken by Ryan Duvall. In chapter 30, her mother says, “Time will heal most wounds, and the ones not healed? Those we learn to live with.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement, and why? What does the Bible say about the brokenhearted? Start with Psalm 34:18.
8. When Ryan Duvall shows up at Preston’s house, he is a rumpled, broken man (chapter 31). Strangely, Preston can relate to that, and perhaps that is why he shows mercy to this man who has caused so much trouble. Is this a wise or foolish thing for Preston to do? What does the Bible say about showing mercy to those who would harm us?
9. Jesse reminds Hannah that “Sarah is still under Gotte’s care.” Sometimes we have to hold tight to the promises found in Scripture. Read the following verses and discuss how these words of encouragement affect your life: Matthew 10:29–31, 1 Peter 5:7, Psalm 118:6. What other verses can you add to this list?
10. Part of this story focuses on cancer, as well as its treatments. Has cancer affected your life in any way? If so, how? What can we do to help those afflicted by this disease?
11. After Hannah is married to Jesse, Amber has the thought that she’d like to “draw her friends closer and protect them from any harm. She couldn’t do that, though. Only God had that sort of ability.” Have you had any experience with this? Are there folks you would like to protect but have to trust to God’s care?
Acknowledgments
This book is lovingly dedicated to Mary Sue Seymour. Mary Sue first offered to represent me based on a romantic suspense novel I had written, which still hasn’t seen the light of day. But she didn’t give up. In the way of good agents, she suggested a different genre. She suggested I write about the Amish. That was six years and twelve books ago. During that time she has been an exemplary agent and a good friend. I am forever grateful that she took a chance on me.
I’d also like to thank my friends in Middlebury—both Amish and Englisch. You were a joy to visit, very welcoming, and an author’s dream as you offered information about your lovely town. A special thank-you to Jeffrey Miller, operations manager of Das Dutchman Essenhaus.
Thank you to Donna, Kristy, and Dorsey, my pre-readers. I also appreciate the work of my editor, Becky Philpott. Thanks to Diane Anderson for her contribution to the ACFW auction and the use of her name. My husband deserves my undying gratitude—he keeps me fed and pointed in the right direction. He also reminds me to step away from the computer, which is advice I need.
Northern Indiana has become a place near and dear to my heart. Every time I return (whether physically or through the plot of a story), I am reminded how kind and welcoming the residents have been to me. I count it as one of life’s many blessings that our paths have crossed. If you’re ever in the area, I encourage you to stop by Middlebury, Goshen, Nappanee, Elkhart, and Shipshewana. Visit the Acknowledgments local shops—both Amish and Englisch. You’re bound to find things you’ll enjoy, and don’t be afraid to sample the pie.
Finally “. . . always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20).
Blessings,
Vannetta
About the Author
Vannetta Chapman is author of the bestselling novel A Simple Amish Christmas. She has published over one hundred articles in Christian family magazines, receiving over two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. In 2012 she was awarded a Carol Award for Falling to Pieces. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather’s birthplace of Albion, Pennsylvania.
Visit Vannetta’s website: www.vannettachapman.com
Twitter: @VannettaChapman
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