by Tricia Goyer
“So as fer us …”
“As fer us, Sarah, we can begin a life together. The life we want.”
“Danki …”
“I need to thank you too.” Jathan lowered his face toward hers. “You have given me permission to be myself, to pray fer and ask God to show me who he designed me to be. And the more I’ve gotten to know you, Sarah, the more I believe that he designed us not to work by ourselves, but together.
“And … there’s one last surprise.” Tears rimmed Jathan’s eyes as he led her back around to the front of the store. Her friends waited. No one spoke. They all just looked at her with eager eyes.
“We brought someone special in today.” He pointed to someone sitting in a rocking chair on the far corner of the porch.
Sarah watched as the tall Amish woman stood and strode toward her. She had Patty’s smile and Patty’s eyes. A longing for her friend welled up inside.
“Mrs. Litwiller.” Sarah rushed forward. “You came.”
“We live not many hours away. I have cousins here. Jathan found me. He’s a persistent young man.” She gave Sarah a hug and pulled back. “I couldn’t miss this, especially not when Jathan honored Patty so by using her name.”
Sarah placed her fingertips to her forehead, not understanding. “Her name?”
With a wave from Jathan, Yonnie pulled the sheet off the painted wood sign that hung above the door. Sarah read the name of the bakery and gasped.
“Patty-Cakes.” Tears sprang to her eyes. “She would be so proud of this. So happy we used her name.”
Then she stepped closer to Jathan and placed her hand on the back of his neck, pulling him close.
“After Patty’s death, I wasn’t sure I’d have a full, happy heart again, but I do, Jathan … I do.”
“You also have someone who loves you completely, Sarah. It jest took me some time to figure it out myself.”
Sarah smiled and then shrugged. “I understand. All of us get lost and wander off the path fer a time. I’m jest glad you found yer way out.”
“God led me out.” Jathan kissed the tip of Sarah’s nose. “And he used my Dat’s words to do so. I’m jest glad the path led to you … always to you.”
“Me, too, Jathan.” She snuggled her cheek against his chest. “I’m also thankful fer Patty-Cakes, fer the memories past and the ones I still have to experience.”
EPILOGUE
Ten-year-old Sarah didn’t like to obey, but she hated disobeying worse. She always had this ache in the center of her chest that moved out in all directions every time she did something she knew she wasn’t supposed to do. The ache reminded her of the time she’d gotten into a fistfight with her brother Jonathan and he’d hit her square in the chest. He said later he was only playing, but she hadn’t thought so and Dat hadn’t either. Jonathan had had to do her chores, in addition to his, for a week. While that punishment couldn’t ease the pain of the punch, it did turn the memory from a bad one into one that had a bit of humor as she watched Jonathan try to knead bread and wash dishes.
But now … Patty eyed the empty kitchen as if she were the queen and her mother’s workspace, full pantry, and cooking stove her domain.
Patty sat on her knees on the kitchen chair and leaned forward, putting her elbows on the table. “Mem said we can bake cupcakes if we don’t make a mess.”
Sarah shook her head. “Did not.”
“Did too.”
“But we’re not old enough. I mean, nobody’s home.”
“Are you saying that yer mem doesn’t let you bake?” Patty gasped.
“Well, when she’s home she does.”
“What are you, a boppli?” Patty stuck her thumb in her mouth and pretended to suck it.
Sarah jutted out her chin. “Ne.”
Patty tossed an apron in her direction. “Then why don’t ya put this on? I’m sure yer mem wouldn’t like it if you messed yer clothes up.”
The door opened and then slammed. Heavy footsteps sounded across the living room floor and then tromped up the stairs.
Sarah jumped. “Who was that?”
“Ach, my bruder Michael. Don’t mind him none. He jest forgot something in his room.”
“Does he always walk like that?”
“Like what?”
“All stomping about?”
Patty shrugged. “Guess so.”
“And yer mem doesn’t holler at him?”
“Ja, of course she does, but Dat tells her that she’s growing boys who will be lumberjacks, not bankers. Mem doesn’t like it much when he says that.”
“And what about the girls?”
“Girl. I’m the only one.” Patty shrugged. “Sometimes I stomp, too, but Mem doesn’t seem to mind so long as she sees me doing girl things. That’s why I’m writing my own cookbook.”
“A cookbook? Really?”
Sarah thought about the cookbooks Mem had on the bookshelf back home. They were written by older ladies who knew what they were talking about. She rubbed her eyes and stared at Patty, feeling like her friend was a woman in a girl’s body.
“Ja. Most of them are things that Mem makes. I jest write them down. But I have a special section in the back.” Patty pulled a lined notebook off the shelf and opened it. It was filled with recipes in Patty’s handwriting. The pages were splattered with batter and one corner had an oil stain.
“See back here?” Patty pointed. “These are my own creations.”
On the top of the page was only one word. Cupcakes. Sarah read down the list.
Huckleberry
Lemon and Cream
Chocolate Chip
Raisin
Patty pointed to the bottom one. “Those didn’t turn out that gut.” She wrinkled her nose.
Patty prepared to turn to the next page and then paused. “I have to know something, Sarah, before I show you the rest. You have to promise me one thing more than anything else.” Patty’s face was serious, and her dark eyes were fixed on Sarah.
“Ja, what is it?”
“First, I don’t care if you use my recipes. Mem says that gut recipes should be shared. But if I share them, you have to promise me that every time you make them, you’ll think of me. That you’ll remember that I was the one who showed you all the best tricks, and when yer old and you have children, you’ll always tell them, ‘You can thank yer dear ole’ Aunt Patty fer this yummy dessert.’”
Laughter burst from Sarah’s lips and she nodded. “Ja, all right. I promise.”
“Gut!” Patty pushed a chair over to the kitchen counter, stood on it, and took a mixing bowl from the cupboard. “Because if I want to be remembered for anything, cupcakes would be it.”
“More than helping people or serving the poor?” Sarah didn’t know why those two things popped in her head other than the fact that Dat had read the story about the Good Samaritan over dinner the night before and had talked about caring for those no one else would help.
“Of course we should do that. But isn’t it lovely to spread a bit of happiness and beauty, too, jest like God does?”
“Ja, I suppose.”
“Sometimes God calls us to take big leaps of faith but other times …” Patty looked to Sarah with a twinkle in her eyes. “Other times he jest wants us to offer a bit of love in a way another will gladly accept it. You remember that, Sarah Shelter.” She waved her arm to the wildflowers that colored the field that had been frozen and dead just two months prior. “You remember that this moment is the most important one of all.”
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Sarah Shelter’s life is transformed after she loses her best friend, Patty. In what ways did Patty’s death change Sarah?
2. Jathan Schrock is an Amish bachelor who has traveled to Montana to hunt — or so it seems. Even more than hunting, what was Jathan running to? What was he running from?
3. The Memory Jar is set in a small Amish community in Northwestern Montana. How is this setting similar to or different from other Amish novels you’ve read?
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br /> 4. Sarah gets to know Jathan on a hiking trip. How did that trip change the course of their relationship?
5. Sarah has a wonderful talent for making cupcakes, yet this becomes a conflict with other characters within the book. Why do you think some of the Amish community members reacted as they did?
6. Throughout the book are flashbacks of times Sarah spent with Patty. In what ways did Patty’s influence impact Sarah even after Patty’s death?
7. Jathan can’t forget a painful time in his past when his father’s words hurt him deeply. How did those words impact Jathan’s actions in the novel?
8. When Sarah travels to Berlin, Ohio, she enters a community much different than the one she left in West Kootenai, Montana. Do you think the Berlin community had more influence on Sarah, or Sarah on the community?
9. Bev Troyer is an expert gardener, but she cannot cook. Why do you think it’s easier for us to point out other people’s faults rather than their gifts?
10. How did Jathan’s reconciliation with his father impact his other relationships?
11. What do you think is the underlying theme of The Memory Jar? How does this theme play out in the lives of the main characters of the novel?
12. At the end of the novel Sarah is given a great gift. Why did this gift mean so much to her?
13. Are you like Sarah? Do you have a dream that others are trying to squash? How can you follow God’s dreams for your life? What is God asking you to do?
GLOSSARY
ach — an exclamation
appeditlich — delicious
bensel — silly child
blappermaul — blabber mouth
brieder — brothers
bruder — brother
brutzing — pouting
boppli — baby
danki — thank you
dat — dad
dawdi house — grandparents’ house
demut — humility
guder mariye — good morning
gut — good
in lieb — in love
ja — yes
kapp — head covering
kind — child
kinner — children
maut — hired girl
mem — mom
ne — no
oma — grandma
opa — grandpa
Ordnung — unwritten set of rules and regulations that guide everyday Amish life. Meaning “order” or “discipline”
Rumspringa — running around. A time when Amish youth are encouraged to experiment and explore.
wonnernaus — a polite way of saying “none of your business” wunderbaar — wonderful
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I am thankful for my friends who have shared the Amish lifestyle with me:
Ora Jay and Irene Esh
Dennis and Viola Bontrager
Martha Artyomenko
And Eli and Vesta Hochstetler for welcoming me to Berlin, Ohio, and introducing me to many wonderful Amish friends!
Thank you to Amy Lathrop and the Litfuze Hens for being the best assistants anyone can have. Many people ask how I do it all … Thankfully, I don’t have to do it all with you on my team!
I also appreciate the Zondervan team, especially Sue Brower, Alicia Mey, and Tonya Osterhouse. Your insight, help, and enthusiasm have been amazing! I also send thanks to all the managers, designers, copy editors, sales people, financial folks, and everyone else who make a book possible!
I’m also thankful for my agent, Janet Grant. Your wisdom and guidance has made all the difference.
And I’m thankful for my family at home:
John, it’s amazing that we’re about to celebrate twenty-three years of marriage. I can honestly say I love you more and more each day. I’m so thankful for a husband who believes in me, supports me, cheers me on, and brags about me to anyone who will listen.
Cory, Katie, and Clayton … living so far from you is hard, but love expands across the miles. Cory and Katie, God gave you the gift of love in each other. You’re an amazing couple and great parents! Clayton, you bring such joy to your papa and me. I’m excited to see who God created you to be. God has good plans for your family, and I’m eager to see what they are.
Leslie, I love your heart for God and your heart for others. You’re the first to volunteer and give and serve! You are an example to the young people you mentor, and you’re a model to me. When I get busy with life, hearing you play the guitar and worship reminds me what’s important. I can’t believe you’re almost a senior in college. Time has passed quickly, but I’m thankful that you’ve allowed yourself to be molded and fashioned by God.
Nathan, it’s amazing how much you’ve changed in just the last six months. You’ve grown into a man before my eyes, and it’s wonderful to watch. Your love for God is matched with a servant heart and a gentle attitude. You aren’t one who wants to be noticed, but I see — and God sees too — how you care and serve.
Alyssa, what a bundle of joy you are! Every day is brighter since God brought you into our lives! At two years old, you’re my little companion during the day, making me smile and causing me to remember that laughter is just as important as any to-do list.
Grandma Dolores, I know not many people have the chance to spend so much time with their favorite grandparent. I am a blessed woman. At eighty-two years old, you keep me on my toes with your wit and surround me with your prayers. Thank you.
And to the rest of my family … I appreciate all of you! I’m so thankful you’re in my life! God gave me the gift of you!
About the Author
TRICIA GOYER is the bestselling author of thirty-two books, including two novels that have won ACFW’s Book of the Year award. Her coauthored novel The Swiss Courier was also a Christy Award nominee. Tricia loves to travel and research for her fiction and believes real life inspires great fiction. Tricia and her husband, John, live in Little Rock, Arkansas. They have four children ages two to twenty-three years old.
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ZONDERVAN
The Memory Jar
Copyright © 2012 by Tricia Goyer
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this ebook on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of Zondervan.
EPub Edition © SEPTEMBER 2012 ISBN: 978-0-310-33511-5
Requests for information should be addressed to:
Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530
* * *
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Goyer, Tricia.
The memory jar / Tricia Goyer.
p. cm.
ISBN 978-0-310-33510-8 (softcover)
1. Amish — Fiction. 2. Montana — Fiction. I. Title.
PS3607.O94M46 2012
8136’.6 — dc23 2012014734
* * *
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