Abram's Daughters: The Betrayal Part 27

Leah stepped back and fixed her eyes on Lizzie. "Ach, I can scarcely believe it ... you gave me life, Aunt Lizzie. How 356lllllll lO e l> e r I y Jl~- e to I s on earth could it be that I never guessed such a wonderful-gut thing!" Then she threw her arms around Lizzie again.

Why, oh why, did I ever worry? Lizzie thought, truly grateful. "How I love you, Leah." This she whispered, clinging to her daughter for dearest life.

Then, arm in arm, they strolled toward the log house, all the while Lizzie feeling her heart might burst apart. "I could only pray you might feel this way," she managed to say. "Honestly, I have to say I worried you might "

"But how else could I feel? Goodness, I've loved you all along nearly like a daughter loves her mamma, ya must surely know," declared Leah. "Of course I told Mamma and Dat, 'I am and always will be your girl, too.'" Leah was wearing the first true smile Lizzie had seen on her pretty face in weeks.

"Well, of course, you're theirs for always." She was unable to keep from looking ... no, staring at Leah's lovely face.

"And I'm your honey-girl, Aunt Lizzie. To think I've had two mammas all along. Guess I'm double-blessed, ain't?"

Lizzie agreed wholeheartedly. O Lord G.o.d, thank you formaking it so.

i On November 25, the Tuesday she and Jonas had planned to wed, Leah skirted a sharp, rock-strewn bank scattered here and there with moss, picking her way through the woods. She rather liked the feeling of being overwhelmed by age-old trees 357.

mid their intertwined branches above, along with the leafy labyrinth below.

Once again, she found herself pondering Catharina MeyI in, slain at the hands of G.o.d's cruel enemies. Dat's ancestor hinl given up her life freely for her devout faith. Leah wontlnvd, Did 1 lose Jonas in exchange for my obedience to the Lord ( IikI?

For sure and for certain, she hadn't lost her physical I ilc ... but she felt as if she'd lost her heart. Daring to do what was right and good in the sight of the Almighty, she'd made Iht lifelong covenant with the church, regardless of the harsh ronsequences.

Locating the honey locust tree, she stood tall and determined beneath its cold and leafless branches, leaning back to peer up through the web of bough and stem to the blue sky. Somehow, her future would be bright with or without Jonas.

II they must be apart no matter what lay before her she was determined to trust in G.o.d.

Aunt Lizzie had often talked of "praying from one's heart." But not until this moment had Leah ever attempted to do so. She bowed herAead, faltering at first, and began to address her heavenly Father. "O Lord, I stand here ... heartbroken before you. Hear my prayer, dear G.o.d."

She poured out her sorrow, even her bitterness, in the timbered stillness. She went so far as to speak aloud Sadie's name ... and the betrayal, placing it all before the Throne of Grace. "I must find the strength to forgive both my sister "and here she stopped, struggling with tears "and ... Jonas. O Lord and heavenly Father, help me to do this difficult thing."

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n Drawing in a deep breath, she began to feel an undeniable peace. She wept with strange relief, confident that the G.o.d of Moses, who had parted the roaring waves of the Red Sea, could make a path where there had been none before. This same Jehovah G.o.d would make plain and straight the path of her own life, wherever it might lead.

Walking toward home, she looked ahead to the wood's edge, where beams of sunlight flooded the opening that led to Dat's pastureland ... and the mule road. Then and there she knew she was no longer Abram's Leah, although the People would continue to reckon it so. Neither was she Jonas's Leah. In this clear moment of understanding, she knew she was wholly the Lord's. From tip to toe.

"I belong to you, Lord G.o.d," she whispered, quickening her pace. "Forever and always, I am your faithful Leah."

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The procedure for the baptismal service described in this book was adapted from the Amish ministers' manual, HandInuh. I am especially thankful for Plain church members in hoi 11 Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Holmes County, Ohio, who were willing and gracious, indeed, to verify essential Information regarding baptismal instruction and the baptism service itself.

I offer my truest grat.i.tude to Carol Johnson, my editor and dear friend, along with Roch.e.l.le Gloege, Barbara Lilland, and I >avid Horton, all vital members of Bethany's expert editorial team.

My deep appreciation also goes to my husband, David Lewis, who encourages me daily with his prayers, love, and keen interest in my many writing "journeys."

My brother-in-law, Dale Birch, was a wealth of informalion regarding the work of a master carpenter. And an unexpected blessing came from Larry Quiring, retired U.S. postal worker, who eagerly answered my questions regarding mail delivery in 1947.360To my partners in prayer, a heartfelt thank you! I value your ongoing spiritual encouragement. May the Lord bless you abundantly for your faithfulness.

For readers who wish to probe deeper into the Plain cul'

ture, I recommend the following books: Amish Society, by John A. Hostetler The Riddle of the Amish, by Donald B. Kraybill Strangers at Home, Amish and Mennonite Women in History, edited by Kimberly D. Schmidt, Diane Zimmerman Umble, and Steven D. Reschly Plain and Amish, An Alternative to Modern Pessimism, by Bernd G. Langin Martyrs Mirror of the Defenseless Christians, or The b.l.o.o.d.y Theatre, compiled by Thieleman J. van Braght Watch for ABRAM'S DAUGHTERS Book Three, The Sacrifice, in May 2004 at your local bookstore!.

Abram's Daughters.

The Covenant.

The Betrayal The Heritage of Lancaster County.

The Shunning The Confession The Reckoning.

The Postcard The Crossroad.

The Redemption of Sarah Cain.

October Song.

Sanctuary*

The Sunroom.