A Cousin's Promise (23 page)
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Flatten chicken to 1/2 inch thickness. Spread 3 tablespoons cream cheese over each. Dot each with butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Bake uncovered for 35–45 minutes or until juice runs clear.
In 1841, four Amish families moved from Pennsylvania to northern Indiana. In the succeeding years, that Amish community grew rapidly. Now, more than twenty thousand Amish live in Elkhart and LaGrange counties, making this area the third-largest Amish settlement in the United States. The population doubles about every twenty years.
While the majority of northern Indiana’s Amish live on farms, few Amish men farm full-time anymore. In order to support their families, most Amish men either work in factories, a variety of stores, workshops, or in home-based businesses.
Elkhart and LaGrange counties have a large variety of Amish businesses, including quilt shops, buggy shops, furniture stores, bulk food stores, variety stores, window manufacturing, horseshoeing, bicycle shops, and numerous other stores. The Midwest’s largest flea market is held in Shipshewana, where many Amish and English go to buy and sell their wares. A favorite place for tourists to stop when they travel to the area is Menno-Hof, a Mennonite-Amish interpretative center, also in Shipshewana. There, one can learn about the Amish and Mennonite way of life and discover how and when the Plain People came to America as they fled persecution.
The Old Order Amish living in northern Indiana use bicycles and horses and buggies for their transportation when traveling locally. The larger buggies are referred to as “queen buggies.” For longer trips, they hire an English driver. While telephones and electricity are not permitted in their homes, the Amish make use of phone sheds and, in some cases, they use cell phones or have telephones in their places of business.
Amish young people in Elkhart and LaGrange counties often have Saturday get-togethers, where they play volleyball or table games. Some groups of young Amish women raise money for people in need by having candle parties or volleyball tournaments. Some meet to make things for Christian Aid Ministries.
Ice cream suppers are a tradition among the northern Indiana Amish. They fellowship with one another as they share a casserole dish or hot dog meal that is furnished by the hostess. Others who come to the supper bring things like chips, fruit, cookies, and cake. The evening is ended with servings of ice cream.
The Amish of northern Indiana strive to maintain their heritage. They believe it’s important for Christians to be separate from the world, which is reflected in their dress, their language, their form of worship, and their minimal use of technology. They value hard work, simplicity, and a closeness to God, as well as to their families.
| 1. | A tragic accident can change the course of a person’s life. Of the six people who survived the van accident in this story, whose lives do you think were the most affected? |
| 2. | A lot of blame was spread around after the accident. Was Loraine justified in blaming herself for suggesting that she and her friends take a trip to Hershey Park? Was her guilt self-inflicted, or did it come about because of the comments Wayne’s mother made? |
| 3. | At times in people’s lives, they become consumed with guilt over something they think they should or shouldn’t have done. What are some ways we can work through such guilt? How can we help someone who is riddled with guilt and blames themselves unnecessarily for something that happened? |
| 4. | When Wayne learned that he’d lost a leg as a result of the accident, he fell into depression and called off his wedding, thinking he was less of a man and could no longer provide for a wife and a family. What, if anything, did Wayne’s friends and family do to help him come to grips with his loss? |
| 5. | Some people might have a tendency to overprotect or smother someone who has gone through a tragedy such as Wayne did. What are some things that Wayne’s mother could have done differently to help Wayne deal with his loss? |
| 6. | Even though Wayne seemed determined to push Loraine away, she was equally determined to keep her promise to marry him. Do you think this was a result of her guilt over the accident, or did she love Wayne unconditionally and want to be his wife despite his disability? |
| 7. | When Jake Beechy, Loraine’s old boyfriend, returned to Indiana, she felt comforted, yet confused. She’d been in love with Jake once and wondered if she could love him again, yet she still had feelings for Wayne. The more Wayne pushed Loraine away, the closer she got to Jake and the guiltier she felt. Were Loraine’s feelings for Jake deep enough that she should have been able to let go of the promise she’d made to Wayne? Or should Loraine have kept her promise to Wayne despite her past feelings for Jake? |
| 8. | If Loraine decided to choose Wayne because she felt sorry for him, how do you think her motivation might have affected their future? |
| 9. | Is there ever a time when it’s all right to break a promise you’ve made? If so, what are some examples of when it might be all right? |
| 10. | Was Loraine’s mother right in thinking that Wayne would be a burden to Loraine if she married him? How might Priscilla have been more supportive to her daughter during such a difficult time? |
| 11. | Loraine’s cousin Ella was opposed to Loraine going out with Jake. What were her reasons and were they justified? How did Ella’s attitude toward Jake affect her relationship with Loraine? How might Ella have been more supportive? |
| 12. | What life lessons did you learn from reading |
Figure I
WANDA E. BRUNSTETTER
enjoys writing about the Amish because they live a peaceful, simple life. Wanda’s interest in the Amish and other Plain communities began when she married her husband, Richard, who grew up in a Mennonite church in Pennsylvania. Learning about her Anabaptist great-great grandparents increased Wanda’s interest in the Plain People. Wanda has made numerous trips to Lancaster County and has several friends and family members living near that area. She and her husband have also traveled to other parts of the country, meeting various Amish families and getting to know them personally. She hopes her readers will learn to love the wonderful Amish people as much as she does.
Wanda and her husband have been married over forty years. They have two grown children and six grandchildren. In her spare time, Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, reading, stamping, and having fun with her family.
In addition to her novels, Wanda has written an Amish cookbook, an Amish devotional, several novellas, stories, articles, poems, and puppet scripts.
Visit Wanda’s Web site at www.wandabrunstetter.com and feel free to e-mail her at [email protected].
(Book 1)
(Book 2)
(Book 3)
(Book 4)
(Book 5)
(Book 6)
IS A PROMISE—FOR BETTER OR WORSE
When a group of eight cousins and friends leaves their Indiana Amish community for a weekend getaway, a horrific accident brings them home forever changed.
Permanently disabled by the accident, Wayne Lambright struggles to take care of himself. He Can’t imagine being able to be the kind of husband his fiancée, Loraine Miller, needs. Determined to sacrifice his happiness to give her a better life, he breaks their engagement.
Loraine refused to believe Wayne doesn't lover her anymore. But when her old boyfriend Jack Beechy returns from exploring the English world, Wayne does everthing in his power to help Jake regain Loraine's love.
For better or worse, Lorine wants to be Wayne’s wife, but if he won’t agree, should she promise her love to Jake? How will God work to bring Loraine the true desires of her heart?
Award-winning, bestselling author
WANDA E. BRUNSTETTER
and her husband live in Washington State but take every opportunity to visit friends in Amish settlements througout the States.