Ella's Wish (36 page)
Authors: Jerry S. Eicher
Late that evening and after the girls were in bed, breathing deep even breaths, Ella sat down to write by the light of the kerosene lamp.
Dear Journal
,
Another day has passed with my girls. I now call them “my girls,” but only to myself. They are so dear and make their way deeper into my heart every day. Who would ever have thought it would happen so
.
I told Ivan today that he could see me. We are starting slow. I don’t trust myself completely yet, and I don’t know if I can ever really love him. I suppose, in a way, it doesn’t seem right to give the man hope, but Mamm thinks there is no wrong in it, and so I guess I will try
.
Ivan seems very understanding. He touched my hand this morning in a way that only a man could. And even though my heart didn’t jump with joy, as it would have if Aden had touched me, at least it didn’t grow cold around the edges as it did when the bishop did so
.
As for the bishop, I do hope he finds happiness with someone. It’s strange that I should be the one who turned him down—the first woman he says he’s really loved. But if you ask me, all of life is strange in that way. The bishop might as well find out the same thing
.
I’m not sure he’s fully aware that his chances with me are really over. I expect he’ll wait to see what happens with Ivan and me
.
Good night, Journal. I plan to sleep well tonight. I can hardly keep my eyes open. The house is still and peaceful this evening. It is full of people, as houses are meant to be, and well kept—not by me, I should hasten to say—but by Da Hah’s gracious care
.
1.
Ella’s Wish
opens with Clara and Ella relaxing in Ella’s new home. What do you think is at the root of Ella’s desire to be left alone? Should she have stood by that resolve?
2. Do you think Ella handled Daniel properly when he arrived to declare his love?
3. As Bishop Miller and Preacher Stutzman’s profiles are given, where do your sympathies lie?
4. Ella spends a day at her parents’ home helping in the hay field. Do you think this strengthened and encouraged her for the conversation the family had that evening?
5. Did Ella take too much responsibility for Eli’s waywardness?
6. Was Ella wise to rent out the upper level of her home to Joe and Ronda?
7. Do you think Preacher Stutzman was looking for reasons to pursue a relationship with Ella when he went to her home to ask if she could watch his girls?
8. Why do you think Ella had recurring dreams about marrying Bishop Miller?
9. Would a relationship between Preacher Stutzman and Nancy Weaver have worked out?
10. Why did Ella continue the relationship with Bishop Miller for as long as she did?
11. Why didn’t Ella accept Preacher Stutzman’s marriage proposal?
12. Do you think Ella will marry in book three? If so, to whom?
As a boy,
Jerry Eicher
spent eight years in Honduras, where his grandfather helped found an Amish community outreach. As an adult, Jerry taught for two terms in parochial Amish and Mennonite schools in Ohio and Illinois. He has been involved in church renewal for 14 years and has preached in churches and conducted weekend meetings of in-depth Bible teaching. Jerry lives with his wife, Tina, and their four children in Virginia.
More Amish fiction from Jerry Eicher…
Little Valley Series
A Wedding Quilt for Ella
Ella Yoder’s wedding with Aden Wengerd and the building of their dream house is set for June. But when Aden is suddenly taken from her, Ella begins to doubt God’s love.
When her family pressures her to marry the new young bishop, Ella asks for six months to heal from Aden’s death. Meanwhile, Aden’s brother, Daniel, helps Ella build her dream house based on a drawing by Ella’s sister, Clara, which is now sewn into Ella’s wedding quilt.
Can healing come through a house…a quilt…a community?
Watch for book three in the Little Valley Series, coming in August 2011.
The Adams County Trilogy
Rebecca’s Promise
Rebecca Keim has just declared her love to John Miller and agreed to become his wife. But she’s haunted by her schoolgirl memories of a long ago love—and a promise made and a ring given. Is that memory just a fantasy come back to destroy the beautiful present…or was it real?
When Rebecca’s mother sends her back to the old home community in Milroy to be with her aunt during and after her childbirth, Rebecca determines to find answers that will resolve her conflicted feelings. Faith, love, and tradition all play a part in Rebecca’s divine destiny.
Rebecca’s Return
Rebecca Keim returns to Wheat Ridge full of resolve to make her relationship with John Miller work. But in her absence, John has become suspicious of the woman he loves. Before their conflict can be resolved, John is badly injured and Rebecca is sent back to Milroy to aid her seriously ill Aunt Leona.
In Milroy, Rebecca once again visits the old covered bridge over the Flatrock River, the source of her past memories and of her promise made so long ago.
Where will Rebecca find happiness? In Wheat Ridge with John, the man she has agreed to marry, or should she stake her future on the memory that persists…and the ring she has never forgotten? Does God have a perfect will for Rebecca—and if so how can she know that will?
Rebecca’s Choice
Popular Amish fiction author Jerry Eicher finishes The Adam’s County Trilogy with an intriguing story of a young couple’s love, a community of faith, and devotion to truth.
Rebecca Keim is now engaged to John Miller, and they are looking forward to life together. When Rebecca goes to Milroy to attend her beloved teacher’s funeral, John receives a mysterious letter accusing Rebecca of scheming to marry him for money. Determined to forsake his past jealousies and suspicions, John tries hard to push the accusations from his mind.
Upon Rebecca’s return, disturbing news quickly follows. She is named as the sole heir to her teacher’s three farms. But there’s a condition—she must marry an Amish man. When John confronts Rebecca, she claims to know nothing. Soon Rachel Byler, the vengeful but rightful heir to the property, arrives and reveals secrets from the past. Now the whole community is reeling!
Hannah’s Heart Series
A Dream for Hannah
Having grown up in the Amish faith, author Jerry Eicher (over 100,000 copies in combined sales) treats his fast-growing readership to his firsthand knowledge in
A Dream for Hannah
.
Hannah Miller’s Amish faith is solid. Her devotion to her family and Indiana community is unquestionable. Yet her young spirit longs for adventure and romance. As troubling circumstances give her good reason to spend the summer at her aunt’s Montana horse ranch, Hannah soon discovers she has much to learn about life and love.
Her heart is awhirl with emotion as she dreams about her future. Sam, the boy Hannah has known all her life, is comfortable and predictable. Peter is the wild one, the boy who is on rumspringa. And Jake is unpredictable, intriguing, and living in the Montana wilderness.
Hoping for a dream come true, Hannah must decide how to fulfill her heart’s desire while staying true to her faith.
