Where Love Grows (44 page)

No mention was made of details, but Susan knew. She was impressed that Deacon Ray was willing to go this far in acknowledging they all had failures in their lives.

“We all make mistakes,” Bishop Henry had said when Deacon Ray finished. “And there is forgiveness with
Da Hah
. I'm glad all of you have come to this day and are willing to forsake the devil and the world with all its lusts.”

Deacon Ray nodded, as did the other ministers.

Ahead of them the buggies turned into the Stutzman driveway, stopping so the women could get out close to the house.
Daett
had to wait with the buggy still on the main road until the line moved forward. One of the buggies dashed past the walks without stopping, apparently driven by a single young man with no
mamm
, sisters, or
frau
to worry about.

Mamm
and Susan climbed out when their turn came, walking toward the washroom with their shawls wrapped over their shoulders. Susan glanced toward the barn where a line of men was forming. Bishop Henry stood at his regular place at the head of the line, deep in conversation with Mose.

Before they turned at the end of the walk, Susan caught a glimpse of Steve coming out of the barn. A hint of a smile crossed her face. He was growing more dear each Sunday night when they visited after the hymn singing. What would it be like when they said the wedding vows? That was still too much to comprehend. She would have to wait.

Already
Mamm
and
Daett
's
dawdy haus
was underway in the fields lying toward Ada's place. It was the perfect spot, picked out by
Mamm
. The roof had gone on this week, well ahead of the thunderstorm that had hit last night.
Daett
said it wouldn't have hurt to get rain on the subfloor, but
Mamm
was of a different mind. No rain inside her house was the only acceptable option.

Already
Mamm
was dreaming of paint colors and cabinet doors. All of them would be plain, of course, but even then there were options to work with. Thomas, the brazen rascal, had been down last week to speak with
Mamm
about cabinet design. He and his
daett
were the best cabinet makers in the community, so
Mamm
couldn't be blamed for using them. Susan had stayed out of sight upstairs during the visit. Thomas's
daett
could have come just as easily, but that wouldn't have been Thomas's style. Rumors were in the air of a fall wedding for Wilma and him. But one could never be certain when it came to that rogue.

Mamm
held the washroom door open for Susan. The women inside were already moving into the kitchen. Susan slipped off her shawl and laid it on the counter.
Mamm
did the same. They went inside and shook hands with the line of women, finishing just in time. Bishop Henry appeared outside the kitchen window, and then led the long line of men into the living room. Susan waited until the married women had left the kitchen before she joined the line of unmarried girls. Soon she would be going in with the married women on Sunday morning, Susan thought, glancing across at the boys' side. Steve was looking at her, a slight smile on his face. Susan returned his smile, ducking her head. It wouldn't be right to give Steve too much attention in public. That time would come this afternoon when he drove her home.

Daett
had never allowed both Sunday afternoon and Sunday evening dates for his daughters. At least not until they were close to the wedding and had lots of plans to make. A thrill ran down Susan's back. She had arrived at that time. She was going to be married! She'd found a man she truly loved and who loved her in return.

The girl in front of her sat down on the bench, and Susan almost ran into her. Several girls giggled, and Susan thought what a sight it would be on Baptismal Sunday to trip across the benches, arms and legs flying every which way. She had to get a grip on herself, and the sooner the better! She sat down and folded her hands on her lap, holding completely still. No one seemed to be looking at her, so thankfully her near fall was going to be overlooked. The song leader from the men's section called out the song number, and the singing began. When the boys stood to follow the line of ministers upstairs for this last instruction class, Susan rose to lead the line of girls up the stairs.

Deacon Ray read the last two instruction lessons when they were all seated, adding a few comments of his own. The other ministers did the same. Bishop Henry had the last say.

“I hope all of you have enjoyed this season of instruction as much as I have,” he said. “I know you probably think I just say so, considering how many young people I have seen through the instruction classes since becoming a minister. Yet the joy never ceases to affect me. To see people give their lives to the service of
Da Hah
while they're still young is a great thing to behold. You may not think much of sin's influence because you're still young, but as you grow older, you'll understand better what a blessing it is to have
Da Hah
with you early in life. And that will be all I have to say unless someone else has something to add.”

Bishop Henry looked around the room at the other ministers. They all shook their heads. The bishop smiled at the group and waved his hand toward the door. The oldest boy stood, leading the way downstairs. Susan followed the boys. They walked up to the benches set apart in the front row for the occasion. Around them the singing continued until the ministers returned.

The preaching started with Minister Emery's opening sermon. Bishop Henry had the main sermon, going over the Old Testament story of the birth of Isaac, the child of promise born to Abraham and Sarah.

“So is given to each of us who believe,” Bishop Henry said, “a promise from
Da Hah
. By the Spirit of
Da Hah
in us there will be power over sin, power to live a holy life, power to live a life to the highest standards and pleasing to
Da Hah
, separate from the world and the flesh.

“It may take years of waiting, as Abraham and Sarah had to wait, but in the end the Spirit of
Da Hah
will do His work for all those who believe. In the end there lies the hope of eternal life for us in that land where we will never die, where tears are wiped away, where loved ones gather around us, and where the Son of God Himself will serve His people.” He gestured toward the baptismal class.

“It is to such a life that these young people are committing themselves today. Let us join them in a fresh renewal of our own vows and in our own dedication.”

The clock ticked on the living room wall as Bishop Henry paused to look down the line of young people. “Now, as many of you who are still willing to make your commitment to the holy vows, please kneel.”

Susan waited until the boys had knelt before she bent her knees and settled on the floor. The girls on her right followed her example. Bishop Henry started at the end of the line, asking the pertinent questions, with Deacon Ray following and pouring water from the pitcher after the answers had been accepted. The moments seemed to hang in the air, as they came closer and closer. Finally Bishop Henry was standing in front of Susan.

“Do you, Susan,” Bishop Henry asked, “confess that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God?”

“
Yah
,” Susan whispered.

“Do you promise to forsake the devil, the world, the desires of your own flesh, and to cleave to the will of
Da Hah
? Will you submit to the Word of God and to the fellowship of the church?”

“
Yah.
” Susan kept her head bowed low.

Bishop Henry's hands came down over the top of her
kapp
. “I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” The water ran down the side of her face and dripped to the floor. “Rise, sister Susan.”

Bishop Henry's rough hand clasped her, helping her stand. His
frau
, Ruth, took Susan's hand from Bishop Henry's and kissed her on the cheek. She smiled her welcome.

Susan stayed standing as they moved down the line. When the last girl was baptized, Bishop Henry motioned with his hand, and they all sat down together.

Behind them a song number was announced, and the singing began. When it was done, Bishop Henry pronounced church dismissed. The younger boys dashed for the front door as usual. Susan waited until the boys in the baptismal line had stood before she led the girls into the kitchen.

Betsy and Ada met Susan with hugs.
Mamm
was in tears, dabbing her eyes with her handkerchief. “This is such a blessed day,”
Mamm
said as she wrapped her arms around Susan's neck.

The other newly baptized girls were being greeted in similar fashion by their relatives. Finally, Mose Stutzman's wife, Ronda, cleared her throat and announced it was time to prepare the tables. The women broke up, and their chatter filled the house as they worked. Tables were set up in the living room, some jutting into the bedrooms.

The men were taking benches down to the basement where the unmarried boys' table would be set up. Perhaps she should volunteer there, Susan thought. She might catch another glimpse of Steve's smile. While she was deciding, Ronda interrupted her thoughts. “The baptized girls get a place on the first table. A special privilege for today only.”

Ronda couldn't be refused, and Susan gave in at once. She would get plenty of Steve's smiles this afternoon. Minutes later Bishop Henry prayed, and the meal began. When it was over, Susan helped serve the next two tables. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Steve leave the group of young unmarried boys and walk toward the barn. He would be ready to leave before long. Making her way to the washroom, she found her shawl and met Steve's buggy at the end of the walk.

“
Gut
afternoon,” he said cheerfully.

“
Gut
afternoon yourself,” she replied as she climbed in and snuggled against his shoulder.

“Now,” he said, as he turned onto the main road, “I think I need a kiss since you're a baptized saint.”

“Up to your tricks again, are you?” she accused, not moving away from him.

“Of course. You have to be welcomed properly into church membership.”

“Bishop Henry's wife already did that.”

“Not the way I will.”

“Okay,” she whispered.

He bent his head sideways, keeping both hands on the lines to control his trotting horse.

“That's it!” she said pulling away.. “You get no more kisses until we say the wedding vows.”

He smiled and looked very smug.

Susan playfully slapped his arm before leaning against his shoulder again.

T
he early morning mist had lifted from the road, burned away by the sunlight glaring brightly. Susan stood inside the front door of the house, with Steve right beside her. The last of the buggies had passed the living room window twenty minutes ago, and it would soon be time for them to leave for the barn.

Her dark-blue wedding dress rustled when she glanced down at her clasped hands. The day had finally arrived. She was going to say the sacred vows with Steve Mast. She was going to take her place by his side for their walk through life together, in
gut
times, in bad times, in sickness, and in health.

“It's time to go!”
Mamm
said, her hands fluttering about. “I can hardly stand it! The last of my daughters is getting married!
Daett
and I will be lost by ourselves down at the
dawdy haus
.”

Susan reached over to squeeze
Mamm
's hand as Steve opened the front door. He had on a new, shiny black suit, brushed so not a single piece of lint was to be found. The first set of witnesses went out the door. Steve and Susan followed. Susan took a deep breath before they started across the lawn. Behind them came the soft footsteps of the second couple, who would sit with them in the front row.

All heads turned toward them as they approached the barn door. Every cobweb had been swept off the day before. Every beam was scrubbed. The haymow door had been closed, and every piece of straw picked out of the rough boards. Susan kept her head up, her eyes on the backs of the couple in front of her.