The walnut creek wish, p.32
The Walnut Creek Wish, page 32
“I still can’t believe the news my dad and your mom gave us when they stopped by last evening to see the baby.”
Jeff’s comment pulled Rhonda out of her musings. “I know. Since they’ve been dating close to a year now, we should have expected that they would end up getting engaged, but their announcement still took me by surprise.”
“You’re okay with it though, right?”
She bobbed her head. “It strikes me kind of funny, however, to know that my father-in-law will soon become my stepfather.”
Jeff laughed. “Yeah, and my mother-in-law will be my step-mom. It’s sort of weird but good. I’m happy they found each other.” He got up from the couch, left the room for a few minutes, and returned with two plaques in his hands. “I found these when I was going through more boxes we haven’t opened yet and figured we should find a place to hang them, either here in our home or in the entryway where our guests come into the inn.”
Rhonda smiled as she read the first plaque: GOD BLESS OUR HOME. It had been a housewarming gift from her mother after they’d moved into their previous home. “I think we should hang that one here, where we live,” she responded.
Jeff gave a nod. Then he held up the other one that read: BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD. “What about this?”
“Let’s hang that plaque so that everyone who enters our inn can see it. As Christians, we should let others know what we believe.” “I agree.” Jeff smiled. “And if they ask any questions about the scripture, it’ll open the door so we can tell them what that verse truly means to us.”
“For sure.” Rhonda put the baby over her shoulder and gently patted the infant’s back. “I’m glad the Troyers were able to drop by here earlier today to visit with us and greet our daughter. I will think of those two every time I see the Bible verse on that plaque.” “Same here.”
Rhonda closed her eyes, listening to her daughter’s slow, even breathing. This sweet child is a wonderful blessing from God, and so are Lois and Orley. I wonder who, in need of mentoring, will walk through the doors of Memory Keepers next. Rhonda smiled. Whoever they are, I’m sure that dear Amish couple will be as much of a blessing to them as they have been to us.
Rhonda’s Creamy Cucumber Dip
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
1 tablespoons Miracle Whip salad dressing
½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 medium cucumber, chopped
¼ cup chopped green pepper
1 rounded tablespoon chopped onion
In mixing bowl, stir together cream cheese, sour cream, Miracle Whip, and Worcestershire sauce. Add cucumber, green pepper, and onion. Refrigerate two hours before serving with your favorite crackers or veggies.
Lois’s Bacon Cheese Muffins
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
8 bacon strips, fried and crumbled
2 tablespoons sugar
½ teaspoon garlic powder
3 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup milk
¼ cup vegetable oil
2 cups flour
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In large bowl, combine flour, cheese, bacon, sugar, garlic powder, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, beat egg, milk, and oil. Stir liquid mixture into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fill greased muffin pans two-thirds full. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan. Yield: 1 dozen
Discussion Questions
1. When Rhonda and Jeff first got married, they got along well; but as the years went on, conflict erupted, causing marriage problems. What do you think is the biggest reason some married couples don’t get along? Is there anything a husband and wife can do to prevent marital problems?
2. When Rhonda and Jeff’s marriage problems first began, she’d wanted him to go with her to see a counselor, but he’d refused. Is it possible for a couple having marriage problems to get help without professional counseling? What other things might they try to get their marriage back on track?
3. Jeff was a collector of antiques, which was a cause of dissension between him and Rhonda because his hobby was expensive. Have you ever known someone who collected high-priced things even when they couldn’t afford them? Is there a way this problem can be dealt with?
4. Rhonda desperately wanted a baby, and when it appeared that she and Jeff would not become parents, she threw herself into her work to the point that she was gone more than she was at home. How did this play into the problems she and her husband experienced?
5. In the early part of their marriage, Jeff didn’t care about having children because he wanted Rhonda all to himself. He’d never admitted this to her, though, making excuses about why he did not want to adopt. Should he have admitted the real reason, or was he right not to tell his wife the truth until years later?
6. Although Orley and Lois enjoyed selling vintage items and even kept some for themselves, their main focus was on mentoring people who came into the store and seemed to be burdened with a problem. What are some ways we can help others who are troubled and need a touch from God?
7. Lois had been writing a column for the local newspaper for a while before she admitted it to her husband. Why do you think she didn’t want him to know? Is there ever a time when a husband or wife should keep a secret from his or her spouse?
8. The relationship Jeff had with his father had been strained since the death of Jeff’s mother. Things got worse when Jeff’s dad began dating. Even though Jeff was a grown man, he couldn’t deal with the possibility of his father getting married again. Have you ever been in a similar situation—either as the adult child of a widowed parent who wanted to begin dating again or as the widowed parent with an adult child who was opposed to the idea? Were you able to work things out so that everyone involved was comfortable with the idea?
9. When Rhonda’s mother, June, became a Christian, Rhonda felt uncomfortable around her, because she wanted nothing to do with God. It didn’t help that June, eager to have her daughter accept Christ, brought up the topic of religion whenever she talked to Rhonda. How can a Christian witness to a family member who is not a believer without making them feel pressured or uncomfortable about the topic?
10. Rhonda didn’t approve of her mother using a dating site to choose a man she might be willing to see socially. She also didn’t like the idea of her dating men she’d met at church. Why do you think Rhonda felt this way? Should she have been more understanding of her mother’s desire to go out with a Christian man?
11. Jeff felt a bit puffed up when he and Rhonda bought a new house. He wanted to show his brothers that he’d made something of himself. What usually happens when a person takes on more than they can handle financially in order to impress others?
12. In this story, Rhonda experienced what she believed to be a miracle. Has God ever performed a miracle in your life, or have you witnessed a miracle in someone else’s life? How did seeing a miracle strengthen your faith?
13. What was Jeff’s reason for keeping his conversion to Christianity a secret from Rhonda? Is there a reason or a time when we should not share our Christian beliefs with others? Why?
14. Rhonda was also afraid to tell Jeff that she’d become a Christian. Were her reasons legitimate? Should she have told him right away and given him the chance to accept or reject what she had done?
15. Were there any scriptures in this story that you particularly liked? If so, how do they apply to your own situation?
About the Author
New York Times bestselling and award-winning author WANDA E. BRUNSTETTER is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. She has written more than 100 books translated in four languages. With nearly 12 million copies sold, Wanda’s stories consistently earn spots on the nation’s most prestigious bestseller lists and have received numerous awards.
Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well-read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.
When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties. Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, birdwatching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
To learn more about Wanda, visit her website at www.wandabrunstetter.com.
Wanda E. Brunstetter, The Walnut Creek Wish
