––––––––
Rachel Zook, hearing Sarah’s quiet words, looked at Hannah, then at her son, Adam. Worry filled her eyes. Adam had been diagnosed with asthma two years earlier and she had been told to keep him from others who were sick with colds and flu, which could be worse for him. Seeking and finding her husband on the men’s benches, she kept looking at him until he felt her gaze. When he turned around, she silently motioned that she was sending Adam to sit with him. Michael quickly spotted the reason for Rachel’s look of worry. He nodded and motioned Adam to sit with him.
After the day’s message had been given, along with several announcements, the meeting finally ended. Several men rearranged the benches, creating picnic benches with long tables that had been set in the kitchen entryway.
The women glanced at each other, talking about the coming storm. They were glancing outside, seeing the dark-gray clouds, heavy with snow as they raced to cover the pale-blue sky.
“Let’s hurry and serve everyone – it wouldn’t do to have anyone outside when this storm hits,” Sarah said briskly.
The women arranged themselves so they could move platters to the long tables. The first shift, composed of the oldest members of the community and the men, sat down, dishing up their plates. When they were done, girls collected dirty plates, glasses, cups and silver, setting out clean ones. Children sat down next.
Sarah looked outside and her heart stilled – it was snowing heavily. Looking for Joseph, she motioned to the kitchen window with her eyes. He saw what she was telling him.
Finally, the women were able to sit down. Eating quickly, they moved as one into the kitchen so they could wash platters, serving dishes and dishes. Sarah glanced outside once more – this was no good. The storm was even heavier now, and the wind was picking up. Squinting, she tried to spot the carpentry shop – all she could see was a faint outline of one corner. She stopped breathing momentarily as a sharp gust of wind took the snowflakes, moving them horizontally.
“Sarah, Bishop Stoltzfus wants to talk to us,” Joseph said quietly into Sarah’s ear.
Sarah motioned to Miriam to take her place then followed Joseph into the cold entryway.
“Mr. and Mrs. Beiler, I am worried about allowing anyone to drive home in this storm. It’s too dangerous. Horses could go snow-blind and go off the road,” said the bishop.
“Bishop, we can put everyone up here,” Joseph offered. “We have enough room – we might need blankets, though, but if we double families, with women and children upstairs and men downstairs, we could do it.”
“Ya, we would need more blankets. We have seven bedrooms,” Sarah said.
“That’s settled, then. Denki. There is no sense, allowing families to travel in this blizzard. I will tell everyone,” the bishop said.