Six months later
Lenore’s heart swelled with joy as she and Jesse stood before their bishop in preparation for taking their marriage vows. Thankfully, her broken leg had healed well and she didn’t have a limp.
In a solemn tone of voice, the bishop looked at Jesse and said, “Can you confess, brother, that you accept this our sister as your wife, and that you will not leave her until death separates you? And do you believe that this is from the Lord and that you have come thus far by your faith and prayers?”
Jesse replied, “Yes.”
The bishop directed the next question to Lenore. “Can you confess, sister, that you accept this our brother as your husband, and that you will not leave him until death separates you? And do you believe that this is from the Lord and that you have come thus far by your faith and prayers?”
Swallowing against the sob rising in her throat, Lenore answered affirmatively.
Bishop John asked a few more well-chosen questions, then placed Lenore’s right hand in Jesse’s right hand, putting his own hands above and beneath their hands. “The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob be with you together and give His rich blessing upon you and be merciful to you. I wish you the blessings of God for a good beginning, a steadfast middle time of your marriage, and may you hold out until a blessed end, through Jesus Christ. Amen.”
Jesse, Lenore, and the bishop bowed their knees, and then he spoke again. “Go forth in the name of the Lord. You are now man and wife.”
Before returning to their seats, Lenore glanced at the women’s side of the room, where female members of her and Jesse’s family were seated. Grandma, smiling widely while holding Cindy in her lap, sat between Lenore’s mother and Sara. Jesse’s parents and brothers had come down from Kentucky, and his mother sat next to Lenore’s mom. Michelle, although not related by blood, sat on the other side of Sara, holding her and Ezekiel’s baby girl.
On the other end of the room, several men were representative of both the bride’s and groom’s families—Jesse’s father and four brothers as well as Lenore’s dad and her two brothers.
Herschel, Sara’s father, and his parents were also in attendance, as were all of Ezekiel’s family and many other friends Lenore had known since she was a girl. This day was the most joyous occasion of her life—one she would remember for the rest of her days.
After the wedding—which was being held inside a large tent in Grandma’s yard—Lenore, Jesse, and Cindy would take up residence in Grandma’s house. It was the perfect arrangement for all concerned. Grandma had told Lenore this morning during breakfast that someday after she was gone, the house would belong to her and Jesse.
For a few moments, Lenore felt a sense of heaviness in her chest. What a shame Grandpa couldn’t be here today to witness my marriage. Grandpa always said someday the right man would come along, and he was correct. Lenore felt sure Jesse was the husband God had chosen for her.
She smiled inwardly, thinking about the heart-shaped rock she’d placed in the center of the corner table, known as the Eck, where she and Jesse would sit during the wedding meal today. She’d shown it to him a few days after she’d gotten out of the hospital, when he and Cindy came to Grandma’s house to visit Lenore. When she’d explained about what she’d heard concerning finding a heart-shaped rock, Jesse smiled and said, “I think you should have shown it to me sooner.”
Including the rock as part of their table decorations would be a reminder of their undying love.
As they took their seats again, Jesse offered Lenore a heart-melting smile, and she gave him one in return. They listened to the other ministers speak, and one of them quoted Psalm 147:3: “‘He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.’”
Lenore closed her eyes briefly and prayed, Dear Lord, thank You for the prayer jars Michelle, Sara, and I discovered. The scriptures, prayers, and personal notes my aunt Rhoda wrote helped all three of us in some way, and they drew us closer to You. Thank You for Your healing touch during the times we were hurting. Please guide and direct me in the days ahead, and may all that I say and do be pleasing unto You. And I thank You for the privilege of becoming Jesse’s wife and the joy of being Cindy’s new mother.
When Lenore’s prayer ended, she opened her eyes, keeping her focus on the man who had just become her husband for life. Although they would no doubt be faced with various trials over the years, there would be plenty of good times too. Together, and with God’s help, Lenore and Jesse would deal joyfully with whatever might come their way.