16

Lyle opened the door to his barn office the next morning and headed outside, across the yard to the side entrance of the house. Elisabeth had been on his mind ever since he’d noticed how withdrawn she was at breakfast, not herself at all. So he’d suggested Ellie go to market with Rudy in her stead.

He found his wife chopping celery in the kitchen, looking a bit pale. When she glanced up, he noticed puffy little pockets under her blue eyes. She offered him something cold to drink, but he declined and sat at the head of the table. “Kumme, sit with me,” he said. “Rest a little.”

She set down the knife and wandered over.

“I’m concerned ’bout ya,” he said as she sat and leaned her elbows on the table, sighing.

“I’d be fine if I could just get a full night’s sleep,” she replied softly.

He nodded, in tune with his bride of thirty-eight years. “Evan’s on your mind, ain’t?” Lyle reached for her hand. “The Lord knows the beginning and the end, and He’ll take care of our boy.”

“Even though Evan’s outside the fold?” Her eyes were gleaming as tears threatened.

“Like Daed says, we must give this to God.” He squeezed her hand. “Worryin’ could make ya sick, love.”

She smiled weakly. “No time for that round here.”

“Well, listen, you just take whatever time ya need to rest. I’ll massage your feet and your back tonight at bedtime.”

Elisabeth nodded. “All right, and I’ll take some honey beforehand. Maybe drink some warm milk, too.”

“Gut idea.” He glanced at the chopping block. “Now, how ’bout I finish cuttin’ up that celery for ya.”

“That’s all right, dear. I’ll do it.”

“After the noon meal, a short nap might do ya gut.”

“Then I won’t sleep for sure tonight.”

“Well, when the twins were babies, remember how you had to sleep whenever you could?”

“Such a long time ago.” Elisabeth smiled with a sweet sigh. “I’d give almost anything to have them snuggled in my arms again.”

“I know ya would,” he said, wishing there was something more he could do for her right now.

They heard the side door open. “The vet’s in the stable ready to check on Nelly and Captain,” Rudy called in. “Got my work boots on, so I won’t come in.”

“I’ll be right there. Almost forgot.” Lyle rose and offered his hand to Elisabeth, who took it and stood. “Ich liebe dich,” he whispered, then kissed her cheek.

“I love ya, too.” She embraced him, and he wrapped his arms around her.

The day before Baptism Sunday in mid-September had been very busy, and Ellie was ready to settle in for the night. She walked up the two long flights of stairs to prepare for bed. Then, closing the door behind her, she noticed a note lying on her pillow. When she picked it up, she saw it was Mamm’s handwriting.

Dear Ellie,

Your Dat and I are so thankful you want to join the family of God. May you always remember how blessed you are to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We love you dearly,
Mamma and Dat

Ellie pressed the note to her chest and then carried it to the dresser, where she placed it next to her handheld mirror. Mamm’s so thoughtful.

After an early breakfast of cold cereal and fruit, Ellie was delighted to see Evan hurry downstairs after chores, dressed for church. He’s coming after all, she thought, truly grateful.

Evan said nothing as he headed out to help Dat hitch up Captain to the family carriage, but she’d noticed the dark circles under his eyes. Was he out late again last night? Then she remembered what Dat often said—that they must take each day as it comes.

O Lord in heaven, let my baptism today be a witness to my brother, Ellie prayed silently as she placed her crisp white Kapp on her head.

Turning, she saw her mother coming through the kitchen with the loveliest smile and wearing her for-good black dress, cape, and apron. Together, they made their way outside.

Lyle kept his head bowed during the long second sermon, praying something the minister was saying might strike a chord in Evan’s hardened heart. He’d prayed similarly during each and every Sunday Preaching since Evan had declared he wouldn’t fight the draft.

Following that sermon, Bishop Mast called for the baptismal candidates to kneel in front of the congregation—five young women and nine young men in all. Each candidate was addressed by the bishop, who asked if, with the eunuch in Acts chapter eight, they confessed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

When Ellie answered, Lyle could hear the emotion in her voice. He had to cough to keep from tearing up, so touched was he by his youngest daughter’s meek and tenderhearted response.

The bishop then asked, “Do you acknowledge and submit to this church and its fellowship of believers?”

Ellie answered in the affirmative, as did the other candidates.

“And from this day forward, do you renounce the world, your own flesh, and the devil, and desire to live in obedience to only Jesus Christ, who gave His very lifeblood for you?”

When Ellie and each of the other candidates had responded again, Bishop Mast recited from the prayer book as the People rose to their feet. “These young people desire to live for the Lord in this consecrated and godly fellowship.” He ended by saying that they had consented with gladness to put their faith in the holy Gospel and to obey its teachings.

Later, after the congregation was again seated, the time came for Ellie’s actual baptism. The bishop cupped his hands on the hair just in front of her Kapp while the deacon poured a small amount of water into them. The bishop released the water and pronounced, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.”

Again, Lyle was deeply moved. He hadn’t been this emotional during any of his older children’s baptisms.

He thought again of Evan’s rebellion. When we’re young, life tricks us into thinking we have plenty of time. Lyle shuddered at the thought.

After helping Mamm pin the washing to the line the next morning, Ellie mailed the letter to Leah she’d written the day before. In it, she had shared every detail of her baptism and how close to the Lord she’d felt.

While she cared for other chores, she thought about Evan asking her how it felt to kneel before the bishop.

“I felt so warm all over . . . and tears came to my eyes,” she’d answered. “I know I belong to Jesus now. It’s such a blessin’ to me.”

Quiet, Evan had seemed to study her.

The following Saturday afternoon, a long, newsy letter arrived from Leah, thanking Ellie for writing about that never-to-be-forgotten Baptism Sunday. You made it so easy to picture everything you shared about joining church. Leah also wrote that an Amish family from market had volunteered to pick her up for their Preaching service every other week, so she was finally able to attend church again.

I’m so glad, Ellie thought, happy to hear that Leah was enjoying fellowship with some of the People out there.