Discussion Questions
1. The book opens with Chad very unsatisfied with his job and his life. Leaving his job with no notice and nothing in place was extreme and impulsive. Have you ever had such a reaction? Was the fallout better or worse than the situation?
2. Finding himself stranded at Ted’s house on Christmas Eve, Chad makes the best of the situation and ends up having a very pleasant evening, even without a television. Have you ever been in an unplanned circumstance? What did you do to make the best of it?
3. Chad quickly finds himself surrounded by a culture that is completely foreign to him, and he feels very much like an outsider. Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you were the one who was different? What did you do so you could fit in better?
4. Anna is determined to leave her roots where she can be herself. When she first asks Chad about living in the cities she has no idea he is going to be her boss. Have you ever said something to someone you wish you could take back? How were you careful not to do it again?
5. In trying to fit in better, Chad’s first mistake is to wash some dishes in the kitchen at the furniture factory. Have you ever made a mistake like this when you were trying to fit in? What did you do to make it right?
6. At the office, every time Chad sees Anna coming closer he moves his coffee mug farther away from his keyboard because he knows she thinks he is going to have an accident and spill it when it’s so close. Is there anything you do on a regular basis that you try to hide from someone? Do you think you are succeeding?
7. Unlike the rest of the men in the Mennonite community of Piney Meadows, Chad is not handy with tools. However, he swallows his pride and does his best when everyone else is doing better. Is there something you aren’t very good at doing? How do you react when others around you do something better than you?
8. Even though it is contrary to the Old Order Mennonite culture, Chad enjoys cooking, and he swears Anna to secrecy so he can cook for her in an effort to impress her. Have you ever done anything to impress someone? What were you trying to accomplish? Did you succeed?
9. When Chad sees Henry Rempel’s chicken plucker in action he nearly faints, which is very embarrassing. Have you ever done something very embarrassing in a crowd? How did you handle it?
10. Telling Anna, then the congregation, about his past relationship with Brittany and that he is going to be a father is the hardest thing Chad has ever done. He knows that some people will never accept him, but he needs to make it known. What is the hardest thing you’ve ever done? How did you feel when it was over?
11. Even though Anna’s father knows Anna is trying to improve her skills, he continues to disapprove of her doing a job outside the realm of what their community terms as “woman’s work.” Have you ever done something that someone close to you disapproved of? How did you handle it?
12. When Chad finds out that Brittany’s baby isn’t his, he feels his world has turned upside down. Instead of feeling free to go on with his life, he feels tainted, like he’s poisoning the community of Piney Meadows with his past sins, even though he’s been leading a godly life since he arrived. Have you ever met anyone who had a tainted past and turned their life over to God? How do you treat people like that; do you keep them at a distance or welcome them into your heart and home with true friendship?
13. When Anna learns that Chad plans to leave Piney Meadows she thinks hard and fast about what she really wants out of life and their relationship. She risks rejection and tells Chad that if he wants to leave, she will go with him. Have you ever left yourself open to rejection? What did it take to be able to take the risk?