Chapter 15 – The Surprise
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine...” Proverbs 17:22a
Danika couldn't think of a time in her life when she had been happier. Eli had taken most of the week off from school to help out at home. On Friday, he returned to class with the rest of the scholars. It was difficult for both of them to keep their minds on their studies. They were looking forward to this Sunday when their families would share in fellowship.
Eli escorted Danika home from school with the blessing of his father and Philip. They recounted all of the things that had happened since that first day in the woods. They marveled in the wondrous things that God had wrought, and how he had answered their prayers. God had never seemed more real in their lives than now, and they knew that they could trust Him with their future.
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Sunday came quicker than expected and Naomi, Danika, and Cindy were busy making preparations for the noon meal. Philip had brought an extra table into the kitchen to accommodate their guests and the ladies quickly set it. When the Yoders arrived, Jacob gave Philip a hearty bear hug. Smiles and laughter soon filled the house as friendships were restored.
When all of the guests were present and seated, Philip made an announcement, “Naomi and I have a surprise for Danika.”
Danika looked at them both inquisitively, and then glanced around the table to see if anyone else knew about it. They looked just as curious as she was.
Philip went to the bedroom and brought out a shiny red scooter.
“What in the world?” Danika asked in surprise.
“The scooter is not the surprise. It's in the basket.” Naomi smiled.
Danika reached into the basket and pulled out a white rectanglular envelope. She quickly opened it, a little nervous that all eyes were on her. She pulled out a card and read it silently, then read the words that were written by hand aloud: “Danika, we love you and we hope that you will be happy to be called our daughter. You are now officially Danika Morales King. Love, Your new Mamm and Dat.”
With tears in her eyes, Danika rushed to her new parents and embraced them. “Denki, I love you too.”
THE END
A sneak peek at Book 3 in the Amish Girls Series...
J.E.B. Spredemann