Christmas at Rose Hill Farm (21 page)
“Another reason we should call it Bertha Riehl. Just like herâ
exactly
like herâthis rose has to get the last word in.”
“How so?”
Billy grinned. “It leaves a lingering fragrance.”
That it did. Its sweet scent had infiltrated the greenhouse. “But she wouldn't want a rose named after her. Too prideful, she would say.”
“Then we should call it what she called it. The Charming Nancy. After all, it's our turn to take care of the rose.”
The rose. This elusive, mysterious rose. With a practiced eye, Bess gathered every detail about the rose, confident that the same thoughts were being catalogued in Billy's mind: class of Gallicas; a large, dramatic bloom of pink-mauve color, packed with petals; deeply fragrant. What couldn't be described was why it was the most important rose in the world. This rose had brought Billy Lapp home.
She felt his gaze and lifted her eyes to him.
Our
turn, he had said. It was their turn in the long line of rose lovers who had protected and nurtured this rose. To ensure the rose's ongoing survival for
their
children, to pass its tending on to their children's children, was what he meant.
Bess had not known a heart could smile.
T
his conversation guide is intended to enrich the reading experience, as well as encourage you to explore topics togetherâbecause books, like life, are meant for sharing.
- “God is faithful even when we are not” is a central theme in
Christmas at Rose Hill Farm
. Which characters needed reminding of that theme? Discuss the ways in which the characters come to peace with this biblical truth. - The rosebud seemed to have a personality of its own: stubborn, slow, resilient, enduring. It was more than a legacy. What do you think the mystery rose symbolized in Billy's and Bess's life? Is there a beloved treasure in your life that might have a similar meaning to you?
- Some parts of an Amish wedding might seem strange to youâthe bride and groom's meeting with the ministers before the ceremony, for example. Let's flip the picture. Do you think there might be aspects of a typical American wedding that seem strange to the Amish? Which ones? Doesn't that awareness give you an appreciation for how our culture shapes and molds us?
- Let's consider Amos Lapp and the broken engagement. At one point, Maggie Zook questions Amos about why he can't seem to settle on the right Christmas gift for Bess. “It might be that you have an idea of who Bess is, who you want her to be, without really knowing her.” Do you think Amos truly loved Bess? Or was Maggie on to something? By the way, if you'd like to find out how Amos Lapp's love life unfolds, you might enjoy reading the Stoney Ridge Seasons series.
- Billy's home life was less than ideal: brothers who bullied, a father who encouraged competition between his sons. Finally, Billy had enough and left home. George pointed out to him that he had acted like a Pharisee: all rules and no love. “How are you going to be salt to your family when you're hiding away in a greenhouse in College Station? By staying away like you've done, you've only made things worse for your father. He has no one to pull him up. You might be standing on principle, but you're all alone.”
What were your thoughts about George's bold remarks to Billy? Was he asking too much of him? Billy certainly thought so. George was trying to show God's perspective on his role in his family. What difference would that make to someone in a difficult relationship? - What were your thoughts about the character of George the hobo? You might find it interesting to know that the story about the ambulance and the pothole is a true one. Granted, there's no way of knowing if an angel was involved, but it does give one food for thought. Have you ever had a curious coincidence occur that became strangely pivotal in your life?
- Toward the end of the story, Billy reflects on some of the truths George has taught him. “Billy turned his wrist over and thought of how differently he would have handled things had he known how much he mattered to God, if he'd known he wasn't forgotten, if he'd known he was being
looked after. He had felt so hopeless, so all alone. And yet he had never been alone, not even during that hard time.” That insight isn't just for Billy. It's a biblical truth meant for me and for you. How does such knowledge affect you? - It would be nice, wouldn't it, to have an angel like George appear at critical junctions in our life: times of uncertainty, times of needed healing, times of crisis. George didn't stay, even though Billy wanted him to. Why? Had he stayed, what might have been Billy's temptation? The folded coat on the chair, the money on topâthey were signs that George's work with Billy was complete. What final message did George deliver to Billy? To you and to me?
Emmanuel, God is with us.
(I didn't think angels would have need of the chapters and numbers given to Bible verses so mere mortals could locate Scripture. The Amish actually use the German Luther Bible, but for obvious reasons, I used the King James Version.)
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39)
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” (Psalm 19:1)
“Then they cried unto the L
ORD
in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.” (Psalm 107:13)
“He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.” (Psalm 107:29)
“Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.” (Psalm 107:30)
“For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.” (Psalm 84:10)
“For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” (Psalm 91:11)
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)
“For ever, O L
ORD
, thy word is settled in heaven.” (Psalm 118:89)
“If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13)
D
id you know the rose is America's favorite flower? Four states claim it as their state flower (New York, Iowa, Georgia, South Dakota) and, over thirty years ago, June was dubbed National Rose Month. Today, there are over one hundred species of roses in the world, the majority of which are native to Asia.
Traditionally, the rose is known as the flower of love. In Greek and Roman mythology, the rose was used as a symbol of Venus and Aphrodite, the goddesses of love. In Christian iconography, the rose is associated with Christian martyrs. Its five petals are said to represent the five wounds of Christ. It was Shakespeare who penned the famous words, “A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet.” Never mind the killjoy who altered the adage: “A rose by any other name would still get black spot.”
The history of growing roses goes back a long, long timeâover five thousand years. In the eighteenth century, Europeans began experimenting with different varieties of roses and created several hundred new versions. And that's where this story begins . . . with roses from the 1700s that have “gone missing” over the centuries.
Lost roses have a fascinating backstory. It's believed to be highly possible that extinct roses are in people's backyards, brought over from Europe by someone's great-great grandmother. Old roses, prior to the first China tea hybrid in 1867, are durable, cold-hardy, and remarkably sturdy. Old cemeteries remain the best places to find old roses.
So . . . have you gone wandering around an old cemetery lately?
P.S.
If you're interested in reading more about Bess and Billy, get hold of a copy of
The Search
, winner of the 2012 Carol Award for Long Contemporary.
The Search
takes place in 1972, a few years prior to this story set in 1977. And if you want to follow up with Amos Lapp (hint: Maggie Zook has a significant role in his future), read the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, starting with
The Keeper, The Haven
, and wrapping up in
The Lesson
. Though, the stories of Stoney Ridge never really end. Life goes on and on . . .
I
t probably never occurs to anyone how much help goes into the making of a book. This story started in the living room of my dear friend Nyna Dolby, who is something of a flora genius. She was the one who gave me the idea of waiting for that stubborn rosebud to open, before it would reveal its identity.
As I wrote about George, I wanted to make his character as biblically accurate as possible while allowing imagination to stretch and fill in the blanks. I treaded carefully around this special messenger and asked quite a few respected students of the Bible about areas that seemed uncertain. For example, do angels read the Bible? Lots of interesting responses to that question. Some believe the Bible won't be relevant in Heaven, others feel strongly that it is. Overall, I believe that the chief purpose of angels who visit Earth is to turn our eyes toward the Almighty. I hope you'll see that purpose throughout George's visits.
As if all this help wasn't enough, other people contributed too. My trusty first draft readers, Lindsey Ciraulo, Wendy How, and Nyna Dolby, spent hours reading the early version and
offering ideas and support, helping to fix details that were too often lost on me.
To Andrea, Barb, Michele, Twila, Cheryl, Robin, Lanette, and all the other excellent people at Revell, many thanks for making this Christmas story possible and getting it into readers' hands. Just in time.
Emmanuel, Christ is with us!
Ingredients
| 3 cups | rolled oats |
| 1 cup | packed brown sugar |
| 2 teaspoons | baking powder |
| 1 teaspoon | salt |
| 2 teaspoons | ground cinnamon |
| 2 teaspoons | vanilla extract |
| 2 | eggs |
| 1 cup | milk |
| ½ cup | butter, melted |
Optional add-ins:
¾ cup dried cranberries, dried cherries or raisins, diced apple, sliced almonds, chopped walnuts
Additional milk
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. In another bowl, whisk eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and butter. Stir into oat mixture until blended. Add optional ingredients like fruit or nuts, and stir.
Spoon into a greased 9” Ã 13” baking pan. Bake 40â45 minutes or until set. Serve warm with milk. Yield: 9 servings.
Suzanne
Woods Fisher
is the author of the bestselling Lancaster County Secrets and Stoney Ridge Seasons series. The Search received a 2012 Carol Award, The Waiting was a finalist for the 2011 Christy Award, and The Choice was a finalist for the 2011 Carol Award. Suzanne's grandfather was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Her interest in living a simple, faith-filled life began with her Dunkard cousins. Suzanne is also the author of the bestselling Amish Peace: Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World and Amish Proverbs: Words of Wisdom from the Simple Life, both finalists for the ECPA Book of the Year award, and Amish Values for Your Family: What We Can Learn from the Simple Life. She has an app, Amish Wisdom, to deliver a proverb a day to your iPhone, iPad, or Android. Visit her at
www.suzannewoodsfisher.com
to find out more.
Suzanne lives with her family and big yellow dogs in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Amish Peace
Amish Proverbs
Amish Values for Your Family
A Lancaster County Christmas
Christmas at Rose Hill Farm
L
ANCASTER
C
OUNTY
S
ECRETS
The Choice
The Waiting
The Search
S
EASONS
OF
S
TONEY
R
IDGE
The Keeper
The Haven
The Lesson
T
HE
I
NN
AT
E
AGLE
H
ILL
The Letters
The Calling
The Rescue (ebook short)
The Revealing
T
HE
A
DVENTURES
O
F
L
ILY
L
APP
(with Mary Ann Kinsinger)
Life with Lily
A New Home for Lily
A Big Year for Lily
A Surprise for Lily
