Gabriel's Bride (41 page)

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Authors: Amy Lillard

Tags: #Christian Fiction, #General

BOOK: Gabriel's Bride

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mudder
— Mother

naerfich
— nervous

narrisch
— crazy

nachtess
— supper

nay
— no

nix
— nothing

onkle
— uncle

Ordnung
— book of rules

outen the light
— Turn out the light

redd-up
— Clean up

roasht
— traditional wedding dish made of cut up chicken and stuffing

rumspringa
— running around time (at 16)

shveshtah
— sister

sohn
— son

Vatter
— Father

verhuddelt
— confused

Was iss letz?
— What’s wrong?

Wie geht?
— How are things?

Dear Reader—

Alfred, Lord Tennyson once said, “I am a part of all that I have met.”
Gabriel’s Bride
is truly a little piece of all that I am, as well as many people who are close to me.

I have a kinship with Rachel Yoder that I’ve never had with any other of my characters. No, I’m not an orphan. I’m not being forced to get married. And I’m not a stepmother to six reluctant children. But I’ve been known to wander away from the oven and burn the cookies. Or the potatoes. And the bread. Especially the bread. I love my “hobbies” more than housecleaning, and I’m easily distracted. Yes, Rachel Yoder is a bit ADD. But she’s got a big heart full of love, a kind soul, and she’s a bit of a dreamer. Not bad qualities if you ask me, and perfect for a man like Gabriel Fisher.

When I started the Clover Ridge Series, I knew that Gabriel needed someone special to bring him to love again. But Rachel was a surprise. Her spunk, her energy, and the chaos that seems to follow her hit a little close to home. In Rachel, I found a common bond, a soul sister, and I am so happy to give her a story.

Gabriel’s Bride
is fiction . . . mostly. And the rest is a bit of family stories and inspirations from conversations with friends. Truth can be stranger than fiction. But love is bigger than both.

Blessings to you and all those you love—

Amy

Discussion Questions

1. When Gabriel discovers that Mary Elizabeth has gone to live with the English, he tells his sons, then says they will not speak of it again. Have you ever known anyone like Gabriel? A person who hides their feelings instead of talking about them? How has their suppressing their emotions affected your relationship with them?

2. Rachel Yoder came to live in Oklahoma after her parents and brothers were killed in an accident. Have you ever had to move quickly, leaving friends and family behind? How did you handle it? How did your response differ from Rachel’s?

3. Gabriel denies Deacon Ezekiel Esh’s claim that he is the right man to be the district’s new deacon. Gabriel resists. Have you ever denied something that you knew was for you, that perhaps suspected God wanted for you? What finally changed your mind?

4. Gabriel’s middle sons are none too happy about his marriage to Rachel. In today’s blended families this is a concern for a great many people. What are some ways two families can live as one and how do they survive their many differences?

5. What does Ruth mean when she tells Rachel there is only one kind of marriage? Do you agree with her statement?

6. Ezekiel Esh tells Gabriel, “The Lord sees a need, and He provides for it. It is a sin to waste opportunities as surely as it is to defy God Himself.” What does he mean by this statement? Do you agree?

7. Ruth tells Rachel that if the cancer is back then it was God’s will all along. Have you ever experienced something such as this in your life or perhaps to a loved one? How did you discern God’s will from mere circumstance?

8. Ruth makes Rachel promise not to tell anyone that she has found another lump. Rachel feels that this is an unfair promise. Do you agree with Rachel? What of Ruth’s feelings? Is she justified in her decision not to go for further testing?

9. In
Gabriel’s Bride
, a new deacon is chosen for the district and the process of choosing a leader by lot is outlined. What are some of the benefits of choosing church leaders this way? What about drawbacks?

10. When Mary Elizabeth returns, she is saddened that she wasn’t able to fit into the world of the English. Most of us, at one time or another, have felt like we weren’t accepted or didn’t fit in. How did you handle this? How important is it to be welcomed? Discuss ways to handle this problem.

11. When Samuel gets bitten by the snake, Rachel believes that it’s her fault. Is she correct in her thinking? Have you ever blamed yourself for something beyond your control? How did you learn to forgive yourself?

12. Rachel grows up quite a bit in
Gabriel’s Bride
. Some of her experiences are good and some are bad. How have certain happenings in your life caused you to “grow up”? Were most of these good or bad experiences?

13. At the end, does Rachel have a boy or a girl? What are the reasons behind your choice?