A Wedding for Julia (50 page)

1. Ada shares the Psalms, but she doesn’t always quote them word for word as we would find in the Bible. It seems as if she is reminding her family of the psalmists’ words more than she is quoting them. It’s as if she is sharing words from a friend. What has been your experience with the book of Psalms?

2. In chapter 6, David says, “You don’t truly know someone until you share your mornings and your nights with them.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why?

3. Bishop Atlee explains to Julia, “You are still a child to your parents no matter how old you become.” Recall a time you have experienced this sentiment with your own children or from your parents.

4. Chapter 7 contains a conversation between Caleb and his dad. This is very different from the typical view of marriage. What is your response to it?

5. In chapter 14, we see Julia’s wedding day. As she waits in her room, she runs her hand over the double wedding ring quilt and recalls that “It had gone in the blanket chest at the foot of her bed, buried there with her hopes and dreams.” But on this day, God is giving her the dream she’d long ago forgotten. What dreams in your life has God fulfilled?

6. In chapter 17, Sharon leaves her home upset, confused, and convinced her family doesn’t love her. Have you been through any situations like this? How did God convince you that you are loved?

7. In chapter 19, Ada prays over Sharon with the words of Psalm 23. Have you read that psalm lately? Think of a time in your life when this portion of God’s Word ministered to you.

8. I love the scene in chapter 26 when Julia and Caleb have their first big spat. What is causing Julia’s short temper? What about Caleb? How does his attitude make matters worse? How could they both have avoided the entire misunderstanding?

9. In chapter 29, we learn that Wess is growing his hair out so he can donate it to Locks of Love. Discuss this or another charitable program you have been involved with.

10. Ada describes what happened in Wisconsin on November 11, 1911. This was an actual event that included the tragedy described in the following chapters—record high and low temperatures, storms and tornadoes, followed by a blinding blizzard. All occurred within a 24-hour period. How does God use such events in our lives? How does it change the lives of Ada, Sharon, Julia, and Caleb?

Glossary

Recipes

Apple-Cinnamon Pie

1 unbaked pie crust

1 cup sliced apples

½ cup sugar

½ cup brown sugar

2 Tablespoons flour

1 cup cream

cinnamon or nutmeg, optional

Place the apple slices in an unbaked pie crust. In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the sugars and flour and then sprinkle over the apples. Pour the cream over the pie filling and sprinkle with cinnamon or nutmeg if desired.

Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, and then turn heat down to 350 degrees and bake another 40 minutes.

Buttermilk Cornbread

2 eggs

1½ cups buttermilk

3 Tablespoons melted lard (or shortening)

1½ cups corn meal

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup flour

¾ teaspoon baking soda

In a large bowl, combine the eggs, buttermilk, and lard/shortening. Add the remaining dry ingredients and pour into an 8 × 8 pan.

Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Chicken Casserole

½ lb. uncooked spaghetti noodles

1½ cups cooked chicken, diced

2 eggs, beaten

1½ cups milk

Salt and pepper to taste

Cook the noodles in salted boiling water until soft.

Pour the noodles into colander, drain, and rinse. Then alternate layers of noodles and the diced chicken into a well-greased, ovenproof casserole dish. Mix the eggs with the milk and then pour over the noodles and chicken. Add salt and pepper if desired.

Place the casserole dish in a pan of water and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Chicken and Dumplings

1 cup milk

2 cups flour

2 eggs

1 teaspoon salt

1 chicken, cooked and deboned

2 quarts water or meat broth

Slowly add the milk to the flour, stirring constantly to keep mixture smooth. Adding 1 egg at a time, continue beating the mixture. Sprinkle in salt.

Cook the dumplings in boiling salted water or meat broth by tilting the bowl of batter over the pan of water/broth and slicing off portions with a sharp knife. Dip the knife in the hot liquid before each cut to prevent sticking.

Add the chicken and simmer until desired thickness is reached.

Cinnamon Flop Cake

1 cup sugar

2 Tablespoons lard (or shortening)

1 egg

1 cup sour milk (or buttermilk)

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 cups flour

2 Tablespoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon nutmeg

Cream sugar and lard together, and then add the remaining ingredients. Beat until smooth.

Pour the batter into a greased and floured round cake pan or 8 × 8 pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Guey Louie Sandwiches

2 lbs. big bologna (or hot dogs)

1 small onion

½ lb. cheese of your choice

8 medium pickles

1 Tablespoon prepared mustard

3 Tablespoons mayonnaise

1 package of hot dog buns

Grind together the bologna, onion, cheese, and pickles. Add the mustard and mayonnaise. Mix well and the fill the buns.

Wrap each sandwich in tinfoil and bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.

Lazy Daisy Oatmeal Cake

1¼ cups boiling water

1 cup rolled oats (quick or old-fashioned, uncooked)

½ cup butter (softened)