[Kentucky Brothers 01] - The Journey (53 page)

“You’re right, it’s a terrible thing,” Dad said as they all climbed into the van. “Poor Samuel is not only grieving for his wife and unborn baby, but now he has four kinner to raise by himself.”

“Titus must not have known about this when he gave me money for my bus fare home,” Phoebe said. “I wonder if he’ll come for the funeral.”

“Oh I’m sure of it,” Mom said. “What brother wouldn’t want to be there when someone in his family dies?”

Phoebe’s heart went out to Samuel and to all the Fisher family. She knew the days ahead would be difficult for them. It was a good thing they had each other to lean on for strength. Most importantly, they had the Lord.

She reached over and took Mom’s hand. She was thankful that she’d finally seen the light and come home. Families needed each other. She knew that now without a doubt.

Pembroke, Kentucky

“Are you sure you’re feeling up to going to Pennsylvania with me?” Titus asked as he and Suzanne climbed into Allen’s truck.

“Of course I’m sure,” she said, offering him what she hoped was a reassuring smile. “It’s been a few weeks since I came down with the wasserpareble, and since my pox marks are mostly gone, or at least crusted over, I’m no longer contagious. If I was, I wouldn’t have agreed to come. I’m glad I’m going, though, because I not only want to be there for you, but I’m also anxious to meet the rest of your family.”

“I appreciate you coming with me more than you know, and I appreciate Nelson and Isaac letting us both have the time off.” Titus looked over at Allen, who sat in the driver’s seat. “I’m thankful for your willingness to take us to Pennsylvania, too.”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way,” Allen said as he started the engine. “Besides seeing that you make it home in time for the funeral, I want to be there for my good friend Zach. Want him to know he has my support.”

“I’m sure Zach will appreciate that,” Titus said. “I think everyone in our family’s going to need a lot of support, Samuel most of all. I can’t imagine how he must feel right now.”

Suzanne thought about the emotional turmoil she and her family had been through when Grandma and Dad had died just a few months apart. They’d needed all the support they could get, and if it hadn’t been for family and friends, she didn’t think they could have survived the ordeal.

“We may as well relax and try to get some sleep,” Titus said, “because it’s a long drive between here and Pennsylvania.” He chuckled and motioned to Allen. “Except for you, of course. You need to keep your eyes open and on the road.”

Allen laughed, and Suzanne smiled. It amazed her that Titus could say something humorous, even though inside he must be hurting.

No wonder I love him so much
, she thought as she leaned her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes.
I can’t wait for our journey to Pennsylvania to end so I can meet the rest of his wonderful family
.

Even though Titus had been the one to suggest it, he couldn’t sleep. He had too much on his mind.

He looked over at Suzanne, sleeping peacefully with her head on his shoulder. He felt blessed to have found such a special, caring woman.

When Titus first left Pennsylvania for Kentucky, he’d been on a journey to find himself. He’d not only discovered who he was and what he could do well, but he’d learned a lot more. He’d drawn closer to God on this journey, made several new friends he could count on, and had found a woman who loved him unconditionally.

Now a new journey stretched before him. He and Suzanne were traveling together to his home to comfort those in mourning and offer Samuel support and hope. Although the road might be difficult at times, Titus was confident he and Suzanne would make the journey together. Not only did they have each other, but God would never leave them.

Ingredients for crumb topping:

1½ cups flour

½ cup white sugar

½ cup shortening or butter, softened

½ teaspoon baking soda

Ingredients for pie filling:

1 egg

Zest of 2 lemons

Juice of 2 lemons, strained

2 tablespoons flour

½ cup white sugar

½ cup molasses

¾ cup boiling water

1 unbaked pie shell

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine all ingredients for crumb topping and work together until they form a crumb-like mixture.

Stir together all filling ingredients until well blended and pour into unbaked pie shell. Sprinkle crumb topping evenly across pie filling. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes.

1. Titus suffered from a lack of confidence. What are some reasons a person may lack confidence, and how can he or she gain confidence?
   
2. What can we do to help a friend or relative who lacks confidence?
   
3. Titus left home because his girlfriend broke up with him and because he felt he needed to prove himself to his family. Is there ever a time when it’s necessary for a person to leave home in order to recover from a broken relationship or to prove themselves?
   
4. Titus felt inferior to his twin brother, who always seemed to know what he wanted and was able to do everything right. What can a parent do to help their children feel equally important within the family? How can an adult child overcome a feeling of inferiority and stop comparing himself to his siblings?
   
5. Suzanne also felt inferior and lacked self-confidence when it came to cooking. One of the reasons for this was because her mother was too impatient and made Suzanne feel as if she was a failure as a cook. What are some ways a mother can help her daughter become self-sufficient in the kitchen?
   
6. Titus’s mother had a difficult time adjusting to the idea of Titus leaving home. How can a grown child who leaves home make it easier for his parents to accept and deal with his absence?
   
7. What are some ways parents can let their grown children know they accept the decision to move away?
   
8. Suzanne wanted to work in her grandfather’s woodshop, but a woman working with wood was looked down upon by some in her family. Why do you think Suzanne’s brother was opposed to her working in the shop? Do you feel that some jobs are more suited to men than women? Should a woman be allowed to do a job that a man might normally do?
   
9. Phoebe was rebellious and didn’t want to settle down to marriage or joining the church. What are some reasons some young people are more rebellious than others? How can parents deal with their children’s rebellion?
   
10. How do you feel about the Amish allowing their children to run around and try out the English world? Do you feel it helps the child make a more mature decision about whether they want to join the Amish church?
    
11. After reading this book, was there anything new you learned about the Amish way of life?
    
12. What spiritual lessons did you learn from reading
    The Journey?
    

W
ANDA
E. B
RUNSTETTER
Wanda E. Brunstetter is a bestselling author who enjoys writing Amish-themed, as well as historical novels. Descended from Anabaptists herself, Wanda became deeply interested in the Plain People when she married her husband, Richard who grew up in a Mennonite church in Pennsylvania. Wanda and her husband live in Washington State, but take every opportunity to visit their Amish friends in various communities across the country, gathering further information about the Amish way of life.

Wanda and her husband have two grown children and six grandchildren. In her spare time, Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, reading, stamping, and having fun with her family.

In addition to her novels, Wanda has written two Amish cookbooks, two Amish devotionals, several Amish children’s books, as well as numerous novellas, stories, articles, poems, and puppet scripts.

Visit Wanda’s Web site at
www.wandabrunstetter.com
and feel free to e-mail her at
[email protected]
.

_____________________

Coming soon from

Wanda E. Brunstetter

the

H
EALING

K
ENTUCKY
B
ROTHERS
· T
WO

F
ALL 2011