This is a clean, sweet Amish story about a young woman who steps outside of her comfort zone and sets out on her own to establish a new life.  Eva Coblenz moves from Ohio to Maine to become a new school teacher.  A really new school teacher, since she has never been employed as one before!  Her neighbor in this new environment is Willis Gingrich, a blacksmith who has taken on the responsibility to raise his three younger siblings after the death of their parents.  I really enjoyed the scenes with Willis and the adorable children.  They weren’t afraid to tell how they were feeling and in doing that, they also kept revealing how their brother was feeling.  I enjoyed getting to know Eva, an independent and resilient young woman who faces new challenges with a can-do attitude that was refreshing.  The conflict comes in with Eva’s domineering brother and his lazy wife because they did not want Eva leaving Ohio to begin with and try to make her miserable enough that she will return.  I could tell that this book is from a series because there were new people introduced about whom I want to know more and expect the author to write more about them in the future.  Fans of Amish fiction will enjoy the story of the adventures of Eva and the trials of Willis.  
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

This is a complex story that is so well-written that I hardly realized how complex it was until I got to the end and reflected on it. Then, I decided that it was like a maze, but the author had provided a detailed map for me to follow so I never felt lost or overwhelmed. The secret of the complexity lies in the title because everything “dovetails” together in the end in a way that it all comes together in one beautiful picture of love, loss and forgiveness. Joe Arneson is having visions of what he thinks may be the past and travels to see his grandmother Pearl to try to find out some answers. There, he discovers that there is a multi-dimensional person who has secrets that she is now willing to share, but slowly and methodically. Joe meets and falls in love with a woman named Kathleen and together, they set out to solve the mystery that is his grandmother Pearl and her sister Alice. The past and the present that are portrayed in this book come together seamlessly. I loved the story, although some of the characters were definitely unlikeable. The book was filled with suspense and family drama, like a soap opera but much more well-written. The details flowed from the pen of the author into my mind, enlisting my aid in solving the mystery right along with the main characters. Fans of Karen McQuestion will devour this book. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys dramatic fiction that is filled with mystery and suspense.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

There is more happening daily with this Coronavirus challenge. Shelves and freezers in the stores are empty, lines for drive-thru restaurants are long while other places are completely vacant. Scary stuff! But my God is bigger than Coronavirus! He also knows exactly where it came from and exactly how to get rid of it.

As children of the Most High God, we are not to fear except for reverencing Him. He can destroy us, nothing else can, without His permission. Remember Job? Satan was not allowed to attack him until God said so. I keep thinking to myself, “This is a test. This is only a test.”. I have agreed to pray during the National Day of Prayer. I hope that you will join me and will not fear the pestilence that is coming over us at this time, but will continue to know that God is our Savior, always! Blessings, my dear readers for whatever you need and however you need it!

“Whom Shall I Fear?” by Chris Tomlin

This morning in my devotions, I was reading the Bible Through the Year Program by Nicky Gumpel on the YouVersion App. Here is a quotation that I thought worthy of sharing and remembering:

“When we pray, God hears more than we say, answers more than we ask, gives more than we imagine – in his own time and in his own way.”

This is especially encouraging during these days of uncertainty. So, my friends, don’t stop praying because God is always listening! Blessings to each of you for a day filled with prayer and thanksgiving!

Both illustrations below are from crosswalk.com.

When we look around at all that is happening in today’s world, I think that is when we take out eyes off God and just start thinking about the events and how scary everything is. But, today, I’m just going to worship God and I hope that you will join me. It’s a good day to remember that He is God, He made us and He can keep us! Blessings, my friends!

These are the days that strike fear into anyone who listens to a news report. The report is that the Coronavirus is spreading and you may be affected. A well-known physician on FoxNews is telling people over sixty to gather supplies and hunker down now. The nation is Italy has basically closed its borders, quarantining the nation against others coming in and Italians leaving. In effect, the whole country is on lockdown. Six of our members of Congress are on self-quarantine. Are you afraid yet? I would be, except my trust in in the Lord. I spoke to my sister the other night and her words to me were that if we get this virus, because of our underlying conditions and health, we would just “be toast.” Those are her words, not mine. I have tried to share with her that I don’t fear death because I am a Christian, but she doesn’t want to hear it, so now we are at an impasse. I’m continuing to live my life, planning a trip to see the grandchildren in Maryland, going to the gym, the store, etc. I will stay at home if the government requires it, but it won’t be from fear because I know that the Bible says to only fear God. I haven’t read anything in the Bible about fearing anything or anyone else.

So, I’m trusting, or at least, I’m trying to. Of course, there are minutes in every day when I think, “What if…?” We don’t get the answers to this question. We are just told to trust. I’ve been told by the Lord to rest in Him, so instead of staying awake at night worrying, I am resting in Him, knowing that He is with me when I lie down and will be with me when I awaken. If I awaken in Heaven, then to God be the glory! Yes, I have health problems already, asthma, weak lungs, things that are bad to have if this virus decides to attack. To me, this is like the ten spies who came back with the report that there were giants in the Promised Land, advising Moses that the Lord’s army of Israelites should not go forward. But then there were the two who encouraged Moses that the Lord would fight for and with them and they could take the land! There’s a big difference in the two reports. The giant in our land is the Coronavirus, but God can take care of it and us, if we believe.

I also read an article by Dr. Denison this morning about the Coronavirus and how we should respond to it. Here is the link for you.

https://www.denisonforum.org/columns/daily-article/president-trump-shook-hands-with-man-who-had-contact-with-infected-person-three-ways-jesus-responds-to-fear/

No one can deny that these times are hard. There is a deadly virus going around the world, the U.S. stock market is plummeting, and seven states have declared a state of emergency. Nevertheless, we either believe in the Bible and its promises or we don’t. I choose to believe and to ask for God to work in these times, to heal, to demonstrate His power and glory for all to see.

Here is a sermon by Dr. Denison from yesterday.

https://www.denisonforum.org/resources/the-crown-or-the-cross/?utm_source=The+Daily+Article&utm_campaign=c80e09dada-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_04_16_05_39_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_51f776a552-c80e09dada-275095033&mc_cid=c80e09dada&mc_eid=dac620ebcf

God’s promises don’t change. People change. Our challenges in life change, but God is always the same and His love for us is always the same. We can depend on Him! And that, my friends, is a reason to worship during hard times.

Blessings for a peaceful day, filled with God’s assurance of His love for you and yours.

How are you all feeling today? It is cool here but beautifully sunny. That’s the kind of weather that I can be thankful for. But, as I meditate on that, I realize that I should be thankful for each day, regardless of the weather. Jesus died for me on a day when the entire sky became black. God was making a statement about His Only Son’s death. Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t think that God is always making a statement when the weather turns bad, but sometimes, I do think that He is. We just have to be listening. Today, I am rejoicing, and I hope that you are, too.