8. Lydia’s grandmother recites Hebrews 12:1–2: “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” What does this verse mean to you?
9. Which character can you identify with the most? Which character seemed to carry the most emotional stake in the story? Was it Lydia, Joshua, Beth Anne, or even Ruthie?
10. What did you know about the Amish before reading this book? What did you learn?
Glossary
aamen: amen
ach: oh
aenti: aunt
appeditlich: delicious
Ausbund: Amish hymnal
bedauerlich: sad
beh: leg
boppli: baby
bopplin: babies
bruder: brother
bu: boy
buwe: boys
daadi: granddad
daed: dad
danki: thank you
dat: dad
Dietsch: Pennsylvania Dutch, the Amish language (a German dialect)
dochder: daughter
dochdern: daughters
Dummle!: hurry!
Englisher: a non-Amish person
fraa: wife
freind: friend
freinden: friends
froh: happy
geb acht uff dich: take care of yourself
gegisch: silly
gern gschehne: you’re welcome
grank: sick
grossdaadi: grandfather
grossdochdern: granddaughters
grandkinner: grandchildren
grossmammi: grandmother
Gude mariye: Good morning
gut: good
Gut nacht: Good night
haus: house
Ich liebe dich: I love you
kind: child
kinner: children
kumm: come
liewe: love, a term of endearment
Mammi: grandma
maedel: young woman, girl
maed: young women, girls
mamm: mom
mei: my
mutter: mother
naerfich: nervous
narrisch: crazy
onkel: uncle
Ordnung: the oral tradition of practices required and forbidden in the Amish faith
schee: pretty
schpass: fun
schtupp: family room
schweschder: sister
Was iss letz?: What’s wrong?
Willkumm heemet: welcome home
Wie geht’s: How do you do? or Good day!
wunderbaar: wonderful
ya: yes
As always, I’m thankful to my mother, Lola Goebel-becker, my best friend and plotting partner, who offers her unending support, love, and proofreading skills. I also appreciate my husband, Joe; my sons, Zac and Matt; my mother-in-law, Sharon; and my precious aunts, Trudy Janitz and Debbie Floyd, for their love and excitement about my books. Thank you also to my “aunt” Terry O’Brien for her love and her support of this story.
I’m more grateful than words can express to my awesome friends who tirelessly critique for me—Stacey Barbalace, Sue McKlveen, Janet Pecorella, and Lauran Rodriguez. I appreciate your email messages, pep talks, and hugs, both in person and virtual.
I’m very grateful to my special Amish friend who patiently answers my endless stream of questions. You’re a blessing in my life.
I’m thankful for the medical professionals who gave their generous time to me and helped with my research, including Jerome Menendez, Nurse Practitioner at the Transplant Center in Levine Children’s Hospital. I’m still convinced you’re a superhero!
Thank you also to Kimberly Arnold, MSN, CPNP, in the Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Levine Children’s Hospital for your research assistance with pediatric leukemia. I’m grateful to Kim Lassiter for introducing me to Christie Tucker, RN, MSN, whose generous time with my pediatric leukemia questions was invaluable. Thank you, Christie, for your patience and helpful phone conversations.
To my agent, Mary Sue Seymour—thank you for your unending friendship, support, and guidance in my writing career.
I’m grateful to my amazing editor, Jacque Alberta. I appreciate your guidance and friendship. Thank you also to Lori Vanden Bosch for her fantastic editing. Special thanks to every person at Zondervan who helped make this book a reality.
To my readers — I’m so honored you choose to read my books. As always, I appreciate the wonderful emails and your prayers for my husband.
Thank you most of all to God for giving me the inspiration and the words to glorify you. I’m so grateful and humbled you’ve chosen this path for me.
Special thanks to Cathy and Dennis Zimmermann for their hospitality and research assistance in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Cathy & Dennis Zimmermann, Innkeepers
The Creekside Inn
44 Leacock Road—PO Box 435
Paradise, PA 17562
Toll Free: (866) 604–2574
Local Phone: (717) 687–0333
The author and publisher gratefully acknowledge the following resource used to research information for this book:
C. Richard Beam, Revised Pennsylvania German Dictionary (Lancaster: Brookshire Publications, Inc., 1991).
About the Author
Amy Clipston is the author of the bestselling Kauffman Amish Bakery novels. She has a degree in communications from Virginia Wesleyan College and currently works for the city of Charlotte, North Carolina. Amy lives with her husband, two sons, and four spoiled-rotten cats. Visit her on the web at www.amyclipston.com.
Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins author.
Other Books by Amy Clipston
Roadside Assistance
The Kauffman Amish Bakery series
A Gift of Grace
A Promise of Hope
A Place of Peace
A Life of Joy
Amish Novellas
A Plain and Simple Christmas
Naomi’s Gift
ZONDERVAN
Reckless Heart
Copyright © 2012 by Amy Clipston
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EPub Edition © APRIL 2012 ISBN: 978-0-310-57792-8
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