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“Let’s just say that you have a very steep uphill battle in front of you. And you think more like an Englisher than an Amish.”
She was afraid of that. And she had an accent to boot. She would talk to Dat and Mum—when the others weren’t around—to straighten out her thinking.
Lord, guide me in what to say and how to get my Amish brothers and sisters to accept me as their doctor. And...let Noah not think poorly of me for my aspirations.
* * *
On Saturday, Noah looked up with a start as Bishop Bontrager drove into his yard. He set aside the dog brush and sent Kaleidoscope off, then crossed to the man’s buggy as it came to a stop. “I wasn’t expecting you.”
The bishop didn’t get out of his buggy. “I have a favor to ask of you.”
“Of course.”
“You’re close with the Yoders, ja?”
“Ja.”
“Keep an eye on Kathleen. Let me know if there is anything I need be concerned about.”
Spy on Kathleen? “Do you suspect trouble?”
“I don’t know. She’s been gone a long time. I don’t want her stirring things up.”
Kind of like Kathleen’s plan with being a doctor. Though her intentions weren’t to cause trouble but to help. “I’ll let you know.”
“Danki.” Bishop Bontrager drove off.
Noah watched him leave. Should he have told the bishop Kathleen’s plans? He didn’t feel it was his place at the moment. Kathleen would let the church leaders know her plans soon enough. Tomorrow. For now, he would see how things played out.
The bishop’s visit had pulled Kathleen to the forefront of his mind when he’d worked hard to push thoughts of her back. Now with the bishop’s request, she would remain front and center. She had to if he was going to keep an eye on her. He liked the idea of keeping an eye on her, but not spying.
Lord, I don’t want to spy on her. How can I do as the bishop asks and not feel as though I’m betraying Kathleen or the Yoders?
Chapter Four
The following day, Kathleen climbed out of the buggy last at the Millers’ farm. “Dat, you’ll tell the leaders I wish to speak to them?”
“Ja. Don’t worry. They’ll hear you. But granting you permission will be another issue altogether.”
She didn’t want to be noticed or singled out. She wanted to blend seamlessly into the throng. But such was not to be the case.
Mum greeted several women who commented on Kathleen’s return. Soon a gathering of women crowded around her and her mutter. A number of ladies close to Kathleen’s age were among the group. She’d gone to school with these girls. Each one had either a small child or two in tow, a baby on their hip or were expecting. Or a combination of the three with older children scattered about. Kathleen wondered what it would be like to be pregnant and have children of her own. But that was not the path the Lord had laid out for her.
Noah popped into her mind, and she sighed. She was a doctor and would be helping each and every one of these women and their children. They all seemed glad to have her back.
Relief swept over Kathleen when people started filing into the house. That was until it was Kathleen’s turn to step inside. This was it. She was back.
After a couple of hymns, the bishop stood in front of the community. Bishop Bontrager had been bishop long before Kathleen had left. He was close to the oldest person in their district. “I’m pleased to say that this Sunday is the first class for our young people who want to join church this fall.” His voice was still strong. And he still scared her. He was a gruff, strict man. “Those who plan to become church members please stand.”
Kathleen stood, pleased she hadn’t missed this opportunity. The timing was perfect. The leaders would see she was serious about her faith and returning to the community before she spoke to them of her plans.
Her brother Benjamin stood as well, but not Joshua. He was still young and likely needed another year or two. She was glad Benjamin would be in class with her.
Two others stood as well, a twenty-one-year-old young man and an eighteen-year-old girl and Benjamin, who was twenty. Kathleen, at thirty, felt old. The others were of an average age to join. She tagged along behind everyone following the bishop into the next room. She hadn’t wanted to appear pushy, having just returned. She wanted to be respectful of those who had stayed where they belonged.
After eyeing Kathleen for a moment, Bishop Bontrager went over the first three articles of the Dordrecht Confession of Faith. These were familiar from her youth. Before long, they rejoined the rest of the congregation.
The church service was so different from the English ones she’d attended while away. At least twice as long, and didn’t have the... What was it that was different? Both groups worshipped Gott. Both groups sang. Both groups had a message. Maybe the shorter service allowed her to stay focused. And there was an energy among the people. That was it. That’s what was different. Which probably had to do with the music. Though the Englishers sang hymns, they also sang what they called “praise and worship” songs. Weren’t hymns praising and worshipful? They were to Kathleen.
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