Authors: Cindy Woodsmall

The Harvest of Grace (43 page)

BOOK: The Harvest of Grace

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denki
—thank you

Englischer
—a non-Amish person. Mennonite sects whose women wear the prayer Kapps are not considered Englischers and are often referred to as Plain Mennonites.

Gaule
—horse

gegleed
—dressed

gut
—good

Kapp
—a prayer covering or cap

kumm
—come (singular)

kumm rei
—come in

langsam
—slow

letz
—wrong

Mamm
—mom or mother

Mammi
—grandmother

Pennsylvania Dutch—Pennsylvania German.
Dutch
in this phrase has nothing to do with the Netherlands. The original word was
Deutsch
, which means “German.” The Amish speak some High German (used in church services) and Pennsylvania German (Pennsylvania Dutch), and after a certain age, they are taught English.

Plain—refers to the Amish and certain sects of Mennonites.

Plain Mennonite—any Mennonites whose women wear the prayer Kapp and cape dresses and the men have a dress code.

rumschpringe
—running around. The true purpose of the rumschpringe is threefold: give freedom for an Amish young person to find an Amish mate; to give extra freedoms during the young adult years so each person can decide whether to join the faith; to provide a bridge between childhood and adulthood.

schwarz
—black

wunderbaar
—wonderful

ya
—yes

Pennsylvania Dutch phrases used in
The Harvest of Grace

Du hab eens Daadi un eens Grandpa
.—You have one Amish grandfather and one Englischer grandfather.

Gott segen dich
.—God bless you. [singular]

Gott segen eich
.—God bless you. [plural]

Guder Marye
.—Good morning.

Ich bin hungerich
.—I’m hungry.

Ich kumm glei naus
.—I’ll come out soon.

Im Gott sei Lieb
—in God’s love

Saage es
.—Say it.

Sell iss gut
.—That is good.

* Glossary taken from Eugene S. Stine,
Pennsylvania German Dictionary
(Birdsboro, PA: Pennsylvania German Society, 1996), and the usage confirmed by an instructor of the Pennsylvania Dutch language.

Acknowledgments

To my Old Order Amish friends who helped me so faithfully as I wrote about delicate events—My heart is yours.

To the Old Order Amish farmers who spent long hours helping me understand all the ins and outs and challenges of running your dairy farms without electricity while meeting government regulations—I admire the tenacity in you and your families. Thank you for sharing your stories about how the stream-bank fencing program affected your farms—the fair and unfair, the ultimatums, and the generous help the government provided.

To my expert in the Pennsylvania Dutch language—I struggle with the languages as Cara does in this novel, and you are even more patient than her teachers. Your expertise and your patience are both appreciated.

To WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group, from marketing to sales to production to editorial—With each book we produce, I’m even more honored to be one of your authors.

To Shannon Marchese, my editor—Only the two of us and God will ever know all the obstacles that kept falling across our path as I wrote this book. Because of how you faced every challenge, I respect you even more.

To Jessica Barnes, my editor on this project while Shannon was on leave—Oh my! You entered my life during the roughest of times and remained calm, helpful, and hard working. Without you this book would not be in readers’ hands, and my nerves would be frazzled rather than healed. At the time I may not have let you know how truly and deeply grateful I am.

To Carol Bartley, my line editor—You do your job excellently, but more than that, you helped me believe in myself. In my most difficult times of writing, I reflect on that. Thank you.

To Kathy Ide—You are ever faithful when I need you. Thank you.

To Steve Laube, my agent, and Marci Burke, my good friend and critique partner—Both of you make me a better person and author. Thank you.

To my husband, sons, and daughters-in-law—Time with you makes life a beautiful patchwork quilt. I love and respect each of you with all my heart.

And to the newest member of our household, my brother Leston, who moved in with us when my dad passed—You are a challenge and a gift, as is every good thing on this earth. I love to laugh with you. I look forward to reading with you at night. I can’t help but cry when you do—so stop that!
I’m grateful to be your little sister. May your happiest days be ahead of you.

About the Author

C
INDY
W
OODSMALL
is a
New York Times
best-selling author whose connection with the Amish community has been featured on
ABC Nightline
and on the front page of the
Wall Street Journal
. She is the author of the Sisters of the Quilt series as well as
The Bridge of Peace, The Hope of Refuge, The Sound of Sleigh Bells
, and
The Christmas Singing
. Her ability to authentically capture the heart of her characters comes from her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families. Cindy lives in Georgia with her husband, their three sons, and two amazing daughters-in-law.

To keep up with new releases, book signings, and other news,
visit Cindy at
www.cindywoodsmall.com
.

Step into the first two books of
the Ada’s House trilogy

Two people from vastly different worlds. Can New Yorker Cara Moore and Amish man Ephraim Mast get past long-hidden secrets and find assurance in the midst of desperation?

Lena and Grey have been life-long friends, but their relationship begins to crumble amidst unsettling deceptions, propelling each of them to finally face their own secrets. Can they find a way past their losses and discover the strength to build a new bridge?

Read an excerpt from these books and more on
WaterBrookMultnomah.com
!

A beautiful carving and a well-intentioned aunt just might thaw two frozen, lonely hearts and give them a second chance at love—just in time for Christmas.

Read an excerpt from this book and more on
WaterBrookMultnomah.com
!

Can Hannah find refuge,
redemption, and a fresh beginning
after her world is shattered?

When Hannah Lapp, a simple 17-year-old Amish girl, finds her life shattered by one brutal act, she must face the rejection of family and friends and the questioning of her faith. Will she find her way back to the soul she fears may be lost forever?