Key~Notes

from the book’s GoodReads page:

As a child, Rebekah Stoltzfus suffered a freak accident that left her legs paralyzed. Now, confined to a wheelchair, she feels she’ll never measure up to the expectations of her Pennsylvania Amish community that a woman should marry and raise a family. She longs to be loved, yet she prays for a way to be self-supporting. Daniel Beachy wants to court Rebekah, but she believes that she is a burden and has convinced herself that love is not for her. Will Rebekah’s search for a miracle come true? Or, will she miss God’s gift in her battle between self-pity and the determination to be independent?

This is the second book in Wanda Brunstetter’s “Brides of Lancaster County” series, though it can easily stand alone without the need to read “A Merry Heart” first.

I enjoyed this book.  I appreciated the reminder that we need to be in constant contact with God . . . always seeking His will for our lives . . . and we need to have His help so we do not miss His miracles for us.

That said, there were times in the book I just wanted to shake Rebekah and call her “dummkoppe” (loosely translated as a dunce, but used in a teasing reference).  Daniel was no better at points.  I guess having characters that make you want to shake some sense into them, yet while still wanting the best for them makes it a good novel!

4 out of 5 stars

As those of you who’ve been reading for a while might remember, I started a project almost 18 months ago to make crocheted “cancer caps”.  I had a goal last year to make 52 such caps.  Sadly, the events of last spring and my struggle to understand and come to terms with what happened prevented me from reaching that goal.

Since 2010 is going to be a “boring” year for me, I want to renew that goal.  52 caps in 52 weeks.  (I counted the number of Sundays in the year, and there are indeed, 52! )  I finished the first one today.  In fact, it’s my first finished needlework project of 2010!

In my original posting about this service project, I asked for donations to help me continue.  I renew that request now.  In my left sidebar, there’s a button that says “donate” and it will link you directly to a page where you can send money to me via PayPal.

I know that times are hard.  So please, if you honestly cannot help at all, do not feel obligated to do so.  However, if you at any time can spare even $5 towards yarn for me to make these caps, it’d be very much appreciated!

And hey, if you don’t trust that I’ll actually use the money you donate for yarn, you could always buy the yarn yourself and ship it to me! (email me for yarn brand/address details!)

I’d really love it if, as a group, we could help to donate 52 caps in 2010.  So, if you feel so inclined, please feel free to link to this post on your own blog . . . spread the word!

My main goal for 2010 is to make it a JOYFUL year . . . and service brings me great joy . . . and I bet you anything, it will bring YOU great joy too!