The Amish Nanny (55 page)

My new husband and his children had certainly been through some storms. Lydia's death. Financial hardship. I had been through storms as well, those of growing up and breaking free and somehow finding my way to adulthood. I had known the heartache of a love I thought would never be returned to me, and I'd born the grief of knowing I might never teach, might never have children.

But whether in storms or calm, God had been with me every step of the way, growing me through it all. What I learned was that His plan for me—and His timing—were far better than anything I could ever have imagined for myself.

Now, as I reached out and took the hand of my new husband, our eyes met, and I could see so much love there it made me shiver. As Will gazed at me, I finally understood that I really was beautiful after all, but not because of face or figure or demeanor. I was beautiful because I'd been made in God's image. How could I not be so?

“Congratulations, Mrs. Gundy,” Will whispered, his lips curving into a smile.

Eyes brimming with tears, I squeezed his hand and smiled in return, knowing that I had finally, truly come home.

1. Ada often feels invisible and unremarkable. She also frequently compares herself to other women she considers far prettier than she is. Why do you think she does this? Do you feel that she has changed in this somewhat by the end of the book, and if so, what causes the change?
   
2. Ada has an “inner teacher.” What are positives and negatives about this? Are you this way, or do you know anyone who is like this?
   
3. Out of the blue, Morgan shows up to stay with Ada and her friends at Amielbach. Why do you think she does this? Do you think her gesture of bringing them food (mutual aid) indicates a change in her feelings about the Amish? If so, what brings about this change?
   
4. Why do you think Giselle is so cold and unreceptive to Ada's presence at first? Did you expect this, or did you think she would welcome her with open arms? Was her character consistent?
   
5. When Daniel declares his intentions to court Ada and presents his plan for her to be an authentic tour guide, how does Ada react? Do you think his idea would have turned her identity into a caricature of an Amish woman? What would you have said in the same situation?
   
6. Because Daniel and Ada grew up with stories of martyrs, they aren't emotionally affected by the stories the same way Morgan is. Why do you think Amish and Mennonites focus so strongly on their history of persecution? Why doesn't Christy want to hear about the violence or death in her ancestors' stories?
   
7. In his attempts to keep Elsbeth from becoming a Mennonite, Abraham brings heartache to himself, his daughter, and others—leaving him bitter and isolated for many years. What finally allows him to seek Elsbeth's forgiveness?
   
8. Before going to Europe, Ada thinks,
   I wanted the full knowledge of what was out there, of who I might be
   . What are some things Ada discovers about herself during the journey to Europe? Have you ever traveled somewhere and returned with new insights about your life?
   
9. At the end of the book, Giselle gives Ada a message for Klara and Alexander, saying, “Tell your parents they did a wonderful job raising you.” Do you think this sentiment is true to the character of Giselle? By calling Klara and Alexander Ada's “parents,” what is she trying to say? Do her words provide a sense of closure?
   
10. Ada desires to become an independent adult. What actions and thoughts signify this desire? Do you feel she has achieved this goal by the end of the book?
    

The Amish Nanny
is Mindy Starns Clark's sixteenth book with Harvest House Publishers. Previous novels include the bestselling
The Amish Midwife
(cowritten with Leslie Gould),
Whispers of the Bayou, Shadows of Lancaster County, Under the Cajun Moon
, and
Secrets of Harmony Grove
, as well as the well-loved Million Dollar Mysteries.

Mindy lives with her husband, John, and two adult daughters near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

Leslie Gould, a former magazine editor, is the author of numerous novels, including
The Amish Midwife, Beyond the Blue
, and
Garden of Dreams. The Amish Nanny
is her second book with Harvest House.

Leslie received her master of fine arts degree from Portland State University and lives in Oregon with her husband, Peter, and their four children.

For detailed family trees to the characters in the Women of Lancaster County series, visit Mindy's and Leslie's websites at
www.mindystarnsclark.com
and
www.lesliegould.com
.

by Mindy Starns Clark

“
I cannot imagine being any happier than I am now
.”

—An Amish Man

As Amish fiction continues to appeal to a huge audience,
A Pocket Guide to Amish Life
gives you a glimpse into an obscure, fascinating world—what the Amish believe and how they live. Full of fun and fresh facts about the people who abide by this often-misunderstood faith and unique culture, this handy-sized guide covers a wide variety of topics, such as:

•  beliefs and values

•  clothing and transportation

•  courtship and marriage

•  shunning and discipline

•  teens and
rumspringa

•  children and the elderly

•  education and work

Presented in an easy-to-follow and engaging style, this pocket guide to the Amish is a great resource for anyone interested in Amish life.

by Mindy Starns Clark

What Shadows Darken the Quiet Valleys of Amish Country?

Anna Bailey thought she left the tragedies of the past behind when she took on a new identity and moved from Pennsylvania to California. But now that her brother has vanished and his wife is crying out for help, Anna knows she has no choice but to come out of hiding, go home, and find him. Back in Lancaster County, Anna follows the high-tech trail her brother left behind, a trail that leads from the simple world of Amish farming to the cutting edge of DNA research and gene therapy.

During the course of her pursuit, Anna soon realizes that she has something others want, something worth killing for. In a world where nothing is as it seems, Anna seeks to protect herself, find her brother, and keep a rein on her heart despite the sudden reappearance of Reed Thornton, the only man she has ever loved.

Following up on her extremely popular gothic thriller,
Whispers of the Bayou
, Mindy Starns Clark offers another suspenseful standalone mystery, one full of Amish simplicity, dark shadows, and the light of God's amazing grace.