Mary's Calico Hope by Anne Blackburne - A Wonderful Story

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Mary's Calico Hope by Anne Blackburne, book five in the Heart of the Amish series, is full of faith, hope, supportive friends, and romance. Mary Yoder was badly injured in a buggy accident as a child; enduring numerous surgeries on her legs and spine. She continues to lives with the pain and uses crutches to walk. When the new doctor, Rueben King makes a wrong turn and ends up at the Yoder house asking for directions the two meet; it is the beginning of a friendship. Dr. Reuben King, a Mennonite, comes to town, taking over the practice of Doc Smith. After a wrong turn, he meets Mary and her mother; and is a bit smitten with Mary. Reuben is well-meaning and after doing some research, he finds a new procedure that is available that would help her mobility and pain. He presents it to Mary, who is hesitant since the last two surgeries she had did not help at all.

A deep friendship develops between them, but they know there cannot be anything between them since Mary is Amish and Reuben is Mennonite. Rueben was actually raised in an Amish household. His passion and drive to become a doctor clashed with some Amish beliefs, forcing him to become a Mennonite; though he was not baptized in either church. If G-d wills, plays into the decisions Mary must make for further surgery, and Reuben has to make if he wants to return to the Amish upbringing he had grown up with but would require him to give up being a doctor. It seems impossible that they can have a future together with so many obstacles, including a busy body lady in the community who runs to the bishop trying to ruin the reputation of both Mary and Reuben. Many prayers are raised to G-d to see what his will is concerning these parts of their lives. Fortunately, the Bishop is aware of a solution to their struggles and shares with them the good news, as well as set a town gossip straight.

 

What a beautiful story of a couple who has to overcome great odds in their own lives before finding a way to be together. When it seems impossible they turn to prayer, G-d’s will to guide them. The phrase “G-d’s will”, a phrase seen throughout this book, centers on faith, hope, healing, doubt, fear and romance, and plays a major part of this story.

 

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