Seeing Your Face Again by Jerry S. Eicher Page A

do the same?”
    â€œThat world is not what you think it is!” Debbie knew the attempt was doomed to failure before she even said the words. Lois had finally gone over the edge, and she had provided the way out. Well Alvin and she had. Now Bishop Beiler would not only mourn the loss of his daughter, he would also surely hold her accountable. Oh, how quickly things changed!
    â€œYou don’t have to look so downcast.” Lois sounded almost chirpy. “I say it’s a fair trade, really. And your mamm seems to think the same thing. You’re becoming Amish, and I’m going Englisha . Everyone’s happy.”
    Debbie said nothing, but she could imagine how the conversation with her mother had gone. No doubt Mom would look at things exactly how Lois described them, though her mother hadalways disapproved more than mourned her decision to move into the Beiler household. If her mother’s pain came from anywhere, it came from the rejection of her way of life. She’d always dreamed her daughter would follow her into the world of business. Lois would fill that dream in a belated sort of way. Mom was practical, Debbie thought. She’d think better late than never. And Lois had swerved into the one person who would be the most helpful on her venture into the outside world.
    â€œIt’s actually going to happen!” Lois sounded ever more cheerful.
    â€œHave you told your dad and mom?” Debbie asked.
    A cloud passed over Lois’s face. “ Nee , but I’m moving anyway.”
    Debbie sensed Lois’s hesitancy. “You’d better tell them before you go,” she said, pressing her advantage. Perhaps there was still a way to persuade Lois to change her mind before she told her parents her plans. But Debbie knew that even if she succeeded and Lois was temporarily persuaded, the way was open now. As the Amish often said, “Get a cow’s head through the fence, and she’ll find a way out sooner or later.” It was why they worked so hard at prevention. They strove to keep even an inkling of desire for the Englisha world from a person’s heart, rather than depend on persuasion once a person had decided to leave or had actually left. Debbie washed the last bowl and tried one more time. “Lois, please don’t do this. You’re making a huge mistake.”
    Lois said nothing, but her face was pinched with resolution.
    The dishes finished, both girls silently went into the living room.
    â€œThere you two are!” Saloma said, looking up with a smile on her face.
    Debbie sat on the couch, and Lois took a seat beside her.
    Saloma stood and called up the stairs, “We’re ready, Ida!”
    Quick steps followed Saloma’s words, and Ida appeared in the doorway. She rushed over to sit down. The bishop cleared his throat and opened his Bible.
    Debbie stole a quick glance at Lois’s face, but it appeared calm.That was good. Lois would say nothing tonight about her plans. Of that, Debbie was certain.
    Bishop Beiler read from Psalm 31 in his deep voice. “In thee, O L ORD , do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me.”
    The scripture verses couldn’t be better selected for tonight, Debbie thought. The Lord Himself was talking to her through His Word. She prayed silently as Bishop Beiler continued to read. “Please, Lord, help me. Don’t let me harm these people. I know I’m not perfect and I don’t always do what is right, but I really did come to the Beiler home with pure motives. Now it seems as if everything is turning around, and I won’t be able to justify what’s happening. It does look like everything is my fault. First Alvin leaving, and now if Lois really moves in with my parents, there will be no explaining that away. I may have to leave. I don’t want that to happen. I thought I was following Your will by moving into this community.