Chapter 7. In Which Bethany Writes Chris an Astonishing Note

The many indications that something more than "friendship" was developing between us is truly interesting to recount. There was the way we "ended up" in nearly all the same classes 4th term, then the way we'd both end up in a classroom 15 min before class time to "study". The volleyball tournament where Chris watched Bethany all day and she wondered if he was ok, and picture night when Bethany claimed a seat beside Chris where there was no room for Miss T. There was the group Chris organized to sing at a nearby prison. He asked Bethany, of course, to choose the girls and poor Miss T didn't meet the age requirement. There was the ride back to CBS from gospel team (but that's another chapter!) And then there was Bethany's note of encouragement she dropped in Chris' lap. The note that made his eyes bug. The note that said she was praying for whatever was bothering him, never dreaming that marrying HER was the problem bothering him! Funny, really. So she was praying about marrying him and didn't even know it!

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Chapter 6. In Which We Learn A Secret

There was one small detail in his friendship with Bethany which Chris never told anyone. Sometime between the first Clarion meeting and the Saturday boat ride, the Lord told him he would marry Bethany. It wasn't an audible voice and it didn't happen in a single moment. But one day he knew. Knew as plainly as if God had voiced it from Heaven. And the realization startled him. Why her?!? He wasn't even sure he LIKED her and she was going to be his WIFE?!? Sure he had to admit she wasn't the stuck up person he had first thought her to be, but that didn't mean he wanted to MARRY her! Yet he KNEW, and there was a strange peace about it that he couldn't describe. So in many ways he spent the rest of his time at CBS as one might who knows that someday he will inherit his family's fortune and so must prepare for that day. An earlier heartbreak he didn't care to repeat caused him to proceed with caution. He sought advice from anyone he could think of in an effort to make SURE his crazy "knowing" was real.

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Chapter 5. In Which We Are Introduced To "the Triangle" and the Plot Thickens

4th term arrived and with it Bethany's best friend (hereafter referred to as Miss T). She and Chris shared an earlier friendship built mostly on the soft spot in Chris' heart for those like Miss T who joined the Mennonites. And so began an interesting Triangle. Sharing a mutual friend who was struggling to make her way in the Mennonite world allowed Chris and Bethany to deepen their friendship. It was all in the name of helping Miss T of course! Besides, the YUCK factor was still there. There wasn't any possibility Bethany would ever fall for that know-it-all! Still, Miss T's prescence put Bethany between a rock and a hard place. She watched Chris and Miss T and their discussions and saw the good he could do her. At the same time she watched (and listened to) Miss T and knew Chris' attention was giving her other ideas besides advisor. She did not want to see Miss T get hurt. How could Chris not see what he was doing? Dumb, blind boys!! And yet...there was something else there too...but what exactly?

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9 for 9: Finishing the "In Which" Series

In true "Bethany" fashion, I'm getting a little tired of stringing our story out over a hundred Thursdays. So.....since there are 9 more days of May and 9 more chapters of our story. And since I know you're all sitting in suspense from Thursday to Thursday just dying to know what happens next. Beginning tomorrow I will be posting a chapter every day! :)

Little pleasures...

Who would have guessed that a pipe cleaner family could give 2 little girls so much fun and pleasure? i made jennifer and lillian each a little family and they played and played taking them for rides in their shoe "cars" and making them do different things. Interesting that they started with one little person who they said was themself, then requested a mom and dad and then a grandpa and grandma! Hmmm... Might that have something to do with our living arrangement these days? :) every so often they get brought to mom to repair squashed arms and legs and a bit ago i found lillians family in one gigantic "hug" after they had been stuffed in her purse :) these pipe cleaners were originally part of jennifer's 4th birthday gift along with a container of beads to string on them. They've played hours with those as well! Dishes await... Too bad these little people don't help with the work :)

I'll take the Beautiful, but why the Ugly?

Anyone who is married knows the feeling, at least I think so! You have this lovely sharing time together, you and him, and your hearts are so close you almost feel like you're pumping each other's blood. The next days there's this glow and all you have to do is look in each other's eyes and that close warmth returns. You feel like life just couldn't get any better and how did I ever get so blessed? And then, it happens. It's the smallest thing that starts it, you're feeling down and want a little sympathy and he wants you to listen to something he's saying when you're busy and not interested. Before you know what's happening it's all about big things, your selfishness and his not understanding, and where did it all go? There's tears, avoiding eyes, backs turned in bed and words. Too many words. Thankfully w/ God there's also redemption. There's slow opening of eyes to truth, apologies, strong arms that hold. And slowly I'm realizing that w/o the ugly and the redemption, there would never be the beautiful!

Chapter 4. In Which The Opinion Changing Begins

The 1st Clarion meeting found Bethany feeling clueless about her role and uncertain how she would relate w/ the other members. She must have decided to just be herself, for Chris came away from the meeting in wide eyed amazement! He never dreamed this stuck up girl could talk and laugh and, in short, act so crazy! Hmm...they both left wondering in bewilderment which person was real-the one they thought they knew or the one they had actually had a good time with?? Then came Saturday. Bethany joined a small group with plans to go motor boating. Upon arrival at the boat dock, they were met by 3 boys, 1 of whom was Chris Eicher! And, they shared the same boat. Whatever. Sunday brought ANOTHER surprise. Bethany planned to attend her own church w/ a group of students from CBS. But who invited Chris Eicher? And who rode in the same car, in the same backseat? Uh huh. Looking back it is amazing how they ended up together that week end. Neither one knew the other was going along either day until-there they were!

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