Când reînvie speranţa

Canadian West #4

by Janette Oke, Cristina Giurgiu (Translator)

Lăsându-şi prietenii în urmă, Elizabeth şi Wynn iau în primire noul post al Poliţiei Călare, mult mai înapoiat, din nord-vestul Canadei. Elizabeth se simte din nou stingheră din cauza femeilor din comunitate care se tem să vorbească cu ea. Soţii Delaney se gândeau că deja s-au confruntat cu cele mai mari greutăţi şi dezamăgiri, însă satul în care sunt acum le pune şi mai mult la încercare credinţa, curajul şi dedicarea.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Fiction, Christian, Historical, Christian Romance

190 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Janette Oke is a Canadian author known for her inspirational fiction, often set in a pioneer era and focused on female protagonists. Her debut novel, Love Comes Softly (1979), became the foundation for a successful series, followed by over 75 other novels. The first book in her Canadian West series, When Calls the Heart (1983), inspired the popular television series of the same name.
Born in Champion, Alberta, to farmers Fred and Amy (née Ruggles) Steeves during the Great Depression, Oke went on to graduate from Mountain View Bible College in Didsbury, Alberta, where she met her future husband, Edward Oke, who later became the president of the college. The couple has four children, including a daughter who has collaborated with Janette on several books.
A committed Evangelical Christian, Oke has authored numerous works exploring themes of faith. She has received various accolades for her contributions to Christian fiction, including the 1992 President's Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association and the 1999 CBA Life Impact Award.

Reviews

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Christian historical fiction, and this is the 4th book in the Canadian West Book series. I found this book was so well-written. The characters in this book are very developed, and I love following these characters. I really enjoyed seeing Elizabeth overcoming being put in a very small local Indian village. I love how this book shows how strong and strong well woman are. I think if you want to read an historical fiction, but you do not want it to be a War historical fiction then you should check out this series.

[Shirley Chapel · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Hope Springs New is book four of Janette Oke’s Canadian West Series. At the books start we find Wynn and Elizabeth Delaney on their way to his new assignment from The Royal Canadian Mounted Police. They are traveling to the Indian reservation at Smoke Lake Alberta. It is further North than the Beaver Creek Reservation and Elizabeth and Wynn find the Indians there to not be as advanced or friendly. It is especially hard for Elizabeth because as hard as she tries to be friendly with the Indian women they will not except the paleface woman. They feel the spirits will be angry with them and that paleface woman will bring bad luck to them. Elizabeth suffers from loneliness and especially when Wynn is away from the village. After the first winter there spring fails to bring rain and soon the drought makes everything very dry. A fire breaks out and takes whatever is in its’ path including the village of Smoke Lake. After the fire the villagers fight for survival and they look at Elizabeth in a whole different way. Can Elizabeth help the Indians recover from the fire ?

I always enjoy these classics by Janette Oke. I listened to an audio of this book and it was narrated by Nancy Peterson. I never fail to get drawn into these historical stories and I enjoy reading about how people lived in the frontier days. I enjoyed the Audio version and I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Kellyn Roth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like there was only meant to be one or two of these books and Janette Oke just kept stringing them out ’cause they were popular. I didn’t really enjoy this book very much. I liked Elizabeth and Wynn still, yes, but I guess I just got sick of them. It’s the same Elizabeth and Wynn of the last three books, and I guess some people really want that, but I just can’t take it anymore.

I guess I just ended up being kinda disappointed with this series as a whole. I did love the first book, but after that they got steadily worse and worse. Yes, there’s a lot of sweet Christian content, but I never absolutely loved Elizabeth. Then, in this book, the ending seemed so random and just there. Not worth the rest, in my opinion.

~Kellyn Roth

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 4 out of 5]

About this book:

“Leaving behind their dear friends in Beaver Creek, Elizabeth and Wynn take over an even more primitive RCMP outpost in the Canadian Northwest. Elizabeth finds herself totally isolated when the local Indian women are afraid to even communicate with her. The Delaneys thought they had already faced the most crushing disappointment of their lives when they saw little Sammy disappear from view in the arms of his father. Would they be able to survive the challenges ahead?”


Series: Book #3 of the “Canadian West” series. (Book #1 review Here! Book #2 review Here! Book #3 review Here!) {There is a movie based on the first book of this series with the same name, plus a TV series on Hallmark about the continuation of the series, “Return to the Canadian West.” }


Spiritual Content- Talks about God, trusting Him & promises; Witnessing; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Many, many Prayers & Blessings over food; A handful of Scriptures are quoted; Christmas; Mentions of Church going and actually going to Church and volunteering to help; Mentions of Bible studies and Scripture reading;
*Note: Many mentions of Indian’s gods, them dancing to please said gods, spirits, magic, witchcraft & a witch doctor.


Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a form of ‘dumb’, Mentions of curses (which may be said but not written); A dog gets sprayed by a skunk (semi-detailed); Mentions of dog fights; Mentions of dead & injured dogs (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of dead animals, hunting, trapping and skinned animals; A couple mentions of using the bathroom outside (no details); A mention of a man who beats his wife; A couple mentions of drinking, drunks, jail, fights, & knives; Mentions of smoking, tobacco, and cigarettes;


Sexual Content- a not-detailed kiss; a cheek kiss; Touches & Embraces (barely-above-not-detailed); Wynn gives Elizabeth a playful pat on her bottom; Quite a few Mentions of Indian men who have more than one wife; Love, marriage, & the emotions. (Very light)

-Elizabeth Thatcher
1st person P.O.V. of Elizabeth
Set in 1916-1918
216 pages

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Pre Teens- Two Stars
New Teens- Three Stars
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Five Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
I personally think that this was the best book in the series since the first one! I know y’all are probably tired of me commenting on how clean this author’s books are, but oh! Really though! “When Hope Spring New” is written in first person in the main character’s POV and she married. But look how clean and little there is of the Sexual Content! I really would love to see more authors like Janette Oke in the Christian Fiction world. :)


Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...


*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

[Celestria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one! So good and the faith content is great and Wynn is just the sweetest, love him.

[Rebekah Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. I was glad that Elizabeth wasn’t dealing with depression and sadness even though the new posting was more of a challenge. The “excitement” was quite different than usual and it kept me reading, but didn’t have me on the edge of my seat which was nice. I liked how things wrapped up in the end of this book. It brought things to a close without giving everything a “perfect ending” and yet it was the perfect ending.
I wouldn’t mind reading this series again some time.

[Abby Burrus · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.
And with that, ladies and gentlemen, I have officially listened to the first four books in this series. I enjoyed all of them! Now this is romance I can get behind, though it's not romance in terms of man and woman getting together, but rather 'married' romance. I just adore Wyn and Elizabeth's relationship, a perfect example of marriage.
And it is SO refreshing to see how grounded the characters are in their faith. How deeply they love God and each other. They naturally turn to God in times of trial, it is WONDERFUL to read.
Oh, and we must not forget Kip! Who can't help but love Kip, that fluffy beautiful obedient husky dog! He's just an amazing sidekick in and of himself.
I may safely and officially declare that the books are much better than the tv series in my opinion, and the TV series does not even remotely follow the plot put forth in these books.
Also, the narrator for these audiobooks, Nancy Peterson I believe is her name, was PERFECT. She sounded exactly like what I imagine Elizabeth's voice would sound like.
Which is why I'm sad that the next two books in this series do not have her as the narrator 😫 (There seems to be some sort of break between books 1-4 and books 5-6.) I've started listening to the second book, which no longer focuses on Wyn and Elizabeth but one or two of their adopted children. I'm still trying to decide if I like the narrator on that one. We'll see...

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed revisiting the first four books in the Canadian West series. These four books star Elizabeth and Wynn. One thing I've been doing is imagining Elizabeth and Wynn on an episode of House Hunters. I've been thinking about what Elizabeth's wishlist for a house would look like before and after. What would it have been like before marriage, before traveling with her husband to Beaver Creek and serving several years, and, what it would have looked like AFTER they left Beaver Creek. I have an idea that Elizabeth would NOT have had "open concept" on her wishlist. She'd have wanted ROOMS, for ROOMS meant privacy and a greater sense of home. I think her wishlist would have included FLOORS however. In this last novel, she's in a one-room structure with dirt floors. There is not an outhouse. There isn't even a community outhouse--which would have taken getting used to. She simply learns that there are paths from the village leading to the woods. Certain paths for women and children. Certain paths for men. (In Beaver Creek, Elizabeth had it good. Wynn hired men to build her a private outhouse in their yard within the first week or two of moving!) World War I is taking place, and here Elizabeth and Wynn are living in a one room house, dirt floors, stove with two burners, two whole shelves, two chairs and a table, a bed in the corner, and nail pegs in the wall for hanging stuff. And this has to serve as their home and his office.

If there has been one thing I've not loved from this series, something that may date the series a bit, is its treatment of "Indians." The language is not politically correct or not politically correct enough. Readers are reminded again and again how primitive and savage and uncivilized and superstitious these Indians are. Mostly in the fourth book where readers learn that "these Indians" aren't like the other Indians from Beaver Creek that have lived among white people and become civilized and somewhat respectable. Wynn and Elizabeth are facing more of a "first contact" type of experience. Elizabeth never forgets that she's the first white woman and what a special opportunity this is. Great emphasis is placed on these strange chants and dances.

Anyway, in this fourth novel, Elizabeth and Wynn travel to their new assignment. Life is hard; really hard. Elizabeth finds it absolutely impossible to make friends. She tries every single day. She keeps approaching the Indian women and speaking to them in the language she learned at Beaver Creek. She even seems to stalk paths where she hears children laughing and playing. She walks with picture books and holds up the bright and colorful pictures, turning the pages, hoping to wow children into approaching her instead of running away. But Elizabeth is at her best, perhaps, in this one. When a fire threatens the entire village while the men are away, Elizabeth takes command and saves the day...

I like the series as a whole. But the first book is probably the best.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely continuation of Oke's Canadian West series. It starts perhaps a few days/weeks off from the last book.

Elizabeth and Wynn are traveling even further North to a more remote village. When they reach there Elizabeth is dismayed to find that no one will talk to her and hardly look at her. Despite her best efforts to find friends, she cannot. The house they live in is also little more than a shack.

She spends the first Autumn, Winter, and most of Spring by herself. Then, one day while Wynn is away a fire sweeps through the village. It is up to Elizabeth to organize something as everyone else is in a panic.

After the devastating fire, Wynn receives orders that they can no longer stay there. They are instead moved to the town of Athabasca Landing. This place is modern and after years of living in the wilderness, Elizabeth is amazed at all the amenities. She soon finds herself being a part of the church and people, and she and Wynn even take in a troubled boy named Henry. Her adventures have been toned down until Wynn receives his next assignment.

Since Oke's is a Christian writer I"ll touch a bit on the religious element of this book. There isn't too much. While she makes mention here and there of asking for help from God or guidance, most of the time she shows the Christian attitude through action.

Like most of her writings, there is nothing offensive to be found in this book. No strong language or harsh descriptions. We see the year through Elizabeth's eyes and since she is a calm character, the book is serene. The characters are all believable as Oke takes the time to go into their thoughts and actions. We can see that the Native Americans have spiritual beliefs and we can see Elizabeth's impatience. This makes them more real to me. Nobody is perfect or complete, they all have human qualities.

This novel moved quite a bit faster than the other ones did. While it only covered a year, it seemed that the story went by extremely quickly. The time spent in the village was not as much as I thought it would be until they moved on to the next town.

This is a good book to read anytime. I actually read it while waking up from anesthesia so it isn't too hard to understand! The storyline is simple and just brings a nice addition to the rest of the Delaney's story.

When Hope Springs New
Copyright 1986
308 pages (Large Print Book)

[Loretta Marchize · Rating 4 out of 5]

So another book that I read in May and didn't review until now. (I own the whole series and was re-reading)
When Hope Springs New is a great book, and I like it more than the first one. I know what happens in all the books, but I can't help but wish alongside Elizabeth that she would have a child! and she never does and oh no it's awful and I hate it!
Content: hugs/kisses between a married couple. Mentions of blood, wounds. A boy is abused by family, but no details.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as much as the first. The series is doing a good job of coming full circle both in the storyline and for the characters. I like that in this installment of the series, Wynn and Elizabeth were finally working together as a team rather than as individuals like they seemed to do in the second and third books. Whether or not they were together when events and calamities took place, they handled things as if they were both there to garner wisdom from. This was especially evident in Elizabeth's character. She grew a lot since that second book following the first year of her and Wynn's lives together. She grew stronger and more confident in any situation, whether they lived in a small town or out in the middle of the wilderness, she seemed to keep her wits about her whereas the old Elizabeth had the tendency to just wait for Wynn to fix things. I feel like her character has made a lot of good progress throughout the series.

I'm not exactly sure that Wynn is growing as much. However that might be because we don't see a first person perspective from him in the series. Everything is from Elizabeth's perspective or written about them both as unit. To a certain degree, it's a little sad that we readers don't get to experience Wynn's adventures with him. While we wouldn't be as interested to see him fix up a burn victim's leg, I'm certain many would have enjoyed reading his thoughts on Elizabeth and their neighbors. It would have been interesting to see the moments when he was worried and the instances when he was proud of her.

On the whole, the series has been pretty excellent. I like seeing in this book how God brought about giving Wynn and Elizabeth a child and how they adjusted, not just to one, but two new homes and destinations.

As a small note, I found that this book made me extremely thankful for God's providence in my life. Reading how Elizabeth and the Indians managed after the fire made me all the more grateful for the small things that God does to cloth and feed my family. I find myself very thankful for the oatmeal we eat at breakfast after reading about cornmeal gruel Elizabeth made.

[Rae · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was such a disappointment and I honestly wish I could undo my reading of books 2-4 in this series. There's such a white saviour complex to the narrative and this one was the worst of all. Oke doesn't even leave us with a clean ending, just the same abrupt finish of all the other books that makes you feel like someone left the last pages out and you therefore have to read the next book to find out what happens next. But apparently what happens next is that book five jumps many years into the future and focuses on other characters, so I won't be reading that.

I know I've been deliberately pushing aside just how problematic the settings of these novels are, and the way Oke writes about the Native peoples amongst whom Elizabeth and Wynn live is at best terribly outdated and at worst openly racist. I went into this series wanting some light easy listening. I grew deeply fond of Elizabeth and Wynn in the first book, and used the memory of this give myself permission to follow their journey after book two ("I simply must learn what happens to them," thought I). I wish I hadn't. I feel kind of sordid from reading these, which is literally the last thing I'd expected to feel from reading Christian fiction!!

Two stars rather than one for the fact that Oke's work is such easy reading (listening, in my case) that I whizzed through this in almost no time at all. There's something compelling and comforting in her writing. I'm ashamed to feel that way, but as I reserve one star reviews for matter I really can't get through, this book is not in that category.

Life Lessons:
There is good to be found everywhere we may find ourselves. We can always be useful, make friends and support our community.

[Pip Snort · Rating 4 out of 5]

These really are lovely, well written books which are a delight to the heart and so easy to read. While completely imaginary, they glow with life and joy and have brought much joy to me. In this 4th installment, Beth and Wynn move to a new Indian town, Smoke Lake, and have an entirely different experience to their previous village. While not perfectly PC this book stands the test of time, painting frontier life in the hands of the LORD in bright colour and with warmth, wit and wisdom.

[Delie Dell Chua · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember that I read this series when I was still in high school. Back then, I find this series just a "lovestory" but now as I read it again, I appreciated it more, realizing how God uses people and situations unexpectedly for His kingdom. :) we only have to trust Him even if we don't understand, he knows what is best....

[Pamela Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Godly leadership & service ring through each page, Mrs. Oke describes the struggles & hardships as an outsider.

[Cailee Irving]

DNF

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

another sweet and quick read from ms. oke. I enjoyed reading about Elizabeth's adventures in the West a lot in this one. :) it ended rather abruptly which was disappointing, but I didn't mind too bad. I don't expect this to be some great work of literature - just something calming and not too thought provoking. as always, I love the faith aspect in this story and how it's woven so well into the plot.

I've heard that the last two books don't continue the same storyline so I'm not jumping to finish those but I imagine I'll get to them sometime in the future.

[Christina DeVane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book the most in this series although it had some of the hardest circumstances. Through desperate times were learned the greatest lessons and brought her from stranger to sought after leader. How God works to bring good from hard times and His faithfulness were brought out over and over!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved the series, very fast reads, nice and relaxing yet uplifting. I appreciate that everything didn't turn out "perfectly" - as Elizabeth would have wished. I love that Wynn and Elizabeth grew their family through foster and adoption.

[Lily Buhl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great, almost as good as the first. I have been really enjoying this series and find it hard to put them down. I recommend this series to all you Hearties/bookworms out there. Love them!!!😍

[Ali D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This might be my favourite one of the series, so far. I can't believe the amount of growth from Elizabeth, this has been such a fun, wholesome journey.

And please, for the love of everything good GET THIS WOMAN HER OWN BABY it seriously breaks my heart at this point.

[Micaiah Keough · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good addition to The Canadian West series!

[Monique the Book Geek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book and series.

[Heather McC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book four proved to be more refreshing in pace than the previous installment because Elizabeth and Wynn eventually left the primitive area for the more sophisticated city life. This goes to show just how much setting can impact a story's conflict and characters.

Another excellent source of conflict that was missing in book three was the separation of Elizabeth and Wynn due to Wynn's Mountie duties. Here we finally see Elizabeth step up in a leadership role and ingratiate herself with the Indian natives after much struggling. Their reunion proved sweet and well earned, providing an excellent climax to the character conflict and development for our main character.

Their move to the city, and giving Elizabeth the chance to teach once more, brings in a new cast of characters that refreshes the story of the Mountie and school teacher who fell in love with him and is willing to follow him to the ends of the Earth.

[kat♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

well that was a good book!!! i wouldn't say this was a 5-star experience, but definitely a bit more than 4, maybe like 4.5!! i think the author really improved with each book because i noticed the things that killed the 5-star experience for me less and less (granted, those things are still there but the writing has improved quite a bit!)

i really enjoyed this story, and i could find myself easily connecting to elizabeth's struggles, and as usual, she rises to the occasion with grace. although the only issue i have is right when she finds her footing in a new place, they move somewhere else and she starts over doing the same exact thing... granted im very aware this is how things worked with the "mounties" back then, but sometimes it DID feel like "oh great, we're going to do this AGAIN" so that's my only small complaint, but its still a great story and definitely worth the read!!! i cant wait to read the rest of the series but i cant believe im almost done with it, either.

[GShi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another phenomenal book in this series! I have cried multiple times, probably enough to fill half an 8oz water bottle.

One theme is this: God is with you and He will answer your prayers, not your way, but His way! His way is more meaningful!

[Abbi Debelack · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.5

This one was a little slower to pick up than the earlier books, but definitely picked up steam at the end!

[Grace Huff · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️!!! I love this series so much! It’s easy to get through and is just constantly reminding me of how good God is even in the hardships!!!!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this next part of the story, Elizabeth and Wynn are in a more remote part of the north in a small town where none of the Indians speak English. Elizabeth saves the day, with help and direction from God, when the town nearly burns down in a forest fire. This helps the villagers be more open to her and her beliefs. Just as they're getting to know each other, they are reassigned to a larger town for the winter with new opportunities. Here are some favorite quotes:

"I realized that my agitation, that hollow, knotted spot in the center of my stomach, was all due to my fear of the unknown. I had not been nearly as frightened when I had come with Wynn to our first northern outpost. Then I had been a new bride, eager to share the adventures of my Mountie husband (p. 10)."

"'Our Father in heaven, we come to this new assignment not knowing what is ahead. Only You know the needs of these people. Help us to meet those needs. Help us to be caring, compassionate and kind. Help Elizabeth with all the new adjustments. Give her fellowship and friendships. Give her a ministry to the people, and keep us close to one another and to You. Amen' (p. 13)."

"I had not avoided the curious eyes. The people of the village stood in groups all around me as I entered with Kip straining forward on the leash. I knew they considered the white woman a strange spectacle. My skin was different, my hair was different, my dress was different--even my dog, leashed and fluffy, was different (p. 16)."

"We had not gone far when we came to a small lake. I looked out across it, enjoying its beauty, its tranquility. I cannot explain what that little lake did for my spirits at that moment. Here was a hallowed spot in the middle of all the squalor, the disappointment, of the little village. Here was someplace where I could go to refresh my soul. I eased myself down on the grass beside the waters and let my frustration and loneliness drain from me. Surely. God is in this place... a quiet peacefulness settled upon me. 'Surely, God is in this place' (p. 18)."

"'You're the first white woman to live in this village, Elizabeth.'... Would I be found worthy (p. 22)?"

"English would do me no good in Smoke Lake. None of the people understood it. Even the trader in the store knew only a few English words (p. 27)."

"It might be that Kip would be the only companion I have for the next few weeks--until I had somehow managed to break through the reserve of these villagers (p. 30)."

"'In coming to this remote village, it is as though we stepped back in time. We live with a very primitive people, Elizabeth' (p. 31)."

"'You could try filling the pot with dirt and burying your clothes... Some seem to think that the earth takes some of the color away' (p. 38)."

"I made up my mind then to concentrate on the children. I was sure the children would be more responsive--after all, the children at Beaver River had learned to love both Kip and me (p. 41)."

"Could the Indian women actually think that Kip, as much as I loved him, could take the place of the child I longed for? If only they knew, I thought. If only they could understand the pain (p. 43)."

"I have my Lord... He has promised to be with me even to the end of the world (p. 43)."

"At night, when the supper was cleared away and Wynn sat at the crowded little table to do reports, I pestered him with all of the details of his day. He never rebuked me for my chatter--indeed, he encouraged it. Perhaps he knew he was the only one I had to talk to (p. 45)."

"We were in the midst of a different culture from our own. To us, the chants and drumbeats were distracting noise, but to the Indians these symbolized their religion, their very being. They believed in the 'magic' and supernatural power of the chants and dances (p. 47)."

"Surely if I continued to live among them, greet them in a friendly manner and not push it where I was not invited, in time they would see and understand that I did not invoke the anger of their gods. The Indian people of this tribe had a strange conception concerning the rule of the Mountie. To them he represented the enforcement of the law. Law was closely tied to payment for sins committed... Therefore, in some strange, invisible way, the white lawman might have some connections with the super powers. They treated Wynn with both deference and fear (p. 49)."

"So we lived with our new neighbors--together, yet apart; inhabiting the same village, but feeling ourselves to be of another time and another world. It was so different from Beaver River, where we had been not only neighbors but true friends, sharing totally in the village life (p. 50)."

"'I'm always afraid to hope for fear it will storm again' (p. 56)."

"'I wish I could include you more often, Elizabeth. You're great company' (p. 58)."

"It was gardening time! That meant the long winter was over. That meant I could again be outside more (p. 59)."

"''I do hope I haven't gotten you into any trouble.' 'We didn't do it intentionally, Elizabeth... Who knows, God might use it for good' (p. 63)."

"Our garden was done. Now I just had to wait and watch. Mother Nature, God's 'force,' would do the rest (p. 64)."

"The little children could not be accused of being friendly toward me, but they didn't scatter quite as quickly either. Sometimes they didn't even run, just started for a moment and then returned to their play. I could hardly call it a triumph, but with the sun overhead and my garden sending up little spikes of promise, I couldn't help but feel a happiness in my heart (p. 65)."

"We were already enjoying some early vegetables from our garden... Due to the dog team being tethered in the area, we were not bothered by raiding rabbits or rodents. The vegetables were free to grow in the hot, summer sun, unhampered by marauders (p. 73)."

"We desperately needed rain. Wynn was beginning to get concerned. The forest was getting too dry (p. 74)."

"'I don't know how to help them, God, but I don't want to be guilty of driving them even further from You' (p. 74)."

"'I leave it in Your hands, God. Help me to be patient and to do things Your way. I can't untangle this myself. Thank You, Lord, for hearing me. Amen.'... Then a strange peace came to my soul. I didn't know what or how, but I had the assurance that God had heard my prayer and was going to act on my behalf (p. 75)."

"'Lord, I trust You. I trust You completely.' I knew as I said the words that they came from an honest heart. I did trust Him! I did! I might not understand His workings, but I did trust His ways (p. 77)."

"'Lord... This pail in my hand does not mean that I don't trust You. I know that You are going to answer my prayer. Bringing rain seems like the logical way for You to do it, Lord--but it might not be. Now, in the meantime, I have my garden that You have blessed with growth. I think You expect me to do my part, so I will continue to water it, Lord, until You tell me not to' (p. 79)."

"'If rain does not come soon--very soon--the whole village be burned' (p. 82)."

"'I don't understand this, but I do trust You. What do I do now?' (p. 83)"

"I cast aside the cumbersome bundle that I was carrying so that I might run faster. All the necessities for our living were in that bundle, but I did not hesitate in mourning. I did not have time. I picked up my skirts, heavy with wetness of wading through the stream, and ran on (p. 86)."

"We watched in disbelief. Could it possibly be so? Would it change again in another moment? Did we dare to hope (p. 89)?"

"Nature seemed to be striving to return to normal again (p. 92)."

"I told myself that I should walk through the camp to see how everyone was faring. If Wynn were present, he would do that. I didn't seem to be able to move. Totally exhausted, I shivered again and wished for morning (p. 92)."

"'Lord... we need food. I don't know where we are going to get it. But You know. Show me how to care for these people. Give me wisdom--and, Lord, give me help. I can't do it on my own' (p. 94)."

"Our spirits began to lift somewhat, though we knew the days ahead would be difficult and uncertain (p. 100)."

"The village dogs had formed a pack and were hunting (p. 102)."

"'When I get up in the morning and look at all people--and I know Seargeant Delaney not here to care for them, I don't know what to do' (p. 105)."

"I constantly watched the trails for any sign of Wynn. Oh, how I longed for him! Even though our situation was still grim, I felt that things would all work out somehow when Wynn returned (p. 113)."

"The pride of this man would not allow him to be indebted to anyone. In his thinking, my saving the village had incurred a large debt. He must pay that debt or be shamed in the eyes of the people (p. 118)."

"'I give you best I have. I give you boy child' (p. 119)."

"For some reason they still seemed to expect me to be in charge (p. 123)."

"The children were the first to come looking for food (p. 126)."

"'We must all work together to care for village' (p. 132)."

"He made such a heroine out of me that I blushed with embarrassment (p. 137)."

"Wynn now had great cooperation from the chief on running the affairs of the camp (p. 147)."

"'They don't want us to stay here for the winter' (p. 156)."

"'We are to go to Athabasca Landing.'... I still wasn't sure I was going to like the new arrangement, but I knew Wynn needed my support (p. 158)."

"'I explained to him that without God's inspiration and help, you probably would not have been able to do what you did. He looked so interested and so--so wistful at the same time that I went on to explain to him about our faith in Jesus Christ. 'I wish I had a faith like that,' was his comment' (p. 161)."

"Surely, if He had something better than all of this for me, it must be good indeed (p. 170)."

"The church had an old upright piano that sat in one corner, but no one played to accompany the singing. My hands ached to try it (p. 175)."

"'Do you think the rest of the Indians at Smoke Lake will be open to the gospel?' (p. 176)"

"'We need other teachers in the children's department as well. There is only one teacher for all of the primaries' (p. 181)."

"'One should not be so surprised when God answers. Just thankful' (p. 183)."

"There was both good news and bad news. The war was finally over and Matthew had returned home safely. I thanked God fervently. Matthew was now busy learning the business to take over from Father (p. 186)."

"I read each letter over many times before I laid them aside. It was the next best thing to a good visit with those we loved (p. 187)."

"Our lives were busy, our days so full, that it caught me quite by surprise when it started snowing. Winter was with us again, and I hadn't even had time to anticipate or dread its coming (p. 192)."

"Sue Marie and her family were the last students we would have in for dinner before Christmas. After Christmas we would begin asking Wynn's class members (p. 201)."

"'We have that extra bedroom with no one in it. Why don't you just stay here?'... We'd expect you to work for your board. You'd need to carry wood and haul water. We'd also expect you to go to school every day' (p. 207)."

"The calendar was quickly using up the winter months, and I looked forward to spring with mixed emotions I knew it could mean we would be returning to the village. I longed to go. I missed our Indian friends. I had been praying daily that God would somehow open the door so we could return and help to share the good news of Christ's coming to earth to live and die for mankind... And yet when I thought about going back to the Indian people, I also thought of my Sunday school class. They, too, needed to know about Christ and His love (p. 209)."

"'Elizabeth... I want you to meet Pastor Walking Horse. He is from the village south of Smoke Lake. He has been out taking his training to become a minister to his own people' (p. 213)."

"'We have been praying and praying for someone to go to them. You are the answer to our prayers' (p. 214)."

"It came as a surprise to me, and yet it shouldn't have. I committed Henry to the Lord because I thought He would need me to care for the Indians. God had answered by preparing and sending a qualified young minister to the Indians and leaving Henry with me. I smiled. One should never try to outguess the Lord... 'I guess God took care of it all in His own way. We wouldn't have needed to fret about it at all' (p. 215)."

"'Right now I'd better get busy... I've a young boy due home from school in a few minutes, and he's always half-starved' (p. 216)."

[Sarah Brazytis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The excitement package arrives in this last book of the series! Living in a remote outpost with no English speakers, with a primitive tribe whose lives are full of 'taboos' and 'spirits', then experiencing a drought that drains the countryside of life and creates a new danger, Wynn and Elizabeth are really in the middle of it in this story. When Elizabeth finally breaks through to her new neighbors, it is in the way you least expected! I still wish the series would have gone on a bit longer - that we could have seen a bit more of their life as a young-into-middle-aged-couple, but the ending puts them in such an unexpectedly good place as a family!