Annie Weaver is not sure she is happy with her life in Philadelphia, for this Christmas she finds herself longing for the simple life of her Amish family. She's here on her rumschspringe, a time the Amish give their young people to discover whether they want to be baptized into the Amish faith and stay in the community, or leave it for the Englisch way of life. While in Philadelphia, Annie has acquired some additional education and has become a registered nurse. She loves her job at Mercy Hospital working in the children's wing.

When Annie receives a call that her father has been in a serious accident, she doesn't hesitate to leave Philadelphia and return to Mifflin County and her family. Her dad will need a nurse to care for his broken legs and get him back on his feet to tend the farm. But will the Amish people accept that Annie has become a nurse? Their tradition dictates that girls get no more than an eighth- grade education. Annie is hesitant to tell anyone she is a nurse, but Samuel Yoder knows something is different about Annie.

Samuel is the resident medical expert in Mifflin County. He's not a doctor, but the people have called on him for over 10 years to help with their illnesses. He's always quick to tell them that if he feels they need professional care, he will send them to the Englisch doctor. Samuel feels an attraction to Annie, and it's not just because they share an interest in medicine. But Samuel is 10 years older than Annie and has had to overcome a great tragedy in his own life.

Will Annie be accepted by the community and be allowed to use her skills to help others? Will Samuel be able to find peace in resolving his feelings and allow someone else into his life? Annie and Samuel both search for answers in this debut novel by Vannetta Chapman. She has written an inspirational story of how understanding the true meaning of Christmas can help us overcome life's many struggles. This is a story about the importance of family and community that will surely touch your heart.

Book Summary

Annie Weaver always planned to return home, but the 20-year old RN has lived in Philadelphia for three years now. As her time of rumschpringe is about to come to an abrupt end, bringing for Annie an overwhelming sense of loneliness. She returns home and finds herself face-to-face with a budding romance with an Amish farmer and Annie has several important choices to make.

Read an Excerpt