The Road Home–a Review by Patsy Ledbetter
The Road Home by Beverly Lewis and published by Bethany House Publishers (2018) is filled with one woman’s faith journey and spiritual growth. It will teach you that God is always good and always trustworthy.
This story takes place in August 1977 in Michigan and Pennsylvania. It involves a family with wonderful parents, Jacob and Elizabeth Schwartz and their ten children. Lena Rose, their oldest, is eighteen and a half and the main character. She has three sisters, Emma, 17, Liz, and Verena. She also has five brothers, Wilbur, 14, Timothy, Benjamin, and twins Sam and Mose. The youngest is Chris, age 6.
The story starts out with Chris off to his first day of school in the one-room Amish schoolhouse. Lena takes mental notes so she can later report the experience to her parents who have taken a passenger van to work in Middlebury, Indiana. Her father works in an RV Factory as a supervisor in the cabinetry department. Her mother has been working close by as a substitute teacher at an Amish-Mennonite School. The family is Old Order Amish.
In the afternoon, two policemen come to the door, reporting to Lena Rose that there has been a terrible accident and everyone in the passenger van, including her parents, were killed. She and her siblings are devastated.
Their main concern now is staying in their house together. Uncle Noah and Aunt Mary, who are in a very small house close by, feel it is too much for Lena to care for the house and farm at her young age. She wants to try to make it work, but they and the community do not think Lena can handle it all. They begin dividing the family, sending the siblings to various homes.
Lena Rose is to go live with her father’s second cousin and his wife, Harley and Mimi Stoltzful, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The other girls: Emma, Liz, and Verena will be in one house, and four of the boys: Sam, Mose, Timothy, and Benjamin will be in another. Wilbur will stay with some close neighbors, and the youngest child, Chris, will stay with his Mammi and Dawdi in the Dawdi Hause next to their main residence.
All the siblings are very grieved to separate, but Lena Rose is trying to put her trust in the Lord and believe He has a plan. She tearfully leaves the area with the promise of returning for a visit at Christmas.
Life is different in Lancaster County. Lena Rose works as a seamstress in Mimi’s sewing business and gets paid for her work. She stays in the room that formerly belonged to Tessa, Mimi’s daughter.
A few years ago, Tessa moved away with her husband Manny. They have an adorable baby named Joey. Tessa and Manny return to the area where Manny starts a cabinet-making business with Arden Mast.
Before coming to Pennsylvania, Lena Rose had been courted by a young man named Hans. He decides to end their relationship and informs Lena in a letter of his decision. Although she is disappointed, she also feels it is for the best. Arden Mast begins to pursue her. She does not encourage him because she knows she will eventually return home, but she is very attracted to him.
Throughout the story, Lena is grief-stricken and missing her siblings, longing to visit them. She has people looking into different jobs she could do in her hometown and also, a place to stay. She trusts the Lord and believes that even though this stage of her life is very hard, He has a plan and He will grant her the desires of her heart. She makes friends in Lancaster County and loves living with Mimi and Harley, being encouraged by their strong faith and desire to bring all needs and issues to the Lord in prayer.
The plot twists and turns and there are some anxious moments, but all turns out happy in the end. This is an encouraging and heartwarming story for anyone going through struggles. I enjoyed it very much and I know you will as well. It is recommended for readers eighteen and above.
From Nancy–Amazon lists a number of books with this same title. I think it would help to include the author’s name should you search for and want to purchase this novel through Amazon.
Patsy Ledbetter has written poetry, short stories, devotionals, and book reviews for many years. She has also been a drama instructor, special needs teacher and substitute teacher. She and Kevin have been married for 41 years. They recently lost their oldest son Craig, age 33. They now have three children, Vanessa, Bethany and David. They also have four grandchildren, Elyse, Aurora, Hayden, and Molly. Kevin has been a music pastor most of his life and together they serve the Lord in a local church. Patsy loves to read, pray, and spend time outdoors and with family and friends. Her main desire is to bring glory to God through all the talents He has given her.
