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Chapter one hundred and six
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Acknowledgment, Announcement and Encouragement
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After stopping in to see Lee and tell him the news of her move, Elizabeth Thornton entered the Hope Valley Mercantile and slipped towards the back shelves as she waited for the store to clear. In the silence of the empty shop, Elizabeth headed to where Florence sat at the switchboard and waved Ned to follow her.
"Elizabeth! Welcome home! How was your trip? How is Nathan? And Allie? When did you get back? Oh, it is good to see you. You look very happy!" Standing for a quick hug, Florence's questions overflowed until Ned gently placed his hand on her arm.
"We need to give Elizabeth time to answer, Sweetheart." Ned spoke softly. "Elizabeth? What can you tell us?"
"Hello, dear friends! My trip was wonderful and Nathan and Allie are wonderful too!" Elizabeth's cheeks turned pink and the Yost's took note with a glance from her to each other.
"I am very, very happy and Nathan and I are courting."
"Oh!" Florence clapped her hands as her eyes shone. "God be praised. Here, let me give you another hug! I am so thrilled for you both, and that sweet girl and your little Jack! When will Nathan be coming home?"
"Ah…" Even as she spoke that short syllable, Elizabeth saw two crestfallen faces before her. "Nathan won't be returning to Hope Valley. He has a permanent position, is well-respected and appreciated and has found his place and future at the Academy in these past few months. He is already initiating improvements using his expertise as a small town Constable. Allie is thriving at the Girls' Academy and in Youth Group and they have found a wonderful group of friends who adore them both. I was able to attend Allie's school chorus concert at the concert hall in downtown Regina and participate in choir events with Nathan's church choir…" Elizabeth gulped knowing the next revelation would be the most difficult. "Jack and I will be relocating to Regina around Christmas to be near them."
Florence stumbled back into her chair, clutching her throat. "Noooo. You are leaving? Leaving Hope Valley? So soon?"
Elizabeth smiled, briefly recalling Florence's sharp words when Elizabeth first arrived. "Yes, dear friend, I am leaving in a couple weeks." Turning to Ned, who held back tears, Elizabeth spoke softly. "You too have become very dear to me and I will miss you both, but I am stepping into a glorious future. I don't deserve it, but God has blessed me with a wonderful man and I just want to be with him. Father and Mother will travel with us and relocate to Regina so they can be closer to me, well…" Elizabeth giggled. "Closer to their grandchildren is closer to the truth!"
"Father is arranging for our move, but I will need to order some crates in which I can pack our personal treasures to accompany us on the train. Could you arrange for those in the next couple days, Ned?"
"Of course. I will personally deliver them in the Mercantile's wagon Saturday afternoon."
Since a telephone call came in to the switchboard, Elizabeth and Ned stepped away to settle on the number of crates to begin with while Florence answered the call.
"Please excuse my wife, Elizabeth." Ned whispered. "She doesn't like change and hasn't thought through the implications of you and Nathan courting and the opportunities a city affords for all of you. She'll come around. Just give her a bit of time. I can't say the news is entirely welcome even to me, but we are getting older and settled in our ways!" Ned patted Elizabeth's arm. "We are happy for you, Elizabeth, and for Nathan and Allie too. We are sad for ourselves though." Ned reached for a handkerchief and wiped his eyes, apologizing. "Excuse me…"
"That's okay, Ned. This is bittersweet in many ways, but Nathan and I know this is God's will for us, for our little family. Thank you for the crates and I will just give Florence a quick hug and be on my way. Thank you for your friendship over all the years, Ned." Elizabeth patted his hand before stepping back as the bell rang and the door opened.
"Pastor Joseph!" Ned welcomed him as he stepped towards the front counter. "How may I help you?"
Immediately sensing the atmosphere, Joseph knew Elizabeth had begun to share her news. "Hello, Ned. I need a packet of ten-penny nails for the porch repairs, please?" As Ned nodded and disappeared, Joseph observed Elizabeth giving Florence a quick hug and turning towards the front doors. Behind her, Florence Yost did not look happy.
"Elizabeth? Would you mind waiting so I could ask you something?" Joseph questioned then assured her. "I'll just be a moment."
"Certainly, Joseph." Elizabeth stood to the side and waited.
As they exited and stepped off the porch, Joseph shared his thoughts. "Thank you for waiting. I didn't think of it before, but would you like a few moments to speak to the congregation on Sunday morning? Maybe after the sermon and before the closing hymn? As a public servant, you may wish to announce your departure to everyone at once and keep the private farewells for your closest friends. Maybe what I say to introduce you and how I pray for you afterwards will help you have less negative reactions and more acceptance of your news?"
"Oh, Joseph. That might be very helpful. I wouldn't have to repeat everything to everyone! Let me think about it and tell you before the service on Sunday?" Elizabeth liked the idea, but wanted to talk to Nathan about it before she agreed. He might have some suggestions. "Thank you for the opportunity, Joseph."
"Glad to help and maybe we can fend off questions and let folks know your timeline is short!"
As promised, Nathan and Elizabeth shared a telephone call on Saturday evening after Jack was in bed. Allie had retreated to her room where, wrapped in a blanket and with a mug of hot chocolate, she made some Christmas cards, having closed her door to allow her father privacy.
"Hello, Honey! How are you?"
"I am well, Nathan. It's so good to hear your voice! How are you?"
"Grateful to talk with you, my Love. I've been wondering how are your farewells progressing?"
"I met with Joseph and Ben yesterday morning. I brought them up to date and thanked them for their wonderful care over the past months. They both understand my desire to be near you, although Joseph expressed his regrets because I will be missed. He knows this is the right plan and you are the right man for me! He also offered to allow me to stand up at church after the sermon tomorrow and explain my plans so everyone will hear at once. He suggested keeping the private farewells to those friends with whom I am the closest. What do you think? Should I make an announcement?"
"You've been there far longer than I was and saw the town through those difficult days following the mine disaster. Plus, they sort of made you their own, having walked with you through your initial grief after Jack Senior died and then supported you through the birth of Jack. I think it would be a good idea to share publicly. That way they can see your joy…" Nathan chuckled and teased. "At least I hope you are still joyful?"
"Oh, Nathan! You know I am. I forget who said it, but someone said I was glowing! I believe I must be smiling all the time because my cheeks hurt back near my ears!" Elizabeth giggled.
"Rosemary was the first I told about my departure and I can now say I understand why you departed without telling people! Well, probably mostly trying to avoid telling me because I would have disagreed and judged you for your decision, but I do get it! Rosemary took it very hard, Nathan. I think she is needing time to adjust. I met sweet Patrick and he is adorable and already seems to consider Rosie and Lee as his parents. I am happy she has him to occupy her time. Lee was disappointed but understanding, and accepted my verbal resignation from the school. He expected that anyway."
"Oh, Lisbeth, I am sorry Rosemary was not immediately supportive, but she may still be in denial about me not returning even though she has been supportive about the promotion. I don't think she has considered the long term ramifications. So, who else did you tell?"
"Florence and Ned. Although she hugged me, she was in tears and I actually think Florence is mad at me! We were interrupted by a switchboard call, but I didn't want to wait, so I left and Ned will help her. When I think of how harsh and unwelcoming she was when I first arrived in Hope Valley, she is someone I hope comes around before I depart!"
"She will. Give her time. Who else have you told?" Nathan inquired. "You told Bill, right?"
"Oh, of course. He came to dinner the day I returned. Didn't I tell you that? I mean he already knew from you, but he wanted to hear it from me too. He was overjoyed for us, but I think he used his Mountie poker-face to not show his feelings. I hope he will still be in Regina when I get there as I want him to see us together as a little family that includes him."
"He hasn't given me his itinerary yet, but my guess is that he will stay through New Year's so you'll see him." Nathan assured her before asking again. "Anyone else?"
"I went to the Café and helped Abigail and Clara with the preparation for the lunch crowd and while Clara served, I told Abigail in the sitting room. She totally agrees and is excited for both of us. Having had to leave Hope Valley and now return she understands better than most." Elizabeth paused. "After meeting Mother and Father for lunch at home with Jack, I returned to town and found Clara. We had a good talk and she reminded me of how I had encouraged her to love again and how happy she and Jesse are. She completely supports my plans and is very happy for you and Allie too. She asked about you two and wanted me to give you and Allie her greetings and to tell you she misses you both."
"Oh? That's kind. Please say hello to her and to Jesse from me? They have not been on my correspondence list! Speaking of which, I finally penned a letter to Lee and to Joseph. I have talked to them by telephone, but they both were wonderful encouragers during those last weeks and months before I left. I owed them another thank you and update!"
"I will tell the Flynn's. Oh, when I told Minnie she didn't seem to be surprised, so maybe Joseph mentioned something to her, or maybe she just has that pastor's wife intuition?" Elizabeth laughed. "Since it was Friday afternoon, I stopped in to see Henry, then Mike. Henry was sad, but knowing how happy you would be and seeing how happy I am, he wished us the best, always. Oh, and he mentioned Allie too! He misses her!"
"Ah, yes. Henry said he would miss her when I told him my plans in September." Nathan chuckled. "Allie has a fan club it seems!"
"Oh, she does. I had lunch with Faith and Fiona today and they could both be considered members of the Allie Grant Fan Club!" Elizabeth added, thoughtfully. "If Allie ever doubts her influence, we'll need to remind her of how many Hope Valley friends were blessed by her!"
"How did Faith and Fiona take the news? They accepted my news, but were not thrilled at all!" Nathan laughed, remembering.
"Our chat included more than just news of my departure, but they are happy for both of us, and for Allie too. They said that you had asked them to befriend Allie and allow her to come to them if she had teenage girl questions. Evidently they were impressed with your recognition of Allie's needs and your foresight to plan for that. I am, too, Honey."
"Well, I am glad, although I never did ask them if she had ever gone to them." Nathan wondered. "Did they say?"
"No. Both Faith and Fiona are excited for Allie to have a mother now though. And they are extremely happy for you and me. I think it is the romance of it all, but I also sense it is justice for you? Fiona mentioned all that time you patiently waited and I think she and Faith are in the Nathan Grant Fan Club! Well, maybe not as much for Faith anymore. It seems that Doctor Ben Marshall and Faith may be planning a future together. She is dreamy-eyed and it is so sweet to see." Elizabeth added, "And so different from when Carson was around. Now, there really is no doubt!"
"Ahh… I am very happy to hear this. Faith is a wonderful woman and became a good friend to me, especially after Carson left. Plus, her sweet personality and compassion are a blessing in her position as a doctor."
"I had to talk to them both and thank them again for all they did for me after my collapse. I couldn't have asked for better care-givers. I will miss them." Elizabeth exclaimed. "Oh, Nathan! Fiona did not admit to this directly, but she said Kevin is back and expanding his blacksmithing business into hardware, you know like wrought iron and plumbing supplies, forming pipes and things like that? She blushed when she told me about his burgeoning business and hinted that they had met for lunch a few times! Wouldn't that be wonderful? Two entrepreneurs!"
Laughing, Nathan commented, "It sounds as though you want everyone to be as happy as we are! Maybe it is good that you are leaving? You wouldn't want to interfere with Rosemary's matchmaking!"
"Hahaha, Nathan! You are correct though. I want the whole world to know our happiness! Now, tell me what has transpired in Regina since we spoke on Thursday night? Anything?"
Nathan shared about his lunch with Jon and how the news of the house flowed naturally and that reassured him that if presented carefully, their owning the main house might not be as much of a concern as he had thought it would be. "I also have a lunch scheduled with Tim for Tuesday so I can ask him about the Superintendent responsibilities, tell him we are courting and plan to marry and ask him about time off for whenever we decide to wed. You know, Mounties are required to get permission before they marry? I will ask, but I think he will tell me I didn't need to!" Nathan chuckled. "Maybe he will be like your father and offer before I ask!"
"Do you think Jack did that?" Elizabeth was surprised. "He never mentioned it."
"Most likely he did. I mean everyone knew he shortened his honeymoon to take the training assignment, so his marriage wasn't a secret." Nathan looked at the clock.
"I read your first letter, Lisbeth, and it touched my heart. I will re-read that sweet love letter often until we are together again. Thank you for your promises and all the love you poured into those pages." Nathan's voice went husky. "I love you, my dear Lisbeth. I love you beyond words."
"Oh, Nathan, I know and I love you too. I've read two more of your love notes as well. I couldn't wait today, so I opened it this morning." Elizabeth giggled. "I miss you so much, but we are a couple days closer to being reunited again. God bless you at church tomorrow, especially when you read your poem, and give my love to sweet Allie as well as to the Samuels family and Peter and Carol, okay? Oh, hello to Wes and Ardis too!"
"Gladly. Shall I pray before we say goodnight?"
Elizabeth agreed requesting special prayer as she spoke to the congregation in the morning.
After Nathan led a tender prayer, and a few more declarations of their love, they said "Good night and sweet dreams."
Throughout the Sunday morning service, Elizabeth went over her speech in her mind, finding it difficult to concentrate on the Advent message. She did catch Joseph's glance and then his words about how Mary and Joseph's family may have misunderstood when they pledged their lives together even after Mary's obvious pregnancy or how their friends may not have understood them not returning home to Nazareth.
Joseph reiterated, "Each person is responsible to follow the path on which God has set their feet and no one should try to dissuade them or hinder their obedience to the Lord. What God wants from us is to love each other and to pray for God's will to be done in the lives of others within our concern. If we feel they are not following, or are missing God's plan, we should go to prayer first before thinking about addressing our thoughts."
Elizabeth blushed, convinced that Joseph was setting the stage for her announcement. She smiled at him with tears in her eyes and saw him give her the slightest nod.
After closing his sermon with a prayer, Pastor Joseph began to speak again. "This morning, I have invited Mrs. Elizabeth Thornton to come and share from her heart. Please give her your attention and I will lead in a prayer for her once she is finished. Elizabeth?"
Joseph stood beside her as Elizabeth gripped the pulpit and began to share.
"Thank you, Pastor Joseph. Thank you all for welcoming me to Hope Valley so many years ago. We have weathered many difficulties, making this town our home and each other our family over these many years. I am grateful to you all for your acceptance and love and for your prayers, especially when I went astray and did not follow God for a season of my life here in Hope Valley. I regret that I allowed myself to become so self-centered and to hurt so many of you in the process. I imagine many of you prayed for me during that time and I cannot thank you enough, for God answered those prayers and brought me from darkness into His light. These last few months I have known a deep healing and felt the Lord's incredible love, meeting me where I was and leading me to freedom."
"As a part of my realizations over these months of healing, I have recognized how much I love Nathan Grant yet how poorly I treated him and his daughter, Allie. I wrote to them and asked their forgiveness, which I later learned they had already given me, even before I admitted my sins against them. When I understood how grievously I had wounded Nathan, I realized there were things I needed to share in-person. So with hope and prayers in my heart, I traveled to Regina accompanied by my mother. I met with Nathan and with Allie and God helped me to confess and to receive their forgiveness while together."
Elizabeth blushed and glanced towards the ceiling to keep from shedding tears before continuing. "Many of you know how Nathan came to Hope Valley to watch over a fallen Mountie's family, yet you know how I rejected that protection and even disrespected that wonderful man when I publicly accused him of things I now know he didn't do, nor would ever do. In addition to asking for God's forgiveness, I have asked Nathan for his and he has forgiven me for my unkind and cruel behavior towards him. I publicly ask for your forgiveness as well. I don't deserve his forgiveness or yours, but I am grateful."
"While in Regina, Nathan asked to court me and I, with a grateful heart, have accepted. He has loved me for many years, and although I lived in fear and denial for much of that time, I have loved him too."
"Nathan has a wonderful position at the RCMP Training Academy and he is flourishing. He has established new protocols, is well-respected by his peers and those he supervises, and is also re-writing some training manuals. Eventually he will be writing a history of the Northwest and now the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He is influencing new Mounties in training and is blessing his fellow instructors as well. I am so proud of him! We were blessed to have had Nathan Grant as the Constable in Hope Valley, but he will not be returning except to visit someday."
"For that reason, I will be relocating to Regina to continue our courtship and take God's next steps for Nathan, Allie, Jack and me. Please understand that I may not get to explain this in-person to many of you because I will be departing within the next couple of weeks. My parents and I will be packing and traveling to our new home together. I cannot go into detail to explain the many miracles that God has arranged but I have no doubt that God has ordained this move at exactly this time." Elizabeth cleared her throat. "I appreciate your time this morning and covet your prayers now and whenever you think of us. God bless you all."
Beginning quietly, but growing ever stronger when the congregation saw their pastor begin to clap, unprecedented applause rang out within the Hope Valley Community Church. When Pastor Joseph motioned for the congregation to quiet, he placed his arm around Elizabeth's shoulders and led in a prayer for her, Nathan, Allie and young Jack, then closed with a benediction.
Florence was the first one out of her seat, arriving at Elizabeth's side before she could step down from the platform. She reached out and placed her hand on Elizabeth's arm. "Elizabeth! I apologize for my attitude on Friday. I was not very supportive. I really am thrilled for you, Nathan and the children. You make a beautiful family and I am happy for all of you. Sad for Hope Valley, but I understand you must follow Nathan. Just know you will be missed. I hope I see you before you depart, but let me give you a hug now?"
Welcoming Florence's embrace, Elizabeth hugged her back, whispering into her ear. "I forgive you, Florence, and you are a dear friend whom I will miss."
Ned was standing beside his tearful wife and quickly opened his arms to Elizabeth. Into her ear, he whispered, "Thank you dear girl. Give our love to Nathan, Allie and Jack? We will miss you all."
Not many parishioners were in a hurry to leave this Sunday, so Elizabeth received hugs and well-wishes from many of Hope Valley's citizens and school students which would allow her to dedicate most of her time in the coming days to prepare for the move.
Miles away, in Knox Presbyterian Church in Regina, the choir sang a beautiful a cappella rendition of 'In Dulci Jublio.'
"In Dulci Jubilo Let us our homage shew: Our heart's joy reclineth In praesepio;
And like a bright star shineth Matris in gremio, Alpha es et O! Alpha es et O!
O Jesu parvule, My heart is sore for Thee! Hear me, I beseech Thee, O puer optime;
My praying let it reach Thee, O princeps gloriae. Trahe me post te. Trahe me post te.
O patris caritas! O Nati lenitas! Deeply were we stained. Per nostra crimina:
But Thou for us hast gained Coelorum gaudia, Qualis gloria! Qualis gloria!
Ubi sunt gaudia, If that they be not there? There are Angels singing Nova cantica;
And there the bells are ringing In Regis curia. O that we were there! There are Angels singing
And there the bells are ringing In Regis curia. O that we were there! O that we were there!" (*68)
Both Josiah's and Nathan's rich voices rang out on the tenor parts blessing all who listened. When Reverend Huntley invited Nathan to read another of his poems,the congregation, remembering the poem from the previous week, stilled and was prepared to take note once again. Wes and Ardis squeezed each other's hands while Peter and Carol exchanged meaning-filled looks and Peter wrapped his arm around Allie's shoulders.
"Emmanuel"
"Pure beauty, radiant Light, glorious colors beyond imagining…
Iridescent pearls, royal rubies, sapphires, emeralds and gold…
Reverence, adoration and love surround the Holy One,
the King and Lord of all, on His throne
encircled by songs of the nations joining heaven's angels
in simultaneous harmonies of praise.
Was there momentary silence as the Prince of Peace
set aside His golden crown and disrobed—
departing,
descending,
disappearing into the darkness,
the confines of a woman's womb, becoming flesh and blood?
Heaven's heartbeat entered earth's night with a newborn's cry.
Emmanuel. Jesus, stilled by a plaintive melody
—a lullaby of joy and wonder—
echoing in the borrowed cave
amidst the dirt and straw." (EMH)
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(*68) In Dulci Jubilo, 1570, English translation by R.L. Pearsall, 1837, Public Domain
A.N. For online listening I recommend: In Dulci Jubilo (Pearsall) | Dallas Chamber Choir
(EMH) 'Emmanuel,' Poem by E.M. Hunter, Published in Illuminations, Copyright 2014
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