The Dickens' Christmas Village Tales: The Christmas Village Tales Collection, Volume 2

By Maxine Johnson

Christmas villages warm the heart and hearth of many homes. Have you ever wondered what the people in those villages are doing? Where they are going? Where did they come from? Have they lived in that village all their lives?

Elizabeth has lived in Hillshire Downs all her life. She has suffered the loss of her family in a plague that swept away almost more lives than it left. Will she and her youngest brother and sister survive the coldest winter remembered? God is their refuge and strength and ever-present help in time of trouble. He never fails.

Richard returns after his wife and youngest child die - not from the plague. His heart is heavy, and he is at the end of his means. He must recover from his loss of everything. His son, Billy, needs him to be strong. Richard realizes he needs help and prays God will send him a job and some way to survive.

Billy has loved Rebekah since childhood. Will she love him back? Will family complications create a situation in which hi love will never be declared? What of the lost boys and their futures?

As Hillshire Downs comes back from the devastating plague, will the townsfolk be able to take care of their own and those who have been widowed, orphaned, and left destitute?

As the village people find their Christmas treasure, or see their Christmas wishes come true, they find a Christmas worth waiting for.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9781636305271

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The Dickens' Christmas Village Tales

The Christmas Village Tales Collection, Volume 2

Maxine Johnson

ISBN 978-1-63630-526-4 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63630-527-1 (Digital)

Copyright © 2021 Maxine Johnson

All rights reserved

First Edition

All Scripture is from the King James Version.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Covenant Books, Inc.

11661 Hwy 707

Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

www.covenantbooks.com

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Other Books by Maxine Johnson

Wings Series

Under His Wings

Raven’s Wings

On Eagle’s Wings (in the works)

The Christmas Village Tales Series

The Golden Era Tales

The Seaside Village Tales (in the works)

Dedication

To God be the glory.

Here is a new fruit, Lord. It is yours.

I also want to dedicate this series to my children—Stephen, Lorien, and Eowyn—who, while growing up, put up with my constant questions about this person or that person in our Christmas villages. I just wanted to get them to see that each village represented an actual time when real people lived. The ceramic people and houses in the villages reproduced an actual time period. I wanted them to put life into them. They finally convinced me to write the stories myself. You inspired me. You are in them—which character are you?

For I know the thoughts I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jeremiah 29:11 KJV

Part 1

Christmas Treasures

Hillshire Downs, England

1866

Chapter 1

The snow lay pure and clean, sparkling under the full moon. A lone figure trudged through the drifts, carrying one piece of wood. Puffs of frosty breath rose from the mostly covered face. The bottom half of her skirt heavily caked with wet snow pulled down at her slim waist.

Inside the little woodcutter’s hut, two small children under a couple of thin quilts slept, nested together like spoons, snuggled up to share their body heat. A cold blast of air rushed into the hut as Elizabeth opened the door and hurriedly closed it behind her.

At least the wind isn’t blowing in here except through a few cracks, she muttered to herself as she carefully placed the wood next to the almost cold fire banked in the back of the fireplace.

Please, God, take care of us. I don’t ask more than our daily bread. More would cause us to forget you. Less would cause us to become thieves. ‘Thou shalt not steal.’ I wouldn’t want us to break any of your commandments. Lord, we love you. Thank you for loving us and never leaving us.

She carefully placed the wood where it could dry out before being needed in the morning. She then removed her wet clothing, spreading it flat to dry near the fireplace, and climbed into bed with the two children, careful not to uncover either of them. She just wanted them to be warm and fed. She could bear the cold better than they.

I wonder how those children I saw this evening are. I think they are the Farmington children, at least four of them. Those boys were struggling to pull that big log home and the two girls holding the lanterns. It must have been their Yule log. Oh, how I would love to be able to bring home a Yule log. Lord, even though their plight seems better than ours, I can’t help but feel like they are worse off. Please show me how to show your love to them.

Her heart felt at peace as she closed her eyes and drifted off to a sweet sleep.

Elizabeth’s eyes slowly opened. She was shivering and realized all the covers had been pulled off her in the night by Eli and Eleanor.

Well, at least they are still warm. She turned and looked at the banked fire. I best check the wood and see if it is dry enough to put on the fire and get this place warm again.

As her feet touched the icy floor, her teeth started chattering. Oh my goodness, Lord, please keep us warm and fed. She felt her wool stockings to see if they were dry yet. To her surprise, they were. She quickly slipped them onto her feet.

What time is it? It must be later than I thought, she whispered as she felt her other clothes. They were dry as well. The wood she had brought in was also dry. What a blessing. Thank you, Lord, she sighed as she watched the barely visible embers.

Before she dressed, she stoked the fire, added some pinecones from the basket next to the fireplace, and then added the dried piece of wood. Tongues of fire licked at the cones and new wood, happy to have something to devour. She pulled on her petticoats and began to dress in the same clothes she had worn the day before. Her thin blue dress and well-worn gray coat were all she had except for the black dress she wore on Sunday. As the fire began to burn, she gathered snow to melt for water.

Burr! It is still so cold out here I think my eyeballs will freeze. She looked into the sky and, through the trees, but could not see the moon. It seemed the sky was getting a little lighter in the east, maybe. I best hurry and get some porridge on. I need to get to The Bakery. Mrs. Wheatly was so kind to take me on to help her. I mustn’t disappoint her.

As she opened the door with her pot full of snow she heard a rather noisy yawn.

’Lizabeth? ’Lizabeth? I needs to go!

Eli, the chamber pot is right beside the bed where it is every day.

She hung the water pot of snow over the fire and began to get the meal and salt for porridge.

Eleanor, you need to get up. Here, I’ll put the quilt down on the floor in front of the fire, and you can sit there to get dressed. It will be nice and warm.

Eleanor trundled out of bed, and like her twin brother, she took care of her immediate need and then walked over to enjoy the bright light of the burning log. She looked up with adoring eyes to her sister. ’Lizabeth, this log is bigger than yesterday’s log. God is good, isn’t he? Do you think you can find another one today? Maybe you will find two, and we will have a big fire all day and night.

If I find wood, it will be after I get back from The Bakery. Now you two know what to do while I’m gone. She checked the porridge and began to spoon it into three wooden bowls.

I would rather play, Eli said with a little sadness in his tone.

I know you would, Eli, Eleanor. Da and Ma would be very sad if their littlest ones didn’t learn to read and write. Do you know how many children in England don’t know how to read or write? What if we were to find a note pinned to our front door that told us where to find a whole stack of wood and some bags of flour and sugar and we couldn’t even read it and didn’t know what it said? We might even use the paper to help start a fire but miss out on the treasure of the message. Please promise me you will work hard on your letters and try reading from the place I marked in Ma’s Bible. She quickly finished her porridge and grabbed her coat and bonnet hanging on the peg next to the door. Now if you do go outside, do not go far from the hut and don’t stay out long. It’s very cold. Promise?

We promise, they replied in unison.

I love you both very much! Maybe I can bring home something very special from The Bakery today! Let’s pray.

The three held hands, and Eli began, Dear God, please help ’Lizabeth have a good time at work today, and if you want to, we won’t turn down any bread you could give us today. Help Eleanor and me to be good. Amen.

A sweet angelic voice was the next to speak. Dear God, thank you for watching over us last night and for giving ’Lizabeth another piece of wood to help keep us warm and melt snow for water. I love you, God. I hope you love me too. I think you do. Please help us not do anything wrong today. And keep ’Lizabeth safe on her walk through the woods. Amen.

Elizabeth loosened her hands and hugged the two eight-year-olds to her. Dear Father in heaven, your will be done today as we pray every day. We know we sin, but we don’t do it willfully. Please forgive us those sins and give us the wisdom and strength not to do them again. Help us to recognize the difference between good and evil. As we have no one else to watch over us today, we ask you to do the watching. We are in your hands, Lord. You saved us from fever and deadly sickness for a reason. We pray you will give us the direction you have prepared for us today and guide us through it. If there is anything special you want us to do today, please, sir, bring it to mind and then help us to do it. Thank you for your love and mercy. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

They hugged tighter as Elizabeth spoke into their hair. I love you two. I would die if anything happened to you. You are my treasure from God. Please be careful today. I will pray for you constantly until I see you again.

Chapter 2

Holding the lit candle she had taken from beside the door to help her see her way to town in the still, dark morning, she made her way through the woods. Clouds covered any of the light from stars or moon that might be there. The little globe over the candle not only sheltered the flame but also helped disperse the light.

This is so much like you, Lord. You are our light. I can’t see all the way to town, but I can see where my next step will be. Keep me in the light of your path. Keep Eli and Eleanor safe today. They’re such good children. Oh, and, Lord, be with the Farmingtons. You know their need. If there’s any way I can help, please reveal it to me.

She hurried down the hill across the little stone bridge, past the cider mill and to The Bakery, the first business in town. There was a light shining through the window in the back door. Elizabeth quickly stamped the snow from her shoes and briskly shook her skirt trying to rid most of it of the snow, which tenaciously clung to it. I should sweep this back stoop. I will check the front as well. I wouldn’t want anyone to fall from stepping on this packed snow.

Opening the door, she saw Mrs. Wheatly standing over a mound of dough with flour up to her elbows. Her already cheerful expression turned brighter as she saw Elizabeth come through the door.

I thought that were you making all that noise out there. I’m surprised ye made it love. That was some snowfall we had. Where ere the wee ones? Did you not bring them with ye?

Oh no, ma’am. I wouldn’t want to burden you with them underfoot. Their excitement would just get in our way. I fear I’m late this morning. Would it be all right if I swept the front and back stoop before I get ready to work?

"Oh, ye needn’t bother, love, me Charlie’s doing the front now.

He should’ve done the back first. Ye might have fallen. Then what would your brother and sister do, and me for that matter? You’re such a treasure."

Elizabeth blew out her candle and placed it on the little shelf beside the back door right above the hook for her coat and bonnet. She rubbed her hands briskly together and walked over to the ovens. Mrs. Wheatly, I do so much appreciate you allowing me to help you with the baking. I know it isn’t but half a day, but it is something, now isn’t it? It allows me to be able to buy meal and salt, and I am so grateful! Thank you again, and again. I can’t say it enough.

"How ye go on. Ye are a blessing to us. Our Charlotte had started helping when she came down with the same fever your folks and other brothers and sisters died of. That was a terrible year. Your parents were wise to send ye, Eli, and Eleanor to your da’s woodcutter’s hut in the woods to try to keep them and ye from catching it sometime before they succumbed to that sickness.

So many people died that year and the next. Terrible…just terrible," Mrs. Wheatly said shaking her head. Her earlier cheerfulness began to dim as thoughts of the past began to crowd in and chase the happy thoughts out.

I’m so sorry I reminded you of all the troubles. Here let’s think good thoughts, shall we? The snow has stopped, Elizabeth said as she tied her apron around her. "The wind was not blowing as much. I found a piece of wood last night that wasn’t too wet to burn this morning. Eli and Eleanor are well and well behaved.

You and Mr. Wheatly have a lovely home here and a wonderful bakery that is the best place to work in the entire world. How wonderful it smells with bread and buns baking. Are we making any sweet treats today?"

At first Mrs. Wheatly felt sorry for Elizabeth because she had to live in such humble circumstances, yet she began to see how the girl was truly thankful for all she had. As Elizabeth worked, she encouraged Mrs. Wheatly’s heart, and her countenance showed her brighter spirits.

Look here at my two ladies working hard to make an old man’s heart warm. Elizabeth, how are ye?

I am well, Mr. Wheatly. And you? How are you?

Couldn’t be better, my dear, couldn’t be better. He walked over to the stove and breathed in deeply. Yum! What do we have in here?

We are baking bread, Mr. Wheatly, as ye can plainly see.

Well, Mrs. Wheatly, if ye will do the honors of making cinnamon rolls, I will do the honor of cracking these! With a laugh, he held up a bulging handkerchief dangling from his hand.

And what, Mr. Wheatly, do ye have in there?

Walnuts, me love, walnuts! I was walking out in the woods a few weeks back before the snow. And what did I see at my feet? Walnuts! Yes, Walnuts! I said to myself, ‘Now wouldn’t that be the grandest surprise for my Mrs. Wheatly.’ Not having a basket, I just used my handkerchief, and here they are. I’m not disappointed. As ye can see, ye are surprised. Ha-ha! By Jove, what a good surprise it is too.

Yes, I’m quite surprised that ye could hold on to them walnuts for as long as ye have. Your reward will be cinnamon rolls with walnuts. First, ye have to sweep the snow from the back stoop. Why, Elizabeth nearly killed herself coming in.

Mrs. Wheatly, I can sweep it, Elizabeth said, a twinkle in her eye. Let Mr. Wheatly crack the nuts! She whirled around, grabbed her coat off the hook, and buttoned it up over her apron and all. She took the broom and closed the back door behind her.

Oh, Mr. Wheatly, we must think of something we can do for that dear girl, her brother and sister. Her father was the best woodcutter we ever had, such a blessed and generous man. Ye know she told me she found a piece of wood last night that wasn’t too wet to burn this morning. One piece of wood for the whole day? Those little ones will be freezing by tonight. Is there nothing else we can do to help them, dear?

Does she have any other needs, ye think?

Oh my, yes! She said she was grateful for us allowing her to work here. It provides enough money for her to buy meal and salt. Do ye think they are living on not but porridge?

I’m certain there are others who are needy, but God has put her in our path. Wheatly cracked another nut, and Hannah began to roll out the dough for the cinnamon rolls. He rubbed his chin.

Perhaps, a wood elf could drop some firewood off at their door?

Are ye still in contact with the wood elves now? she giggled as she winked at him.

Most assuredly! We are very close indeed!

They both laughed at that.

"Ye know, Mr. Wheatly. I believe a loaf of bread will be left in the oven a bit too long and won’t be fit to sell. I’ll just have to ask Elizabeth to take it home. Maybe I could work it so she will take it and some butter. I bet they have nothing to drink except water.

Where has my head been? Charlie! It has been two and three years since all them people died of the sickness. ’Tis too long to dwell on it. We need to move on. I resolve right now to force myself to go to Charlotte’s room and go through her things. I’m sure there’re things someone can use. What a waste to let it just gather dust. God wants better of us.

Mr. Wheatly had almost all the nuts cracked and ready to pick when Elizabeth came back in. She set the broom aside and quickly took off and hung up her coat. Burr, it’s colder than I thought out there. I think it must be because of all the heat we have in here.

Grab the cinnamon for me, love, please. That’s a good girl. Now go stand by the ovens and get that chill off of ye. I don’t want ye getting sick now. We need you here.

As the heat from the ovens heated Elizabeth’s outer being, the warmth of Mrs. Wheatly’s words warmed her soul.

Cheerful banter made the time fly by. Mr. Wheatly continued to take the bread and buns to the shop and put them in the various bread bins for customers to choose what was needed. The sweet treats were displayed in the simple glass case next to the moneybox. The cinnamon rolls were made and had risen.

Mrs. Wheatly began taking some of the loaves of bread out of the oven. Elizabeth, would you please go and tell Mr. Wheatly if he gets a break in the customers, the cinnamon rolls should be ready in about thirty minutes. Thank you, love.

Elizabeth left the kitchen area and waited patiently for Mr. Wheatly to finish waiting on the next customer before interrupting.

Mrs. Wheatly looked at a loaf of bread ready to come out of the oven, looked over her shoulder and back at the oven. Now’s the time. She smiled to herself. She shoved it toward the back and placed a tray of cinnamon rolls right next to it and another on the other side of that tray. Now just don’t forget it, Hannah! she said to herself.

What was that?

Oh nothin’, dearie, just talkin’ ta meself. How is it out there?

Blessedly busy. It seems quite a few people are getting ready for visitors and need some extra bread and rolls. Mrs. Wheatly, you and Mr. Wheatly are such a blessing to this community. I thank God he brought you here to live. My ma and dad were very fond of you and said the nicest things about you. In fact, that is the reason I came to you to look for work. I thought, perhaps, you would find something these untrained hands could do. You reached out to me and have taught me so much.

Now, girl, how you do go on. You know very well, you knew your way around a kitchen as well as me. You didn’t need trainin’, just an opportunity to do more than what you could in that little hut. Does it even have a kitchen?

No, ma’am, just a small fireplace.

Here, will you hold that end of this dough while I braid it? It always tends to flip over when I first start. That’s right. I have two more ready to make. I hope they sell. They are a specialty item for when the first snow falls until after Christmas. I don’t think I have ever had to make them this early. It ain’t even December, yet.

Well, close enough. Yes, this is an early snowfall and a heavy one. Perhaps it will melt, and we will have a few warmer days ahead.

You keep wishin’ so, love. I don’t think we have many warm days ahead for quite some time. Now help me with this one.

Mrs. Wheatly, are the cinnamon rolls done? I have a break in our customers.

Oh my! Where is my head? I had forgotten about them!

Mrs. Wheatly spun around and grabbed a potholder and a paddle. The cinnamon rolls were perfect. Oh no! Would you look at this. I left a loaf of bread in the oven. Now it is overdone by more than a little. Oh dear! We can’t sell that, Mr. Wheatly.

Just set it aside then, dear. Elizabeth can take it home. All she has to do is cut the top crust off. It will be fine.

You may think it will be fine, but it will be as dry as dust. She will just have to take some butter home with her as well.

The couple continued to talk as if Elizabeth was not standing right there. She listened to their chatter with her mouth hanging open, thinking about Eli’s prayer that morning. Mrs. Wheatly walked briskly over to the basket shelves and pulled a basket down and began to put the bread in the basket.

Oh dear. This will never do. The bread will freeze before she gets home. Hold on. I have an idea. You two enjoy a cinnamon roll while I’m gone. And, Elizabeth, will you, please put the braided rings in the oven for me. I won’t be long.

Before any more could be said, she was gone. They could hear her walking around above their heads.

I wonder what she is up to, Elizabeth said aloud without meaning to do it.

I never know with Mrs. Wheatly. Dear child, it is best not to question her or argue with her. Ye won’t win, and it will just hurt her feelings. So whatever it is, just go along with it, please?

If you say so, Mr. Wheatly.

They could hear her coming back down the stairs. Mrs. Wheatly bustled through the door. Here’s just the thing! Over her head, she waved a piece of wool that looked like a scarf.

This will be perfect. And look what else I found with it. She held up a pair of wool mittens and handed them to Elizabeth.

They haven’t been worn in years. Maybe you can use them, or perhaps Eleanor can wear them. They were obviously too large for a child. I didn’t even remember having them. I wonder what else is up there. Elizabeth, maybe one day we can go through all that is stored up there and see if you can use any of it. It ain’t doin’ anybody any good just sittin’ in boxes.

Oh, but Mrs. Wheatly— She stopped abruptly as she caught Mr. Wheatly shaking his head at her. Yes, ma’am. Thank you. I really don’t deserve your kindness.

And why not, child? Why would that be? Do any of us deserve kindnesses shown us? We just need to accept the kindnesses shown as gifts from God. He is the one who provides what we need from whatever source he deems fit. The giver and the receiver are both blessed by him when that happens. Don’t rob me of that blessing, nor anyone else for that matter.

Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry, and I’m truly grateful.

Good. Then ye will take six eggs home with ye as well. Mrs. Wheatly nodded her head in Mr. Wheatly’s direction.

Ha ha! I told ye. Ye can’t win! He continued to laugh as he reached for another cinnamon roll.

Mrs. Wheatly wrapped the bread in the piece of wool and carefully packed butter and eggs in the basket.

They enjoyed their cinnamon rolls and milk until the little bell over the door of the outer shop tinkled a cheerful hello to someone walking in.

I best go see who that is. Mr. Wheatly ambled through the door to the shop.

Now, love, tomorrow when ye come, bring back the basket, for I may be needin’ it. Don’t worry about it today. Here is your pay, and take this basket. Don’t forget to wear those mittens. If you or Eleanor can use that wool for a head scarf, do it. I don’t want it back. Ye hear me, now don’t ye?

Yes, ma’am. I should stay and wash some things for you.

No, I’m a bit worried about your little ones. Best go and check on them.

But I haven’t worked the whole of the time I promised.

Doesn’t matter today. Ye have helped me plenty. I may have to have ye stay longer some other day.

Well, if you are sure. I need to look for some wood. Maybe I can gather enough for a few days.

Maybe so. I’ll see ye in the morning.

Thank you so much for the provisions, Mrs. Wheatly. This will be a grand treat for us! God bless you.

And ye, my dear. Mrs. Wheatly gave Elizabeth a warm hug and a quick kiss on her cheek then sent her out the door.

Chapter 3

Be careful there, lad. We don’t be wantin’ to drop this wood in the snow and get it all wet. Be very quiet, now. We’re gettin’ close.

Mr. Wheatly and the Coppersmith’s oldest boy were making their way to the woodcutter’s hut. Each had a bundle of wood tied together and strapped to his back. They silently crept up to the hut. Neither one heard a sound coming from the inside of the hovel. Mr. Wheatly sat down on the top step and slowly loosened the bundle strapped to his back. He carefully lowered it to the stoop right in front of the door. He signaled for Alexander to turn around and at the same time put another finger to his lips, signaling him to remain quiet.

After getting both bundles put on the stoop, Mr. Wheatly and Alexander tried to obliterate their tracks as they made their way back toward town. There were plenty of tracks around, like the children had been playing out in the snow.

It wasn’t until the two men crossed the bridge back into town did they begin to talk. Mr. Wheatly looked at the cider mill off to his left. An idea began to take shape. He laughed out loud and patted Alexander on the back.

Good work, my boy, good work! I hope they are surprised and don’t figure out who brought the wood. I believe I saw two wood elves in the woods today. Didn’t you?

Aye, sir, that I did. They were bent low with bundles of wood and couldn’t carry it all. I reckon they dropped some of that load off somewhere, Alexander said with a giggle. You know, sire, I went to school with Elizabeth. She’s as smart as a whip. She can spell better than anyone and reads so fast. I struggled with readin’. The letters get all jumbled up. She sees things so clearly. I don’t know how she does it. She even knows how to cipher. Aye, she is a smart one.

Maybe she could tutor someone’s children. No, I suppose they wouldn’t want to take in the twins too. She needs to take care of them. God has a plan. That he does. It will work out, and I hope sooner rather than later.

I’d ask her to marry me, but I’m too young yet and couldn’t take care of her or her family. Someone will find her soon. She’s a month older than I am. She’ll be twenty next month.

Twenty! Why I had no idea she was that old. Yes, she needs to find a husband, or rather, the other way around. Alexander, my boy, why don’t we ask God to open some man’s eyes?

Aye, sir, I’ll do just that. Any man would be blessed to have her as wife.

What a nice bunch of mistletoe we have here. You two worked so hard to get it down out of the trees. Eli, you are a perfect shot when it comes to throwing rocks and knocking the mistletoe down. Eleanor, you are the best gatherer there ever was. I’m so pleased we had this basket we could use. I can take it to the Wheatly’s shop tomorrow and offer to let them sell the mistletoe in thanks for their generosity sharing that bread with us. We will each have one egg tonight, and we can save the other three for tomorrow night.

Look, ’Lizabeth, there is another piece of dead wood. I can carry it home to put with the other two we found.

You are so right, Eli. Go get it, and Eleanor will hold the basket. If you need me to help you, I will.

I can get it!

Eli went over to the piece of wood, and as he grabbed it and began to pull, he found it was not just a piece but a whole branch, most of which was covered in snow.

Oh, ’Lizabeth, what are we going to do? Eli hollered.

Maybe we can drag it to the hut and break it up there. I don’t know what happened to Da’s axes. They just disappeared one day.

I need some help.

"I’ll help you. Eleanor, be careful where you walk, sweetheart.

There are holes near here, and they are hard to see under all this snow. Don’t go out in the open areas. Stay close to the trees, and it will be safer."

I will.

Elizabeth and Eli pulled on the branch until they got it free from all the snow, and then it was pretty easy pulling it behind them. They were all laughing when they turned the corner to the front of the hut. Elizabeth dropped her end of the branch.

Oh, dear heavenly Father, you have blessed us abundantly this day! Where did all that wood come from?

God sent angels down to bring it. He saw how hard you were working to bring that branch home and knew it was too big. He rewarded you with this wood instead.

Eleanor, my precious, where do you get such wisdom? Maybe you are an angel sent to us to give us such joy! Elizabeth hugged her little sister and her brother. You are both my precious jewels. I love you so much!

Elizabeth reached across the bundles of wood and opened the door. "Here, Eli. Help me get this wood in. We don’t want to leave it out here