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Welcome back to Jacob and Julia’s Iowa farm.

In 1893, their son Justin is eleven. and daughter Annaliese is ten. When Jacob and Julia adopted Annaliese as an infant, they were told God had a special plan for her. As Annaliese grows up, she wonders if her purpose will be world-changing.

Julia’s old friend, Edward Harrington, comes to visit from England, along with his wife and son, Robbie. Their time at the farm is the beginning of a like/hate relationship and later something more between Robbie and Annaliese. When the families traveled to San Francisco in 1900, a shocking revelation from Edward’s wife could change everything, beginning with taking Annaliese to England.

If this is God’s plan, Annaliese is disappointed. It’s nothing like she imagined, and her heart’s desire is to go to veterinary college. This could mean a very different future for her.

Growing up I heard from my parents, Sunday school teachers and youth leaders that God has a plan for each of us. I couldn’t imagine what it might be and mainly made decisions based on what I wanted to do. Looking back, I wish I had been more prayerful and intentional about my life’s path. Like most people I made mistakes, but I’d like to think I’ve learned some lessons along the way. For instance, it’s not unusual for him to call you to do something that takes you out of your comfort zone. I was fine teaching in the children’s department at church, but when I was asked to teach adults, I was a bundle of nerves.  I had to have a cup of water beside me because my mouth was so dry I couldn’t swallow. It didn’t take long, though for me to realize I enjoyed it and was glad I had been asked to serve in that position. If I hadn’t been obedient to the opportunity I would have missed a blessing God had for me. 

At the end of Heart’s Journey, book two of the Heart’s Desire series, Jacob and Julia adopted Annaliese, whose English parents died in a flu epidemic. The Godly woman who brought her to them didn’t know the parents’ names, only that they had married against parental wishes and come to America, but she believed the Lord had a special purpose for the baby. She didn’t know what it was, only that it would be revealed when the time came. 

Heart’s Promise brings Annaliese into the spotlight. Jacob and Julia raised her to know and love God. They told her he had a special mission for her. Sometimes, Annaliese would daydream about what the mission might be. Would it be world-changing? Maybe she’d discover a cure for a disease. She loved the horses and other livestock on their farm and hoped it might have something to do with animals. She also assumed her family would always be nearby.

When Annaliese and her brother graduated from high school, she and her family traveled to San Francisco with long-time family friends from England, Edward, Abby, Robbie and Robbie’s sisters. She was excited about the trip, but also the possibility of going to veterinary college in the fall. It had been a while since she’d thought about God’s mission for her. Then one of Robbie’s sisters announced that Annaliese looked like the picture of Abby’s long-lost friend. Abby agreed and is sure Annaliese is her friend’s daughter. Abby tells her she needs to come home with them to England. Her friend’s parents, who would be Annaliese’s grandparents, have been broken hearted since her friend ran away. The grandfather turned angry and bitter, while the grandmother took to her bed. Surely Annaliese could bring healing to their hearts. 

The idea that this could be the mission God had planned for her comes to mind, but she doesn’t want to believe it. This was nothing like she imagined and forget about staying close to her family. This would take her to a different country. As far as she’s concerned it will take a lot of prayer and convincing for her to agree to go to England with them.

Sometimes God shows us what he wants us to do when we least expect it. Maybe it doesn’t seem worthy of our attention or important enough to be a plan God would have had waiting for us. It might require traveling to a place that’s far from people we love or where it’s familiar. Maybe he wants you to handle a problem you don’t believe you’re qualified for. It’s inconvenient. Annaliese had other plans. The question becomes; do you make yourself available for God’s plan? Do you trust him on this uncertain path? Or, do you go your own way? 

I hope readers will enjoy finding out how it goes for Annaliese in Heart’s Promise. 

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Until next time, may your reading bring both light and encouragement.

Happy reading!
~ Danielle.