Dawdi showed little emotion, though he did say this was cause for even more prayer. Like Dat, he emphasized the fact that all was not lost. “The Lord sees exactly where Evan is, whether in a deep, dark trench or a rice paddy. And we must continue to be patient till he’s found.” Dawdi ran his hand through his long beard. “Sure ain’t a gut way to start the mornin’, son,” he said, turning to look at Dat. “I’m sorry ya had to suffer through two strangers bearin’ bad news.”

Dat shook his head. “They were polite, even kind. I think they were worried I might pass out. I never imagined we’d find ourselves in this place.”

Dawdi Hezekiah nodded. “Let’s bow our heads and pray for Evan, wherever he might be clear across the world. But he ain’t missin’ to our ever-present Father above.”

They did just that, Dawdi taking the lead, caring for and comforting Dat in that meaningful way. With her head bowed, too, Ellie silently asked God to help them through this grim time, grateful that her Dawdi and Dat were devoted to the Lord—sincere and faithful leaders for the family.

———

A short while later, Ellie watched as Dat and Dawdi Hezekiah hitched up Nelly to the family carriage before hurrying off to see Lydia, Jonah, Rudy, and their spouses. It would be a long and painful day for poor Dat as he retold the staggering news. But because he seemed to have a peacefulness about him, she believed he was wholly trusting God. And yet she sensed a struggle within him, too. Was he plagued with regret at how things were left with Evan before he went off to basic training?

After supper dishes were washed and dried, she donned her coat and warmest scarf. Even in wintry seasons, she’d always found solace and inspiration in the orchard—and divine peace, too. Where God lives, she thought, recalling her childlike perception.

But this twilight, Ellie felt anything but peaceful. It was easy to feel God’s presence during spring’s blossoming and summertime’s harvest. But now? Now, when trees were spindly black sticks against the icy white snow and miserable gray sky, was God still there?

Ellie had a terrible time getting to sleep that night. She tried different positions—on her side, on her back, snuggled close to Sol—but nothing helped. She kept hearing her father telling them that Evan was missing in action, and she tried to comprehend what that really meant for her brother. Did it mean the other men in his unit just didn’t know where he was or what happened to him? Had he been taken? Had Evan run away, maybe?