Annie Yoder and Leah Weaver are friends, sister-in-laws and now, two years after they married on the same day, both are pregnant with their first child. However, Leah is having twins. Annie is determined to finish a nine-block quilt for Leah before her babies are due; she just can't seem to find the time to get started. Annie helps her husband Samuel with the medical needs in their Amish community. During her rumspringer, she trained to be a nurse. That training comes in handy when Leah goes into labor very prematurely. They learn that the babies are not as far along as the midwife thought, and Leah has to be transferred to Mercy Hospital to be monitored. This is where Annie worked after she received her nursing certificate, and Annie stays with Leah during the weeks she is hospitalized. Now Annie has the time to work on her quilt, and she and Leah have time to share their thoughts, their fears and meaningful stories while they wait.

THE CHRISTMAS QUILT is another touching story from Vannetta Chapman. Her portrayal of the Amish, their community and beliefs is very informative and skillfully described. There are several themes running throughout this story: feelings of inadequacy, not feeling loved, feeling afraid and the benefit of time. Chapman points out that God has a purpose for everything we experience in life and that time is the best healer. Her characters are endearing yet true-to-life, and there are several romances that begin to bud and bloom throughout the story. Perhaps Ms. Chapman will tell each of their stories too. This book is #11 in Abingdon Press's Quilts of Love Series, written by various authors. Each story stands on its own and is a great read. If this is your genre, this quick and easy read is just right for you.

Book Summary

Annie's life is deliciously full as the Christmas season approaches. She helps her husband, Samuel, attend to the community's minor medical needs. She occasionally assists Belinda, the local midwife, and most days, she finds herself delivering the buggy to her brother Adam. Annie's sister-in-law Leah is due to deliver their first child before Christmas morning, and Annie is determined to finish a crib quilt before the boppli arrives.

With six weeks to go, she should have no problem. . . but God may have a different plan. Leah is rushed to the English hospital when the infant arrives early, and Annie discovers the Christmas quilt may hold a far greater significance than she ever imagined.