Book Review: From This Day Forward by Lauraine Snelling

 

From This Day Forward (Song of Blessing #4). Lauraine Snelling. Bethany House Publishers (2016). 368 pages. Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance. 

First Line: "'When will it be my turn?' Deborah MacCallister paused to sniff a spray of lilac."

Summary:  The town of Blessing, North Dakota is growing quickly.  The hospital is now well established, but short handed.  The men of the town have their hands full trying to build a school and some homes before winter comes.  Since the school teacher moved away, they are in need of a new teacher before summer's end.  Head nurse Deborah MacCallister needs to go to Chicago for training on hospital administration.  Tensions are running high as the people are overworked.  Led by Ingeborg  Bjorklund and John Solberg, the residents pull together through prayer and hard work.  

My thoughts: It is always refreshing to return to this series.  The town of Blessing was settled by the Bjorklund family in the late 1800's.  From This Day Forward takes place in the early 1900's.  Each of the stories in this series has a strong sense of family, community and faith.

One of my favorite aspects of this series is the hospital and how much I learn about medicine and doctoring during this time period.  This story has less of that than the others in the series, but there is still enough to satisfy my curiosity.  

Ingeborg is our main character and all of the other characters are touched by her in some way.  Some are related, others are just loved by her.  She is a woman with a strong faith in God.  She helps out in whatever way she can, whether by preparing food, driving the tractor or just being available to talk. She is always taking care of someone.  She is now a widow and her children are grown, but she has "adopted" a girl and a woman in need of a home.  

Another main storyline involves Head Nurse Deborah MacCallister.  She has loved Toby Valders since they were children, but he doesn't seem to be able to make a commitment.  Toby does care about Deborah, but realizes he is afraid of making a commitment.  After doing some soul searching and talking with trusted friends, he begins to realize his fear has to do with his past.  It is only after acknowledging his fear that he can begin to change. 

This is the final book in the series and I am sad to see it end.  The entire Blessing series is twenty books long, however it is made up of smaller series.  I have only read the four books in The Song of Blessing series.  I imagine the entire series is great, but I had no problem starting here.  If you are interested in this series I recommend you start with the first book in the Song of Blessing series, To Everything a Season.  If you are really ambitious and want to start at the very beginning, the first book is An Untamed Land. 

Quotes: 

"Back in bed, she listened to the night sounds, the singing crickets, an owl hooting, the breeze lifting the lace curtains."

"'How come your house always feels so peaceful?'

'I imagine because the Lord of peace lives here.  And He fills our house and hearts with His love.'"

"She could feel the smile lifting her face and see the morning breeze setting the lace curtain to dancing."