Katelyn’S Choice: Finding Love Through Faith

ILENE J. DIRKS

Copyright © 2013 Ilene J. Dirks.

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ISBN: 978-1-4497-9476-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-9477-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-9475-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013908378

WestBow Press rev. date: 06/03/2013

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 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

DEDICATION

I dedicate Katelyn’s Choice to our God.

It is my prayer that hearts would be open and lives changed

As it is read and passed on to others to be read.

INTRODUCTION

Have you ever had a dream that you pushed way back in your mind for a long time? That dream never died. I like to say that it was like marinating meat so it would become more tender with age.

My dream, since age 17, has been to write a book. About eight years ago the dream surfaced again. I had read about a class on writing a novel that was being offered in Sioux City, IA—right here where I live. This author had a number of novels in print. I joined eight or nine other aspiring writers to learn how to write a novel. The dream was alive again. In that class I wrote the outline of the book in paragraph form. That outline was sixteen pages long. It seemed that it took a long time to write sixteen pages. How would a person ever get 200 pages written?

What I learned was that the one thing that will finish a book is discipline. As I began to write Katelyn’s Choice, I came to understand what a challenge it would be to finish the book. At one point I was discouraged, and I called my high school English Teacher, Mr. Jerry Wadden, in Des Moines, IA. The advice I got from him was to keep working, and establish a regular commitment to writing.

I believe God led me to read a magazine article regarding the discipline involved in writing a book. The author referenced a piece which discussed Hemmingway’s writing discipline. He found that if he committed to writing a certain number of hours a day and quit at the end of the time, it helped to keep the creative juices flowing. I committed to writing two hours a day first thing in the morning, five days a week. I stopped at the end of the two hours. This allowed the characters to continue to live in my mind and I was more than ready to begin writing again the next day. Mr. Wadden also said that he had faith in my ability to finish. When I was discouraged, I would focus on his advice—finishing a book takes discipline and of any of the students I taught, you have commitment on your side.

That said, I have a few persons to thank. First is my husband, Claire Dirks, for believing in my writing. From the first time he read the outline of the book, he said I should write and publish the book. Many thanks are due to Jane Clausen, for tirelessly staying with me on the editing of the book, always encouraging me in a way that allowed my voice to come through and not discouraging me. Thanks to Karen Langstraat, Stonecroft Ministries, for helping me to clarify the message in Chapter 14. To Paula Hamp in doing a final read before we sent Katelyn’s Choice to press. Thanks to my daughter, Amy Powers, for the idea of the three main characters on a park bench for the cover. Thanks to my granddaughter, Amber Bock, for taking that idea and creating the cover. Thanks to all other family and friends for their encouragement along the way.

As I sat at my computer early in the morning, I sensed the presence of the Holy Spirit guiding my thoughts and writing. Because of all my life experiences, this book is not the book I would have written at age 17, even though I have felt the leading of the Holy Spirit from a very early age.

It is not the book I would have written before speaking for Stonecroft Ministries. I thank God that I waited to write this book until He was ready for me to write it. As I retired from full-time work into full-time service, I feel blessed to have retired into service to our God.

Lord, thank you for finishing this book! Amen

Chapter 1

Katelyn! I’ve got to see you right away. Can you meet me at the side door in five minutes? John’s voice was stressed.

Sure, what… ? It was no use to ask any questions, because John had already hung up. As Katelyn replaced the receiver on the phone, she stretched her left hand out to let her beautiful diamond catch the light and sparkle brightly. She never tired of dreaming of the time when she and John would be able to spend every minute of the day together. It did not seem possible that they had been engaged for a year and a half.

She glanced quickly in the mirror. Her beautiful blonde hair was usually turned under or gently flipped on the ends. Every hair was always in place. Her complexion was clear so makeup was not really necessary, but she always added a touch of pale pink to color her lips. As she grabbed a sweater, she glanced at her figure in the mirror. She was of medium height and not what you would call a knock out, but her inner peace brought a lovely sparkle to her clear blue eyes.

Katelyn headed for the side door of her apartment building. She watched as the restored copper-colored 1965 Chevy convertible rounded the corner and came to a halt near the curb. She ran out and hopped in the door that John had pushed open for her.

There he sat, impeccably dressed in khakis and a loose fitting polo. He had short jet-black hair, a beard that looked like a five o’clock shadow by two in the afternoon, and a gentle cloud of Canoe aftershave surrounded him at all times.

I felt an urgency in your voice when you called. What is it? she said as she greeted her fiancé with a peck on the lips. The serious look on his face caused a sense of panic to rise up in her. He handed her a letter that was opened. The handwriting was slightly familiar, and the return address confirmed who had written the letter. She drew the stationery from the envelope and began to read. There was a long silence. She looked at him with tears in her beautiful, big eyes. John’s dark brown eyes had begun to pool also.

What in the world can we do? John was obviously beside himself with grief. His ever-present air of control, the attitude jocks always carry, had slipped away.

The tears began to slide down Katelyn’s cheeks as she gently told him that there was only one thing that they could do. I love you far too much to allow this to happen to you. She slowly slid the gorgeous diamond off her finger and reached out to place it in his hand. This was the ring that to her symbolized love for a lifetime. Why was God allowing this to happen to them?

John, family is far too important to each of us for you to give up your parents, said Katelyn.

He replied, I don’t understand why Mom feels so strongly about this.

She is telling you in this letter what I have sensed for a long time but refused to admit to myself. Remember the first time that we stayed overnight at your parents’ house after we got engaged?

Yes, I thought we all really enjoyed ourselves.

Remember that your mother insisted that I come with her into the master bedroom, and she showed me a candle she lit every day and the prayer she said? It was the prayer that stated her wish that we never marry.

That was so long ago, I thought she had worked through all of this. John looked as if his heart would split in two. How could he live without Katelyn? She was so full of life itself. He knew she would be a dedicated wife and mother. What real difference did it make that they were of different denominations? There is only one God.

Your mom was never happy with each of us leaving our own denomination and joining another church together. Why did his mother so detest the fact that Katelyn was an Evangelical and not a Catholic like John? It wasn’t as if she and John had not talked about their differences.

There was a long pause. When John spoke again, there was pain in his voice. For someone so ‘dedicated’ to her faith, this letter does not seem like something God would want anyone to write. How could she say that unless we break our engagement, I do not need to come home again? She would never want to see her own son again? This is not fair!

Katelyn did not really know what to say to ease John’s pain. John, nothing in the world is worth losing your family over. I could not allow you to give up your parents for me. We would both suffer in the end. I guess this is why my mom always said not to date a person of another denomination; you never know where things are going to lead.

Katelyn, I cannot accept this ring. I gave it to you to wear forever. We must spend forever together. I don’t know what to do. I am so torn between my loyalty to my parents and my love for you.

Katelyn glanced out the window onto the rolling Iowa hills where her apartment complex was situated. She had lived in Iowa all of her life. The late September evening was unseasonably warm. She turned back to John. There are so many challenges in marriage without trying to go through your whole life without your parents. Remember, I am an only child, too, and there is no way I could face the rest of my life without my parents. Parents are your ‘set point’ in life, the place you can always return to, to reclaim your calm. Parents are persons who (as the saying goes) know all about you and love you anyway. I have known you for two and a half years, and I love you very much, but they have known you for twenty-two years. I can only imagine how it would feel for you to never be able to go home again. The tears were now rolling down her cheeks as she spoke. You and your dad are so close. I love him as much as I love you, in a different way, of course, but I know his heart would be broken if you never came home again.

Please take this ring back tonight, and we can sleep on this and talk again tomorrow, John said as he started the car.

She turned to him and said, I cannot take the ring back. That would just make it harder tomorrow. We must really pray about this, but obviously your mother has prayed too, and she has decided we must not marry. She must feel as though you are choosing between God and me, and she feels God is the only way.

Do you want to go for a ride? John asked, trying to change the subject.

No, John, I think I need to be alone just now.

May I call you in the morning?

If you like, John. I love you. I will always love you. You are a very special part of my life. I’ll miss you, and I don’t know how I will get through this, but God will give each of us strength. As she said this, she heard that still, small voice saying, I will never leave you or forsake you.

John walked her to the door of her apartment. He slowly drew her into his arms and held her for a long time. He put his hands on her shoulders and drew her away from him to gaze deeply into her eyes, eyes that until this moment had been for only him. I will love you forever, he said, and he gently kissed her.

Katelyn closed the door behind her and leaned on it for support. The tears rolled down her cheeks and this time the sobbing began. She ran to her bedroom, threw herself on the bed face down, and cried her heart out.

The only thing that slowed her tears was the constant ringing of the phone. She decided the person on the other end of the line was not going to give up, so she rolled over and picked up the receiver. She heard the voice of her best friend.

Hi, Katelyn! It’s me, Jessica. What’s happening?

Katelyn didn’t know if she could speak.

Katelyn, are you there?

Yes, she managed between sobs.

What’s wrong? What has happened? I’m coming right over! Click!! The line was dead.

Jessica was the kind of friend that you thought you could only meet in books. She was a great listener, positive thinker, and always willing to try something new and fun. Katelyn particularly liked the fact that she was never a wet blanket on new ideas. A smile even began to curl on the edges of her mouth as she pictured Jessica grabbing her sweater and running from her apartment in another building in the complex. She always tripped over the same crack in the sidewalk. She could never remember the crack when she was in a hurry or had her mind on something else, which was most of the time.

Katelyn pushed herself off the bed and went toward the front door to unlock it as she knew Jessica would be knocking in a few seconds.

Whew! I ran right over—tripped, you know where. Jessica threw off her sweater and plopped down on the sofa.

Jessica was a little shorter than Katelyn and had big brown eyes that could look clear through you deep into your soul. She had such an easy, unsophisticated way about her that was just plain loveable.

Right now her long brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail which she had painstakingly made this morning and never touched since.

Okay, shoot! What is going on?

John… I… The tears began to flow again. Jessica got up and took her friend’s hand. She pulled Katelyn down on the couch beside her and just held her while she sobbed. When the tears began to subside, Katelyn started to speak. John came over with a letter from his mother. It said if he did not break our engagement, he never needed to come home again. If he married someone outside the Catholic Church, she would no longer have a son.

Oh, Katelyn, what are you going to do? At that very moment, Jessica looked at the two hands she held in her own. The left one looked naked. Where there had been a gorgeous diamond there was nothing. You have already given the ring back? She knew her tender-hearted friend so well. Family was very important to her.

"Jess, there wasn’t anything else I could do. John cannot go through life without his parents. I cannot imagine life without my parents. This is not going to be easy, but I must somehow trust God with this. He promises that He will never leave us or forsake us.

Katelyn, I really thought you and John were forever. You make such a neat couple, just the perfect couple, so well liked by everyone. Why can’t his mother accept the fact that you and John are so in love?

I had this strange feeling a year and a half ago when we were buying my engagement ring. As I tried on both the bands, I had this weird foreboding that I might never wear the wedding band. I loved the ring, but it always bothered me that because of the way the diamond was mounted, the ring itself did not make a complete circle. It’s really funny the things you think about—symbols of life together. I tried on some rings that were shaded with black metallic to accentuate the diamond, but I didn’t want anything to suggest evil connected to my marriage to John.

Katelyn, would you like us to pray together now?

Yes, I would like that very much.

Jessica took her friend’s hands again and they bowed their heads.

Lord, I don’t even know where to start, but I sincerely pray for my friends, Katelyn and John, this evening. Be with both of them and send your Holly Spirit to comfort each one of them. Be also with John’s mother and father as they must be hurting now. This could not have been easy for them either. Amen.

Jessica paused and Katelyn began.

Our most gracious heavenly father, I know we are to praise you for all things; however, please forgive me tonight if I find it difficult to be thankful. I thank you for the love John has given to me. I thank you for all of the wonderful times we have had together. The passion we both shared for life itself. Be with my parents and prepare them to accept what I will tell them tomorrow. Lord, I do not know where I will go from here, but I truly trust you are there, waiting to take my hand. I know I cannot handle this alone, but I love you, Lord, and I put my life in your hands. Thank you for my good friend Jessica and her love and support. I know she is a special gift from you. Keep us all safe from harm and danger. Amen.

There was a long silence. Both girls heaved a heavy sigh.

Katelyn, would you like me to stay over here with you tonight? I could sleep right here on the couch?

No, I really want to be alone now. I’ll be okay. I’ll call you if I need you.

Promise me you will call. Anytime of the night! I’ll talk to you or trip right over.

Both friends laughed and hugged. I’ll be fine, Jessica. It will just take some time. Thanks for coming over and for being such a great friend!

Good night, Katelyn.

Chapter 2

As John drove back to his apartment, he was in shock. He could not believe what had just happened. Today, before the mail had come, he was so happy. Finally his life was about something other than playing basketball and hanging out with the other jocks. Don’t get me wrong, he enjoyed the company of other guys; however, Katelyn was something else. She was fun and bubbly in a conservative way. When she walked into a room, it seemed all conversation stopped, and everyone wondered where she had come from. It wasn’t like she was from another planet, just a soothing comfort to the people in the room.

Katelyn was an attractive young woman, with long blonde hair she wore flipped up on the ends, and her eyes danced when she saw him. Her life experiences gave her a view of the world many other women at college did not have. She was the only child of a couple who were in their forties when she was born. They had been married twelve years when she was born and divorced when Katelyn was two years old. She was raised by her mother who remarried when she was seven. Her father remarried when she was ten years old, and he and his wife provided her with four half-sisters and a half-brother. She visited them often, but never lived with them on a day-to-day basis. Katelyn spent Fridays and one weekend a month with her Dad after the divorce.

John was very comfortable with the decisions he and Katelyn had made about their life together. It is true he had been raised in the Catholic Church, and he was the only son of a very devout Catholic mother. She gave birth to him in her forties, so both Katelyn and John had a real empathy for mature adults. It seemed ironic that both sets of parents had chosen to give birth to these two children so late in life.

Katelyn had been raised in the Evangelical United Brethren Church which was a basic Bible church. Her faith was very personal. When she was very young, she had developed a strong personal relationship with Jesus. John and Katelyn had decided that they would join their lives in Christ in the Lutheran Church. They carefully chose that church because of the liturgy and the very similar type of Sunday morning service which John was used to. They had attended membership classes in a Lutheran church in town and were about to join the church.

Things seemed to be moving in the direction they had planned. John knew his mother was not happy about his leaving the Catholic Church; however, he and Katelyn felt they had made a good choice. They had prayed about it and had come to this decision. It was not an easy decision for either of them, but they felt very strongly that to have a marriage that would stand the test of time, they needed to attend church together and share their faith lives together. They wanted a family that would and could pray together and face life head on. Katelyn had lived through the struggles her mom experienced since her stepfather did not always go to church with them. She knew they needed to be united in faith. The Bible says, Do not be unequally yoked.

John thought they had come to grips with the issues of faith. He knew from the first time he met Katelyn that her faith was important to her. She wore it on her sleeve. She exuded the love of Christ to those around her. That love was what set her apart from others. Christ had carried her through so many struggles in life—struggles that they had shared with each other. That was another thing John so loved about her—they could talk about anything. Theirs was a young love, first love, which had happened so quickly when they were not looking. They both knew right away, if they continued to see each other, they would desire to spend the rest of their lives together. That made the differences in their denominations such a huge issue from the time they met.

John remembered the first time he met Katelyn’s parents. Ruby, her mother, was of slight frame just like his