Prairie Legacy

Twenty years have passed since youngest daughter Belinda's story in Love Finds a Home. Marty and Clark's spiritual heritage has been lovingly passed on to their children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And now, beloved granddaughter Virginia faces the test of her young life. Caught in that difficult period between childhood and adulthood, feeling that she really doesn't fit anywhere, Virginia struggles against what she considers to be unreasonable restrictions and expectations. A lively new girl arrives at school, and Jenny seems to represent everything that Virginia is longing for—her looks, her daring, her alluring freedom from constraints. But then comes the day neither girl will ever forget....

Twenty years have passed since youngest daughter Belinda's story in Love Finds a Home. Marty and Clark's spiritual heritage has been lovingly passed on to their children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And now beloved granddaughter Virginia faces the test of her young life. Caught in that difficult period between childhood and adulthood, feeling that she doesn't really fit anywhere, Virginia struggles against what she considers to be unreasonable restrictions and expectations.   A lively new girl arrives at school, and Jenny seems to represent everything that Virginia is longing for--her looks, her daring, her alluring freedom from constraints. But then comes the day neither girl will ever forget?

In The Tender Years, Virginia Simpson managed to struggle through adolescence and was looking forward to stepping into adulthood. When her graduation day arrives, she walks to the podium as the class valedictorian to the proud grins of her grandparents, Marty and Clark Davis. College beckoned, and life seemed to be well in hand.   She thought she would feel different. Like an adult, with an inner knowledge that she was on the edge of the nest, ready to try her own wings. And then circumstances began swirling around her, making her rethink her plans and reevaluate her priorities. If she only knew what the future held.

The yearning deep inside her—to go somewhere, discover something, be a part of the world about her in a new way—would not go away. But what would satisfy it? In The Tender Years, Virginia Simpson managed to struggle through adolescence and was looking forward to stepping into adulthood. Now her graduation day arrives, and she walks to the podium as the class valedictorian to the proud grins of her grandparents, Marty and Clark Davis. College beckons, and life seems to be well in hand. But she thought she would feel differently—like an adult, with an inner knowledge that she is on the edge of the nest, ready to try her own wings. And then circumstances begin swirling around her, making her rethink her plans and reevaluate her priorities.

In this third book in the Prairie Legacy Series, Virginia dreams that having a home of her own will surely satisfy the longings of her heart. Through the years Virginia Simpson had learned that Grandma Marty's wisdom was right. When God allows something to be taken from you, He replaces it with something better. The long-awaited return of Jonathan and their renewed courtship, with a wedding soon to follow, are proof of God's loving ways. But the inner strength that God has been forming in Virginia's life through trials and disappointments is far from complete.

Virginia Simpson has learned that grandma Marty was right to insist that when God allows something to be taken from you, he replaces it with something better. The return of Jonathan, their renewed courtship, and the upcoming wedding are all shining examples of that. Still though, the trials and disappointments of Virginia's life weigh heavily on her and the inner strength that has continued to build in her is far from completion.   The first test of her new resolve comes soon after her marriage. Waiting for their house to be completed, the couple has no choice but to live with Jonathan's grandmother. Although Virginia loves the woman, she struggles with having to share her new husband's time. When the house is completed, even greater obstacles arise, challenging both the couple's fledgling love as well as Virginia's inner peace. But like gold refined, Virginia will emerge as a woman of character and godliness.

If Virginia could have chosen to accept or discard all the changes that came her way, she gladly would have let most of them pass right by. She loves her life on the farm with her husband and children, not far from her parents and her grandparents. But a change that is tearing at her heart is the steady physical decline in Grandma Marty and Grandpa Clark. She cannot imagine their home without their welcoming smiles and their words of wisdom that arise from decades of life experiences and a solid faith in God. Their lovely daughter Mindy, who has blessed their home ever since her mother left the tiny child with them, has been encouraged and guided to pray for that mother all these years. Is God answering that prayer, or is the worst nightmare any family could face now upon them? Virginia is not sure she has the strength to truly become—like gold refined.

If Virginia could have chosen to accept or discard all the changes that came her way, she gladly would have let most of them pass right by herself and her family. She loved her life--living on the farm with her beloved Jonathan and their children, not far from her parents and her grandparents. But a change that is tearing at her heart is the gradual but steady physical decline in Grandma Marty and Grandpa Clark. She cannot imagine their familiar farm home without their welcoming smiles and their words of wisdom that arise from of decades of life experiences and a solid faith in God.   And their lovely daughter Mindy, who has blessed their home ever since her mother left the tiny child with them, has been encouraged and guided to pray for that mother all these years. Was God answering that prayer, or was the worst nightmare any family could face now upon them?

For her significant contribution to Christian fiction, the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association honored Janette Oke with their 1992 President's Award. Like Gold Refined is vintage Oke, full of the gentle warmth that captivates fans the world over. Happily married with four children, Virginia Lewis is perfectly content with her peaceful existence on the family farm. But change looms on the horizon. Grandma Marty and Grandpa Clark have always been a source of emotional strength, but their health is failing. And Virginia's adopted daughter, who has long been a blessing, may be torn from the family when her absentee birth mother resurfaces and pursues custody. Virginia may fear the unknown, but her unshakable convictions will help her embrace it. Like Gold Refined is a timeless testament to the strength of family and the power of faith. Narrator Alexandra O'Karma gracefully illuminates Janette Oke's wholesome prose and brings her inspiring message to life.