September 6, 2012
Dear Diary:
Chapter Sixteen of Stepping Heavenward starts off at a good place for our Katherine; she is with her little ones and husband, and they are all back together in their own home. Her baby daughter is still weak, but more healthy than before; and I thought that Katy's perceptions on being able to give up your child to God when the time comes were very faith-filled but also achingly sad. Then guess who comes to town? A certain ex-best friend Amelia and an ex-beau, Charley Underhill. They are wealthy, with three daughters; but Charley is negligent of his family and Amelia is quite unwell. Katherine is reluctant to see the two people who injured her so when she was younger, but with the support of her wonderful (and far superior to Charley, might I add) husband, she decides to visit Amelia and her family. While Amelia is still semi-ridiculous, Katherine is filled with compassion for her old friend, and tries to convince her to bring her weary burdens of life to Christ. Katy's baby begins to be more unwell again, and while she prays for her daughter's health she also makes observations in the difference between the characters of her two children (little Ernest is vivaciously alive and well, and the baby is gentle and delicate). James, Katherine's cherished elder brother, has been pondering things (which are not revealed to Katy, but she suspects may be due in part to Lucy's company), and we finally learn the baby girl's name as she reaches her first birthday: it is Una.
Chapter Seventeen opens with an audience with the sagely Mrs. Campbell, who proffers some world-weathered, Savior-trusting advice for our heroine and for us, the readers. It was really great to see that Katy is no longer the same girl who once shuddered at helping sick/bedridden people, as being sick herself caused her to gain a new perspective. Katherine throws herself into the work of caring for her family, and little Una becomes sick---almost to the point of death. It really did hurt my heart to read of any parents having to surrender their child to a place where they cannot yet follow, but gladly the little fighter made a blessed recovery. We learn that James is to become a missionary instead of a wealthy city doctor, and his family (especially Katy) are so proud that their hearts are nearly bursting; plus he gets to stay with them for a few more years, as he prepares to go out into the field. Amelia reemerges in Katherine's life, and is filled with the cocky glow of those who believe they have defeated ill health all on their own. This causes Katy to stumble by becoming very proud and arrogant that she is not like Amelia and her worldly pettiness, and exposing her vanity to Dr. and Mrs. Cabot when they call on her home. She does realize the error in her thinking almost before it has passed, and she immediately becomes deeply ashamed; but she does the right thing in going to the Lord about it and taking comfort in knowing that although Christians stumble, they eventually get home.
In Chapter Eighteen, we find out that Amelia is about to die; and that all her wealth and all her pretty things can't save or comfort her in the end. Katy, being heavily burdened for her, prays for her; and in the midst of all this heartsickness, Ernest forgets their wedding anniversary again (although it is slightly more understandable this time). Martha spends a lot of time doctoring the dying Amelia, and Katherine sees her one last time and sincerely encourages her to seek God in her final days. Then Amelia dies, little Una turns three years old, and Katherine gives birth to another little boy, who she considers another treasured blessing from her heavenly Father. Martha becomes engaged to Charley Underhill's wealthy uncle, and preparations are made for her and him to be wed soon and take care of Amelia's three motherless daughters; however, when Katy's father-in-law is asked to go with them, he reveals how much he truly loves and loves being with Ernest and Katherine and their children. It honestly squeezed my heart when he became sad that he would have to wait till winter to be with Katy's family again.
Katherine really has turned into a dear, wonderful thing, hasn't she?
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