The Proving

The Proving by Beverly Lewis takes Amanda Dienner back home to Gordonville, Pennsylvania. Amanda "Mandy" Dienner left home five years ago after discovering her twin sisters, Arie Mae, betrayal. Mandy has been living and working in Scott City, Kansas. One day she receives a certified letter from her older brother, Jerome telling her that her mother, Saloma passed away unexpectedly. Mandy learns that she has been left Butterfly Meadows, the families Amish bed-and-breakfast, to her. Mandy would have expected the B and B to be left to Arie Mae. The inheritance comes with the condition that Mandy run Butterfly Meadows at a profit for twelve consecutive months. Mandy returns home to take over the inn, but she is not prepared for the community's and guests feelings about her non-Amish status. Will Mandy be able to handle the close proximity to her sister and her husband? Can Mandy find it in her heart to forgive and move on with her life?

The Proving is well-written, engaging, and has a nice easy flow. I liked the main characters and their stories. It was nice to follow their journey and see how they changed/developed. I only summarized Mandy's portion of the story and her challenges (lack of cooking skills, not being Amish—when guests expect an Amish hostess, resentment). There is Catrina Sutton who signs up for a mystery vacation (hoping for beach destination) and ends up at Butterfly Meadows. Some of themes in The Proving are forgiveness, power of prayer, love, and letting God take the driver's seat on your life's journey (He is in control, not you). It is amazing what happens when you pray and believe. My rating for The Proving is 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). The story is somewhat predictable (romantic outcomes especially), but I enjoyed reading this pleasant Amish book. The Proving is a lovely, heartwarming novel that provides a delightful respite from reality (which we all desperately need at times).