Read Online A Dream to Follow by Lauraine Snelling - Free Book Online Page A

nose blowing broke over the congregation. Someone hushed a baby who let out a wail at all the unusual happenings. Judged by the volume of tears, one would have thought this were a funeral rather than a celebration.
    “In the blessed name of our risen Lord, I present to you the graduates of Blessing School.” Pastor Solberg turned from facing the congregation to smiling at Anji. “Miss Anji Baard.”
    Anji stepped forward to receive her diploma from Hjelmer with her left hand and to shake his hand with her right. As she faced him, Pastor Solberg handed her the wrapped parcel.
    Pastor Solberg raised his hand to rest lightly on her forehead. “The Lord bless and keep thee all thy days. Go in peace and serve our risen Lord.”
    Thorliff caught his breath. This part hadn’t been rehearsed.
    “Thorliff Bjorklund.”
    I’m graduating. This is the end of my schooling here. I cannot go back . Thoughts whipped through his mind like wheat chaff driven before a fierce wind. His hand shook and his eyes burned as he reached for the leather-bound diploma.
    “I’m proud of you, nephew.” Hjelmer shook his hand and whispered the words at the same time.
    Thorliff nodded. He could do nothing else. He took another step and accepted the package from his pastor, mentor, and friend. His forehead burned at the touch of Solberg’s hand, no matter that it rested lightly.
    “The Lord bless thee and keep thee.”
    Please, God, do just that. Keep me from all wrong .
    “Go in peace and serve the Lord. Amen.”
    Lord God, I will serve thee however you desire. If only I can decide what it is you want. Please make your will clear to me .
    Thorliff sat next to Anji, his thoughts still racing. He glanced down at the two parcels in his lap. His hands had been sweating so that his fingerprints showed on the leather.
    “Congratulations.” Anji whispered without moving her head.
    “Ja, and to you.”
    Manda took her seat on his left, soon followed by Jacob. He’d hardly sat when Pastor Solberg asked everyone to stand.
    “The ladies of the church will be serving coffee, punch, and cake immediately following the ceremony, and then the photographer will be taking pictures. As we announced, families who would like their pictures taken may request that after our graduates are finished. Now let us pray.” He waited for the shuffling to cease. “Heavenly Father, thou who knows all things, thou who loves us with unending love, we commit these young people into thy keeping. Do with them as you will that they might be useful in thy kingdom here on earth. As Jesus prayed for his disciples, I pray for you to keep these young people safe. May all that they do be for thy glory. In Jesus precious name, amen.”
    The hearty amen that echoed around the room showed everyone’s agreement.
    Pastor Solberg raised his hands and declared, “The Lord bless and keep all of us from this day forth. Go in peace and serve our risen Lord.” He made the sign of the cross and nodded to the four. “You follow me, and we will greet everyone at the door.”
    As they greeted everyone, Thorliff ’s face felt as if it might crack from all the smiling, and his hand shook from shaking so many hands. When the line finally ended, he let out a sigh that made Anji giggle.
    “If you will all get a drink first, then we will go right into the picture taking. Mr. Haganson is setting up his things out in front of the church.”
    Manda groaned loud enough to earn a raised eyebrow from their pastor, which set the others to giggling under their breath.
    After wetting their dry throats with a quick drink, the four gathered outside the church, where a rumpled weed of a man ducked out from under a black-draped camera perched on a tripod.
    “First we will do the group picture and then, ladies first, the individual ones.” A New York accent spoken through his nose brought on raised eyebrows and stifled giggles. “I think we shall have the young men seated, please.”
    “That’s because you