Melanie Dickerson said this quote

She had never been in love before. She'd tried to save herself the pain, but all her pretending and hiding the truth from herself had not saved her at all. And even though this love was painful, it was worth it to remember how the sight of him and the sound of his voice had made her heart beat faster, that feeling of wanting what was best for someone else, even if it broke her own heart.

~ Melanie Dickerson

Why could he not have chosen some other woman? Why Avelina? But he knew why. It was because she had seemed good and kind and had expressed her thoughts without any false pride or pretense. He had admired her forthrightness and her compassion. And although he had never thought of a wife with strong opinions was a good thing, he actually found he liked her opinions-or at least admired her for having them. He wanted to get to know her, to know everything that was in her heart. He wanted to marry her and, surprising even himself, to love her.

~ Melanie Dickerson

I should like the woman I choose to be very honest, generous, and to have a sincere faith in God, rather than mindlessly following the rules.

~ Melanie Dickerson

Do you think God has a different purpose for every person,' Gisela asked, 'or is his purpose the same for everyone?'...'God wants us all to strive to grow more like Jesus, to become holy as he is holy, but God has a specific purpose for each person. How could it not be so? Everyone in a village cannot be a baker, because who would then make the candles or shoe the horses or grow the food? God says we are like a body. 'The eye cannot say to the hand, I don't need you. And the head cannot say the feet, I don't need you.''Does the Bible say that?''Oh, yes, and it says, Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is part of it. Just as the villagers are part of a village and have different tasks, we all have tasks to do for the Lord God.

~ Melanie Dickerson