Lori's Quest

About the Book

Becoming an integral part of Canada and its culture is an age old problem which occurs today just as it did when my story begins in 1940.The Mueller family were refugees from the communist revolution, were sponsored by Canada to begin a new life in this country. They had moved from a Mennonite Settlement in Manitoba to an area just being settled about sixty miles from Vancouver, British Columbia. World War Two is not even a year old. Twelve year old Lori finds it difficult to relate to her new circumstances. She had attended a school where all the children were Mennonites and lived by the same standards. Here the children find her strange and different Speaking German at home, they wonder about her allegiance to Canada. Papa adheres strictly to Mennonite beliefs and expects his daughter to do the same. He expects her to lead a simple, devout life. Mama is a vivacious woman with a scant mastery of the English language but a great sense of humor. She is more flexible than Papa, but like a good Mennonite wife, regards her husband as the head of the house. We are also introduced to the meager circumstances under which the Muellers live, and to their humble one room shack. Lori tries to live in both worlds, but finds herself meeting one challenge after another. She finally becomes discouraged and tries to resolve her situation in her own way. She tries to reach her only friend Jo who lives in Vancouver by running away. The situation temporarily worsens, but all involved work at finding some way to help Lori and her parents come to some understanding. Although many rough spots are still ahead, circumstances change considerably.

About the Author

Charlotte Enberg, the daughter of immigrants from the Ukraine, was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Her parents, refugees of communism, were given free passage to Canada by the Canadian government.

The family moved to British Columbia when she was five years old. They were one of the first residents of a Mennonite Settlement sixty miles east of Vancouver, B.C. The little village, which grew rapidly over the years, became known as Greendale. Her parents were well educated people who attended the more progressive Mennonite church. Many of the Mennonites who belonged to the Brethern Church were more rigid in their lifestyle. Currently most of these immigrants are integrated into Canadian society and have moderated in their religious practices.

When Charlotte attended a two room school in Greendale, she could not speak a word of English. In ninth grade she was bussed to Chilliwack High School, a small town seven miles away. Because World War Two was in full swing she was not accepted by the other students, but was ignored. Being rather shy, she did not participate in school activities. Charlotte won a Provincial Scholarship so was able to attend the University of British Columbia from which she received a BA degree. Her education continued at the University of Toronto where she earned a Masters Degree in Child Psychology.

She married Con Miller in 1950. The family moved to Longview, Washington in 1957 where Con worked as a Research Chemist for Weyerhaeuser. Upon his death in 1970 she became the sole supporter of their three children. In 1990 she married Paul Enberg,

She has been a stay at home mom, preschool, primary and church school teacher. Upon retirement she has devoted her time to writing poetry, church school lessons and children’s stories.