Following in the footsteps of one’s family is never easy—especially when that family runs a traditional coppersmithing business in rural Japan. This is a tough lesson for Shuu, who must now decide whether to follow the path his father walked or find his own. But that’s not the only thing he must learn. A coppersmith must meet the expectations of their clients—and the clients themselves—something with which the reticent Shuu struggles. Somehow life has become more complicated than simply hammering away on copper. With his loving fiancée Shiina as his anchor, can the smithing nut rise to all the challenges his vocation presents?

Shiina, a freshman in college, is enjoying a cozy life in Niigata Prefecture dating her coppersmith boyfriend, Shuu. She’s grown used to the rhythmic sound of his hammer, inwardly dubbing him the “smithing nut” for his obsession with hunkering down in the workshop, even on his days off. What she’s not ready for is a sudden proposal out of nowhere! Barely out of high school, is she ready for the next step? And more importantly, can she really hack marrying into a prestigious smithing family?

Daily life continues for Shuu and Shiina. Shuu trains a new mentor in coppersmithing, Shiina dives into her training to become head clerk of the shop, and the two enjoy the coziness of their home together. But as the days go on, the stoic Shuu struggles to communicate his love and appreciation to Shiina. Then he finds his moment: a romantic couple’s getaway to Sado Island! With everything planned out down to the most intricate of details, Shuu should have this in the bag—but he soon runs into an unexpected problem. Can Shuu still pull this trip together and show Shiina what she really means to him?

What's the natural next step in a relationship before marriage? For Shiina and Shuu, it’s moving into an apartment together! But each up comes with its own down, and the couple is surprised by the roadblocks popping up alongside the conveniences and fun of sharing a cozy abode. This is especially true for Shuu, who has a habit of not voicing his emotions, complaints or otherwise. Can the two of them hold on to their lovestruck bliss and successfully navigate the challenges that come with cohabitation?

Once a feared mercenary, Tahn Dorn has abandoned his old ways and is building a new life. But his heart is still heavy. Haunted by confusing dreams and uncertain of his growing attraction to Netta Trilett, Tahn knows he must come to terms with his past before he can look to the future. And that means returning to his birthplace of Alastair--a journey he knows will not be easy. And so begins Tahn's search for truth, where he encounters old adversaries, deadly threats, a long-lost sister, and the distrust of an entire town. Return to Alastair is the continuing tale of an unlikely hero who must learn the power of forgiving others--and forgiving himself--in order to accept the love of a good lady.

This issue of The Ministry contains a complete record of the six messages given during the 2007 Thanksgiving Weekend Conference held in Boston, Massachusetts on November 22-25, 2007. The general subject of the conference was "Closely Following the Present Vision of the Lord's Recovery." The burden of these messages can be summarized in the following four statements: 1) To live out and work out the New Jerusalem is to live out and work out God's complete salvation according to the intrinsic essence of the unique New Testament ministry for the reality of the Body of Christ and a new revival; 2) God became man so that man may become God in life and nature but not in the Godhead to produce and build up the Body of Christ for the fulfillment of God's economy to close this age and bring Christ back to set up His kingdom; 3) God's intention is, through the universal woman, to bring forth the man-child--the stronger part of God's people--whom He will use to defeat His enemy and bring in His kingdom; and 4) We must closely follow the present vision of the Lord's recovery by holding to the teaching of the apostles to remain in the essence of oneness. The Reports and Announcements section includes a schedule concerning the upcoming conferences and trainings for 2008.