Love's Abiding Joy

This is the fourth film in Hallmark's Love Comes Softly pioneer series based on the Janette Oke book series of the same name and probably one of the most difficult to watch as it deals with mental illness.

Missy's father Clark comes to visit the LaHaye ranch for the first time and in the first 24 hours Missy and Willie's baby daughter passes away. This sends Missy in a downward spiral of depression that has her questioning her faith and worrying about her marriage with Willie, who takes a sheriff position to try to help make ends meet. The sheriff's job proves challenging as the town's mayor values money over people. Meanwhile the Mayor's daughter Collette, who is home on break from her finishing school, sets her sights on Missy and Willie's eldest, Jeff who shares her love of books.

This is a wonderful pioneering family drama that leans into the strong faith of it's characters. Times were tough and this story doesn't shy away from telling some of those tough stories.

Again this was one of the hardest to watch in the series and had a heavy message around usury. I think if you are a fan of the series you will enjoy this film, but be prepared for the difficult content.