Two books by Carrie Bender

Johanna's Journal #1

This story is set in Johnstown, PA just before and during the devastation that came as a result of the breaking of the dam holding back Lake Conemaugh. Although the facts about the Johnstown flood are true, this story is fiction. Johanna and her sister have been taught God's hand is in everything. Johanna's Journal isn't only about the Johnstown flood, it's about a young woman's hopes and dreams.

Willowcreek Valley Farm 2

Annie and Steven Petersheim live on their farm in a young Amish settlement in Tennessee. Annie's friend loans them several books, one about Mennonites migrating from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to Upper Canada (now Ontario) two hundred years ago. This story is shared by the young Amish couple as they read together the trials and hardships of this journey. The epic story captures their interest and it will capture yours as well.

Carrie Bender is the pen name of a woman from the Amish Church who has authored numerous books, mostly about Amish life. These two selections are the exception. Readers say her writings are "like a breath of fresh air," promoting "loyalty, caring and love of family and neighbors." They share "a comforting sense of peace and purpose" and help us savor the close relationship between people and the rest of God's creation.

Two books by Lori Wick

Sophie comes from Czechoslovakia and finds a job working for a widower with two children. Though highly educated, (she speaks four other languages) she finds fulfillment in caring for this hurting family. This book sheds some insight into how God can work in the midst of sorrow. This is a contemporary story of God's tender mercies and loving intervention in the life of one family.

Tucker Mills, Massachusetts, 1839

Bound as an indentured servant, Reese finds comfort in her faith and her friends. Can Reese see beyond her place as a servant to accept God's larger plan for her future--and her heart?


You just can't go wrong when you pick up one of Lori's books to read. She is a very prolific author. Many of her works are set in olden times but she also has some stories that are contemporary as well. Every one is a gem. So if you like good Christian fiction, find a cozy spot and get into one of her stories. You will be blessed for it.

Annie by Mary Christner Bortrager

This book completes the Ellie's People series of ten popular volumes by Mary Christner Brontrager.

Mary grew up Amish and has drawn from her memories in creating these tales of Amish life.

This story is about how an Amish family opens their hearts and home to a deserted child.

Practical Peace or Shalom 101

Hibiscus not from our gardens

If you asked the average man on the street if he would like peace on earth you probably would never hear the answer as "no." And yet our world is anything but peaceful in many places. How is this possible? Perhaps the reason lies in the fact that many people do not have an understanding of what it takes to have peace in the world.

Love your neighbor as yourself. This is one of the hardest things to do in our modern world. Our neighbor definition encompasses the entire globe due to communication technology. But just treating our next door neighbor as we do ourselves is hard enough. You often hear of neighborhood disputes that seem rather petty to most of us. When was the last time you gave sacrificially to your next door neighbor...that is by giving without expecting anything in return? This is an excellent step toward a peaceful world.

Forgive as you have been forgiven. This statement presupposes that you have made the step of asking forgiveness of God and that you have accepted His Son's death as your atonement for your sins. Even those who claim Christ as their leader by calling themselves Christians often do not reflect Him in their daily lives by refusing to forgive. Jesus gave us the ultimate example of forgiveness when he said as he was dying on the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." When was the last time you offered forgiveness? This is the best step toward peace.

Take care of widows and orphans. We have a number of widows in our congregation but any orphans are unknown to us. Why is it so important to take care of these? Because they are the most defenseless members of our society. Our hearts can be softened toward peace if we live our lives being sensitive to the needs around us. We are not just talking financially here. When was the last time you spent some time with a lonely person? Doing this is an act of peace.


The peace that passes understanding. So probably the mythical man on the street who yearns for peace on earth just doesn't understand that it's presence here on this earth is more in his own control than he suspects. Following a few simple steps, once he knows the Savior, is all it takes to have this Peace on Earth.

Dianthus

Bright Eye Dianthus

Royal Crown Devon

Royal Crown Devon c. 1880-1895

Above is an example of the treasures we like to find when we go "garage saling", as we like to call it. One of us has a particularly astute ability to find these treasures. It must be in the blood, because a sister processes this very same ability.

This latest treasure comes from England and was produced between the 1880s through the mid 1890s. It is in remarkably good condition, considering that it is well over 100 years old.

Would you believe that it was purchased for only one dollar? That's why we call this hobby "Treasure Hunting."

White Chocolate Moments by Lori Wick

A Contemporary Story of Reconciliation,
Family, and True Love

This book follows the fictional life of a daughter of wealth. Author Lori Wick uses her literary talent to weave a tale that gives an example of "a camel going through the eye of the needle." Through tragedy and loss the story makes clear the need of a Savior no matter what circumstances are faced. Wealth does not eliminate that need.

Arcineh Bryant lives with her grandfather after a devastating loss. But as the years pass, something comes between them. Feeling hurt and betrayed, Arcineh leaves to build a life for herself, without the privilege of wealth.

Meantime, her grandfather experiences a change in his life. This change is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

As the Lord finally brings these two souls back together the grandfather carefully shares his experience with Arcineh. The conclusion to this story will lift your spirit and feed your soul.

Lori Wick is one of those authors that you can count on to be a good read. This is one of many stories she has authored. We highly recommend her books for light reading that brings inspiration, humor, and goodness to your mind.

Scallops of creeping Phlox

Scallops of creeping Phlox on top of wall

The weather has been warm, windy and dry of late. So we need to keep weeding and watering. We have also put some of are flower gardens back into grass. Our health is demanding that we curtail some of our lovely gardens. So each year we will shrink the gardens until just the front contains flowers so close together that weeding won't hardly be necessary. The lower terrace on this retaining wall is almost like that now.

Rose of Sharon

Rose of Sharon

For the past several years we have been having trouble with Japanese Beetles attacking our Rose of Sharon bushes/trees. But this year we noticed that the worst of the damage is being done to this white variety. The purple flowered plants don't have near the activity from these veracious pests. And this year we have noticed that both varieties don't have this problem as bad as other years. We have been just going around and knocking off the bugs into a solution of sudsy water. Other years they have been so bad that we needed to put up beetle traps. But so far that has not been necessary this year.

Lillies

Petite Grapette