I’m not sure when my fascination began.

It’s like wondering when you began loving nature, or having a dog by your side.

But I know I’ve always been fascinated.

Mystified.

If asked, my boys could remember back in their childhood and teen years, traveling through Amish country. I would give them a dime or quarter, and later, a dollar, to inform me of any sightings of the “plain people”.

Our vehicle was famous for traveling the blue highways. (Those lines on the map which signify the back country roads.)

Appreciating life in the slow lane, we also traveled by Amtrak train to Pennsylvania to visit the Amish of Lancaster County.

My sons were 7 and 4 years of age, carrying their little backpacks on their tiny shoulders. We saw beautiful, immaculate farms and clotheslines abundant with bright, colored broadcloth. Clip-clop rhythms were the norm.

We also traveled to Harmony, Minnesota.

And Cashton, Wisconsin.

But truly, we didn’t need to go any further than our own state.

Michigan.

Sunday, May 14, 1995

Yesterday was a dream come true. I attended the Amish Auction in Clare. We watched the buggy and horse auction take place. There were 10,000 people estimated to be there ~ on the John Henry Yoder Farm. After the auction, we traveled one town over, Beaverton, and stopped by the H farm to see Delilah. Husband, Sam, had driven the buggy to the auction. (10 miles – 1 1/2 hours). Too bad we didn’t see him on the way. We visited. I held Jacob, one of the twins. Jeff (my 4th grade teacher friend) asked to see the barn. We all went to the barn, leaving Naomi (age 7) in the farm house with the twins, who were just a little over a year old. Delilah tells me on the way to the barn that she is expecting her 12th baby in August, but the other children do not know…and she does not want to tell the other children just yet.

How did I get to know the 13-member family and get to be a part of their lives?

Slowly…stay tuned for more of my Amish Sojourn.

Until tomorrow ~ God willing and always in the lead,

Woodswoman

I don’t think a day goes by, that I don’t think of the Amish and their way of life.

In the next week, I will be sharing from the pages of my Diary of 1995, when I was fortunate enough to be welcomed into an Amish family.

Sam, Delilah, and their 12 children have remained in my heart for many years.

Perhaps they will soon reside in your heart too.

Until tomorrow ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

Several weeks ago, I took a much needed day off from work and treated myself to a day of adventure.

My friend, Amy, and I headed a couple hours down the state to the small farming town of Coral.

From there, we followed the rural directions to meet Homemaker Ang, her friendly husband Matt (aka…Gentle Giant) and the delightful, engaging children.

I learned how to make cheese. (Click on link to see and read about the most amazing farm kitchen luncheon imaginable, which was part of the day’s adventure…)

But it was so much more than that…

We entered into a world much like what I envision, and live by.

One of simplicity and hard work.

You see, Homemaker Ang and the Gentle Giant moved their 6 children into an Amish farmhouse, where they are farming and living off the grid.

Everything is done by hand, and by God’s grace.

And His direction.

The children expressed their love of their life.

They didn’t need to verbalize it, although they did so.

It shows in their demeanor.

Their willingness.

And their passion.

Homeschooled.

An integral part of the working family.

Where everyone works.

Human, horse, and dog.

We hated to leave at the end of the day.

Even though I was returning to our rustic place, I felt at home at Maple Valley Farm.

Good, Godly folks.

Who tested the waters of the Amish community…(Click here if you wish to sign up for a newsletter outlining their journey.)

Doing what others only dream of doing…

You too, can experience this for yourself.

Another cheese class (not to mention soap making class/pumpkin pie making class, etc.) is coming up November 3rd and beyond. Check it out…

Don’t be surprised if you leave with a tug on your heart.

Maple Valley is like coming home.

Until tomorrow ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

Since I am in an office approximately 11 hours out of a 24-hour day, that leaves me…13 hours to eat/sleep and enjoy Mother Nature.

This morning, knowing there was a heavy frost, I tossed on some clothes and set out to the office, knowing I would stop along the way to take in nature.

I simply can’t get enough.

It’s like a hunger that eats at your gut ~ the call of nature.

At noon I decided it was a good day to take a lunch break at the local lake.

Upon arrival, I found He had a very special, almost comical gift, waiting for me.

There, in the spot I always park in, was a rainbow.

What a wonderful gift I was given, during my 13 hours of personal time on this day.

My father had a wonderful sense of humor when he was on this earth.

My Heavenly father does too.

In reality, it was the local fire truck voiding the hoses into the lake, creating this wonderful lunch time entertainment.

Or was it?

There’s a saying that goes like this: Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous.

Until tomorrow ~ God willing,

Woodswoman