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July '21

“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” - Acts 2:46-47

 

Reflection:

Nothing says summer like good food and good fellowship, jah?

As a young girl, I remember going to my Uncle Amos and Aunt Anna Jane Buchwalter's big stone house in Brownstown, PA, and having good fellowship with my mother's married brothers and sisters and all the many cousins.

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The spread of food (everyone brought a favorite dish) was nothing less than impressive, and often I went in search of the peach crisp with real whipped cream first. Peaches have always "called" to me—peach jam and jelly on buttered toast, fresh peaches sliced or chopped over homemade ice cream, and frosty, thick peaches and cream milkshakes. Anything with peaches! (My Peach Delight recipe is found on page 16 of The Beverly Lewis Amish Heritage Cookbook.)

Are you seeing a theme here? Yes, to me there is definitely something enticing about fresh peaches!

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Food and fellowship go hand-in-hand, and many of us have missed (craved?) those key components during the seemingly endless Covid-19 lockdowns. Delicious food is one thing, but sharing and eating ("breaking bread") with others makes it even better. And picnics under God's great canopy of sky and sun, well, that's the best! My mother used to say, "Food tastes better outside!" And I agree.

May your summer be filled with the joy of fellowship, tasty food, relaxing fun and the faith that firmly knits us together in the family of God.

Blessings abundant,

Beverly Lewis

Update:

This month I'm busy promoting my September 7 stand-alone novel, set in Hickory Hollow, The Beginning. Watch for an exciting announcement from me July 14 (soon!) regarding a special BOGO deal (Buy One, Get One). Also, I'm happy to report that I'm keeping my daily writing pace for my current draft for my Fall '22 novel.

I'm also working with my sister-partner, Barbara, on our new line of Amish Cheer cards: "Plain Pals," which are ready for your order. We ship immediately, as you may know if you're one of our loyal customers. See more at: www.amishcheer.com. Thanks so very much for making "Plain Pals" one of our most popular card lines, so far. Happy spreading cheer with us!

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June '21

“A father is tender and kind to his children. In the same way, the LORD is tender and kind to those who have respect for Him.”

- Psalm 103:13

 

Reflection:

When our kids were little, I loved to watch Dave build Legos with them on the floor or compose hilarious songs at the piano for each of our three J's (Julie, Janie and Jonathan). Dave had several nicknames for each child (and for me, as well).

IMG Lego play

He dove for pennies with them at the local pool, and in the wintertime made snow creatures in the front yard for all to see. He taught our children not to fear “owies”—they were “buddies,” he told them as he wiped away their tears—and he gave names to each new chicken pox that popped out on the kids' bodies, much to their amazement. That Christmas, he helped me take care of all three children when they came down with the pox, one kid every few days! I even wrote a funny children's book, The Chicken Pox Panic, inspired by that very interesting Christmas!

My husband has always been patient and kind, and not just around our children, but around pets, too. Currently, our grand-pups get very excited to see Dave coming to visit, knowing they'll get lots of attention and possibly a treat.

Dave enjoyed making ordinary days extra special back when we started homeschooling our twins. During recess, he taught them all of his fancy basketball moves, as well as how to ride bikes and to skate. He taught Julie piano, coaching her through the city-wide Sonatina Festival where she won a beautiful trophy.

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He encouraged Janie and Jon to develop their artistic skills, and drilled them on consonant and vowel sounds every day after their special school, teaching them to read way past the level of comprehension their tutor said they would be capable of learning. He also taught Julie the multiplication tables by linking to memorable (and comical) things, and she remembers all the fun involved to this very day. No drudgery in our house when it came to math!

One of Dave's favorite things to do was to play tricks on the kids, making Easter and Christmas all the more exciting by hiding goodie baskets (think chocolate bunnies!) and Christmas stockings in the most unexpected places.

My husband's tender heart toward our three Js, and Ariel, our granddaughter, is a reflection of the heavenly Father's love for us all.

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During this month of Father's Day, and always, I'm grateful for Dave's exceptionally caring ways and his devotion and love for God and for our family.

I pray you have special memories surrounding the fathers in your life, dear friend.

With blessings and gratitude,

Beverly Lewis

Update:

The draft for my September 2022 novel is humming along beautifully, (may I say that?) and I'm excited to reveal the title later this summer. Stay tuned! I’m also excited to say that The Beginning is on track and on its way to the printer, ready for release day on September 7. I hope you’re looking forward to it as much as I am!

You will be so delighted with my new "Plain Pals" line of Amish Cheer cards (secure website: www.amishcheer.com) coming later this month. The Amish children from Old Windmill Farm in Lancaster County, PA featured are just adorable, you'll fall in love with them, too! Our Father’s Day card is perfect for this season as well.

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Thanks for making these cards an encouragement to your family and friends—we appreciate your business!

May '21

“Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.’”

- Proverbs 31:28-29

 

Reflection:

I’ll never forget my mother’s “green thumb” and her fondness for growing all types of flowers—roses, sweet peas, golden yarrow, pansies and baby’s breath to name a few. She and Daddy sold these beauties to the local florists to the astonishment of our relatives and friends…until they stepped foot into my parents’ lavish garden and understood why.

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My mother’s love of flowers and gardens influenced my sister, Barbara, and me. And her love for family did, too. She relished our get-togethers and eagerly looked forward to each and every birthday, Memorial Day and Fourth of July…and all the holidays in between.

My mother’s love for God spilled over into my own young life on a daily basis: during family worship, after school when she read to my sister and me from the Bible, and while singing and playing the piano at home, even composing her own praise songs.

When I was six-years-old and wanted to invite Jesus into my heart but was too shy that Sunday to walk to the front and kneel with the others, it was my mother who encouraged me and said she would go with me. (I’d fibbed and said I was sleepy but had been crying during the sermon, so she knew the Holy Spirit was drawing me.) All these years later, I still remember pouring out my sinful heart to the Savior, intent on living each day for Him from that day forward.

My mother has been with the Lord now for fifteen years this summer, but her sweet spirit lives on in my memory—the way she would tear up at the hearing (or the singing) of certain gospel songs, such as “His Eye is On the Sparrow,” or her responsive nature in worship at church, camp meetings or revival meetings; and her clear soprano voice blending with mine and Barbara’s as we sang trios on Daddy’s weekly radio broadcast or specials in church.

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A prayer partner like no other, if my mother said she would pray for me, or others, she would actually spend time intentionally doing so. Her faith in the power of prayer was as strong as her love for God and His people. She was a confidante and friend to many women in our church, and knew how to encourage others with her words and in practical ways.

Once again, this Mother’s Day, I will miss her dearly, but I will also thank our Lord for a godly mother and dad who walked the path of divine grace during all their years of pastoral and missionary work. And who also encouraged their two daughters to love and live for God as wives and mothers, and grandmothers.

Blessings from my heart…to yours.

Beverly Lewis

Update:

After reviewing the Final Pages (galleys) for The Beginning, releasing September 7, 2021, I’ve returned to writing the first draft of my 2022 novel, the title reveal coming soon! Also, I’m thrilled to be getting caught up on fan mail to all of you—snail mail, Facebook, etc. Thanks so much for your patience!

My Amish Cheer card line (www.amishcheer.com) has expanded with Mother’s Day and Father’s Day cards…and five brand-new summertime birthday cards, debuting May 6 on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/officialbeverlylewis/.

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April '21

“He is not here; for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay."

- Matthew 28:6

 

Reflection:

Imagine being there with Mary Magdalene and the other women that long-ago morning, the day that changed the history of the world. Imagine mistaking Jesus for a gardener, so grief-stricken and preoccupied with the sorrowful task ahead. Imagine Jesus, the Resurrected Savior, calling Mary by name. And then witnessing the promise of Easter burst forth on Mary’s face as she recognized her risen Lord!

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What did Mary and the other women want to do first? What do we want to do after experiencing Christ’s incredible love? Let’s ponder that for a moment. Why would we want to keep such amazing joy to ourselves?

Oh, to think that He alone extends unmerited mercy and grace, and calls us by name. Out of the blackness of despair and death came life everlasting. Our hearts sing anew.

This Easter season, may we share the Good News to all who will listen. He is alive and lives eternally, praying to the Father for us, as we answer the call to make a difference in this world.

A most blessed Easter to you, dear friend!

Beverly Lewis

Update:

I’m thrilled to be writing the first draft of my stand-alone Amish novel for Fall 2022 currently, while awaiting the Final Pages (last read-through) for The Beginning, releasing September 7, 2021.

My Amish Cheer card line (www.amishcheer.com) is expanding with Mother’s Day and Father’s Day cards, as well as Summer Birthday cards. See the exciting reveal April 8 on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/officialbeverlylewis/.

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