"Do everything in love."
~ 1 Corinthians 16:14
My thoughtful husband sometimes whips up a delicious dinner for the two of us when I'm busy writing or for no reason at all—simply to demonstrate love. Recently, Dave made a surprise spaghetti dinner on the 11th anniversary of my father's heavenly Homegoing. Why? Because my dad loved to eat spaghetti when he lived with us, and it was a way for Dave and me to sit by candlelight and enjoy one of Dad’s favorite foods, all the while reminiscing about God’s call on his long life of ministry. (Dad was a pastor and a missionary for over 50 years.)
No doubt you, too, have special ways to show thoughtfulness to the people in your life, besides the obvious ones, of course!
Last month, Dave and I spent New Year’s with several of my Kansas relatives, and knowing how fond they all are of cookies (a fondness I share), I stopped in at Eileen’s Colossal Cookies. I’ll admit I went a little wild and purchased a dozen each of peanut butter, cranberry oatmeal, oatmeal raisin . . . and chocolate chip cookies for a special treat.
After Dave's first bite following New Year’s Day dinner, he declared, “These cookies aren’t just a little good!” and we all agreed we had slipped into cookie heaven.
This Valentine's Day, you might like to make one of the recipes from my Amish cookbook to surprise your honey or kids and grandkids. There are mouth-watering pies, cakes, cookies, and what Amish like to call dessert “bars” or “squares” found between pages 131 to 216 (a large section of the cookbook for a good reason!). A few of my personal favorites are the lemon bars, cream puffs, pineapple upside-down cake, vanilla pie, chocolate Christmas cookies, the sand tarts and snickerdoodles (like Ella Mae Zook’s), and peanut blossoms.
On Valentine’s Day and every day, there are unique opportunities to show our love. And, remember, it’s often the simple things that are the most cherished: a sweet note tucked into a sock drawer or lunch box, an unexpected phone call (not a text, although they’re nice, too), a visit to a shut-in, a handmade gift of embroidery or pottery, or just telling someone who is ill or struggling otherwise that you are faithfully praying for them.
You might be surprised at how comforting and encouraging such tokens of love can be, and they don’t take a lot of imagination, really. Sharing kindness by giving of yourself and of your time can go a long way toward making a difference in someone’s life. In some cases, a world of difference.
Blessings and love,
—Beverly Lewis
1) I could not be more pleased (and wowed) by the cover for my book, The Christmas House, releasing this fall 2025! Here's a secret glimpse of the cover reveal, coming in next month's blog and newsletter. I hope you're as excited as I am!
2) My sister, Barbara, and I are offering our unique and beautiful Valentine's cards through February 5, so take a moment to order yours for the special people in your life at: www.AmishCheer.com and we'll get your order mailed out immediately.
3) So much gratitude goes out to my wonderful readers who make my writing life a delight. You are such an inspiration to me!
"Then God said, ‘I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.’"
~ Genesis 1:29
"Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path."
~ Psalm 119:105
Happy New Year 2025!
With all its hope and anticipation, a brand new year has come once again. And for many of us, there are the so-called resolutions to be made . . . and then, quickly abandoned.
For myself, I look forward to continuing my habit of eating at least three types of fresh fruit each morning, as well as a large salad every noon. (Thanks to my husband, who created the magnificent salad pictured here!) I love tomatoes and chopped raw cauliflower, as well as black olives drained and soaked in water to lessen the sodium content. Yes, I’ve discovered there are clever ways to cut back on sodium intake.
Now, I realize the topic of healthy eating, regular exercise, and deep, restorative sleep may not be the most thrilling topic for a New Year’s blog. But let’s take a moment to ponder God’s earnest desire for us to be physically and mentally fit. And spiritually fit, too. After all, we want to be readily able to fulfill His calling in our lives. Being fit in every way possible gives us the ability to accomplish our life’s purpose with the energy and vitality we need, right?
As we know, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. And since we belong to our heavenly Father, it make sense to honor Him by eating the healthiest foods possible, making time to exercise, and by not burning the candle at both ends. And when it comes to our spiritual growth, feeding our souls daily with wisdom from God’s Word and talking to our Savior is every bit as essential.
I truly hope you’ll think about joining me in eating more fresh and raw fruits and vegetables, taking long walks (or getting on a treadmill and walking swiftly as I do several times a week), and embracing the peace and blessing of a good night’s sleep. Many of us will also be reading through the Bible again this year, so I know you are in the Word and praying consistently, as well.
Let’s be as strong and healthy as possible this year—physically, mentally and spiritually, dear friends!
Blessings for the start of the new year . . . and always,
—Beverly Lewis
1) I've been receiving many endearing comments about my new cookbook: The Beverly Lewis Amish Heritage Cookbook, 20th Anniversary Edition. It's exciting to hear that my readers made new side dishes and desserts from the cookbook for both Thanksgiving and Christmas! If you haven't ordered your copy, you can do so here:
2) I am currently working through the final read for The Christmas Housethis month, eager to share the amazing book cover with you very soon!
3) My sister, Barbara, and I have created three new cards for Valentine's Day--a "punny" fun card for the young ones (or young at heart), an elegant shutter-fold card and a teddy bear stand-up card. Place your order today, or see more about each uniquely hand-crafted card at our secure website: www.Amishcheer.com
3) I appreciate your sweet and thoughtful remarks about my many novels, including the recently-released cookbook. You really help make my writing life delightful, friends! May the New Year bring you good health, happy moments with family and friends, and a renewed sense of the joy of the Lord.
"And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it."
~ Isaiah 40:5
Something wonderful happened recently while I was gathering up our Christmas decorations. The shelf where I’ve been keeping my father’s old stenographer’s notebooks filled with his sermon outlines caught my eye, and I found myself stepping over to look through the chronicled arrangement I’d created in his honor, remembering. . . .
After Dad’s Homegoing in 2014, I was blessed to receive these notebooks, as well as several of his diaries, along with devotional notes he’d written while studying the Bible. For nearly a decade, I have been reading through the inspiring writings, and this year it occurred to me how significant a gift they would be for the younger generations of our family.
So, with Christmas carols filling the room and snowflakes falling outdoors, I began choosing the sermon notebooks, planning to wrap them beautifully as spiritual heritage presents.
As I read the expressive words, my own heart was filled with precious memories, and I could almost hear Dad’s voice as he stood behind his church pulpit.
What better gift? I thought, gently turning the yellowed pages, Dad’s clear, motivating messages of God’s love there before me.
As I quietly pondered them, I was reminded anew of the blessed calling of every believer to spread the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ—the news of a Savior who welcomes us to bring our weary hearts and heavy burdens in exchange for His rest and perfect peace. (Matthew 11:28) Such news has the power to truly change the world.
This Christmas season, and all the year through, may we find ways—whether unique or ordinary—to share the joy of experiencing God’s love. His Son, the Christ Child born in Bethlehem, sent from heaven to earth, is the greatest of gifts.
Thankfully, Christmas was just the beginning of the Jesus’s story. Following his death and burial, He rose with power and glory from that cold grave early Easter Sunday morning, so we might receive His life, and eventually a glorified body. Life everlasting for evermore!
A blessed Advent Season to you, dear friends,
—Beverly Lewis
1) The cover designer for my next book, The Christmas House (coming Fall 2025) has already begun the work--and he even let me choose the professional models for my Amish characters! It's incredibly exciting. I'll be sharing more soon about the cover reveal.
2) Three brand new Christmas cards are now available from my Amish Cheer card line, with my artist-sister, Barbara. There is something for everyone on your Christmas card list, and I can't be more pleased with what we've created!
3) I'm praying that this Advent Season is bright with God's love, cheerful with the sounds and beauty of the season (think snow!), and peaceful because of the Holy Spirit's very presence. Thank you for another wonderful year of kindness and unbelievable support related to my books, and your lovely Facebook comments, and faithful prayers for my family and for me. I am very grateful for you!
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.”
~ Matthew 6:13-36
Reflections:
On Thanksgiving Day for as long as I remember, we spend time around the table sharing what each of us is most thankful for. Perhaps you do that, too, with your family.
Years ago, close to a Thanksgiving when I was a young girl, my pastor-father and two other men from our church set out on horseback in the middle of a serious blizzard after learning that one of the church families was snowed in. Dad promptly gathered up basic food items and made the rather daunting trek down into a deep hollow in Rawlinsville, Pennsylvania, to get to the family of five, asking God for divine protection all the way through the bitter wind and heavy snow.
I remember my mother praying for the safe arrival and return home of Dad and his fellow brethren. “God knows all of their needs,” she assured my little sister, Barbara, and me as we stood at the window peering out at the brutal storm.
Hours passed. More than half that day inched by until nightfall was at hand. I shivered just thinking of the cold, cumbersome horseback journey in all that snow.
But our prayers continued.
And God answered! How happy and thankful we were when Dad returned home safely, telling all about the rigorous trip and the visit that had greatly blessed the snowbound family. It was something the family talked about for years to come.
Just as He has promised us in the verses above, our heavenly Father saw, knew, and provided for that precious family while also taking care of Dad and the other men.
This Thanksgiving, what if we went out of our way to bless others with food and otherwise, perhaps even in a sacrificial way? Indeed, we would please the Lord in doing so and spread His love, as well.
Blessings for this month and always, dear friends,
~ Beverly Lewis
Updates:
1) If you haven't purchased your copy or copies of The Beverly Lewis Amish Heritage Cookbook, 20th Anniversary Edition, for birthday or Christmas gift-giving, here are the retailer links for your convenience. Many of the Amish recipes in this cookbook had never been written down, let alone published, so it is a true gem of a collection. Great for passing down through the generations in your own family. And all royalties go to Christian Aid Ministries in Berlin, OH.
Baker Book House (30% Off + Free Shipping)
2) I'm getting so excited about my next fiction work, coming early Fall 2025: The Christmas House, set in Amish Hickory Hollow in the heart of Lancaster County Amish country. I am waiting for the proofreaders' comments presently, while looking forward to showing you the book cover as soon as it's ready!
3) Please watch my Facebook posts for my brand new Amish Cheer Thanksgiving card for 2024. You're going to love it!
4) Thanks very much for your wonderful enthusiasm for my writing, dear friends. Your interest means so much to me!