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April '24

"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted . . ." 

~ Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

 

Reflection:

Easter cards 2

 

God’s green earth has re-awakened for a new season of life!

Amish farmers are looking ahead to planting potatoes in just a few days, and sowing seed for oats will come next. Fields are being tilled in preparation for planting corn the end of this month or early May, and families are fertilizing their kitchen gardens with barn manure in hope of a bountiful harvest.

 

“’Tis the season for new beginnings,” my Amish friends like to say. I wholeheartedly agree, ready to put the cold winds and snow of winter behind me. 

 

The promise of spring is that, no matter how harsh or challenging the winter season may have been, spring always comes and with it, the joy of new life. The same is true after times of our own sadness and weeping: comfort and even laughter comes. After slogging through troubled waters comes the calm of peace.

 

I clearly remember all the years of yearning, preparing . . . and waiting before the time came to adopt. Oh, the joy of holding our baby Julie—a true blessing, indeed. And two and a half years later, two more gifts from God: newborn boy/girl twins—Jonathan and Janie! 

 

Just as a caterpillar forms into a chrysalis over time and struggles to emerge as a beautiful butterfly, so someday we also will emerge reborn. Thankfully, even in the in-between times, Lamentations 3:22-23 assures us that God’s mercies are new for us every morning and will not come to an end.

 

May this month bring you the assurance of knowing our heavenly Father is with you. Not a few steps ahead, but beside you, no matter what season of life you may be experiencing. 

 

Blessings for spring and always,

  

—Beverly Lewis

 

Updates:

1)  For its twentieth anniversary, my beautiful Amish cookbook has been updated for modern cooks and is available for preordering at:

Easter cards 2 

 

2) I have completed the first draft of my Amish Christmas novella, releasing in fall 2025. Much more on that exciting book later.

 

3)  NEW cards for Mother's Day are available to order now at our secure website:  http://www.amishcheer.com

 Easter cards 2

 

4) Thanks for being such a devoted reader-friend. I am so grateful!

February '24

"Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love.

~ Ephesians 4:2

 Higher than I blog

 

Reflection:

Did you notice all the ways to demonstrate love in Ephesians 4:2? Being humble, gentle, and patient are noted . . . as are going even further by making allowances for, or overlooking, each other’s faults.

 

My two besties for decades, Martha and Pam, passed away last year, six months apart in April and October, respectively. I love thinking back to the countless shared lunches, shopping for Christmas, singing in harmony, picnicking on the Fourth, and spending time together with our families over the years. Among the many distinct and wonderful attributes of both Martha and Pam were humility, gentleness, and patience.

 

I’ll never forget Martha’s amazing patience and consideration toward me through thirty years of my writing deadlines. Whenever she’d call, she immediately asked if I was in the middle of writing. Never, ever did she want to disturb me, even though I was always happy to talk with her, no matter what I was doing.

 

One spring, some years ago now, Pam dropped everything at home to fly to Florida for the last half of my book tour, joining my tour manager and me in place of a publicist who was ill. In a very short time, Pam learned what was expected of her and did it with grace and humility. Being a book lover and former librarian, she enjoyed interacting with the hundreds of you readers who loved meeting her. 

 

What if, like Martha and Pam, we, too, embraced humility and gentleness with our family and friends? And patience, as well, which may be the most challenging characteristic of the three mentioned in this scripture verse.

 

During this month when we celebrate love, romantic or otherwise, let’s not forget our supreme role model, our Savior Jesus. If we practice loving others the way He loves, then we can surely become an everyday blessing to people all year long, and not just on Valentine’s Day.

 

Always thankful for your loving support and encouragement,

  

Blessings always,

—Beverly Lewis

 

Updates:

1)  The final proofing for The Beverly Lewis Amish Heritage Cookbook, 20th-Anniversary Edition, is nearly done. You will love the additional recipes and Amish sayings, kitchen tips, scripture verses, and.photographs from the Lewis Family Collection. This beautiful edition will be available this coming fall!

 

2)  I’m already writing my fall 2025 book and loving everything about it. Hickory Hollow is the setting (surprised?), with Ella Mae Zook as one of the minor characters. I cannot wait to share more in the coming months!

 

3)  During this month, my sister, Barbara, and I are celebrating our 4th anniversary with Amish Cheer cards! Look for special offers throughout all of February at:  http://www.amishcheer.comTo get started we've enhanced our original "Simple Sentiments" cards by adding interior content pertaining to my featured photography. Enjoy! 

Sunflower pics                

January '24

"Live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

~ 2 Corinthians 13:11

 Higher than I blog

 

Reflection:

Peace is highly sought after in our world and hard to come by for many, sad to say.?

My Amish friends seem to understand how to live in peace in their cloistered and close-knit community. They honor God and not just on Sundays. It is their way of life, integrated into the fabric of their faith, having received godly instruction as youngsters. The Amish people help and encourage each other on this earthly journey, adhering to the Ten Commandments and to the Old Ways of their church ordinances. They respect the Golden Rule, as well. (Matthew 7:12)

 

What about us, we who are not Amish? How do we open our hearts to peace in our busy, modern lives? Do we make time to incorporate personal and family devotions morning and evening? Do we teach the precepts of the most holy faith (Jude 1:20-21) to our children and grandchildren? And, most importantly, do we live in peace with our family members and all those around us? In short, does peace reign in our very souls, even in the midst of these chaotic times?

 

I will never forget the phone call from a hospice nurse telling me that my mother had passed away. I was extremely sad, even though she had suffered greatly and longed to be free of pain. And yet, after the initial sorrow overwhelmed me, there came a sweet sense of peace like the warming comfort of a quilt. My dear mother was gone from this world, yes, but she was also being welcomed by a host of loving family members who were waiting for her heavenly arrival...and by the Lord Jesus Himself.

 

Oh, I so welcomed that amazing peace from my heavenly Father, and began to make the necessary phone calls.

 

At Mother's funeral, I was blessed by that same peace, making it possible to share to a packed-out congregation my memories of being dearly loved by my godly mother who, along with Dad, instructed my younger sister, Barbara, and me in the ways of the Lord. (Barbara also spoke and even sang excerpts from two songs). I continue to be amazed at the sweet, settled peace within us both on that difficult day.

 

Now, looking ahead, I have entrusted this New Year to God's sovereign will as I move forward in His perfect peace.

 

I pray the very same for you.

 

Blessings always,

—Beverly Lewis

Tree card

Updates:

1)  The Beverly Lewis Amish Heritage Cookbook, 20th-Anniversary Edition, is steadily moving through the production schedule for a Fall 2024 release. Watch for the cover reveal, as well as preordering information.

 

2)  Also, I am writing a new book. It is set in, where else?—Hickory Hollow! More news on that soon.

 

3)  My sister and I have added a beautiful cardinal to our "Nature's Cheer" birthday card collection at: http://www.amishcheer.com I love having a new set of greeting cards to start off the New Year, and you will, too!

Sunflower pics               

 

Thanks so much for all your thoughtful prayers and kind enthusiasm throughout the past year, dear friends. You are the most loyal readers a writer could ever dream of having.

 

December '23

"You make me glad by Your deeds, O LORD, I sing for joy at the works of Your hands.

~ Psalm 92:4

 

Reflection:

Do you have a heart of giving, friend? Are you a giver or a Grinch, well . . . a getter?

Every year, when the season of Advent comes around, where do any of us stand in either category? Are we eager to do special things for family and friends, as well as those in need? Or do we actually dread Christmas?

 

I remember the Christmas I was a college sophomore in Kansas, and my parents couldn't afford to bring me home. I was very sad, and so was my family back in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania—such a long distance away. 

 

After a few days of moping and feeling very sorry for myself, I decided I should attempt to make the best of my circumstances. So, with a lump in my throat, I went with my uncle and aunt to visit my grandmother and another aunt in Lawrence, Kansas, where I was surprised to discover more of my father's relatives coming, my Chicago uncle and aunt were also spending Christmas there, along with their adorable baby girl.

 

Now, going backward even further in time, I had always been one of the young girls helping in the church nursery, playing on the floor with the toddlers and—when I was younger still—sitting in a rocking chair to hold the tiniest infants. Helping with the little ones was sheer delight, and I often wondered how many children I might have when I was grown and married.

 

Higher than I blog 

So, during that bittersweet Christmas far from home, I offered to help with my dimple-cheeked baby cousin, and my grandma said she’d never seen me smile so much. I helped her, too, in the kitchen by peeling pounds upon pounds of potatoes, setting the long table, and drying mountains of dishes as more and more of my father’s relatives began to arrive for the big day.

 

Even now, all these decades later, I remember that very different Christmas, special because I opened and extended my giving heart. 

 

Not surprisingly, I wasn’t nearly as disappointed as I thought I’d be even though I missed my dear parents and my close younger sister, Barbara. And when the time came to return home after the second semester, oh, what a reunion it was!

 

This Christmas, what if we, all of us, had a heart of giving, perhaps even sacrificially, seeking out someone in need of a friend to help make their life happier, if not joyful, at this sometimes depressing season for so many? Sharing the gift of salvation, the reason Jesus came to earth that long-ago Christmas.

 

Wishing you great joy for this Advent season and always,

—Beverly Lewis

Tree card

Updates:

1)  I have completed the initial proofing for The Beverly Lewis Amish Heritage Cookbook, 20th-Anniversary Edition, coming Fall 2024. More information about the release date, beautiful cover, and where to preorder will be shared in the months ahead.

 

2)  My handcrafted Christmas cards are flying off the shelves, friends. Choose from three exciting and new Christmas cards from my sister, Barbara, and me at: http://www.amishcheer.com 

Sunflower pics               

Have yourself a very Merry Christmas!

 

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