The Amish Cook, Week of April 27, 2026

When I was young, I mean before the responsibilities set in that I now find on my plate, my sewing machine and I would spend many happy hours together. I sewed for my siblings and helped out here and there when I could. Best of all was making a matching shirt for my faraway friend who later became my husband. Ah, those were the times.

When Julia and Austin were three and six, fostering became priority. Our number of children doubled two weeks after the license went through. Four months later Baby Elijah Courage was born, adding rich joy and more responsibilities. I won't paint a picture of perfection; life was real, but it was rich. Joshua David topped off the family like icing on the cake two and a half years later. Though our hands were fuller than ever, I kept telling myself that I never knew a baby could add so much happiness to a home. Little did I imagine this would be the last addition for us to marvel at together. Hosanna tells me we could just adopt another baby, now that Daddy died. Um, I think for now I'll just take care of what God has given me.

When I would read that one children's story to my little ones, I would pause and swallow the lump in my throat time and again when I would come to the part where Blue Mother Hen quit going to the meadow with the other hens and no longer joined the others to the creek. Was that not life? The nook I was called to fill required my entire life to stop, readjust to my surroundings, and keep going while staying at home. Like Blue Mother Hen, I wanted to care for my babies. The blessings were precious and the sacrifices were real.

When Daddy went home to his reward, I was thankful for those times we waded through the sacrifices and demands of parenting. Now it was hard, but we readjusted again and in my heart I knew it would be alright.

God ultimately filled the needs of our hearts; others blessed us along the way. Sister Mary did amazingly in making sure we had the clothes sewn we needed and aided with canning and the like. I had no mood to do it and the energy was not there; gratefully I received, over and over again. I could not imagine ever wanting to do those things on my own again... yet I thought maybe.

Yesterday I called Sister Mary with a triumphant ring in my voice. I had cut a cream cape dress for Hosanna to wear at a wedding, and it was fun. A part of me that was dormant is really waking up, I told myself! Though I had sewn bits and pieces here and there and patched mounds of pants, I hadn't done much in sewing new dresses, pants or shirts from start to finish.

In the afternoon I dropped everything else around the house that tried to call for attention and tackled that dress for Hosanna. The children were all outside at the moment. I paused, inviting God's touch on the afternoon. It was the same kitchen where I sewed when I was a girl. I set up my ironing board and serger; it almost felt too perfect.

I got up to rummage through a stack of random papers to look for one with verses to meditate on, like I did when I was a girl. A paper got my attention with notes from a meeting with the teachers at PTA. No, I chuckled to myself, I'm not worrying about that stuff now, I'm just going to be young at heart and relish the moment!

It was as if another bit of real life was coming back.

"Mom, come look at this! I trained Tizza to turn right or left by saying, 'Gee' and 'Haw'!" declared an excited blonde-haired lad bursting into the kitchen. I trailed after him and cheered him on for a minute or two.

"Mom, when are we having supper? I'm hungry," was next.

"Yes, it is getting close to supper time. Hosanna, will you make some soup for us with the leftover shepherd's pie in that blue container?"

"Sure!"

Ya, there may be added responsibilities and interruptions, but the added blessings are something I never want to take lightly. I have done nothing to deserve these rich gifts of children, straight from God Himself.

Let's go with Shepherd's Pie, and if you happen to have leftovers, make a good cheese sauce and stir it in there; a handful of peas or other veggies may be added.