The Amish Cook: Gloria’s family goes fishing

The children and I recently attended the wedding of Joseph, who is Daniel’s youngest brother.

But first, we went to Pennsylvania to spend time with cousins who had also lost their daddy.

I marveled at all the work involved in keeping a farm like theirs, plus a welding and repair shop, in motion.

That evening, my boys and Rosanna’s sons grabbed a snack and headed to the barn, where they romped in the haymow and shot their pellet guns. It was close to midnight when 12-year-old Micah got out his cracklers and smoke bombs. Finally, we two moms declared it was bedtime.

When my children heard that the 65 cows would be milked at 4 the next morning, they declared they would be up bright and early to be part of it all. “Okay, let’s set your alarm for 5 — that’ll give you sufficient time to still be part of it, and you’ll also get a bit of sleep in the meantime.”

It was a deal. It wasn’t long until five exhausted boys were sound asleep in the room next to me. The next morning, as I stepped out on the porch still blinking sleep from my eyes, I spied five boys with a pellet gun. “Boys, what was that about going back to bed after chores are done?”

Sleep was off their list; there wasn’t a single dull moment until breakfast. A steaming breakfast casserole was taken from the oven — thanks to Micah for making sure we got fluffy waffles, too. We all ate our fill as we chatted around the kitchen table.

“Before we leave, I’d like to have a glass of fresh raw milk,” I told them. Cousin Faith took me to the milk house. Mmm — straight from the bulk tank, does it get any better than that? I doubt it. Satisfying, rich, creamy… sure, I’d take another glassful right now.

Three hours of travel that afternoon took us to Ohio, where Joseph was getting married. His young bride, who is 12 years younger than himself, seemed to be the perfect fit. We all rejoiced with them. I can only imagine how fired up and excited Daniel would have been to see this all come together.

Daniel’s family and friends did amazing once more in encouraging and supporting us. Though we are home alone when waves of loneliness sweep in, we are not entirely alone; many stand with us in prayer and support. God bless you all!

The day passed swiftly. There was much good food, fellowship, and singing. The menu was tops, and since we sat with the family, we even got appetizers of stuffed mushrooms and peppers and sampled the steaks — yummy. The wedding feast consisted of mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, chicken, salad, dinner rolls with cinnamon butter, three kinds of pie, and ice cream.

There were an estimated 350 guests. The community building greatly simplified the event. Earlier in the week, the tables had all been set. The wedding vibe could be felt as I stepped into the gym that first night in Ohio. I paused at the memory table, with a picture of Daniel and a write-up by his sister, Mary. Moments later, Elijah ushered me outdoors: “Mom, there’s a rainbow, there’s a rainbow!!” I watched in awe as a double rainbow unfolded. God knows.

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