Willow Springs, PA – New Order Fellowship
February 14, 2025

Gut morning, dear readers!

As I sit by the kitchen window, pen in hand and a mug of hot peppermint tea nearby, I marvel at the beauty of the winter morning. Outside, a thick blanket of snow covers the ground, sparkling like diamonds under the pale February sun. It is peaceful, yet there is much activity within our little corner of the world.

My husband Samuel is out in the fields, working with the other men to spread fertilizer on the frozen ground.

The task may seem odd to some, but it’s an important job in preparing for spring planting. I admire his dedication as he bundles up in layers to face the cold.

Inside our home, there’s a different kind of bustling.

Our three little ones—three-year-old Cindy and four-year-old twins, Otto and Owen—are busy at the table, cutting out hearts and coloring Valentine’s Day cards. It’s not an Amish custom to celebrate this day in the way the Englisch do, but the children have such joy in making something special for each other. It warms my heart to see them sharing their crayons and giggling over crooked hearts and mismatched designs.

Winter in our Amish community is a time for both hard work and simple pleasures.

The men have been busy cutting blocks of ice from the frozen creek to fill the ice sheds. This is a job that requires teamwork and strength, but it ensures that we have ice for the warmer months ahead. Samuel came home last night with stories of how the ice blocks were so clear, you could see straight through them to the other side. He said it reminded him of how we should strive to live our lives—pure and transparent before Gott.

For the women, winter means staying warm in our cozy homes while we keep busy with tasks that are better done indoors.

Today, I have bread rising on the counter and a batch of cookies cooling on the rack. It seems my little ones have an endless appetite, especially on cold days. Keeping them fed and happy is no small task, but it’s one I treasure.

Speaking of treasured things, our peaceful community was recently in quite an uproar over a peculiar mystery involving Ruthie Mast’s cherished recipe box. Ruthie, as many of you know, is an excellent baker and owner of The Amish Baker. When her prized recipes began disappearing, it sent ripples of concern through Willow Springs. Newcomer Isaiah King, who runs the buggy shop, stepped in to help Ruthie uncover the culprit. I won’t spoil the details, but let me just say it was quite the adventure seeing our quiet town rally together to solve the theft. I’m thankful everything is back to normal now, and Ruthie’s recipes are safe where they belong. It’s a reminder that even in a close-knit community, life can surprise us in the most unexpected ways.

If you want to know the full story, I’m delighted to share that Ruthie and Isaiah’s adventure is at the heart of the new book, The Amish Baker Caper. This second installment in the Willow Springs Amish Mystery Romance series is out now, as of February 4th. It’s a tale filled with mystery, faith, and a touch of romance—perfect for these cold winter nights.

I hope this letter finds you well and warm. As we endure the remaining weeks of winter, I pray that each of you finds joy in the little things—a warm fire, a kind word, or the laughter of children. These are the moments that carry us through.

Until next time, may Gott bless you and keep you.

In His love,
Emma Yoder
Willow Springs, PA

Photos used with permission by Jim Fisher

 

 

 

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