From the Desk of Emma Yoder, Amish Scribe
Willow Springs, PA | New Order Fellowship

Greetings, dear friends and neighbors,

The birds are singing louder these days, the peonies have started to bloom, and the days are longer, which can only mean one thing here in Willow Springs (aka New Wilmington): it’s almost time for the 36th Annual Amish Benefit Auction!

Held every year on the first Saturday in June, this beloved event has become one of the highlights of our community calendar. Folks from all over, Amish and English alike, come together for a day filled with fellowship, food, and a whole lot of good-hearted giving.

It’s truly one of the best days of the year!

This auction isn’t just about beautiful quilts and handmade furniture (though you’ll find plenty of those!). Every penny raised goes toward helping an Amish family with hospital bills. It’s amazing what we can accomplish when we join hands and hearts for a common purpose.

I’m especially excited this year because my husband, Samuel, will once again be helping as one of the auctioneers. You’ll find him at the quilt tent, calling out bids with that steady voice of his. He says it’s one of his favorite things to do, not just because he gets to talk (he does enjoy that!), but because he knows how much these quilts mean to the women who made them and the families they’ll help support.

Speaking of quilts, my friends and I have been stitching away all year long. Katie and I put the last few stitches in just last week, and I must say, this year’s patterns might be our finest yet. From Log Cabins to Starbursts to classic Amish Nine-Patches, each quilt carries the love, prayers, and care of many hands.

But what would the auction be without the food?

Oh, the food! Katie and I have been up early all week baking fry pies, fruit pies, and loaves of fresh bread. We’ve got apple, cherry, and peach ready to go, plus more dough rising for another batch tomorrow. The Englishers especially look forward to these homemade treats, and we’re more than happy to oblige. You’ll also find fresh donuts, soft-serve ice cream, wood-fired pizza, and all sorts of good things to fill your belly while you shop or visit.

There’s something for everyone at the sale: handcrafted furniture, hanging baskets and garden plants, toys, wagons, and even tools. If it’s Amish-made, it’s likely to be found under one of the big tents. And even more importantly, every item is offered with a spirit of generosity.

If you’ve never been to the Benefit Auction before, I warmly invite you to come.

It’s a day of joy, community, and purpose, and I can’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday.

Looking forward to seeing many familiar faces there, under the June sun and beneath the sound of the auctioneer’s voice.

With a grateful heart,
Emma Yoder

P.S.
If you’d like to read more about my life here in Willow Springs and how Samuel and I faced one of the biggest tests of our faith, I invite you to read Emma’s Amish Faith Tested, the first book in The Amish Women of Lawrence County series. It’s a story close to my heart, and I hope it blesses you as much as the telling of it blessed me.

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