A friend posed the question at brunch the other day..."How do you stop caring what others think of you?" Tough question. Tough answer. It's a fact that everyone is concerned with what others think; it's especially difficult if you're a vibrant Christian. But the answer to the question lies in learning another question: How Do I Start Caring What God Thinks of Me? Every time the urge to feel shame, regret, or the desire to keep up appearances emerges, we have to learn to reframe our perception. Adam and Eve cared what God thought of them--they were naked and ashamed. Sad, but true. Satan, the Accuser, loves when we are so worried or preoccupied about PEOPLE'S perceptions that we forget about the only One who really matters. Now, you might say..."Oh, God knows all about me; he knows how awful I am. I'm comfortable with Him." That's nice, but why do we devalue this unconditional love by putting even a stranger's perception of us above God? Noted serial killer, Ted Bundy, supposedly accepted Christ before his execution and gave interviews about the many women he killed and what they had in common...they were all young, beautiful, and he said something very interesting--"They were each very concerned with being polite, helpful, and good." He had a fake cast for his leg and would lure women by asking for their help, or tell them that his son or dog was lost, and would they help....He said that if these women would have been less concerned with what a handsome stranger thought of them by their saying no, he would not have killed them. His sick game would have ceased to be fun. So what does this mean when applied to the peer, the teacher, the adult, or boss that you're supposed to care about in their perceptions? It means that if you focus on caring about what God thinks first, you may find yourself in some situations where you might be considered rude, absent,and snotty, but you will be unassaulted on the deepest level that really matters. So, ask yourself....How DO I Start Caring What God Thinks of Me? Be willing to be a fool for Christ and your life will be filled with abundance.

Many of you may be familiar with Erik Wesner--he runs the very popular Amish America blog and is the author of Success Made Simple about Amish business practices. Erik solicited questions from his readers and answered some of the here. Erik has extensive knowledge of the Amish, and he has traveled the country and stayed with Amish families in different districts. His answers are interesting and dispel a few myths that are floating around about the Amish. If you're not a regular follower of his blog, I highly recommend it. 

Happy Monday Everyone!

Barbie, my friend in Lancaster County who used to be Amish, told me a story recently.  She said that lots of the Amish folks were purchasing washing machines, running them with diesel, and only using the 'Spin' cycle.  Barbie said that the clothes are so wet from the wringer machines that drying is difficult when it's freezing outside--when you have to hang the clothes around the house to dry.  So, they are using regular washing machines--but only the 'Spin' cycle.  "They think using the other cycles would be to luxurious," Barbie said. 

Then my fabulous assistant, Janet, found this article that explains.  Apparently, they are also buying the 'Spinner' washing machines for this purpose.

http://amishamerica.com/amish-electric-washers/

So, what do you think?  Is this a 'gray area'?  The bishop seems to approve...

Hope you all have a blessed week! 
Beth

I hope everyone had a good week last week. The weather here in Florida has been amazingly gorgeous...much milder than last winter.

It's been an interesting week here. First, let me say thank you to everyone who wrote to say they're praying for my mom. She was doing badly in the hospital and the doctor recommended hospice. They sent her back "home" to the nursing home she's lived in for four years and she's improved a lot and was even taking part in "happy hour" a few days later (yes, they let the residents have a drink if dr. okays it). She was having a great time on Friday and looked like she didn't want to be interrupted when I stopped by for a quick visit. Earlier in the week her 89 1/2 year old twin got a friend to drive her over for a visit. We've been trying to get them together since the last time I drove Mom to her sister's house for their birthday. The week has sure been up and down!

I'm keeping this short because with all the above I have a lot to catch up on.

There were a lot of great charities mentioned last week in response to my question. Marian Hull is the winner of the Advance Reader Copy of Her Restless Heart, Book 1 of the new Stitches in Time series coming out in March. I'll have another contest next week for readers to win another copy.

Have a great week!

Barbara

Marian Hull

Un Glenna Grumma Man

Happy Monday!  I'm hard at work finishing two books.  I'm putting the finishing touches on book #3 in the Land of Canaan series--His Love Endures Forever, and I'm also working on my story in An Amish Kitchen--A Recipe For Hope.  An Amish Kitchen is a novella collection with three tales by me, Kelly Long, and Amy Clipston. 

The following is a video tape my publisher made.  I explain a little bit about why I write Amish fiction--and Christian fiction, in general.  Hope you enjoy! 

It's that time again -- time to attend a fun auction and help a worthy cause.

Before there was an earthquake the Amish and Mennonites volunteered goods and helped raise money to alleviate poverty and suffering in Haiti. There are a number of such auctions in Amish communities around the country but the one I'd like to talk about here happens in Sarasota, Florida, at the fairgrounds. This year is the 15th annual auction and it's next weekend on January 21.

Go to www.floridahba.com and check out the photos of last year's auction. You'll see that a great time was had by all.

I wrote about the auction in the second book of the Stitches in Time series. The first book in the series -- Her Restless Heart -- is out late next month.

In honor of the release of the book, I'm holding a contest for an Advance Reader copy of Her Restless Heart on AmishHearts.com  Just drop a comment there and tell me about your favorite charity or charity event. The winner will be announced next weekend at AmishHearts.com

On a personal note, would you please pray for my 89 year old mother who's not doing well? She's one of my biggest fans, talking about my books to anyone who'll listen at her nursing home.

Blessings,

Barbara

·      And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9

Whether you're in a one room Amish schoolhouse, or a an overcrowded classroom with kids sitting on the heaters, being a teacher is no easy job. In truth, if you're doing it, it's a calling. The Bible cites teaching as a spiritual gift, and while some of you, may recall certain notorious teachers with less favor, the truth is in the Word and is thus hallowed. When I first started teaching, I hadn't been trained yet in my proper fitting age group and found myself surrounded by those little ones that some teachers were born to love. I, however; struggled to find the liking of the job--the love I could get, but the liking, of runny noses, block strewn play areas, parental programs, high-pitched bickering and the questioning of my own sanity, all made for tough work days. Still, I learned. Then, older students and the sanctified teacher's lounge, where I felt like I was back in high school and couldn't find a seat, always furtively eating my lunch while trying to avoid the eye of my special education supervisor...the baleful eye I might add of someone who had been teaching since they had inkwells...I felt bad for her but she scared me nonetheless. Still, I learned. I thought that I was simply not teacher-born, was too old for the game but still needed to play, and would just have to learn to exalt in days that passed like the clumping of mud. Then I went back to college and got an English Teaching degree. Aha! Magical moment. I discovered high school. Others shuddered. I reveled. I could take the sarcasm, lack of interest, occasional boredom and the drama of interclass dynamics...it was all okay. I wasn't seeing anything new, not in truth, but the students were alive to me. They debated, argued, refuted, and I learned. They pleaded, promised, bargained, and I learned. They laughed, played, and...they learned. I knew joy...truly. Then, I became a writer... God called me, and that is a different post entirely.
Merry Christmas Teachers and Writers,
Kelly Long

·  W Recipe for Happiness: 2 heaping cups of patience

 2 hearts full of love

 1 dash of laughter

 2 hands full of generosity

 1 head full of understanding

 1 T courtesy

Mix well with humility. Sprinkle generously with kindness and plenty of faith. Spread over a life-time. Serve to family, friends, and strangers.