Another morning of sitting here watching the sun rise with tears rolling down my face. I’m wishing that I could turn the clock back to December 8^th, the day before our life so drastically changed. Back before that awful tragedy, back before our dear son-in-law Mose was in that terrible accident that completely shattered daughter Susan’s life. Back before dear sister Susan fell ill and was also taken from us so suddenly.

That’s when I need to let go and let God. I know he makes no mistakes, and he chose us to go through this and make us stronger in our faith. Our human nature tries to tell us otherwise, to make us question God’s ways. We need to remind ourselves over and over that God’s ways are not our ways. So we appreciate all your prayers and support. One day at a time is all we can do.

Sunday afternoon daughter Susan and children came driving with her horse Mighty and buggy to come for supper and stay the night. Oh how that tears at a mother’s heart strings to see her lonely daughter drive in alone. I feel like I need to brace up and be strong for her, but I too miss her dear husband and grieve right along with her. I know how much more it is hurting her. She tries to stay so positive and I give her a lot of credit for that, but I know she’s not that strong when she’s alone. God takes care of his own and we need to fully trust in him to lead the way. Without God this would be almost unbearable.

It is now almost bedtime, but I want to finish writing. I took the laundry off the lines in the basement and put it in laundry baskets. Since son Joseph is home, I had him carry all the baskets up for me. Daughter Loretta and I folded all of it and Joseph took everyone’s stack of clothes to their bedrooms. We had a lot of extra laundry with bedding so that usually makes a few more loads.

Joseph then headed over to help son-in-law Tim cut a load of wood for us. Daughter Elizabeth, Abigail, T.J., and Allison came with Tim to deliver the wood and they stayed for supper.

Daughters Verena and Susan, and children Jennifer and Ryan also came for supper and to stay for the night. Daughter Verena went to go get sister Verena to come join us for supper and also stay the night. The girls will all be here tomorrow (except Lovina) so we told sister Verena she can be here too.

I had a simple easy supper for everyone—macaroni and cheese, rare beef, and sliced cheese. We slice the steak so thin that it isn’t actually rare but nice and tender. I use olive oil to deep fry the meat.

I also did the mending this afternoon, so I feel like I accomplished something to get that off my “to-do” list. I would like to get some sewing done but we are also gathering all the things we don’t need anymore so we can have a garage sale this spring. That takes a lot of time.

Good night and may God’s protecting hand watch over all of you.

Oven Fried Potatoes

6 large potatoes
1/4 cup oil
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Thoroughly scrub potatoes and cut into strips. In a large plastic bag, combine the oil, cheese, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and pepper. Add potatoes, seal bag tightly, and shake to coat. Spread in a single layer on baking sheets. Bake for 20-30 minutes until golden brown, stirring once about midway. Serve with sour cream if desired.

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight. Her newest cookbook, Amish Family Recipes, is available wherever books are sold. Readers can write to Eicher at PO Box 1689, South Holland, IL 60473 (please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for a reply); or email LovinasAmishKitchen@MennoMedia.org and your message will be passed on to her to read. She does not personally respond to emails.