My article from the July 4th Pharos Tribune: Holmes County Ohio, Amish country and Gods country! I think its the most beautiful place Ive ever had the privilege to visit. Traveling the highways and byways through this county is like a National geographic tour of Europe. The country roads wind around the high hills and go down into deep valleys. We do a lot of sightseeing while on our annual quilting retreat. Theres beauty around every curve, the Amish veggie gardens are a work of art and no weeds in them. (Id be embarrassed for them to see mine!) I was able to take a stunning sunset photo while there, with the sun reflected in a creek near our cabin. (Check out the mission Face book page at Emmaus Mission Center - Logansport) And then theres the beauty of the Amish made quilts that are for sale in all the fabric stores we shop in. It just makes your heart thrill to feast on all this beauty! I was trying to make myself be very conservative in my fabric buying ( the fabric stash in my sewing room is huge). But while in this one small country store thoughts started coming into my mind that I needed to buy the fabric for a prayer quilt. I didnt have anyone in mind to make a prayer quilt for, but Ive learned that often these thoughts come from God, so I obeyed and picked out fabric, (all at half price, even better!). We returned home on Sunday afternoon and yesterday I received an e-mail from my church with the weekly prayer requests. A dear church friend had just been diagnosed with cancer, I started the quilt yesterday afternoon. So often in our busy lives we dont take the time to listen for Gods messages. He sends them in so many different ways, its up to us to be ready to hear and heed. Board Director Laura Ricketts took her turn this past Friday to host the monthly Family Fun Nite for the homeless shelter residents. Jason said the lasagna she had prepared was smelling mighty fine when he left! I feel bad that I cant host these evenings anymore. Its a fun time sharing a meal with the residents, visiting with them, and if entertainment is planned its fun to share that with the residents. The last time I took a turn I served 7-way chili, that made a big hit! The Winning Edge in Rochester sent me an e-mail last week that they had a donation for us. My husband picked up six boxes full of items we can use for Christmas presents when the time comes. How awesome is that? This sports apparel store has been so good to us through the years, providing countless items that weve been able to hand out in our Christmas gifts. We are indeed blessed. Our mission garden is thriving, though not yet producing. Remember if your home garden is giving you an over abundance of veggies you can bring them into the homeless shelter or the food pantry. Most of our clients do not have access to fresh veggies so donations are a great treat. Ladies, dont forget to mark your calendars for our Fashion Show, September 30, 6:30 – 8 PM, at the Calvary Presbyterian Church. We stopped at an Amish Thrift Shop in Berlin Ohio where I found a pair of denim jeans for $2. Adding that to a $2.50 blouse from Kokomo Goodwill and I have my outfit ready to model! It was a great quilting retreat weekend and I thank God for putting angels in my path to care for my son so I could get away. To God be all the glory. Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Linda Hoffman
Posted on: Fri, 04 Jul 2014 10:14:42 +0000