Hello Readers,

I am Lovina’s daughter Verena. Mom has been telling us girls we should take a turn writing.

It has been more than 10 months now since I moved in with sister Susan. When I first moved in, my niece Jennifer, almost 4, had a hard time understanding why I’m staying with them and her daddy wasn’t coming back. (Mose died Dec. 14, 2020, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.) She didn’t like the idea at first but has grown to love having me here.

Jennifer and Ryan, 2, are playing “doll” right now. Jennifer is the mom, and Ryan is the dad. Ryan left the “baby” sitting on the couch alone, and Jennifer is lecturing him because no baby should be left alone on the couch. Ha! It is just so fun to see them play.

Friday, Dec. 10, I turned 24. Susan, Jennifer, Ryan and I went to Dad and Mom’s for supper. Some of the youth from our community came Christmas caroling for us. It was a very nice thought, and we enjoyed it.

I heard the horrible news about the tornadoes that went through Kentucky and the other states killing so many people. My heart broke for all the families who lost a loved one. So many families grieving. So many lives changed in an instant. So many homes demolished.

God is above all, and He makes no mistakes. I’ll continue to pray for the families who are struggling.

Yesterday morning, church services were held not too far from Susan’s house. We were going to take her horse and buggy but Jodi — Susan’s widow friend whose husband was killed in the same accident Mose was involved in — was able to take us. It made it easier to not have to worry about the horse when we got to church, especially since there is no man with us.

After church, Susan, Jennifer, Ryan, and I took a nap. In the evening, we made supper for Dad and Mom, Tim and Elizabeth and their three children, and sister Lovina and her boyfriend Daniel. It was very enjoyable. Dad, Tim and Daniel grilled chicken. I always love when Dad grills chicken. He makes it very tasty and juicy.

Dec. 14 marked a year since Mose has passed on. It is scary how quickly someone can become just a memory. Please remember to tell your friends and family that you love them because today could be your last day on this earth or it could be their last day. Life is too short to take it for granted.

A special memory of Mose I have is from when before Susan and Mose were married. He took Susan and me blue gill fishing a lot. We didn’t want to touch the worms so Mose came to our rescue and hooked our worms. Pretty soon I had a fish, and Mose took care of it. Then Susan had a fish and Mose took care of it.

Susan and I were reeling the fish in one after another, and Mose was taking our fish and rebaiting our hooks. Mose seemed to enjoy it more watching us get excited than if he was fishing himself.

Dec. 18 plans are to go to Dad and Mom’s for our family Christmas. I love when the family gets together. More memories are made and there is never a dull moment.

Jennifer’s puppy, Rose, is 4 months now. She is a blue merle Pomeranian and very beautiful. Rose loves to pull at Ryan’s pant legs. She must think it’s a toy. My pomsky dogs, Lincoln and Kimmy, are very kind to Rose. I love dogs.

Susan and I washed laundry earlier today. It was too cold outside, so Susan hung it on clothes racks inside the house. We don’t have enough room to hang it all at once so when some gets dry, we hang up more.

Ryan came up to me and gave me a hug and said, “I love you.” That warms my heart. Children are so precious.

Ryan has a hat on and is stomping around. He doesn’t look tired at all, to think it’s his bedtime.

May God be with you all.

Yoder’s Restaurant Cookies

For the cookies:

3 cups sugar

4 eggs

2 cups butter

2 cups sour cream

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 tablespoons baking powder

8 cups flour

For the frosting:

2 cups powdered sugar

2 tablespoons butter, softened

a little water

Beat eggs, then add sugar. Melt butter, then add to sugar mixture. Add sour cream, mayonnaise, vanilla, salt, baking soda and baking powder; mix well. Add flour, one or two cups at a time.

Form the dough into balls and flatten slightly. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes.

For the frosting, mix powdered sugar and butter with enough water to reach desired consistency.