It’s a cool April evening with a temperature of 53 degrees. The wind makes it feel colder than that, though.

I washed clothes and they dried on the lines. It was a challenge trying to keep the clothes on the lines with the wind.

Daughter Verena had a doctor appointment this afternoon. She needed someone to go with her to load and unload her mobility scooter so I went with her.

This will be a busy week with the garage sale for sister Verena being held here this Saturday, April 26. The pole barn is packed with many useful items.

Plans are to have a barbeque chicken benefit drive the same day.

Proceeds will go towards a handicap accessible buggy for son Kevin, age 19.

We only have son Benjamin here to lift him into the buggy when we want to leave. Sometimes Benjamin has other plans and then Kevin doesn’t have a way to leave.

The handicap accessible buggy will have a lift like daughter Loretta and Dustin’s buggy has. This will make it possible for anyone to take him to church or wherever we need to go. Kevin is over 6 feet tall, so it’s not an easy task to lift him into a buggy. It will make it easier on him, too. Do I thank God enough to have the ability to care for myself and not depend on others? It takes patience on both ends, his and the caregiver. So often we take our health for granted.

Kevin keeps a good attitude towards life and does well to accept his handicap. I think he would love to hear from others who are also disabled and face the challenge of not being able to walk.

God doesn’t give us more than we can handle. We take one day at a time and sometimes even an hour at a time.

Sometimes I catch myself watching other boys Kevin’s age and what they can do, then I think what could’ve been. God has a plan for each of us and we need to accept what his plan is.

The grass is lush green now and rhubarb, asparagus, tulips and other spring dandies are popping up everywhere.

I love this time of the year. Sunday was Easter reminding us of Jesus dying on the cross for our sins. In the afternoon Joe and I attended the ordination of a new minister in our neighboring church district.

Six men were in the lot with it falling on the youngest of six. May God help him accept his new place in the church.

A potluck supper followed afterwards but Joe and I came back home. Our church district took in the food for the potluck. I fried chicken for our supper and made mac and cheese.

Dustin, Loretta and children also attended the ordination then joined us here for supper.

On Good Friday, we had a very nice day. Our whole family of twenty-nine came for the day. It was precious and we made more memories. I love cooking for the whole family. Joe and the men grilled 25 pounds of chicken.

Besides that, the menu consisted of mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, lettuce salad, deviled eggs, colored hard-boiled eggs, cheese, hot peppers, celery, carrot sticks, onions, and dessert was ice cream, brownies, cookies, zucchini bread and jello.

The eggs were colored by Denzel and Byron. This was their first attempt at coloring eggs.

I’m sure their parents have more than one story they could tell from that experience.

After lunch, the candy-filled eggs were hidden around the yard. The children closed all the curtains so they wouldn’t be tempted to peek where the eggs were being hidden.

We gave them Easter baskets I made for them so they were entertained while the eggs were being hidden.

Then the fun began, turning thirteen children loose to go look for eggs. Well 3-month-old Kylie needed help yet.

They were all happy with what they got. How precious when you hear the little children tell each other what Easter stands for in their sweet innocence.

I hope your Easter was blessed! May God bless you every day!

Rhubarb delight pudding

Ingredients

2 cups rhubarb, cut fine

4 tablespoons water

½ cup sugar

1 three-ounce box cherry gelatin

2 cups whipped topping

Directions

Simmer rhubarb, sugar, and water in a medium-sized pan until tender. Add gelatin and stir until dissolved. Cool until partially set. Fold whipped topping into the rhubarb mixture. Chill and serve.

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife and mother of eight who lives in southeastern Michigan.