This week brought more birthdays in our family. Joe and I had our 33rd anniversary on July 15. We always think of brother Albert, as we were married on his birthday. He is still so deeply missed by all who loved him. July 10 was grandson Denzel’s 4th birthday. The 14th is son Benjamin’s 27th birthday. Granddaughter Sharlene turned a year old on the 17th. Sister Emma turned 53 on the 19th. Happy birthday to all.

And we also always think of dear mother’s birthday on the 18th. I miss her! Especially when life brings trials and you would love to ask her advice one more time. As a mother now, it is my instinct to give the best advice I know to my children. I’m not saying I’m right but how precious it is to parents when children show respect and honor. Parents aren’t perfect. Jesus was perfect and how glad I am to have a Savior like him.

Every mother knows what it is to bring a child into this world. The pain, the praying that everything goes okay, the toddler years, the teenage years and even after they are married you still pray that life will be good to them. The comfort we get from God’s words is truly a blessing. My prayer is that my children will always know I love them. I need to quit rambling on.

On Saturday, around 16 men and boys gathered at daughter Elizabeth and Tim’s house early in the morning to put new metal on the garage (where they have living quarters right now) and barn. The roofs were damaged in the storm. Some windows were replaced as well. Once again, we appreciate our community showing up to help and to support in times of need. Tim and Elizabeth appreciated all the great help.

Daughter Susan and Ervin hosted church services again on Sunday. They had another big attendance with quite a few visitors. We served nine tables. Visitors included two of Ervin’s brothers and family, Ervin’s late wife Sarah’s parents and her brothers, another brother, wife and children, a sister, husband and children. Also, Mose’s (Susan’s late husband) two sisters, husbands and children and his uncle Freeman and Aunt Ella Mae came.

Freeman built and installed our kitchen and bathroom cabinets 20 years ago when we built our new house. It was good to see them all come and it means a lot to Ervin and Susan to have their first partners’ families come. And of course, also each other’s family. Daniel Ray and daughter Verena, son Benjamin and special friend Joanna, son Kevin, sister Verena and I went as well. Sister Emma and her family and daughter Elizabeth and Tim are in the same church district as Ervin’s so of course they were there too. Joe decided to stay home and rest. He is taking therapy twice a day, and it really wears him out. Ervin served a delicious lunch of homemade wheat and white bread, cheese spread, peanut butter spread, ham, pickles, pickled red beets, hot peppers, jelly, butter, a variety of cookies, iced tea and coffee. The tea was prepared by Emma again. A thirst quencher on a warm day for sure.

After 16 months, Kevin now had his handicap accessible buggy. Without all the generous help this would not have been possible. The buggy has a lift in the back that folds down and, with a remote, can be taken to ground level. Kevin can drive onto it with his mobility scooter and be lifted up to the buggy so he can drive in. The passenger seat up front folds up if he wants to sit beside the person driving. Otherwise, the back side seat also folds up and he can sit behind the driver and passenger seats. The lift is run from a solar panel on top of the buggy charging a lithium battery under the buggy. This also runs the lights, turning signals, etc.

Kevin needs to get used to the lift, especially when he backs out on to the lift to get out. I understand that heights look a little scarier when you don’t have the ability to jump off if something happens. He’s still working on trusting the lift and that it actually will pick him up. A big thank you from Kevin and us to all that so generously helped in any way. May God bless you for your kindness. This buggy makes life easier for Kevin and the caregivers. It is appreciated more than you know. We started out having a benefit barbecue chicken drive for the buggy. So there were many ways that people helped make this possible.

God’s blessings to all!

Meatloaf

Ingredients:

1-1/2 pounds hamburger

3/4 cup uncooked rolled oats

1/4 cup onion, chopped

1 cup tomato juice or V8 juice

1-1/2 teaspoons salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2 eggs, beaten

Sauce:

1/2 cup ketchup

4 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons prepared mustard

Directions:

Combine hamburger, oats, onion, eggs, tomato juice, salt, and pepper and mix thoroughly. Shape into 2 logs in a 9×13-inch pan or 2 loaf pans; pack firmly into pan. Whisk sauce ingredients together and spread on top of meatloaf. Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for one hour. Let sit 5 minutes before slicing.

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife and mother of eight. Her three cookbooks, “The Cherished Table,” “The Essential Amish Cookbook” and “Amish Family Recipes,” are available wherever books are sold. Readers can write to Eicher at Lovina’s Amish Kitchen, PO Box 234, Sturgis, MI 49091 (please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for a reply); or email questionsforlovina@gmail.com and your message will be passed on to her to read. She does not personally respond to emails.