Four Amish Women. Four Stories of Gratitude, Faith, and Love.
As the leaves fall and the smell of pumpkin pie fills the air, we invite you into the lives of four Amish women, each preparing for Thanksgiving in their own special way. Below, you’ll hear directly from the characters in A Harvest of Amish Blessings—Beth, Mary, Anna, and Patricia—as they share what this season of gratitude means to them.
Helping Hands by Mindy Steele
This will be our first Thanksgiving without Andrew. The ache hasn’t left me, and yet… the kitchen still smells of cinnamon and the boys still track in muddy boots from the yard. Life moves forward, even in loss.
This year, I’m keeping things simple. A pot of chicken corn soup, a loaf of warm bread, and my sister-in-law’s famous apple cobbler. My heart is heavy, but I’m beginning to see that help sometimes comes in quiet, unexpected ways, like a note left on the porch, or a kind word at the store.
Gratitude doesn’t always come easy. But it’s there, waiting to be noticed, even in sorrow.
Letters of Gratitude by Rachel J. Good
Thanksgiving has always been a time of reflection for me, probably because I spend so much of it guiding my students through the same.
This year, I gave them a simple assignment: write a letter of gratitude to someone in the community. The results? Let’s just say there were more than a few tears… including my own.
I’ve been making pumpkin whoopie pies and setting the table with mismatched plates borrowed from neighbors. It doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. Sometimes, the greatest blessings come from simple words spoken at just the right time.
Thanksgiving on Huckleberry Hill by Jennifer Beckstrand
I wasn’t planning to celebrate Thanksgiving this year. What’s the point when your whole family forgets the dinner you’ve worked so hard to plan?
But just when I was about to give up and eat Cream of Wheat alone, something changed. (Don’t worry, I didn’t burn the stuffing again.)
There’s a pie cooling on the windowsill, fresh rolls under a towel on the counter, and a heart that’s learning, yet again that blessings have a funny way of sneaking in when you least expect them.
Seasons of the Heart by Tracy Fredrychowski
The annual Harvest Dinner is just days away, and I’ve been peeling potatoes and stringing dried corn all week.
But this year feels different. I’ve been standing at a crossroads, trying to choose between the comfort of what I’ve always known and the pull of something new. Thanksgiving reminds me that God often uses the quiet seasons to stir the heart.
My pies might not win any blue ribbons, but I’m learning that being faithful in the little things is its own kind of blessing.
From Our Table to Yours…
We hope this glimpse into the lives of Beth, Mary, Anna, and Patricia warmed your heart. Each of these women has a story of loss, hope, and the quiet power of gratitude, and we invite you to discover them all in A Harvest of Amish Blessings.
Whether you’re peeling potatoes, setting the table, or simply catching your breath between busy days, may you find a moment to pause… and give thanks.
Discover the warmth of Amish Country at Thanksgiving here>>A Harvest of Amish Blessings
I love the Amish Stories. There are not many that I do not like.
I want this book!!!