From the Desk of Emma Yoder, Amish Scribe
Willow Springs, Pennsylvania | New Order Fellowship
Greetings, dear friends and neighbors,
The air has turned crisp here in Willow Springs, and the scent of wood smoke lingers in the evenings. The maples along Quarry Road have traded their greens for hues of copper and crimson, and every porch seems to boast a pumpkin or two. Autumn has a way of slowing us down, reminding us to look back with gratitude before the busy season of holidays begins.
Our gardens have been put to rest for the year, and Samuel and I spent last week gathering the last of the apples from our orchard. We’ll be making applesauce and drying slices for winter pies soon enough. Katie stopped by with her little Mary to help peel a few bushels—though I think Mary ate more apples than she peeled!
Inside, the hum of sewing machines has been replaced by the quiet rhythm of hand stitching.
Many of the women in our fellowship are already working on Christmas gifts—new dresses for the little ones, handwoven rugs, and quilts meant to keep our families warm when the snow arrives. There’s something especially comforting about sewing by lamplight while the wind rattles the windows.
Evenings in town are lively this time of year. The bakery’s shelves are filled with pumpkin whoopie pies, cinnamon rolls, and loaves of bread that make the whole street smell heavenly. Down at The Sandwich Shoppe, you’ll often find Lydia Shetler drinking coffee and listening to the latest news—though she seems to have a knack for finding herself in the middle of a mystery or two.
Speaking of mysteries, the folks around here have been talking about a few strange happenings lately—things that might make for good reading on a chilly evening. If you enjoy stories of faith, friendship, and a touch of suspense, you might like The Willow Springs Amish Mystery Romance Series. Each story shines a light on our little town, where secrets are uncovered, love is tested, and God’s truth always prevails in the end.
As we enter this season of thankfulness, I’m reminded of how blessed we are to live in a community where neighbors still check in on one another, and where even in the midst of life’s trials, kindness always finds a way to bloom.
Until next time, may your days be filled with warmth, your hearts with gratitude, and your homes with the simple joys that make this life such a gift.
With love and blessings,
Emma Yoder
P.S. If you haven’t yet visited Willow Springs through Tracy’s mystery series, I invite you to begin with The Amish Book Cellar and see what happens when faith, friendship, and a touch of mystery intertwine beneath the autumn skies of Pennsylvania.
