TOMORROW on Amish Wisdom: Bed & Breakfast owner Carol Steffey

Tune in on Thursday at 4:00 pm Central! To listen in - go here and just click on the player in the top right corner.

This week's guest on Amish Wisdom left the corporate world for the slower pace of being an inn keeper. She now runs a successful Bed & Breakfast smack in the middle of the largest Amish population in America. I've stayed at this lovely inn, highly recommend it, and knew Carol would make a fascinating guest on the show!

About Carol:
Carol Steffey, owner of Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed & Breakfast in Millersburg, OH, left the corporate life to become an innkeeper in the middle of the World’s Largest Amish Community 8 years ago. Every bed and breakfast has a niche whether it is antiques, corporate travel, near wineries, etc. Carol created her niche by getting educated about the Amish lifestyle and sharing that knowledge with bed and breakfast guests. She shares stories about her Amish neighbors while sitting around the nightly campfire with guests or sometimes over breakfast. She has worked with Amish neighbors to provide B&B guests with the opportunity to have dinner with an Amish family. She also partners with a local tour guide to offer guests a narrated tour of Amish Country that includes stops at Amish homes and businesses. One of the most unique things about Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed & Breakfast is that they have created 8 different self-guided back road tours of Amish Country that guests may take at their own leisure. Stops include Amish candle makers, leather belt makers, basket makers, furniture builders, quilters, general stores, and more. Each of these Amish businesses are located on their farms or homesteads so guests get a sneak peak at the Amish lifestyle. Carol Steffey makes it a goal that each and every bed and breakfast guests that walks through their door has a special experience in Amish Country. In the past 3 years, they have won awards from bedandbreakfast.com for being one of the Best Value Inns in the USA, one of the Best Bed & Breakfasts in the Midwest, and one of the Top 10 B&B’s in the USA!

Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed & Breakfast is located on Township Road 353 at the corner of 6041 Township Road 310, Millersburg, OH 44654. Phone number: 330-674-7608

Carol does suggest making advance reservations, especially from July to October.


GIVEAWAY DURING THE SHOW

Anyone who is listening to the show can email info@garden-gate.com and ask for the “Amish Wisdom” discount. We will email you back a coupon for a discounted stay at our bed and breakfast that will be valid for up to 5 consecutive nights. We will accept emails from the time the show starts up to midnight that day. You will receive your coupons within 24 hours of when the show airs.

This Week's News...

My main focus this week is to wrap up a manuscript--it's at the stage where the first draft is basically done, but it needs a lot of polishing. A lot.

I think of it as the "icing the cake" stage...where you're starting to make the cake look good. Really good. But it's hard to know how much icing to put on the cake...and when to stop!


In other newsworthy events of the week...

My guide dog breeder, Tess, is up at Guide Dogs for the Blind, in time for her due-date on Friday. Will keep you updated on Tess' puppy delivery!

Thursday's "Amish Wisdom" radio show has a special treat for listeners this week! An innkeeper in the heart of Amish country will be my guest--and she's offering a discount at her inn to listeners! I've stayed at this B&B--WONDERFUL place in Holmes County, Ohio!

I hope you've had a chance to download the podcast or listen on-line to last week's show with Joel Kime. Such a powerful story! Well worth your time. Click to listen!

Some exciting news...The Waiting has already hit the CBD fiction Top 25 bestseller list! In pre-orders! It will release October 1st.


Revell and Litfuse Group are revving up for the launch of Amish Proverbs! Due out in August--there are a lot of prizes and giveaways in the works! I'll be sending out a newsletter soon to announce the contest. Please send me an e-mail or leave a comment if you want to receive it.


And on Friday, there will be another Author Spotlight, with book giveaway! So stay tuned...and come back to this site, often!

Author Spotlight! Sarah Sundin

Welcome to Author Spotlight! Each week will feature a different author. We'll get the scoop behind their writing life and dish a little. The authors will also be giving away a copy of their latest books. FUN.

The Author Spotlight debut author is my 'buddy', Sarah Sundin.

Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win Sarah's fantastic debut novel, A Distant Melody!

Welcome Sarah!

Share a little bit about yourself. Married with kids? Empty nester? Do you work full-time and write when you can squeeze it in?

I’m married and have three children still at home, but the nest will start emptying in September when my oldest son goes away to college. I work one shift a week as a hospital pharmacist, which gives me plenty of time to write. Theoretically.

And share something about your writing. What’s your genre(s), your areas of interest…

I’ve written a three-book series of historical fiction set during World War II.

How did you get started writing? Did you have a dream of being a published author?

I have a strange start. Although I always read voraciously, I didn’t consider a writing career. For one thing, I knew getting published was as likely as becoming a professional ballerina. Instead I chose a practical career in pharmacy which allowed me to work on-call and stay home with our three children. Then in 2000, I had a dream with such intriguing characters that I felt compelled to write their story. That first novel will never be published, nor should it, but it got me started. Once I started writing, I decided if I was going to invest time in writing, I had to pursue publication.

After you started writing seriously--how long was it before you were published?

Ten years and two months. I started writing in January 2000, started submitting in 2003, received a three-book contract in 2008, and the first novel came out in March 2010.

Aside from a cup of good, strong coffee, what helps you get all of your “brain cylinders” firing so you can write well? Do you have any favorite places and routines when you write? How many hours a day do you spend writing?

Coffee, tea, diet cola—anything in the caffeine family. As for writing routines, with three busy kids, I’ve learned to be flexible. I do the bulk of my writing when the children are in school, but I’ve also become expert at using snippets of “wasted” time. I can take care of a lot of editing and emails during karate classes and in the dentist’s waiting room. I spend about twenty-five hours a week writing.

What has been the biggest help to you in the journey to publication? Writers’ conferences? Writing groups? Your mom as your first draft reader?

All of the above. My mom and my sister are amazing first readers—they’re actually really tough on me. I’ve belonged to a writers’ group for nine years. This group of people has been vital to my growth as a writer—I love their insightful critiques, support, and prayer. I also owe a lot to writers’ conferences for learning even more about the craft of writing, learning about the publishing industry, and getting to know editors and agents. I sold A Distant Melody to Vicki Crumpton at Revell due to my submission at Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference.

Is the “writer’s life” what you thought it would be?

I guess I saw the writer’s life as pure creative writing. Before publication, it was like that—I spent long luxurious hours playing with my stories and chasing research rabbit trails. After I got the contract, that changed. Assignments from my publisher, social networking, blogging, publicity—these things probably take half of my “writing” time now. I also have to be more efficient and focused with my research and writing.

What are your biggest distractions?

My biggest distraction is a yellow Labrador retriever named Daisy. When the kids are at school and my husband’s at work, I assume it’s writing time. Daisy tells me it’s play time! Always play time! And if I don’t play, she eats pens, wooden spoons, and reading glasses.

What was one of the best moments in your career and what was one of the worst?

Best moments—so many! When an idea sparks, when the story flows, when a sentence sings. Getting a contract, great reviews, reader mail. Those are all wonderful moments.

Worst moments—very few. The “rejection letter years” were difficult, but caused me to grow as a writer and as a person, and now I see it was God’s perfect timing. I wouldn’t wish those years away.

What do you least like about being a writer? Most like?

I’m not fond of marketing plans, and I don’t care for some aspects of promotion—it often feels like bragging to me. But there are so many aspects I do like—research, outlining, rough drafts, editing, and interacting with readers.

What is the role and importance of an agent?

As soon as I had a contract offer, I contacted my dream literary agency, and they signed me within a few days. Although my agent didn’t obtain this particular sale, she’ll be invaluable when it’s time to submit again. In the meantime, she has helped so much with contract negotiations, discussions with the publisher about titles and cover art, feedback on the other manuscripts in the series, and career advice. I couldn’t do it without her.

What advice would you give to new writers?

Be teachable and learn as much as you can about the craft of writing and the publishing process. Join a writers’ group, attend conferences, read books on writing, and join American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Keep writing, keep submitting, and keep praying.

Pretend I’m a customer at a bookstore looking for a good book. Give me a one or two sentence promo to convince me to buy your book.
For A Distant Melody, Book One in the Wings of Glory series, which came out in March: Allie Miller is promised to a man she doesn’t love, but Lt. Walter Novak, a furloughed B-17 bomber pilot, captures her heart—will she honor her family’s wishes or take a chance on true love?

For A Memory Between Us, Book Two in the Wings of Glory series, which comes out in September: Maj. Jack Novak has never failed to meet a challenge until he meets Lt. Ruth Doherty, a striking nurse with a shameful secret—can they confront their deepest sins, face their greatest fears, and learn to trust and to love?

What’s on the book horizon for you?

The third book in the Wings of Glory series will be published August 2011. I’m currently preparing a proposal for another series, also set during World War II.

Last question, how can readers find you and your books?

You can find me on-line at:
Website: http://www.sarahsundin.com
Blog: http://www.sarahsundin.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SarahSundinAuthor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sarahsundin

A Distant Melody can be found at your local bookstore or can be ordered on-line at Amazon, ChristianBook.com, Barnes & Noble, Borders, etc.


A Memory Between Us is available for pre-order at on-line bookstores.

TOMORROW on Amish Wisdom: Joel Kime

Tune in on Thursday at 4:00 pm Central! To listen in - go here and just click on the player in the top right corner.

Join me tomorrow for Amish Wisdom - I have the privilege of interviewing Pastor Joel Kime and his parents. Joel has an amazing story to share with us about God's grace and forgiveness. I shared his story in my book, Amish Peace. It is a powerful story--one with a huge impact for us all.

When Joel was a teenager. he accidentally crashed his car into an Amish buggy, killing an Amish woman (a bride on her honeymoon). Don't miss tomorrow's interview to hear how Joel and his parents dealt with this tragedy and how they experienced the power of inexplicable forgiveness. God has used this incident over and over to show His love and grace.

In Joel's words: It is a story familiar to us; perhaps too familiar. All of us can share probably numerous personal illustrations of broken relationships, bitterness, and grudges. We wonder when we'll ever experience the full life that Jesus promised he came to give us. Jesus skillfully used this parable to illustrate that full life should never include grudges or bitterness toward people for anything they do to us. Symbolically, and certainly in reality, forgiveness frees us. We see in the parable the joy of the first servant, who, if he had not received forgiveness from the king, would have remained locked in a prison, despairing for his lost wife and family and everything he had. Sadly, like us, he returned to that prison as a result of his inability to receive forgiveness and show it to others. I know from firsthand experience that this parable is true-to-life. I am that first servant.

More about Joel and his family: Michelle and I are beginning our ninth year of ministry at Faith Church, but third as Pastor. I graduated from Lancaster Bible College with a Bachelor of Science in Bible and Missions. I have been on the “eternity” plan at Evangelical Theological Seminary, and it felt so good to graduate with an MDiv in May 2010. Prior to coming to Faith Church as Youth/Associate Pastor, we served as church-planting missionaries in Kingston, Jamaica, with the Island Missionary Society. We are the parents of four children. If you catch me in a free moment, I’ll probably be reading a book, listening to U2 or REM, playing sports or Legos with my kids, enjoying a movie with Michelle or rooting for the Phillies or Redskins! More likely you’ll find Michelle and I talking about God’s heart for the oppressed and how we Americans can live the Gospel. We are so excited about how Faith Church is becoming a church that beats after God’s heart, removing the chains of injustice, freeing the captives, preaching the good news, feeding the poor, discipling the believers, praying for the world.

This Week...

For those of you who know the story...Tess is my Guide Dog for the Blind breeder dog due to delivery a puppy (yes, just one!) on or around July 2nd. She is doing great--full of life and bounce, as golden retrievers have a habit of doing. And being. Tess is the one on the far left--very white. The others are all dogs from Guide Dogs for the Blind--either breeders or puppies or career changed pups.


I'm going to take Tess up to Guide Dogs this weekend for her impending delivery. Gonna miss her! She'll be gone for a while...she stays with her pup for six weeks. Stay tuned and I'll keep you updated on Tess and puppy! This pix was taken just this morning...you can hardly tell she's pregnant.


In other news this week...it's finally a quiet week after a crazy June! A high school graduation,
my daughter's baby shower, then my other daughter's college graduation......all in one weekend! All great moments in a family's life--we savored them.

And now it's time for summer! For quiet mornings in my beautiful garden (best year ever! I think that bossy gopher has finally been thwarted), for reading the Psalms (summer and the book of Psalms just go hand in hand for me), for a LOT of writing (two big deadlines are looming), for talks and walks with friends, for coaxing my husband to play tennis with me, for appreciating this life God has given to me.

I hope the same for you!

A Visit to an Amish Schoolhouse

TOMORROW on Amish Wisdom: Guest Host Erik Wesner and author Karen Johnson-Weiner!

Tune in Thursday at 4:00 pm Central - just click on the media player in the top right corner of the screen. Do you have a question or two for Erik or Karen? Leave those on the segment post!

Both my son and daughter have recently graduated, one from college and one from high school. On to the next stage of life. :) So in the midst of all this crazy activity, Erik Wesner has (once again) agreed to guest host for me while I'm away. Be sure to tune in on Thursday as he interviews author, Karen M. Johnson-Weiner. She is a linguistics professor and studies Amish and Mennonite cultures and communities. Sounds like a FASCINATING woman!

About Karen: Karen M. Johnson-Weiner is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Anthropology at SUNY Potsdam, where she teaches courses in linguistic anthropology. She holds a PhD in linguistics from McGill University and has been studying patterns of language use and cultural maintenance in Amish and Mennonite communities for over 25 years. Her research has been supported by a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Humanities and grants from NEH, the Spencer Foundation and the SUNY Potsdam Research and Creative Endeavors Program. Her first book, Train up a Child: Old Order Amish and Mennonite Schools, was published by the Johns Hopkins University Press (2007), and her second, New York Amish: Life in the Plain Communities of the Empire State, was published this spring by Cornell University Press. She has also authored a number of articles on Old Order language, culture, and education. Currently Dr. Johnson-Weiner is working with Dr. Donald B. Kraybill (Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, Elizabethtown College) and Dr. Steven Nolt (Department of History, Goshen College) on a study of the Amish in the 20th century, which has been supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the NEH We the People Initiative, and the Kauffman Foundation.

About Karen's book:

In a book that highlights the existence and diversity of Amish communities in New York State, Karen M. Johnson-Weiner draws on twenty-five years of observation, participation, interviews, and archival research to emphasize the contribution of the Amish to the state's rich cultural heritage. While the Amish settlements in Pennsylvania and Ohio are internationally known, the Amish population in New York, the result of internal migration from those more established settlements, is more fragmentary and less visible to all but their nearest non-Amish neighbors. All of the Amish currently living in New York are post–World War II migrants from points to the south and west. Many came seeking cheap land, others as a result of schism in their home communities. The Old Order Amish of New York are relative newcomers who, while representing an old or plain way of life, are bringing change to the state.

So that readers can better understand where the Amish come from and their relationship to other Christian groups, New York Amish traces the origins of the Amish in the religious confrontation and political upheaval of the Protestant Reformation and describes contemporary Amish lifestyles and religious practices. Johnson-Weiner welcomes readers into the lives of Amish families in different regions of New York State, including the oldest New York Amish community, the settlement in the Conewango Valley, and the diverse settlements of the Mohawk Valley and the St. Lawrence River Valley. The congregations in these regions range from the most conservative to the most progressive. Johnson-Weiner reveals how the Amish in particular regions of New York realize their core values in different ways; these variations shape not only their adjustment to new environments but also the ways in which townships and counties accommodate—and often benefit from—the presence of these thriving faith communities.

Erik's Amish America

Just wanted to let my bleaders know that Erik Wesner is offering a wonderful giveaway of the new book Amish Paradox on his blog today! Pop over and leave a comment to enter the contest.

http://Amishamerica.com

Do You Know What This Is?

This is called a "mortgage button." Long ago, when families paid off their mortgages, they would burn the mortgage papers, collect the ashes, drill a hole in the banister and put the ashes in the hole. Then cap it with a button. Hence, the mortgage button!

The Mensa Family Car

Can you see the names and number of Ivy League colleges plastered on this car? Wow, wow, wow.

Oh, Tess!

Tess is my breeder dog for Guide Dogs for the Blind. She is a 2-year-old golden retriever--very light colored--donated to Guide Dogs from a similar organization in Australia! She's been with me since mid-April, though off and on. She was only with me a week and promptly went into season! So back she went to Guide Dogs to be bred to a manly dog.

Tess had an ultrasound about 3 weeks ago to see if she might be pregnant. Alas! No puppies.

Just to be absolutely sure, the vet scheduled a follow-up ultrasound. So this week, I took Tess back up to GDB for her appt. Would you believe...the ultrasound found one puppy! One little puppy.

My friend Laura said that Tess is interested in quality, not quantity. Ha!

So Tess' due date is July 2nd! A dog's gestation period is only 65 days. Stay tuned...will keep you posted on Tess and her baby.

Tomorrow on Amish Wisdom: Authors Shelley Shepard Gray and Mary-Ann Kirkby!

Tune in on Thursday at 4:00 pm Central! To listen in - go here and just click on the player in the top right corner.

Join me on Thursday afternoon for an hour with authors Shelley Shepard Gray and Mary Ann Kirkby - leave a comment to win a copy of their books.

The first half hour will feature Shelley Shepard Gray: Shelley Shepard Gray writes Amish romances for Harper Collins’ inspirational line, Avon Inspire. Since HIDDEN was published, Shelley has gone on to write several more novels for Avon Inspire. Hidden was followed by two more novels in her ‘Sisters of the Heart’ series, which is set in Adams County, Ohio. In 2010, her new series, Seasons of Sugarcreek, debuted. Winter’s Awakening, Spring’s Renewal, and Autumn’s Promise will be released in February, April, and August, respectively. In addition, GRACE, a Christmas Sisters of the Heart novel, will be published in October, 2010. Currently, Shelley is under contract to write her third series with Avon Inspire, which will be published in 2011.

Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelor’s degree in English literature and elementary education and later obtained her master’s degrees in educational administration. She now lives in southern Ohio and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two teenagers, and is an active member of her church. She serves on committees, volunteers in the church office, and is part of the Telecare ministry, which calls homebound members on a regular basis. Shelley looks forward to the opportunity to continue to write novels that showcase her Christian ideals.

Shelley is active on Facebook and also has a website, www.shelleyshepardgray.com.

About her latest book, Spring's Renewal: Tim Graber arrives in Sugarcreek to help his aunt and uncle with spring planting. At first, Tim doesn’t fit in with his many cousins and their crowded lifestyle. But when he meets Clara Slabaugh, the local school teacher, he understands why the Lord brought him to Sugarcreek. Clara is shy and quiet. Scarred from a fire when she was small, Clara has resigned herself to living alone and caring for her mother, who tells her that no man will ever see past her scars, and that Clara needs to keep teaching in order to make ends meet. Her father passed away years ago, and her mother depends on her. But the scars mean nothing to Tim. He appreciates her quiet nature and her wonderful, loving way with children. Yet Tim has a sweetheart back home in Indiana. As these two hearts struggle to determine their path, tragedy strikes, and every other worry seems insignificant in comparison. Though they now face a life they never imagined, will Tim and Clara have the faith to step out and risk everything for a chance at true love?

The second half hour will focus on I Am Hutterite's Mary-Ann Kirkby: Mary-Ann Kirkby was born on a Canadian Hutterite colony near Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. One of nine children, Kirkby was raised in the Hutterite tradition, similar in some respects, to that of the Amish or Mennonites. At age10 her life was turned upside down when her parents abruptly left behind the comfort and security of the colony and relocated their family to a lonely farm house in the “English” world. The transition to a startling fast-paced society was overwhelming for a young Mary-Ann as she clashed head on with popular culture.

Growing up in the isolated self-sustaining Hutterite community of Fairholme Colony, Kirkby had little contact with the outside world. A primarily agricultural community dominated by male leadership, Kirkby’s childhood dreams included a happy marriage with healthy children, good food, strong friendships and a deep devotion to her unique way of life. Those dreams where shattered when her parents packed up their large family and moved to a new world, full of unknowns.

Thrust into a foreign universe that she didn’t understand, Kirkby worked hard to adapt to a new way of life and a new identity by abandoning the culture that had defined her. She struggled to reinvent herself by denying her Hutterite heritage in an attempt to avoid the stigma and cruelty associated with being different.

A graduate of the National Broadcasting Institute Kirkby made her way into the world of journalism as a news anchor and reporter. She was the senior reporter responsible for aboriginal issues at CTV in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and worked in Ottawa for several years as a freelance journalist and as Media Relations Consultant for the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. The recipient of two Can-Pro Awards, Kirkby has made a career of telling other people’s stories. She is gifted singer, a sought after speaker and member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers.

Finally embracing her role as a daughter of two cultures Kirkby has used her talents to chronicle her own life story. Her first book, “I Am Hutterite,” was published in Canada in 2007 and will be released in the U.S. by Thomas Nelson Publishing in May 2010. The book has garnered rave reviews as readers react to the Kirkby’s honest and compelling story told in her charming style. “I Am Hutterite” won the Saskatchewan Book Award for Best Non-Fiction in 2007.

About her fascinating book: Mary-Ann Kirkby revisits a hidden past and weaves it into her ground-breaking memoir “I Am Hutterite: The Fascinating True Story of a Young Woman’s Journey to Reclaim Her Heritage.” This compelling story will keep you glued to every page vicariously reliving the memories of Kirkby as a young child, now a storyteller in her own right as an award-winning author and news reporter. She was awarded the Saskatchewan Book Award for Best Non-Fiction and received notable acclaim in the first edition of “I Am Hutterite,” published for the Canadian audience in 2007. With outstanding reviews and affection from readers who were awed by her courageous story, she has partnered with Thomas Nelson Publishers to bring her book to the United States. Releasing in the U.S. in May 2010, Kirkby’s memoir will resonate with anyone who has ever experienced a desire to fit in. But perhaps those who will enjoy this book best are those eager to peel away their own defenses and embrace the simple truth that beneath every human exterior beats a heart longing for understanding and acceptance. For more please visit: http://www.iamhutterite.com

Don't forget to leave a comment {HERE} for your chance to win a copy of EITHER BOOK! (Don't forget to leave your email address!)

Conversations with Dad

Alzheimer's is the strangest disease.

My dad is now in advanced stages of AD, but he is ambulatory and in fairly good health. We try to take him out for activities but some things are getting too difficult. There's a fine line of wanting to give him an outing and keep his life as full as possible--yet how much is he really benefiting from the outing? Especially when it is not easy for the caretaker to take him places (you have to watch Dad all the time, his behavior is unpredictable, his table manners are...well, not for the squeamish).

On Mother's Day, we gathered at my brother's home. Dad had been brought over and was sitting at the kitchen counter. Just sitting, kind of hunched over. His face has lost its animation. (Dad's warm personality would light up his face when he saw others.)

Then...in walked my mom. Would you believe that Dad got to his feet and hustled over to greet her with a big kiss on the lips? Amazing! You wouldn't know he had AD. For just half a minute, he was Dad.

That's the mystery of AD! The person is still there...despite plaque on the brain or whatever it is that is robbing him of his speech and memories and motor control.

Those brief moments are like God's gift to our family. They help remind us of who Dad was, of caring for him well because he is still with us.

Thirty second gifts. We'll take 'em!

Amish Texting

Thanks to Cheryl for passing this on to me!

Mo Willems' "City Dog, Country Frog"

Mo Willems is the hottest name in childrens' books today. If you haven't seen his Knuffle Bunny series (now a musical--a musical!--at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.) or the Pigeon series...well, you're missing out.

Here's a well-done trailer about his newest release, City Dog, Country Frog, that gives you an sneak peek into the mind of author/illustrator Mo Willems-- interesting, thoughtful and highly creative. Check out Mo's website and blog--very kid-friendly!

Earth's Loss is Heaven's Gain

Our household is mourning the passing of John Wooden today.

John Wooden was a regular guest at our evening meals.
(Well, maybe not in actual appearances, but as the focus of many discussions.
It seemed as if he were right here, with us.), and his
books fill up an entire shelf in the family room.

Plus, my youngest son has aspirations to be the next John Wooden.

One dinner, I casually mentioned that I had heard John Wooden speak
at my college.

My husband and sons practically fell off their chairs.

"WHY haven't you ever mentioned this?"

They acted as if I had forgotten to tell them I have a substantial
 trust fund (which, by the way, I don't).

Anyway, John Wooden was a national treasure. The men in my house
admired him for his basketball savvy. I admired him for his
enduring character.

And his wonderful marriage to Nell!

All I can say is...

Earth's loss is Heaven's gain.

This was sent to me by my dear friend Irva:

Given to him by his father, John Wooden carried this message,
folded and tucked in his wallet until yesterday,
when he died at 99 years old.

Be true to yourself.
Make each day a masterpiece.
Help others.
Drink deeply from good books.
Make friendship a fine art.
Build a shelter against a rainy day.

Tomorrow on Amish Wisdom: Erik Wesner

Tune in on Thursday at 4:00 pm Central! To listen in - go here and just click on the player in the top right corner.

Don't miss Amish Wisdom on Thursday at 4:00 PM Central! Blogger and author Erik Wesner will be expertly manning the hosting helm while interviewing fascinating ex-Amish blogger Ira Wagler. I'm excited to see what kind of mischief these two get into ...

About Ira:

Ira Wagler was born and raised in an Old Order Amish community surrounded by family, farms, horses and open spaces. Ira writes about his family and experiences with honesty, respect and compassion. His decision to leave was, as is the case with others, a moment of great anxiety and freedom. Words, books and knowledge were a part of the Wagler household – Ira simply wanted more. He entered college as a non-traditional student and there discovered literature and writing. He was deeply affected by Thomas Wolf’s “You Can’t Go Home Again.” Though his career has taken him in other directions, including management and law, he never lost his passion for narrative and writing. After some personal hardships, Ira decided to seek solace where he had found freedom in the past, in words. Three years ago, he started a blog. Initially posting weekly, he began to give words to the largely oral stories and traditions of his childhood with the intention of weaving them into a book. Visit his blog here: http://www.irawagler.com



About Erik: Since 2004, he has visited 20 Amish communities in five states, and met roughly 5,000 Amish families in total.


As the 2008 Snowden Fellow at the Young Center at Elizabethtown College, he delivered a lecture entitled “Is Success a Four-Letter Word? The Amish Approach to Business Achievement”.

Erik has contributed to Amish-themed articles featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and other print media. He's have also served as a consultant for numerous authors of Amish fiction and non-fiction.

His book Success Made Simple: An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive will be published by John Wiley and Sons under the Jossey-Bass imprint on March 29, 2010.

Success Made Simple is based on his 60 interviews with Amish business owners as well as experiences living and working in Amish communities from Pennsylvania to Iowa. Read more here.

He's also finishing a general-information book on the Amish, Who are the Amish?, to be published in Poland in 2009.

In his previous nine-year career with a Nashville publisher and bookseller, I worked in management and set an international record as a salesperson.

If not in Amish America, you can likely find me in Krakow, Poland, where he teaches, translates, and trains for marathons.