Simple Life in New Wilmington, Pa

People often ask me if the Amish of New Wilmington decorate for Christmas. They do but it's different than the way most of us decorate. They don't have Christmas trees or Santa claus decorations. Because they believe God said to make no graven images there are no Nativity sets. The most popular decoration I see in every Amish home is a string that is zig zagged across their living room that has Christmas Cards attached to it. The Amish send out Christmas cards to all their fr...iends and family. When I visit the children love to show me each card and tell me who it is from. They will point out the ones that are extra special with sparkles or maybe a big buck on the front of the card. Some of my Amish friends also decorate with a few pine branches and poinsettias scattered throughout their homes. Susan Hougelman Simple Life in New Wilmington Pa See more

Goodnight friends. Sweet dreams from Amish Country Simple Life in New Wilmington Pa. photo by: Jim Fisher

We received our first snow of the year in our little town of New Wilmington. I love this photo by Jim. This road that we are all traveling together sure has been and uphill bumpy climb this year, hasn't it? It's been dirty and muddy and often times it has felt like we were all alone. It has been exhausting. You know that I don't talk politics on this facebook page, but today I'm going to share something that I feel is very important. No matter who wins this election...God i...s still in control. He reigns. He is the King of all kings and presidents and leaders of the world! Our God Reigns!!! As His people, we need to make some changes in our world. Change needs to start with us...with you and with me. Friends, We have turned away from God and have been living a life of immorality. Sin has become acceptable. We've become lovers of ourselves. We've made idols and are worshiping those idols. We have chosen making money over raising our children. We've let television shows and movies into our homes that are so sinful, that we've become accustomed to it, and have now called those sins normal. We let our children listen to music that is so filled with garbage and filth, that it's unbearable to listen too. God has given us His laws for our own good. He created us to fellowship with Him and walk in righteousness. When we do that, we are living within the healthy boundaries He established and are protected from much of the heartache and catastrophe Satan has devised. But, when a nation turns away from the true God and becomes its own god, the Lord removes His protective hand and allows that nation to experience the world it has demanded...and that's exactly what you see happening in our world today! We need to humble ourselves, admit that we've been living a life of our own, and not how God has intended..we've sinned against God and we need to ask for forgiveness. We can't stop there. We need to make changes and those changes start with each one of us. Donald Trump is not going to save the world and either is Joseph Biden. Only GOD can! Ask God to put in place the person that HE wants to lead us. Friends, I urge you to pray with me all throughout the day and night. Pray that the Lord forgives us. Tell Him that we need His son Jesus to intervene and set us on the right path. Tell the Lord that we want to live a life of righteousness not sinfulness. We want to be God's children who walk in the light, not the darkness. We want to Obey God's laws, not our own laws. And please, let your anxiety fade and know the peace that only Jesus can give you. Remember HE is the one that holds the whole world in His hands. He reigns! Have not fear or worries, if you are a child of God. With the never ending love of the most Amazing Savior, your friend, Susan Hougelman Simple Life in New Wilmington, Pa Photo by: Jim Fisher PS..please no political type of comments. I don't want to know who you are voting for. Those comments will be deleted! : )

I know...I know many of you feel lonely. Some of you are missing your friends, and some of you are missing your family, and some of you are missing the person that you loved most in the entire world. My friend, Know that you are not alone. Jesus loves you so very much and you can have the most intimate relationship with Him. Invite Him to live inside your heart. Tell him your worries and fears and about your loneliness. He will comfort you and bring you peace. I am praying ri...ght now that whoever needs a special touch or hug or comfort, that God will provide that for you today, so you know He is real and loves you. I love you too friend. Susan Hougelman Simple Life in New Wilmington Pa Photo by: Jim Fisher See more

Happy Sonday friends! I pray that you have a peaceful week even through all that is going on in the world! Remember these words: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus loves you so very much and I do too! Your friend, Susan... Photo by the talented Jim Fisher See more

Stopping to check the Mail. Good Monday Morning friends! I hope your day is filled with good things. Just think about today not tomorrow. Focus on what you have not what you don't have. Set your mind on what is good and right. God's got this..no need to worry! Susan Hougelman Simple Life in New Wilmington Pa... Photo by: Jim Fisher See more

I hope you get the chance to go outside today and breathe some fresh air! We are nearing the end of Autumn here in Amish Country and soon winter will be upon us. Susan Hougelman Simple Life in New Wilmington Pa Photo by: Jim Fisher

My Amish friend Lydia and I were having lunch one day and we were talking about life and she said, " Susan, just think how rich we are. We have warm beds to sleep in each night. We have more food than we need and we are able to fill our bellies whenever we are hungry. We have clothes to wear and fresh water to drink. We have a God who loves and cares for us and perhaps our greatest blessing that God has given us is our family." With tears in my eyes I replied, "Lydia, we are rich indeed." I couldn't help but to think life is so much about our attitude and perspective. I am so grateful and thankful for the many, many blessings God has given me and I sometimes feel as though I am the richest person in the world. How about you? Susan Hougelman Simple Life in New Wilmington Pa Photo by: Jim Fisher

I received this sweet letter from my favorite little 12 year old Amish "granddaughter" who I've visited almost every day for the past five years! Her family has become a part of my family. I call the children my Amish grandchildren and they call me their English Mommy (Grandmother in Pennsylvania Dutch) People have asked me how I've become so close to this Amish community and I always answer the same way. Because I love them with the love of Jesus Christ and I've done as much...Continue reading

The very first time I had dinner with an Amish family, the Father said, "Let us pray." I watched as the eight small children, along with their Mamm and Datt bowed their heads. I too bowed mine and waited for the prayer to begin. I soon realized that the Amish pray silently. I kept my head bowed and the seconds turned into minutes. I began to feel uncomfortable. How do you know when to end? I finally peeked one eye open, and saw 10 pairs of eyes looking at me. I giggled and li...fted my head up and being outspoken like I am, I said, "How do you know when to finish?" The children answered and said, "When Datt clears his throat!" There's something wonderful about the Father being the head of the house, and leading that prayer. It feels so Godly. At the end of the meal, Eli also folded his hands and bowed his head and said, "Let us pray." This time I heard Datt's signal that the prayer was finished ! As we were washing the dishes after the wonderful home cooked Amish meal, Lizzie said that they also pray at the end of every meal. "It's so our children don't get up from the table before the meal is completely over. Our dinner time, is family togetherness time. It is a time for us to talk about our day and for us to relax and enjoy each other as a family. Our children are not allowed to leave until Eli's after dinner prayer is over." We could learn so much from our Amish friends. Susan Hougelman Simple Life in New Wilmington, Pa

Hello friends of Simple Life! It's time once again for our annual Amish Book and Christmas Gift Drive! Each year, We collect as many books and as much money as we can to bless as many Amish families as we're able to with a new book and Christmas stocking filled with small gifts and candy! Last year we were able to pass out books and stockings to every student in four Amish school houses and also bless several Amish families! If you could see the joy on these children's and ev...Continue reading

Amish grocery list for a wedding with 350 guests. Yesterday I shared with you photos from an Amish wedding. Today i will share with you the shopping list for the wedding! : ) My Amish friend who had a daughter marry recently said the average cost for an Amish wedding is $6000.00. Most of that money is for the food to feed all of the guests. There are 3 meals served. THe first two are for the guests, and the last meal is called a midnight meal for all of the young people th...at have stayed to help clean up. That meal consists of Pizza, Candy, Ice Cream and Cake! The entire church district helps cook, serve and clean up including the men! 1 gal. dried tea 1 case Maxwell House filter pack coffee 200 lbs. chicken legs and thighs 4 whole chickens for gravy, stuffing or noodles 75 lbs. ground chuck 30 lbs bologna or turkey or ham 30 lbs. Swiss cheese 15 lbs. hot pepper cheese 15 lbs. marble cheese 5 milk pails full of potatoes (4- 50 lb. bags) 1 bushel of cabbage 5 heads of lettuce 10 pkgs. of carrots 10 pkgs. of celery 6 bunches fresh parsley 5 lbs. onions 1 1/2 bushels of apples for sauce 1/2 box oranges 15 lb. seedless grapes 2 gallons or 16 cans of pineapple chunks 6 qts. canned peaches 40 loaves of bread for stuffing (13 dishpans) 2 large dishpans of pie crumbs 9 pans of date pudding 25-30 loaves of store bought bread for table 8 quarts of strawberry jam 1 case of oleo (10 lbs. for table) 1 gallon of cooking oil 1 1/2 cases of eggs 6 lbs. pear tapioca 6 lbs. macaroni 1 case of Cool Whip 4 lbs. Nuts 8 lbs. dates 8 boxes of corn flakes 15 boxes white crackers (10 for meatloaf, 5 for chicken) 8 lbs. navy beans or 22 lbs frozen peas 3 lbs. wieners for beans 5 to 8 boxes of Velveeta 10 cans cream of mushroom soup 1 pail of frosting 1-5 lb bag noodles 3-4 lb. turkey ham for noodles (cubed) 2 gallons of salad dressing 6 large bottles of ketchup 2 large bottles of mustard 1 Large can Lawry's seasoned salt 2 cans of chicken base 10 lbs. salt 1 lb black pepper 100 lb bread flour 100 lb white sugar 50 lb. pastry flour 25 lb brown sugar 5 lb. clear jel (Jello for Cherry pies) 20 cakes 40 pumpkin pies 20 cherry pies 10 raspberry or raisin pies 1 roll plastic table cover 8 roll pkg. paper towels 2- 12 pack of Scott Toilet tissue 2 cans of non-stick spray 3-5 boxes of aluminum foil (wide) 3 boxes of plastic wrap 50 gal. kerosene 8 oil stoves and ovens 8-10 alpaca stoves 120 candy bars 10 lb. candy 4 boxes of cigars 6 bags of potato chips 3 pails of ice cream 6 12 cut pizzas 8 2 liters of soft drink 1 1/2 (10 gal) milk There you have it! Susan Hougelman Simple Life in New Wilmington, Pa

To the person that dropped off books and toys at the quilt shop....if you could have seen those children's faces when they carried the bags out to me...words don't do justice to describe their excitement. They told me what was inside each bag and I told them next time they are not allowed to peek! : ). They know that these gifts will go to children in their community and that makes them as excited as if they would receive the gifts themselves! Thank you to those that have sent checks! Your generosity just makes me want to weep. In this time of craziness, it is going to be so awesome to bring Christ's love to these children and families!!! You all are Jesus's hand and feet and heart !! God bless you tenfold for your kindness! With a heart full of gratitude and thanksgiving, your friend Susan

Amish Wedding Season has begun! Tuesdays and Thursdays are Amish Wedding Days in our Community. They usually occur From October (After the last harvest) until March (Before the first planting). Weddings start at 9:00 am sharp and usually go until Midnight. It's fun to see buggy after buggy clip clopping along the backroads of our Amish Country, filled with young men and women dressed in their finest church suits and dresses. Oh the excitement! You have to imagine, Amish yout...Continue reading

It's a new week..a new day! I love Mondays! You can make a fresh start today, choose to have a good attitude and get moving! Conquer this day and week! Remember you are the son or daughter of a King and Jesus is the mightiest of all Kings! Don't be afraid of what's ahead of you friends. Jesus is with you! Susan Hougelman Simple Life in New Wilmington Pa Photo by: Jim Fisher

Corn shocks are a sure sign of Fall in Amish Country. The Amish farmers take the extra corn and they bundle the stalks into teepee like structures. They will be dried out during the winter and cut down as needed. The corn is used as feed and the stalk is used as bedding for the animals. Simple Life in New Wilmington Pa Photos by Denise Guthery

These are gifts that I have bought so far...just this show you an example of the kind of Christmas gifts the Amish children can receive! Oh they get so excited!!!

Our books and gifts have started to arrive! A good friend to the Amish sent these on rememberence of her Father who loved visiting with the Amish (Thank you Jill!!) . She ordered them through Amazon and had them directly delivered to us! Great idea and these books are perfect! If you would like to do the same, I would also add board games or puzzles to the list of wanted items by the children! I never thought of this easy way of making this Christmas book/gift drive happen!... I am super excited!! You can order through Amazon and send them to: Susan Hougelman 3459 State Route 956 New Castle Pa 16156 The kids LOVE operation and perfection and candy Land etc..they love Bop it and games that make them laugh!! They love those I spy games where you shake the tube and try to find hidden objects! I think it's going to be a great Christmas for many Amish children!!! See more