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Foremost on our minds is the Pennsylvania Amish community that experienced the tragic school shooting.

Our hearts ache for the parents and families of these children. As with everything, God had a purpose for this. We know He makes no mistakes so we must trust Him to lead the way.

We question "why" sometimes, and we don't always see His purpose right away. But let us keep praying and follow His great words in our Holy Bible. This community needs our prayers to find the strength to go on. May God be with them as they go through this awful trial. My "mother heart" cannot grasp the feeling if my child would've been involved. It makes me want to never let them out of sight. God promised to never give us more than we can handle if we keep our trust in Him.

(Editor's note: Two funds, including one for the wife and three children of the gunman, have been established by a bank in Paradise, Pa., where many Amish do business. Coatesville Savings Bank has established the Nickel Mines Children's Fund and the Roberts Family Fund. The bank can be contacted at (717) 886-8800.)

Visiting home

Our sympathy also goes to the family of Joe's Uncle Menno, age 70, who passed away Saturday. He battled that dreadful cancer for six weeks. He was often in pain and may he rest in peace now.

Joe and 4-year-old Joseph and I went to the funeral on Tuesday, which was in Berne, Ind. Sisters Verena and Susan also went along. Jacob and Emma kept our other seven children until we were home. Emma had her hands full sending eight children off to school before 7 a.m. Joseph felt pretty special having all of Dad and Mom's attention for the day.

While in Berne, we visited Levi and Liz and brother Amos and Nancy at the funeral. We also visited Dad and Mom's graves, as it was in the same cemetery as Uncle Menno was buried. We then drove past the old homeplace. It brought back memories, but a lot has changed. There are two more sets of buildings on the farm now. Life goes on and changes are made. Home is where the heart is. May we all meet again in that Heavenly home where there will be no more sorrow, pain

or partings.

After leaving the funeral we made a quick stop at Joe's sister Ruth and Chris. From there we went to sister Leah and Paul's. Paul fixed a part on our harness that Joe brought along. Leah and niece Elizabeth quickly made a good supper so we could eat before starting home. They have their own little cider press to make their own cider. They have a lot of different kinds of apple trees, so the cider had a good, fresh taste. We arrived back here in Michigan around 9 p.m. and picked up the children at Jacob's. By the time we got back home and had every one settled for bed it was past 10 p.m. It was nice to be back home and all together again.

A reader in Canon City, Colo., asked about a bread pie. Try this:

Wet bread pie

8-inch baked pie shell

1 cup crumbled bread (moistened in water)

1 cup granulated sugar

3 eggs, separated

juice of 1 large lemon

2 tbs butter

3 tbs sugar

On top of double boiler mix wet bread, sugar, egg yolks, lemon juice and butter. Cook until thick, stirring occasionally. Pour into baked crust. Top with meringue made with the egg whites and 3 tablespoons sugar. Bake in 350-degree oven for 15-20 minutes, until browned.

L

ovina Eicher lives in rural Michigan with her husband and eight children. Readers with questions for Lovina can send them to: Oasis Newsfeatures, P.O. Box 2144, Middletown, OH 45042.