The Amish Cook: Homemade Chocolate Whoopie Pies

Recently, we chatted a bit about the Amish way of life and covered some interesting questions some of you have had. Rita, from Lehman PA, also remarked how children are a gift from God and that it stands out to her that we can care for them while a loving home is not the story in all foster homes. Now, if you know me, you know that not only roses grow at our house, we are blessed with thorns too. I say blessed, because without them I know I’d become very self-centered, or perhaps I should say more self-centered. Rita, you asked how I manage without losing my temper. Guess what? I am human too. I get tested; there are times I find myself not dealing as patiently with our precious little ones as I aimed to. Time and again, I find myself going to the Lord and repenting, then going to my little ones, hugging them, and telling them that Mama is sorry for not being gentle. Gulp. That’s honestly been hard for me to do. But then a friend pointed out to me that by apologizing to my children, I’m having the opportunity of setting an example for them to say, “I’m sorry simply.” It has been so richly rewarding for me to watch the two-yearolds hugging each other and witnessing their sweet, “I’m sorry” and, “I forgive you.” Toddlers have such a way of making things look so easy to forgive and then happily move on.