Everyone seems busy these days, and the Amish are no exception. Yet, despite their busyness, they still take the time to connect with family. Many Amish parents live close to their children and grandchildren, but some live quite a distance away. In my novel, “The Struggle,” Hannah’s mother had a difficult time accepting the fact that her daughter was moving to another state. I can relate to that a bit, because my own daughter lives in another state. However, when we’re unable to visit in person, we stay in touch through phone calls, emails and texting.

When I’m on the road during a book signing tour, I miss the family members who lives close to us, but it’s nice to know that when we return they’ll be there to welcome us home.

Does your family live close to you, or are they far away? What are some ways you deal with the separation, and how do you stay in touch?

In my novel, The Half-Stiched Amish Quilting Club, the people who came to take Emma Yoder’s quilting class were as different as night and day. At first, those differences bothered the characters, and in fact, some were even irritated by the way the other would-be quilters looked, acted, or spoke. But in the end, everyone in Emma’s class learned to accept the others, despite their differences, and some even became good friends.

My husband and I spend as much time as possible with our Amish friends. And even though we dress differently, speak a different language, and live a different lifestyle, we have found common ground and enjoy being with each other. A few days ago we visited the Rolling Ridge Animal Farm in Holmes County, OH, with two of our Amish friends. We had so much fun, laughing, visiting, and feeding the animals on our wagon ride.

We have learned that we don’t have to be the same in order to have a friendship with those who are different from us. We just have to accept them for the way they are and look for things that can bind us together in love and friendship.

Do you know someone who’s different from you, and yet you’ve become good friends? In what ways have you developed your friendship and made it stronger?

My husband and I recently returned from a trip to Indiana, where we saw the Half-Stitched musical, based on my novel, The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club. We attended the play five times, and during each performance I noticed something different that I hadn’t seen before. Sometimes, in our busyness we forget to notice the things going on around us. When we get so busy “doing” it’s easy to miss something special right in front of us.

The other night I stepped outside to get something when it was just getting dusk. Had I not taken the time to look up, I would have missed a gorgeous sunset. Today, as I was sitting at my computer, I glanced out my office window and caught sight of a bird taking a bath in the upper level of our small pond. It was fun and relaxing to take a few minutes out and watch the bird splash around in the water. And because I did, I felt renewed when I returned to work.

Today I’m reminded of a verse in Ecclesiastes 3:11: “God hath made every thing beautiful in his time.” I just need to remember to take time out to see it.