Beloved Reader,

As I sit near a roaring fire in the quiet of early morning to write this, I look back on the past year and think of all the challenges and blessings it held. Perhaps you’ve done a bit of that as well. As we continue our journey through life and soon turn a corner into a new year, I pray we will take the time to truly celebrate the beauty and power of all God went through to bring us the most unfathomable gift ever: His Son.

Christmas is a perfect time for recalling everything He is to us—Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, and the beginning of every good thing that ever has or ever will happen to us and our loved ones.

Out of His humble beginnings, Jesus gave us the power to overcome our greatest enemies—even when that enemy is ourselves. Emmanuel came to show us who God really is and then die for us, all so that we could have the greatest gift of all: God in us.

Merry Christmas!

Cindy

Itinerary

Book News

Christmas Connection

Contests

Recipes

Cindy's Itinerary

My publisher is planning a book signing that will take place in March, and I’m very excited about it. It’s for my next book release, Plain Wisdom: An Invitation into an Amish Home and the Hearts of Two Women. I’ll be signing books with my coauthor, Miriam Flaud. Information about future book signings will be in the next newsletter as well as posted on Facebook and on my Web site.

Book News

Two friends from different worlds—one Old Order Amish, one Englischer—share the truths that bring them together. (Nonfiction) To read excerpts, go here.

With poignant recollections, unexpected insights, and humorous tales, the two women welcome you into their unique friendship. You’ll also gain a rare glimpse into the traditions and ways of the Amish as Miriam recalls special occasions and shares family recipes throughout the book.

Plain Wisdom is a heartwarming celebration of God, womanhood, and the search for beauty that unites us all. So grab your cup and your quilt and settle in for a soul-comforting read with Plain Wisdom.

“A treasure chest, for sure… The wisdom in these stories is time-tested and true—plain and simple.”
—Karen Kingsbury, New York Times best-selling author of Unlocked and Shades of Blue

“A fascinating comparison between two starkly different ways of life.”
—Donald B. Kraybill, author of The Riddle of Amish Culture

“A beautiful weaving of the lives of two very different women drawn together through their bond of faith and love of family. Their intertwining stories offer both timeless wisdom and sincere encouragement to inspire all women to learn from one another’s experiences. You will enjoy their honesty, their humor, and their life lessons as well as some of their delicious recipes! Cindy and Miriam bring us back to the place where our hearts long to go—a place of simplicity and truth.”
—Karol Ladd, author of The Power of a Positive Woman

“Plain Wisdom provides a beautiful glimpse into the lives of my longtime friend Cindy Woodsmall and her Amish friend Miriam Flaud. Though separated by the modern world and Old Order Amish customs, they have a living faith that bonds them and invites us to embrace our experiences with greater hope, delight, and laughter.”
—Dr. Alan Weatherly, senior pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church, Madison, Alabama

“Cindy Woodsmall and Miriam Flaud have the unique ability to marry two very different lifestyles in a masterful way by focusing on their similarities in faith and in daily life. Their chapters are easily digested in short pages designed for busy women—be they Amish or English. I loved savoring the wisdom in this book as well as the mouth-watering recipes. Written with the true insight of women who have been there, Plain Wisdom is a serious guide to life that doesn’t take itself too seriously…and offers something for every woman.”
—Ellie Kay, author of The 60-Minute Money Workout

Available from:

Christmas Connection

The Best Christmas Presents

A few weeks ago I was asked to share a favorite Christmas memory. It seems to me that every Christmas has its own special moments that make it the most treasured, much like I can tell you reasons why each of my children is my “favorite.”

But the Christmas that began the tradition of having a very God-connected moment was my first one as a Christian. I’d come to Christ in March of that year, and on Christmas Eve, I sat in my living room by myself. My husband and our newborn lay in their respective beds, sound asleep. The home was quiet and only a nightlight took the edge off the darkened home. Our Christmas tree was void of lights, so I’d plugged in the nightlight behind it to give it a glow.

I began talking to God, sharing with Him my desire to live a life pleasing to Him, and I yielded any selfish hopes or dreams to Him. I expressed a desire that if I had any gifts or talents, I wanted to use them in whatever way He wanted. And if I had a desire for anything that wasn’t His desire, I wanted to give it up.

A sense of peace and assurance of His love flooded my heart, and I knew that as insignificant as my life on this planet was, it mattered to Him, and together we could navigate every blessing, hardship, and temptation that would come my way.

That was almost thirty years ago, and every Christmas since I’ve had a moment where I’ve felt the power of who He is and received the assurance that we’re on this journey together—truly it is a journey of togetherness that He provided for through the birth of Christ.

Jesus was willing to yield every blessing, hardship, and temptation to His purpose, and making that a part of our thinking during the holidays makes every Christmas a treasured one.

From Amanda Flaud (an Old Order Amish friend, age 14)

The week before Christmas, snow fell outside, and the windows creaked and groaned from the wind. Inside, the fireplace shed a warm glow across the floor and set to shimmering the shiny wrapping paper on the many gifts stacked beside me. I had just finished wrapping the last one and added a small green bow.

As I looked at all the packages, my eye caught a middle-sized one wrapped in blue paper. Mom had wrapped it, and I knew it was for me. Suddenly I could hardly wait for Christmas! I eagerly anticipated the day when my whole family would get together to exchange gifts, sing holiday songs, and enjoy family fellowship.

Clasping my hands in front of me, I envisioned my siblings’ smiling faces as they peeled back the last of the paper, revealing their gifts inside. Excitement surged through me at the thought of my own blue box.

Then I thought about Christmas being Jesus’s birthday. There I was, surrounded by packages, bags, and boxes full of beautiful and useful items, but none were addressed to Him. I bowed my head and breathed, What can I give You for Christmas, Lord? In a whisper as quiet as the falling snow, I heard Him say, Your heart. (Excerpt from Plain Wisdom)

Contests

For this newsletter contest, two people will have a chance to win an autographed copy (signed by Miriam and me) of Plain Wisdom: An Invitation into an Amish Home and the Hearts of Two Women. The contest will run until a few days before our March 2011 newsletter is sent out.

Here’s how to enter. (Please follow these steps carefully to prevent your entry from being disqualified.)

Send a blank e-mail. (I won’t open them, so don’t send a message.)
Place the words “Newsletter Contest” in the subject line.
Send to cindy@cindywoodsmall.com.
Only one entry per person/e-mail address, please.

This contest is open to residents of the continental United States and Canada.

The contest began on August 31, 2010. It ends December 31 at midnight. So the good news is you still have a chance to win a FABULOUS trip for two to Amish Country! For more information go here.

* * * *

2010 Amish-Made Quilt Contest

Each year some of my Old Order Amish friends have a school sale/auction on their property. The money earned through this event goes to benefit their community’s school. The aromas, sights, and sounds of an Amish school sale are part of the authentic Amish culture captured in The Hope of Refuge.

Below is an image of the quilt I purchased to be given away for my 2010 Amish-Made Quilt Contest. To enter, go to http://www.cindywoodsmall.com/contest.php. The rules are on the website.

This contest will close January 1, 2011. A winner will be notified on or near January 15, 2011. The winner will be announced as soon as she or he responds to the notification.

I love offering this Amish-made Quilt Contest each year, and I hope you’ll join in the fun!

Recipes from the Esh Family Cookbook

Christmas Whoopie Pies
Submitted by Mrs. Kathryn Beiler (Michael)

Mix the following:

2 Duncan Hines devil’s food (chocolate) cake mixes
4 eggs
⅔ cup vegetable oil

Batter will be stiff. Drop by teaspoonful onto ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten slightly. Bake at 350° for 8–10 minutes.

Icing

Beat together:

1 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese
½ cup butter
3–4 cups powdered sugar (more if needed)
½ tsp. vanilla

Divide icing into two separate bowls; mix red food coloring with one half and green food coloring with the other half. Take one cookie and place a generous tablespoon of filling on the flat side. Top with another cookie; they should look like yo-yos.

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