Visiting Together, Heartland Style

Here in the Heartland, September has a way of keeping us on our toes. Just last week, cool breezes had everyone thinking about firewood, quilts, and the first frost. This week, the sun has returned in full, pushing the afternoons back into the 80s and giving the community a welcome stretch of nearly perfect weather. The Amish families here are making the most of it, tending to chores that prepare them for Winter while still enjoying the warmth that lingers in the air. It is a season of both readiness and gratitude.

With the holidays drawing closer, we are beginning a new series of newsletters that will explore the ways Amish families spend their leisure time and the importance they place on visiting. Over the next several weeks, we will share glimpses into the moments that bring them joy, connection, and rest. This week, we begin with one of the most cherished traditions of all: the joy of visiting.

In Amish life, visiting is not reserved for special occasions or penciled into a calendar weeks in advance. A Sunday afternoon might bring a knock at the door from family, neighbors, or church friends, sometimes without any notice at all. Visits often happen when there is a new baby to welcome, an illness to comfort, or simply a desire to share time together. During the Christmas season, these visits take on an extra sparkle, with homemade party mix, hand‑dipped candies, and other treats passed down through generations.

Hospitality is woven into the fabric of these gatherings. A company meal might be as hearty as meatloaf with creamed potatoes and salad, or as simple as a snack consisting of a bowl of fresh‑popped popcorn served alongside cold apple cider. Popcorn is a favorite for unexpected guests, quick to prepare, and easy to share. Children learn the art of hospitality early, helping to keep the woodbox full or bringing jars of canned goods up from the basement. These small acts teach them that welcoming others is as much about thoughtfulness as it is about food.

Conversation flows easily during visits, touching on family news, farming updates, matters of faith, and the latest happenings in the community. Sometimes, the talk turns to deeper matters, especially when the local support group stops by. These visits can be a lifeline, offering encouragement to someone who is grieving, ill, or feeling alone. There are moments when words are few and silence is shared, a quiet understanding that presence itself can be the greatest comfort. A gentle touch or a listening ear often speaks louder than anything else.

Young people bring their own energy to visiting. They might gather to talk, play games, make cards, or share music on a harmonica. When visits take them to relatives in other communities or states, the experience stretches into overnight stays, giving them a chance to live alongside another household and see life from a slightly different angle. These trips often become treasured memories, like the time two sisters, visiting from out of state, both began talking to their favorite Aunt at the same time, laughter spilling into the room.

Faith is never far from these moments. Visiting after church deepens bonds of fellowship, reinforcing the sense of kinship that is central to Amish life. It is a way of practicing beliefs through kindness, listening, and being fully present. As one saying goes, when a guest leaves, they might hear, "Your turn now," to which the host replies with a smile, "Cranks go by turns." It is a lighthearted reminder that hospitality is a shared blessing.

Stories from Our Amish Basket Weavers

Here are a few happenings the families dedicated to weaving the beautiful baskets featured on AmishBaskets.com have shared with us this week.

The Mast Family

Last week was "dentist day" for the Mast family, an annual tradition they have turned into a full outing. Every Fall, they schedule all their checkups and cleanings on the same day, hire a driver, and make the trip together. Once the appointments are done, they head to a favorite thrift store where the children hunt for small treasures and the adults browse for bargains. This year's trip included a lighthearted moment when a missing slice of pizza was discovered folded into a van seat after a frantic search. A couple of follow‑up visits for cavities are on the calendar, but the day was filled with laughter and togetherness.

The Yoder Family

Around the Yoder family's campfire last week, the girls unveiled a creative twist on the classic s'more. Using a cast‑iron sandwich griller, they spread peanut butter on a tortilla, added cream cheese, a few squares of chocolate, and a handful of marshmallows. The tortilla edges were folded in, and the packet was roasted until the chocolate and marshmallow melted into a gooey delight. They had prepared a few indoors before heading outside, so the fire was ready and waiting. The result was a warm, sweet treat that had everyone asking for seconds and might just become a new family favorite.

The Gingerich Family

Two members of the Gingerich family traveled out of state this week to attend the funeral of a teenage son of a former community member. A 50‑passenger bus was hired to carry friends and neighbors, beginning pickups at 4:00 AM. Passengers gathered at several meeting points in the early morning darkness, sharing quiet conversation on the long ride. The young man's passing was the result of a tragic accident while trying to remove a skunk from an irrigation pipe that came into contact with a high-line wire. The journey was a somber one, but it reflected the deep bonds of support that hold the Amish community together in times of loss.

"The time to relax is when you don't have time for it."

— Amish Wisdom