County Seat Newspaper
of Clare County

The Amish Cook Strawberry Pie

Posted

THE AMISH COOK BY GLORIA YODER

A week ago, we were all thrilled to have a newborn added to the Raber family; Jenson Kade was born to my younger sister, Faith, and her husband. There is nothing quite like that newborn preciousness of a brand-new breath, ready to grow into his or her own unique self. My far-away sister from South Dakota had come for a period of six weeks with plans to have a home birth at their rental home in Illinois. We were delighted to have this rare opportunity to spend time with Jenson during his first several weeks of life. 

Yesterday brought on another whole new set of excitement. Brother Javin and his wife were getting ready to have their twin boys. The names were kept a secret (though we had given them oodles of suggestions to ‘help’ them along).

 Now, it was just a matter of waiting out the wait. Javin’s wife had done amazing throughout all the discomforts of carrying twins, and now the time was getting super close.

Yesterday morning, I explained to the children that I would need all of their help for the day ahead. I explained to them that what they do for others, they are actually doing for Jesus. They listened, intrigued with the idea of doing something of value. I went on to explain how, when I was a girl, I would at times have jobs at home which I did not enjoy while others would get to do more fun things, but in essence, we were all serving by being where we’re meant to be.

While I had their attention I went on to explain that I would need their help to do some projects around the house and flow with their big sister Julia while I would go to Washington, Indiana with Javin and Regina where their babies would be born. They seemed to catch on to the idea of doing what they could. By 10:45 I was off. Jesse had joined Grandpa at their little country store while the rest of the children worked on the list that Hosanna and I had gotten ready for them.

I prayed as we cruised down the highway. There was so much to trust God for… children at home, twins on the way, and high blood pressure for the expectant mama to work with.

An hour later, Mom and I were walking in the hospital. How thankful I was to have Mom with me.

It didn’t take us long to find the correct room where Javins had just settled in. Ah, it was so good to see them there.

Hours passed as we waited on a plan of moving forward. Toward evening, the doctor came and gave his orders. My mind drifted this way and that, a number of years ago there was another birth at a hospital where Daniel’s nephew, Israel, was born; this precious little baby lived for two hours as we held him, crying, yet marveling over God’s hand in it all.

Now in Regina’s room there were also reminders of the nurses and doctors who so diligently tried their best to nurse my husband back to life, but it was not to be. Then there was my precious daughter who was born at this very hospital a number of years ago, long before I actually knew of her existence. How I would have loved to turn back the clock of time and see her as a newborn. As she said before I left for the hospital yesterday morning, “Maybe I was even born in the same room!?” I will forever be thankful to the God who created her, it does not matter how or to whom we were born, God made us family. Surely the miracle of adoption is not cheap or less than the best!

Now today we are waiting for these two little boys to be born. It was like the hand of God Himself was there through every step and every dimension.

 At 9:04 and 9:09 they were born safe and sound, crying their sweetest newborn cry. I used to wonder if there’s anything like that first cry of the baby that has been waited on for months on end; well yes, there is! Two treasured souls equal double the joy, double love, and double bonding.

No, it’s not like my own, but it is rich, and it is precious. Jotham Daniel was born first, weighing 7 lb. and 3 oz, followed by Jordan Daniel, tipping the scales at 6 lb. and 5 oz. Jordan soon showed an issue with his breathing. The nurse kindly explained to us that she will need to take him to help him breathe. I watched in anguish as this dear little body tried to breath laboriously. In my heart I knew he would be okay, still it was hard to not see him stay with his mama. Javin and I stood by his warming bed and prayed for him. I sensed God telling me that it is important that we remain at peace, even for the baby’s sake.

Soon he was moved to the nursery where they put him on oxygen for the next couple of hours. We loved him as we placed our hands on him, sang to him, and told him he can soon go to his mama. It was especially touching to see my mom with him. For her it brought back memories of when Javin, who is her oldest, would not breath right away and had to be transferred to another hospital.

Little Jordan responded amazingly to the oxygen and by midnight he was reunited with his mother and newborn brother.

The night that followed was one I will treasure in the days, or even years to come. I was in my glory caring for these two bundles.  Once when Javin awoke from his spot on the sofa to check on things, he declared, “You’re just playing doll!”

That was about it. "Yes, but this is so much better, it is for real!!" I told him. And so, the night passed as we shuffled one baby, then the next, to Mama, then back again, changing, burping, then starting all over again.

STRAWBERRY PIE

 1 unbaked pastry shell (9 inches)

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 teas. salt

1 teas. lemon juice

1/4 cup clear jel*

1 1/2 cup water

1 package (3 ounces) strawberry gelatin

2 cups sliced fresh strawberries

  1. Line pastry shell with a double thickness of heavy-duty foil.
  2. Bake at 450° for 8 minutes.
  3. Remove foil; bake 5 minutes longer.
  4. Cool on a wire rack.
  5. In a saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch and water until smooth.
  6. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
  7. Remove from the heat; stir in gelatin until dissolved.
  8. Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes or until slightly cooled.
  9. Gently stir in sliced strawberries. Refrigerate until set. 

10.Garnish with cool whip or serve with ice cream.

*Cornstarch may be used, but will result in a more cloudy look.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here