Thursday, November 1, 2018

Gathering of Sisters: A year with my Old Order Mennonite Family by Darla Weaver

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ABOUT THE BOOK

Once a week Darla Weaver bundles her children into the buggy, hitches up her spirited mare, and drives six miles to the farm where she grew up. There she gathers with her four sisters and their children for a day with their mother. In Gathering of Sisters, Weaver writes about her horse-and-buggy Mennonite family and the weekly women's gatherings that keep them connected. On warm days, the children play and fish and build houses of hay in the barn. In the winter, everyone stays close to the woodstove, with puzzles and games and crocheting. No matter the weather, the Tuesday get-togethers of this Old Order Mennonite family keep them grounded and centered in their love for God and for each other.

The rest of the week is full of laundry, and errands, and work that never ends. But Tuesdays are about being sisters, daughters, and mothers.

Hear straight from Amish and Mennonite people themselves as they write about their daily lives and deeply rooted faith in the Plainspoken series from Herald Press. Each book includes "A Day in the Life of the Author" and the author's answers to FAQs about the Amish and Mennonites.


MY REVIEW


I did like this book. I enjoyed being a part of a big family. Something I very much missed out on since I was an only child. I loved how Darla's big family made time for the family each week. Amish and Mennonites are know for this. I wished everyone including Englishers would make time for their families. Otherwise, why have them!! 

My family doesn't like that I took Tv away from them. I don't even have internet anymore either. Mainly because we can't afford either. On weekends is when I like to spend whatever time I have with my family. We work such odd hours. 

I especially loved that the author mentions that her horse has it's good days and bad days. They have feelings just like we do. It shows that she treats the horse as a member of the family much like we do our dogs and cats or whatever pet we have. 

My dad is one of the lucky ones who came from a big family. 
There were 8 in his family. I didn't get to know them very well because dad moved us to Kentucky. Which being an only child I thought that was the worst mistake he ever made. I didn't like it. 
I wanted to be a part of that big family. I"m almost a 100 percent Mom didn't like it either.  
My son is 5th generation of only children on my side of the family.  My husband's family isn't very big either. 

I laughed at some of the antics of the children. Especially the boys! Shame on them for doing mean stuff to the girls. 
This reminds of when we were kids and would go outside and play all day and sometimes not bothering to check in with our parents except to tell them where we are going. I sure do miss those days.
I also liked how the story was told in 1st person. My very favorite genre. I like 1st person because I feel like I am that person telling the story. I relate much better to the characters that way. 
I will go back and buy this book when I"m financially stable and reread it again.   
Thank you for a wonderful reminder of my childhood days and a great story!! 

I wish the Englishers  would take some lessons about living in the world and not of it. I think we'd all be better off.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and  no compensations were received. All opinions are my own. 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darla Weaver is a homemaker, gardener, writer, and Old Order Mennonite living in the hills of southern Ohio. Her first book, Many Lighted Windows, was published in 2016, and she has written for Family Life, Ladies Journal, Young Companion, and other magazines for Amish and Old Order Mennonite groups. Before her three children were born she also taught school. Her hobbies are gardening and writing.
 

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