Joanna's Struggle (Amish Girls Series--Book 1) Read online

  Joanna’s Struggle

  Amish Girls Series – Book 1

  J.E.B. Spredemann

  Smashwords Edition

  Copyright © 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, et.al. by J.E.B. Spredemann

  All incidents and characters in this book are completely fictional and derived by the authors’ imaginations. Any resemblance to actual incidents and persons living or dead are purely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this work/book may be copied, transmitted, or stored in any form or by any means, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without prior written consent from the author/publisher.

  Disclaimer: The herbal information in this book was derived by the author’s (J.S.) education and experience as a Nutritional Herbologist, but is written for fictional and informational use only. No herbal information in this book is, in any way, meant as a prescription or medical advice. This information has not been approved by the FDA, AMA, or any other government agency. It is your constitutional right to prescribe for yourself, if you choose to do so. The author assumes no responsibility for the treatments in this book, if you should choose to implement them. Therefore, the government requires the recommendation that you see your health care provider if you have any medical concerns/issues.

  Published in California/Indiana by Blessed Publishing.

  http://www.jebspredemann.com

  All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible, are not subject to copyright laws, and may be freely copied and/or quoted.

  Cover design by J.E.B. Spredemann.

  Table of Contents

  Books By J.E.B. Spredemann

  Authors’ Note

  Unofficial Glossary of Pennsylvania Dutch Words

  Characters in Joanna’s Struggle

  Chapter 1 – Mud Sale

  Chapter 2 – Where’s Joanna?

  Chapter 3 – An Answer to Prayer

  Chapter 4 - Visiting

  Chapter 5 – Back to School

  Chapter 6 – The New Job

  Chapter 7 – A New Friend

  Chapter 8 – Honey

  Chapter 9 – The Crash

  Chapter 10 – The Challenge

  Chapter 11 – The Unthinkable

  Chapter 12 - Courage

  Chapter 13 – Freedom

  Danika’s Journey

  BOOKS BY J.E.B. SPREDEMANN

  AMISH GIRLS SERIES

  Joanna’s Struggle

  Danika’s Journey

  Chloe’s Revelation

  Susanna’s Surprise

  Annie’s Decision

  Abigail’s Triumph

  Brooke’s Quest

  Leah’s Legacy

  NOVELLAS

  Amish by Accident

  An Unforgivable Secret (Amish Secrets – Book 1)

  A Secret Encounter (Amish Secrets – Book 2)

  Learning to Love - Saul’s Story

  NOVELETTES

  Cindy’s Story (Amish Fairly Tales)

  To our family…

  Without your love and support, this dream would have never become a reality.

  Authors’ Note

  It should be noted that the Amish people and their communities differ one from another. There are, in fact, no two Amish communities that are exactly alike. It is this premise on which this book is written. We have taken cautious steps to assure the authenticity of Amish practices and customs. Both Old Order Amish and New Order Amish are portrayed in this work of fiction and may be inconsistent with some Amish communities.

  We, as Englischers, can learn a lot from the Plain People and their simple way of life. Their hard work, close-knit family life, and concern for others are to be applauded. As the Lord wills, may this special culture continue to be respected and remain so for many centuries to come, and may the light of God’s salvation reach their hearts.

  Unofficial Glossary of Pennsylvania Dutch Words

  Ach – Oh

  Aldi – Girlfriend

  Ausbund – Amish hymn book

  Bloobier – Blueberry

  Boppli – Baby

  Bopplin – Babies

  Bruder – Brother

  Dat, Daed – Dad

  Dawdi – Grandfather

  Denki – Thanks

  Der Herr - The Lord

  Dochder – Daughter

  Dokter – Doctor

  Dummkopp – Dummy

  Englischer – A non-Amish person

  Ferhoodled – Mixed up, Crazy

  Fraa – Woman, Wife

  Gott – God

  Gut – Good

  Gross Dawdi – Great Grandfather

  Haus – House

  Hullo – Hello

  Jah – Yes

  Kapp – Prayer Covering

  Kinner – Children

  Kumm – Come

  Lieb – Love

  Liede – Song

  Mamm – Mom

  Mammi – Grandmother

  Mein Liewe – My Dear

  Mudder – Mother

  Nee – No

  Ordnung – Rules of the Amish Community

  Rumspringa – Running around years

  Schweschder – Sister

  Vadder – Father

  Vorsinger – Song Leader

  Wunderbaar – Wonderful

  Characters in Joanna’s Struggle

  The Fisher Family

  Joanna Fisher – Main character

  John Fisher – Joanna’s grandfather

  Miriam Fisher – Joanna’s grandmother

  Gideon Fisher – Joanna’s dad

  Esther Fisher – Joanna’s mom

  Isaac Fisher – Joanna’s older brother

  Grace Fisher – Joanna’s older sister

  Jonathan Fisher – Joanna’s younger brother

  The Esh Family

  Chloe Esh – Joanna’s best friend

  Daniel Esh – Chloe’s grandfather

  Peter Esh – Chloe’s dad

  Mary Esh – Chloe’s mom

  Rachel Esh – Chloe’s older sister

  Stephen Esh – Chloe’s younger brother

  Abigail Esh – Chloe’s younger sister

  Ruthie Esh – Chloe’s younger sister

  The Hostettler Family

  Judah Hostettler – the bishop

  Lydia Hostettler – the bishop’s wife

  Nathan Hostettler – the bishop’s son

  The Yoder Family

  Deacon Yoder – the deacon

  Sarah Yoder – deacon’s wife

  Ruth Yoder – deacon’s daughter

  Eli Yoder – deacon’s son

  Annie Yoder – deacon’s daughter

  Other

  Naomi Fast – a driver for the Amish

  Katie Fast – Naomi’s daughter

  Philip King – the herb doctor

  Chapter 1 – Mud Sale

  “Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.”

  Psalm 22:11

  Eleven-year-old Joanna Fisher bounded into the barn calling, “Jonathan. Jonathan. Mamm said to…OW!” she cried, as a clod of dirt pelted her arm. From the haymow she heard muffled giggles and impatiently yelled, “Jonathan Fisher, you dummkopp. I’m gonna get you for that. Mamm will not be happy when she sees that you’ve gotten my dress dirty again. Especially since,” she added, attempting to wipe the debris from her burgundy cape dress, “we’re going to the auction. Mamm said you need to get ready now.”

  From behind a haystack she heard a gasp and then a sandy colored head popped up. “The mud sale?” seven-year-old Jonathan exclaimed, climbing down the ladder and darting out of the barn like a bolt of lightn
ing.

  Her anger subsided, Joanna giggled softly to herself. “For sure and for certain Jonathan is excited about attending the mud sale.”

  She sighed deeply and adjusted her prayer kapp, a few of her honey brown tresses escaping the tight bun behind her head. Lord, I’m trying to love my little brother, but sometimes he makes it difficult, Joanna complained silently to God. She’d been taught in her Amish heritage not just to love her family and friends, but to love her enemies as well. That certainly was not the easiest thing to do.

  On this beautiful Saturday morning, the sun shone brightly through the sparse poplar trees that lined the Fishers’ property. They’d just had a church service, or Sunday Go-To-Meeting, as they called it, last week. There would be no meeting this week because they were only held every other Sunday. Joanna loved to attend the services, although sometimes she had trouble staying awake. She didn’t feel bad though, because sometimes she would see several of the older folks nod off too, and occasionally they even snored until they were nudged by the person sitting next to them.

  Three hours was a long time for anyone to sit through preaching, let alone a girl Joanna’s age. Her brother Jonathan had an awfully difficult time staying in his seat. One time, unbeknownst to their folks, he made his way up to the front where Bishop Hostettler was preaching. As the bishop delivered his message, Jonathan followed behind him, mimicking his every move. No one reprimanded him for his actions as he performed his silly antics. Joanna attributed their folks’ passiveness to the fact that they were probably too dismayed to do anything at the time. And, of course, nobody wanted to interrupt the bishop’s message. When the bishop noticed the amused faces of his flock and that the eyes of his congregation were focusing on something other than him, he turned around to see what was stealing their attention. He then offered to let Jonathan speak, commenting that perhaps the boy had a future in preaching. Sheepishly, Jonathan declined and Joanna never saw him ascend the platform again.

  The ministers preached from the Luther Bible, which was in High German, so Joanna could only understand bits and pieces of the sermon. (Most Amish only spoke Pennsylvania Dutch, which had some words similar to German, and English.) She was looking forward to this Sunday when they would rest and visit with friends and family.

  Joanna skipped out of the barn and accidentally collided into her father Gideon, who was leading their beautiful auburn horse. “Careful, Joanna, you almost bumped into Cinnamon here.”

  “Sorry, Dat. I wasn’t looking where I was go–”

  “‘Tis all right,” her dad interrupted, patting her hand, “now go help your Mamm. We will leave soon.” Joanna hurried to the house.

  “Joanna, we could use your help getting the sandwiches ready to take to the mud sale,” her thirteen-year-old sister Grace requested. “And fill up the thermos with hot coffee.” Joanna did as told, and then placed the items into their large picnic basket.

  “Mamm,” Joanna inquired of her mother, “are ya takin’ anything to sell today?”

  “Jah, denki for reminding me. I need to go down to the cellar to get some more jellies and jams. It’s a gut thing that the Lord blessed us with extra fruit and vegetables last harvest,” her mother answered.

  When everything was finally ready, all six members of the Fisher family loaded the buggy and headed for the mud sale. Joanna could barely contain her excitement. She couldn’t wait to see her best friend Chloe. The two girls enjoyed perusing the many booths almost as much as being in one another’s company.

  Maybe now would be a good time to ask, thought Joanna.

  “Dat, Mamm,” she said, hesitating, “do you mind if I get an after-school job so I can earn some extra money?”

  “Do you think you’ll have any spare time, with all your chores and what not?” her mother queried, sending a pointed look that didn’t reassure Joanna.

  “I can do my chores as soon as I get home from school, and I’ll have some extra time during the summer after the harvest is over. I have been doing a good job with my chores, ain’t?” Joanna hoped they’d agree.

  Her dad answered, “Well, you have done your chores diligently…Just what kind of work did ya have in mind to do, Joanna?”

  “Oh, I’m not sure just yet.” Joanna thought. “Maybe I can help take care of a boppli, or do some housework for one of our Englischer neighbors like Ruth Yoder does.” She hoped mentioning the deacon’s daughter would help her plight.

  “We’ll talk about this later. Right now your vadder and I need to discuss the auction,” her mom replied, turning back to the front, indicating the discussion was over.

  As her mother and father conversed, Joanna and her siblings sat quietly in the back seat of the buggy. Well, most of them did. Jonathan dug into his pocket with one of his grubby little hands and pulled out a tree frog. An imaginary battle ensued with the small green amphibian and Jonathan’s index finger. Mamm turned around several times in an attempt to shush the young boy, but her efforts were futile and she eventually allowed him to indulge in his merriment.

  Cinnamon trotted along at an even pace as they rode past farm houses, barns, silos, and pastures. The fresh scents of spring wafted through the air and Joanna breathed in deeply. Soon, I’ll be able to take off my shoes and run barefoot through the meadow, she mused. Oh, to feel the cool, soft, green blades of grass beneath my feet again after being in these miserable shoes all winter.

  Many Englischer cars impatiently passed their buggy on the road, some of them honking their horns. The fast, large metal contraptions were sometimes intimidating from the inside of a horse-drawn buggy, especially the huge semi-trucks that nearly blew them off the road. The Amish preferred a simpler, slower-paced lifestyle which, for the most part, Joanna agreed was better. Sure, the Plain People had to work harder than others but that was the life they had chosen. Separation from the world is what they called it, a lifestyle set-apart. The best part about it though, in Joanna’s opinion, was the closeness of their tightknit community. Their People loved and cared for one another and it was evident in every aspect of life.

  Joanna hummed softly as they came into the Ronks firehouse parking lot and up to one of the hitching posts. Several of the young Amish men often offered their help at the small volunteer fire department. Once, the firemen were called out to a fire at her uncle’s metal shop. One of the sparks shot out from the welder and ignited some hay nearby, instantly setting the shop ablaze. There were several Amish men working for the fire department that day, so news of the fire spread quickly. Not too long after the incident, the men of the community rallied together and built a new barn for her uncle in a single day.

  The familiar sights and sounds of the mud sale brought excitement, especially for the children. It had been a whole year since Joanna’s entire family last attended one, even though there were several throughout Lancaster County. They are called “mud sales” because they take place in the late winter and early spring when the frozen ground begins to thaw, sometimes turning the ground into mud. The money raised at the sales benefited the volunteer firehouse, to make sure they were supplied with the necessary equipment to serve their surrounding communities.

  “Come on, Joanna,” her brother Isaac called. “Stop your daydreaming and let’s go.”

  As Joanna stepped out of the buggy, her eyes scanned the crowd for any signs of Chloe. Her friend was nowhere to be seen. She must not be here yet, Joanna thought disappointedly.

  Her dad seemed to have read her thoughts and chuckled. “Don’t worry Joanna, she’ll be here soon. Let’s look around and see what they have for sale today. Keep an eye out for a gut saddle. We’ll need one for the mare that I plan on purchasing at the auction.”

  “Ach, really, Dat?” Joanna squealed. “How will we bring her home?”

  “I thought that Isaac would like to ride her back to Paradise,” Gideon replied. “She’ll need to get used to his touch, especially since she’ll be pulling his new courting buggy that we’re picking up from the Hostettlers’ nex
t week.”

  By the enthusiasm in his voice, Joanna perceived that her father was proud of her sixteen-year-old brother Isaac. He would be the first of the Fisher children to enter into adulthood and, hopefully, join the Amish church. Eventually, he’d be married and have bopplin too. Joanna smiled at the thought, although she had no idea whom her brother might be interested in courting.

  “There you are, Jo,” Chloe Esh called from the next table over which sold home baked goods. She quickly made her way through the crowd toward Joanna carrying a whoopie pie for each of them, passing Amish and Englisch alike. Children ran to and fro amidst the large crowd. “Can you believe all the people this year?”

  “It seems like every year there’re more Englischers, jah?” Joanna replied, as she gave her friend a quick hug and accepted the delicious treat.

  “Jah, and Plain folks, too,” Chloe mumbled around a bite. She eagerly pulled on Joanna’s arm. “Let’s go see the new pony cart Eli Yoder just bought. Maybe he’ll give us a ride in it.”

  “I want to look at the quilts too, but we can do that later. First, let me tell Dat where we’ll be,” Joanna spoke, and then turned to her father. “Chloe and I are going to walk around a bit, then meet up with her mamm. Remember, I’m riding home with the Eshes.”

  “Make sure you’re home for the evening meal,” her father reminded her, as he and her mother leisurely strolled to the next vendor’s table. “Have a gut time.”

  “My dat said to be lookin’ for a gut saddle,” Joanna informed Chloe as they turned to walk in the direction of the quilts. “He’s getting a new horse today to pull Isaac’s courtin’ buggy.”