As always, I’m grateful for my loving family, including my mother, Lola Goebelbecker; my husband, Joe; and my sons, Zac and Matt.
I’m also grateful for my special Amish friend who patiently answers my endless stream of questions. You’re a blessing in my life.
Thank you to my wonderful church family at Morning Star Lutheran in Matthews, North Carolina, for your encouragement, prayers, love, and friendship. You all mean so much to my family and me.
Thank you to Zac Weikal and the fabulous members of my Bakery Bunch! I’m so grateful for your friendship and your excitement about my books. You all are awesome!
To my agent, Natasha Kern—I can’t thank you enough for your guidance, advice, and friendship. You are a tremendous blessing in my life.
Thank you to my amazing editor, Jocelyn Bailey, for your friendship and guidance. I’m grateful to each and every person at HarperCollins Christian Publishing who helped make this book a reality.
I’m also grateful to editor Jean Bloom, who helped me polish and refine the story. Jean, you are a master at connecting the dots and filling in the gaps. I’m so happy we can continue to work together!
Thank you most of all to God—for giving me the inspiration and the words to glorify you. I’m grateful and humbled that you’ve chosen this path for me.
Thank you to my editors, Becky Monds and Jean Bloom, for their suggestions, edits, and support. A big thank you to my agent, Natasha Kern, who is always there for me.
This book is dedicated to my students—both present and past. I’ve had the pleasure of being an educator for twenty-two years in a variety of settings (public school, private universities, public colleges), and in each of those I’ve been amazed at the energy, optimism, and work ethic of my students. They inspire me in so many ways, and it’s a pleasure to teach them the fundamentals of both reading and writing.
I’d like to thank Heather and Eric for allowing me to use their sweet Labrador, Chloe, in this story. As is always the case, I want to thank my pre-readers; Kristy and Janet have been with me for so many years that I’ve lost count. Writing and publishing a book is definitely a team effort, and I appreciate every single person who helps me in that endeavor. My family is also a constant source of encouragement; plus they bring me things like coffee and pizza to sustain me throughout the process. Thank you also to my agent, Steve Laube; my editor, Kimberly Carlton; and the staff at HarperCollins Christian Publishing.
Christmas among the Amish is very different from what most of us experience. Minus the trappings of elaborate gift-giving and holiday travel, they have maintained the simplicity and poignancy of this special season—celebrating the birth of the Christ child. My hope is that this story will remind you, dear reader, of the same.
And finally, “. . . always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 5:20