May 24—May 18 was daughter Lovina's 19th birthday. It is unbelievable at how fast time seems to go. She only has one more year of being a teenager. Her birthday was also on Ascension Day this year. This Amish community keeps this day as a holiday. We have a fast and prayer day until lunch time, so everyone will be home from work.

Daughter Elizabeth was explaining to her daughter Abigail, 6, that Ascension Day was the ascent of Jesus Christ into heaven on the fortieth day after his resurrection. She told her that the Amish children will stay home from school but the other children will still go to school. When her dad, Tim, came home from work, Abigail told him that she knows what Ascension Day is. She said it's when all the Amish children stay home from school and the rest still go. Children in their innocence can say the cutest things.

Church services on Sunday were held in the tent at niece Elizabeth and Manuel's house. In honor of Mother's Day, the mothers were all seated first for lunch except a few of us who were serving. After lunch the men washed the dishes so the women could sit and visit. This was quite funny, seeing how those men washed dishes. They were all joking about what they are planning for Father's Day. We will see what they come up with.

Yesterday was a work day at daughter Verena's house. Sisters Verena and Emma, nieces Elizabeth, Emma and Crystal (nephew Benjamin's wife), daughters Elizabeth, Loretta and Lovina, and I assisted with the work. Of course all the little children were there as well, except for the ones in school. Verena was so happy that all was so refreshed. With her handicap, it's hard for her to do some of those jobs. Now today I will wash her laundry when I wash mine.

Joe and I plan to attend the 5:30 p.m. wedding dinner of neighbor Paul and Regina. They will exchange vows on Ascension Day. We have wedding invitations from two neighbor girls as well, with their weddings being in June. Then also a wedding invitation from nephew Menno for a July wedding. Congratulations to all the couples—Paul and Regina, Mervin and Beth, Michael and Rose Ellen, and Menno and Diane. We wish you all God's blessings!

God bless you!

Strawberry Pizza

1 cup flour

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

8 ounces cream cheese

1/2 cup sugar

1 quart fresh strawberries, cut in half

Glaze:

1 cup berry juice (cook a few strawberries in enough water to make 1 cup juice)

4 tablespoons sugar

4 tablespoons clear jel

In a bowl, mix flour, powdered sugar, and butter as for pie crumbs. Spread evenly over 12- or 13-inch pizza pan. Press firmly. Bake at 325 degrees for 12 — 15 minutes. Let cool.

In a separate bowl, cream together cheese and 1/2 cup sugar. Spread over cooled crust. Let chill.

Arrange cut berries on cream cheese. Bring berry juice to a boil, then add the clear jel followed by the sugar. Boil until thickened and spread over berries.