Wanda E. Brunstetter - Schools Out!

2007 by Wanda E. Brunstetter

ISBN: 978-1-59789-233-9

eBook Editions:
Adobe Digital Edition (.epub) 978-1-62836-184-1
Kindle and MobiPocket Edition 978-1-62836-185-8

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without written permission of the publisher.

Churches and other noncommercial interests may reproduce portions of this book without the express written permission of Barbour Publishing, provided that the text does not exceed 500 words or 5 percent of the entire book, whichever is less, and that the text is not material quoted from another publisher. When reproducing text from this book, include the following credit line: From RachelYoder: Schools Out! published by Barbour Publishing, Inc. Used by permission.

All Pennsylvania Dutch words are taken from the Revised Pennsylvania GermanDictionary found in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Scripture taken from the H OLY B IBLE, N EW I NTERNATIONAL V ERSION. N IV.

Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Cover artist: Richard Hoit

For more information about Wanda E. Brunstetter, please access the authors Web site at the following Internet address:
www.wandabrunstetter.com

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the authors imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental.

Published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 719, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683, www.barbourbooks.com

Our mission is to publish and distribute inspirational products offering exceptional value and biblical encouragement to the masses.

Printed in the United States of America.
Dickinson Press; Grand Rapids, MI; January 2011; D10002670

To my son, Richard Jr., who had his share of fun with lightning bugs when he was a boy.

And to my grandchildren: Richelle, Philip, and Ric, who, like Rachel Yoder, enjoy doing many fun things on their mini-farm.

Other books by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Childrens Fiction

Rachel YoderAlways Trouble Somewhere Series

The Wisdom of Solomon

Adult Fiction

Sisters of Holmes County Series

Brides of Webster County Series

Daughters of Lancaster County Series

Brides of Lancaster County Series

White Christmas Pie

Nonfiction

Wanda E. Brunstetters Amish Friends Cookbook

The Simple Life

achoh

aldigirlfriend

baremlichterrible

benselsilly child

bletschingspanking

blickingshelling

bopplibaby

bruderbrother

busslikitten

busslinkittens

butzemannscarecrow

daadihausgrandfathers house

daeddad

dankithank you

dummdumb

dunnerthunder

flehfleas

galgediebscoundrel

gretzichcrabby

gutgood

jahyes

kappcap

kinnerchildren

kischblichsilly

kotzevomit

lecherlichridiculous

mammmom

mausmouse

naerfichnervous

rutschichsquirming

schnellquickly

schweschdersister

verhuddeltconfused

wedderleechlightning

wunderbaarwonderful

T he Amish are a group of people who, due to their religious beliefs, live a plain life without the use of many modern tools. Early Amish people lived in Europe, but many came to America in the 1700s so they could worship freely. More than 150,000 Amish now live in the United States and Canada.

The Old Order Amish wear plain clothes, much like the American pioneers used to wear. Because they believe electricity is too modern, they use kerosene, propane gas, coal, diesel fuel, and wood for heating their homes, cooking, and running their machinery and appliances. Telephones are not allowed inside their houses, but some Amish have phones in their shops, barns, or sheds outside the home. Most Amish use a horse and buggy for transportation, but they ride in cars with hired drivers to take longer trips and go places where they cant drive their buggies.

At one time, most Amish men farmed for a living, but now many work as blacksmiths, harness makers, carpenters, painters, and in other trades. Some Amish women earn money by selling eggs, fruits and vegetables, or handmade items such as dolls and quilts. Others work in gift shops, bakeries, or restaurants.

Many Amish children attend a one-room schoolhouse from grades one to eight. Once they leave school, they spend time learning a trade so they can get a job and earn money to support themselves and their families.

Most Amish do not hold their worship services in a church building. They have church every other week, and its held in the home, shop, or barn of different church members. In order to keep their religious beliefs, the Amish have chosen to live separate, plain lives.

B oom!

Rachel Yoder shivered when the thunder clapped. She didnt like storms, and she especially didnt want one this evening. She was tempted to bite off the end of a fingernail like she often did when she felt nervous, but she caught herself in time. Nail biting could make you sick if your hands were dirty, and it was a bad habit she needed to break. Her mom often said so.

Rachel poked her head through the flap at the back of her familys dark gray Amish buggy and was glad to see that it wasnt raining. Maybe the storm would pass them and be on its way. Today was Friday, and this evenings picnic was her familys way to celebrate the last day of the school year. She didnt want anything to spoil their fun.

A horn honked from behind, and Pap guided their horse to the side of the road. Rachel peeked out the flap again, this time sticking her head out so she could get a good look at the fancy cars going by. Woosh! A gust of wind came up as she leaned out to wave at a shiny blue convertible. Zip! Rachel gasped as the white kapp she wore on her head sailed into the air and landed near the edge of the road.