My Amazing Trip. Plus Love Idea #1!

Hey Everyone!

I'm going to give you a brief (okay long) recap of my trip to Pennsylvania (Amish Country), St. Louis and Ohio. But first, this is one of my favorite weeks of the year. It's the week of LOVE and I LOVE it! Last year I showed some decorating ideas around my house. This year I'm going to share with you some of my favorite things--gifts, treats, sayings--all having to do with the big Valentine's Day.

Okay--so I'm always looking for the perfect gift for my sweetheart. I was in Ohio visiting family when two of my nieces told me about a book that's sweeping the nation. It's called "The Love Dare"--a 40-day challenge for husbands and wives to understand and practice unconditional love. It's based around the movie "Fireproof." So--I went and bought the movie (never have seen it) and the book "The Love Dare" and can hardly wait to give them to Steve this Sunday. What a perfect gift for the two of us.

For example, day two challenges each of you to do at least one unexpected gesture as an act of kindness. You then have a place to report your findings. Day nine has you think of a specific way you'd like to greet your spouse that day (it has to be with a smile and enthusiam).

This just seems like one of the neatest gifts you can do together. I highly recommend this book.

My trip to Amish Country was so amazing. If you ever want to go on a girl's trip, here are some of the things you should see and do (contact me if you want more information).

This is Rebecca and Sam Riehl. They are old-order Amish and their parents are good friends of mine. (The children can be in photos if they aren't baptized.) They invited us over for an Amish meal (the brown-butter noodles are my favorite!). The Riehl's have a quilt/gift shop behind their house and they love visitors. You can also check out their big red barn and see first hand the milking process. Go here for more information. Tell them Lisa Bearnson sent you! (Sorry about the not-so-good quality of photos. I took Collin's new Christmas camera and am not impressed with the results. I think it will have to go back to Costco. Thank goodness for their wondeful return policy.)

Another favorite place to visit is the Old Candle Barn in Intercourse (yes--there really is a city named this!). Missy Hurst is the owner of this wonderful gift shop and she also happens to be a good friend of mine. Tell her I sent you and she just might give you a tour of the candle-making process! It is located next to Kitchen Kettle Village--another favorite place!

You MUST stay at the King's Homestead bed and breakfast. We actually rented the cottage right next door and it was simply one of the nicest places I've ever stayed in. And--right across the street is the coolest gift shop AND scrapbook store. They are owned by this sweet lady, Miriam King, and her husband, Les.

Miriam took us to her Mennonite/Amish church in Bird in Hand. I loved the feeling there. Really a once in a life-time experience. (Visitors are welcome. The main service starts at 10:00 a.m.)

My friends and I also ate the best Italian food at this sweet gal's house. I met Therese Givens (fourth from the left) through scrapbooking and she's become a wonderful friend! By the way, the gal on the left, Jennifer Beckstrand, is a friend from high school and is in the middle of writing a Christian Amish romance novel! I took her to Lancaster to do some research. Make sure you look for her book this summer. Annette Mortensen is next to her, and my pal, Ann Hewlett (third from the right), is the girl who set my hubby and I up over 20 years ago!

I also have a dear Amish friend who cooks and serves an authentic Amish meal in her home. Let me know if you're going out that way and I'll send you her information.

There are so many other things I could tell you about my trip, but these are some of the highlights of Lancaster.

Next I went to St. Louis to be with Annette Mortensen and her family for several days. We decided to take a quick trip up to Ohio to see family members. While I was there, my niece convinced me to go to a Zumba (Latin aerobic class) at the YMCA in the small town of New Bremen. There were 20 people in the class including the instructor, my niece and me. Little did I know that the class was filled with mostly scrapbookers (not on purpose). One by one, gals were asking me at random times during the class "Are you the scrapbook lady?" or "Are you Lisa B.?" The kicker happened when I was leaving. Two ladies came running up to me and asked if I was Becky Higgins!

Okay--the really funny thing happened a few hours later. This cute lady found out I was in town and where I was staying and came by to say hi. (In a round about way she knows my nieces!) She brought her children plus two of her friends children to meet me (along with a Creating Keepsakes magazine for me to sign)!

A little while later, she brought her sister in law over. I love meeting new people and was so honored they came by to say hi.

What a FUN day! Who would have know there were so many scrapbookers in that part of Ohio. Cara, Heather (both pictured above) and my niece Chiara are thinking of putting on a charity crop in Minster or New Bremen probably next fall. For sure I'd have to go! Drop me a note if you're interested in coming (it's about an hour from Dayton) and I'll keep you posted on the details.

I also hooked up with these dear friends--Virginia and Jim Laudenbacher from Zanesville. Their daughter was a good scrapbooking friend of mine and tragically passed away a year and a half ago. They have become second parents to me. I simply adore them. (Virginia made my necklace out of church bulletins!)

Annette, Megan (Annette's daughter) and I stayed with Rachel Heaton in Air Force housing in Dayton. She was the perfect host and is a great little scrapbooker.

I also was able to have lunch with my friend, Michael Lazorchak, and his aunt, Palanita, and the local Marion, Illinois scrapbook store owner, Judy.

Michael presented me with a belated birthday gift--framed scrapbook pages with photos from our recent cruise. This is one talented guy. Love his style! Thanks, Michael.

Sorry for the long post but I just didn't know what to cut out. I'll be back tomorrow with another LOVE idea.

Until then, be warm and safe.

Sincerely,

Lisa

P.S. We were able to talk to Kade this morning (at 6:00 a.m. to be exact!). Missionaries are allowed to call from the airport on their way to their assigned destination. He's so happy and loves being a missionary. His foot hurts and the cast is a pain but he's surviving. It was so great to hear his voice. He's in Raleigh, North Carolina tonight safe and sound!