The next in our series if stories: “Amish Paradise” is “Volume 3-Atonement”. It was by far the toughest one to write. Trying to get the right tone, finding the right voice for Jacob and Hannah during this time in their lives was vital to the story. My wife Sarah and I labored over this installment and may have even had a few words about what to include and what not to. Guess who usually won those arguments, not me. I deferred to Sarah on many occasions as she really got into the spirit and found what we think is the right tone, that happy middle ground for this. Here is a bit about what to expect in this installment and also our recipe for “Homemade Meatballs”. It is a doozey, and we hope that you enjoy it, modify it to your taste and have fun with it. Here you go, the synopsis for “Atonement”:

 Atonement, a simple word, one that has a very simple meaning, yet in many ways it is incredibly complex, difficult, and at times emotionally painful.

At its core it is a simple noun that means- “satisfaction or reparation for a wrong or injury; amends” or, “reconciliation; agreement” and if you are looking for a spiritual definition: “the doctrine concerning the reconciliation of God and humankind, especially as accomplished through the life, suffering, and death of Christ.”

The next steps my brother Jacob makes are very careful ones, as he is being helped and guided by Hannah through this reawaking and enlightenment. Jacob must come to grips with who and what he wants to be, the real Jacob, shedding the mistakes of the past and righting his way on the path to his and their future together.

Hannah takes the big lug by the hand again and not only shows him with her words but her deeds how one can make good for any injury caused, no matter how slight. Please join them in their journey as they continue to discover more about themselves and each other.

Also included in “Amish Paradise-Volume 3-Atonement” is a fantastic recipe for “Low and Slow Roast Beef & Carrots”.

Coming next in the “Amish Paradise” series at the end of April-“Volume 4-Giving”.   

About Sarah and Isaac Martin and “Amish Paradise” :

Hi! First off my wife Sarah and I wish to thank everyone that has purchased our stories thus far. We are both humbled, happy and amazed at the response. We fully intend to deliver the best stories we possibly can and also have some great recipes for you. To date there are two stories, “Volume 1-TheEpiphany” and “Volume 2- Forgiveness”, in the series we have started called “Amish Paradise”.

The name comes from where I lived, a bit of a play on words let us say. I grew up on a farm on Paradise Lane right off of Route 741 in what most people would call Lancaster, Pa. but really for those of us that got mail delivered there it is Ronks. The Strasburg Railroad is right down the street from us and the trains would go by our farm all day filled with kids of all ages wanting to experience the great steam engines and get a glimpse of the Amish life. People that enjoy railroads and train modeling are like that, kids no matter what age.

I often wondered while I was doing my chores what it would be like on the other side, what my life would and could be like as an outsider, not in Plain clothes. When I got my chance, I chose to stay out but have held onto many of the ideals and core beliefs my family instilled in me. It is part of who I am and what I choose to do. My wife Sarah is not from an Amish Family but once she met everybody she finally got to understand “me” and really got to see what helped make me tick. Where my thought process came from and where I got my work ethic.

The stories in our series are steeped in reality. I got permission from my little but bigger brother to fictionalize his life so he could be an example to others. Hoping that they will not make the mistakes he made, instead hoping they see that living with open eyes, mind and heart they will live a much fuller life and gain the grace and peace they seek with their Maker.   

Homemade Meatballs    

    1 pound ground beef- I also have used at times Ground Buffalo, Ostrich, or Turkey. They are all very low in fat.

    2 cloves garlic, minced

    2 eggs

    1 cup freshly grated Romano cheese I also incorporate a few others cheeses at times depending on my mood.

    1 1/2 tablespoons chopped Italian flat leaf parsley

    Salt and ground black pepper to taste

    2 cups crumbled stale Italian bread. -I prefer the plain bread crumbs and to add my own extra spices like basil and oregano

    1/2 to 1 cup lukewarm water or you can use milk. I prefer milk.

Directions

    This is the hard part:

Put everything in a large bowl, get your hands in there and mix it all up. Have some fun.

 Blend bread crumbs into meat mixture. Slowly add the water or the milk. The mixture should be very moist but still hold its shape if rolled into meatballs. Shape into meatballs.

Now size does vary. When my Wife Sarah makes them , they are like golf balls. When I make them they are like baseballs. I like the way they look on the fork.

I put them on a tray and cook them for a bit in the oven at 350 degrees, then add them to the sauce to finish off.

Fun and tasty.