Looking for a Christmas Gift with Hutterite Flavour?

It's a gorgeous day here in Manitoba; by this time we usually have snow. But today we have clear skies, bright sunshine and the temperature sitting at a lovely 12 ̊ C. And I'm thinking Christmas...

...all because, someone reminded me that Hutterite Diaries would make a unique Christmas gift. Needless to say, I agreed.  So, I'm not waiting for temperatures to drop and snow to fly to write this post. If you're wondering why this gift would be unique, here's the reason: there are not that many books around that were written by Hutterites.

On that note, if you happen to have someone on your list who'd appreciate a gift with Hutterite flavour, why not Hutterite Diaries? Perhaps you have a Hutterite friend who you'd like to surprise with this book -- I know there are many who've never heard about it, and would most likely be thrilled for a chance to read it. If you choose to use this as a gift idea this Christmas, then there's another reason it's a good idea to post this now -- you'll need time to order it from places like Amazon and Menno Media, if that' show you prefer to shop. Hutterite Diaries is on sale (30% off) right now at Herald Press.

But I'm sure there are many stores across Canada and in the US where you could get Hutterite Diaries. If your favourite bookstore doesn't have it, just ask, they may wish to order it. Most of the time they're happy to hear about new books. (Bookstores get a 40% discount when they order five or more copies from Menno Media.). Just a few days ago I heard about a bookstore in Saskatchewan, Canada who will be carrying the book soon. It's located at the Hodgeville Hutterite Colony. Other places in Manitoba and Saskatchewan that stock my book are:

• McNally Robinson in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

• Hutterian Brethren Book Centre, MacGregor, MB

• James Valley Book Centre, Elie, MB 

• Heritage Books and Gift Shoppe, Portage, MB

• Portage and District Art Centre, Gift Shop, MB 

Some of you may be close enough, so you could come and pick up a signed copy at my home.

Feel free to share this post.

Here's a taste from the Hutterite Diaries Christmas chapter: 

We started Christmas concert practice in late November, and everybody was working diligently to learn their pieces. One grade-three boy in particular needed extra help with one word. In our German recitation of “The Four Candles,” Jonathan had a line from Romans 15:13 (KJV): Gott aber der Hoffnung erfülle euch mit aller Freude und Frieden im Glauben (Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing).

Jonathan struggled with articulation on a daily basis, and he simply could not remember the word Freude (“joy”). Instead, he always said Freunde (“friends”), which is understandable since the words are so similar. While God does indeed give us Freunde, we told him, in this verse it just wouldn’t make sense. Jonathan had no problem saying this particular word—Freude—in isolation. But when he said his line, he simply could never get it right. 

Teachers, parents, siblings, and fellow students tried to help him, but alas, nothing worked. On our last day of practice, I resigned myself to the fact that he would never get it. I just hoped the audience would be able to figure out the meaning of what he was saying.

On the night of our program, Jonathan was looking sharp, dressed in his Sunday best: pale green shirt and black pants. Standing on stage with the other students, he was beaming, as if he had not a care in the world. I was sitting in the front row of the audience in case the students needed prompts. I kept telling myself not to worry about Jonathan’s almost certain mix-up. His was the last line of the piece, and everybody else had done their parts well.

While I was still wondering whether it would help him if I mouthed the word, Jonathan eagerly started his verse. All of us who had worked with him held our breaths . . . and then sighed with relief when he said the word perfectly. His bright smile said it all; he was happier about this accomplishment than any of us!

Later, when we were reflecting on our Christmas program, Freude took on a whole new meaning for Jonathan and for all of us. I was reminded of God’s promise in Matthew 7:7: “Ask, and it will be given to you.” Jonathan was telling us how happy he was that he was finally able to say his piece flawlessly. When asked how he did it, he simply replied, “I asked God to whisper it in my ear, and he did.”

 

A Magical Memoir Moment from Shirley Showalter

While I'm excitedly waiting for the May release date of my book, Hutterite Diaries (Yes, in some ways it's also a little nerve-wracking. ) it's being promoted in various ways. Author and speaker, Shirley Showalter generously agreed to write an endorsement. She also sends out Magical Memoir Moments writing prompts to people who sign up for them. I love receiving them and can see how they will inspire some writing pieces for me.

Recently she offered to write a Hutterite flavoured MMM, and thus promote my book. I love what she did with the cute picture I sent her for this post and wanted to share it with you. Click on the MMM link above to see it.

Shirley has also published her own memoir, Blush with Herald Press. I've read and enjoyed this book and will post a review right here in the near future.

Thank you, Shirley, for endorsing my book and for helping to promote it!

Your latest Magical Memoir Moment is beautiful! Keep up the good work!

Books by Hutterite Authors

Some years ago the Hutterian Brethren Book Centre in Manitoba ventured into publishing children's books written and illustrated by Hutterites. It was an exciting time for us, as it meant our children would finally have books where they can relate to the stories and characters. In some cases they even know the authors and illustrators personally. Most of the books were English, one was German and some Hutterisch.

My book Lindas glücklicher Tag (Linda's Happy Day) was one of these books. My sister Sonia Maendel illustrated it. I recently read it to our kindergarten to grade two students and was reminded again how valuable these books are for Hutterite children. In this book, I wrote all dialogue in Hutterisch. Each time I read it to students, the excitement of hearing Hutterisch, seeing Hutterite characters and being able to relate to the colony setting, a place near and dear to them, is obvious. Seeing this reaction, coupled with the fact that I love to write, left me dreaming about writing more books. Not only for Hutterite children, but for anyone else interested in our way of life.

About a year ago Herald Press gave me the opportunity to realize this dream. They were working on a Plain Spoken series where Amish, Mennonite and Hutterite writers can share their stories. When their query letter reached me, via a friend in Alberta, they were looking for a Hutterite interested in writing a book with them.

I was intrigued and responded to the letter, introduced myself and asked if a collection of stories would be an option for a potential book. A week later an excited editor emailed me and asked to see some pieces I'd written. I sent her some and also told her about my blog. After a few days she called and told me, "Linda, with what you have on your blog, you already have a good start for a book. You have some excellent pieces there that readers would enjoy and learn from."

This sent me on an enjoyable and enriching experience; from deciding which stories I'll use in the book, to planning in what order they'll go, to writing, rewriting and editing. We decided on twenty two chapters or stories on a wide variety of topics; work, celebrations, family, heritage, history... all woven together by faith and community, giving readers a glimpse into our communal life. I'm hoping this book will help dispel some myths and assumptions people still have about Hutterites, and that it will inspire other Hutterites to pen and publish their stories. It's high time!

I learned a lot about the publishing process as well. For my first book I wasn't involved so much in that aspect. Working with a professional editor gave me the opportunity to grow as a writer - Valerie Weaver-Zercher, Herald Press editor was a joy to work with and an excellent teacher.

Although I thought I'd be intimidated with working towards a deadline, I really wasn't bothered by it at all – didn’t even think about it much. Choosing a picture for the front cover including some for some of the chapters was fun as well. Even the lengthy discussions on coming up with a title we could all agree, would be a good fit for the book, was a learning experience. I had no idea so much time, thought and effort go into putting the front cover together. Working on this project has really changed how I look at books - I have a whole new appreciation for all the work that goes on before a book goes to print.

I'm delighted to say Hutterite Diaries: Wisdom from My Prairie Community will be released this coming May. It is now available on Amazon for a special pre-order price. It can also be purchased directly from Herald Press.

Here are some other books written and illustrated by Hutterites, available at HB Book Centre or Amazon:

• Marty’s Adventure – Elma Maendel and Cynthia Stahl
• Marty’s Colour Adventure – Elma Maendel and Cynthia Stahl
• Playing Like Timothy – Johannes Waldner and Victor Kleinsasser
• Jewell Adventure – Gilbert Hofer and Victor Kleinsasser
• Es Lauft e Meisl – Karis Hofer
• Flowing Through the Seasons – Herman and Cynthia Stahl
• Hutterischa Bibl Tschichtlen – Linda Maendel
• My Hutterite Life – Lisa Marie Stahl
• Sarah’s Journey: the Story of a Hutterite Woman – Debbie P. Stahl