Joanna's Struggle (Amish Girls Series - Book 1)
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About this ebook
Joanna Fisher is a typical Amish girl. She attends a one-room schoolhouse with her siblings in Paradise, Pennsylvania. She loves riding her horse, chorin' with her family, and spending time with her best friend, Chloe. But when something unexpected happens at a nearby mud sale, Joanna finds her perfect world turned upside down. Could one event change Joanna's life forever?
Christian Teen Fiction
Jennifer (J.E.B.) Spredemann
USA Today Bestselling Author Jennifer (J.E.B.) Spredemann seeks to pen compelling stories that captivate readers and bring glory to GOD. She has penned over forty Amish fiction titles in her “cant-put-down” writing style. She resides in Indiana Amish Country with her family on a former Amish farm where the documentary Breaking the Silence was filmed. "...Spredemann weaves a thread of love and intrigue into a quilt of faith and values." - reader reviewGrab a FREE story when you join my newsletter! Go here: https://www.jenniferspredemann.com/ABOUT MY BOOKS...It seems like every series I've written has been unique:AMISH GIRLS SERIES: (co-authored with my daughters) is a fun series set in Pennsylvania and is geared for teens (although many of my older readers have said they thoroughly enjoyed it!) (8 books + 2 tie-ins)AMISH BY ACCIDENT TRILOGY: Amish by Accident was originally a stand-alone book (my first book released!) It was SO different (that was my crazy imagination kicking in), I was unsure how readers would respond (or if anyone would even read it, LOL). And then the reviews started coming in! As of today, the book has 700+ Amazon reviews with a 4.5 STAR average! PRAISE THE LORD!!! I ended up writing a sequel and a prequel, thus the trilogy. :) (3 books)AMISH SECRETS SERIES: Oh, boy! This series tackles some pretty intense topics that you likely won't read about in your mainstream Amish fiction books. The first book in this series, An Unforgivable Secret is currently FREE in ebook. This was another one that I was unsure how it would resound with readers. It currently has 1900+ Amazon ratings and reviews with a 4.5 STAR average! GOD IS GOOD! (7 books)AMISH FAIRY TALES: (originally "FAIRLY" TALES, on purpose, but not everybody "gets" my twist on words) Basically, loose retellings of Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast, Amish-style (2 books, #3 on the backburner)KING FAMILY SAGA : the Bible stories of Isaac & Rebekah; Jacob, Rachel, & Leah; Joseph; Ruth; and David loosely told in an Amish context. (5 books so far)AMISH COUNTRY BRIDES: Sweet faith-filled romances set in Indiana (12 books)STAND-ALONE STORIES: Her Amish Identity (previously known as Love Impossible), An Unexpected Christmas Gift (Unlikely Singing loosely ties into this sweet love story)UNLIKELY SERIES: Unlikely Santa (An Amish Christmas Story), its sequel Unlikely Sweethearts, Unlikely Singing, and Unlikely Season - LOVED writing this series.AMISH COLLABORATIONS: Amish Christmas Miracles Collection (2020), More Amish Christmas Miracles (2021), Amish Spring Romance (2022)Coming 2023 (Lord willing!): AMISH COURTSHIP SERIESA Forbidden Amish CourtshipA Widower's Amish CourtshipTBA
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Joanna's Struggle (Amish Girls Series - Book 1) - Jennifer (J.E.B.) Spredemann
Joanna’s Struggle
Amish Girls Series – Book 1
J.E.B. Spredemann
Smashwords Edition
Copyright © 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, et.al. by J.E.B. Spredemann
All incidents and characters in this book are completely fictional and derived by the authors’ imaginations. Any resemblance to actual incidents and persons living or dead are purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this work/book may be copied, transmitted, or stored in any form or by any means, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without prior written consent from the author/publisher.
Disclaimer: The herbal information in this book was derived by the author’s (J.S.) education and experience as a Nutritional Herbologist, but is written for fictional and informational use only. No herbal information in this book is, in any way, meant as a prescription or medical advice. This information has not been approved by the FDA, AMA, or any other government agency. It is your constitutional right to prescribe for yourself, if you choose to do so. The author assumes no responsibility for the treatments in this book, if you should choose to implement them. Therefore, the government requires the recommendation that you see your health care provider if you have any medical concerns/issues.
Published in California/Indiana by Blessed Publishing.
http://www.jebspredemann.com
All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible, are not subject to copyright laws, and may be freely copied and/or quoted.
Cover design by J.E.B. Spredemann.
Table of Contents
Books By J.E.B. Spredemann
Authors’ Note
Unofficial Glossary of Pennsylvania Dutch Words
Characters in Joanna’s Struggle
Chapter 1 – Mud Sale
Chapter 2 – Where’s Joanna?
Chapter 3 – An Answer to Prayer
Chapter 4 - Visiting
Chapter 5 – Back to School
Chapter 6 – The New Job
Chapter 7 – A New Friend
Chapter 8 – Honey
Chapter 9 – The Crash
Chapter 10 – The Challenge
Chapter 11 – The Unthinkable
Chapter 12 - Courage
Chapter 13 – Freedom
Danika’s Journey
BOOKS BY J.E.B. SPREDEMANN
AMISH GIRLS SERIES
Joanna’s Struggle
Danika’s Journey
Chloe’s Revelation
Susanna’s Surprise
Annie’s Decision
Abigail’s Triumph
Brooke’s Quest
Leah’s Legacy
NOVELLAS
Amish by Accident
An Unforgivable Secret (Amish Secrets – Book 1)
A Secret Encounter (Amish Secrets – Book 2)
Learning to Love - Saul’s Story
NOVELETTES
Cindy’s Story (Amish Fairly Tales)
To our family…
Without your love and support, this dream would have never become a reality.
Authors’ Note
It should be noted that the Amish people and their communities differ one from another. There are, in fact, no two Amish communities that are exactly alike. It is this premise on which this book is written. We have taken cautious steps to assure the authenticity of Amish practices and customs. Both Old Order Amish and New Order Amish are portrayed in this work of fiction and may be inconsistent with some Amish communities.
We, as Englischers, can learn a lot from the Plain People and their simple way of life. Their hard work, close-knit family life, and concern for others are to be applauded. As the Lord wills, may this special culture continue to be respected and remain so for many centuries to come, and may the light of God’s salvation reach their hearts.
Unofficial Glossary of Pennsylvania Dutch Words
Ach – Oh
Aldi – Girlfriend
Ausbund – Amish hymn book
Bloobier – Blueberry
Boppli – Baby
Bopplin – Babies
Bruder – Brother
Dat, Daed – Dad
Dawdi – Grandfather
Denki – Thanks
Der Herr - The Lord
Dochder – Daughter
Dokter – Doctor
Dummkopp – Dummy
Englischer – A non-Amish person
Ferhoodled – Mixed up, Crazy
Fraa – Woman, Wife
Gott – God
Gut – Good
Gross Dawdi – Great Grandfather
Haus – House
Hullo – Hello
Jah – Yes
Kapp – Prayer Covering
Kinner – Children
Kumm – Come
Lieb – Love
Liede – Song
Mamm – Mom
Mammi – Grandmother
Mein Liewe – My Dear
Mudder – Mother
Nee – No
Ordnung – Rules of the Amish Community
Rumspringa – Running around years
Schweschder – Sister
Vadder – Father
Vorsinger – Song Leader
Wunderbaar – Wonderful
Characters in Joanna’s Struggle
The Fisher Family
Joanna Fisher – Main character
John Fisher – Joanna’s grandfather
Miriam Fisher – Joanna’s grandmother
Gideon Fisher – Joanna’s dad
Esther Fisher – Joanna’s mom
Isaac Fisher – Joanna’s older brother
Grace Fisher – Joanna’s older sister
Jonathan Fisher – Joanna’s younger brother
The Esh Family
Chloe Esh – Joanna’s best friend
Daniel Esh – Chloe’s grandfather
Peter Esh – Chloe’s dad
Mary Esh – Chloe’s mom
Rachel Esh – Chloe’s older sister
Stephen Esh – Chloe’s younger brother
Abigail Esh – Chloe’s younger sister
Ruthie Esh – Chloe’s younger sister
The Hostettler Family
Judah Hostettler – the bishop
Lydia Hostettler – the bishop’s wife
Nathan Hostettler – the bishop’s son
The Yoder Family
Deacon Yoder – the deacon
Sarah Yoder – deacon’s wife
Ruth Yoder – deacon’s daughter
Eli Yoder – deacon’s son
Annie Yoder – deacon’s daughter
Other
Naomi Fast – a driver for the Amish
Katie Fast – Naomi’s daughter
Philip King – the herb doctor
Chapter 1 – Mud Sale
"Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help."
Psalm 22:11
Eleven-year-old Joanna Fisher bounded into the barn calling, "Jonathan. Jonathan. Mamm said to…OW! she cried, as a clod of dirt pelted her arm. From the haymow she heard muffled giggles and impatiently yelled,
Jonathan Fisher, you dummkopp. I’m gonna get you for that. Mamm will not be happy when she sees that you’ve gotten my dress dirty again. Especially since, she added, attempting to wipe the debris from her burgundy cape dress,
we’re going to the auction. Mamm said you need to get ready now."
From behind a haystack she heard a gasp and then a sandy colored head popped up. The mud sale?
seven-year-old Jonathan exclaimed, climbing down the ladder and darting out of the barn like a bolt of lightning.
Her anger subsided, Joanna giggled softly to herself. For sure and for certain Jonathan is excited about attending the mud sale.
She sighed deeply and adjusted her prayer kapp, a few of her honey brown tresses escaping the tight bun behind her head. Lord, I’m trying to love my little brother, but sometimes he makes it difficult, Joanna complained silently to God. She’d been taught in her Amish heritage not just to love her family and friends, but to love her enemies as well. That certainly was not the easiest thing to do.
On this beautiful Saturday morning, the sun shone brightly through the sparse poplar trees that lined the Fishers’ property. They’d just had a church service, or Sunday Go-To-Meeting, as they called it, last week. There would be no meeting this week because they were only held every other Sunday. Joanna loved to attend the services, although sometimes she had trouble staying awake. She didn’t feel bad though, because sometimes she would see several of the older folks nod off too, and occasionally they even snored until they were nudged by the person sitting next to them.
Three hours was a long time for anyone to sit through preaching, let alone a girl Joanna’s age. Her brother Jonathan had an awfully difficult time staying in his seat. One time, unbeknownst to their folks, he made his way up to the front where Bishop Hostettler was preaching. As the bishop delivered his message, Jonathan followed behind him, mimicking his every move. No one reprimanded him for his actions as he performed his silly antics. Joanna attributed their folks’ passiveness to the fact that they were probably too dismayed to do anything at the time. And, of course, nobody wanted to interrupt the bishop’s message. When the bishop noticed the