If I could, I’d invite you into my house. Though distance might prevent you from coming, you can still drop into my home and visit my world. When you come, you’ll learn about my family, my interests, my life, my world, and my God.
-Gert

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Blog | Marriage and Family

Every Team Needs a Third Base Coach

outfield to third base coach “You will never be able to run again,” Dr. Sparks told Dave.  “Oh, but I have to run,” Dave replied. “You don’t understand. I’m an outfielder!” Dr. Sparks leaned in to Dave, put his hand on his shoulder, and said, “Every team needs a third base coach.” Dr. Sparks was right….

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Our Prenuptials

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Not a hill to die on. Dave and I didn’t have a written prenuptial contract, but we did have a few things that mattered to both of us. We talked about those and have kept…
Read More Our Prenuptials

Buy My Books

Second Batch Recipes

My favorite recipes are now in a cookbook. The book Second Batch Recipes is a collection of 200+ favorite recipes of my sisters and me. Printed in December 2017, you can purchase it through Carlisle Printing. Just click here.

Southside Glimmers

Southside Glimmers is a compilation of some articles printed in other magazines, but mostly from  a column  – Glimmers from Gert’s Gazebo – in a community-interest magazine from 1999-2003.  Fifty-five stories/columns make this a nice coffee-table book as well as a special gift for women, and especially for moms.  The book  also includes the following:   29 color photos; 36 black and white photos; 6 cookie recipes; subject index.

A Place for Ruth

A Place for Ruth

The true story of Ruth Reimer Yoder who, with her mother and siblings, became a Denmark refugee for three and a half years. The Reimers were a Mennonite family and Pappa served in Hitlers’ SS during World War II.  For over a year, the family did not know if Pappa was dead or alive. This is the remarkable story of the faithfulness of God in the life of Ruth and her family.  Published April 2019. For more information or to order this book, visit Masthof Press at this link: https://www.masthof.com/products/a-place-for-ruth

Aren’t We Having Fun Dying?! 

 Orpha Slabach was my mother-in-law, my mentor, and my friend.  One day just a few weeks before she Arrived in Heaven, I asked permission to tell her story.  I was surprised that she didn’t resist, but I suppose she knew this question was coming and had thought it through. She gave me permission with several requests.  I have honored her requests, the most important one being that her Savior Jesus Christ would be honored.  Each chapter title, as well as the book title, is a direct quote from Mom during the last six weeks of her life.  Mom was 63 when she died of cancer.  She entered Heaven in 1992, and this book was first published in 2005.   She was one feisty lady, and I miss her still.