by Kayla Kennada
A Weekend of Food, Fellowship & Faith
We all know that food, travel, and fellowship are at the top of our list when planning a getaway. This year’s trip to Amish Country delivered on all fronts. From home-cooked spreads to horseback trails and heartfelt teaching, it was a weekend none of us will forget.
A Feast Fit for Amish Country
Our culinary adventure began Friday evening with a generous spread courtesy of Mark Yoder and Anna Mae Miller, who treated us to homemade pulled pork, baked beans, brown butter noodles, and Amish bread with peanut butter spread. Deb Knapp, Martha Shetler, and I rounded out the table with an array of desserts and snacks.
Saturday morning brought biscuits and sausage gravy, scrambled eggs, bacon, and grits. It was a breakfast that was an absolute hit. After a full day of shopping and horseback riding, Mrs. Yoder’s Amish buffet restaurant was the perfect spot for supper. Sunday morning, Karla Rowland joined me as sous chef and together we whipped up pancakes, sausage patties, and grits, alongside leftovers Mark and I had prepared the day before. There was certainly no shortage of food the entire weekend!
Shopping in Berlin
The charming shops of Berlin, Ohio did not disappoint. Unique cheese shops overflowed with specialty finds you simply can’t come across outside of Holmes County. We wandered in and out of several Amish storefronts, picking up a few treasures here and there. Then we stumbled upon a pretzel dog shop where they craft each one to order right before your eyes. They were absolutely delicious and kept us satisfied until supper.
Horseback Riding at Skyview Ranch
Nine of us saddled up at Skyview Ranch for a trail ride through winding hills and a babbling creek. The morning’s rain had threatened to cancel our adventure, but a prayer of authority over the elements brought us a gloriously sunny afternoon. God is so good, all the time.
My horse, however, had his own agenda. Rather than following the group, he chose his own path — a steeper, more spirited route that had me gripping the reins and offering up a prayer or two! The guide assured me it was fine to let him lead, though that was little comfort as he trotted and pranced instead of walking calmly. In hindsight, I did mention at the start that I wanted a more interesting ride than last year, and he delivered! All of us agreed: riding through that beautiful nature trail was an experience we were deeply grateful for.
Games, Laughter & New Friends
Elsie Mae Yoder invited groups of young people from her spiritual coaching classes to join us at the house, and it was a joy to meet them. The evening was filled with laughter and friendly competition as we played Mafia, 4 Up–4 Down, Dutch Blitz, and Spades. The Mafia finale had a twist ending for the ages: only two players remained — Aaron Chandler the doctor and Mark the mafia. In an unprecedented standoff, Mark chose to take Aaron out while Aaron saved himself, resulting in a tie. A first for our group, and a moment we’ll be talking about for years.
The fast-paced Dutch Blitz never disappoints! Pastor Chad Joyner, a first-time player, and I were paired up as a team. While we may not have cracked the top three out of four teams (a generous way of saying we came in last), we had an absolute blast. Dr. Johnnie Blount had us doubled over with laughter as his Spades debut was one for the books. It was truly a “you had to be there” moment that no retelling could do justice. And as always, 4 Up – 4 Down, proved to be a crowd favorite.
The Highlight: Truth That Sets You Free
The highlight of the weekend was undoubtedly hearing Pastor Chad Joyner teach. His message was both grounding and liberating: truth is not merely a concept. Truth is a person, and His name is Jesus. Only the truth you know can set you free.
One of my most powerful takeaways? You don’t have to keep asking God for forgiveness every time you sin. We have been forgiven of all unrighteousness, completely and fully. This means we no longer need to be sin-conscious. When our minds dwell on sin, it draws us toward it; but when we fix our eyes on righteousness, we walk in freedom. We are free from the burden of sin. All that’s needed is a heart of gratitude for His grace.
Until Next Year!
I want to thank everyone who made this getaway so special. Your presence was both a joy and a gift. I cherished every moment with each of you. Let’s do it all again next year!
Register Today For the 17th Annual Be The Word Leadership Conference!
Registration is now open for the 17th Annual Be The Word Leadership Conference held July 16-19th in Wallace and Wilmington, North Carolina. Our theme for 2026 is Revelation Brings Elevation. Join us and elevate your leadership skills and spiritual growth!
Itinerary, registration and more information here: https://givebutter.com/Leader2026
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