A Visit to Shipshewana, Indiana

Back in early November my daughter-in-law, Samantha, called to check our calendar for December 4th.  She knew how much Jerry and I [and particularly Jerry] enjoy the music of the Collingsworth family, and she learned they were going to be in Shipshewana, Indiana on that date performing their Christmas concert.  She wanted to purchase concert tickets as Jerry's birthday present from their family.  Let me tell you, there was nothing that could have pleased him more!

I immediately called to make reservations at Essenhaus Inn as a tag-on to his birthday present. At that time COVID had begun to spike again and they told me the Inn was open but the restaurant was closed.  The outing seemed 'iffy', but as December 4th approached I called and was told everything was open again.  I was a little leery of a being in a large auditorium, but knew Jerry wouldn't miss it for anything.  The performing arts center said seating had been appropriately spaced for health and safety reasons, so we forged ahead with our plans.

Last Thursday, we left home around noon bound for Middlebury, Indiana [where Essenhaus Inn is located, six miles from Shipshewana].  We arrived around 3:30 p.m. and checked into our room.  Jerry and I have been to Shipshewana many times, but it's been awhile since we've stayed at the Inn.  It has expanded considerably.  When we used to stay there, the entrance is shown in the photo below.  This is Amish and Mennonite country, hence the the building's style and structure.

A very large addition has been built and there's a new, grander entrance now.  You can see the two new wings on each side of the entrance in the photo below.

After checking in, we went the short distance [on the same property] to the Essenhaus dining room for dinner.  In December, you never know what kind of weather you're going to encounter, but as you can see we had clear skies, and the temp was in the 40's.

We ordered their traditional family style chicken dinner, and it was delicious.  For dessert Jerry ordered their Dutch Apple pie and I got their yummy German Chocolate pie.  My taste buds were looking forward to it and weren't disappointed.  They serve Bigelow teas, and I opted for Constant Comment with my meal.

There are wonderful gift areas around the perimeter of the restaurant so Jerry and I did some Christmas shopping.  We think these 3 ft. snowman and snowwoman dressed in red buffalo plaid outfits are sure to please someone on our Christmas list.

And a couple of pairs of reindeer sock slippers to hold a gift of money for two of our granddarlings.

I couldn't resist the necklace in the photo below.  I didn't buy it Thursday night when we made our other purchases, but I thought about it all night long, so went back on Friday morning and bought it.  It's much prettier in person, and will go perfectly with some of my Christmas outfits.  Do you ever buy yourself a Christmas present?  ;-)

After our Thursday night dinner we went back to our room to enjoy a nice relaxing evening. All the shops closed at 6:00 so we didn't have much choice. ;-)  Below is Jerry standing in front of the first floor entrance to our room which was called, "Country Living."  For old times sake we opted to stay in the original building.

It's three stories high with an open concept where you can see all the way up to the third flood, and it was beautifully decorated for Christmas.

I walked up to the second floor to take a picture of the school house room in the center.

After our complimentary breakfast at the Inn [which was very good], we browsed around a few more shops before heading to Shipshewana.

You don't have to look far to know you're in Amish territory.  Their black horse-drawn buggies are everywhere.  The first photo below was taken on Thursday after our arrival and the second photo was taken on Friday morning.  They live such a simple life without all the material things that often detract us and keep us from being satisfied and happy.

Once we arrived in Shipshewana, we looked for the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center where the 1:00 o'clock concert was to be held.  [There was also an 8:00 p.m. concert that evening]. The 1,500 seat Performing Arts Center is new, opening on March 24th of this year.

The sign out front displaying a Collingsworth Family picture told us we were at the right place.

We drove into the parking lot and saw the two Collingsworth coaches.  Phil and Kim Collingsworth are the parents, and their four children [three of which are married] accompany them.  There's also three grandchildren, and five-year-old Emma frequently comes on stage for a song or two.  They are an incredibly talented family.  It's rare that every family member has a beautiful voice and is an accomplished musician.  Even though Kim wouldn't admit it, she is the 'star' of the family with her outstanding piano skills, and has won many awards. They primarily sing gospel music but they performed some secular pieces at their Christmas concert.   At Christmas 2019 they sang at The White House.  If you haven't heard them before, look them up on YouTube.  The trailer behind the coach carries Kim's baby grand piano that she affectionately calls, Lucy.

The auditorium doors didn't open up until noon, so we had some time to kill in a couple of the shops in Shipshewana.  The huge outdoor flea market closes down in October, so the town and shops weren't bustling with tourists and shoppers.  I love the shops in Shipshewana and really have to exercise restraint.  On this visit it was like a Christmas fairyland with all their displays and vignettes.  I photographed a few to share.

Then we headed back to the Performing Arts Center for the concert.  I couldn't resist taking a picture of Jerry in front of the shiny red pick-up truck in the foyer.

The Collingsworth booth was being set up to sell CD's and DVD's, books, sweatshirts and other memorabilia.  I already had their family cookbook, but Jerry bought me Kim's new memoir that was just released this month.  She said the months of COVID quarantine gave her the time she needed to write the book.

Kim credits the Lord for giving her the gift of being a pianist extraordinaire.  I read the first three chapters on our drive home, but had to stop when it got too dark to read.  Don't you hate it being pitch-black at 5:30 in the afternoon?

The stage all set up and ready for the Collingsworths to come out.

A photo during their spectacular two hour performance.

I loved all the songs they sang and Kim played, but you could sense the invisible presence of the Lord in the auditorium when His Biblical names were honored in the song, "I Call Him Lord." He truly does 'inhabit the praises of His people'. [Psalm 22:3]  They ended the concert with the Hallelujah Chorus which, of course, brought everyone to their feet.

I know this is a lengthy post but I just have to share the lyrics to the song written by Mark Lowry.  Perhaps you can enjoy it vicariously or listen to it on YouTube.

Master, Redeemer, Savior of the world.

Wonderful, Counselor, Bright Morning Star.

Lily of the Valley, Provider, and Friend,

He was yesterday, He'll be tomorrow, Beginning and End.

But the angel called Him Jesus, born of a virgin.

Mary called Him Jesus, but I call Him Lord.

Jehovah, Messiah, Mighty God and King.

Bread of Life, He is the lasting word of the love that I sing.

Light in darkness, Door to Heaven, my home in the sky,

The Fountain of Living Water that never shall run dry.

But the angel called Him, Jesus, born of a virgin.

Mary called Him Jesus, but I call Him Lord.

As we exited the Performance Center, the Collingsworth family portrait was displayed wishing us all a Merry Christmas.

It was truly the best possible way to usher in the Christmas Season for Jerry and me.