What inspired you to start?

Jolene Z:

It all began one autumn day when a group of ladies were together… we were discussing upcoming Christmas gifts for our children’s teachers, and I also asked for creative ideas for my parents’ upcoming 70th birthdays. We all agreed that special people deserve special recognition, but as busy moms sometimes we just have a hard time stirring any creative ideas up. I sighed and said, “There really should be a book for that!”

Jolene B:

A few evenings later, I stood in the shower savoring a few quiet moments alone. My mind went back to Jolene Zimmerman’s statement. I pondered for a while what would all be involved in putting a book together. “Surely, a book like this would be quite simple! It would just be a small one. Think how many people have authored books…surely just compiling one would be easy. And we could make it attractive by using my hobby of photography!” The more I thought about it, the more excited I became.

Next day I shared my brainstorms with Jolene Zimmerman. “Hey, if you decide to compile a book, I will gladly help you and I would love to do the photography!” Our husbands jumped right on board as well! It sounded pretty simple to them…they didn’t think it would involve them very much, so why not!

Jolene Z:

I kept a notepad handy and every time I thought of ideas I would scribble them down. We put our 2 ideas together and sent out a survey via mail, email, Ladies Journal advertisement, and word of mouth at the beginning of January 2023. The first deadline we put for the surveys was March 2023. But the surveys kept coming and we kept pushing the deadline off. What fun to open the mailbox or email inbox with inspirational ideas!

Jolene B:

I don’t know how many women we were hoping to get a response from. I do know this….we were overwhelmed by the 200 women who did respond and wrote to us!

When we started, we had a mental idea of the finished product. We envisioned a small soft-cover book in the cute little size of 6x6. A book small enough that mothers could hold and easily read while nursing their baby. It didn’t take long for us to realize as the letters and emails started arriving by the dozens that our cute little book would have to grow….and grow!

We researched computer programs to figure out the best way to type up and store all the information. We kept all the original copies of letters and printed emails in binders. It wasn’t long until we both had full and overflowing binders.

Jolene Zimmerman has been married to David since 2010. Their blessings include Matia Faith (12), Kyler Jon (10), Brooklyn Autumn (8), Brynlie Emma (6), Andre David (4), Owen Klay (2), Baby, Lord willing, (May 2024).

Jolene Burkholder married Leslic in 2012 and they have been blessed with three children: Javon Brant (9), Aubrie Jo (6), and Janson Todd (2).

We are not the queens of serving. There are people in our lives who will never read the cards we intended to send or taste the casseroles we hoped to drop off. We have friends and family who do know the birthdays we have missed and the moments we were too busy to lend a listening ear. It was in our own search to find practical ways to reach out that this book was born.

In September of 2023 we took a trip to Ohio to meet with our editor, Elaine Starner and the staff at Carlisle press. It was a fun, educational trip and gave us renewed vigor to compile all the information we had into book form.

We compiled our two folders of information, and each took separate chapters to sort, compile, and organize. Some chapters were easier and some much more challenging. I, Jolene Zimmerman, found the grief chapter to be the hardest and could only work at it in small bits.

When we sent our manuscript to our editor for the first time, she asked us if we know we just sent her an encyclopedia set! The word count was astronomical! She was not convinced we would be able to put it, along with all our photos and things, into one book…she thought we might have to divide it and do a sequel. So, we did more cutting, combining, and compiling! And we grew the book again! We decided an 8x10 hardcover size would be needed. We had no idea the number of decisions that would need to be made!

What is your favorite part of the process?

Really, all of it has been enjoyable. We have learned so much about the book process and all the hours of hard work that go on behind the scenes. It also takes a lot of people with the same vision to pull everything together. Our editor, Elaine Starner did a wonderful job of making sure everything made sense and flow together. She sent it to her editor who also added polishing. Jolene Burkholder and Danelle Sensenig did all the photography while Jolene Zimmerman helped with all the props and arranging. We have so many stories behind each and every photo. Danelle spent hours critiquing the photos to perfection.

Our summer of 2023 was a fun one, with typing up information and photo shoots. We included our children and sometimes our husbands as much as possible. We have so many wonderful memories! We will share a few…

Chasing the setting sun, literally, by running across the meadow dodging cow pies, in the heat of late summer. To capture the glow of the sun behind the trees while our dear daughters posed by a sweltering campfire, wrapped in a blanket. And Leslie, Jolene Burkholder’s husband, took the time to make the fire and keep it going.

Sitting in the small town of Frystown at a coffee shop after hours, with sweaters and boots… never mind that it was the middle of summer, while our 5-year-old daughter’s took turns, teetering on a chair to click the camera that was set on a tripod.

Both of our families hiking back a rocky, treacherous single-person path. No strollers could be pushed or wagons could be pulled back this path! Each of us was laden with something…children carrying backpacks stuffed with pillows and blankets, our husbands toting coolers packed with food and managing toddlers, and we women carefully transporting bags with goblets and charcuterie boards. All of this was to lay out a picnic by a lake way back in the woods. Till we reached our destination a storm cloud had gathered, and the wind was picking up. Hurry, hurry! Quickly we laid everything out, battled the wind, took a few shots, stuffed everything back in the bags and coolers, and started the trek back out! No time to enjoy the picnic, the rain is coming! What laughter and memories!

What is one thing you want people to know or one thing we have learned through this process?

One of the things we have learned through this entire process as we listened to women share their hearts is that serving and reaching out to others is not a cure-all. We cannot take away others’ pain. Rather, it is a way to come alongside and share their burden. Being sensitive and asking God for direction is most important.

Blessings as you pour cups of cold water,

Jolene Burkholder and Jolene Zimmerman