The Brubaker family kneel for prayer during their morning devotion. They gather each morning to sing from their Christian hymnal, read their Bible, and pray.
They communicate the old-fashioned way: in person, with each other and with neighbors and friends.
Living in a valley surrounded by hills thick with trees, Emily and Evan Brubaker have 11 children, eight of whom still live on the farm. They’re a family bound by faith.
The day begins with breakfast and a devotion. They sing from a hymn book and kneel for prayer, the young girls wearing the signature bonnets of the Mennonite faith.
After breakfast, it’s time for school at Little Flock Church. The name is derived from the Bible verse Luke 12:32: “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
The church and school offer traditional education, rooted in faith. “These people all believe in God,” Emily says, “but we can still help them to understand better and to think more about what God wants them to do.”
While the children are at school, Evan and his son Nathan work on the farm while Emily relaxes and prepares for the evening.
The family is self-sufficient. They grow their own food – tomatoes, strawberries, cucumbers, and beans – and cook their own meals. Nathan milks in the early morning, and the girls take turns milking the cows at night. To make extra money, they sell produce.
The family is also generous with neighbors and friends. They love to invite people into their home. Recently, they helped the Shrock family by slaughtering a cow, then cutting the meat off the bones.
Evan helps skin and take out a cow’s innards at the Shrock’s farm. The Brubaker’s often come to help at the Shrock’s farm.
Kristina helps her nephew, Nevin Troyer, after his shoe fell off. Kristina often helps her older sister with her children each day.
Abigail Brubaker chases Janet Zimmerman, Jewel Zimmerman and Charity Brubaker after they get released for recess. The school normally releases the first through fourth graders mid-morning for recess.
Charity and Gloria hug their mother, Emily, before they go to bed. Charity and Gloria listen to Emily read to them, pray, and hug and kiss Emily before bed each night.
Elizabeth Child works with the first graders on their pronunciation. Elizabeth teaches first through fourth grade at the Little Flock Church.
The Brubakers prepare their market for a trip to Big South Fork. The Brubaker’s are making the market self-service during their absence.
The girls make applesauce. The Brubaker’s prepare much of their own food and can it to store.
Viola does her evening routine of milking the cow. Viola and her sisters, Kendra and Kathryn, trade milking the cow every week.
Charity rests on her sister Kristina's shoulder during morning devotion. They were reading a passage in Psalms and had discussion about what it means.