(This is the first report of the day. I’m going back two or three times today and will post each time. Things are really heating up; the frame of the building is going up, Wednesday will be the final barn “raising.) More Amish are arriving every day, and the Millers are much loved.)

Maria wanted to come with me this morning (I’m the ice guy, hauling bags of ice cubes back and forth) and we were both moved almost to tears by the beautiful sight in front of us.

About 20 Amish men, young and old, worked together in unity and sink, lifting giant beams into the air and hammering them into place as the barn roof takes shape.

The feeling in the air was pure joy and something rarely seen in a group of men – love.

What was so poignant to see was how closely people can work together to accomplish extraordinary things if only they could put their egos, prejudices, and labels aside.

The jovial and charismatic Eli came down from Canton, N.Y., he is a close friend of Eli’s, and took charge, guiding this group – they move as one. He and I have had some fun talking.

There was extraordinary energy in the air, a sense of purpose and community that I am not sure I have ever seen before in my life.

In the outside world, most of us hire and pay people to do these things. Building a barn or a house is not a community thing, not a frolic, as the Amish call it, not a coming together of love and community.

How striking it was to see this very hard work – the horses are right there in the middle of it – become a thing of pride. The excitement was in the air also.

It was truly inspiring. It reminds me of what human beings can do together and how much machines and technology have shattered our sense of destiny and community – and connection to the earth.

This is why these people don’t fight with one another, while we can’t stop fighting with one another.

I have not heard a word or argument or anger from these men all week, nor did I this morning. They are smiling and laughing all the time, even as they are soaked in sweat from relentless hard labor.

They think nothing of straining to lift 500 lb beams straight up in the air and walking on think wooden planks high up off the ground. The big draft horses are right in the middle of it; they climb over, under, and around them.

The horses never flinch.

It is mesmerizing to see them all working, this coming together, this celebration of their faith and promise to one another.

They gather the lumber at one end of the pasture, they put it on the horse’s cart, they saw it to exact measurements, the horses walk straight into the barn, the workers lift it up, the children stand underneath with thin poles to prop it up.

Eli walks back and forth, seeing everything, measure with his eye, moving people back and forth, always with a light and encouraging touch. He is a marvel. Having a foreman changes the dynamic, things move crisply and forcefully.

Everyone has a role, everyone knows what it is, no one complains or whines.

In America, the sound of whining has become a kind of horrific national anthem. All we do is complain and feel sorry for ourselves.

Here, there is just the sound of satisfaction and meaningful work.

These strong and hard-working people are there out of togetherness and support, not for money or because they have no choice. This does not work for them. We were seeing, but connection, and yes, also the love. This is all about love for one another.

There is no other reward or payment.

We were both excited to be there. This was a special thing to see. I’m very grateful for being invited, tolerated, and made to feel so welcome. It does feel like family, how strange.

The Amish have not forgotten about love the way we “English” seem to have in so many ways. The carts were coming and going all morning. And yes, that does set them apart from us.

My job is to provide ice for their drinks and some candy bars and ice cream for energy and respite from time to time. They love sweets and have not read the Mayo Clinic recipe for healthy eating.

Moise waved to me – “hey, Johnie,” he shouted, and smiled with pride – how hard he worked to get this far, I clapped my hands for him – a bunch of the men waved at me too.

I’m surprised at how many I know and how many know me. They went out of their way to make me feel welcome.

I admit to much happiness seeing that Moise was wearing the tool belt I got him for his birthday. He altered it to fit his own hammer and tools, but it also saved him ducking for tools 100 times over.

I was happy he finds it so useful.

It is killing me not to take the iconic and amazing photographs of men working so closely together and successfully and joyfully and right in front of me. But I didn’t.

A deal is a deal; I just have to write clearly and pay close attention.

I was good; I didn’t take my camera out until I got on the road. I have a big job tomorrow morning, and I’m bringing a carload of ice before 7 a.m.

Lena cautioned me sternly not to be late. “They like ice in their water,” she said.