[header] How to make amish friendship bread [title] Place warm water in bowl. [step] Be careful that the temperature is comfortable and not hot; too hot and the water will kill the yeast, too cold and it will not activate at all. [title] Dissolve yeast in warm water, and let activate for 10 minutes. 
[step] The yeast should become foamy and rise slightly. [substeps] Do not worry if there are a few lumps of yeast, but break up any very large ones that haven't dissolved.