MARTHA ANSWERS SOME QUESTIONS

I thought I would answer some of the questions you asked.  First, yes Kevin and Bridget were shocked when they went into their apartment.  Kevin was first, turned on the light and started to walk down where a hall use to be but almost bumped into a table.  That's when he looked up and realized that it was an apartment. He called Bridget up and she was in shock, too.  Kevin wanted to know how we did that without him knowing about it and he was living here.  We explained that's why we sent him to work for someone during the day - so we could work on the apartment while he was gone.  They both really enjoy it.  Now they have their own place, but can join us when they want.  Also, we made a rule for all the children in the house.  You knock on the door and wait until they answer or call you to come in,  No throwing the door open and go charging in without their permission. The apartment is their home and should be respected.

In the wedding post I mentioned the ladies dress is saved for the funeral and so is the men's suit.  The dress and suit usually don't fit when someone passes like it did when they married.  Mine won't.  Our coffins are handmade when someone passes.  At our viewings we only show from the waste up.  So the dress or suit are altered to fit.  Even though they don't show from the waste down, we still fix it so things fit-from a front view. Sometimes the dressses or men's slacks are cut down the back to make them fit in the front when they are laid in the coffin.  So what people see fits fine-but there may be cuts down the back.  I was very slim when we married, but I'm not that way now and could never fit in that dress again.  Neither could Joseph his suit. 

Yes, we do have electric.  Old Order Mennonite got electric back in the 1990's.  I know we had it when Joseph and I got married.  Even thought we have electric we don't have televisions. radios, etc.  It sure is nice to come into a room and turn on the lights, mixer, washer, etc..

Do we have house pets?  Not really, but some of the pets sneak in.  We do have barn cats and kittens.  We did had a dog, but he got hit by car a little over a year ago and we are still trying to decide what kind to get.  With ten children everyone wants their breed.  I think we may go to the Humane Society and pick one out in the spring.  Still they are not let in the house unless it gets really cold outside.  Of course some how the doors get opened and the dog comes in and sleeps on one of the children beds.  Also, we consider our horses our pets and they are taken care of.  We pet them and feed them carrots in addition to their regular food.

Aside from the Bible what do we read was asked.  Of course our Bible is first, but also we read the Daily Messenger which is our local newspaper, Family Life, Blackboard Bulletin, and Young Companion.  Budget which is an Amish and Mennonite newspaper.  Right now we are into seed and flower catalogs as now is the time to order for the spring.  As far as reading a book or novel, we might fit one or two in this time of year, but the work is so much during the rest of the year we don't have time. 

My last questions this time is do we invest in the stock market.  Well, I don't think many Old Order Mennonite invest in stock.  Joseph and I did once, we lost some money, and never do it again. I know Jean and David have never invested in the  stock market.  Most of us would rather invest in land over the stock market or letting it sit in the bank.  We do have money in the bank for our checking account and a savings account, but most of our money is in our land.  We grow our fruits and vegetables on it.  Some has gone towards Kevin and Bridget's house. We sold part to Jean and David for their new house.  We still have five more sons that will need houses when they get older and marry.

So that are the answer to some of your questions this time.  Please feel free to ask questions to either Jean or myself.

Be With the Lord,
Martha