It is two years ago today that Jean left her first post on Amish Stories - then later to New York State of Mind. I wanted to do something special, but Jean wouldn't let me, so I am putting on this post. I put the picture of her old house on as she likes that picture.
She, David and I met by accident-really. I was driving down their road when I saw their buggy coming out of their driveway. I thought they would stop at the end where the driveway meets the road, but they didn't. When I realized they weren't going to stop I went over in the opposite lane and off the road in the ditch just missing a telephone pole. David and Jean got their buggy out of the road and David came running to my car to see if I was all right. He saw I was all right but shook up and invited me into their home to calm down. David stood there to make sure I got the car out and parked it in their driveway.
Over coffee and some of Jean's goodies, I found out that he and Jean were having a strong discussion about something and hadn't paid attention to the end of the driveway. They decided to continue their trip to the store the next day. We had a nice discussion and I left assuring them I was all right.
I would go back to their home sometimes as Jean had a stand out front where she sold vegetables, plants and baked goods. We would chat and then I would go on my way. When I met Richard on Amish Stories, he was looking for someone Amish or Mennonite that would share their way of life with us. After much discussion with Jean, her checking with her Bishop and David-she came on Amish Stories. When she first came on, it was suppose to be every now and then, but she kept going one week after another.
Over the years Jean has shared the good times of her life and the not so good times in her life with us. She has told us about her life, religion, family and more. Thanking Jean seems so small for all she has contributed. If it were not for Jean there would be no New York State of Mind because she is the main reason it was started. When Richard announced he was changing Amish Stories, Jean said she would only give her posts to Richard or myself-so Richard started New York State of Mind for me.
Jean and I have become great friends. She has fed me at her house. Kept me overnight when I threw out my back. Her and David even gave up their bedroom so I would be on the first floor. At the time I had Rickie, and let him stay in her house. We have been places together and done things together that I wouldn't get do by myself. I have been to Old Order Mennonite meetings, and houses. Met Jean's family, relatives and friends. Jean is the one that got Martha to tell of her leaving the English world to become Old Order Mennonite. Her family helped me move from one apartment to the other. She has done much more.
We've been to rummage sales together and just sat and talked. Two ladies just sitting and chatting over a cup of tea. There's nothing I can't say to Jean or discuss with Jean and she with me. She is not only Old Order Mennonite, she is my friend, confident and sister in the Lord.
So Jean, I say thank you for all the posts, sharing your life and your families life with us. Hope we have many more years together doing this on New York State of Mind. Glad we ran into each other.
Marilyn
If you would like to read Jean's First Post and the last post she had on Amish Stories-please go to Amish Stories as Richard has them near the bottom of the page on the right. To see first Jean's post on New York State of Mind you can go to older posts.
SEEING TOMORROW IS KENTUCKY DERBY DAY, I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE AMISH AND MENNONITE HORSES ON TOMORROW.
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19 comments:
Congratulations Jean !!!
Thank you so much for all that you have done for us over the last two years.
Marilyn
this is such a wonderful post!
Good morning Marilyn. As accidents go, we probably aren't thankful for them. But, I'm really thankful for the ditch one that brought you to a relationship with Jean and David. That accident was such a blessing in disguise. Thank Jean and Martha very much for all their share with us. I love reading all their posts and how they share family, faith and life with us. Blessing to you all.
Good Morning jaz and dynnamae,
So glad you liked the post. I am so glad that I met Jean, David and Martha. No one was hurt in the accident,just three shook up people. We never thought at the time what it would lead too. I will tell Jean.
Marilyn
Marilyn! What a wonderful post! I loved it. A great story. I have enjoyed Jean's posts with Richard and you. So glad.♥
Mabel and Henry are getting along well. He likes to cuddle up next to her sometimes. Once in a while she tolerates it. ;)
I love this post Marilyn
I believe the lord put you in each others paths for many good reasons-
Congratulations to Jean and many thanks to her for continuing and giving us such interesting and informative posts- providing a little window into a way of life we would not have otherwise
Fionalina
Hi Vickie,
Thank you for the compliments, I will pass them on.
Glad Mabel and Henry are getting along. It just takes times.
Marilyn
Hi Fionalina,
Thank you so much. I will pass them on to Jean. The Lord does things in mysterious ways and He sure did that day with Jean, David and I.
Marilyn
Hello Marilyn.....I am a firm believer that the Lord does work in mysterious ways and think that is exactly what happened when he put you all at the end of that driveway that day at the same time! What a wonderful gift of friendship that has brought you all. Reading your blog makes me always feel welcomed and among friends and for that I thank you and wish you all many more years of sharing this blog with us.
Thank you! Chris
Hi Chris,
I hope all people feel the same way you do. That they are welcome and among friends. When I met Jean back then, I never thought he would lead us to like we are today, but God did.
Marilyn
What a wonderful friendship. I so enjoy Jean's and Martha's stories.
You are doing a great job Marilyn
PS I live in MO and we have snow on the ground. Still waiting for spring!
jodie
Its still very hard for me to believe that Jean is still sharing some of her life on the internet, so I honestly thought at the time she first appeared on Amish Stories that it would only be "occasional" at best.
Over time Jean seems to have become much more comfortable in her story telling and also using the internet as a way to get that message to her readers. So with the price of most everything going up along with the cost of living, its pretty rare today in finding someone like Jean who is old order Mennonite willing to share and entertain folks and never asking anything in return!
Congratulations Jean and Marilyn for continuing this interesting look into the world of the "old order Mennonites", and to Marilyn who wanted to carry the torch with Jean to still share a slice of Jeans life. Richard
Hi Richard,
If it hadn't been for you and Amish Stories, this would have never gotten started. It was your idea that brought Jean and I closer together. I am proud to carry on the torch.
Marilyn
Hi Jodie,
Thank you for the compliments, I will pass them on to Jean.
Sorry to hear about your weather. I wish I could share ours with you.
Marilyn
Hi everyone! I, too, must say I've enjoyed very much all the posts from you, Jean, Martha, Jean's Grandmother etc. Hopefully that which is shared will always point people to the Lord. Looking forward to the continued caring and sharing from all of you! God Bless, a sister in Christ, Carol
Thank you so much, Carol. Jean just happens to be here tonight and has read all of these. She thanks everyone and hope that she is doing as the Lord wants.
Marilyn
There has been a major fire in the town I live in. Twelve fire departments were here, one of them Gorham. Some of them are still pumping water on it. They have been at it for over four hours. It was just about a whole block on our Main Street. I won't be putting on the Spring post this Sunday. I was born in this town, raised in this town, I left and came back. This fire is hard on me.
Marilyn
Marilyn,
I'm so sorry to hear about your fire. I hope everyone is safe and no one gets hurt. Take care of yourself and your friends. We are experiencing some big fires out here where I live in California as well. Very scary stuff.
I would like to echo what everyone else has said regarding Jean's posts. I have also enjoyed Martha and Olive's posts as well. It is so nice to get a chance to hear about other lives. I hope we get many more years of their stories!
My heart goes with you and your fires. No one was injured or killed, but three firemen went to the hospital for dehydration and smoke. Someone's pet was killed. On the funny side a friend was telling me a friend of hers lived there. She was expecting her baby any day. Well the fire set her into labor. I forgot to ask my friend if she had a boy or girl. All nine of tenants in the building lost everything.
Thank you for your compliments Willow's Quiet Corner. I will pass them on. Jean went home a little while ago, when the truck David was on went. She really appreciates all your compliments.
Marilyn
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