Monday, July 1, 2013

WELCOME, MARTHA BACK !!!!!

I am so happy to be back, but I am sorry for the circumstances.  As we are a Foster Home, our children including Kevin and Bridget had to go for physicals.  Poor Bridget this was hard on her, as she is shy - even though we got her a woman doctor.  We are not going through as much as Jean, David and Sarah and family as we presently don't have any Foster Children at our home.  They are checking all our records.

 All of us feel that this is God's will and we are going through this for a reason.   We do not believe in physical punishment.   When a child does something, we explain what they did wrong and why we do not allow it.  After that we give them punishment which could be an extra chore, not allowing them to be with their friends that day, sending them to their room or more and.  For example, we told the children not to play baseball at one location near our house.  They did not listen and hit a baseball through a window in our house.  As the children were working on the farm of a near by neighbor picking strawberries-when we got the window replaced, we showed the children the bill.  Each week we took ten percent out of their pay until the window was paid for.  As there were ten children, it didn't take long to pay for it, but they never played baseball there again.  Erin has a way with horses that some people much older than himself doesn't.  He can take horses that no one can train and train them.  When he was much younger, we got a horse and told him to leave it alone.  One day, we thought he was doing chores in the barn, but he decided he could ride the horse.  He got just outside the barn door and the horse threw him.  Erin got a few cuts, bruises and a bump on the head.  While he was in his bed, he wondered what his punishment would be.  Joseph and I talked.  We told Erin, we felt that the pain he was suffering was punishment enough.  We also sold the horse.  Erin has never had a horse before or since that he could not handle like that one. So, as you can see, we do not use physical punishment. Jean and David use the same punishment as we do.

As Marilyn already told you, one of our Amish man neighbors has volunteered to post on New York State of Mind.  His name is Elmer, and his wife, Anna.  They have been a great help while Kevin and Bridget were on mission in Oklahoma.  Both of them helped both at Kevin and Bridget's and our farm.  Elmer, David and others also built Kevin's tool room.  Also, Elmer, David, Joseph, Kevin, other Amish and Mennonite men have rented a driver to go to hunting or fishing places together. Elmer also volunteers, at our local Fire Department as do David, Joseph and Kevin.  Anna has come to our cannings, cleanings and quiltings.

Elmer can be serious, when necessary.  He can also see the light side of some dark times.  Also, Elmer likes to read books, when he has the time.  Of course he reads his Bible, but also reads on religion, animals, birds, computers (no he does not own one), farming, flowers, and much more.
In his readings computers fascinate him, even though he can not own one.  So he thought that doing a post on a blog. might help cure his curiosity.   When he heard about Jean not being able to post, at this time, he volunteered.  Marilyn spoke with him on the phone and has him posting on July 8th.  I think you will enjoy him, very much.

Be With the Lord,
Martha

NEXT WEEK ELMER WILL BE ON, FOR THE FIRST TIME, WITH A POST ABOUT WHY THE AMISH DON'T HAVE ELECTRIC.  PLEASE WELCOME HIM.

12 comments:

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning,
Hope you enjoy hearing from Martha, again. It is nice this morning, but suppose to rain.

Marilyn

Vickie said...

Good Morning Marilyn and Martha. I am sad for the extra measures now being taken with both your family and Jean's.

We, as a family, still go to our hometown parade and fireworks. Do you do this Marilyn? Do you Martha or Jean? I am curious since the men are volunteer firefighters if they were ever asked to be in the parades?

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Vickie,
I will pass your comment on to Martha and Jean.

Yes, we have village parades here. We will have at least three this year in my town. Usually Martha and Jean don't go to parades. The men are asked to be in parades and try not too. They were in our Fireman's Parade last year. I don't know if it was just because it was my town or not. I will ask them and see what I can find out. Very interesting question.

Marilyn

Countryside Reflections said...

Thank you for this post Martha. It's nice to see how the Mennonite's discipline their children, and I hope the people responsible for causing all of these problems are reading this. I feel sorry for Bridget going through the stress of seeing a doctor. It's not something that I look forward to either.

I'm really looking forward to reading Elmer's post, especially on the subject of electricity. Another thing that I'm curious about is why the Amish don't use aluminum. It might be only the Amish in the southern part of NY state who I know are very strict, but my dad took them an aluminum door that he didn't need anymore several years ago. Later during the summer the family told me that they used the glass but weren't allowed to use the aluminum. I always wondered why. I didn't ask at the time because I wasn't sure if the Amish like to explain their religion to the English. That's what is so great about NYS of Mind, we can ask away and not feel like we're intruding in an area that is being disrespectful.

It was very nice to hear from you Martha.

Doreen

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Doreen,

I will pass your comments on. The aluminum questions is really great. I will give the questions to Elmer and see what ye says.

Marilyn

Gerritje H. said...

Hi Marilyn,please tell Jean and Martha that I am praying for them and their families.It's very sad that some bad apples make it bad for the whole basket,in a fashion.I've disciplined my kids the same as Jean and Martha,but I know that some plain( and non plain) people believe in "breaking a child's spirit" with physical "discipline" and abuse.I hope that this will stop with education and intervention.
Blessings
Gerritje

Anonymous said...

G;morning Marilyn+Martha, Yes, God has a reason for everything; and there are times He chooses not to let us in on the "why"of it all. Still, the authorities will find out with all their prodding the truth re:the families-true Christians living for the Lord according to His word+His way. They'll find out, that is, if they choose to be honest about it all. Stand firm in the Lord and the power of His might that He may be glorified always! Amen!? Blessings, Carol

Fionalina said...

Lovely to have you back Martha

Hopefully this whole upsetting issue will be over soon-its terrible that it ripples down affecting so many

Best wishes to you and your family- it was good to hear from Kevin last week

please tell Jean and David and Family we are thinking of them

Fionalina

Fionalina said...

Sorry Marilyn
I meant to mention the quilts-are they full double bed size?
I love the star one on the left -I am sure I have heard of a star of David quilt with a large star in the centre

Fionalina

New York State Of Mind said...

Hello Folks,
I will forward all your comments to Jean and Martha.

The quilts were there in all different sizes. Some were bed sizes, some were for babies and some were wall hangings. The one on today, I believe is a wall hanging.

Marilyn

SueAnn said...

It is so good to see you again, Martha. we never hit our son either...when he did something bad..we did the same as you..explained what he did wrong and why...and he punishment was something he did not want!! When he was small...he had to sit at the bottom of the steps going upstairs..with his hands on his head...and he could not talk. He HATED that!!!! and when he got bigger..he had to stand in the corner with his hands on his head..and he hated that as well...so..he was not too bad too often!!!
I keep your family in my prayers...and like all things..it will pass...and be a brief memory....

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Sue Ann,
I will tell Martha and Jean what you said. I know they appreciate all your prayers.

Marilyn