JEAN-MICHAEL'S AND ELMER'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

Michael's birthday is on October 31st, which is also Halloween.  As Michael's natural parents were not religious, they told Michael that, because he was born on that day, he was evil.  When Michael came to our home, we did not celebrate his birthday on October 31st even though he had been spoken to by one of our Amish friends, Elmer, who was also born on that day.  After being in our house and Michael knowing Elmer better, Elmer decided they were going to have a Birthday Party on their birthday of October 31st to show Michael that he was what counted, not the day.

Elmer's family had had a party on the Sunday before.  We had had a party for Michael on the same day.  So Michael and Edward went to the party at Elmer's house on October 31st.  They arrived at milking time and gave Elmer a hand with milking.  Anna had cooked a dinner of Michael's favorite foods: hamburgers, french fries, baked beans, green beans, potato salad, cole slaw and for desert a chocolate birthday cake that had Happy Birthday Michael and Elmer.  After dinner Michael and Elmer exchanged presents.

Elmer said they had to play games.  So they blind folded Michael and spun him around a couple of times letting him think he was going to have to pin the tail on the donkey.  When they took the blind fold off, there was a scrabble game all set up.  After Elmer, Michael and Edward played that for a while, they went into another room where Elmer had a darts game set up.  Elmer warned Michael and Edward that Anna was good at that game, and she was.  She only played one game, but she beat all the men.  Elmer says she always wins.  They then went into the living room and sang, religious songs, then Elmer read from the Bible and they all prayed.  When they went to leave Michael and Edward each got a birthday bag which contained a flash light, jack knife, small first aide kit, small sewing kit, and some candy.  Elmer said you need the sewing kit in case your are hunting or fishing and catch your pants on something - you can do a quick sewing until you can get them to their Mom (me)
 who can sew it better.  Anna, also sent home the rest of the birthday cake.  Michael says he won't worry about his birthday anymore.  Elmer showed him that its not the date, but the person.  He wants us to have a birthday party next year and invite Elmer and Anna.  All had a great time. Oh, I forgot to say Michael was 15 on his birthday and Elmer was 50.  I did have Elmer's and Michael's permission to say that.

Edward and Michael will be leaving the public school the end of this year and will not be returning.  Bishop Joseph, was over, and thought that Edward and Michael should learn a trade that could be Mennonite and used in the outside world. Edward would like to be baptized, but Michael is still thinking regarding meetings (church).  Joseph said learning a trade would be something in addition to the farming that they know.  He hopes they both stay Old Order Mennonite, but if they should go into the outside world, he wants them to have a trade that would provide them with money for food, clothes, an apartment, etc.  Michael would like to be a car mechanic. Joseph thought that was a good idea if Michael also learned how to work on farm equipment.  Edward is still thinking what he would like to learn.  Cooking is his favorite - in fact- he would like to own a restaurant sometime.  Joseph said he wasn't sure what kind of a living that would make.  Edward is also considering house painting.

We are checking about Michael taking car mechanic and farm equipment lessons.  If Edward chooses house painting, David can teach him how to do that as his Dad taught him.  It seems they are growing up so fast learning a trade.  I hope they both stay within our way of life.  Edward has started taking classes for baptism in the spring.  As I said, Michael is still thinking.

Be With God.
Jean

NEXT WEEK IS MY BIRTHDAY (NOVEMBER 21) WEEK.  IT WILL ALSO BE MENNONITE WEEK.