I guess I am filling in for both Jean and Elmer. Elmer asked if I could fill in for him this week and next week until he and Anna get home and settled from their trip to Pinecraft. So I told them I would.
Thought I would answer some questions that you folks asked Jean that didn't get answered. The first one being did David give up the car when he and Jean got married like Kevin and Bridget did? Yes, he did. When he asked Jean to court him and she agreed, he got rid of the car. Joseph, also drove David's car until David sold it. So driving cars is a long memory in their past now.
Are there "poundings" for new marrieds? First, I better tell what poundings are. Maybe telling one would be better. Like our teacher at school. On Valentine's Day, we had a pounding for her. Each of the children bought a can of food for the teacher. After lunch, when lessons were suppose to start, the children started rolling the cans of food up the isle. Soon all these cans of food were coming toward the teacher. She and one of her students picked them all up. Most of the cans had labels on them, but some of the older children (especially the boys) thought it was better to take the labels off so the teacher would get a surprise when she opened the can. Teacher was very grateful for the gifts. She also wondered how all those cans were snuck into her classroom and she didn't know it.
We have poundings for ladies about to be married, for Mother's about to have babies (we have baby items for them), and more. It is a lot of fun to give and receive. Food is something someone can always use and it is not an expensive gift. Sometimes ladies give canned goods that they have made.
Men have sort of a pounding for men sometimes. If they are newly weds or maybe had a fire when they need new tools. One night the man goes to bed without them and the next morning all sorts of tools, nails, screws, lumber, etc. are on their porch or in their barn.
If someone is going through problems and need food, we usually donate at one persons home. When we feel the people are in bed asleep, we set it on their porch. We try not to let people know who we are. Our belief is we all help one another in one way or the other. It might be food, a hand at work, care of the sick and more. Whatever we can do, we try to help. Just to see someone's problem eased a little and happy for even a few minutes is return enough for us.
Another questions is if someone is not baptized are there some events they are excluded from? Yes, until someone is baptized in our meetings they can not receive communion, get married, or vote in our meetings.
If the young do not get baptized during the age range, is it open to them the rest of their life - even old age. Even after years of shunning. First, if they are not baptized, they can not be shunned. People can only be shunned if they go against our ways after they are baptized. If they are not baptized when they are young, they can be baptized in to our meetings at any age as long as they are in good standing. No one is ever too old to be baptized.
I hope I have answered some of your questions. Please ask questions so Elmer and I know what you are interested in.
Be With the Lord,
Martha
11 comments:
I sometimes feel like I have been pounded, but I have never had a "pounding." sounds like a great idea.
Have a great day. Tom The Backroads Traveller
I really enjoyed this post, loved the story of the children and their teacher. I appreciate your time in writing Martha and in your post Marilyn, as well as Jean and Elmer, and Edward when he is ready to share. I hope you all have a very blessed week. Wondering if there are certain types of mixes you make for baking ahead of time, sort of like Bisquick type things, or make a mix, also are your ladies encouraged to meal plan for the week, wondering if what works for most families is pretty much taught for all to be of use? I know during fresh produce season you would use what is available, but is there a basic plan taught to the younger ladies so they can have things like that ready at hand? Also wondering since you have your auctions to raise money for worthy causes, and donate a great deal to help one another out, do you have yard or tag sales on a regular basis, to clear out, and just bring in extra money? Are there thrift store near your areas that you make use of?
Hi Tom,
I had heard of pounding, but never knew what it was among the Amish and Mennonites until Martha gave me the post.
Are you still in Hawaii or are you back now?
Hope you have a great day, too,
Marilyn
Good Morning Annie,
Thank you for the compliments. I will give Martha the questions. I am sure she will answer them in another post.
Hope you have a Blessed week, too,
Marilyn
I enjoyed this post very much. Full of love and good deeds.
What an interesting post Martha. I never heard of poundings. How funny to picture the school children rolling the cans down the isle to the teacher. I love to hear about your caring and sharing ways. It's such an inspirational lesson for all of us.
In your community do many people leave the Old Order Mennonites, or Amish? I just wonder how often it happens. Have the changing times with new technology like computers and cell phones influenced the young to want to leave your ways? I think the "marriage" part of the baptism rules would be a major deciding factor. If a young man meets a girl from his church and falls in love, he would probably not question being baptized. But if he falls in love with an Englisher it might sway him to leave. I realize that you encourage the young to engage with only your church members, but if they work among the English they're bound to meet someone from outside the church.
I know that Martha's story is the other way around where she joined the church to be with Joseph. But that's probably a rare thing to happen. Is there anyone else in your community who was English and chose to be baptized in your church?
Doreen
Good Morning Vickie,
Glad you enjoyed the post.
Give Mabel and Henry a hug from us,
Marilyn and Pierre
Good Morning Doreen,
Glad you enjoyed Martha's post this morning. I will see that she gets your questions. Sure she will answer them for you.
Marilyn
Nice post. The cart is really nice.
I really enjoyed the post this morning Martha. Thank you for teaching us more about your ways. Hello Marilyn I realize it has been awhile since I have commented but I am always reading. Life has taken my husband and I on so unplanned events and I will be honest when I say the blog is my go to for encouragement. I am always praying for you all including Elmer and his family Jean and her family Martha and her family and everyone who has added just great information over the blog. Thank you Marilyn for continuing this wonderful blog. I am at some point going to send you a email to catch up. I am also always praying for you and Pierre. Thanks for all your hard work everyone and God Bless all of you!! Veronica
Hi Veronica,
I haven't heard from you in a long time !!! Thank you so much for the compliments, I will see that everyone gets them. I hope things are looking up for you. Pierre is doing well, too.
God Bless You, too,
Marilyn
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