Monday, June 30, 2014

MARTHA HAS SOME NEWS

I am glad to be back, but I don't know how to tell what I have to say.  When Joseph became Bishop, Erin was not happy in our house, so we finally let him move in with Kevin and Bridget.  About a month , Kevin came to us and said something was wrong with Erin, but he couldn't say what it was.  As Erin came over every day to work on our farm, we asked him and he said nothing was wrong.

We knew that Erin was courting a lady and who it was.  One evening her parents came to our house and wanted to see Joseph and myself.  When we went into our office, they advised us that their daughter was with child and Erin was the father.  Joseph and I were in shock.  We had no idea.

I have to stop here and say that having been Englisher and became Old Order Mennonite there are certain things I disagree with.  One is that young people are not told the facts of life.  They are not explained what goes on behind closed doors.  I strongly feel that young people should be told so they know.  But that is not the way of the Old Order Mennonites and after talking with Anna, the Amish either.  When two people get together and go to far, they don't realize what is going to happen.

After the lady's parents left and Joseph and I calmed down, we spoke with Erin.  He had known she was with child and was going to tell us at the right time.  We don't know what he considered the right time, but we already found out.  When this happens, in our ways, they must get married, which was fine with Erin.  Erin said that were courting and were going to get married anyway. He moved back into our home until they were married. As they had to be baptized before they got married, they got baptized when Edward did.

Before they were baptized, they had to come before our meetinghouse and confess what they did.  Then they are sent outside while we vote on whether they will be accepted, which they were.  They came back into the church and one of the deacons told them rather Bishop Joseph.  Before baptizing they underwent instruction as Edward and the others did before baptism.

After they were baptized, their new house and barn were built on the land that we owned. We gave them the land as their wedding gift.  It is near Keven and Bridget's house. Erin had chosen that land a while ago. People from our meeting house, Amish and Englishers helped build the house and barn.  Also much of the furniture was made for their house.  Because of the short time, some of the furniture will come later.

So on June 19th, Joseph married Erin and Lovina.  It was a spiritual and beautiful wedding in our ways. It was held in Lovina's parents home.  Many people came.  Erin and Lovina are now in their new home and we are waiting for our first grandchild in about five months.

We know Kevin and Bridget are happy for Erin and Lovina, but are sad as they have not had a child.  They will receive their child or children in God's time not ours.

Also, we are sorry that Marilyn couldn't take pictures of the house and barn going up, but it was done during the week, when she works.  Maybe next time it will happen when she can be there.  We also thank her, Jean, Elmer and Anna,  for knowing what was happening and not saying anything.  They felt it was our place if we wanted to tell. So we decided to tell here.

After much discussion between us, Joseph and I decided to tell the rest of our children the facts of life.  We feel that it is something they should know.

God is with us,
Martha

ELMER WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK .




10 comments:

Bonnie said...

I do agree with you Martha that the children should be told the facts of life so they can be responsible for themselves.
I think you and Joseph handled the situation very well.
I hope you are looking forward to being a Grandmother, it is a great experience but you won't believe just how fast they grow up.

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Bonnie,

Thank you so much for your comment. I will see that Martha gets your response. I know she will appreciate it.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Folks,
If you get a chance, go to Yahoo news. On there is about a soldier that bought a house before he got shipped to Iraq. It was in bad shape, but he was going to fix it up. See the house when he gets home. It is really touching.

Marilyn

Countryside Reflections said...

Congratulations to Erin and Lovina ( I love the name Lovina. It's so pretty). How exciting for Martha and Bishop Joseph to have their first grandchild, even if the circumstances are a little different than what they would have liked. It looks like their marriage and new life is off to a great start.

Doreen

Vickie said...

Thank you Martha for sharing this very personal news with us. I think you have done a very wise thing in explaining things to your children. We did with our three. We have two very young adult sons and a teenage daughter. None of them has ever dated yet. They understand the seriousness of choosing a mate. We hope and pray they wait for marriage to be intimate.

Evie said...

Wishing every happiness to Erin and Lovina
Best wishes to all the family with special thoughts for Kevin and Bridget

Thank you Martha for your openness

Evie

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Everyone,
Thank you for your comments to Martha, Erin and Lovina. I will see that they get the messages. I am sure they appreciate them.

Marilyn

annie said...

Too often these days, this kind of thing happens, esp. if the young ones do not understand physical conception, but it sounds as if they will be blessed with much love and support. Congratulations on the coming grandchild, babies are a blessing, and a gift from God. It sounds like you handled it very well, I hope they will be very happy in their new home.

Anonymous said...

Thank you,Martha+Joseph, for choosing to share a very personal family situation with us. I do know how difficult this has been for you, and through it all The Lord has shown all of you His precious grace+mercy. I'm glad you both have also chosen to talk with your kids about "the facts of life". It's an important responsibility parents should embrace in addition to the myriad of responsibilities to which we parents must attend; always looking to The Lord+His leading. May Our Lord's grace+mercy remain with you always, In Christ, Carol

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Annie and Carol,

Thank you for your comments. I will ee that Martha and Joseph get them. I know they will appreciate them.

Marilyn