Monday, November 17, 2014

ELMER'S WEEK WAS BITTERSWEET

This past week has been a hard one.  We are so happy that John and Sarah are married and living in their new to them home.  For a while there, we wondered if John would ever get married.  He remained single for a while, at least according to Amish marrying age.  So glad that he met Sarah.

Sarah's Father's funeral was sad, but we realize that he has gone to his final place, we hope with the Lord.  It is so sad to lose someone, but look forward to meeting them again when our time comes.

Sarah's Grandfather told her Mother not to make any decisions for a year.  Her oldest son said she could move in with them.  Some have already asked her if she was selling the farm.  She hasn't even thought of that yet.  People have given her other ideas on what she should do. She still has children to support and take care of.  So, Grandfather stepped in and said what he did.  I agree with him.  All will help her keep up the farm.  It is not a good idea to make fast decisions after her husband's passing.  The final decisions should be hers and not someone else's.

John and Sarah's farm is not to far from our house or Sarah Mother's house, so he can help on her farm.  Sarah's Mother also has two sons home yet.  They are out of school and know how to work, but at that age they need supervision to make sure they do what you tell them too.  John can't understand that.  I told him, he was that age once.

Anna and I had decided, do to all that happened, that we would not ask Bishop Eli to renew our vows this year.  We would just renew them together between the two of us.

On our anniversary, we were invited to Bishop Eli's and his wife's house for dinner.  We knew something was up when we pulled up and saw several buggies parked in the driveway.  Inside the house were of course Eli, his wife, my parents, Anna's parents, our children their spouces  and our grandchildren.  They also had invited a few close friends of Anna and mine including David and Jean, and Olive and Albert,

After everyone got settled, Eli gave a sermon.  They he asked Anna and I to come up to renew our vows, which we did.  After our vows, Eli prayed, and we sang some religious songs.  Then we ate the dinner that they had prepared for us.  Anna reminded me that I told her when we moved into our new house that we were going to eat peanut butter on our anniversary because I spent so much on the new furniture.  Everyone laughed.

When dinner was over, we sat and talked.  Then Eli and his wife came out with a cake. It said Elmer and Anna 30 years.  We had that for desert and ice cream.  Some people brought us some gifts.  The best of gifts was a quilt that our children had made for us.  It had our parents names on there, our children's and our grandchildren. John and Sarah's name was on there, too.  It even had close friends names on there like Eli and his wife, Jean and David, Oliver and Albert and more.  There was one square that didn't have a name on it.  They told us that was for our future grandchildren that haven't been born yet.  I guess that was sort of a hint to John and Sarah.  In the center they had Anna and my name with 30 th Anniversary.  We didn't know what to say when we received it.  Of course we thanked everyone.

We had a great time and thanked everyone.  Eli said this was to show us how much we ment to all there.  He gave a short speech on what we had done for them all over the years.  Even had a list of things we had done.  We, again, thanked them and said we didn't do anything anyone of them wouldn't have done.  Eli led us in prayer and singing.  Then we went home.

Anna and I couldn't believe all that they did for us.  We talked of all the moves we made.  Some of the good times and the not so good times.  The best part was we married each other 30 years ago.

Trust God's Wisdom,
Elmer



18 comments:

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Everyone,

That white stuff is coming down today, I mean really coming down.

Hope you enjoy Elmer's post.

Marilyn

Vickie said...

What a wonderful, wonderful post. I can feel the love between Elmer and Anna. God bless you all.
We have 2 inches of snow on the ground and it is bitter cold here Marilyn.

Tom said...

The quilt was a very special gift. Tom The Backroads Traveller

Anonymous said...

Elmer, you're right in not making hasty decisions after losing a spouse. Too many potential mistakes can be made when giving in to emotions. Time is a great healer as we look to the Lord.
So glad your best friend, Bishop Eli, and your family made your 30th anniversary so intimate+special. A wonderful memory to cherish always.
Take care+many blessings, Carol

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Vickie,
I know that Elmer and Anna will appreciate your message.

We got some snow, less than an inch. It's in the 30's. We are suppose to have a lot more snow coming.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Tom,
I am sure that the quilt is very special to them. I haven't seen it yet, but can't wait to.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Carol,
Will see that everyone gets your messages and will greatly appreciate them.

Blessing to you and yours,
Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Folks,
My car is in the garage getting the heater fixed. Wouldn't you know, it didn't work for two weeks and started working last Saturday. The garage man believes there is something lose. So that is where my car is.

Marilyn

Anonymous said...

Hopefully the mechanic will successfully trouble shoot the problem+get it solidly fixed. Take care, Carol

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Carol,
I just heard from it. It is fixed. He also checked the anti-freeze. It will be less than $100.00. He is the best in town. He can fix what no one else can. It's just that he is the most expensive in town. But he did good by me this time.

Marilyn

Anonymous said...

Thank you all for creating and contributing toward these wonderful blogs: Jean, Martha, Grandma Olive, Elmer, Anna, Edward, Sue Ann, Marilyn, and Richard. I found Richard's blog accidentally one day and then I found this one. I spent at least a month catching up and learning about everyone. I enjoy your posts immensely and look forward to hearing more about you in the future.

I'm very sorry to hear of the passing of Sarah's father. I wish his family comfort in the months and years to come.

Congratulations to John and Sarah on their wedding, and to Elmer and Anna on their 30th anniversary!

Marilyn, I am glad the mechanic did right by you.

Stacy

Anonymous said...

The advice to Sarah's Mother is spot on. Wait a year. Elmer and Anna, I wish you the best for the next 30 years!
Bless you and Godspeed, Carol Edwards in South Carolina

New York State Of Mind said...

Welcome Stacy,

Was so surprised to see that you can read everything that is on here. Richard started New York State of Mind for me. So glad you found Richard's and mine.

I will see that everyone gets your messages. I am glad the mechanic did right by me, too.

Hope you will continue to be with us.
Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Carol,
This sure has been a various year. I will see that everyone gets your messages. Also, I agree with the advice to Sarah's Mother.

Blessings to you and yours,
Marilyn

Ingrid said...

Happy to hear that your car is fixed. Enjoyed Elmer's post as always.I wish Anna and ELmer a Happy Anniversary,and so glad for them .The Quilt sounds beautiful and what a treasure it wiil be in the years to come with all the names embroidered.It shows that they are loved and appreciated by their family and friends.
Ingrid

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Ingrid,
I am so happy my car is fixed, too. Now I can go out and take more pictures. Wouldn't do that without heat in the car. Will see that Elmer and Anna get your messages. I know they were thrilled with the quilt.

Marilyn

Countryside Reflections said...

It sounds like Elmer and Anna had a wonderful anniversary. The quilt sounds beautiful. Are the names embroidered on it?

Doreen

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Doreen,

Will see they get your message. From what Anna and Elmer told me the names are embroidiered on.

Marilyn