ELMER ANSWERS SOME OF YOUR QUESTIONS

One question was asked: In North West Montana an Amish wife took her children and left the Amish community.  Why can't her husband remarry?  We do not believe in divorce.  Ephesians 6:31 "For this cause shall a man leave his Father and Mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh."  That is one of many Bible passages that back our beliefs : "Cor. 7:39 "The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom the will; only in the Lord." is another passage.  We believe, when we marry, that we are one until one of us passes.

Now I can see this question coming.  What if the husband is mean, beats or abuses his family?  What then?  Of course the deacon will come to speak to him.  Then, Bishop Eli will go speak to him, trying to get him to change his ways.  He can be shunned in the church.  The husband and wife can separate.  This does not happen very often as the husband is needed to support the family, keep the farm going or business going, etc.  Separation does not happen very often, but it  has happened.  Still divorce is not even considered by the Amish.

What if the lady does get divorced and remarried?  We believe she is living in adultery.  Her husband is still alive and she has remarried.  This is a sin in our eyes, in the Bible and the way of the Lord.  One of the Ten Commandment is: "Thou shalt not commit adultery."

Another question is: In Lancaster, Pennsylvania is it true gray buggies belong to Amish families and black to Old Order Mennonite families?  Some of the Amish groups in that area have black buggies and so do Old Order Mennonite.  Some Amish groups have grey buggies.  I am trying to think if I can of any Old Order Mennonite that have gray buggies, but off hand, I can't.

Why is it acceptable for some Amish to socialize with non-Amish?  In this modern day world, it is kind of hard to live without coming in contact, doing business, becoming friends and more with the Englishers.  We set up stands in our yards, we set up at Farmer Markets, etc. where we come in contact with Englishers.  We like them to buy our items.  I have put siding on Englishers homes.  Some of our neighbors are Englishers and own farms.

Some Englishers become our friends.  I don't think it says anywhere they we can not socialize with non-Amish.  Only that we are not doing so that will take time from our church, chores, families, or try to change to their ways by electric, driving cars, etc.

Do buggies have heaters?  We have arm strong heaters?  If you don't know what that is ask, Marilyn or I will explain.

Really, some buggies have heater and some don't.  They are battery operated.  Some Amish groups allow them and some don't.  Do we have one in ours?  Yes, we do. I don't think the Swartzentruber Amish are allowed to have them in theirs.

Last, but not least question for today: Does Anna or Jean use their grown pumpkins for pumpkin pie?
Yes, they do.  They also use it for pumpkin butter, pumpkin bread and more.  Jean does sell some in her roadside stand.

Trust God's Wisdom,
Elmer

WHAT DO YOU DO ON BLACK FRIDAY ?

Do you go to the stores?  Do you stay home and bake?  Do you visit friends and/or family?  What do you do on Black Friday?

I use to go to the stores on Black Friday, but those days are over.  Don't like going through all the crowds - if I can even find a place to park in the parking lot.  Depending on the weather, I may drive around and take pictures for here instead.  If the weather is bad, I will stay home, do laundry and put items to sell on etsy.

So tell us what are you going to do today ????

HAPPY THANKSGIVING - NOVEMBER 26, 2015

HAPPY THANKSGIVING,
Jean, David and Family
Elmer, Anna and Family
Bishop Joseph, Martha and Family
Bishop Eli, Emma and Family
Marilyn

JEAN'S HOT TURKEY CASSEROLE

I came up with this  recipe because it is a way to use left over turkey. You can also make this  casserole with chicken.

JEAN'S HOT TURKEY CASSEROLE

2 cups cooked turkey, cut up
1 Cup sliced celery
1 Cup cooked rice
3/4 Cup mayonnaise
1 Can drained and sliced water chestnuts
1 Can Cream of turkey soup
1 teasp chopped onion
1 teasp salt
3 hard boiled eggs, cut up

Mix ingredients together and put in a greased casserole dish.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

TOP OF CASSEROLE

1/2 stick margarine or butter in a fry pan until it fizzles.
Add 1 cup crushed cornflakes and
1 Cup slivered almonds.

Spoon on top of casserole.  Bake at 350 degrees, 30 minutes longer.

Do you realize that one month from today is Christmas ????

JEAN WISHES HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone from our house to yours.  As Elmer said, where has this year gone?  It seems it just started and here we are coming to an end.

We also really got Marilyn on her Birthday this year.  Michael and I went to the library to use one of their computers.  To pick out the cake picture, he went through a lot of pictures on the computer of all sorts of Happy Birthday photos.  When we saw that cake, I told Michael, that was the one.

The morning of her Birthday, I made the cake to look exactly like that one in the picture except for the leaf.  I had no fake leaves and I didn't think I should put a real one from the yard on the cake.  The post and later the cake was really a shock for Marilyn.

My Mother is having Thanksgiving Dinner over at her house this year.  I was suppose to, but with the wedding coming up, she said she would do it.  She said this is the last year.  Like David's Mother, she says this every year, but somehow she or David's Mother have it.

So glad Ruth has chosen to finally have a name.  We thank you all for giving names.  It was a lot of fun at this end, too.  Then, she decided to use her real name - Ruth.  I, myself, always liked that name and I see people on New York State of Mind did too.  We asked Thomas which he was going to come up with to top name choosing.  He said he is done.

Thomas and Ruth's house is almost done for them to move into when they marry.  They need some more furniture and farm equipment.  No, we are mot moving the farm equipment in the house.  David said they don't need most of the farm equipment to the spring, so worry about the house now.  Thomas and David have made some furniture that Ruth doesn't know about.  They want to surprise her when they move in.

I have Thomas wedding suit all made.  Susan is working on Katie and her dresses.  I am making new suits for Michael and Edward to wear at the wedding - they both need new ones.  Susan is going to try making one for her Father and David Jr.  I am keeping an eye on her in case she needs help, but she seems to be doing find on her own.

Elmer told me to ad that Emma, Bishop Eli's wife has agreed to put a post on here.  We don't know exactly when, but it is coming.  She will tell what it is like being a Bishop's wife.  I think you will like her.  She has the same sense of humor Elmer, Anna and Bishop Eli have.

Oh, I almost forgot.  Thomas and Ruth are getting married on December 15th.  Yes, Marilyn is invited.  They wanted to get married December 24th, but Bishop Joseph, said he couldn't do it that day, so they settled on the 15th.  There is so much to do, but so little time.  My Mother said not to worry as it all gets done and the wedding will be beautiful. Mom has experience, she should know.

Grandfather Albert and Grandmother Olive are coming on Amtrak to be here for the wedding and will stay until Christmas.  Unless someone else gets married at Christmas time up here, it will be their last Christmas up here.  They said they don't want to come up with all the snow and ice. (What snow and ice?)  Anyway, if we want to see them at Christmas, we know where they live in Florida.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING<
Jean, David and Family

ELMER'S THANKSGIVING POST

As you can see we have new pictures at the top this week.  I didn't know that I was in the candy business.  I'm not really.  A friend gave Marilyn a box of candy for her Birthday - a box of Elmer Chocolates.  When Marilyn saw that name, she said she had to put them on here - once she stopped laughing.  Well I have gone from a street sign to chocolate candy.  \

John and Sarah, Anna and myself wish to thank you all for the anniversary wishes.  Michael and I also thank you for our Birthday wishes.  It is so kind of all of you.  The are really appreciated.

We also wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.  It hardly seems that 2015 is almost ending.  Where has this year gone?  That is why, we have to stop and thank the Lord for all He has done for us this year.

I know what Thanksgiving Day is like.  We have relatives that we haven't seen in a while.  Our whole family will be there plus some friends.  Of course, we can smell that dinner being cooked in the kitchen which makes us so hungry.  We also want to catch up on what our friends and relatives we haven't seen are up to.

But, we also have to stop.  We have to take time for the Lord.  It is His day.  Really every day is His day.  During the past year, we have had so many good times and some good things.  We have also had some not so good times and things.  All were for a reason.  We might not understand the reason,  being here on earth, but the Lord has a reason for everything good or bad.

He has been so good to us.  This year, we had a great year in crops.  We have a new Grandson which, by the way, is now allowed to come to church and family gatherings if he has his sleep time.  All of our family, except Anna's Mother, have been well this year except for colds, which we all came through well.  Anna's Mother, we are so happy, to still have with us as well as my parents.  There aren't two many children in their 50's that have both parents with them and Anna and I have have both of ours.  We were able to buy a new buggy this year - something we have wanted for a long time.  Also, we were able to give this year/  More than we have been able to in the past couple of years.

Our whole family did well this year.  John and Sarah were upset because of Baby John's hospital bill.  Between what they had saved, and how well our crops were this year we could cover the bill.  John paid what he could of the bill, the family put together what we could and paid the hospital without having to ask the church for money.  If we had not been able to pay the bill, the church would have paid the rest.  In fact, Bishop Eli planned on taking money to pay what John and Sarah couldn't of the bill.  But, a family discussion decided we had  enough to pay the bill and we did.  I got to the hospital and paid the bill before Bishop Eli did.  This is not bragging, but just telling how well the Lord has been to us.

We should thank the Lord.  Just stop and take a few minutes to thank the Lord. I know I said it before, at our house when everyone is seated for dinner on Thanksgiving - after prayer - I ask we go around the table and each person tell what we are thankful for this year.  Just one item.  Sometimes it is something like perhaps Baby John being born perfect, or one of our Grandchildren pleased that her marks have  improved in school to someone getting something they needed - on until we are done.  It doesn't matter if it is big or small as long as means something to the person that says it.

Anna and I also take time alone to thank the Lord.  We try to take time every day, but like everyone else we aren't perfect.  It seems we have time to ask the Lord, but sometimes don't have time to thank Him, which we feel is wrong.  But, we are not perfect.

Also we remember that the Lord forgives us, if we ask Him.  It is hard sometimes to understand that.  But the Lord created us, sent His Son  to teach us and be among us and His Son died on the cross for our sins.  So if He did that, He will forgive our sins, if we ask.  It is hard for us to understand, but that is the way it is.

So, please take time to thank the Lord.  Maybe the day before, on Thanksgiving Day and, if you forget, the next day.   In fact, try to say a thank Him every day.

I didn't mean to go on so.  This year has been a good year for us, but we have had years that were not so good.  Years, I wondered if we would make it from one end to another.  So, Anna and I, also know the hard times.

Didn't mean to go on so.  I asked Bishop Eli to give us a post for Thanksgiving and he said delegate, delegate, delegate and he delegated this to me.

Trust God's Wisdom,
Elmer
'

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARILYN

TODAY IS MARILYN'S 67 BIRTHDAY.  IT TOOK SOME DOING TO SNEAK THIS ON HER COMPUTER.



HAPPY BIRTHDAY,
Elmer and Anna
Eli and Emma
Jean, David and family
Grandfather Albert and Grandmother Olive

SHE HAS CHOSEN HER NAME !!!!!!!

The decision was long and hard with lots of prayer.  There were many names that she liked.  She thanks you all for your submitting names.

Drum Roll, please !!!  Her final decision for her name is: RUTH.

I think we all had fun submitting names.  Also, it may have helped some of us in checking names in the Bible.  It got the biggest response on here, than we have had in a long time.

I asked Ruth if she really wanted me to tell this and she said she felt God wanted her to tell.  What is her name? Ruth.


Marilyn

BARNS - AGAIN

I took these pictures back in August and forgot I had them.  When cleaning out pictures that I had and found them.  The are all kinds of barns Amish, Old Order Mennonite and Englishers.

I will have another post today when Thomas' lady decides on her name.  She promised she would decide today.

OLD ORDER MENNONITE - ROOFING, SIDING AND CONSTRUCTION

I saw a group of Old Order Mennonite putting a roof on a house, a while ago and of course, I didn't have my camera.  I was looking where the man's house, where he lives, and I finally found it.  Hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed finding them.

Thomas and his lady are still taking new names on the previous post.  She will decide what name she will use on Friday.

NAME THOMAS' FUTURE WIFE !!!!

Thomas called me this morning.  He has a rye sense of humor.  Thomas told me, as I said before, his future wife does not want to use her real first name on New York State of Mind, and I understand that.  As yet, she has not picked a named and Thomas is getting tired of having her Thomas' lady.  So he came up with the idea of seeing if the people on New York State of Mind could come up with a name for his soon to be wife, that she approves.

Now here are the rules:  Most Old Order Mennonite and Amish names are from the Bible, so Thomas would like it to be a name from the Bible.  Also, it must be a name different from anyone else's on New York State of Mind.

I asked Thomas if he has her permission and he put her on the phone - she agreed to this.  So here is a bit about her.  She is 18 years old, as is Thomas.  Of course she is Old Order Mennonite as is Thomas.  She is a hard worker, Thomas says. She is kind and does for others.  Also, she does quilting, sewing, canning, crochet, and more.  What put her at the top of my list is she loves dogs and cats - especially dogs.

So here it goes.  What do you think her name should be?

BISHOP ELI ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS

I will try to answer some of your questions today.  Don't know if I will get through all of them or not.  If not, I will do another post.

Are their rules to become a Bishop?  Yes.  They must be baptized, married, being in good standing, and be raising their children in the way of the Lord. Now to get a little off here, if someone is Bishop and their wife dies - they don't have to marry again.  If they find the right person, they marry again, in fact most do.  But you don't have to. Only a man can be Bishop in our church.  Women can not be Bishops or Deacons or Ministers.

Does the Bishop have to be a certain age?  No.  Most Bishop's, that I know were in their 30's on up when they became Bishop.  I was in my 40's when I became Bishop.

Does the Bishop require special training?  I believe you mean like going to school, taking courses, etc.  No,  Although I do a lot of study of the Bible.  I try to get an hour or two every day, alone, in my office to read, study and pray.  This doesn't happen every day especially during planting and harvest season.  But I do try.  Emma and I also read the Bible and pray together. We also discuss Bible passages.

How is Bishop elected or chosen?  Our way is the same as when Bishop Joseph became Bishop.  We have a Bishop, deacons and our ministers there.  To start each person who is a baptized member of the church in good standing goes in the room and tells who they feel should be the Bishop. Men and women both do this.  When this is done, if there are more than 6 people chosen, the Bishop tells who the men are.  The Bishop usually has a time of prayer.  Then he asks the people to come through again and chose which of the ones they feel is chosen.  If they get done and there still are over six men, the people with the highest counts  go on to the next.

There are six Bibles.  In one of them, the Bishop puts a note with a Bible passage in it.  The six men are asked to come forward.  Usually they sit at a table in the front of room.  Bishop then mixes the Bibles, the deacons mix the Bibles and the Minister mix the Bibles.  Sometimes the Bishop mixes them one last time.  Then the Bibles are laid side by side on the table.  One by one the men chosen open the Bible.  If there is no Bible passenger, there are not Bishop.  The man that opens the Bible with the passage in it - is the Bishop.  We feel that God chose the person He wanted for Bishop.  I went through that - so I hope I put everything in there.

Do I perform marriages, yes I do.  Do I have to be licensed in the state?  I didn't really check into it.  When I became Bishop, I was given a beautiful certificate signed by the Bishop, deacons and ministers that took part.  Before I had to do my first marriage, I took it down to the county seat in Pennsylvania and they copied it.  When I came to New York, I did the same thing and they copied it.
Being Amish, I don't think I HAD to do that, but I did it so there wouldn't be any problems with the state or county.

I know there are more questions, but I think I end here for this post.  Will see if I can talk Emma into putting a post on here.

Honor the Lord,
Bishop Eli

THOMAS, JEAN AND DAVID'S SON, CALLED ME.  WE ARE GOING TO HAVE SOMETHING DIFFERENT ON TOMORROW, WE HOPE YOU ENJOY.  WE NEED YOUR HELP.

ELMER TRIES TO CATCH UP

Baby John is doing well at home.  Sarah called Anna the day after she got John home from the hospital and said he doesn't cry.  Anna asked if he is breathing right, eating well, etc.  Sarah said yes.  Anna told Sarah to thank the Lord, and enjoy it because none of her other babies will be like that.  It's true he rarely does cry.  You go to get him after a nap or feed him, he is in his crib, happy and doesn't cry.  Sarah will check when she brings him into the doctor next week, but Anna says he just isn't a baby that cries.  They are few and far between.

Michael and I had our Birthday party on October 31st.  It was suppose to be at our house, but because of all we had going with Baby John, Jean decided to have it at her house.  When we got there, all the men were taking the pumpkins and storing them in the barn.  Last year, they didn't take them in and someone smashed them, so I helped to get them in the barn.  Even David Jr., helped us by carying some small pumpkins.

We had a delicious dinner and played some board games.  Michael and I exchanged gifts.  We talked about going hunting.  Right now, you can hunt with bow, but gun season opens on November 21st, Marilyn's birthday.  All us men are planning on going.  Jean and Anna decided they want to go, too.  Someone has to stay home to answer the phone if someone wants a deer slaughtered and packaged.  Thomas said he would stay home as he doesn't care to go hunting.  If he gets a call, he will call David to come home and do the job.  In a way they want someone to call, but in a way David would rather be hunting.  I can't blame him.

Amos and Fannie, Olive and Albert left for Pinecraft on November 1st.  Olive and Albert are coming back for Thomas' wedding next month.  They all went on Amtrak and Porter, their friend,  was on so they enjoyed the trip down.

The year has passed since Sarah's Father passed, so she doesn't have to wear black all the time anymore.  She is now able to wear dark blue, brown, or burgandy color dresses now.

Anna and my wedding anniversary was November 14th.  We have been together 31 years.  Our daughter Alma, had us over to her house on Sunday as it was not a church day.  All, but two of our children was there.  One and his family were coming, but one of his children got sick and it was going through the other children.  They thought it was better to stay home that spread the cold.  Oh, John and Sarah didn't come either because they thought that would be too large a crowd for Baby John to be in yet.

Alma invited Eli and Emma, too  We had a great dinner.  We sat and talked.  Later we sang hymns.  Some of them gave us gifts, which we opened.  Alma had made a cake and had ice cream for desert.  We all enjoyed ourselves.  Eli closed with a prayer.  We got home in time to milk the cows.

The ladies were discussing who would have Thanksgiving Dinner this year.  Sarah wanted to, but with the new baby, Anna thought it would be too much for her.  Anyway it went all around and guess whose house it is going to be in? Ours.  That's where it was last year.  After a lot of discussion it was decided that with Hannah and Moses, their family and Anna and Hannah's Mother and Father, our house would be the best.  If their Mother isn't having one of their good days, Hannah doesn't have far to take their Mother home as they live right next door to us.  So Thanksgiving will be at our house.  I really think Anna enjoys it.  She will get help from Hannah, my Mother, our daughters and daughter-in-laws so it doesn't all fall on Anna.  They will decide who will bring what and they will help Anna do the rest.  We hope Baby John is cleared by the doctor so John, Sarah and Baby John can come, too.

Well, I guess that has us all caught up on what has been going on here.

Trust God's Wisdom,
Elmer

DOG RULES

I am taking Saturdays and Sundays unless it is a special day or holiday.

PIERRE WELCOMES HIS NEW FRIEND - MURPHY

Hello, You may remember me as Marilyn's friend, Vickie, with two toy poodles.  We have been on this blog before showing Mable and Henry.

Mable is our grey toy poodle we have had since she was a puppy.  She has some slipped discs in her back.  You have prayed for her in the past when Marilyn asked for prayer for her when she was not doing well.  Now she is doing fine.  She can not jump onto or off of the furniture or use the stairs, but otherwise is normal.

We rescued Henry from a breeder 2 1/2 years ago.  He lived in a cage a lot of the time.  The breeder told me that all he wanted to do was be on her lap, and she did not have time for that.  Well, Henry, is very happy here.  Henry and I visit the elderly at a nursing home, monthly.  The elderly love him.  He is perfect for them.  He is only 6 pounds.

Over several months I have been pondering a problem out there in the world of the elderly.  Many elderly own a pet and then they have to go live in a nursing home, or perhaps they die.  Then the care of their pet, falls on their adult children. Many times these adult children do not want the pet.  Sometimes, these adult children lie to their remaining parent and tell them the pet died, and they actually give it to the humane society.

Well, we went and adopted a poodle from our local humane society.  Murphy is a miniature poodle (like Pierre).  He had a rough time.  His elderly owner went to a nursing home.  The woman's adult daughter did not want to keep Murphy, so she took him to the shelter, who transferred him to our local humane society.  Murphy began straining to urinate there.  The veterinarian determined be had bladder stones and needed surgery to remove them.  He was so confused.  He is 12 years old.

Our humane society has a program called fostering-to-adopt, for animals that have special needs.  Since he was recovering from surgery (we got him 3 days post-operation) and he needed medicine daily.  We brought him back for the vet to take the staples out. We cared or fostered him  until his lab report came back on his bladder stones.  We now know what kind of dog food Murphy needs to eat the rest of his life to prevent bladder stones from forming again.

All three poodles got along from the start.  Murphy truly prefers people to dogs, but that is because he was an only dog of one elderly woman.  Henry has figured out that Murphy allows cuddling.  Murphy loves to sleep on your lap.  When I read in the recliner, Henry and Murphy are both with me.  We take turns letting one on my lap and one next to me in the recliner.  We switch the next time I sit to read.  It is a good thing Mabel does not prefer lap sitting.

If you are looking for a pet and maybe you do not want a puppy or a kitten, the humane society is a good place to look.  Older pets are overlooked all the time.  I had never thought of them until several months ago.  We are so glad he will be in our loving home the rest of his days.

JEAN'S CABBAGE AND NOODLE DISH

JEAN'S CABBAGE AND NOODLE DISH

8 slices of bacon
1 medium onion, diced
1/2 cup vinegar
1 medium sized cabbage
6 - oz medium sized egg noddles, cooked
1/2 cup sugar

Cut onion in pieces and fry out, add onions until glassy.  Drain off fat.  Add vinegar and sugar.  Set aside.  Cook cabbage in salty water until crunchy done.  Drain.  Cook noodles in salty water. Drain. Combine noodles and cabbage.   Stir in bacon dressing.  Serve hot.

VETERAN'S DAY

                                         THANK A VETERAN !!



Are any of you that view New York State of Mind, a Veteran?

BISHOP ELI TELLS

Some people wanted to know a bit about about our lives and families.  So let me start with my family.  My wife Emma and I have nine children.  They are all grown, married and with families of their own.  We all live pretty close together.  They are all farmers and raise cows.  At present, we have 15 grandchildren with at least one more on the way.

I come from a family of 16 children - I am the eldest.  Emma came from a family of 10 children.  We grew up near each other, and went to the same school.  Emma and I courted for quite a while and would probably still be courting if her parents hadn't decided to move.  They would be taking Emma with them.  The night I heard that, we went to the Bishop, set the wedding date and married about a month later.  By the way, her parents did move, but ended up moving back again.  I kid them and say they did that to get me to finally marry Emma.

Like Elmer said, we moved around and ended back in Pennsylvania. Our last move, so far, is in New York State.  We have no plans on moving again, but we never know what the Lord wants us to do. So what's that old saying: you never say never.

Telling about our lives, I assume you mean Bishop family life.  When I became Bishop, as happened when Bishop Joseph became Bishop, some of our older children were not happy.  They had to accept it because it was God's decision not ours, but that did not make them happy.  Young folk seemed to think they were going on display because their father was Bishop.  In a way, I guess they were.  If any of them did anything wrong - not matter how small - people would say, but you are the Bishop's son or you are the Bishop's daughter.  Emma and my reply were they are not perfect.  They are young folk and so make mistakes.  Whatever they did was taken care of at home.  No one adult or child or young folk is perfect.  We all make mistakes - some worse than others.

It doesn't bother them as much now,  as they are all grown up with families of their own.  Still my grandchildren get that there Grandfather is the Bishop - like they didn't know that already.

Being a Bishop, at times, I live a busy life.  In addition to my farm, I have the work of the Lord.  It helps that my sons live near by as they help with chores when necessary.  Also Amish members of our church help when they know I have other things to do and can't handle everything.  Even our English neighbors have come to help milk cows, feed the animals, etc.

In our home, I have an office, that I use for my study.  Also, it is used if someone wants to come to my home to discuss something with me, set up their wedding, funeral or something else.  If women come along, Emma comes in the office with her.

I am sometimes called to a home if someone is ill, a fire, someone is injured, and more.  Also, I go to the hospital at times.

 Really, I am not like the Bishop you read about in the novel books.  I don't think my Amish people are afraid of me as you read people are in novels.

I don't really know what information you want to know about the Bishop.  So please ask.  That is how I know to answer your questions.

Our Amish people help me as much, if not more, than I help them at times.  They help me on my farm.  Most anything I ask someone, they will do for Emma or myself.  When I go on vacation, they care for our farm.  Even Bishop's need vacation for a rest.

God Bless and Keep you,
Eli

JOHN AND SARAH'S FIRST ANNIVERSARY

Today is John and Sarah's first wedding anniversary.  They got a little pre-wedding anniversary gift - they got to bring a little bundle home from the hospital - Baby John.

The doctor called yesterday morning, told them that Baby John was just fine, but would like to meet them at the hospital after their church service.  So John and Sarah had a driver come and pick them up after church.  When they got there, the doctor said she seemed to remember their wedding anniversary was tomorrow and they said yes.  Well, she said, I have a present for you - Baby John weighs just a bit over what she wanted him to - so he can go home.

John and Sarah were thrilled.  Doctor had all the release papers made out, told them all she wanted them do - what to watch out for - what not to watch out for and more.  Sarah packed up all the items she had there for Baby John.

They asked the doctor if she came into the hospital just for them.  Doctor sort of laughed and said no.  She had delivered one of her patients that morning and had another one on the way in.  So after she delivered the first baby, she thought of checking Baby John and remembered their anniversary. Baby John weighed over the limit she feels safe sending him home and what an anniversary gift he would be.

The doctor told Sarah she knew what Sarah went through last year with her father being ill and passing.  Anna had told her when Sarah first went to her so she would know Sarah's fear of hospitals.  Doctor said this time, good things do happen in hospitals, too.  Now take your little boy home with you and have a Happy Anniversary.

Anna, Sarah's Mother and I went over to their house after church and waited to see what the doctor wanted.  Anna said she thought the doctor was sending Baby John home.  If he was fine, why else would she call them down there on a Sunday.  But we all waited just in case.

When the car pulled up, we went out on the porch and we could see John in the front next to the driver and he was beaming.  Anna was right. When the car stopped John was out and opened the back door where Sarah was holding the baby.  John took the baby from Sarah, she got out, and the three of them walked into the house.  I think even Baby John was glad to be home.

Even though Baby John is home, there are rules about people seeing him yet.  Doctor doesn't want a lot of people in their house at the same time.  No one with colds, flu, etc. that Baby John should get.  Make sure he gets all his rest.  She would say to make sure he eats, but he will let you know when he is hungry - although Sarah does have a schedule.  Don't take him to church or where there are a lot of people.  Sarah has to bring him back to the doctor in two weeks or before if necessary.  Doctor said she knows everyone will want to see him and in a few weeks, he will be able to, but let him get use to home and away from any illness.  Even then, the doctor said, you still can't avoid illness sometimes, but Baby John is strong now.  Between Sarah, Anna and the midwife, I think Baby John will be well taken care of.

So the party we were going to have for their anniversary, we are delaying until Baby John can have more people in.  Anna said she really thinks, they would want just the three of them together on that day, anyway.  Their maude had the baby room all ready for the baby.  They had given them Monday evening off before they knew Baby John was coming home - so they told her take it off even though he is home.  They could manage Baby John.

John said he is so glad Baby John is home.  Not only to have Baby John home, but Sarah has finally stopped crying.  She has a smile now, not tears.

Trust God's Wisdom,
Elmer


PLEASE READ PRECEDING POST, IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY.

MARILYN HAS SOMETHING TO SAY !!!

I have a change this week.  First of all, Veteran's Day is on Wednesday, so I will be putting on something for Veteran's that day.  Jean's recipe will be on Thursday.

Which leads to a question.  Do people still want Jean's recipes on Wednesday?  Do you still want the Christmas recipes on?  We are not getting much of a response for Jean's recipes. I am not talking just about the ones that leave messages, but on the over all pageviews.  The pageviews are very low.  Would you rather have them on every other week?  Will their be responses to the Christmas recipes?

Jean goes through a lot to pick recipes she thinks we will like.  Also, the Christmas Recipes and the Easter Recipes take a long time to make up those lists and get them on.  She doesn't mind doing it, but if no one is interested she could put the time to other use.

Also, I don't know if I will be able to get posts on every day this week.  A friend of mine's Mother passed away so I went to the viewing and funeral.  Last night I found that another of my friends Father passed away. They may need help or just a friend during this hard time.  So I don't know if I will be able to get everything on.  I hope you understand.

My Mother used to say, passings always happen in threes.  I hope she is wrong this time, but she usually wasn't.

Also, I am considering not putting posts on Saturday.  They, too, get a low response.  I would special ones on for special times that happen on Saturday, but the rest of the time, I would leave it vacant.  I think people have things to do on weekends and don't always have the time to read posts.  I would have posts Monday thru Friday.  What do you think???

I guess that's all I have to say today.  If I think of something else, I will add it.  Just want you to know what is going on.

Blessings,
Marilyn

GOD'S CREATURES - CANADIAN GEESE

These geese are playing around in the field next to a pond.  None of them were in the pond, there were all in the field.

1932 DEUCE COUPE

1932 Deuse Coupe pictures were taken at Canal Town Days in Palmyra back in September.  This one needed a post of it's own.

OLD ORDER MENNONITE HORSES

These Old Order Mennonite horse pictures were taken during the barn raising back in July.  Just got around to putting on.