Wednesday, December 16, 2015

THOMAS AND RUTH'S WEDDING BY ANNA

Well, Thomas and Ruth are now married.  Marilyn came to Elmer and my house first because I borrowed a black skirt from our Englisher neighbor that Marilyn could wear with a black blouse.  While she was there, I took Marilyn's measurements so I can make her a blouse and skirt she can wear to Amish or Old Order Mennonite service, wedding, etc.  It will not be exactly Amish style, but not exactly Englisher style.  I want the skirt short enough so she can drive her car wearing it.

We car drove from our house to pick up Bishop Eli and Emma - then went to Jean's house.  Finally decision the wedding and dinner would be held inside the house.  They were afraid that it would rain outside. Jean and I agreed that Marilyn sit next to me so she would be next to someone she knew.  I wasn't needed in the kitchen so we sat in the seats closest to the kitchen - in case I was needed.  Like with either the Old Order Mennonite or us Amish - the men sit on one side of the room - the ladies on the other.

The bride and groom were in one of the bedrooms upstairs with their attendants.  Attendants are two singles girls that the bride chooses and two single men that the groom chooses.  Ruth had two of her close friends.  Thomas had Michael and Edward.  The four attendants are witnesses to the wedding.  Some of their friends that are dating couples bring up the gifts that people bring.  After all the gifts are brought up, the single ladies go in one room and the  single men go into another.

Ruth was dressed in a light blue dress with a white kapp (cap).  Thomas wore a black dress suit with a white shirt.   They will pack both of their clothes away tonight or tomorrow.  These clothes are only worn two times - for their wedding and for their funeral.

When all us adults were seated, we were given a sip of wine and a cookie.  These remind us of John 2:1 -10 where Jesus turns the water into wine.  David, Jean's husband, called the names of all the dating couples as they came down the stairs.  If there was a single fellow that is not dating, they will match him up with a single girl about his age who is not dating.  They remain a couple for the rest of the wedding day. The dating couples sit in another area from the adults.  They are divided with men on one side and ladies on the other.

After the dating couples are seated, the ministers, brides parents and Bishop Joseph go upstairs to speak with the bride and groom.  When they return, the service starts and lasts for about 2 hours and then the wedding vows.  Shortly before the wedding vows two Old Order Mennonite Ladies and myself went into the kitchen so Jean, Ruth's Mother and Grandmother Olive could see and hear Thomas and Ruth's vows. Wedding ends with Bishop Joseph's Blessing, ministers blessings and prayer.

There are no wedding rings, kisses, dancing, etc.  Thomas and Ruth went upstairs while they changed the board seats into tables and seats.  The tables were dressed (plates, silver ware, etc.).  When the ladies were finished dressing the tables, Thomas and Ruth came down and sat at one end of the table with their attendants beside them..  Dinner had to be served in shifts. There were almost 400 people there.

After the dinner, the men started singing and those of us ladies not working in the kitchen sang with them.  The rest of the ladies were cleaning up the table and starting the evening meal.  We sang and chatted until about three o'clock when all us adults and little children went home.

As all we had to show Thomas and Ruth was an Amtrak train picture, Bishop Eli and Emma along with Elmer and myself told what our gift was.  They were very happy - thrilled was more like it  about being able to go to Pinecraft.  We explained that when we can all get together, who is going when.  They thanked us very much.

What happened after we left, you will have to get a post from Thomas and Ruth. Usually, the Bride and Groom spend their first night at their parents house to help clean up the house, the next day.  David said they didn't need the help, but he still wasn't going to let them go over to their house.  So Thomas and Ruth will stay at Jean and David's house while Jean and David sleep over at Thomas and Ruth's house.  Old Order Mennonite single folks especially boys - same as some Amish folks like to go over to the house and disturb the new married couple by making noise, pulling pranks and alike.  David said the surprise will be on the folks because he will come outside not Thomas.  If they young folks come around David and Jean's house - Grandfather Albert and Grandmother Olive can handle them.The next night they switch houses.

It was a Blessed lovely wedding.  We wish them many happy years the Lord's way.  Also we wish them many children and rich crops.

Trust God's Wisdom,
Anna


21 comments:

Tom said...

Sounds like an exciting day!

Anonymous said...

Anna, thank you for telling us. What a beautiful and blessed wedding day it must have been. I almost feel like I was there! You all work so well together. To get everything done. How thoughtful of you to help Marilyn to get the proper clothing so she can attend gatherings like this. A really nice gift!

Anonymous said...

Forgot to add this to my comment....Will Thomas and Ruth tell us about their trip to Pinecraft and what they did while there? Going to Florida in the winter sounds so good to many of us (even with this unusual warm winter weather)

Angela Tucker said...

Good morning, Marilyn. What an amazing day! 400 people? Oh my goodness! No wonder Jean was worried about the food. LOL I think it is incredibly thoughtful of Anna to plan on a new outfit for you in the middle of all the excitement.

Please say thank you to all for sharing this very special time with us. I wish much happiness to Thomas and Ruth.

Have a great day, Marilyn.

Vanssmomc said...

Good Morning Marilyn, sounds like a wonderful wedding. And I am definitely impressed that there were 400 people. How lovely too, that Anna is making you a skirt and blouse that you will be able to wear to their functions. Best wishes to Thomas and Ruth. Also a question for Elmer, are they, as farmers, concerned with the warm weather and what effect it might have on their crops. Cathy in Webster

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Tom,
It was an exciting day.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Anonymous,
I will thank Anna for you. It was really a job getting everything to together. I, too, thought it was nice for Anna to have the clothes for me. She is making me two outfits so I will have them the next time I go to something Amish or Old Order Mennonite. I will ask Thomas and Ruth to put on a post when they go to Pinecrest.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Angela,
Yup, there were close to 400 people there. Jean was worried about the food, but she had more than enough. I do think it is nice that Anna is making me a couple outfits to wear. I sometimes worry if I am dressing correctly, although no one every said anything about how I dressed. But, I do want to dress correctly at weddings, services, etc.

I will see that Anna gets your message.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Cathy,
It was a wonderful wedding - more centered on the Lord than most Englisher weddings I've been to. It really impressed me that there were so many people there, too. I do think it is nice of Anna to make me two shirts and blouses so I will have them to wear to Amish and Old Order Mennonite weddings, services, etc. Anna said they are my Christmas gift. I will give Best Wishes to Thomas and Ruth. Also, will ask Elmer your questions.

Marilyn

littlemancat said...

Thank you for giving all of us this wonderful post so quickly!
It sounds like a beautiful day,
Blessings and all good wishes to the newly-weds,
Mary

Lily said...

Sounds like a nice wedding. I wonder how Thomas & Ruth felt during all this.
Nice that you now have clothes to wear that you'll feel more comfortable wearing during these functions.

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Mary,
It was a beautiful day. It may have been cloudy outside, but it was beautiful inside. I will see that Anna gets your message and Thomas and Ruth get theirs, too.
Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Lily,
It was a nice wedding day. Jean told us later that Thomas was worried that something was going to happen. She said he kept telling her that so she got nervous. Ruth kept telling Thomas everything would be just fine and it was.

It is nice that Anna is going to make clothes that will make be more comfortable during functions.

Marilyn

Vickie said...

Excellent! Thank you so much for sharing Anna. And how very thoughtful and kind of you to make Marilyn appropriate clothing.
I got a kick out of the wedding night switch. ;)

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Vickie,
I will see that Anna gets your message. It is very kind of her to make the right clothing for me. Was funny her measuring me up, down and around.

I think that wedding night switch is funny. I wonder what happened.

Marilyn

Anonymous said...

Many thanks to Anna for this post. Must have been such a wonderful day for everyone. So many people and so much food!
Any stories to tell about any of the young people trying to pull pranks on Thomas and Ruth?
Thank you, too, Marilyn for doing all the work involved with this blog.

Dynna said...

Thank you Anna, for such a detailed and informative post about Thomas and Ruth's wedding. I sure enjoyed reading all of it. It is so nice of Anna to be making you a couple outfits for their services, Marilyn. I was surprised that black is what they wear to weddings. Does everyone not in the wedding, wear black? I thought of shivaree when I read about pranks and noise making for the newlyweds. It would be funny and the joke on them, to have David or Grandfather Albert come out instead of Thomas. I wish everyone a blessed Christmas.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful wedding. I enjoyed reading it, I had to read it again.

what a wonderful gift- going to Fl. Pinecraft is such a nice town, they will enjoy it and the beautiful beaches.
I wish them many years of happiness.
jodie

Laura said...

Hi Marilyn,

I am so very happy for Thomas and Ruth and their newly combined families! Please add my congratulations & God's blessings to them all and to everyone who helped bring the wedding together as wonderfully as it turned out! And yes, it was very thoughtful and sweet of Anna to think of you as well! You have been blessed with some gracious friends through this blog!! I just hope Grandmother Olive didn't give any of the pranksers too much of an earful the other night :) lol :) Merry Christmas & Happy New Year everyone!

Laura

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Folks,
I am sorry, I haven't answered your letters sooner. I will see that Thomas and Ruth get your congratulations. Also, will see that everyone gets your messages. Really appreciate Anna making the clothes. It is so kind of her. It was a beautiful wedding. I wills see if I can get Thomas to do a post on pranksters. Also see if he will tell us about Pinecraft when he and Ruth go there.

Marilyn

prairie said...

Thank you, Anna. Lovely view of the wedding. Happy Christmas to you and all at New York State of Mind. I read almost every post and feel privileged to have an insight into your lives and culture. Regards, Kathie, in Odessa, WA