GOD'S CREATURES WOODPECKER

I tried to get pictures of a woodpecker this summer.  It was in a tree in my friends front yard.  Never got those pictures.  Little did I know that there was one right outside my door.  The first two pictures I took a week or so ago.  The rest I took this week.  It lets you walk real close to it.

EMMA TELLS OF BEING BISHOP'S WIFE

Hello all of you,

I was asked to speak on being the wife of Bishop Eli.  Don't know what to tell you.  When the Lord selected Eli as Bishop, I tried not to cry, but I did.  All I could think of is the work and strain it would put on Eli.  Over the years, we have somehow, thanks to the Lord, figured out how to make everything work out - most of the time.

When I first became the Bishop's wife, I thought I had to organize all the ladies quiltings, dinners, bakes sales, etc.  Then, I learned as Eli did, delegate, delegate, delegate.

Some of things I must do as Bishop's wife is attend anytime a single lady or child comes into see the Bishop.  It is our belief that women not be alone with a man except their father or husband.  So I attend.

Also, I must be at the baptism as Bishop Eli will pour the water on their head, but I will help the lady up with my hand and give her the kiss as a new member of our church.  Eli does it to the young men and do it to the young ladies.

If the ladies have a meeting about something of the church like when we got the new dishes for the church wagon, I attend those.  Unless I am ill, I attend all the church services.

I also, am not like the Bishop's wife that you read about in books.  Eli does not give me jobs to sneak around ladies homes or businesses to give him gossip.  I think people are glad to see me come into their homes and know I am not about do gossip back to my husband.  I have been in peoples homes where the are in need and I have told Eli that.

One lady I went to see, was a widow, had no children and was very low on food.  I felt Eli should know that.  We then organized so that someone could take her to get groceries.  If she had not had the money to buy groceries, Eli would have seen she had it.  People sometimes don't want to ask for help, even the Amish.

We, usually are the first to find out when someone is ill.  So, unless I am told otherwise, I spread the word to others of our church for prayer.  We also are usually the first to know of someone's need and again, unless I am told otherwise, spread the word of the need.  Eli tells me whether I should other know or not.

Anything I hear in our home or otherwise when someone is speaking to Eli as Bishop, is between us.  We do not spread gossip or give out any information unless we are given permission.  People sometimes come to tell Eli things in confidence and it is not our way to spread what they say.

Like any other housewife, I cook, clean, do laundry, sewing, canning, etc.  Also, I like to have cookies or cake or pie for someone to munch on when they come to Eli or guests visit.

When Eli first became Bishop, I was sure my house had to be the most spotless.  All the clothes we wear must be without wrinkles. Our shoes had to shine the brightest.  My cooking had to be the best.  Then I found out, all I have to be is human.  Of course, my house is clean - most of the time.  Sometimes there is a wrinkle in something Eli or myself are wearing.  We might have mud on shoes after coming from the barn.  My cooking is eatable - haven't food poisoned anyone yet.

Eli and I try pray first thing in the morning, but sometimes our one of us gets up for the other.  So we pray alone.  At all our meals, we say a prayer.  In the evening, we have Bible reading, prayers and thank the Lord.  Eli always prays for the people of our church, for the sick and for needs.

I try to with Eli as much as I can to the hospital, someone's home or elsewhere, but sometimes especially in the middle of the night, he will tell me to stay home.  It is hard sometimes.  I don't sleep well when he is gone.  I finally decided to take these times to pray for whoever or wherever he is doing the Lord's work.

I don't know if I told you all you wanted to know.  It was hard at first, but like I said it has become our way.  I pray that the Lord gives Eli the strength to do all that he must.

Honor the Lord,
Emma

 

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