ANNA IS BACK !!!!

I haven't been on for a while.  My sister Hannah and I have been taking care of our Mother with Alzheimer Diease.  Sometimes she has good days, but most of her days are not so good days.  She doesn't know where she is or who we are. But it is God's will and she is still with us is what counts.

I am also giving this to Marilyn on Saturday. As we have church tomorrow, we didn't think it would be the best to call Bishop Eli or Emma tonight.

What you might find interesting is our Bishops does not write out what they are going to speak about.  Bishop Eli says sometimes he knows what he is going to speak about on Sunday as he does chores.  Some times he doesn't know until he gets to church.  This means that none of the Ministers or Deacons know what they are going to speak about until Bishop tells them what he is speaking about.  Bishop Eli believes God tells him what to speak about.  Bishop Eli doesn't hear voices or alike, but he says he feels the Lord wants him to speak on a certain subject.  A certain message that the Lord wants.

John, Sarah and Baby John are coming along well.  We were so glad we could have Baby John at our house for Thanksgiving.  Sarah and I decided we would only allow a few people see him at a time and hold him for a certain time.  Everything went real well.  Baby John is such a good boy.  As Sarah said, he very seldom cries.  Even during the night, it is very rare that he cries.

Sarah had to take him to the doctor for a check up and asked the doctor because John does not cry.  The doctor said what I did, to enjoy him because all babies are not like that.  In fact, few are like that.  The next child will probably not be that quiet.

Baby John came trough the check up very well.  He is putting on weight and getting bigger.  He is still small, but is getting there.  Doctor felt that he will be taller than Elmer, but wouldn't be as tall as John.  It is really to early to tell how tall Baby John will be.

Next Sunday, as it isn't church week, we are having a party for John and Sarah's first wedding anniversary.  We are having family and friends over.  Because of Baby John, we are celebrating over a month late.

I feel for all that Jean is going through for the Thomas' wedding.  Have tried to help her when I could.  Told her the first wedding is the hardest - it gets easier with each one after that.  As Elmer said, I think things will be easier when Grandmother gets up here from Florida.  Grandmother Olive has handled so many weddings, she will get things done and Jean calmed down.  I am sure it will be a wonderful wedding.

As the Bride and Groom's Mothers usually don't see the couple take their vows as they are working in the kitchen, I told Jean, I was taking over the kitchen at that time so she and Olive could see Thomas and Ruth  take theirs.  There will be several Old Order Mennonite and some of us Amish friends there, so there will be enough to run the kitchen.

For our wedding present, Bishop Eli and Emma's present and Eli's' parents gift, we are giving Thomas and Ruth a trip to Pinecraft.  We, Eli and Emma are paying their round trip on Amtrak.  Eli's parents are furnishing the cottage.  They could stay with Albert and Olive, but we thought they would want to stay in their own place.  I am sure Olive and Fanny will see that they get meals, go places and do things.  Even when us adults go down there, they take care of us.

Thomas and Ruth don't know they are getting it yet.  We did this for John and Sarah when they got married.  Old Order Mennonites or Amish don't have honeymoons, we feel they should go on a trip now because if they have children, they might not get the chance.

The only thing is they can't go when we go.  So when we will have to work out.  We checked with David and Jean to see if they would think it is a good idea and they thought Thomas and Ruth will really like the trip.

Well I will sign off now.

Trust God's Wisdom,
Anna

ELMER TALKS ABOUT THIS AND THAT

Everything is busy over at Jean's house and the house that Thomas and Ruth are going to move in.  Jean's house is getting ready for the wedding.  Thomas and Ruth's house is getting everything moved in.

Yesterday, I was at Thomas and Ruth's house.  We finished putting all the siding on.  David and I were going through the house to make sure that we had all the work done.  I went into the attic and said to David - you didn't put on a new roof.  David was shocked and said they forgot.  Well, I said it is leaking.  So went spent most of today putting on a new roof.  We will finish it off on Monday.

After we get done with that David and Jean told Thomas and Ruth they are not going into that house until their wedding evening.  Thomas got a little upset.  They told him, he had done all he could do and their items were in the house - now it was their turn to do what they wanted to do.  They are going to do like we did on John and Sarah before they married.  They are closing all the blinds, will make Thomas to turn in his set of keys and they are to keep away from the house.  Thomas can come and do his chores with his animals, but stay away from the house.

As Thomas and Ruth do not have a computer, I can say that David and Michael have been making some furniture for the house over at Kevin's work shop.  David and Michael didn't want them to know what they were doing.  Also, Jean and Ruth's Mother have some things they want to put in the house, which is partly over at Bishop Joseph and Martha's house and partly at our house.  When they send Thomas and Ruth for some errand that takes quite a while, the ladies are going to put the items in.

Jean was going to put on a post on this week, but has so many things to do, she probably won't have one until after the wedding.  Anna thinks things are going to calm down when Grandfather Albert and Grandmother Olive arrive from Florida.  Anna believes Grandmother Olive will take over or at least organize things.  Somehow things organize with Grandmother Olive.

Which leads to the Christmas Recipes.  Jean can't find the list she made up for the recipes.  She can't find them anywhere.  She called when Bishop Eli and Emma were here.  Anna and Emma said don't worry about it, they will take over the cookie recipes.  So Anna and Emma are going through their recipes.  They haven't decided when they are going to start them, but they are planning on it.  A couple of people also asked for recipes, so they are looking those up, too.

Which leads too, I don't know who is going to do the post for Tuesday.  Someone will do it.  It will be either Bishop Eli, Emma or Anna - and if no one else can come up with one - you will have me again.

To change the subject, we haven't had hardly any snow so far this year.  In one way, it is a good thing, in another it is a bad thing.  We prefer to have nice days with no snow to shovel.  Anna and I like it warmer than so winter cold.  On the other hand, we believe that snow helps the soil, so we have a good crop next year.  Of course, the fall isn't over much less the winter.  So we shall see what the Lord and time will brings.

Which leads to your question if Bishop Eli and Emma get to go on vacations?  We are planning on going to Pinecraft as were they.  We all want to go at the same time.  Easter is in March this year, which kind of puts out going in March.  We don't want to go in April as, depending on the weather, is planting season.  So, I guess we are going in February of next year.  We have no idea when we are leaving, but decided, because Albert and Olive said it was such a nice trip, we would go down and come back by Amtrak.  Also, we both want the same kind of rooms they had.

Eli spoke to his parents and they said whenever is fine with them.  Eli and Emma will stay with his parents, like they have before.  Anna and I will stay in the other cottage, they own, that they want us to buy.  Albert and Olive said we could stay at their place, too.  But, I think we will stay next door to Eli's parents.

Which leads to another subject.  Why do sometimes I call him Bishop Eli and others Eli.  He and I grew up together and are our best friends.  I always called him Eli until he became Bishop.  After talking, we decided if it is in church, or a church meeting or at a situation where he is doing Bishop work or I am introducing him - I call him Bishop.  All other times, I can call him Eli.  Sometimes even when I can call him Eli, I call him Bishop.  It just happens.  Of course, I have gone the other way when I was should call him Bishop Eli, I have called him Eli.  When I realize what I did I correct myself.  Bishop Eli says it must be hard being a friend as long as we have, then have to change what I call him.  I said it doesn't matter what I have to call him - he's my friend.

Well on that, I will close for this week, I think.

Trust God's Wisdom,
Elmer

PIERRE'S "THE BARK" - SEE MY NEW COLLAR

I have been wearing this same collar for I don't know how long.  One of the ladies at the Birthday Party, yesterday, gave me some money.  So Mom bought me a new collar.  I was so glad to get a new one, I am tired of the old one.  Mom put it on me and took me to the lady that gave me the money to show her what we bought with her money.  Mom also took me to Shirley's apartment to make sure, she put it on me, correctly.  She had.  What do you think of my new collar?

Mom is still trying to get the lady that took the pictures of the party to give her the disc out of her camera so she can put them on the computer.  Mom and Shirley tried to explain to the lady that if she puts the pictures on the computer, they will still be on the disc.  No matter how hard they tried, they could not convince the lady.  She does not own a computer.  So we have to wait until she gets pictures made and Mom scans the pictures to put them on here.

Love,
Pierre

PIERRE'S "THE BARK" - TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY !!!!

Today is my 7th birthday.  My Mom is giving me a party this afternoon.  Some of my friends Mom's have given them birthday parties, but this is my first.  I don't know what to expect, but Mom says I will enjoy it.  Mom is having mini cup cakes, potato chips and punch.  So I can't wait for it.

Yesterday, I went to the dog groomers.  Then Mom and my girl friend, Lily, and her Mom took us down to get our pictures taken with Santa Claus.  I had never met this fellow before.  Mom said he brought me my Christmas gifts, so I had to see him.  I was a little afraid because I have a thing against men with long hair.  It goes back to my previous owners.  Anyway, Santa has long hair, but he was nice.  He held me in his lap while the camera man took my pictures.

Mom will probably put my picture with Santa on when she gets them.  Also, she will put on pictures of my birthday party soon after the party.

While I have a Mom who can take care of me, , they are people in the world that can't.  People remember to give food and things to people, but if you are giving something to someone, please remember to put food in for their pets.

I know I have said this before, but I don't want dogs, cats, birds or other pets to go without food either.  Many people turn their dogs into the Humane Society, not because they don't love them, but they can't afford them.  So maybe if you more money and you could afford it, you give someone a gift certificate to the vet to have their pets shots.

Pets like toys, too.  You don't have to buy expensive ones.  They sell pet toys at General Dollar, Family Dollar and other places like them. If you can afford it, you can make a pet have a Merry Christmas, too.

Don't forget the dogs, cats, birds and other pets at the Humane Society, They would like food and toys, too.  Many Humane Societies have request lists  for things like food, towels, paper towels, blankets, etc.  While you are there, maybe you would find a pet addition to your home.  I know puppies and kittens are cute, but don't forget to look at the adult dogs, too.  Many of them need homes, too, and are already house broken, trained and more.  They have love in their hearts, too.

I know I say this every year, but I don't want folks to forget.  My Mom isn't rich and knows how hard times can be.  I know there are people who can't afford to help and I understand.  But, if you can afford, here are just some ways that you can.  Any small or large thing can help.

Merry Christmas to all,
Pierre

PIERRE HAS ANOTHER POST ON SUNDAY.

OLD ORDER MENNONITE FARM

Was driving down the road and saw this Old Older Mennonite Farm.  It looks like they have a business.  Also looks like they have a new barn going up.

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