ELMER'S FIRST POST FOR 2016

Happy New Year, everyone..  I had to laugh at Bishop Eli's post where he said he thought I should have been Bishop instead of him.  God did not make a mistake.  He chose the right one with Eli.  God knows what He is doing.  We sometimes don't.  But He does and that's all that matters.

There recently was a fire where an Amish house was a total loss.  There were seven people living in the house.  Marilyn asked if I would tell where would the people stay, about clothes, furniture, their house, etc.  So I will start with the night of the fire and move on.

When there is a fire, the Amish neighbors usually come.  With ten fire companies there, our company was not one of them as it was a way from our town, I am sure some of the ladies brought sandwiches, cookies, coffee and tea for the fire departments during the cold night.  Before they got done putting out the fire, the Amish were figuring on where the people would stay.

If they have relatives, they would probably move in with them.  Should they not have relatives in the area or they couldn't take on seven people, it would be decided what home they would go in.  Maybe some would have to go in one home, some in another.  The next day, they would decide where the people would stay until their house was rebuilt.  Could be with the same people as the night of the fire.  Maybe someone had enough room to take them all.  Maybe someone had a house that was vacant that they could move in.  They would not homeless.

Knowing ladies as I do, I am sure,  the day after the fire, they went shopping and got some material to make the people clothes.  I can almost hear those sewing machines going.  They will decide who will make whose clothes, measure them and get to work.  Ladies will make the ladies clothes, men's work clothes and church clothes and children's clothes.

Men will be making plans for the new house.  Sometimes I tell people, there is one good thing about a house burning to the ground - if there is anything you wanted or wished to change - building the new house is the time to do it.  It is a couple of days after the fire so snow or no snow, they might he clearing the lot, and checking the basement to see if it needs repair before building.

Also people are gathering what they can spare.  Furniture, pots and pans, toys for the children, etc., etc., etc.  Where ever the people are living, they need these items now.  I am sure their Bishop has spoken to them about their needs.  Their present needs are taken care of.  I am sure where ever they are living, they have received plenty of food.  Another thing ladies do, give from the canned goods they made, cook, bake, etc.  These people will not go hungry.

Whose house it is, the Bishop and some of the men will be talking of the construction of the new house.  I taken part in houses going up in the winter, but if they can, they would rather wait until the ground is not frozen, the snow is gone and the weather warmer.  But, on the other hand, if the ground is frozen and the basement is fine, it is better to put it up because there won't be a lot of mud.

The finances of building the new house will be discussed between the Bishop and the owner.  If the owner has enough money to buy the materials need for the house that is good.  If he can't, then the church will provide what is needed.  It is not a discussion among the church people.  In fact, we don't know how the house is paid for.  That is not our matter.  It is between Bishop and owner.

When it is decided the house will be built - now or in the spring - they will have a frolic.  It is like a barn raising, but it is for the house.  If they get enough people, the house, floors and roof should go up in a day.  There still has to be, depending on their Amish group, plumbing, insulation, rooms, kitchen, etc. done.  There is either another frolic or the Amish work on it when they can.

I am sure the lady of the house will have her say on the construction of the house especially the kitchen.  She will say what she wants where.  We might be going over and helping with the house going up.  Even though they may a different Amish group, we help one another.  That is our way.  The ladies will also have quilt bees to make new quilts for them.  They will also see they have towels, doilies, etc.  Maybe the lady or ladies from whose house it is will be at the quilt bees helping.

We help one another when help is needed because we know if we needed help, they would be there to help us.  It is our way to help.

I am sure I left out a lot what is being done for these people.  Many times Englisher set up money funds to help the family, at this time.  They also help with the building of the house.  People help people and that is the way it should be.

Trust God's Wisdom,
Elmer

P.S.

The house is not a total loss as they said on the news.  They are working on the house to repair it, as of last Saturday.

JEAN'S - THE FIRST POST OF 2016

I was a little nervous being the first post for the New Year until Marilyn told me I did the first post for 2015, too.  Our family would like to thank you for all the Christmas and New Year well wishes. Thomas and Ruth would like to thank you for their wedding wishes.  We all wish you Happy New Year.

Right now, Thomas and Ruth, are on their way to Missouri to help due to all the flooding down there.  Bishop Joseph asked, one Sunday, if any would volunteer to go as their is a bad need down there.  The Old Order Mennonites were trying to get at least one bus full of folks to help.

Thomas and Ruth came to David and I telling us they want to go.  Being a newly wed couple, they usually don't go this soon after they are married.  Thomas said that the Lord had been good to him.  He never thought he would have parents and a family, but the Lord had it all worked out so we became his parents.  He never thought he would be able to marry at his age because either his parents or her parents would not allow it at their age - but we did and they did.  He never thought he would have a farm for him and Ruth to live on and they have one.  He and Ruth had prayed and felt the Lord wanted them to go.  It was their time to help the Lord.

David and I thought about it and prayed about it.  You have to be 18, which they are, before you can go to an out of state mission, like this.  They could have gone without asking our opinion, but they did.  What made our finally okay was Kevin and Bridget are going, too.  Kevin and Bridget have been before and the two couples know each other and will be together at least on the bus and where they stay.

Thomas and Ruth are using some of the money they were given at their wedding for transportation, meals and a hotel room.  Kevin and Bridget advised they stay in a hotel and be bused in every day rather than staying where the mission provides.

So off they went.  I am, of course, a worried Mother, but the Lord will watch them and provide.  Old Order Mennonites have two buses going down from New York State.  They will be down there two weeks and come back.  Mennonites hope to have two more buses to be there when these two leave.  David said now I know what my parents went through when we went on our first mission out of state.

Michael and Edward wanted to go, too.  But they can not go until they are 18, which is fine with me.  I said it is hard seeing two go, as I feel Ruth is my daughter, I couldn't let all four go at the same time.  Michael told me, they are coming back - they will just be gone for two weeks. Michael and Edward will be taking care of Thomas' farm while they are gone. Michael is also filling in for any jobs that might come up for Kevin's shop while he is gone plus handling his own jobs.  Kevin's brothers will take care of his farm.   David said this is really the time of the year to go as it is not planting season or harvesting season.  Of course, if we are called, we go any time of the year.

Michael Edward, Susan, Katie and David Jr. are hoping that we get some snow.  They would like to go skiing, or sledding, but so far this year, haven't had a chance.  Of course none of the ponds are frozen enough to go ice skating.  I asked Michael and Edward with all the work because of Thomas being gone, would they have time.   They said they would find time, if they get the snow. As I give this post to Marilyn, it is snowing right now, but I don't know if it will be enough.

Be With God,
Jean

HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2016

WE WISH YOU A HAPPY, HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS 2016.


HAPPY NEW YEAR,
Jean, David and family
Elmer, Anna and Family
Bishop Joseph, Martha and family
Bishop Eli, Emma and family
Marilyn


JEAN WILL BE DOING OUR FIRST 2016 POST ON MONDAY.

BISHOP ELI'S WORDS FOR A NEW YEAR

God don't make no mistakes is a saying my Mother says all the time when we question something the Lord has done.  I know that's not good English, but that's the way my Mother says it, my Grandmother said it and my Great-grandmother said it - and now the way I say it, sometimes.

What brings me to this quote is when I became Bishop.  One of the other men that had a Bible to open was Elmer.  I thought Elmer would be the one the Lord would chose, for sure.  Elmer is a much better speaker than I am.  He has a better understanding of people than I.  He often can see the good side of something others of us see bad.  He always seems to know just the right thing to say.  So, I thought for sure, the Lord would chose him as Bishop.

Was I shocked when I opened my Bible and found that the Lord had chosen me.  Elmer and I were sitting next to each other.  I softly said to Elmer, God must have made some mistake.  Elmer being Elmer patted me on the back and told me that God had chosen the right one.  At home, that evening I said, I thought maybe God had made a mistake.  That's one of the times my mom said God don't make no mistakes.

In our lives, we don't understand why certain things happen to us.  I still don't know why the Lord chose me over Elmer, but he had a reason.  We don't understand why things happen to us.  But, sometimes, it is not for us to understand.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 "There is a right for everything; A time to be born, a time to die, A time to plant, A time to harvest; A time to kill, A time to heal, A time to destroy, A time to rebuild, A time to cry, A time to laugh, A time to grieve, A time to dance, A time for scattering stones, A time for gathering stones, A time to hug, A time not to hug, A time to find, A time to lose, A time for keeping, A time for throwing away, A time to tear, A time to repair, A time to be quiet, A time to speak up, A time for loving, A time for hating, A time for war, A time for peace."  If my memory serves me right, I think this was in a song by Peter, Paul and Mary.  Yes, I do know something about the Englisher music.

These are the way of our lives.  These are things that happen to us.  We were all born - we will all die.  If you are into gardening or farming you know there is a time to plant and a time to harvest.  Amish do not believe in killing people - but many of us, myself included have gone hunting.  Our life goes on and on like these bible verses.  Yet, much of the reasons, we do not understand why this happens to us.

Lord has a way, a pattern for us through life.  Sometimes we make mistakes a long the way and mess up - myself included.  Times, I have done what I thought was right and found out that wasn't what the Lord wanted me to do at all. Then, the Lord has always led to me the way where I should be. None of us is perfect in this life.  We all make mistakes.  We all have done things the Lord didn't want us to do.

Sometimes I think of life as the war in the above verses.  Things are just not going right.  I don't have peace with the Lord inside that I should.  I want the time for peace.  I want the peace with the Lord, I should have.  I think we have all been in that spot a certain times in our lives.

Prayer, reading the Bible, and attending church are the way to the Lord.  Remember to thank the Lord for all He has done, even when you don't understand.  Reading the Bible helps you to understand the Lord and maybe the way of your life better.  Attending church, I am not telling you to join the Amish or Old Order Mennonite, but a Bible teaching church.  You are with others who have the same understanding, problems, good times, and fellowship.

The Lord does not want you to start the year with problems, heavy weights and hard time on our hearts.  Maybe in life, we do, but not in our hearts.  He wants us to have His love, His joy and understanding.  He does not want this New Year's to be a time of war, but a time of peace.

Pray in thanking the Lord and if you don't have it already, ask for the time of peace in this coming New Year.

Happy New Year,
Bishop Eli and Emma

THERE WILL BE A POST ON TOMORROW.

GOOD - BY 2015

Thought I would review a few of the pictures of 2015.  Not everything is on here and they are not in any order.  Hope you enjoy a quick review of 2015.  Where has this year gone?

BISHOP ELI WILL HAVE POST TOMORROW.

UPSTATE NEW YORK CHRISTMAS EVE SKY - December 24, 2015

The first five pictures were taken as I was driving around in the morning.  That last six were of sunset.  I couldn't believe these beautiful skies on Christmas Eve especially the full moon.  God in His glory.

WHERE HAS 2015 GONE ?

Where has 2015 gone?  It seems like it just started and now it is coming to an end.  I am doing the post today because everyone else is taking the week off except Bishop Eli  who will have a post on Thursday.  I think they are getting a well deserved break.

I would like to thank everyone that reads New York State of Mind.  You are what keeps me going.  Also enjoy the comments and questions that you leave - it helps Jean, Elmer, Anna and all - what they should tell in posts.  What you are interested in.  They all do this for nothing.  They are not paid.  They do it because they want to not because they have to.

Want to thank all of you that donate pictures, posts, questions and more.  What you have is interesting on New York State of Mind, too.  It shows us about other places not just New York State.  So if you have pictures or a post you would like on here - let me know. If you don't want you name on here, I won't put it on.

Also want to thank you all for helping me pay for getting my car repaired.  The garage was paid off this month !!!!  Just have to make two more payments and the loan that my friend gave me will be done.  I can not thank you enough for all that you did for me.

Thank you for prayers and thoughts through out this year.  They were really needed and appreciated, more than you know.  You have prayed for me through some hard times last year.  Thank you, just doesn't seem enough.

Also, I want to thank Jean, Elmer, Anna, Grandmother Olive, Sarah, Bishop Eli, Bishop Joseph, Emma and more.  They have always come up with posts.  If I couldn't get one who was suppose to post, I could always get another to fill in.  As I said, they are not paid.  They can come and go if they want, but they stay on.  Sometimes things come up, where someone else has to take over, but they are here when they can be.

They also do things for me that have nothing to do with New York State of Mind.  Anna is making me outfits to wear to any Amish or Old Order Mennonite religious service.  I can't count the meals I have eaten at Jean's house, Elmer and Anna's house, Bishop Joseph's house and Bishop Eli's house.  Never have I left any of these houses empty handed.  Always get a canned food, cookies, cake, pie or something I especially liked to eat that they made for me.

I can always turn to anyone of them for advice or prayers.  They are always willing to talk with me.  They are always to give advice to me.  They are always praying for me,  as you are.

I thank the Lord for keeping this going all these years.  Never thought that we would still be on this long.  He is the one that gives me the strength and wisdom to keep going.

As I said, Bishop Eli will have a message on Thursday.

I wish you a very Happy New Year.

Marilyn