Part 2 of Jeans post will be next Tuesday May 17.
Thank you so much for your responses on what I wrote last week. As we had planned, we met Marilyn at a rummage sale so she took us to her apartment and showed us Amish Stories on her computer. She wanted us to see what Richard had put on. We are honored that you would be so interested and had so many questions to ask. I would like to explain to you that not all Mennonites are Old Order Mennonites. Where we live there are Mennonites that dress like we do, but are allowed to drive, have television, computers, etc. Also, there are other Mennonites who dress like you, children go to public schools and go to college, and more. So I want you to know that I am telling you of Old Order Mennonites,not new order Mennonites.
David and I were reading the newspaper a week or so ago where a girl had written about the clothes her Mother buys for her. We had to laugh a little as clothes have changed with about every generation with us. Back when our grandparents were our age they wore and still ware solid color dresses mostly black. With our parents, the ladies could wear clothes with prints on them at home, but if they went into town they had to wear the solid colors. We wondered what ladies will be wearing when Susan is grown up. So things change with us too. On Sundays services, meetings, Funerals, Weddings, Baptisms,and in mourning we still wear the black. Our dress, bonnets and apron all match in color and material. Underneath our bonnets are our white prayer caps that tie at our chins. At home and when going to town, rummage sales, etc. I wear a dress with patterns on it. Most of colors are brown, blue, black, burgundy with flowers on them. The prints must be small -usually flowers. We are not allowed to have collars on our dresses. With our dresses we wear solid color shawls . On our dresses we use buttons on the back. In our local Old Order our dresses may be no higher than ten inches from the floor. Some other Old Order Mennonites must be lower-some have their dresses no higher than five inches off the floor. Another change is stockings-my grandmother wore stockings, my mother pantyhose and I wear knee-highs always black. At home, in town or going to rummage sales, auctions, Farm Markets, etc. we wear sneakers. Anytime we wear black we wear black shoes-I wear loafers, but my grandmother wears oxford style tie shoes-again change. I make my own dresses, bonnets, shawls, and prayer caps myself.
For the same times I wear black David wears black trousers, vest, shoes and socks with a white shirt, and suspenders. His trousers do not have zippers or pins but buttons. David also wears a black coat with a standing collar and buttons to close it. When working on the farm David wears jeans with solid color or plaid long-sleeved shirt depending on temperature and suspenders. His jeans are usually store purchased because some stores at most times are less expensive than buying the material to make them. Everything but his shoes, jeans and suspenders-I make. When David walks out of our house door he must have a hat on his head. His hats are black (all year around), with a three inch brim that must be nylon or felt. These hats are purchased. I hope I answered the questions you wanted to know about our dressing, but if I didn’t please ask.
Our daughter Susan, will be starting her first time in school this August. She will be in first grade. Susan will go to a Old Order Mennonite one room school house not far from our house. Children go up to the eighth grade in our schools and graduate. After they graduate the boys learn a trade and the girls do housework, cooking and baking, sewing, quilting and more. We have to keep records for the State of New York until they are 18 so the state knows they are learning. I don’t know if that is throughout the state or just in our county,I think it is state. We believe that our school house would be better for Susan than public school. I am not saying anything against the Public School. We have never been there. Both David and I went to Old Order Mennonite Schools and we feel more comfortable with Susan going there, and when the time comes, David will be going to our old order school. Our schools must meet New York State requirements and the children must take tests to see that what they are learning measure to what the state requires.
I guess I am answering some of the questions out of order, but I am going by the list. Yes, some our children can be give birth in our homes. Susan was born in our home and because of the chance of problems when our son David was given birth the doctor decided we should go to the hospital-which we did. What is a little funny is Father and Son David were born in the same hospital.
We do have medical insurance to a point. When it comes to going to the doctor’s office, dentists, chiropractor, etc. we pay for them ourselves. If we go to the hospital by ambulance we pay for that. Once we get into the hospital-it is paid for. We really have two Mennonite Insurances. In our Old Order Mennonite we have men that the deacon appoints take a collection to our homes twice a year. It is a bag and we put in whatever amount we feel we can afford. Unless we write a check no one knows how much we contribute. Also, the Mennonites have their own insurance like a company. This company is run by all order Mennonites. We pay premiums and we have coverage. You could get full insurance, or like we did just the hospital. David and I feel that we can pay most office calls but the hospitals bills could be a problem for us especially with two children. We know that if we had a bill and could not pay, then the other Old Order Mennonites would help pay it. the rates of the insurance is reasonable to us and this insurance is approved by Old Order Mennonite.
Yes, Old Order Mennonites allow outsiders to join-but very few do. I am trying to say this without hurting your feelings. We have people that come and live among us and leave. If you have lived in a world with cars, computers, radios, television and much more it would be hard to convert to the Old Order lifestyle and leave all that behind. I have only known one case where someone wanted to convert and did. He was Old Order Mennonite and she was not. They started courting, but he told her he would not leave the Old Order Mennonite. She came and lived with a family among us and converted. That was about ten years ago and they married, own their own farm and have children-now, but that is rare. If you wanted to convert the first thing I would suggest is that you go to one of our services. Move in an area close to the Old Order Mennonites and see the way we live. Sometimes our Bishop recommends people go to another Mennonite order that allows some of items we don’t – such as cars, computers and more. David, just suggested that maybe the first way to start would be to try not use some of the items we don’t use and see how you get may out without them-like maybe the television-then the music-and so on. Jean…………. Part 2 next Tuesday May 17.
I think Jean is becoming a little more comfortable in writing with each post that she writes, and you can see that in the writing. Don't be alarmed by the black cat in the pictures, i don't think even he/she could jinx Jeans story. Richard
What alot of information you have given us Jean. I could hardly wait to get up this morning to see what you would share with us. I think David had a great suggestion about us trying to just give up some of the things we have and see how we make out. What another beautiful day here in Canada and what a blessing to start the day with your writing. Thanks again Jean and David and may God continue to bless your family!! Veronica
Good Morning Everyone,It is a beautiful day here in Upstate New York. Suppose to be in 60's, sun is shinning and it's just beautiful. Richard, I think Jean with love that picture with the horses. Black cat wouldn't bother them.Hope everyone has a great day,Marilyn
That was a very good idea from David about giving-up some of the things that we think we need. Id say after the cell phone goes for some folks that may be enough to quit,lol. I would have to go a bit more before i cried uncle. Richard
Hi Richard,I called the picture horses-I know they are cows. Jean would love them as they have a Dairy Farm.I have a cell phone-I never use it. The only reason I have it was free. I like the old fashion telephone. LOLMarilyn
Greetings Jean!!Another awesome post!! Thanks for answering so many questions for me.Actually, I gave up TV over 10 years ago. I do see it from time to time only because the man I am taking care of watches TV all the time. Leaving it off would not affect me. The computer might be hard as I use it a lot for my business as well as personal. However, if I were running my business in a different way I would not need it.A few years back I taught myself to sew and started making plain clothes. My headcoverings did not turn out to well, LOL. But I am still practicing. I don't currently wear plain clothes but would like to start again. I need to make all new ones though as my weight has changed since I made the last ones.I really don't think I would have a problem giving up a car if I learned how to handle a horse and buggy. I have been over the years simplfying my life more and more and someday, I want to live closer to Mennonites and Amish.Jean, do you ever make prayer kapps to sell? Are these the smaller kapps or more like the size of a bonnet but light-weight and white?Richard,,, that cat in the picture looks just like my Missy when she was younger. No bad luck there, LOL.Oh Jean, what about pets? Are you allowed pets, like cats and dogs?Thanks so much for your post it was awesome and I look forward to the next one. :-)Blessings, Alice
I thought that picture would be cute to post with Jeans post.And its sunny here as well with the morning on the cool side.If i gave up everything right now as David has suggested, i wouldn't have a computer to use to post and read Jeans story.So for now id better keep that one. Richard
Good morning Alice. I know A lot of the Amish like to keep barn cats around to keep mice at bay around the farm. So im sure the old order Mennonites would do the same. Will have to ask if Jean has any pets. Richard
Thanks Richard and Jean for sharing about the Old Order Memonites. I find this so inspiring and enjoy all the pictures, stories/news, and videos that allow us to see and read what your life is like. I look forward to your next post Jean. Richard your website is great, I appreciate all your wonderful photos, and seeing a part of the country that I won't get to visit, due to $$$ and health issues. I am an avid reader of Amish fiction, and website. I have a question for Jean…. are their Amish livning in your area and are you friends with any? God Bless your family, you too Richard.
Thank you anonymous, and you have a pretty good question regarding the Amish and the Mennonites. Im sure that they do know each other being they live in the same community, but that would be a great question for Jean. Richard
What a great post Richard! Thank Jean for us all please. She does us a great kindness by sharing her story with us. I can't remember if I asked this before, but do the Old Order Mennonites speak PA Dutch? Someone posted a picture on Twitter the other day of Old Order people in all black and I thought this was unusual as it was something I hadn't seen before — now I know that perhaps they were Old Order Mennonites! I love how information often comes just when we need it 🙂 Can't wait for next week's post!
Another great question Semkachan. Im not answering for Jean, but from my reading Pennsylvania Deitsch as the natives here say it is spoken by both the Amish and old order Mennonites.Non-Amish and Mennonites speak this as well, with most speaking it coming from Ontario Canada,Pennsylvania,Ohio, and Indiana. I hope this answers this question, and id like to know how much is spoken in Jeans family. Richard
Richard, what an awesome post! I really enjoyed reading Jean's post and learning so much about old order Mennonites. Can;t wait til next weeks post!!!
My next post will be on Thursday, as i wanted Jeans post to remain on the top of this site. I want as many folks as possible to see it, and comment on it.Many folks still dont know this site exist, so id greatly appreciate if you folks would tell your friends and family about Amish Stories. Richard
Hey Blessed, thank you. I feel like the little train that could sometimes,lol.Since im orig from New York, im trying to "work it" as they say in promoting this site.Ill drop by yours to see if you updated it. Im glad your enjoying your stay while on Amish Stories,and part 2 of Jeans post will be next tuesday. Richard
Hello Everyone,I want you all to know that I am writing down any and all questions you ask and I will see that Jean gets them. Have a great evening,Marilyn
Your writing things down, now im worried Marilyn might be working for the man,lol. Richard
Well good night everyone, please feel free to chat with each other, and post your questions for Jean. I feel very lucky in having Jean writing on Amish Stories, and trying to answer questions that all of us have had for so long. Richard
Jean, thank you so much! Your post is so interesting and informative. I have known some Mennonites in the past, but not Old Order. You seem very similar to what I know about the Amish. But I'm sure you see yourselves as quite different(?)
I also thank you for this post Jean, it it very informative and I really appreciate it. I look forward to your next one
Good morning everyone, and i see some are now coming by to check-out Jeans post. Enjoy folks. Richard
Very interesting post, Thanks to Jean and to Richard for sharing it. I was wondering if Jean had much contact with Amish, and how different/similar she would view herself in relation to Old Order Amish?
That was very interesting. I really enjoyed reading your post. Thanks for being here with us.Sue B
Greetings Erik from Amish America. Its funny that you ask that question, and its one of the questions that have been handed in to Jean to answer this week Erik. Thanks for stopping by. Richard
Glad to see Kevin and Sue drop by as well. In Jeans part 2 of her post, watch for her to answer more of your questions from the first post.Theres not many chances like this where we can ask questions from someone who is old order Mennonite, so if you guys have questions please ask away. Richard
Very interesting post. Thanks for sharing.I look forward to part 2!
Glad you found a little time to drop by Beth, so welcome. Richard
So I am wondering if it is just my computor or what happen to Thursdays blog. Is anyone else had any troubles? Was anything posted for Friday? Thanks Veronica
Hi Veronica,No, it wasn't you. I couldn't get on or Alice or Richard. Sincerely,Marilyn
Im back, no kidding right,lol. Im not sure when everything got back to normal because i got back on Amish Storiesa a little after 5pm. I had to then clean a few things up before posting my new story. I lost that antique car show, so i had to find that and bring it back. Richard
I changed the colors around on Amish Stories a bit, so i hope most everyone likes it. Its got that summer vibe going on i think. Richard
Part 2 of Jeans post will be on Tuesday May 17. Richard