Richard asked what our views were and do we celebrate Halloween. We look at Halloween as getting into the occult, death, worshiping the devil so we do not partake of it. Nothing happens at the Amish/Mennonite school. If one of the students brings it up or asks why we do not celebrate Halloween while their outsider friends do-the teacher explains. Our children do not go collecting candy or dress in costumes, There are no special parties or food. To us the day of Halloween is just another day-there is nothing special. We even sometimes wonder if we should even sell pumpkins like we do. Not everyone that buys them will use them in food-but some will carve ugly faces out of them. Of course we can not control what customers will do with them when they purchase from our fruit stand once they pay us and remove it from our property. So we wonder if we should continue selling them or not. Also, if we do not take our pumpkins in every night of Halloween weekend, we will find them smashed the next morning or several of them missing or both. Young people do not understand that every one they take without paying or one they smash is money out of our pocket. A couple of times we have had our money jars taken in broad daylight. We have our fruit and vegetables priced and leave a jar for people to put their money in as we can’t always be out at the fruit stand all the time. We have that money to buy our seed, pay our medical bills, utility bills, groceries, and more. We are one of the few Mennonites that have a fruit stand in our yard anymore. Many of them sell to the big fruit and vegetable stores along the main highway. Some also sell to the grocery stores as we do. If someone came (young folks included) to our stand, wanted something and couldn’t afford it-we would give it to them. Taking or smashing upsets us, but we know we must trust in the Lord. We should not worry about it because God will take care of it with them in His own time and in His own way. We are learning things slowly from Michael that we did not know before. David and I knew that Michael was born on October 31st, but we did not know that his parents called him a devil. They told him he would not amount to anything. Now we realize why he tries to please us so much. Almost all the times he does what we ask and more. He does not act like a child as much as Martha’s children do and we know why. David and I sat him down telling him it does not matter what day he is born on-it is the way he acts and what he does that counts. We also explained that Halloween is a man made celebration not a God celebration. He told us his parents were atheists. It was friends of his in school that led him to the Lord. When he lived with his parents he had to hide his Bible and if his parents found it they would throw it in the garbage like they did the first one he had. Michael never went to any particular meetings (church) as his parents did not allow him to go. The Old Order Mennonite is the first regular meetings he has attended. David and I feel that our meetings, home Bible and prayers is God’s molding Michael. He does not want to celebrate his birthday on October 31st. David and I said to pick another day to have a birthday party. He must give his real birth date when asked, but he didn’t have to celebrate it on that day. As October 29th is a Saturday, we will celebrate it that day. David’s Mother and my Mother have agreed to do the bake sale that day so I can bake for the party. We have some of his school friends over. Also Michael’s parents have asked us to come to the prison as they would like to meet us. We don’t have to go, but David and I are curious about them, also. They would also like to see Michael, but he has refused to go. David thinks he should go-I think he shouldn’t be forced to go so we called Social Services to see what they think. We also spoke with Martha and Joseph-all agree he should not be forced to go. David still thinks he should go, but he will follow with the others said. Since they are in jail we write letters and take pictures of Michael for his parents. We do not believe in pictures, but Social Services says we should and our Bishop let us do it. Martha and Joseph also do it when they have foster children and the parents wants pictures. As we do not know Michael’s parents yet, we don’t really say much except about things he does, his marks at school, etc. His parents letters always seem down on him. After talking with Michael-now we know why. David and I are going to the prison to meet them. The prison and Social Services approved it. We explained to his parents that he will not be coming with us. They are upset that Michael is not coming, but they still want to meet us. Michael has told us that they are not like most outsiders that are our friends and neighbors. We are not making any decisions about them until we meet and talk with them. It is a long way from our house to the prison, but we have made arrangements with Martha’s parents to take us. Martha’s parents felt that we should have someone from the outside world with us at the prison although they have never been to a prison before either. We previously wrote about the Marvin Hershberger Jr. and his wife that passed (died) do to the automobile accident where six people were killed that lived in Joplin. New York. Just to bring you up to date the people that were coming to take care of the twelve children have sold their farm and moved into the Joplin home with the children. They are in the process of adopting the children and making them their own. God works in mysterious way-the couple had no children-now they have twelve. The family will be having a party for all of us that worked on their farm, cleaned the house, stocked them with food, etc. before they got there. They were going to provide all the food, but their fellow Amish decided they would provide the meat and all of us bring a dish. So we have that party to look forward to when the harvest is over. Harvest season is ending. We are harvesting what is left and getting all out of the garden. The apple trees and grapes are being picked. Apple butter, cider, apple sauce and more are being made. Grapes and apple jams and jellies are made. We are also making some of the items I sent the grape recipes for. After everything is out of the fields and garden David and Michael will plow them for one last time this year. David is teaching Michael how to drive the tractor. Once the fields and garden are plowed for the last time they go to rest for the winter. In our view it gives the fields and gardens a rest until we start over in the spring. When Michael learns to drive the tractor David is thinking of buying another tractor, it would be done faster if we had two tractors. Once the fields are done David will be looking for construction work for the winter. He looks for work independently or with other construction people. They do mostly interior work during the winter. Sometimes David make furniture for people. Michael also wants to learn how to make furniture and wood item so David will be teaching Michael. Some of the wooden items are sold a craft shows in our area. Right now, David has a items he has made when he had a chance for the Christmas craft shows or sales. He will try to get more made and maybe some of Michael’s items can join his. I tell David the same things every year: “Farm work stops in the winter, but house work goes on all throughout the year.” Be with God, Jean
Dont miss Martha’s return to Amish Stories this Friday!
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Good morning everyone, and how can you not love fried chicken. Unless you try to hide what your specialty is and try to sort of change your name, are you listening Kentucky fried chicken! Richard
With thanksgiving fast approaching I've asked Jean to do something on that holiday, and on how she celebrates it. She may even provide a holiday recipe with that so I'm looking forward to see what she comes up with. Today should hit about 60 degrees and lots of sunshine, sadly the rest of the week is supposed to rain. If anyone is reading my comment i have a question to those with children. Do you guys still let your kids trick or treat like most of us did when we were their age, or is that era pretty much over? Richard
i really enjoy reading these stories. that is remarkable about the couple that now have 12 children. god does work in strange ways. good luck to michael and i will follow his progress!
Jean's chicken is delicious. I really enjoy it-of course I enjoy all the meals she cooks when I visit her. I don't have children but in our town we will have Halloween Costume show in the elementary school gym on Friday. All the kids come dressed to show off their costumes. They are set up by age groups. There are awards and donuts and cider. On Saturday, we have Halloween on Main Street where the children go door to door to the business on Main Street. The business owners give treats to the children. We have never had a trouble with treats in our town, but this business treats was set up to promote the businesses and make sure children get safe treats. In this day in age you can't be sure-but like I say there never has been any problems. Marilyn
Greetings!!Jean & David you are both such a good influenece and blessing for Michael!! God bless you richly for your efforts!!I am looking forward to trying that fried chicken recipe. I always love to try recipes.I am looking forward to doing a lot of fall baking this year. It is my favorite time of year. I love to fill the pantry and freezer with all the goodies.Please do be careful going to the prison and I will keep you all in my prayers.Blessings, Alice
Good Morning Alice, Jean and David have been up to the prison and back already. She has a post coming up telling about their trip there and meeting Michael's parents. Hope things are looking up for you.Marilyn
I really enjoyed this post – so interesting. What a blessing that Michael has Jean and David to love him and teach him about God's love. Although I went trick or treating as a child, I have not allowed my daughter to – I just don't believe in the "holiday". She does however hand out candy to the kids and she gets excited about it seeing the kids all dressed up. I am not sure that I should participate at all, but honestly I wanted to give her something to enjoy..
Michael is so blessed to have the infuence of you and David. I enjoy your posts so much and will follow Michael's progress. It is so sad that people take or smash your pumpkins….
I think you are right in not forcing Michael to go, he might need to rest from his parents for a while and then maybe later he will want to go but then again he might never want to. It is important that he tries to not bear anger towards them but tries to forgive them but I do not see that he should feel obligated to visit them. I don't see it as petty, I find it quite natural that he doesn't want to.I am exited to hear about the visit and what it was like.
Another very interesting post, The chicken recipe looks so good, can't wait to try it. Vicki
We stopped celebrating Halloween a long time ago for the same reasons. It used to seem so innocent, but in recent years I think its true nature is coming out.That is very sad about Michael. I had a difficult childhood and understand how he feels. I suppose the best thing to do is pray that God will heal his spirit so that some day he will want to go see his parents.
Greetings folks just getting in a little early today, and the leaves are almost quite there but have a little ways to go before their peek! Richard
I'm doing something different on Amish Stories this Wednesday, ill be putting out a post of what i call " the history of your life". On this being the first one i take a trip to 1966, and if i get some positive responses ill do many more of these. If not then ill be doing many more of these,lol. So either way its a win/win for me folks. Richard
I'm terribly sorry that there are people who would steal your money or smash your pumpkins. It's discouraging that people don't always support one another.
Hi Lisa and around my way most of the Amish still use the honor system when buying some items like pumpkins or vegetables . I'm not sure how long even the Amish will still continue this practice? Richard
This is most interesting. Thank you, I trailed you from your comment at Ed Pilolla's. Look forward to read more and follow the Amish Stories.
There are some people who are not Old Order Mennonite or Amish in our area that leave the jar out to put your money in. Some of them have put up cameras that photo you while you are buying. So if you steal, they have you on tape. You can't see the cameras, but they are there. Jean and David thought of that, but have decided to leave it to the Lord.
Hello all! I just love this blog and the comments – feels like we are all neighbors! Worldwide ones, but all connected.Jean's Friend's Chicken… I am just drooling! Sounds simple and delicious, I will certainly add this recipe to my collection. I do not get KFC, (1) it is too salty and (2) I have heard they are cruel to their chickens. I am very anti-animal cruelty. Plus I do not like their fake mashed potatoes (also too salty). I would rather make my own.I am enjoying learning all about how Michael is progressing with Jean and David. What a lovely couple. I feel like everyone is learning from the other. I am excited to hear all about the prison visit.Halloween is one of my favorite and stress free holidays of all. I do not look upon Halloween as devil worship, just fun and candy! Speaking of which, all our kids are grown, gone and having kids of their own. I have needed less and less candy to give out each year. Seems like all the young kids now go to parties. I think that is best. I turn my porch lights out around 9 pm. That is late enough, especially for kids on a school night. And the doorbell ringing makes my 4 poodles go crazy! Speaking of which, our oldest standard poodle, Halle, will turn age 13 on Halloween. That is her birthday too.Well, good night to all of you on the East Coast!!
Reading Martha's posts are always so interesting. It's wonderful they are giving Michael a better life than his parents gave him. The chicken sounds delicious.
Oops. I meant Jean not Martha.
HELLO THERE RICHARD!Thank you for visiting…my, you are a kind follower!Let me tell you; as I look at this world here, the farms, what looks to be a simpler life, I have the itch to GET AWAY for a little while to go and visit a peaceful place like this. The idea as well for good old fried chicken sounds so pleasing.I wish you a fabulous week in this beautiful fall weather! Anita
I think Ina i was still trick or treating at the age of 22, im kidding really. It was dangerous to go out door to door and ask for candy during my childhood, so i stopped pretty much on my own because of that fact. Richard
Anita i think everyone needs a place to go where we can be ourselves and think without any distractions. So maybe a nice weekend in the country side wherever that may be could only do you well! Richard
So happy I found your blog! Found you via a comment you left on another blog. Great content!Blessings,Clydia {threemangoseeds.blogspot.com}
I will have to print this recipe out. Funny because I just got chicken out of the freezer to thaw last night… If Michael hadn't already chosen an alternative date, November 1 is All Saints Day. Not sure if the Amish or Mennonite recognize saints or not- not all faiths do, but it is out there… David and Jean seem to be wonderful parents and obviously are very caring. Michael is a very lucky young man. His life may have turned out much different.
I'm glad that you had found me Clydia, so welcome. And Linda tune-in to Jeans next post for next Tuesday, I've just gone through it for next week and that one involves Michael and his parents. And sadly its not pretty. Richard
Hello Everyone!It is such a blessing to read Jean's words. It really warms my heart to hear how Jean and her family have been such a wonderful influence in Michale's life. I know that God Blesses them for their work and will continue to do so. God sends us angles to help us along the way. Jean, David and Family, just happens to be Michale's. ~ Lissa
Check out next weeks post from Jean Lissa, she visits his folks which makes for an un-easy post. Richard