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Jean is old order Mennonite from New York State. Jean and her husband David and family live on a dairy farm, and travel their community using horse and buggy. She tells her story exclusively on Amish Stories.
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Jean is now accepting more questions about her old order Mennonite lifestyle, so please feel free to post your questions and Jean will answer them in future post’s. Thanks folks. Richard
I don’t remember if I told you about our Ascension Thursdays or not, so I will in this post. Ascension Thursday is on the 40th day after Easter Sunday. We believe Ascension to honor Jesus rising into heaven. We do not do any work on that day except to feed the animals, milk the cows, etc.-work we must do. Michael was kept home from the public school that day. Susan’s school is closed for the school year, but if it wasn’t – it would be on that day.
We have a large dinner on Wednesday evening. Later in the evening we have snacks. At prayers David reads the bible about Jesus crucifixion-dying on the cross for us and his rising from the dead. On Ascension Day David, I and now Michael , has also done is, fast until our noon meal. Michael does not have to do this until age 15, but he wanted to so we let him. On Ascension Thursday morning, we do what chores we have to. I also feed Susan and David Jr. their breakfast. After that we get ready to attend meeting (church).
Meeting and our evening prayers are Jesus Ascension into heaven and that He will come again to this earth. Also spoken of in meeting is that we also will be taken from this earth and we must be prepared because we will not know the day, the hour or the time when we will leave. That our stay on earth is only for a time. It is not meant to scare us, but for us to think and pray about why we are here. Are we doing as the Lord wants us to? Do we put our problems and questions in our hands or God hands ? When someone passes (dies) we should realize that they are going to be judged for their life and works on earth. We hope that God will see to let them in heaven.
After meeting, we went to David’s parents, along with my parents, and many of my brothers, sisters, and our nieces, nephews, cousins, etc. for dinner. After dinner the children played baseball, some played other games as we adults sat and talked. Some neighbors and friends came to visit us while we were there. On the way home, we stopped to visit a couple of folks. With the big dinner that we had at David’s parents we had sandwiches and salad for dinner. During prayers that evening David read in the Bible about we have no right to judge others as others have no right to judge us-only God has that right. We should forgive when others offend us, insult us, and alike. He explained to the children that we must forgive others as we are also sinners
Since we had kept Michael out of school on Thursday, he thought it would be a good idea if we kept him off Friday. We did not agree, so he went to school on Friday. This is plowing and planting season and David could use the help, but Michael’s education is worth more right now. As Michael is fourteen and we are adopting him we will try to see if this can be his last year of schooling, but it looks like we will have to wait until the adoption goes through before we can take him out.
Some of the farmers, especially older farmers, feel that certain crops should be planted at only certain times. Like some believe tomatoes should be planted only after Mother’s Day. Other crops should only be planted after Ascension Thursday. Some go by planting of certain crops by the moon-but we don’t.
Be with God, Jean
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Strawberry pie
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1 1/2 c. water
3/4 C sugar
2 tbsp cornstarch
1 (3oz) pkg Strawberry Jello
Fresh Strawberries (1 quart whole or halves)
Use baked 9 inch pie shell. Cook water, sugar and cornstarch until thick and clear. Add Jello, stir and pour over fruit in pie shell. Cool 2-3 hours. Top with whip cream when serving. Enjoy,Jean
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Last week was a pretty good one for reader's asking their questions for Jean, so not only does she really like them folks, those questions help give her some idea's as to what kind of post to do for Amish Stories. Richard
You may notice a small change on the sides of Amish Stories folks, I thought that Id add some wood and change things up a little. So i hope most like this little change, and this summer I will be going out specifically to take a few pictures of some historic homes (outsides) in the area that were built in the 1700s, and i would like to use that (stone, wood) as the side design for this blog. I also had some chicken corn soup this weekend in Bird-In-Hand, and this time the soup was really unusual because it had some egg in it. Of all the times I've had this which is one of my all time favorites, never have i had any cooked eggs in them. And you know what it was not bad even though I normally would never order the soup in that way, so has anyone else ever had chicken corn with eggs before? Richard
I like the blog update, Richard, the wood looks very homey.Thank Jean for me, this was a very interesting post.Blessings to all!
I just realized in reading the recipe it says to top pie with ship cream-I typed wrong. It should be top with ship cream. It is still raining here. This is the third day. I guess the farmers need the rain, but I wish the rain would let up. Marilyn
Darn I did it again – typed wrong. It should be WHIP cream. Marilyn
Lol…… I made that correction Marilyn, I do proof read Jeans post but hardly ever seem to look at those added recipes for some reason. No big deal though and I'm glad I stopped by before leaving for the day, enjoy today's post everyone. Richard
Thank you Richard, glad you go it.Marilyn
Thank you Jean for another interesting view into your life. Right now I do not have any questions for Jean. She and David Sr. are doing a wonderful job with Michael.Great recipe! I feel fat just reading what Jean and her family eat when they gather together!I have never had soup like what you enjoyed, Richard, but I think I would like it. The egg would give the soup a richness. This weekend I made my famous Caesar Salad dressing and made myself a delicious Chicken Caesar Salad.Here is the dressing recipe (from a famous Chicago chef, Charlie Trotter)Put in blender or food processor:3 Tbl fresh squeezed lemon juice1/2 c olive oil1/3 c shredded parm cheese2 garlic cloves6 filets anchoviesblend/pulverize thoroughly, add a little salt and pepper and dress your salad. YUM!
How interesting! I know so little about the Amish and the Mennonites, I didn't even know that you believed in the Bible:) Thank you so much for sharing your lives with people like me.
Hi Ina,I will get you recipe to Jean. I am sure she would enjoy it.Thank you,Marilyn
Once again my day has been blessed to share a little more of a glimpse into Jeans and Davids life. Thank you to them and also to Marilyn and Richard. I one day hope to experience life on an Amish or Mennonite farm for a day at least once.I have previously sent questions and hope some or all may be answered in the future. I will however once again ask if Jean knows anyone who would be willing to be a pen pal. This is being asked with the purest intentions to learn more from a women in a faith that I so much respect and want to learn more about more personally. Hope everyone has a great week and Richard the series you have been doing has also been wonderful God Bless all of you!! Veronica
Love the wooden sides on the blog, looks great.Strawberry pie, yumgorgeous!Thanks
Love the wooden sides on the blog, looks great.Strawberry pie, yumgorgeous!Thanks
Hi Richard…you smelt blueberry muffins on my blog and here I am on yours to see strawberry pie…yuuummm! Thanks so much for popping over…Very interesting story here…Love your new look :0)
Richard dear, STRAWBERRY PIE???? WOOOOO this is SUMMER CALLING! Oh how lovely, and of course, the blessings of God are always abundant no matter what the season! HEY, come on over to the Paris party ANYWAY, even if you don't have any serious DOUGH, CHANGE, CASH! We are all loving the idea of traveling in our dreams. You are always welcome!!!!Anita
I'm glad that you guys seem to like the new look for Amish Stories, and I've also added some new side photos and enlarged most of them as well. I will be adding a few new images taken by myself soon to complete a whole new set of images. And Anita your too funny and Id better pack real quick for that virtual trip to Paris, I wonder if I can bring a horse that I "dont" have on that plane as well! Richard
thank you Ms. JeanBenny & Lily
The new blog look is wonderful, Richard! And thanks to Jean for sharing her stories and her recipes with us!
Thanka Jean for you description of how you spent Ascension. I found it very interesting, including which scriptures you read. And Richard, as someone who owns and admires historic houses, I look forward to you posting pictures of some of the historic homes in your area!
I'm really glad that more folks seem to like the added touches that I've applied to Amish Stories, and I also added a few more image's to the right side of the blog as well today. See you guys on the recipe of the week this Wednesday. Richard
I do not live to far from Lancaster. Is that near you? Our family have taken many trips to see the Amish. I find their lifestyle fascinating. I often envy their simple way of living. It seems so peaceful.Thank you for the strawberry pie recipe. I have tons of strawberries in my garden and didn't know what to do with them.
Hi Tami and yes i live in the Lancaster area, so most of the places on this blog are very close to me. And I'm glad you have something to do with those extra strawberry's of yours, I could use a nice slice of Strawberry pie right about now with a cup of coffee! Richard
Thanks for sharing the recipe. This is the easiest Strawberry Pie and I will try it this weekend. I like your interesting posts.
It really is a pretty easy one Antiques, and being lets say "kitchen challenged" this recipe is custom made for someone like myself. Richard
Jean tries to keep her recipes as easy as possible. Some aren't this easy, but she tries. Also being strawberry season she thought this would fit right in.Marilyn
Hey Marilyn and your right strawberry season is now in full swing, and I may try and pick some in my own area before its out of season! Richard
We are trying to get strawberries for our apartment buildings annual Strawberry Social with Strawberry Short cake. Found out that the prices are high this year because of the loss the farmers had to take because of the 80's and then the freezes. So we are still looking where we can get it. Marilyn
I remember last year Marilyn when we had a wet summer and cherries were very expensive here in the Lancaster area because of crop damage. I prefer buying them locally because Id rather buy from local farmers, plus I think they taste better. Richard
Excellent post Jean, Not a religious holiday most church denominations acknowledge, but I think it should be. The things you mention are things we should all be reminded of on a regular basis.
Thanks for stopping over Leigh, and as you can tell the Amish/Mennonites take religious holidays very seriously. And most if not all are recognized throughout the year. Richard
Hi Richard, Tell Jean I really enjoyed her post. Wow! that strawberry pie recipe sounds great. That is a keeper for sure. I have kept and make quite a few now (except for the fish gumbo) hehe. The strawberry's here a sooo good this year. I should be making jam but with all this other stuff I have to deal with It's not in my heat yet. The apricots are yummy this year too!Blessings~ Lissa
Hi, It's me again! lol, I forgot to ask my question. I really enjoyed learning about the Ascension. Why 40 days after Easter? Oh and I really like the wood look! ~Lissa
I meant to say It is not in my heart, not heat. lol