by Jerry
There is wash to do, and my fingers will freeze with the cold weather outside. Yesterday we were at Harvey’s house for church, and a bunch of us young folks stayed for the afternoon. It wasn’t a very spectacular day in my opinion, as I was bored and restless.
The reason for this being the last letter is that I don’t want you receiving any after you have left Iowa. That would be terrible. I also don’t think there will be any news that needs to be shared before I see you again. Yippee. After that we can talk and not write for a long, long time.
I didn’t mind the writing until these last few weeks. It’s been rush, rush, and when I write I like to take my time. Well, it’s rush, rush again.
Lots and lots of love,
Naomi
April 25
My beloved Naomi,
I hope this letter finds you well and still grounded to the earth because I want to see you when I get home.
Tonight I have the treasure hunt for the children, and it looks as if the weather will stay nice until at least tomorrow. Maybe it will stay nice until Friday, the last day of school.
The Passion Play in Chicago on Sunday afternoon was awesome. I have never seen anything like it in my life. Crowds of actors played out the life of Christ, starting from the birth of John the Baptist and ending with Jesus’ ascension into heaven. The whole thing lasted more than four hours. There was never a dull moment. It all looked so real.
I now have something going every night until I leave, except for Wednesday. There’s the final supper with the school board members, the ball game, the school program, and then seeing you on Saturday. I have enclosed two of the best essays the children wrote. Lonnie and Luella will be reading all of the essays on Friday night. There is also a goodbye poem. One of the school board members’ wives wrote it, I’m sure, but they are keeping it a secret. And I’ve written a poem for the children to be read too.
Anyway, I’m in a daze of delight, if that’s possible. My head is as light as the breeze blowing down the road. I walked home from school tonight drinking it all in. This will soon be the last walk home for the school year, and this will also be my last letter, so I’m taking a deep breath and writing really slowly. Who would have thought this day would arrive? But is not all well that ends well?
With much love as always,
Eugene
Velma, 7th grade
The Best Things I Like About School
There are so many things I like and enjoy about school that it’s really hard for me to pick out which ones to write about.
First thing, it’s always fun arriving early in the morning and talking to all my friends before the bell rings. Of course, it’s very exciting right at the start of a new year when you get nice new books to work in. It’s such a difference from when at the end of the year they get to looking pretty tattered and worn.
I like the story hour every morning when the teacher reads stories to us. And the time we spend in singing and learning new songs.
I like most of the studies that we have, but there are some I would rather leave behind. It isn’t long till recess time, and they are always fun. I enjoy playing lots of games, especially when teacher helps us. And, of course, it’s always fun to learn new ones people come up with.
On art day, it is always interesting to try drawing and doing different things that the teacher has us do. When it’s dinnertime, we have almost an hour to play. After dinner, it’s again fun to listen to the afternoon story hour, when the teacher reads to us.
I always enjoy the little surprises teacher comes up with now and then, like going on field trips, touring some kind of factory, or maybe a free period.
It’s always fun when the Christmas program comes around, and we learn new poems and songs. After that comes Christmas vacation and a break from all the studies. And once the program is here, you know the year is half over with.
After all my school years are past, I’m sure I will think back on all the good times I’ve had and realize how lucky I was to be able to go to a private school out in the country where there is peace.
Jared, 7th grade…
The Worst Thing About School
Teacher told me to write my feelings on the worst things about school. Now that is a hard decision to make, isn’t it? Should it be the studies, or the kind of grades I sometimes get, or the rules, or the girls, or writing stories?
At one time or another, all these things seemed to be the worst. But now I think the worst thing about school is being chained to this desk and not caring to work. I watch all those John Deere and International tractors and combines come out in the spring or in the fall. It seems as though everyone is free and can enjoy it but me.
I will show you an arithmetic problem I do not like.
“Miss Day wanted to buy a coat at a sale that was reduced from $25.00 to $20.00. How would you find the percent the coat was reduced?”
Another I don’t like is, “Mary’s father had been paying $576.00 a year on a house he rented. This year the rent was reduced to $420.00 per month. How would you find the percent of decrease in the yearly rent?”
Now I don’t have to worry about this for another four months and six days. Hurray!
Poems for the children
Of all these children, I’ll try to tell
The things they do, so good and well.
Brandon is a boy that gets things done,
When he’s working at school or on the run.
If you want to see a boy who digs in and tries,
Then you should meet Mark with a sparkle in his eyes.
Laverne’s a sweet boy, though he often needs Doc,
To Iowa City, his family races the clock.
Anthony is quick as a spider in a shoe.
For the size that he has, amazing things he can do.
Dawn is cheery, each morning, each day,
Just like most little girls that I know anyway.
Brandon is handsome and a sound head has he.
Who would dare guess what that combination will be?
When the problem is difficult, Larry ponders hard,
But what a smile on his face, when he finds the right card.
Like a robin that preens its feathers just so,
That would be Lacie, the girl that I know.
Not many things out of Lester you’ll hear,
Unless some exciting event draws near.
Sharon takes off to Florida each fall,
For the sun and the beach, she leaves us all.
Dakota is quiet as the cloud that glides,
And you never would know the spunk she hides.
If you’re reading a book, and it can’t be found,
I’d advise you check if Dora was around.
She’s another who’s gone, to Florida they fly.
Lydia’s off for the South, and I still wonder why.
He’s a boy who tries, his cheeks all grim.
Did you say Dennis? Yes, that would be him.
Jackie’s the fun of the party and of any giggling bunch.
I’d have her over any day for popcorn and punch.
Velma might be the kindest heart you have seen,
Oft she holds her brother’s hand against a world so mean.
Jared jumps to his feet when Bible lessons come around.
The rest of the time, his thermostat’s down.
Crystal completes her duties, so well and so fast,
It’s little wonder she’s at the head of the class.
Dena’s a young lady, beyond her years she’s old.
She dreams and wonders what her world will hold.
And about the teacher, I’d better not tell,
What you already know is sufficient and well.
Eugene Is Going Home
Teacher Eugene, he is leaving,
It’s hard to watch him go.
We know his school year has been lonely,
His days and weeks went slow.
But now no more will he be with us,
The games and classes that he gave them,
His students will no longer share.
The school year will be over,
The children leaving down the road.
As a teacher they so loved him,
He lifted many heavy loads.
They ask him for forgiveness
Where they fussed and failed their part.
But he still showed them love and kindness,
Even with his heavy heart.
We would not dare to keep him,
While others reach and yearn,
And with faces longing, waiting.
Expecting his soon blessed return.
We know a special one is watching,
Making room at heart and side,
Welcoming with long anticipation,
The day when she can be his bride.
May God give you strength and courage
For whatever dreams you have planned.
May life by always kind and gentle,
And give you only goodness from its hand.
We say goodbye to teacher Eugene,
Knowing miles between us now will lie.
We take comfort that again we’ll see you.
Sometime, some year, beyond their goodbye.
* * *
EPILOGUE
* * *
The soft morning sun beat on the barn roof, currents of cool morning air moving up through the rows of packed benches. Luella clasped her hands. Eugene would be married soon if the Bishop’s face was any indication. The sound of his voice had been rising and falling for over an hour in the steady rhythm of Pennsylvania Dutch.
Luella leaned forward as the bishop stretched his hand toward the seated couple, speaking even softer now, his gray beard tight against his chest. Eugene rose and Naomi followed suit. Luella held her breath. How could this moment be more beautiful? For so long she had imagined it in her mind. A real Amish wedding—and she was getting to experience it.
The bishop was saying something as he studied Eugene’s face. The official nodded at Eugene’s quiet “Yah.” The bishop turned to Naomi, and Luella leaned forward again. The bride’s “Yah” came even quieter, carried back along the sides of the barn in the near silence. How could 400 people, with plenty of children seated by their parents, be so quiet? It must be the Amish way of raising their children in obedience to the faith and respect for the church services. Luella brushed her hand over her eyes.
The bishop was joining the couple’s hands, and Luella caught Lonnie’s eyes over in the men’s section. A peaceful smile filled his face. He was enjoying the moment as much as she was.
Glancing back toward the front, Luella saw the bishop releasing the couples’ hands, and Eugene and Naomi sat down again. How quaint this all was, but still very appropriate. No announcement to the world of their married status. It just was and would be until they died.
Thank You, God, for allowing me to be here, Luella thought.
A man shouted a song number from the back of the barn. Another man led out and the audience joined in the singing, bursting into joyous sound.
After their wedding…
Eugene and Naomi Mast settled into their home community in Indiana for several years. Two boys were born: James and Andy. They were followed by two daughters: Marie and Susie. Andy is married now—the only one of the children so far.
It’s been close to thirty years now since that eventful nine months of separation when Eugene followed his dream to teach in Iowa. Eugene and Naomi often look back with joy at the years of blessing God has given them in their marriage. God’s faithfulness has always been with them, and they’re confident He’ll be faithful in the future.
About Jerry and Tina Eicher…
Jerry Eicher’s bestselling Amish fiction (more than 400,000 in combined sales) includes The Adams County Trilogy, the Hannah’s Heart Series, and the Little Valley Series.
After a traditional Amish childhood, Jerry taught for two terms in Amish and Mennonite schools in Ohio and Illinois. Since then he’s been involved in church renewal, preaching, and teaching Bible studies.
Tina Eicher was born and married in the Amish faith. She and her husband, Jerry, are the parents of four children and live in Virginia. Tina homeschooled all of her children for portions of their school years. Tina and Jerry are also the authors of The Amish Family Cookbook.
Visit Jerry’s website!
http://www.eicherjerry.com/
A CHECKLIST OF JERRY EICHER’S BOOKS
WITH HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS
THE ADAMS COUNTY TRILOGY
Rebecca’s Promise
Rebecca’s Return
Rebecca’s Choice
HANNAH’S HEART SERIES
A Dream for Hannah
A Hope for Hannah
A Baby for Hannah
LITTLE VALLEY SERIES
A Wedding Quilt for Ella
Ella’s Wish
Ella Finds Love Again
FIELDS OF HOME SERIES
Missing Your Smile
Following Your Heart
Where Love Grows
STANDALONE NOVELS
My Dearest Naomi
Susanna’s Christmas Wish
NON-FICTION
The Amish Family Cookbook
(coming September 2012)
My Amish Childhood
(coming January 2013)
For a taste of Amish cooking, try this!
The Homestyle Amish Kitchen Cookbook:
Plainly Delicious Recipes from the Simple Life
BY GEORGIA VAROZZA
Just about everyone is fascinated by the Amish—their simple, family-centered lifestyle, colorful quilts, and hearty, homemade meals. Straight from the heart of Amish country, this celebration of hearth and home will delight you with the pleasures of the family table as you take a peek at the Amish way of life—a life of self-reliance and peace of mind that many of us long for.
You’ll appreciate the tasty, easy-to-prepare recipes that include Scrapple, Graham Nuts Cereal, Potato Rivvel Soup, Amish Dressing, and Snitz Pie. At the same time, you’ll learn a bit about the Amish, savor interesting tidbits in the “Amish Kitchen Wisdom” sections, and find out just how much food it takes to feed the large number of folks attending preaching services, barn raisings, weddings, and work frolicks.
The Homestyle Amish Kitchen Cookbook is filled with good, old-fashioned family meal ideas to help bring the simple life home.
