Amish Celebrations

by Beth Wiseman

  Her muscles tensed. Despite her prayers and communion with God, she couldn’t seem to shake the apprehension that festered within her heart. She bowed her head. I know in my heart that You have a plan for me and that I shouldn’t worry so much about what this day might bring, so please, God, wrap Your arms around me and Chester today, and let us not lose sight of what is most important.

  Priscilla lifted her head as she recalled the times in her life she’d heard the voice of God. In those instances, she had known that she was right with God in her heart and mind, fearful of her Lord, but without fear in her heart of human actions and reactions. She knew the difference, and she knew that human fear and worry had overcome her as of late, as hard as she’d fought it. She lowered her head again and prayed for renewed faith and total trust in God and His plan for her. When she was done, she stood up and decided to go back downstairs. There still wasn’t anyone in the kitchen, but maybe she’d try to eat a bowl of cereal. She didn’t think she could stomach a big breakfast this morning.

  When she got to the doorway, she turned around and looked back at her bedroom, knowing that tonight Chester would share her room. She walked toward the bed, placed the lantern on the nightstand, then pulled up her covers on the bed and smoothed the wrinkles. She loved her Lone Star quilt with its brilliant red, but her mother had made her a new quilt to take to her new home—a lovely white wedding quilt with the traditional intertwined rings. She only wished she didn’t have to wait months to start keeping house in her new home.

  Her head swirled with thoughts. She was excited and nervous about spending her wedding night with Chester, but she loved him with all her heart. No sooner did she have the thought when she wondered if Chester would for sure show up today.

  Of course he will.

  She took a deep breath. Then she noticed Rachel’s envelope on her nightstand. Sweet Rachel. And Priscilla had kept her promise. She picked up Rachel’s envelope, slid her finger along the seam, and gazed at the white piece of paper with large pink lettering. Then she began to cry. How could Rachel have possibly known that this what exactly what she needed to hear at this very moment?

  Chester read Rachel’s special gift three more times.

  God say you shoud not be scard Chestr. True lieb stop scaredness. You lieb wont be perfect if you scared Chestr.

  Following the written words were two pink hearts, and underneath Rachel signed it, I lieb you, Chester.

  Chester smiled as he blinked back tears. He knew the Scripture well. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

  At that moment, worry and fear fled his heart and mind, and all he wanted to do was get to Priscilla. Even if it was four o’clock in the morning.

  CHAPTER 12

  Priscilla brought Rachel’s letter to her heart as a tear rolled down her cheek. God used someone so simple and pure as Rachel to speak to Priscilla through Scripture. She read it again.

  To Pre-Ceelia, I lieb you. Today is you happy marreage day. I happy two. God go befor you and withs you and He not gonna let u down. So dont be scard Pre-Ceelia. I think it Gods perfect plan. ☺☺☺

  Priscilla swiped at another tear as she translated Rachel’s message.

  And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee; neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

  She closed her eyes and wept, knowing she was going to marry Chester Lapp come rain or shine, and no case of the hiccups or any other unplanned occurrence would make her wedding any more perfect than the love that she and Chester shared. She wanted to tell him she was sorry, that this day would be perfect no matter what, because it was a union to be blessed by God. Her heart filled with gratitude as she pressed Rachel’s letter back to her chest.

  Then she heard a noise outside, and next thing she knew, her windowpane broke. Tiny pieces of glass spilled onto the hardwood floor. She stepped back and wondered if a bird hit her window, but then she saw . . . a rock?

  Easing slowly toward the window, she heard someone calling her name. She edged around the broken glass, then heard her name again. Chester?

  “Priscilla, are you up there? I have to talk to you. It’s important.”

  She peered out the window. “Chester, what are you doing?” It was a loud whisper, but she wasn’t sure he heard her, so she spoke a little louder. “You broke the window. What are you doing?”

  “I have to talk to you, Priscilla.”

  A few hours ago she might have wondered if Chester was here to call off the wedding, or she would have worried about what he had to say. “I have to talk to you too.”

  Her bedroom door flung open, and she spun around to see her father standing in the doorway, barefoot and in his long pants and pajama shirt. His hair was sticking up on the top of his head, and he had a scowl on his face.

  “Tell that boy to come into the house like a normal person.” He turned to leave, scratching his head, but turned back. “And tell him I expect him to replace that window.” He narrowed his brows, but a grin shone on his face. “You two only have a few more hours before you’re married and together all the time. He had to break mei window?” He shook his head and left.

  “Chester! I’ll meet you downstairs.”

  Priscilla sprinted down the stairs, out the front door, and across the yard to where Chester was waiting in the darkness. In the moonlight, she could see his blue eyes calling to her, and she jumped into his arms. He cupped her face in his hands, kissed her on the mouth, the cheek, the forehead, then back on the mouth again.

  “Priscilla, I love you with all my heart. It doesn’t matter what happens today or—”

  She gently put her finger against his lips. “I love you, too, Chester, and I’m not concerned about anything.” Her breath clouded in front of her from the cool night air, but inside she was warm and peaceful. “Today will be a wonderful day even if it rains, nothing goes as planned, and I get the hiccups . . . It doesn’t matter. It’s perfect because I love you!”

  “Priscilla,” he whispered as he drew her close again. “In a few hours you will be mei frau.”

  “Ya. I will.” She gazed into his eyes and touched his cheek. “And I can’t wait.”

  They both turned around when they heard footsteps on the front porch. Mamm.

  “Chester Lapp, I don’t know what you’re doing here at this hour on your wedding day, but both of you get in here out of the cold. I’m heating up a breakfast casserole, then there is much work to be done.” Mamm shook her head as she turned and went back into the house.

  Priscilla and Chester both chuckled as they made their way slowly across the yard hand in hand.

  Three hours later Priscilla watched as almost four hundred friends and family gathered inside the living room area, spilling into the temporary addition her father, friends, and family had built. Mamm had opened all the window blinds early that morning. An orange glow filled the horizon and lit the fields with golden hues as rays of light filtered through the house. Priscilla could feel God’s presence all around her.

  The ceremony began right at eight o’clock, and the congregation sang several songs in German. From her place on a backless bench in the front row, Priscilla sat almost directly across from Chester, and he’d never looked more handsome. She searched his face for any sense of hesitancy, but he sat tall and confident, and he looked as at peace as Priscilla felt. Forty benches filled their large living room, and more benches and chairs were in the extra space connected to the house, with the double doors from the living room open so everyone could hear the ceremony. A fire roared in the fireplace, and the smell of roascht filled the house. Her attendants, Rose and Naomi, sat to her left. Chester’s attendants, Zeke and Abe, sat to his right.

  The bishop presented stories about the Old Testament, followed by several Scripture readings, and then a lengthy sermon that focused on the bond and commitment of marriage. It was over two hours later when the
deacon asked Priscilla and Chester to step forth and join him.

  Priscilla choked back tears as she listened to Chester. “I, Chester, take you, Priscilla . . .”

  Then with a shaky voice, she vowed to love Chester for the rest of her life, and Bishop Ebersol blessed their union. He took Chester’s right hand and Priscilla’s right hand and joined them together, placing his hand on theirs. After he pronounced them husband and wife, he asked if either of the fathers would like to speak or offer words of wisdom for the new bride and groom.

  Chester’s father stood up and reminded them that the man is the head of the household and that Priscilla is his helpmate, but as he looked at Chester, he also emphasized to his son that he is responsible for providing for his family. For a brief moment, Priscilla thought about how Mr. Turner had fired Chester, but she quickly tossed the thought aside.

  Priscilla’s father spoke to Priscilla and Chester next. A knot formed in Priscilla’s throat as she listened to words from her daed.

  “Mei dochder, I pray you will find much happiness in your life with Chester, and that you will keep God in your heart as challenges arise, as they most certainly will.” Her father swallowed hard as he turned to Chester. “A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife; and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore, what God has joined together, let man not separate.” Daed looked back and forth between Priscilla and Chester, and she could see her mother and both attendants dabbing at their eyes. “Be gut to each other. Follow the ways of the Lord in all you do.”

  With tears in her eyes, Priscilla nodded at her father before her eyes met with Chester’s, and she knew that God’s love was shining on them.

  A final prayer by the bishop drew the ceremony to a close. Priscilla smiled as she glanced at Rose—whose dress fit perfectly, and who wasn’t scratching her arms. She looked at Hannah, still pregnant and with no signs of labor today. What a party they would have now.

  A rush of women headed toward the kitchen, and the men wasted no time as they began transforming benches into tables and setting up a table in a U-shape under the temporary shelter. The corner of one table, the eck, was for Priscilla and Chester, along with their wedding party. As was customary, they would be served first. Priscilla’s attendants sat to her left, along with other young unmarried women. Chester’s attendants sat to his right, next to more unmarried women. Young married men sat on the remaining side of the formation.

  Soon they were served the traditional roascht, mashed potatoes, gravy, creamed celery, pepper cabbage, applesauce, rolls, and homemade bread and jam. Women bustled about, and after everyone at the eck was served, the women tended to the first group seated. As a courtesy, folks ate as quickly as they could so that setup could begin for the next group, then the next. Usually, it took three shifts to feed the wedding guests.

  After everyone had eaten, Priscilla and Chester, along with their attendants, returned to the eck. Priscilla was excited to see all the desserts and sweets that her friends and relatives brought. And, of course, there were “wedding nothings”—the cookies always served at weddings. After she and Chester inspected the items, they passed them around the table for the others to see. Many of the cakes had something written on top specifically for Priscilla and Chester, often an inside joke of some sort. She laughed when she saw that Naomi had added something to her cake—in between the candied yellow roses she’d written Skydivers Forever.

  Chester reached over and squeezed her hand under the table as he smiled. “I love you, Priscilla Lapp.”

  Her heart warmed as she squeezed back, but suddenly Chester’s smile faded and was replaced with a scowl.

  Chester stared across the room at the man who had caused him so much heartache and wondered what he was doing here. Then he remembered. Chester had invited him a long time ago.

  “What’s wrong?” Priscilla’s voice was tight.

  He forced a smile. “Mr. Turner is here.” He rubbed his chin for a moment. “It just wonders me why he would come after the way he talked to me.”

  “I’m surprised too.” Priscilla paused as she squinted in Mr. Turner’s direction. “And isn’t that Mrs. Turner with him?”

  Chester sat taller. “Ya. It is.” He watched the older man and his wife take a seat across the room as he pushed aside the conversation they’d had awhile back. “But that’s okay. Don’t give it another thought.” He focused on his food, his new bride, and the blessings God had bestowed on him, but he could feel Mr. Turner’s eyes on him. He avoided holding eye contact with the man, but as soon as they were through looking at all the cakes and candies, he was going to go talk to him.

  About thirty minutes later he excused himself after he saw Mr. Turner walk outside with his wife. He wasn’t sure if they were leaving or just getting some fresh air. Outside, a cluster of people gathered on the porch, and it took him a minute to locate Mr. and Mrs. Turner sitting in the double porch swing, eating dessert. He moved through the crowd, past a portable heater on the porch, and approached them slowly, unsure what he would say.

  “Chester!” Mr. Turner set his plate down on a table beside him. “I’m glad you found me. I have much to say to you.”

  Mrs. Turner also put her plate down. “Chester, it was a beautiful ceremony. Just lovely.”

  Chester’s mind spun with confusion as Mr. Turner stood up and extended his hand. Hesitantly, Chester shook his hand. Then Mrs. Turner stood up.

  “I owe you a huge apology, son.” Mr. Turner lowered his head for a moment, then looked back up at Chester. “I—I . . .” He shook his head as Mrs. Turner put her arm around her husband. She rubbed Mr. Turner’s back as she spoke.

  “Chester, what my husband is trying to say is that he made a terrible mistake by accusing you of taking that money.” She turned toward her husband, frowning, although she continued to rub his back. Then she turned back to Chester. “I told him that there had to be some kind of mistake.”

  “I’ve been trying to call you.” Mr. Turner met eyes with Chester as his brows drew downward into a frown. “No one ever answers at the phone shanty, and your brother’s phone says it’s been disconnected.” He lowered his gaze. “I should have gone out to your house, but . . .” Mr. Turner looked up again, his eyes soft and glassy. “I was ashamed.”

  Chester thought about the couple of times that he and Priscilla just let the phone ring at the shanty, fearing bad news. He waited while Mrs. Turner went on.

  “Mr. Turner is having some—some medical issues.” Her expression fell, and Chester hoped she wasn’t going to cry. “He didn’t remember putting the money in a jar at home. I found it when I was cleaning.”

  “Chester, I’m so sorry.” Mr. Turner stepped forward a bit. “I’m an old man, and I reckon I’m forgetting things left and right.” He paused as he let out a heavy sigh. “And I’m only going to get worse.”

  Mrs. Turner blinked back tears. “We’re hoping the medication will help, but we both know that we can’t run the store anymore.”

  “I’m so sorry, Mr. Turner, that you’re sick.” Chester took a deep breath as he thought of an uncle he had who suffered from Alzheimer’s. “Is there anything that I can do to help?”

  “As a matter of fact there is,” Mr. Turner said, standing taller. “We’d like for you to run the store.”

  Chester’s voice echoed the hope he felt in his heart. “Really?”

  “We understand if you can’t forgive me, Chester.” Mr. Turner shook his head. “I reacted so hastily. Just not like me to do that.” He sighed again. “Anyway, we were wondering if you might want to buy Turner’s Furniture Store. You’re such a fine carpenter, and we’ll be glad to finance it for you.”

  “Buy it?” Chester’s eyes grew round as saucers, and he wondered if this day could get any better. “I’d be honored, sir.” He held out his hand.

  “Wonderful!” Mrs. Turner hugged Chester. “And as a wedding present and apology, we’d like for you to take over the store rig
ht away and not worry about any payments for the next six months until you and Priscilla get settled.”

  “Thank you both.” Chester smiled as he silently thanked God as well for his good fortune and offered a prayer for the Turners.

  By late afternoon plans were already underway for another meal. Following a day of socializing and fellowship, some guests had slipped out to attend other wedding receptions. Since everyone in their community married in November or December, it was almost impossible to have a date exclusive to one bride and groom. As was customary, Priscilla was the one to choose what they would have for the evening meal. She’d chosen chicken and wafers and steamed peas.

  Finally the day came to a close around nine o’clock, and Priscilla and Chester said good-bye to the rest of the guests. Priscilla hugged Hannah.

  “I made it through your wedding, Priscilla.” Hannah smiled as she patted her large belly. “Now, I’m going to go home and coax this baby into having his birthday on your anniversary.”

  “I can’t wait!” Priscilla said as Hannah slipped past her with her husband. Rose and Luke were behind Hannah. Priscilla was glad to see that the dress fit and that Rose didn’t seem to be scratching anymore. She hugged her friend good-bye. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Naomi and Zeke standing outside talking, and she smiled to herself.

  “It’s been a perfect day,” she whispered to Chester as they watched the last of their guests leave.

  “Ya. It has.”