and more women came to help Charity prepare the house. She knew everyone would bring food to share but she had been baking and planning food for several days.
This was exciting for Charity because it was the first time she and Adam had entertained. Inside and out everything must be clean.
Charity was so pleased that a huge crowd came to their house. She felt they were accepting Adam and her as a mature couple. She was astonished at the amount of food brought. Her mother whispered that everyone knew she was expecting her first baby and knew how tired she would get. They furnished enough food to leave some for her and Adam.
Adam hired two teenage neighbor boys to help him in the field and to help build whatever was needed for use on the farm. He wanted a separate building for the food stored as feed for the animals and one to park the buggies and work wagons. In the fall they would harvest the crops and put up necessary supplies or sell what had been raised to sell. Charity would can foods and prepare for winter.
Adam and Charity had a stand beside the road in front of their property where they sold vegetables, fruit and honey. Charity included eggs and few baked goods. A few times she sold pots of flowers.
The summer was hot and hard for them. Adam was kind to Charity and was quick to see that she had what was need inside and out, but he was not affectionate. Charity wished with her whole heart that he would once hold her and say “I love you”. He was a gentleman and a good husband but didn’t think it was necessary to show affection. He felt he was working to provide a good home, plenty of food and that was all that was necessary.
Charity worked hard to be a good wife and a good housekeeper. She was an excellent cook and a very good seamstress. She kept the house neat and tidy, fed some of the animals and took care of the garden. She also helped Adam when he needed her outside.
Charity was pleased to view the many jars of vegetables and fruits she had canned and made ready for winter. These were kept down in a basement.
She would can meats later.
Chapter Two
Late spring and early summer were hotter than usual and Adam worked hard in the field and feeding and caring for the larger gediere (animals). Charity took care of the picks (pigs) and all the fowl.
One Deenshdawk (Tues.) Adam was standing under a tree giving Bonnie Kate a bath. Kyle Snader, Matthew Startz and Gerry Raber were visiting.
“Adam, she sure is a schee (pretty) gaul.” Gerry stated as he used a scraper to take the suds off Bonnie Kate.
“Danki, (thank you) I think so,” Adam answered. “At first I was naerfich (nervous) riding her on the highway, but she handled beautifully.”
“Why would you be nervous? You’re one of es bescht (the best) with gauls.” Matthew assured him.
“Nee. I’m not the best, but I do love to work with them. It would be so nice if I could afford to open a training school and have an income doing something I really like. Maybe I could ---
“Kumme schnell (come quickly),” Charity called excitedly.
“Why is she so excited?” Gerry asked.
“I don’t know, but I’d best go see. She is a good frau, and I know I’m lucky to have her.
“Wie geht’s (How are you)?” Kyle asked Charity.
“Gut danki, ( good thank you ) but the picks (pigs) aren’t. The hundel (pup) got into the pack (pen) and frightened the picks. They broke out and are running over the field. They’ll tear up what has been planted and will eat what has grown.” She was in a dummle (hurry) to tell them, talking so fast and excited that they could hardly understand her.
“So the hundel got into the pack and frightened the picks,” laughed Matthew. “We’ll get them. Don’t worry schwesechder (little sister). Your big bruder is here to help.”
The young men ran off to get the picks back in the pack with a lot of laughing and missed tackles. The picks were finally back in the pack and the sides reinforced, and the frisky hundel was tied at the side of the house.
“Oh, danki,” Charity laughed. “I could never have done it alone. Can you stay for nachtesse (supper)?
“Nee danki. Mamm (mom) expects me home to eat supper with her and daed (dad).” Matthew grinned. “You know how mamm is.”
“Ja, I know. Gern gschehn.” (You’re welcome any time.)
“Ja, I know. Come on fellows. Are you going or staying for nachtesse?”
“I’m going. I have a koppwveh (headache) and I need to go home and lie down.” Kyle said holding his hands on both sides of his head.
“Why do you have a headache?”
“I landed hard once on a rock and hit my head when I dived for a pick. Besides I’m so dreckich (dirty) mamm might not even let me in the haus (house) Kyle laughed.
“You are no dirtier than my husband,” Charity laughed. “But if you must leave, know you’re gern gschehn to come again. Give my love to our parents.” The boys laughed and ran away.
April came in with the heat beginning to build up. Ostar (Easter) was on the next Sunndawk but the Amish do not celebrate as the Englisch do. They tell the story of Christ arising from the grave and what the promise for us is.
Shrove Tuesday is known as Fastnacht ( Fat Tuesday)and is the day before Ash Wednesday. The Amish do not celebrate Ash Wednesday. The women make a special dough and place it in a clean cloth in a basket to rise. Later it is cut into squares and fried in deep fat, then sprinkled with confectioner sugar. They are served hot at breakfast where they are cut open and spread with honey or whatever is desired. The Amish know that days of sacrifice are ahead so they think it wise to use up fats and sugars and prepare for a special fast.
Gruna Dunaschdawk (Green Thursday) is the day before Kaofreidawk (good Friday). On Freidawk the families have a special worship service where they are told the story of Christ’s torture and entombment. At this service the congregation says the Lord’s Prayer (or model prayer) together.
Veter unser im Himmel. Geheiligt werde dein name. Dein Reich komme, dein wille geschehe wie im Himmel so auf Erden. Unser tagliches brot gib uns heute und vergib uns unsure schuld wie auch wir verge Ben unseren schuldigern. Und fuhre uns nicht in versuchung, sondern erlose un von dem bosen. Denn Dein ist das Reich, und die kraft und die Herrlichkeit in ewigkeit. Amen
All through the week the children, while gathering eggs, will hide some for themselves. The ones today are allowed to color their eggs, but not to hide them and hunt. They enjoy looking at each others eggs.
On Sunndawk there is a long service and special food for a thankful day.
They eat well to break the fast. Moondawk (Monday) is set aside to visit and rest. Some of the young men go fishing with friends.
Mai (May) and Juni (June) was more work and little time for leisure. Adam proudly viewed the results of his labor and Charity was pleased with the sewing and cleaning she had done. They could not express their pride and pleasure though because it would be worldly and
