The door to the little room opened and the bishop followed by the rest of the ministers came in. They shook our hands solemnly and then sat on a bench in front of the window. The bishop started by asked if anything had changed since one of the ministers had come to talk to us before they had announced our engagement.
We both told them that no, we hadn't done anything. I'm not sure what I was expecting them to talk about, maybe some good godly advice on how to start a home or something. But instead, what I heard made me feel like getting up and walking out I was more than a little bit indignant and embarrassed by all the things they were saying. Trying not to gag we managed to suffer through almost an hour of listening to them.
We both sighed with relief when they dismissed us and we could go to the adjoining room where our attendants were waiting. We were still too traumatized to feel like talking to anyone so we simply sat there and waited until we heard the third song being announced. We all got ready to enter the church house once they started singing the third line. John and LV's cousin Rhoda would go first, LV and I followed them and then LV's cousin Timothy and his girlfriend.
As the third line started John opened the door and we walked in and sat on the bench that had been reserved for us in front of the ministers .
LV's Dad got up to preach the first sermon, He didn't really preach, basically he only told Bible stories starting with the garden of Eden and then how Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for Isaac. Once he was done every one knelt for a short silent prayer. LV's uncle read a short scripture and then it was the bishop's (my uncle John Henry) turn to preach. I had always loved listening to his sermons and today was no different as he preached about Jacob and how he worked for fourteen years for his wives, Boaz and Ruth, and several other examples of marriages.
In the middle of his sermon someone drove up to the church house with Grandpa Mast. They wheeled him in on his wheel chair and parked it next to the bench where we were sitting. I was so happy to see that he was able to be there.
At twelve o'clock John Henry said if we would still like to get married we can rise and come stand before him.
To be continued
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It can't have been easy going through that before a wedding, which is meant to be such a joyful occasion.
ReplyDeleteI've just caught up with Part one, and having read Part two I'm eager to read Part three. I so appreciate a peak into this world that so few of us have ever experienced.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Kathleen
Yes, I wonder what they said to you that embarrassed you so, but I might already have an idea.
ReplyDeleteI just finished catching up on all your posts this week. Thank you for a glimpse into your Amish life.
I know what they told you. I'm SO sorry you had to be blindsided with that.
ReplyDeleteOh course I don't know exactly what was asked and said, but I think I might have a good idea. Not exactly the way you wanted to start your wedding proceedings I am sure. Looking forward to part 3.
ReplyDeleteI do hope this horrible part of your ceremony didn't spoil your wedding day, and I really look forward to reading part 3. I do find it amazing that you hadn't been told beforehand, by someone who had experienced it, what was likely to be discussed.
ReplyDeleteOK, I have no IDEA what they told you, but now I'm really curious.
ReplyDeleteSo, loving your story. How sad, that they said those things to you on your Wedding day.
ReplyDeleteBlessings~
Gosh, I too am really curious about what they said to you as well and hope that it didn't spoil what should have been a lovely day for you both..do put us all out of our misery and tell!
ReplyDeleteYes, do tell. At least give us some kind of idea.
ReplyDeleteWow! Just curios why that day and not sometime before the wedding. I agree with Jan that odd someone didn't warn you. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSo curious as what they had to say to the two of you on your wedding day. Since Monica is former Amish too and she sorry you had to have to have been blindsided it must have been something one would have no idea was coming and so embarrassing they never would mention it or you would have been prepared for them to say what they did.
ReplyDeleteI have been following with great interest and look out for your instalments.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jan
I'm not Amish, or ex-Amish, but I know what happens in some Mennonite churches. . . . BLEECH.
ReplyDeleteMy Dh and I had agreed ahead of time that if that was tried on us, we would politely but firmly let them know that we didn't think we needed their "information" and did not wish to discuss the matter further! ONE of the ministers tried to start that line of talk, and one of the other ministers (from out of the area that we had invited to have a part) managed to quickly side line THAT kind of discussion and get it into a better vein . . . THANKFULLY. I am so glad we didn't have to defend our right to not have to listen to their bumbling and embarassed attempts to give us a "education". I do not feel that it's proper or right for a group of MEN to "gang up" and do that to a young couple right before the marriage ceremony at.all.
It really is sad that they had this talk right before the wedding,kind of tasteless.Blessings jane
ReplyDeleteOK .. the awful talk is behind them, Grandpa is there beside them, the two shall become one flesh and we have to wait patiently for part 3! I love this love story :-)
ReplyDeleteI would be lying if I said the curiousity wasn't killing me.
ReplyDeleteLove,love, love this whole story!!! Keep sharing because we're all ears.
This is my first visit to your lovely blog & I will be stopping by again! You are a wonderful writer with a fascinating story! Have a blessed day! ~Collette
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so glad that your Grandpa made it to your wedding! Just one more special memory to share!
ReplyDeletecan only guess what was asked of yourselves. such a difference in life style but very interesting. take care rose
ReplyDeleteI have always been fascinated by the Amish, ever since my mom and I read a magazine article when I was a young teenager. I had no idea about any of this stuff, though, and now I, too, am wondering what they talked to you about for a whole hour!
ReplyDeleteoh my word....you do a good job of making a person feel some of the nervousness that you were experiencing! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm just now catching up with your wedding posts, and find it sad that so many Amish couples need to go through a 'quick education' on the morning of their wedding. I have lots of amish in my background, and there are some things that get carried down through the generations. We also had to meet with the ministers, but it was more just to encourage us to have a godly home. We had been educated otherwise prior to that. :)