My Dearest Naomi (40 page)
Authors: Jerry,Tina Eicher
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,
His teaching desk swept bare.
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.
T
he 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.
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.
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!
A CHECKLIST OF JERRY EICHER’S BOOKS
T
HE
A
DAMS
C
OUNTY
T
RILOGY
Rebecca’s Promise
Rebecca’s Return
Rebecca’s Choice
H
ANNAH’S
H
EART
S
ERIES
A Dream for Hannah
A Hope for Hannah
A Baby for Hannah
L
ITTLE
V
ALLEY
S
ERIES
A Wedding Quilt for Ella
Ella’s Wish
Ella Finds Love Again
F
IELDS OF
H
OME
S
ERIES
Missing Your Smile
Following Your Heart
Where Love Grows
S
TANDALONE
N
OVELS
My Dearest Naomi
Susanna’s Christmas Wish
N
ON
-F
ICTION
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
G
EORGIA
V
AROZZA
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.
