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Tim and Ervin seated the guests at the tables. The table closest to the "Eck" (which is where the bride and groom and their four witnesses sat) was seated with family such as the parents, grandparents, siblings (that didn't have part in serving) and Day Brighteners. We were served by Joanna's brother, Jon Mark, and her cousin Myrna. As the bowls of food were being filled, the guests sang "How Great Thou Art." After everyone was done eating, the guests all filed through to shake hands with the bride, groom and both parents and congratulated the couple. Since we never met Joanna's parents until that week, it was interesting to meet her uncles, aunts, cousins and church members from her former church in Ohio.
Around 2:30 the bride, groom, witnesses, family, table waiters and the cooks that stayed were all seated again to sing songs that Benjamin and Joanna chose. They were "The Wonder of Love," "Our God Is For Us," "Precious Memories," "Battle Hymn of Love" and "Thank You Parents." Then snacks and punch were passed around by my nephew Benjamin and my nieces' husbands, Menno and Manuel. I'm sure the ones that ate earlier at 10 were hungry again. After that, the bride and groom opened their gifts while the clean-up was being done. They received many nice gifts. Our gift to them isn't here yet, but we gave them an upright freezer, a pig to butcher and a half of beef. We don't always get all the meat to them the first year. We have beef we are raising now for Joseph and Grace, Daniel and Lovina and Daniel Ray and Verena. We got a little behind with having four of the children getting married in a few years' time.
Joe goes out to the barn every night to feed the calves. Daniel Ray or Benjamin would do it, but he likes to make sure they are doing OK. Benches were carried out to the bench wagons, tables and chairs stacked in the carts, floors swept, etc. A trailer was brought, and all the gifts, dishes and everything we brought from home was loaded up. Some of our family and Emma and her family were a great help and stayed until all was packed. Joanna's family left for home after the gifts were opened as they had a long drive home. We left the building around 7:45 p.m., and the trailer was emptied at our home. Emma helped us get the food in the freezer/refrigerator. Most of the food that was left was passed out to family.
Saturday, Benjamin and Joanna left for their honeymoon. I put away all the dishes I had taken along, and I also washed the laundry. I was gone every day that week shopping or helping get ready for the wedding, so the laundry kept adding up here at home. I also have a tote full of dish towels and dishcloths that I took along for the dishwashers to use, so my laundry also had lots of towels to wash.
We appreciated the help from my great friend Ruth and her friend Dawn as they gave us rides back and forth to the community building, which is 10 miles from our house. Ruth also took me to shop for groceries. When we discovered we forgot something, then they went after it. They also brought lunch for all of us working on Wednesday. We are truly thankful for what they did to help lighten our load. God bless them!
As we were working there on the day before the wedding, we received news that my sister Leah and Paul's 17-year-old grandson Amos was hurt at work. He was at the hospital on life support, and so Leah's family went to the hospital instead of coming to the wedding. Sister-in-law Nancy was also coming with Paul and Leah, so she couldn't come either. We could understand they were needed with their daughter Elizabeth, Levi, and family. Amos died the next day (on the day of the wedding) after life support was removed. Such a young age, and being the oldest child of seven, he left an empty spot in that home. I attended the viewing and visitation, and Joe and I attended the funeral. He was buried in the graveyard just down the road from Elizabeth and Levi's house. Our deepest sympathy to the family. It won't be easy to go on without their beloved son. Rest in peace, Amos! You will be missed by many! May God comfort the family as they try to go on with life without their dear one. Their bishop that had the funeral service said Amos was always attentive in church. He sounds like he was exceptionally well-behaved for a 17-year-old boy. He didn't go to work on Monday and helped wash off walls for his mother since they are hosting church services this month. Little did they know that his funeral would be held in there before church services.
We don't know what the future holds, but we know who holds our future. I wish you all God's richest blessings as we travel into the unknown future. Thank you all for your kind words and sympathy and the many prayers lifted up to the family.
I am sharing the recipe for cinnamon butter that was served alongside the cinnamon bread that Joanna's mom Luella baked for the wedding meal. God Bless!
Cinnamon Butter
1 (45 ounce) Country Crock or similar soft butter
4 cups powdered sugar
4 tablespoons cinnamon
Directions:
Mix all ingredients well. Keep refrigerated. Depending what kind butter you use, it will need to be softened to room temperature before spreading
Lovina's Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight. Her three cookbooks, The Cherished Table, The Essential Amish Cookbook, and Amish Family Recipes, are available wherever books are sold. Readers can write to Eicher at Lovina's Amish Kitchen, PO Box 234, Sturgis, MI 49091 (please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for a reply); or email questionsforlovina@gmail.com and your message will be passed on to her to read. She does not personally respond to emails.