Pentecost and Hutterite History

 Hutterites are observing Pentecost right now - May 19, 20, 21. If you wish to read more on that you can go to my Pentecost post from last year.



I'm reminded today, how almost ten years ago on a trip to Europe I had the chance to visit an historical site for Hutterites - Das Goldene Dachl (the Golden Roof) in Innsbruck. It was here, on February the 25th, 1536, Jaacb Hutter, was burned at the stake because of his faith .

 He was the leader of the Anabaptist group who placed all their belongings on a cloak, thus starting community of goods, modelled after the teachings in Acts chapter 2. After this they were known as Hutterites; a name they did not choose themselves, but which has somehow stuck to this day.



Some years ago this plaque was placed on the building. While standing under that plaque a feeling of deep gratitude came over me. Our forefathers had to endure tremendous persecution and yet they remained steadfast to the end, never losing sight who they were doing this for. Many gave their lives for their faith - a faith we strife to uphold to this day.

Thus, it is with this same gratitude we observe these very important Pentecost days, reminding ourselves why we live communally and what our forefathers so staunchly fought for - no doubt comforted, encouraged and strengthened by the Holy Spirit, promised to all followers of Christ.

Be Thou My Vision - Prairie Praise Hutterite Choir

‘I’m So Glad I Touched Shoulders With You’

           Joshua started school at five years of age, like every other child in our school. In many ways he was just like the other children. He lived on the same Hutterite colony and was able to walk to school. He took his meals in the children’s dining room in the communal kitchen. And he wore the same type of clothes as the other boys; dark trousers and a homemade shirt under suspenders.

When he started school, we knew that he’d require special help, since he wasn’t as strong and well-coordinated as other children his age. He had to work a lot harder and it took him longer to master most things.  For example, the s in his name was a real challenge. He bravely practiced for many weeks, on paper, whiteboard, and jelly bags till he finally printed a somewhat shaky s. It was much the same with cutting out a circle. I had tears in my eyes the first time he did it.

           I’m an educational assistant and was hired especially for him. Every achievement was a mini celebration. It didn’t take long for him to have his own place in my heart. Over the years we’ve learned a lot from each other, but it’s probably me who has learned the most. He still faces challenges and sometimes, its simple things that for his peers fall under fun:

June is Track and Field month and Joshua had just turned twelve. Everybody had been excitedly practicing races, high jump, long jump, javelin, discus and shot-putt. Everybody except Josh! He does not enjoy sports, because it’s difficult for him to keep up with the other children and he does not like crowds. To make matters worse, it was a windy day. He doesn’t like wind, either. Still, he tried to be a good sport and bravely took part in some events.

            He stood at the starting line of the 200 Meter race with three other boys. There was a crude track with white spray-painted lines on a country road, stretching out in front of them.   "Almost like at the Olympics!" Josh proclaimed. A pistol shot signaled the boys to dash for the finish line. Joshua’s competitors charged ahead like hares, leaving him to trail way behind them like the tortoise.

I was waiting for him at the finish line with some other teachers and parents. “Is there anybody from our school running now?” one mother wanted to know.

            “I don’t think so.” I answered, “But you can cheer for our Joshua.” Which she did with enthusiasm, along with all the others standing with us.

 “Go Josh, go! Go Josh, go!” This was all he needed to keep going -- friends, teachers and total strangers, cheering him on. He was the only one toiling on the track, his face resembling an over-ripe strawberry and his feet seeming too heavy for the rest of his body. “Go Josh, go! Go Josh, go!”   This chant took him all the way to the finish line! “During practice, I always gave up.” He panted. “This time I did not!” With pride shining from his face, my heart knew he did not need a medal dangling from his neck to be a winner.

              This is for you Joshua.  At fifteen, you are taller than I am and bravely facing yet another challenge-- high school. Even though you’ve changed over the years, your strongest qualities are still the same:  your love for books, your infectious laugh and your endearing personality.

‘...And I’m still touching shoulders with you.’


(I wrote this about a year ago, stumbled upon it today and decided to post it. So Josh has been in High School for that long as well and he's doing quite well with his adapted program.)

 

Celebrations – Mennonite Girls Can Cook

Lovella Schellenberg, Anneliese Friesen, Judy Wiebe, Betty Reimer, Bev Klassen, Charlotte Penner, Ellen Bayles, Julie Klassen, Kathy McLellen, Marg Bartel

This is the second cook book published by this group. I’ve never seen the first one, so I can’t really say anything about it. However, I can’t say enough about Celebrations! It’s a beautiful book! So, beautiful in fact, that it could easily be a coffee table book. Leafing through it, I got the feeling that this volume, besides being an exceptional cookbook, is also a celebration of family, with chapters ranging from birth to death and every major family event in between.

Brimming with easy-to-follow-recipes and sprinkled with special memories from the lives of the authors - all centered around festivities with good food. The photographs included in the book are gorgeous and highlight the recipes and the stories beautifully! My whole family loves spending time with this book, me included. While most of them cook a lot, I seldom do. So, I hardly ever get excited about cook books, but Celebrations has me excited for sure. Yes, this one is a keeper! Hmmm, it may even inspire me to try one of the recipes - it will be dessert, I know for sure.

It’s obvious how much time, thought and effort has gone into this project. If you’re looking to head for the kitchen with a new book under your arm, I recommend Celebrations – you’ll definitely want to get cooking with these Mennonite girls.

Another aspect that’s so special about this book, is that the authors have generously chosen to use the royalties for the first year to provide clean water for school children in Kenyan through the WASH program...a project of Mennonite Central Committee.  You can also find book signing dates on their website: Mennonite Girls Can Cook.

Disclaimer:

Book has been provided courtesy of MennoMedia and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Herald Press, a publishing imprint of MennoMedia.

 

 

Golden Bouquets

I got my first golden bouquet of the season today!

Stems all to short, so I couldn't put them in a vase.
I was left with no other choice but to leave these golden wonders
lying on my computer desk,watching them wilt by the second.
Pretty sure there'll be more where these ones came from.
Lots more.

Like a sure sign of spring,
Little feet clomp down the hall, towards my classroom.
Excited voice, "I'm giving mine to Linda!"

My enthusiastic,
 "Thank you, they are gorgeous! Where did you find them?"
Means I'll get many more.
Sometimes I jokingly tell these kind-hearted kiddies,
"Pretty soon I'll have enough to make wine."
They don't pick up on the fact that I'm kidding,
So, they tell everyone they meet.
"She's going to make wine!"
Which generates some chuckles...
And yes, funny looks.

(No, there will be no wine-making classes anytime soon.)

We mostly look at these flowers as pesky weeds,
that keep springing up in our yard,
no matter what we do to try and get rid of them.
They seem to have a mind of their own,
and don't really care what we think of them.

Still...

...looking at one of this delicate bloom closely,
it's actually very pretty
 velvety soft, golden.
Hundreds of thin petals
with tan-tinged ends,
held together by a green cup,
perching on a flimsy stem.

Hmmm,
Yes, gorgeous up close.
But looking at them from a distance
millions of them spread on the lawn,
waiting to turn to seed
 spreading yet more dandy love,
Is the phenomenon that
 changes our perspective.
And all we see is ugly weeds,
that you just want to get rid of.

No matter,
When little hands bring these bouquets,
I love them,
And the dear hearts that still see them only as the
Wonders of spring that they truly are.
Beautiful blooms placed here by their Maker
To pick, share, enjoy.
And marvel at their splendour!



Raising Kids on the Spectrum – Chicken Soup for the Soul

By Dr. Rebecca Landa, Mary Beth Marsden, Nancy Burrows, Amy Newmark

About the Book:

101 Inspirational Stories for Parents of Children with Autism and Asperger's

If you are the parent of a child — from newborn to college age — with autism or Asperger's, you will find support, advice, and insight in this collection. With its 101 stories from other parents and experts, this book will comfort, encourage, and uplift you. Stories cover everything from the serious side and the challenges, to the lighter side and the positives, of raising a special child on the autism spectrum.

My Review:

As I was reading this book, I couldn’t help thinking, ‘Anybody who has anything to do with children on the Spectrum would benefit from reading this book.’ The stories are heartfelt, inspiring and informative and, are written by parents of autistic children. In each account it’s obvious how difficult it can be to raise these kids, but what also comes through abundantly clear is how much joy these children bring to their families. I work with a child who’s on the Spectrum, on a daily basis, and in many of the stories I could relate very well – taking ‘favorites’ to a whole new level, need for structure, not being able to handle sudden change...

I was saddened how many people still don’t understand autism, and chalk it up to ‘bad parenting’ when they encounter these children in public places. So, this book could serve as an educational book as well. Besides learning more about this disorder, and the priceless, practical advice gleaned from these amazing parents, I also appreciated the sense of humour - the lighter side of raising children on the Spectrum.

One of my favourite stories is about a family who had three aunts pass away over a relatively short time frame. They diligently coached their autistic son through this, helping him understand what will happen, how to act and what to say. It was extremely difficult for him, but the parents were relieved that for the most part things went rather well. After the last funeral, they told him that they now had to say good-bye to the grieving family. He was already at the car, more than ready to leave; he turned around and in a big booming voice said, “Good-Bye! Best funeral ever!” As much embarrassment is this caused, these parents later agreed that the aunt, who had passed away, would have been fine with that. She had always loved children and would have been pleased that hers was deemed the ‘best funeral ever’.

Disclaimer:

In exchange for an honest review Simon and Schuster and Shelton Interactive provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.

Jennifer – Dee Henderson

About the Book:

It's a summer of change for Jennifer O'Malley.

The busy physician has a pediatrics practice in Dallas, Texas, and meeting and falling in love with surgeon Tom Peterson is adding a rich layer to her life. She's sorting out how to introduce Tom to her family--she's the youngest of seven--and thinking about marriage.

She's learning to walk with God too, and trusting Him to lead. But that faith is about to be tested, and in a way she didn't expect. The results will soon transform her entire O’Malley family.

My Review:

This is a quick read,  and not a suspense story as all Henderson’s other books are, but it is an opportunity to get to know Jennifer better. Jennifer is one of the O’Malley’s in Dee Henderson’s O’Malley Series: Siblings by choice, as they adopted each other; each book highlights a different family member. Jennifer passes away early on in the series, and readers never got this part of the story, so this is the piece that completes the series. I was excited to learn more about how Jennifer, a warm and loving woman, came to God and how she met Tom.  For someone who hasn’t read this series, this would not be the book to start with. Read at least book one, The Negotiator first. Actually, Jennifer made me want to read this first book again.

Disclaimer:

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Sharing Our World...

...here in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba is an opportunity for the people of various cultures in area to share their world with others. Those taking part, can choose what all they wish to share. All have a booth where a variety of things can be displayed. Some bring cultural food, for people to sample. There's also entertainment all afternoon, provided by the different culture. There may be singing, step dancing, musical instruments being played...depending on what people choose to do that year. Towards the end there's also a time for some to take the stage and showcase their cultural dress and explain what they signify or where they originate from. This year we showcased a Hutterite wedding dress and an Austrian Dirndl, which our dress style is modeled after.

At the very end Aboriginals did a friendship dance and invited people to join them. As they make their way through the audience more and more join the line, holding hands with the person beside them and doing a little step dance, with drummers helping them keep time. I always think that's a fitting way to end the event. Because that is what it's all about - no matter what cultures we all belong to, we can all be friends, respecting each other's differences and celebrating the fact that we're all humans created by a loving God.

This is the fourth year we've taken part...and the event seems to be growing each year.

Glass mosaic pieces depicting Hutterite History on display at our booth

Another part of our booth

Daria (left) in a Hutterite wedding dress and Nicole (right) wearing the Austrian Dirndl


Of course we totally enjoyed visiting the other booths, sampling their food and listening to their music.

the Ukrainian table

I loved seeing this mom walk around with her baby on her back.


If you'd like you can see previous posts on Sharing Our World here are some links:

God Keep Our Land...2011

Sharing Our World 2012

and more picture from this year as on Portage Online