Photo Friday
immanuel
Aunt Naomi’s Story (Part 27)
When I was in the 8th grade, my friend, Betty, was getting a wrist watch for graduation. She and I were the only girls in our class of six. I felt I would be forever humiliated if I did not get a watch for graduation too. I knew I would not get one from my parents. Lloyd and I were selling seeds that spring. I don’t remember how, but somehow I talked him into letting me have the prize for selling seeds, a watch.
I first met my friend, Betty, when we were very small. We had driven to the Englebrechts for something. Their house set across a ravine you had to drive down. Daddy didn’t think our car would make it down and up the steep ravine, so he walked over and we stayed in the car. All of these cute little curly-headed girls came out of the house. I was just fascinated seeing so many little girls of all sizes with curly heads, both blond and brunette. They had Arlene, Betty, Bernice, Loretta, Mary, Norma and another that came later and one boy, Harlan. I was always very envious of these girls. Every Easter they got new coats and they came to church looking like paper dolls.
Things I Remember Fondly… by Aunt Sis (part 6)
Christmas at Honey Creek Immanuel Church was the best and took quite an effort. Adolph’s cousin Mary and Leona told us there was candy and peanuts and oranges there for all school children so we were eager to get there. The tree was a tremendous size and beautifully trimmed. It was lighted with real candles, when I smell wax burning it still takes me back all those years. The Immanuel school children sang all the pretty carols, and the service was in English and we got to hear the story of the birth of our Savior from sin. “Momma and Daddy used, THE STICK often, so we knew about Sin.” The ride to church, 8 miles by horse and buggy seemed forever, except coming home the sky was full of dazzling stars and it was so cold we covered with Adolph’s heavy lap robe to keep warm. We had our goodies in our arms and listened to the horses shoes hit the flint stone rocks on the road, and the sparks were as pretty as the stars in the sky.
Aunt Naomi’s Story (Part 28)
My 7th and 8th grade years were spent at Immanuel Lutheran Church at Honey Creek. This school was located only about ¼ mile from where I was born (we moved to Henley address when I was one year old). My catechism teacher was Rev. Zeigler and regular classes were taught by Marvin Brandt. Marvin lived with my Aunt Nora and Uncle Henry Hemeyer. Aunt Nora and Uncle Henry lived in the house my grandpa Ehrardt built. Grandma Sommerer watered the cedars that are still on the road. This sacred spot is called “Cedar Row.” Marvin later married my cousin, Alice.
For a while our catechism classes were held in the original building which I believe served as church and school. It was a log cabin. I don’t believe it is there now. I graduated from 8th grade at Honey Creek then went on to Eugene High School. I was also received confirmation at Immanuel Lutheran Church. I can’t remember what my memory verse was. I can remember the nice dinner held at our house with brothers, sisters and relatives attending. I received many gifts. I remember a pink billfold, a chiffon pink blouse from Alma & Bud and there were other gifts I can’t remember.
It was special to me in another way – I got to wear my first high heels, hose and bra! I made my white dress (it was traditional for the girls to wear white dresses). I think Margie sent the material. My moral values and spiritual commitment were a result of my parents’ strict upbringing and influence. It was well understood/absorbed from my early years on that expectations were high and no immorality would be tolerated. I am thankful to have had parents who loved enough to make life a little difficult in the teenage years, to later have an unencumbered and fulfilled adulthood. (In other words, I am glad they were strict/mean to me so I turned out good!)