Young Adults & Marriage - Part 2

Transcription

[intro music]

Announcer:  How does a person meet someone? Hear about how the Amish get to know each other in preparation for marriage.

Michael Pearl:  The Amish community where we live—we're not Amish, but we live there in the community, Amish Mennonites—boy does not stop and talk to girl. They don't walk down the road together, even if they are going somewhere. She'll have to walk a hundred yards behind him, if that would be on the same road. But what they have is wood cuttings. Wood cutting is when somebody needs firewood for the winter. The whole community comes out with crosscut saws and axes. They all cut wood for the day.

When we first got there, we went to some of these. We had one, and we went and helped out at different wood cuttings. We'd started looking past the outside and watching what was really happening down on the inside. We'd led some of the Amish to the Lord, so they started talking to us, telling us what was going on. We could watch and see what was going on.

What you'd see is a fellow would go to the dump pile with a branch. The girl would meet on the other side with a branch. They would throw it on and smile at each other and go back and pick up another one.

[laughter]

Michael:  When it came time to serve cake and cookies in the middle of the morning, she was there serving. He was up and he would take it from her hand. They'd smile and look at each other. She'd say a little something to him. He'd say a little something. And everybody becomes aware that these two have their eye on each other. The families would get together. She would serve him. If they liked the situation they'd all go out on the porch and sit and talk. They'd sit and look at each other while they were talking.

They find ways to provide this "get to know you, get to like you." The time finally comes when he goes to his daddy. They all come together. They say, "I think my son might be interested in your daughter." "Oh, yeah, like the last four years?"

[laughter]

Michael:  The church has to approve it then. Then the church approves it. And they get married next week. That is how quick it takes place. Maybe two weeks, but no big, long engagement. [background music]

Announcer:  Thanks for listening. We hope this helps or encourages you in some way today. As always, remember to check out our ever-changing specials.