Note: The following piece continues the extended essay, “How I became a Mennonite,” which began in the June 15 post. It is the story of the revolution in my family that occurred when my mother ‘went forward’ at a revival service at the Lodi Mennonite Brethren Church in Lodi, California. I had just turned thirteen … Continue reading Bk 4. 5 Mennonite
Mennonite Brethren church
Bk 4.3 After the Revival: Me
Note: The following piece continues the extended essay, "How I became a Mennonite," which began in the June 15 post. It is the story of the revolution in my family that occurred when my mother 'went forward' at a revival service at the Lodi Mennonite Brethren Church in Lodi, California. I had just turned thirteen … Continue reading Bk 4.3 After the Revival: Me
Bk 4. 2: After the Revival – Dad
NOTE: The following piece continues the story begun in my last post: "How I became a Mennonite." When my father looked through the window in the door that led into the sanctuary of the Lodi Mennonite Brethren church that late winter morning in 1951 and saw my mother kneeling at the front pew he knew … Continue reading Bk 4. 2: After the Revival – Dad
Bk 4. 1: How I became a Mennonite
NOTE: The following piece takes up where my last post ended. It continues the story I told in Child Bride, my second book, which is about my parents and my childhood. What follows is the beginning of my story, the story of a person with her own journey, a private journey. ~ ~ I was … Continue reading Bk 4. 1: How I became a Mennonite
Old Photos: Golden Anniversary
Lena & Jacob Willems, 50th Anniversary February 1959 The marriage of my grandparents, Jacob and Lena Willems, lasted until Grandma’s death on August 1, 1963. They lived long enough to see their 50th anniversary celebrated by their children, grandchildren and even a few great-grandchildren. It was a big crowd in the Dinuba Mennonite Brethren church … Continue reading Old Photos: Golden Anniversary
Chapter 14: Madera County: 1922-1929
Note: To read earlier chapters, click on the desired title in the “Chapters” section of the sidebar on the right or at the bottom of the page. Berenda-Dixieland-Fairmead “You moved to Fairmead after Grandview?” “Well no, see, from Berenda to Dixieland and from Dixieland to Fairmead and from Fairmead back into Dixieland—the Dairyland area. … Continue reading Chapter 14: Madera County: 1922-1929
Chapter Three: Going to Dinuba
Note: to read earlier chapters of this book, click on the chapter titles in the "Memoir Chapters" section of the sidebar on the right or at the bottom of this page. The Family 1947 Every couple of months during the years my family lived in Stockton, Dad would decide it was time to go to … Continue reading Chapter Three: Going to Dinuba
Ch. 1. California Mennonite
I was not a Mennonite when I was a child. My parents left the church early in their marriage, and I grew up as just another little California girl, playing outside almost all year, watching the adults around me, caught up like them in the drama of wartime California—dashing young men in uniforms, pretty girls … Continue reading Ch. 1. California Mennonite
