This week on Jean: A special election week post. Does Jean vote and how does she feel about politics in general. With a recipe for Amish Delight Apple Pie

Jean is old order Mennonite from New York State. Jean and her husband David and family live on a dairy farm, and travel their community using horse and buggy. She tells her story exclusively on Amish Stories.

Old style voting machine from the late 1880s

I have been asked about our ways on voting and politics. David and I read the paper and keep up on what is going on in our country. So does Michael and Edward not only for their own information, but it is discussed in the public school. We try not to get involved in the government and we feel voting would be getting involved. Also we try to separate church and state. We consider ourselves the church and government the state. We do not run for office. We do not go on jury duty.

Our meetings (churches) do not tell us not to vote, but some sermons we are told not to go the ways of the world and voting is considered a way of the world. Do all Old Order Mennonite not vote? I know a few that  do vote in elections. That is their view and ways, but most of us do not vote in my community. We do pay our taxes. We also sell most of our crops to the government for food, but we also sell to private businesses, regular customers and more.

As David has worked at jobs where Social Security has been taken out of his pay-he will not receive it. We do not accept Social Security. If someone comes into financial problems, we feel it is our way to take care of our own. Also, we receive checks for the care of Edward and before he was adopted Michael from the government for their care. 

The checks for Michael are in a savings for him and Edwards has a savings account for him. We care for both Edward and Michael from our personal money. When Edward and Michael reach age 18 or they marry, the money in their savings account will go to them.

Be With God,

Jean

Amish Delight Apple Pie

3 cups apples, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon                  
Pinch of salt
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk

Melt butter in a 9-inch cast iron skillet. Add apples and toss lightly with butter. Sauté 5 minutes.

Mix sugar, cinnamon and pinch of salt. Pour over apples. Stir gently. Remove apples with slotted spoon. Set skillet aside.

In small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir in milk. Pour into skillet and stir until smooth. Return apples to skillet and stir gently. Put into 350 degree F oven for 40 minutes. Recipe from www.Recipegoldmine.com