SEVENTY CHARACTERS AND TRAITS OF OUR FAMILY

                   From “Icons Of My Life, A Celebration of Seventy Years

“[Our] ancestors were devout people of faith, Christians who knew they were pilgrims on earth looking for a Heavenly, eternal city.”

”And may we all be able to claim the testimony found on our ancestor’s tombstone: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

             From From Descendents of David J. And Magdalena Hochstetler, p.4, p. 438                                        By Daniel E. Hochstetler

1. Jacob, man of bold vision, crossing the Atlantic to start a new life in a new land, committed to carry forth the life of peace and faith.

2. Joseph, son of Jacob, obedient to his father even when his life was in danger, remembering his faith and family even after a long separation from them.

3. Great Grandfather Jonas, restless pioneering spirit, working in Ohio in his youth, moving to Indiana establishing his family, and moving on to Iowa, ministering in the church as he went.

4. Great Grandfather David J., kind, friendly, diligent, and deeply Spiritual, outside of convention at times, pioneering Sunday school and calling into question traditions: the celebrations of some holidays, and bi-weekly church services in the Amish church.

5. Grandpa Sam, a responsible church leader and of his family, caring for a mentally ill daughter, patient and forgiving toward his “friends” who betrayed him, without malice, suffering humiliation in prison with faith and clear optimism, slightly on the prophetic front among the Amish.

6. Grandma Mommy Hochstetler, a woman of much prayer, supportive of her son’s convictions for missions, concerned about all her children, committed to relief work.

7. Grandpa Bender, a knowledgeable and wise counsellor with a deep Spiritual concern for family and church; conscientious, a kind and gentle, loving father.

8. Grandma Bender, hospitable grandmother to multitudes, adored for her sensitivity and congeniality, a sense of humor toward herself, spiritually concerned for her family and the church, service minded, bringing relief sewings to the Amish church.

9. Elam, a catalyst for spiritual growth and change, a conscientious father, Amish preacher, bishop; a Spiritual renewalist helping and letting things happen as they should in God’s timing, permitting others in the family and church go where he only dreamed of going. (He felt his desire to go to India called for more than he could manage- college, Sharing his burden with his mother, she was sympathetic: “If it is God’s will, it can happen”)

9. Eliza, a praying mother, living by the Scriptures and training her children by them as well; living sacrificially for her family, patient and humble, accepting pain quietly; submissive to God and her husband.

      10. Uncle John, preacher of the pure Word of God.

11. Uncle Orus, A humble man of honest character in the steps of his father, Grandpa Bender, in many ways.

12. Aunt Esther, always sharing what was important to her, ready with an answer, hospitable, reaching out to people, helping Grandma in her aging years.

13. Uncle Manasseh, concerned for those outside his family, pioneering missions in another state, adopting two children.

14. Aunt Mary, service minded to orphans, volunteering in an orphanages and serving in her own home with great devotion. A gentle and loving Spirit.

15. Cousin Vernon B., life long preacher of the Word, a strong family man.

16. Brother Laban, a humble servant, a quiet spirit, full of conviction, a gift of special concern for special people.

17. Agnes, a mother devoted to God, her children, grandchildren and other people’s disadvantaged children, service minded in her heart.

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18. Cousin Alpha, a quiet spirit with a clear Spirituality.

19. Cousin Chester, firm and stable in faith, charitable to those who practiced their faith a little differently from him.

20. Uncle Walter, appreciating tradition without being bound to it, always a fresh approach to life, a blessing to many.

21. Sister Miriam, serving from her youth to the present age, from Brooklane Farm to Minnesota, to Canada and Brazil, and as a pastor’s wife, and missionary, continuing with hospitality to foreigners in her retirement home; always a warm welcome every year to Loretta and me.

22. Brother-in-law Harvey, a role model to many in character, intelligence, and wisdom; a teacher, writer, mission promoter, a missionary in Canada and Brazil; a pastor and real family friend to many.

23. Brother Samuel dedicated to church development, leaving family to pioneer a new church work, diligent in his own family as counsellor, model and promoter of every good work, a real servant of the Kingdom.

24. Sister-in-law Clara, devoted preacher’s wife, a companion and quiet advisor, unassuming yet leaving her imprint of character on many.

25. Sister Esther, devoted to God and devout in faith, a buoyant spirit of faith, a missionary by true Spirituality and commitment to God, a testimony by the reality of her faith in Christ, a natural witness of the Good News.

26. Brother Daniel, always busy with people-hood activities, a real servant to families, both biological and the church family, helping us all to know who we are and where we came from, so we know better where we are to go.

27. Sister-in-law Arie, a friend where ever needed, competent in many areas with natural wisdom.

28. Sister Marietta, a servant, a supervisor, a nurse, a helper where ever needed.

29. Brother-in-law Jonathan, full of conviction and standing firm for the right.

30. Brother Walter, selfless, devoted to community above possessions, living conscientiously, a family man, an example to all of humility and Christian character.

31. Sister-in-law Frances, a loving and gentle person with a servant’s heart, a loving mother.

32. Brother Joseph, sincere, lover of music and worship, a model for his family and others.

33. Patricia, hospitable, caring for the family and the church.

34. Noah, seeking God as an example and pattern for our life in our attitude and way relating to Christians and non-Christians and children.

35. Wife Loretta, faithful, persistent, untiring, restless for bettering other people’s lives.

36. Cousin Orus U., father of a small nation, devoted family man.

37. Nephew David, son of Samuel, conscientious and concerned for the church and its mission.

38. Nephew John Howard, a wise builder, socially concerned for righteousness in the nation and the church.

39. Nephew Eldon, gifted in administration and ministry in the church.

40. Niece and her husband- Joanna and Oren, sensitive to others, wise parents, encouragers, teacher and ministering person.

41. Niece Elsie, a strong mother, a woman of courage and devotion.

42. Nephew Nathan, son of Laban, teacher, missionary, multi-gifted for God’s service.

      43. Steve Shirk, a man of wisdom, intellect; gifted in languages, culture, and organization.

44. Niece Cheryl Shirk, a heart of love to many, sensitively caring, transparency.

45. Cousin Fanny Ellen, (Elena,) and Amzie, missionaries, apostles, teachers,

46. Son Conrad, dedicated in service to those “below” him: tenants and younger believers.

47. Nephew Kenneth, gifted in business and management.

48. Cousin Doreen Mast, faithful friend, affirming, a praying, encouraging  leader

49. Son Paul Nathan, gift of faith and caring for friends in need and for missions.

50. Daughter Grace, joyful in all of life, blessed by God in motherhood and church fellowships.

51.Daughter Rachel, serious in faith and service to others: her family, believers, and slow students.

52. Daughter Julie, strong, loving, gentle, full of common sense, always standing firm for the right.

53. Son-in-law Dan, firm in faith, devoted father, lover of God’s beautiful world.

54. Son-in-law Bruce, wisdom flowing quietly, .

55. Son-in-law Ron, faithful father and teacher, a family physician.

56. Daughter-in-law Janet, a caring mother, church woman, sensitive nurse, and supportive, hostess to many.

57. Niece Judy Martin, quiet, dedicated to husband’s ministry and the church.

58. Willard Martin, minister of the word of God.

59. Nephew John and wife Denise, gifted in music and an inspiration to family living

60. Niece Carol and Bill Frisbie, devoted to serve God in church ministries.

61. Nephew Jason and Sarah, brave missionaries and carriers of the Word to new areas.

      62. Nephew Philip, administrator and family man, challenging many through fellowship.

 

      63, Brother-in-law David, missionary in Canada, with a life-time commitment to carrying forth           the Gospel and inspiring his family to the same.

64. Niece Rhoda and Steve, imitators of the Spirit of Christ in daily life.

65. Teachers and nurses, too many to enumerate accurately.

66. Niece Lois F., administrator in social services

67. Nephew Galen, financial adviser and administrator.

68. Nephew Linford, demonstrator of truth in acting, accountant, promoter; with Tina, models of love in marriage and family.

69. Niece Kathy and Rodger, instructor in higher education, and business person.

70. Eager learners of life, most likely to follow the path of Christian devotion and commitment to God in service to humanity which their parents trod and are following: many children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and hopefully, all our posterity.