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.
.
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.
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.
