My Dearest Naomi by Jerry, Tina Eicher Read Free Book Online

away to college at the end of this month. Yippee!
    How is school? I hope still good. Betsy and Larry are jumping right into the routine again and seem happy about it. By the way, yesterday I drove into Worthington to get furniture polish for my room. I saw the Bryans are still not finished with their garage. Maybe they’re remodeling the house too. Remember, that was the last job your dad’s crew worked on before you left.
    Another of Mom’s Englisha friends, Della, was here tonight to give me something for my hope chest and to cheer me up. She knows how lonely I get without you. She gave me a set of three glass dishes—one small and two larger. They’re beautiful and made of clear glass—almost crystal-like.
    I’m reading a sample religious magazine we received in the mail. It’s called the Fundamentalist Journal. I was a little surprised Dad allowed it in the house. While it’s still here, I’m busy reading it. Everything I’ve read so far, I’ve agreed with. The magazine says a fundamentalist is someone who believes the Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit and readily accepts Jesus’ virgin birth, sinless life, victorious death, literal resurrection, ascension into heaven, and His second coming. That sounds like Amish beliefs would fit in there somewhere.
    My thoughts often go your way. I wish you were here.
    Love you,
    Naomi

Monday evening, September 13
My dearest Naomi ,
    I was so glad to get a letter from you again today. I don’t think I’m ever going to get over my lonesomeness for you. It gets worse instead of better, and if you look forward to getting my letters as much as I do yours, well, I’m going to write as often as I can.
    Tonight it was two weeks since I arrived. It seems more like two years, and I wonder if you’re going to look and act the same when I see you again.
    I worked tonight at the school until eight o’clock, after coming home for supper at six and then walking back there again. The reason for the late hours is that the Bible course they use doesn’t have a teacher’s edition, so I have to work everything out ahead of time.
    I have to keep on my toes with the daytime schedule of classes, rushing to get through most days. I’m tempted to cut corners whenever the opportunity arises. One such chance has been with the reading classes. It takes so long for each class to read the story during class time. Yet the first and third graders absolutely have to read everything out loud since they need the practice. In the other grades it isn’t as important, I figure, so I’ve been allowing them to read the story at their desks. We only check the answers to the comprehension questions in class.
    The sixth graders are struggling with subjects and predicates, so we practice and practice, which takes time. Today we started on commas and semicolons, and tomorrow it will be dependent and independent clauses. Then we’ll cover simple, compound, and complex sentences.
    So it goes, but it’s gratifying work. I don’t think I’ve ever had a job I’ve loved as much as teaching. It’s just a shame it doesn’t pay more so I could make a career out of it.
    By the way, I’m eating more now and slowly gaining weight.
    I miss you,
    Eugene

September 14
My dearest Naomi ,
    “For God is my record, how greatly I long after you” (Philippians 1:8). I know I’m misusing the Scripture in that verse, but it says what I feel, so there. We’ve had warm, warm weather around here the past few days. My hair and face were soaking wet from playing with the children during the noon hour. I’ve been outside with them almost every day, going inside the schoolhouse ten minutes before bell time so I can calm down enough to read the after-lunch story. It’s fun joining in their games, and the children love it. Maybe I’m still a little kid at heart.
    I came home from school at 4:30 today so I could get ready for the progress supper. That’s where you ride from place to place, getting one food item at each