The Mennonite 21 CGF
It had been a busy month construction on the community/child center and houses was going at a furious pace; there were classes on child development, LBGT emotional support and special needs for children and young adults. Also; the plant was now going into phase 2 and being doubled in size, I had to hire 10 people to help with all of the paperwork and orders, and we also were considering starting a worldwide importing warehouse for all of the communities around us to take advantage of not just the Mennonites. We had made an order for 10- 32' box trucks, 6 bobtails and 6 cargo vans along with 6 - 32 passenger shuttle busses to help get workers from the outlying Sects that because of their sect's restrictions of motorized vehicles. Our house was finished and Micah was beside himself waiting like an old mother hen for her chicks to hatch. I received a phone call from the Elder asking me if we were ready for our little boy to come home to which I said; yes we are in an even toned voice. I almost passed out when I hung up the phone; I asked Isla if she could come to my office ASAP, she ran into the office because she thought something was wrong. I told her that it was time and she smiled and said; YES. The guys are in a delivery together so we need to call them and ask them when they are finished with it to stop by the office before returning to the plant before picking up the next order because it was a big one and I wanted it to go off without any problems, she radioed them Zach said it wouldn't be a problem they would be there in 45 minutes. Just enough time for my plan to take place, everyone in the office acted busy when the guy arrived and Micah asked Isla where was I at; he's in the conference room, it is a big order with a lot of forms to fill out. Micah entered the conference room and in the center was a single balloon that said; "It's a BOY". He let out the biggest yell that anyone had ever heard and came running out looking for me, he ran up grabbed me and took me into his arms and kissed me like a man that had just found his reason for life, when will he be here, how old and what does he need. I said; He will arrive here Saturday morning at 10:00 am according to the Elder Sorenson; he's 5 his name is Adam and all he needs is someone to love him for who he is. Adam that's a fitting name, the one who first came into existence and started it for generations to come said; Micah. Micah spoke to all in the office, there will be no working on Saturday but all will gather to welcome our son Adam to this community, let this message be delivered to all at the plant and further, let be known they are welcome to share in our joy. The pace at the office was furious phone calls were being made to reschedule all Saturday's deliveries. For the next 3 days Micah was a wreck I said; if you don't calm your ass down your son will be going to your Funeral because you are going to get hit in the head with a cast-iron pan. Clayton; what size clothes does he wear, what size shoes what is his favorite color, we don't know anything about him at all, what if he doesn't like us. I handed him a list which was given to me by Elder Sorenson's wife and said; What if you get the guys and go shopping for him in S.I. That would be something to see 4 - six-foot plus tall beefy Mennonite men shopping for a little boy's clothes that will fit his personality, he just sat there in a trance so I popped him on his head and said; get your ass up and get going Micah you don't have all day. He was out of the door in a flash I counted to 4 and he came back and said; I forgot, to which I interrupted; your keys and wallet, oh crap he said; I didn't remember the wallet he kissed me and said; I love you what would do without you. Forget your head along your keys and wallet now go! I walked over to Isla's and knocked on the door she hollered come in if you can get in, I entered and the place was a wreck I asked; you okay Isla, to which she said; yes and I am so glad that you sent Micah to pick up the oldest kid and got him out of my hair now I can get this place in order. You know what they say Isla; you marry your first and have your second. She responded that isn't a lie, so where did they go to. I sent Micah and all of the guys to S.I to shop for Adam some clothes. Isla said; I feel for the shop keeper with a bunch of oxen in a children's store. When I go, I leave the oldest child at home and escape with the kids, Zach gets into everything in the store. We both laughed and began to clean up the house together. It was getting very late in the day when I heard the van pull up to our house, I opened the front door the guys got out and started to unload it. Isla came over to the house with the children and I welcomed them inside, the guys set down a lot of bags on the living room floor Micah said; let's get the rest. Isla said; there's more did you all buy out the store, He tried to Izaiah said; but we ran out of room in the van so he had to stop today. They made two more trips to the van and the entire living room floor was full of bags and boxes. Isla and I were amazed at these 4 grown men going through the bags like 4 old women, they were having a blast showing us what the bought and what was planned for each of them, when the florescent shoes, shorts and shirts came out of one bag, Isla said; Zach' really what if he doesn't like them loud colors. Zach replied; that every child loves them you'll see. There was only one bag let and Micah had it sitting beside him, Ok Micah I said; what's in the bag? He said; my special gift for Adam from his Daddy. Well then I said; let's see it then, I want to know what is the special gift that you purchased for your Son. He reached into the bag and pulled out a box the contained a pair of boots, but they weren't just any pair of boots, they were a pair of pink camouflaged boots, a pair of pink socks, pink camo boxer briefs, a light pink shirt and last but not least a pair of pink camo overalls. I got up and walked to the closet and retrieved a bag and said; well then he's going to need something to wear on his head and removed a pink Mennonite styled hat complete with a pink camo band. We all laughed, Izaack said; if anyone laughs at him I'll kick their ass, to which Makayla said; only if you beat me to it brother. Micah said let get this stuff put in his room and go to bed tomorrow is going to be a wonderful day. Micah and I tossed and turned all night long, I got up at 6:00 am and Micah was already up and had a pot of coffee ready, he said; what if he doesn't like us or want to live here with us. Micah I said; we will be ok and he'll love it here with us just have a little faith. We were waiting as the Elders buggy pulled up to the house, Micah took a deep breath relax I said; you don't want to pass out do you. The elder got out of the buggy went to the other side to help his wife out they walked around the buggy, Micah didn't see Adam and almost went into a panic, the wife stopped and turned to her right and bent over she ushered a small boy around her and spoke to him, she sent him towards us as he walked up to us he was shaking At 6'4" and 250 lbs. of solid muscle Micah scared most adults much less a small child, Micah seeing the child was frightened slowly sank to his knees. Adam walked up to him and stuck out his hand and said; hello sir my name is Adam, good to meet you Adam said; Micah I have a gift for you from us and reached behind him and removed the pink hat that he had tucked in the waist of his pants and placed it on the child's head. Adam reached up and took off the hat and looked at and replaced it on his head, the young child looked up at Micah and I with the bluest eyes the God had ever blessed anyone with he leaped into Micah's arms and wrapped his arms around Micah's neck. Micah stood up holding Adam and pulled me close to them and said; I want to introduce to everyone our son, his name is Adam and yes his most favorite color in the world is pink and if you have a problem with that the twins said; to come see them they had something waiting for you. The whole crowd roared with laughter and the celebration began. It was an all-day affair as the sun began to set people started to bid us farewell for the day, soon the children began to get tired Adam was exhausted I looked at Micah who had our son cradled in his arms and said; he needs his bath and put to bed in his new room that he has never even seen. We stood up and bid everyone goodnight and left the party and headed to our home. We entered the door and Adam looked around his home, he suddenly remembered he had his hat on and said; I'm sorry and removed his hat, he had worn it all day long never removing it. I said; it goes in your room Adam so I opened the door to his room, he cautiously peeked into the room and said; is this where I have to stay at. I got onto my knees and said; this you room sleep in, play in but this whole house is your home to live in Adam, I showed him around the entire house and explained what every room was for. He said; then I don't have to sleep on the porch on a pallet anymore, no Adam you will never have to sleep on a porch ever again you have your own bed in your very own room, we walked into his room and Micah said; Adam walk around your room and look at it son. I sat on the floor and Micah sat beside me as Adam explored his new room and his toys, which were everywhere thanks to a certain shopping trip. Adam and saw us sitting there with Micah holding me, he ran hugged us both and said; I love you both thank you. Micah picked up Adam well young man it's off to the bath for you. And tickled him, I picked out his pajamas and carried his new pink camo set to the bathroom. When I got to the bathroom there was already bubble bath suds everywhere in the room and the biggest child was having a ball with them. Micah bathed Adam and made sure he was spotless and brushed his teeth then I dressed him for bed, Micah picked up Adam and carried his to his room and placed him into bed pulled the covers up turned on his bed side lamp and picked up a book and started to read him a bedtime story, I sat on the side of Adams bed as he slowly drifted off to sleep. When he was sure that Adam was sound asleep; Micah closed the book and gently kissed him on his forehead and said; goodnight my sweetheart have sweet dreams. I also kissed our sweet young man goodnight and we eased out of the room. As we walked through the living room Micah turned me around, kissed me and said; I am the most blessed man in the world now that I have you two in my life. I heard Adam get up bright and early and he was wondering through the house looking, I eased out of the bed grabbed a robe and went to check on Adam, he was looking at everything being very careful not to touch anything I stood at the door watching him when he saw me he said; I'm sorry, why I asked this is your home now would you like to wake up your daddy now or shall we cook him breakfast first and then carry it into him and help him eat it. Adam smiled so big that it could brighten the darkest room and said; Breakfast. Pancakes and bacon it is then. What are pancakes asked Adam. I pulled up a stool and sat him upon it and said; well my son just sit here and you will find out what they are. I cooked a platter and pancakes and a plate of bacon he watched me as I cooked asking all sorts of questions. When breakfast was ready I asked Adam would if he would please help me carry the tray and he struggled walking as he carried the heavy tray, I helped of course. We entered the bedroom he hollered out at as loud as he could "Wake up Daddy". Micah sat up in the bed and said; what's this, Adam responded; we made us breakfast its pancakes with bacon and I'm hungry. I sat the tray on the bed and helped Adam onto the bed he walked over to where Micah was, and plopped down in his lap saying feed me Daddy. We ate breakfast in bed that morning and we had the best time as a Family. When we were through I said; we had better get dressed, Micah went to take a shower and I took Adam to his room so he could choose his own clothes, he picked out the overalls and shirt that were pink camo so I said; would you like to get dressed now or wait for Daddy to do it, he responded it's okay Poppa you can help me get dressed this morning. So there it was Micah was Daddy and I was Poppa, life is great. Micah walked out of the bathroom dressed to find his new son, waiting for him dressed in the outfit that he had picked out for him. I dressed and was ready to leave for prayers Micah picked up Adam and started for the door when he hollered out NO! Micah thought there was something wrong and asked Adam what was wrong; I forgot my hat, I need it to go. I went and got his hat and placed it on Adams head and he smiled his megawatt smile. We went to the Van and in the middle seat there was a new pink camo booster seat, Really Micah? I couldn't resist it he said. Adam got into the van and sat in his new seat, Micah honked the horn for the others to get to van. There we were all 11 of us headed to prayers, when we walked into prayers Micah was first and carried in Adam dressed all in pink camo when we walked in he removed his hat and Micah hung it on the hat rack at the rear of the Prayer hall not a word was uttered as we sat down on our bench. Elder Sorenson stood and said; we are here to welcome into our flock a very strong young man by the name of Adam, Micah stood up and placed Adam upon his shoulder so everyone could see his son, the Elder spoke again and said; young Adam is the first like the other Adam who was the first to walk upon this earth, he is the first of many that will come to live amongst us in peace a harmony, we will not tolerate any ill will or words against him, if anyone does, they have to deal with the Elders of all this and every other sect, they will find no safe haven to spew their words of damnation, may God have mercy on their soul.