Change
There are many reasons why people are so fascinated in the Amish and love to read Amish fiction, as we've all learned here at AmishHearts.com.
I hope you've enjoyed reading about the Amish here on our blog. I've been thinking about how we associate the Amish with farms and farm life in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the largest and best known Amish community in the country. However, research reveals that only about a third of the Amish there currently farm. Land has become expensive so those who have wanted to continue that type of work and life have moved to other communities. The Amish who have stayed have turned to other occupations such as the trades and yes, tourism related jobs. The Amish faith, the buggies, the Plain clothing, remain, but change has come even to a community which has seemed to resist it for so many, many years.
The subject of change has been on the minds of a lot of people this past week. A woman named Susan Boyle will be dealing with a lot of change in her life now that she has appeared on Britain Has Talent. You've probably watched the video of Susan Boyle wowing judges and audiences alike with her amazing voice and her wonderful humility. But even more than being awed by her voice, I have been so fascinated by the lesson she's taught people about how they can miss witnessing a true gift from God by judging the surface appearance.
My life has changed working on the Amish stories this past year. I've learned so much about their faith and their life and I've discovered how similar our beliefs are about living a spiritual life. I've met new friends in the Amish and Mennonite community in Lancaster, and become friends with Beth and Kathy and Amy. New relationships always create change and growth. Writing is an occupation where you become isolated working at home, so writers have to make a conscious effort to get out and meet new people.
This summer I've decided to "stretch" and take a painting class and polish my photography skills. You see, I've always loved to write and feel comfortable doing it but my dad was a talented artist so I was intimidated about taking lessons even though my art teachers encouraged me in school. My son took photography classes at a prestigious photography school and is wonderful at it. So I shy away from taking photos. I'm changing that this summer. I may not be as good as either of them are, but why shouldn't I paint or take photos more often just for the fun of it?
Someone once said that the only constant in life is change. What kind of change have you experienced recently? What new interests do you want to pursue?
I hope you've enjoyed reading about the Amish here on our blog. I've been thinking about how we associate the Amish with farms and farm life in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the largest and best known Amish community in the country. However, research reveals that only about a third of the Amish there currently farm. Land has become expensive so those who have wanted to continue that type of work and life have moved to other communities. The Amish who have stayed have turned to other occupations such as the trades and yes, tourism related jobs. The Amish faith, the buggies, the Plain clothing, remain, but change has come even to a community which has seemed to resist it for so many, many years.
The subject of change has been on the minds of a lot of people this past week. A woman named Susan Boyle will be dealing with a lot of change in her life now that she has appeared on Britain Has Talent. You've probably watched the video of Susan Boyle wowing judges and audiences alike with her amazing voice and her wonderful humility. But even more than being awed by her voice, I have been so fascinated by the lesson she's taught people about how they can miss witnessing a true gift from God by judging the surface appearance.
My life has changed working on the Amish stories this past year. I've learned so much about their faith and their life and I've discovered how similar our beliefs are about living a spiritual life. I've met new friends in the Amish and Mennonite community in Lancaster, and become friends with Beth and Kathy and Amy. New relationships always create change and growth. Writing is an occupation where you become isolated working at home, so writers have to make a conscious effort to get out and meet new people.
This summer I've decided to "stretch" and take a painting class and polish my photography skills. You see, I've always loved to write and feel comfortable doing it but my dad was a talented artist so I was intimidated about taking lessons even though my art teachers encouraged me in school. My son took photography classes at a prestigious photography school and is wonderful at it. So I shy away from taking photos. I'm changing that this summer. I may not be as good as either of them are, but why shouldn't I paint or take photos more often just for the fun of it?
Someone once said that the only constant in life is change. What kind of change have you experienced recently? What new interests do you want to pursue?
Barbra,
Have you ever been to Ohio Amish County?
We are said to have the largest concentration of Amish and Mennonite in the world. There are a lot of cheese factories and furniture factories in the area. It is about an hour south of Cleveland, it is such a lovely place to visit. I live about two hours south-east of Holmes County and we also have a lot of Amish in our area as well. THe difference is we do not have the tourist. We buy a lot of summer and fall produce from out Amish friends and they custom make a lot of nice furniture. If you ever find yourself in Ohio don't forget to check out our Amish communities.
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Sheila,
I was born in Cincinnati and lived there for fourteen years but I don't remember my parents ever taking me to Amish country. I hope to visit cousins up there later this year so maybe I'll have a chance to visit the Amish--and maybe find a way to see Kathy who lives not far from an Amish community.
I loved Ohio and miss it a lot. Hopefully, I'll get to visit with family and play tourist there soon.
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Barbara, thanks for sharing that insight into the change in the Amish communities. Yesterday when we were driving a back road between Garwood and Wharton, Texas, we passed through the small community of Crescent, Texas. At one intersection there was a pickup approaching the main highway we were on, and the driver had on a flat straw hat and he had a little beard. My husband and I both wondered if he were Amish! Beth has a character in her series named Sadie who is corresponding with an Amish man in Texas, so I told my husband that I need to "google" and learn more about the Amish in Texas. We tend to always picture them as "up north." It is wonderful that you are considering using your gift for art and photography. If we stay open to the Lord and His will for us, it is amazing how He can help us to use the gifts He has given us and what He can lead us to do! Good luck!
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Cathey,
There are supposed to be Amish communities in twenty states. We even have them here in Florida. I'm working on a story set here and hope I can post details on that soon.
I'm not sure if that man you saw was Amish since they don't believe in driving. I suppose he could have been Mennonite. In any case, it's great fun to do research, isn't it?
Not sure if I have a gift for art and photography but I figure that if we're interested, God's saying, "Have some fun!"
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You are so right about change. After having a 34 year career in teaching, loving every minute of it, I retired and had to spend time on my hobbies. I have learned to paint in oils, as well as acrylics and continue to knit- now attempting more challenging patterns. On our trip to Lancaster, next Sept., I plan to take a one day quilting workshop. You never stop learning and God gives us the strength to attempt new and sometimes overwhelming things. Of course, reading continues to be my favorite thing to do. Keep those books coming.
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Karla,
You SO deserve time to spend on your hobbies after such a long teaching career!
Quilting is an interest of mine I haven't pursued yet. I loved sewing clothes for my children when they were little. Just not enough time to pursue all my interests!
Yes, reading was my first favorite thing to do, hiding up on the top bunk of my bed away from siblings, and it remains my favorite to this day. Hope you enjoy your trip this September!
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I've always enjoyed Amish fiction and I really appreciate the additional insight you ladies give us on this blog. My husband frequently quotes that saying about change, and I hate it more every time! But it is really true, especially to Christians who are open to God's leading.
The big change in my life is that my daughter moved to Germany last fall in order to lead a campus ministry. On top of that, she came back in March, got married, and they are now back in Germany. I am so thankful for the good Christian man she has brought into our family - and for Skype!
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Carole,
I've loved Amish fiction for a long time, too, and I'm glad you are enjoying our website. Beth was the brains behind it and did all the work setting it up (THANK YOU, BETH!). It's been a lot of fun for us.
It's hard to let our children fly away but what a wonderful opportunity--and now a she has that good Christian man. You must be so happy for her and you must have been a good mom to raise her to go out there and lead a campus ministry.
And yes, I bet Skype has been great for you to stay in touch!!
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Barbara,
I love this post about change! And finding you, Kathy, and Amy has been a blessing in my life. Writing about the Amish has changed my life too. Can't wait to see some of your paintings and photos!! Love, Beth
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Beth,
Meeting the three of you via phone calls and e-mails has been a blessing to me, too. Hope that one day we can meet in person, and get to know each other better, maybe meet some of our readers of our books and the blog as well!
Love,
Barbara
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A huge change for me is giving up drinking Diet Pepsi. I do drink milk, water and tea.
I have always admired people that have been Blessed by God for their talent. I have never had an art class and I am amazed when I observe a drawing or a painting all the detail that the artist puts into the work. I purchased a book titled "Drawing For Dummies" and have been learning from the book how to draw. It is fun and challenging.
You will enjoy your painting or photography!classes!
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