I learned some interesting facts about the Amish of Kentucky while researching A Little Bit of Charm. Many of the Amish and Old Order Mennonite farmers have started growing strawberries commercially, while others have built hothouses to extend their season. Frequently raised vegetables are rhubarb, squash, tomatoes, potatoes, and pepper varieties, both sweet and hot. Here’s a photo of me standing in a field of soybeans.

Also I learned about another way the Amish make a living–bookmaking. A cobbler near Sheridan makes gorgeous, fit-like-a-glove leather boots. The boot-maker traces the customer’s feet for the pattern and sets to work. Then you go back a second time to pick them up. They won’t be cheap, but they also won’t hurt your feet.

I hope you’re all enjoying these warm days. It’s finally summer in Ohio! But before you know it, the rain and snow will be back. Enjoy!

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Amish Fiction and Those Other Characters

When I read a book, I become caught up in the lives of the characters. It seems as if I AM the main character. I feel her feelings, think her thoughts and struggle against her problems. When I reach the end of the book, I want my character to be in a happy place. Maybe everything isn’t perfect in her life, but I want it to be headed in that direction.

And sometimes I wonder about the minor characters. I want a little more. I’m not ready to leave that place that the author has taken me. With Amish fiction, this seems to happen to an even greater degree. Amish life is based on simplicity, faith and community. I want to know what’s happened to the folks in my book’s community.

Maybe I’m the only one who does this.

As a writer, I want to tell my readers more about those “other” characters, but alas … we’re limited by the number of words and the length of pages.

Maybe we’re not so limited though. Harvest House recently allowed me to write a short story based on my characters in Pebble Creek. Which one to pick? Ach! I wanted to pick them all. But this was to be a short story, so I had to choose one.

I chose Esther. She is the teacher who works in the schoolhouse with Miriam in book 1 of this series, A Promise for Miriam. Esther is a good friend to Miriam, very much like a sister. I wanted to revisit Esther’s life and share a little more. I wanted to back up a little, and tell you about her life before Gabe and Grace moved to Pebble Creek.

Home to Pebble Creek is that story, and it’s for free on Amazon, CBD, and will soon appear on B&N as well. If you don’t have an e-reader device, you can download this to your computer from Amazon and read it there. I hope you’ll leave a review at the site you purchase from, and I do hope that you’ll share this FREE short story with a friend. It’s a great way to introduce Amish fiction to other readers.

This short, twenty page story takes us back  to the banks of Pebble Creek. For me, it was a real pleasure to visit once again with the Amish community there.

Blessings,

V

Filed under: Amish Fiction, Vannetta Chapman by vannetta
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The Amish Would Go to War with Syria: True or False?

FALSE.

Because of Bible verses such as Exodus 20:13 (KJV), “Thou shalt not kill” and Matthew 5:39, “If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also,” the Amish believe force should never be used in any human relations whatsoever, for any reason. This is why they do not serve in the military nor practice any form of self-defense. It is also why they won’t work as police officers, hold political office, or serve on juries.

In the early years, the Amish lifestyle and practices were not that different than those of other Americans, so they tended to blend in. But as the country changed and began adopting more industrialized/modern practices, the Amish began to stand out more and more. From the 1920s to the early 1970s, the Amish were viewed with suspicion and even hostility—especially during wartime, due to their pacifist stance.

In the mid-1970s, however, a new attitude about the Amish began to emerge as suspicion and contempt gave way to compassion and curiosity. Time passed, and ill feelings engendered during the World Wars faded into the background. As “diversity” and “tolerance” became American buzzwords, the Amish gained a new level of acceptance.

This answer has been provided as an excerpt from the upcoming book, Plain Answers About the Amish Life by Mindy Starns Clark. Learn more below.

Plain Answers About the Amish Life By Mindy Starns Clark Available September 2013 For Amish fiction readers, young and old alike, Plain Answers About the Amish Life provides a glimpse into an obscure, fascinating world—what the Amish believe and how they live. Learn more: http://bit.ly/YLsURw

Filed under: Amish Facts, Mindy Starns Clark by AmishReader.com
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Happy Wednesday, readers. Today I’d like to share with you some interesting tidbits I learned from Linda Hitchcock, lifelong Kentucky resident and friend to several Amish and Old Order Mennonite families. One of her good friends works as a “driver” for those who usually use horses and buggies to get around. Her peak driving months are post harvest, from mid-October until around mid-March, when most crops have been planted. The Amish will still drive for doctor and dentist appointments and major grocery shopping trips. But the long-distance travel for weddings and visiting relatives isn’t done, except in rare emergencies like funerals. This driver mentioned that the ultra-conservative, Schwartzentruber Amish, are much quieter during these trips. They don’t make jokes or laugh much, and do not sing along the way. The less conservative Amish sing on long trips and aren’t inclined to be so serious. In Kentucky, most Amish weddings take place during the late fall and winter. January, particularly around New Year’s, is a very popular time for weddings! Drivers of the Amish get their business by word-of-mouth, and often take their clients great distance to North and South Dakotas and beyond, staying with the relatives as their hosts. Amish as now living in thirty states, along with Canada.

Next week I’ll share some other interesting things I learned about their gardens and home-run businesses.

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The Amish Only Go to School Until the 8th Grade: True or False?

True.

Amish children conclude their formal education with the eighth grade.

Is that legal?

Initially, school officials considered the Amish teachers uncertified and under-educated and their lack of high school-level instruction unacceptable. A period of unrest and controversy followed, and some Amish fathers were arrested, fined, and even jailed for taking a stand. Some compromises were reached, but the issue finally came to a head in 1972, when the case of Wisconsin v. Yoder reached the U.S. Supreme Court. Finding in favor of the Amish, the court determined once and for all that Amish schools were to be allowed and that forcing Amish children to attend any school past the eighth grade was a violation of their religious freedom.

What does an Amish person do if he or she wants to learn more after the 8th grade?

Amish adults who require further learning on a particular topic, such as bookkeeping, will teach themselves, learn from a coworker, or take a correspondence course. In some communities, when a high school diploma is required for a job, Amish youth may be allowed to get a general equivalency diploma (GED).

What is the parent’s role in an Amish child’s education?

The National PTA has published a list of the “The 10 Things Teachers Wish Parents Would Do.” Not surprisingly, Amish parents have already been doing many of these things for years, such as setting a good example and encouraging students to do their best. In fact, number ten is central to the way Amish parents operate: “Accept your responsibility as parents. Don’t expect the school and teachers to take over your obligations as parents. Teach children self-discipline and respect for others at home—don’t rely on teachers and schools to teach these basic behaviors and attitudes.”

The Amish would never dream of leaving parental matters such as those described above in the hands of teachers. Instead, they know they are the primary authority figures in their children’s lives and are responsible to raise them up in the way that they should go.

This answer has been provided as an excerpt from the upcoming book, Plain Answers About the Amish Life by Mindy Starns Clark. Learn more below.

Plain Answers About the Amish Life By Mindy Starns Clark Available September 2013 For Amish fiction readers, young and old alike, Plain Answers About the Amish Life provides a glimpse into an obscure, fascinating world—what the Amish believe and how they live. Learn more: http://bit.ly/YLsURw

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Happy Wednesday, lovers of Amish fiction.

A Little Bit of Charm is on its way to stores, and I’m excited about the conclusion to this series. In this book, I explore the role of money and/or gambling in a Christian’s life. I’ve always loved watching horses race, pure and simple. I attended the Preakness once, years ago, and the Kentucky Derby four times.

These days, fighting traffic and mega-crowds is no longer appealing. Alas, I’ve become a couch-potato Thoroughbred racing fan.

Over the years, I’ve encountered other Christians who take exception to horseracing in general, and betting on races in particular. In book three of my New Beginnings series, I explore a young man’s dream of raising a Thoroughbred colt to contender status as a three-year-old. His devout Christian father grapples with the son’s obsession with racing, both the cost of training and the lure of potential riches. His young Amish girlfriend grapples with Jake’s obsession with money, period.

I had fun writing this story, and learned something about myself along the way.

What do you think? Is it sinful for a Christian to place a bet or gamble in general?

– Mary

A Little Bit of Charm By Mary Ellis Available September 2013 A Little Bit of Charm, the third book in bestselling author Mary Ellis’s New Beginnings series, is about fresh starts…and how faith in God and His perfect plans provide the peace and joy all long for. Learn more: http://harvesthousepublishers.com/book/a-little-bit-of-charm-2013/

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The Amish Believe They Are the Only Ones Going to Heaven: True or False?

False.

To do so would be prideful, which goes against one of their most basic values. The Amish are respectful of other Christian denominations. As one Amish man said, the Bible is meant to be a mirror, not a spotlight. Better to pay attention to their own walk with God than presume to judge others.

If I asked an Amish person how to get to heaven, what would his answer be?

That person would likely refer to God’s will in the matter and then perhaps describe the need to have a personal relationship with Christ. He might also quote an applicable Scripture, such as, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).

This answer has been provided as an excerpt from the upcoming book, Plain Answers About the Amish Life by Mindy Starns Clark. Learn more below.

Plain Answers About the Amish Life By Mindy Starns Clark Available September 2013 For Amish fiction readers, young and old alike, Plain Answers About the Amish Life provides a glimpse into an obscure, fascinating world—what the Amish believe and how they live. Learn more: http://bit.ly/YLsURw

Filed under: Amish Facts, Mindy Starns Clark by AmishReader.com
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Sometimes I receive quizzical looks when I say that I write Amish Romance. People act as if those two words don’t fit together. My husband is the worst culprit. He always says, “Amish? ROMANCE?” and then laughs. He’s now doing a book report on my latest release. I’ll teach him to be sarcastic.

But seriously, some people don’t “get” that Amish stories can be romantic. I think that’s because our definition of romance has changed over the years. My mom thought my dad was being romantic when he changed the oil in her car for her. And I only remember them going out to dinner–alone–all dressed up one time. It was an anniversary and mom made a special dress for the occasion.

Maybe because of television or music or advertising, many people think that being romantic involves purchasing something–roses, jewelry, a vacation at some exotic location. There are all sorts of things you can buy to show someone you love them. Right?

And maybe that’s where Amish Romance comes in. The idea that we can show our love in simple, every day ways–that’s appealing. Here’s an example from A Wedding for Julia.

When he took a step forward and softly kissed her lips, she didn’t move. Instead, she held her breath, wondering what she was supposed to do. He ran a thumb along her bottom lip, kissed her once more, and said, “We should go in. You’re shivering.”

They might not love one another, but he was a kind man. He wouldn’t desert her. 

Sometimes we do show our love through physical actions. And sometimes, we show it other ways.

She turned in his arms and gazed up at him with her pretty brown eyes. “Are you saying I look like your bruders?”

“Nein. They’re even uglier than I am.”

“You’re not ugly,” she whispered. Standing on her tiptoes, she kissed him softly on the lips.

He reached to lengthen the kiss but she slipped out of his arms like a fish slipping off the line.

“Cake’s ready,” she said with a smile, a mischievous look in her eyes.

Sometimes romance can be as simple as baking a cake for someone, or doing the dishes together, or taking a walk. I adore Amish romance, and I hope that you do too.

Blessings,

V

Filed under: Amish Fiction, Vannetta Chapman by vannetta
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I just heard from my friend and research contact to the Amish of Kentucky, Linda Hitchcock. She just came home from a trip to Simpson and Allen Counties. Not only did she discover a wide variety of produce, but some downright great bargains such as hand-woven straw hats for 6.00, and pickles, jams, jellies and relishes at $2.75 each. And the vendors were the friendliest she’d ever met. Besides watermelon rind pickles and chow-chow, they had “moonshine” jelly, brightly-colored pepper jellies, and jams with eye-catching names like TOE Jam, TRAFFIC Jam and FROG Jam. TOE has tangerine, orange and elderberry; traffic a mixed variety and FROG includes figs, raspberries, orange and ginger. While shopping, Linda was told that “Amish vendors must do something different to stand out these days.” The jam Linda purchased came from Spring Valley Farms, owned by the Habegger Family. Their label says: “Old Fashioned, All-Natural Home-Style Canning”. There’s a little circle which says “Preserving the Past” and a picture of two draft horse heads on the labels. The Habegger started making sorghum molasses in the mid-1960’s and has farms in both Holland, KY and Caneyville, KY. Linda also learned that you can no longer purchase eggs from produce stands in KY unless they have refrigeration. I enjoyed meeting Linda while researching the Old Order Mennonites and Amish of KY in preparation to write A Little Bit of Charm. Thanks, Linda, for a look back at a beautiful part of the US of A.

Filed under: Amish Fiction, Authors, Mary Ellis by Mary
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The Amish Don’t Go to Doctors or Hospitals: True or False?

False.

Though many Amish are likely to treat ailments with natural or traditional approaches first, they generally have no problem with seeking modern medical care when the situation warrents.

For financial or holistic reasons, the Amish may be less likely to seek out professional help than the non-Amish, especially with minor ailments or injuries. Generally, the more conservative the district, the more likely they are to rely on their own home treatments first, using doctors and hospitals only as a last resort.

Is there such a thing as an Amish doctor or an Amish hospital?

The Amish end their formal educations at the eight grade and professional degrees are not pursued, so the Amish would not be adequately schooled to become a doctor. There are, however, non-Amish doctors who specialize in treating the Amish.

There are also hospitals and other facilities with a decidedly Amish clientele, such as the Clinic for Special Children in Strasburg, Pennsylvania; the Mount Eaton Care Center in Mount Eaton, Ohio; and the Pomerene Hospital in Millersburg, Ohio.

This answer has been provided as an excerpt from the upcoming book, Plain Answers About the Amish Life by Mindy Starns Clark. Learn more below.

Plain Answers About the Amish Life By Mindy Starns Clark Available September 2013 For Amish fiction readers, young and old alike, Plain Answers About the Amish Life provides a glimpse into an obscure, fascinating world—what the Amish believe and how they live. Learn more: http://bit.ly/YLsURw

Filed under: Amish Facts, Mindy Starns Clark by AmishReader.com
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