Ah, the simple life of the Amish. No cars, no telephones, no TV or radio, no Internet, just a peaceful life that is separate from the rest of the world. No pride, envy, vanity, laziness, dishonesty_just hard work, an unassuming character, love of friends and family, and respect for the community. Sounds so good that I decided to try it. Next week, we are spending a few days with the Miller family on their third generation Amish farm. It is the only Bed and Breakfast owned and operated by an Amish family. It is located in the World’s largest Amish community which is in central Ohio. We will be participating in the farm’s dailey events and enjoying their simple and pure life.
Also, we will be touring the area looking for furniture, quilts, toys, and other Amish handicrafts. And of course, we will have to sample their wonderful food and baked goods. We will visit the Amish & Mennonite Center in Berlin. It has some spectacular artwork that tells the story of how the Amish evolved from the Anabaptist in Europe during the reformation and was subjected to terrible torture and death by the government-controlled churches. It is no wonder that they elected to immigrate to America where there was a freedom of religion separate from the government.
The Amish blueprint for expected behavior is the Ordnung. The purpose of the Ordnung is to guide Amish behavior into being more Christ-like. An important part of Amish life is “yieldedness”, letting be, or submission to the will of God. It is seen in the following aspects of Amish life:
- Personality reserved, modest, calm, quiet
- Values: submission, obedience, humility, simplicity
- Symbols: dress, horse, carriage, lantern
- Structure: small, informal, local, decentralized
- Ritual: baptism, confession, ordination, foot-washing
Amish church membership begins with baptism, usually between the ages of 16 and 25. It is a requirement for marriage, and once a person has affiliated with the church, she or he may only marry within the faith. Church districts average between 20 and 40 families and worship services are held every other Sunday in a member’s home. The rite of foot washing is included in their communion ceremony.
The Amish are hard working people with deep-rooted faith and commitment to God, family and community. They are meticulous farmers who practice the virtues of work and thrift. Farming sustains their way of life. They work their farms to take care of their families. I commend them and admire them. (But I couldn’t live like that!)
Having lived in their midst, and knowing some, for the better part of the last forty years, I can attest to their ability to farm and preserve farming. They keep buying more farms as their families grow, which means more farmland preserved from becoming shopping centers.
ReplyDeleteThe other part, being free of the basest drives and feelings that human nature is subject to, don't believe it.
Tsar Pat
Hi Harry,
ReplyDeleteRemember me-Debbie-your next door neighbor, Jan's younger and prettier sister? Jan said you would be headed our way (Wooster) and wondered if I had any stops to pass along to you.
Since you are going to Berlin, you should definitely stop and have lunch at Boyd and Wurthmann Restaurant right downtown (you can google the name and Berlin, Oh and get more info on it). But great food, homeade mayo on sandwiches, homeade whipping cream on the hot fudge sundae and the ambiance is the best!
I think you may also have mentioned you are going to see BeHalt at the Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center. Go to www.behalt.com It has a 265 ft. mural that is neat. If you are into fabric, go to Zinck's just east of Berlin on 39 south side of road. Guggisberg Cheese is another nice stop, but may be hard to keep cheese until you get home.
If you want to see cows, pigs and chickens up close-I would invite you to our farm, however, depending on when you are coming by, I may be at work-but call if that interests you-Jan can give you my cell. I'd list it here, but since I already said I am young and pretty and you probably get thousands of hits on your blog each hour, I thought it best not to put too much personal info in this.
You mentioned furniture-we bought a table and chairs and bedroom suite at Carr Rd. Furniture (3926 S. Carr Rd. Apple Creek) woned by Paul J. Miller. No big fancy store but nice photos and they build to your specs. There are many different kinds of Amish farms-just like Patrick above indicated-they are not that much different from us. Enjoy your week-I've lived in this area for almost 30 years and love the people and the land around us. The one thing we don't have is a nice lake like you you guys have. Deb Berger
Hey Deb,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your your knowledgeable and helpful comments. You are a very nice farm girl. Hope to see you at the lake!
Harry