My obsession with the Amish

What do you think about when you think of the Amish?  For me, the first thing that used to cross my mind was they were the people in simple looking clothing who didn't believe in cars and drove a horse and buggy.  I've had a fascination with the Amish for a few years now.  I watch all the TV documentaries on them and here is just a little of what I've learned about them. 

Amish speak Pennsylvania Dutch which is like German.
They believe in signs and everything that happens good or bad is a sign from God.
We are considered the "English" world.  They call everyone who aren't Amish, English.
There are 13 or so different kind of Amish communities and each community has different rules and bishops.
Old order Amish are the severely strick Amish
The men grow beards when they get married.  Wearing a ring is considered vanity so they grow beards to represent their marriage.
All Amish only have an 8th grade education.
They drive a horse and buggy.  No electricity. No modern technology. 
The Amish consider themselves Christians but yet they believe that you cant know for sure that you are really saved. 
When the kids are 16 they have the opportunity to experience what the Amish call Rumspringa. It is a period of time in which the kids can go out in the 'English' world and choose if they want to live the Amish life or if they want out of their Amish communities. 
They can leave their Amish life but that also means leaving all they have known.  Leaving their families.  The kids parents, church and bishop will shun them and never talk to them again. That's the kicker for me.  How can they disown or shun their child?  I look at my girls and I could never ever ever and I mean EVER disown them.  They may do some dumb stuff growing up and make some bad decisions but that will never mean that I wont be there for them.  I can't fathom what that would be like and if the parent ends up supporting their child then the entire community will turn their back on the parent as well.


There's your Amish lesson for the day. 








Enjoy your family~