The Amish are amazing people with an outstanding faith. It is often hard for people of the "English" world (as the Amish call it) to understand the Amish, because their lifestyle is more like the Pioneers then modern day. They believe that the bible is to be taken very literally. They live without technology of today because of this verse Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Could you imagine living every day without electricity, cell phones, home phones, washer & dryers, computers, cars, TV or even a radio? You are likely to see radios, mp3 players, cell phones and even TV's when at a campsite. These are all items that we have grown accustom to having on a day to day basis that we don't even notice we have them until they break down, or the electricity goes out.
I am a book junky, and found myself reading several Amish book series. Although the series are fictional the lifestyle they describe is one of importance, and caused me to take a deeper look into life in general. How amazing would it be to know that if something happened to your family you would have an entire community doing whatever they can to help you. Sure we have neighbors that lend a hand on occasion, church families that come to visit, friends who when they can they'll be there, and family. Can you imagine if your barn or home caught fire, and everyone physically able came to help rebuild. The women all worked together to create meals, and drinks for the men as they worked. Neither man nor woman expects to be paid or reimbursed for their time, tools, or food. Imagine the women from the community coming together to make a quilt for another woman's wedding, each woman placing a bit of herself into the work, along with the thread and fabric she purchased. Imagine shopping from your community for the items available, and only going to the stores outside of that area for things unavailable. Imagine how many mom and pop stores would still be open if we all shopped at those stores, and only went to the big box stores for things unavailable.
I was inspired by these books, the research I had done, and by the story's I had heard from towns people where I lived when I was younger. This past summer I decided to teach my kids what it was like in pioneer days, and every day for the Amish. I had decided to spend one week completing a Pioneer/Amish camping adventure. We gave up electricity, TV, radios (except in the car), cellphones, and all modern convenient appliances. What happened during this week amazed me. Children who did not know what to do without TV or video games learned to play games outside, and even found ways of learning new things. They began learning to rope, found out hide n seek is fun, and took the time to notice the little things like a frog or fish. What amazed me the most was when my youngest boy who hated to read joined me and my oldest son in reading one morning before everyone else woke up. Every evening we would read from Little House on the Prairie, and they wanted to experience some of the things that were being discussed in the book. The bond between the children began to grow along with their respect for adults, and modern appliances. This week made a lasting impression on all of us, and we grew closer as a family.
What could you live without for 7 days? I would like to challenge each of you to take a mini Pioneer/Amish adventure. Pick something that the Pioneers/Amish do without. I am not asking that you go crazy, and shut the electric off to your home for 7 days. Remember it is a mini Pioneer/Amish adventure. A few suggestions might be: your coffee pot (there are other ways to make coffee without an electric coffee pot), TV, Radio, MP3 player, computer, or if you want a real challenge cover all electric outlets and switches to the family room and make that your Pioneer/Amish room for 7 days. I am pretty sure that 90% of you will opt out of this adventure, but unless you give it a try you will never know the true rewards.
I believe that the Amish have such inspiring stories, because of the fact that they do live without modern day conveniences. The time we spend with our conveniences is time we have lost with our children, our spouses, others that could use just a moment of our time, and time lost from everyday miracles.
If you do chose to take this challenge I ask that you comment below stating which modern convenience you will go without for 7 days, and return to let us know your experience.
Research for Post include the following:
Please see Books recommended by the Author for the books that helped inspire this blog.
http://holycrosslivonia.org/amish/
http://www.religioustolerance.org/amish.htm
(edited 5:07 pm 11/25/2011 due to new page access)
I am a book junky, and found myself reading several Amish book series. Although the series are fictional the lifestyle they describe is one of importance, and caused me to take a deeper look into life in general. How amazing would it be to know that if something happened to your family you would have an entire community doing whatever they can to help you. Sure we have neighbors that lend a hand on occasion, church families that come to visit, friends who when they can they'll be there, and family. Can you imagine if your barn or home caught fire, and everyone physically able came to help rebuild. The women all worked together to create meals, and drinks for the men as they worked. Neither man nor woman expects to be paid or reimbursed for their time, tools, or food. Imagine the women from the community coming together to make a quilt for another woman's wedding, each woman placing a bit of herself into the work, along with the thread and fabric she purchased. Imagine shopping from your community for the items available, and only going to the stores outside of that area for things unavailable. Imagine how many mom and pop stores would still be open if we all shopped at those stores, and only went to the big box stores for things unavailable.
I was inspired by these books, the research I had done, and by the story's I had heard from towns people where I lived when I was younger. This past summer I decided to teach my kids what it was like in pioneer days, and every day for the Amish. I had decided to spend one week completing a Pioneer/Amish camping adventure. We gave up electricity, TV, radios (except in the car), cellphones, and all modern convenient appliances. What happened during this week amazed me. Children who did not know what to do without TV or video games learned to play games outside, and even found ways of learning new things. They began learning to rope, found out hide n seek is fun, and took the time to notice the little things like a frog or fish. What amazed me the most was when my youngest boy who hated to read joined me and my oldest son in reading one morning before everyone else woke up. Every evening we would read from Little House on the Prairie, and they wanted to experience some of the things that were being discussed in the book. The bond between the children began to grow along with their respect for adults, and modern appliances. This week made a lasting impression on all of us, and we grew closer as a family.
What could you live without for 7 days? I would like to challenge each of you to take a mini Pioneer/Amish adventure. Pick something that the Pioneers/Amish do without. I am not asking that you go crazy, and shut the electric off to your home for 7 days. Remember it is a mini Pioneer/Amish adventure. A few suggestions might be: your coffee pot (there are other ways to make coffee without an electric coffee pot), TV, Radio, MP3 player, computer, or if you want a real challenge cover all electric outlets and switches to the family room and make that your Pioneer/Amish room for 7 days. I am pretty sure that 90% of you will opt out of this adventure, but unless you give it a try you will never know the true rewards.
I believe that the Amish have such inspiring stories, because of the fact that they do live without modern day conveniences. The time we spend with our conveniences is time we have lost with our children, our spouses, others that could use just a moment of our time, and time lost from everyday miracles.
If you do chose to take this challenge I ask that you comment below stating which modern convenience you will go without for 7 days, and return to let us know your experience.
Research for Post include the following:
Please see Books recommended by the Author for the books that helped inspire this blog.
http://holycrosslivonia.org/amish/
http://www.religioustolerance.org/amish.htm
(edited 5:07 pm 11/25/2011 due to new page access)