Ask the Author: Misty Griffin
Answered Questions (70)
Misty Griffin
Hello Carol,
I know quite a few people who have left the New Order Amish. They have many of the same beliefs as the Amish, they are just allowed to have a few modern conveniences.
I know quite a few people who have left the New Order Amish. They have many of the same beliefs as the Amish, they are just allowed to have a few modern conveniences.
Misty Griffin
I just messaged you. It should have popped up on the top right side of your good reads page :)
Misty Griffin
Can you send private message me the name of the town :)
Misty Griffin
Hello Annallen,
My mother and Brian are still on the mountain where I grew up. They sometimes write to my sister and then she writes to me a couple of times a year. That's how I hear about them.
My mother and Brian are still on the mountain where I grew up. They sometimes write to my sister and then she writes to me a couple of times a year. That's how I hear about them.
Misty Griffin
Hello Patti,
Sorry just saw this question! I think from your stand point the best thing to discuss would be being there for the children. I know that sounds so commonplace and of course, you are there for them but really be there for them and put yourself in their place. So many of these children will act out and go on to be in detention and juvenile detention and possibly worse. We hope not but the statistics are there. They don't feel like anyone really cares or understands and usually, they are right about the understanding part. Even if you went through abuse and neglect as a kid over time the pain numbs itself and gets tucked away somewhere so you can cope with life. These children, however, are in the throws of confusing, mind-numbing pain at the moment, nothing looks like it will ever work out for them. Having someone there who really, truly cares about them will make the difference. Instead of getting on to them if they act out it would really help to ask them why they feel so angry or sad or withdrawn. These children also have a high risk of becoming victims of sexual assault. The very best thing you can do for them is to be there and listen to their actions, their words and their nonverbal cues. I know you already know all of this but it is what was really on my heart. Also, encourage everyone you know to always report suspected child abuse. It could save a life. Let me know if you have any more questions.
Sorry just saw this question! I think from your stand point the best thing to discuss would be being there for the children. I know that sounds so commonplace and of course, you are there for them but really be there for them and put yourself in their place. So many of these children will act out and go on to be in detention and juvenile detention and possibly worse. We hope not but the statistics are there. They don't feel like anyone really cares or understands and usually, they are right about the understanding part. Even if you went through abuse and neglect as a kid over time the pain numbs itself and gets tucked away somewhere so you can cope with life. These children, however, are in the throws of confusing, mind-numbing pain at the moment, nothing looks like it will ever work out for them. Having someone there who really, truly cares about them will make the difference. Instead of getting on to them if they act out it would really help to ask them why they feel so angry or sad or withdrawn. These children also have a high risk of becoming victims of sexual assault. The very best thing you can do for them is to be there and listen to their actions, their words and their nonverbal cues. I know you already know all of this but it is what was really on my heart. Also, encourage everyone you know to always report suspected child abuse. It could save a life. Let me know if you have any more questions.
Misty Griffin
Hello Victoria :)
I have had many people question my belief in God. I do not mind at all and always welcome debate on any matter. My answer is, without my belief in God I would never have made it out, it is the only thing that gave me the courage to ask questions and to stand up for those who could not stand up for themselves. I do not blame God for peoples actions, I believe he gave us all free will. I hope that answers your question :) Have a great weekend!
I have had many people question my belief in God. I do not mind at all and always welcome debate on any matter. My answer is, without my belief in God I would never have made it out, it is the only thing that gave me the courage to ask questions and to stand up for those who could not stand up for themselves. I do not blame God for peoples actions, I believe he gave us all free will. I hope that answers your question :) Have a great weekend!
Misty Griffin
Hi Isabel,
Thank you for your kind words :) I will be starting book tours possibly as soon as this fall. I cannot give out any specific details at this time but I am definitely looking forward to doing the books tours.
Thank you for your kind words :) I will be starting book tours possibly as soon as this fall. I cannot give out any specific details at this time but I am definitely looking forward to doing the books tours.
Misty Griffin
Hi Rita,
Yes, it sounds like that would be a tense situation. I wish I could say that I have a lot of advice in this area, but I don't. My relationship with my sister is still tense after these 12 years.
The only advice I can think of is to focus on the fact that you are family and if you strip away the clothes and religion you are pretty much all the same. That probably sounds odd but it is what I have been trying to do with my sister. When I write to her I do not write to an Amish lady, I write to my sister and try to make that connection through the pages. In the beginning, it did not work so well but we have kind of learned how to have a tiny bit of a relationship and sort of leave religion hanging on the coat rack for a few minutes. Hope this helps!! Blessings!!
Yes, it sounds like that would be a tense situation. I wish I could say that I have a lot of advice in this area, but I don't. My relationship with my sister is still tense after these 12 years.
The only advice I can think of is to focus on the fact that you are family and if you strip away the clothes and religion you are pretty much all the same. That probably sounds odd but it is what I have been trying to do with my sister. When I write to her I do not write to an Amish lady, I write to my sister and try to make that connection through the pages. In the beginning, it did not work so well but we have kind of learned how to have a tiny bit of a relationship and sort of leave religion hanging on the coat rack for a few minutes. Hope this helps!! Blessings!!
Misty Griffin
Hi Gloria,
It took me about a year and 5 months to write Tears of the Silenced from the time I started until I hit the publish button on Amazon.
So far I think I have edited it about 4 times, seems no matter how much I do there are still typos and misspelled words. I am going to go through it again soon and try to get the last few.
I do not know much about what happened to a lot of the Amish since I left because I am shunned. I do find out bits and pieces through different people and my sister at times.
As far as how you can help, I think the best thing to do is to become their friend and show them that you are not evil and scary like the Amish want to paint the outsiders. If they can see that you have similarities such as family, work, and hobbies like them then there is a good chance if someone needs help they might come to you.
It took me about a year and 5 months to write Tears of the Silenced from the time I started until I hit the publish button on Amazon.
So far I think I have edited it about 4 times, seems no matter how much I do there are still typos and misspelled words. I am going to go through it again soon and try to get the last few.
I do not know much about what happened to a lot of the Amish since I left because I am shunned. I do find out bits and pieces through different people and my sister at times.
As far as how you can help, I think the best thing to do is to become their friend and show them that you are not evil and scary like the Amish want to paint the outsiders. If they can see that you have similarities such as family, work, and hobbies like them then there is a good chance if someone needs help they might come to you.
Misty Griffin
No, he is from Italy :)
Misty Griffin
Hi Brittany,
A hug sent your way <3
A hug sent your way <3
Misty Griffin
Hi Tracy,
No, I don't have any children yet but my husband and I remain hopeful. Thank you for your kind messages. A hug sent your way :)
No, I don't have any children yet but my husband and I remain hopeful. Thank you for your kind messages. A hug sent your way :)
Misty Griffin
Unfortunately, Fanny died 2 years ago. I heard from sister, but my mom did not tell her how she died. My sister said she was afraid to write back and ask how she died. It is heartbreaking and should never have happened. I am now advocating for more education for law enforcement and social services regarding how to proceed in helping abuse victims in strict religious settings.
I basically begged law enforcement for help for my aunt and the bishop and was brushed off because they did not know how to deal with the situation. I want to be sure that Fanny did not suffer in vain, I want to make a difference somehow.
I basically begged law enforcement for help for my aunt and the bishop and was brushed off because they did not know how to deal with the situation. I want to be sure that Fanny did not suffer in vain, I want to make a difference somehow.
Misty Griffin
No, I haven't. My brother found me through my book and we are now reconnected. He says he thinks our father has been in prison for like 20 years now, or he was last he heard about him. It sounds like my father was not as nice as I remember. After all my mother was only 15 when she had my brother and he was her step-father.
Misty Griffin
Hi Jan :)
I actually grew up not too far from Spokane and know the area quite well.
My mom and Step-dad are still living on the mountain but the Amish bishop who assaulted me is in prison. He and his family came back to the USA and in 2016 he was finally arrested and sentenced to 10 years in prison for child molestation.
Blessings sent your way :)
Misty
I actually grew up not too far from Spokane and know the area quite well.
My mom and Step-dad are still living on the mountain but the Amish bishop who assaulted me is in prison. He and his family came back to the USA and in 2016 he was finally arrested and sentenced to 10 years in prison for child molestation.
Blessings sent your way :)
Misty
Misty Griffin
Hi Lauren,
The book is based on my own personal life. I am a bit troubled that you are reading this book at such a young age and wonder if I may ask why you are interested in this subject?
That being said, since you have most likely read it by now, I hope it will strengthen your spirit and not give you a negative outlook on life. I truly believe that bad things happen because good people do nothing or at least not enough. ( Can't remember who said that off the top of my head)
May those words stay with you as you grow into young womanhood and beyond, I hope you will always take a stance for the defenseless and never think it is not worth it because it is. Blessings and hugs sent your way <3 <3
The book is based on my own personal life. I am a bit troubled that you are reading this book at such a young age and wonder if I may ask why you are interested in this subject?
That being said, since you have most likely read it by now, I hope it will strengthen your spirit and not give you a negative outlook on life. I truly believe that bad things happen because good people do nothing or at least not enough. ( Can't remember who said that off the top of my head)
May those words stay with you as you grow into young womanhood and beyond, I hope you will always take a stance for the defenseless and never think it is not worth it because it is. Blessings and hugs sent your way <3 <3
Misty Griffin
Hello Heather,
I have not been in much contact with my aunt and uncle lately. I believe they are doing quite well. They have their own children and grandchildren and great grandchildren that all adore them. I got the feeling that I reminded Aunty Laura of bad things, her youngest son hinted to that once and so because I loved them so much and wanted them to enjoy their retirement I sort of faded out of the picture.
Might sound odd but I felt it was the best way to repay them. Once when I was talking to Aunty Laura about Brian she said" Remember he is still my brother" so I just felt I was causing her pain, something I would never want to do.
Yes" believe" is still my favorite word. Hugs sent your way!
I have not been in much contact with my aunt and uncle lately. I believe they are doing quite well. They have their own children and grandchildren and great grandchildren that all adore them. I got the feeling that I reminded Aunty Laura of bad things, her youngest son hinted to that once and so because I loved them so much and wanted them to enjoy their retirement I sort of faded out of the picture.
Might sound odd but I felt it was the best way to repay them. Once when I was talking to Aunty Laura about Brian she said" Remember he is still my brother" so I just felt I was causing her pain, something I would never want to do.
Yes" believe" is still my favorite word. Hugs sent your way!
Misty Griffin
Hi Maddie,
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, I did not expect a thirteen-year-old to read my book, but know that you have I hope you are able to take something worthwhile away from it.
The hardest thing about leaving the Amish was probably everything. I was bewildered by technology, what clothes to wear and how to converse with people. I felt like an outsider for a long time and it was so obvious I was different. This was embarrassing but I learned that different does not equal bad, just different. In the last 12 years, I have learned a lot and now I laugh at the things I did or thought that first couple of years.
Thanks so much for the question. Hugs sent your way <3
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, I did not expect a thirteen-year-old to read my book, but know that you have I hope you are able to take something worthwhile away from it.
The hardest thing about leaving the Amish was probably everything. I was bewildered by technology, what clothes to wear and how to converse with people. I felt like an outsider for a long time and it was so obvious I was different. This was embarrassing but I learned that different does not equal bad, just different. In the last 12 years, I have learned a lot and now I laugh at the things I did or thought that first couple of years.
Thanks so much for the question. Hugs sent your way <3
Misty Griffin
Hi Jeff
This is a question I get quite often. Unfortunately, it is very hard to answer. The difficulty lies in the fact that Amish are taught that the outside world is evil and even if someone tries to talk to an Amish person about anything that is against church rules, they are taught to block it out and try not to listen.
The absolute best way to try and help someone is to show by example. Show you are trustworthy, kind, dependable and mingle amongst the Amish. If someone is looking for help they will hear about people like this and try to find a way to get to them. I know I would have. The only person I had was Karen, even though she was a felon, I trusted her way more than anyone in my community because she seemed to be a human being above anything else. Amish are Amish above anything else and you can not get help from someone who will just recite the church rules back to you like a robot.
Blessings and thanks so much for caring !!!
This is a question I get quite often. Unfortunately, it is very hard to answer. The difficulty lies in the fact that Amish are taught that the outside world is evil and even if someone tries to talk to an Amish person about anything that is against church rules, they are taught to block it out and try not to listen.
The absolute best way to try and help someone is to show by example. Show you are trustworthy, kind, dependable and mingle amongst the Amish. If someone is looking for help they will hear about people like this and try to find a way to get to them. I know I would have. The only person I had was Karen, even though she was a felon, I trusted her way more than anyone in my community because she seemed to be a human being above anything else. Amish are Amish above anything else and you can not get help from someone who will just recite the church rules back to you like a robot.
Blessings and thanks so much for caring !!!
Misty Griffin
Hi :)
I have not seen my sister since I saw her in Wisconsin. She lives in Illinois now. I am planning to visit her this summer. She has three children, she says the oldest is my clone, can't wait to see them.
Blessings :)
I have not seen my sister since I saw her in Wisconsin. She lives in Illinois now. I am planning to visit her this summer. She has three children, she says the oldest is my clone, can't wait to see them.
Blessings :)
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