Brenda Nixon's Blog, page 10

"All English people are going to hell."

Wow! The stories former Amish bring me.

Over the past year, I’ve become acquainted with John, from an Old Order community. He and I had an email conversation where I asked him some questions. Then I requested permission to share his answers with you. What a precious young man. John not only agreed to let you in on his life, he sent some pictures! Want to know what he emailed?

Keep on reading to discover some amazing—perhaps disturbing—truths about the Amish.

John, what's one thing you'd...

Breaking an Amish Stereotype

Many of the people who ask me about the Amish think most of 'em live in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Since the Amish settled in PA during the 1730s - and many Amish fiction books make PA their setting - I'm guessing that's why many people assume PA hosts the most. Not so.

Truth is, the largest number of Amish settlements nationwide is in my home state - Ohio. (Tweet That)

According to a 2010 research, the Amish are migrating westward. Since 2010, I've seen more in our western United States...

Show and Tell about the Amish

I'm excited! The Public Library of Knox County and Mount Vernon booked me to speak about my experiences helping ex-Amish adjust to "outside" life and what I've learned of the Amish. "I got a suitcase of Harvey's Amish clothes," I offered when we talked about the September 25th, noon, Brown Bag Chat program. "I can bring and show his clothing."

After a few years out of the Amish life, Harvey's mom gave him a suitcase of his handmade childhood clothe...

Girl Goes Wild on Amish Boy

Odd; two weeks ago, I posted on sexual abuse in some of the Amish orders or settlements. This post highlights some of their naivety.

A young Amish runaway was finding a safe haven with my husband and me. The lad is compliant, pleasant, and eager to please. Days after leaving the Amish, he was hired full-time and peddled a donated bicycle to/from work every day – without complaint. How many teens do you know who’d ride a bicycle in the summer heat without whining for a car?
Our former house-gues...

The First, Best, Shortest and Fave

What a crazy trip. I never chased after them or knew much of the culture. God threw them in my path. Now that I've helped some adapt to life on the outside, given a home to the homeless, and have oodles of memories and stories - and I'm no longer naive - I'm blogging about those who've left the Amish. The blog comments, by people over the globe, prove the rabid interest or fascination of this compact, insular American sub-culture. Those with a romantic notion of Amish and thei...

Bonnets, Buggies, and Sexual Abuse

I've been wanting to blog about sexual abuse within the Amish culture but, my friend Mary DeMuth beat me to it.

Before I give you the link to Mary's post, I want to say I've heard stories, too. Brother on sister. Father on daughter. School boy on school boy. Deviant sexual behavior happens within some of the Amish orders causing irreparable damage, which is carried out when/if they leave.

Since Mary has a different perspective and she's a skilled wordsmith, I encourage you to read her blog and...

Amish Vaccinations for Kids

As a parent, I care about my children's health and future success. One way for me to insure their health was to immunize them when they were babies. I religiously followed the CDC schedule. It is a curiosity to me the vaccine debate that continues (it was around when I was a new mom); I've heard both sides, and do believe it's a parent's right to choose.

I've also fielded questions from people about the Amish vaccination of their kids. I think the culture - as a whole - may...

Uphill Battle: Ex-Amish Struggle for a GED

Many of those who leave the Amish life struggle in our English world. One reason: our emphasis on education and earning degrees. This mindset is counter-cultural to the Amish, who conclude their education at 8th grade.

Why?

Education, they believe, is necessary only to support skills in their world like farming, math, reading, and writing. Anything beyond is unnecessary to their way of life. Any interest in higher education is suppressed. They want to preserve their community and way of life as...

Monroe on the Run, Part II

Running from his repressive Swartzentruber Order, Monroe came to us straight off the farm. Denied coat hangers, music, ball gloves, electricity, mother hugs, education beyond 8th grade, dental care and more, he's had - and will have - many "first" experiences!

My husband and I are blessed . . . and enriched . . . that we were chosen to welcome Monroe, help him begin life on the "outside" and to share some of his "firsts" in the English world.

We also have had...

Desperate Amish Parents

Mosie's dad gave it to him.

Josh and Harvey each got one from their parents.

Sarah received hers a few weeks ago. Her brother Monroe (who lives with us) came home and threw it in my lap.

What am I talking about?

The "Letter." A warning letter (or a paraphrased version) desperate Amish parents give their wayward children who leave for the "outside" life.

The first time I read Mosie's (our "adopted" ex-Amish son) letter I thought it was so ominous, so callous, s...