Brenda Nixon's Blog, page 3

Why Do Amish Leave? My answer

"Why do some Amish leave?" is a question I'm asked when on speaking engagements.
While time doesn't permit a detailed answer, this is the condensed version I give:
In my experiences with former and current Amish, I’ve learned there are three main reasons they leave: 
(1) it’s just not a lifestyle they wish to live, they want to live as English,
(2) religious freedom – to grow in their personal knowledge of God, and
(3) they want to work and live beyond the cultural confines.

To explain ~(1), I...

Update on ex-Amish Harvey

He's chapter 2 of Beyond Buggies and Bonnets: Seven true stories of former Amish. And he's my son-in love!


Since the publication of the book, readers want to know how and what Harvey is doing. He's been "out" of the uber strict Swartzentruber Order of Amish for six years now.

He can be stoic and serious (Amish breeding). And he has a terrific sense of humor. Here he is as a Duck Dynasty character!

This summer our family vacationed on Kelly's Island in Lake Erie, Ohio and Harvey - like most Amish...

Update on ex-Amish Mosie

He's chapter 1 of Beyond Buggies and Bonnets: Seven true stories of former Amish . Many readers have asked me how he's doing . . .

Well, here's his life changing update!

"My" Mosie [I'm proud of him] is living in North Carolina now.

He's married to a precious gal who is his perfect match. She came from a Plain life, as her parents are former Mennonite missionaries.

To read the romantic details of his outdoor wedding, click the link. Today, Mosie and his wife are expecting their first chi...

Love your blog but . . .

She emailed me, "I love your blog but I have questions."

Great! I love curiosity.

She wanted to learn about the young men who leave the Amish. Since it's common for Amish women to do the cooking and home care she asked, " How hard is it for these young men that leave learn how to cook?"

The answer varies among particular families - but those I've met from the Swartzentruber order knew nearly nothing about food preparation to sustain their appetites.
When I met Dan, Andy, Mosie, and Ura, they...

The Colorful Amish Buggies

Love learning about the Amish culture? Want to know "everything" Amish?

This post might be your fave.

Have you always thought Amish buggies are black? Here's a surprise!

 The Old School - also called Nebraska Amish - have white-topped buggies! Any exterior lights or reflectors are considered vain "ornaments." I'd think a white-topped buggy would be easier to see on the road at night. Interestingly, this is one of the few orders that prohibit women from wearing a bonnet!

Nebraska Amish w...

Amish Book Celebration, Signings, & Sales

Yes! After years of helping Amish runaways with a safe home, unconditional love and necessary needs, or mentoring in faith and friendship, I put my stories to paper. 
One reader exclaimed, "I loved reading this book! I would highly recommend it to anyone that wants the 'TRUE' accounts of former Amish individuals...I found myself smiling, laughing, crying and in shock at some of the things that happened to these Amish people and to Brenda!"
Intimate conversations, details, and fac...

Do You Know the Amish?

Usually I pen posts about the Swartzentruber or conservative Old Order Amish. This time, I want to ask how well do you know the Amish in general?

Some of these statements may be easy to you, some a challenge.

Ready?

1) The Amish Culture is 600-years-old:
     True
     False

2) Amish share similar beliefs and behaviors:
    True
    False

3) Amish and Mennonites are nearly the same in behavior:
   True
   False

4) Mennonites came out o...

Guess this Amish Buggy

Know what this is?

Not an Amish convertible.

The picture was taken at an Ohio auction.

It is not a Swartzentruber buggy. Notice the yellow SMV triangle and small red reflector - or maybe that's a turn signal. Both are verboten to the uber strict Swartzentruber Order.

Gotta guess? Here's why it's used and it's name.
Since it was taken at an auction, you might guess it's for toting treasures. Right. This is a buggy for hauling items, namely pigs, sheep, and baby calves.

It's called a "top hack." Some...

That ruffles my feathers!

"Please be careful in judging an entire belief system on one or two disgruntled folks," was her ridiculous, sweeping, and prejudicial statement.

Boy that ruffles my feathers!
First, she's insulting my precious ex-Amish son-in-law, two "adopted" sons, numerous other family and friends from out of the Amish by calling them disgruntled. How'd she come to her judgmental conclusion without ever talking to any of them?

I can assure you that the aforementioned family and friends are NOT disgruntled. Ma...

Amish Wedding Song

Many have asked me about the Amish wedding.
How long does it last? Do the bride and groom go on a honeymoon? What type wedding gifts are given?The diversity among Amish makes each wedding different with some similarities. One tradition is the
As for how long a wedding and subsequent celebra...