Brenda Nixon's Blog, page 4

Amish Parents' Rules

No one is dumb who is curious. The people who don't ask questions remain clueless throughout their lives. ~Neil deGrasse Tyson

When I was speaking about my experiences with the Swartzentruber Amish - and their runaways - an audience member asked about the family financial practices.

"Do Amish parents keep their children's income," she inquired.

Interesting curiosity. I can't answer for other orders but, within the strict Swartzentruber Amish - the answer is . . .
Yes! The general rule is childre...

Amish Church

Early in the beginning of this blog, I posted about Gma - also known as church.

Each Amish order is different. Some have church every Sunday, some in homes, and some higher orders use a designated church building.

The Swartzentruber Order of Amish attend church every other Sunday morning - in a settlement home. They rotate homes used. Prior to the Sunday a home is appointed for Gma, the women of the settlement gather to jointly clean the house. And clean they do! Every nook and cranny is scrubb...

5 Things You Won't See in an Amish Church

Most Amish go to church every other Sunday.

Most Amish go to a member's home - or barn - for church service.

Most Amish rotate members' property for church service.

Now, let focus on the uber strict Swartzentruber Amish church service. In Deutch, it's called Gma (Gmaay).

Here's are 5 things you won't see in their Gma:
Bibles printed in English,Musical Instruments,Song books withthe notes/music, Men and women sitting together,Laughing or frivolity.BECAUSE . . . They teach that the only tr...

Amish Hit Songs

Ready to chuckle? If you've read many of my posts, you know they can be serious. Deep. Heavy. Informative. Even shocking! But this one is silly.
Most of my former-Amish family and friends have a quick wit and enjoy humor. They tell jokes and see the funny side of life. Josh loves to be quirky. Yah, there's one former-Amish I know who is solemn - lacks levity - but he's not the norm.

Today I share a humorous and hypothetical post that one of my ex-Amish pals posed in a group.

"If the Ami...

Rumspringa - a Perpetual Spring Break

Last week I answered curious question about the Amish - including Rumspringa - reminding readers that "my" Swartzentruber family and friends never heard the word until they left Amish. They did practice a "rite of adolescence" with more freedom, dating, smoking, and group sings but, they neither used the word nor left their settlement for a year of "running around."

This week I'm honored to host my friend Richard Stevick, former Messiah College psychology professor and avid researcher of Amish...

Researching Rumspringa

A college student, preparing a paper about the Amish, read my blog and emailed me with questions. Thought I'd share some of her curiosity with you.

Her Question: What are the main types of Amish? From what I gather, there's the new order & the old order. Are the Old Order more traditional & the New Order more progressive? The Swartzentruber Amish (who u focus on in your blogs) are from the Old Order & are very conservative. Are they the biggest group? It's all very confusing to me....

More Amish Tidbits & Trivia

Last week's post was so popular with readers, who like brief facts, that I decided to add more this week. For those who want cultural literacy, here are tidbits about the strictest of the strict Amish orders - Swartzentruber. Remember, this is a diverse culture, my posts do not reflect all - or everything - Amish.

Here's one of my faves about them and some of the things I share went I'm speaking at libraries, churches, schools, and book clubs:
The Daudy House          &...

Amish Tidbits & Trivia Exposed

I compare the Amish culture to an onion—one familiar look but many layers. Each time I think I know a rule, hear a story, or understand a practice, I’ve only pulled away a thin cover. Here are miscellaneous insights gained from years of knowing Amish and living with former Amish from both Swartzentruber and Old Orders . . .Infant/Toddler Wear            Swartzentruber moms customarily put dresses on their girl and boy babie...

Breaking the Silence

Dear Readers,

Never have I enthusiastically recommended a project but, this one I do! 
My pal, former Amish preacher Lester, is breaking the silence on why he left the Amish. This new film is gripping and hopeful. I encourage you to read the information below and consider financially supporting this worthy project now. Get involved in helping to tell the truth. 
You have seen their buggies and quaint clothing. You have heard of their work ethic, honesty, and church discipline. You have...

Don't Ask Me about the Amish!

I invited our former-Amish son-in-law Harvey to accompany me on a speaking engagement. He's a valid resource. Maybe I could defer an audience question to him.

"No!" he protested. "They'll put me in the question box."

I smiled. Understood. Dropped it. Many former Amish do not reveal their upbringing because they'll be cocooned in questions. Curiosity. Same interrogation.
It's not that they don't embrace their heritage. But most want to be accepted and blend into the new world they chose.

Some form...