Grace Leads Me Home

by Marlene C. Miller

When a small-town Ohio girl met an Amish boy ice skating at the local pond, she had no idea all God had in store for her from this chance encounter. All Marlene knew was how gracefully he slid across the ice and how gently he tightened her laces. Her curious and inquisitive nature was calmed by his patient, sensible answers. With problems at home, Marlene poured herself into band, cheerleading, singing, and twirling. But the true peace she was seeking was not found until one life-changing moment with God at her kitchen sink. The inner change was reflected outwardly as she embraced the Amish way of life. Her heart found its home in this closely-knit community. With only her love of her husband, a love of animals, and her desire to learn, Marlene joined her husband in farming the beautiful rolling hills of Ohio and raising a large, active family. She soon found that a life of faith is not alsways full of mountain-top experiences. But through the joys and successes, the hardships and anguish to come, Marlene held tight to God, trusting His grace to lead her home.

Genres: Amish, Spirituality, Nonfiction

273 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Pam Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seems there have been lots of stories about people who have left the Amish way of life for various reasons. Marlene Miller's Grace Leads Me Home gives a very different story.

Marlene grew up in an "Englisch" home in a small Ohio town where she experienced a lot of struggles in her life. She also did a lot of the same kinds of things many typical teenagers do, including being chosen as head majorette at her high school. One winter day she met an Amish boy ice skating at a local pond, but little did she realize where God would take the two of them, including a future together as members of an Old Order Amish group.

I enjoyed the conversational tone of the book, feeling as though I was sitting in the room with Marlene as she shared her story. At times she seemed to ramble away from the

main point, but the ramblings just added more personality to the details of the ups and downs that she and Johnny shared in raising their large family. In all the stages of life she has been through, Marlene has remained certain of God's grace seeing her through.

[Florence Millo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grace Leads Me Home by Marlene Miller--done. Explains in detail why I am not Amish.  Let me enumerate some of the more obvious reasons: 1. I believe that the Bible teaches eternal salvation of the believer; they do not. 2. 10 children in 13 years. 3. Grinding poverty like having your child wear shoes held together with duct tape because you could not afford a new pair of shoes. 4. Unending work in unsafe conditions. I believe that the Lord gave us a brain and expects us to use it.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of only a few outsiders who become Amish, Marlene Miller tells her life's story in a simple way.