1897-1917. The stunning news of her mother's capture by Indians 19 years prior slowly reveals that Esther Stoltz is half Cheyenne Indian. This startling revelation leaves her wondering about the heritage she is forbidden to explore.
With the dawn of the 20th century, the Amish church begins to enforce a strict ban on modern conveniences such as the telephone, automobile, and electricity. Esther wonders why Amish church leaders believe these things are evil. Years pass and as spinsterhood sets in Esther becomes the school teacher for her Amish community.
In 1907, at the age of twenty-seven, Esther leaves the Amish with the help of a non-Amish friend and takes up a teaching position at a Native American boarding school in Cheyenne Wyoming. In Wyoming, Esther finds a new love and a long-lost relative. As the years begin to pass Esther becomes a wife and a mother but still misses her Amish family. On the horizon a war is looming, it is referred to as a World War, it seems the whole world is on fire.
Books in this Series 1. On the Winds of Change 2. Forbidden Heritage
Misty Griffin is the author of her best selling memoir Tears of the Silenced. Misty wrote her memoir to raise awareness about child abuse and sexual assault cover up among the Amish and other strict religious groups.
Misty Griffin’s inspiring story takes you through her ordeal as a severely abused child and then her experiences as a young woman in an Amish community- a place where pedophilia was never reported or punished - and finally her escape and efforts to save her sister and bring the perpetrators to justice, all while adapting to a modern life she had never known.
Now a Registered Nurse, happily married and with a child of her own, Misty has dedicated her life to making a difference.
Misty has also been to D.C, accompanied by her former Mennonite friend Jasper Hoffman and spoken personally to a member of congress about sexual assault and child abuse among the Amish and Mennonites.
Misty hopes to pass legislation to mandate reporting of child abuse in cloistered communities such as the Amish and to extend Erin’s Law - which mandates age-appropriate sex abuse prevention education in public schools - to private schools and religious communities. Misty’s change.org petition #invisible calls on Congress, the Senate and President Biden to take action. You can sign the petition on Misty's website https://www.mistygriffin.com/
Email Misty at mistyegriffin@gmail.com or follow her on Twitter @Misty_E_Griffin
Esther and Eli were Amish twins that were half Indian, Esther went to teach at a Indian School and met her Indian Aunt, She paid a high price to go, as her Family had to shun her for leaving the Amish because of the Ordnung.
The Ordnung is still practiced among the Amish today, maybe not as strict as it was back then, but is still as dangerous, if they think following the Ordnung will get you to Heaven
The Ordnung is from the pit of hell! Anyone who depends on the Ordnung to get them to Heaven will split hell wide open. That is so sad, they deny them self all these things and work so hard to be good enough to get to Heaven, but will completely miss it by depending on their own good works.
Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have notsubmitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
This book was even better than the first! For some people were never meant to be Amish. I was saddened that I had to say good bye to my new friends that I had made. Esther is the sweetest
Esther Stoltz was a teenager when she discovered that she was part Native American and Amish girl's life began to be forever changed. Shaken by the news she becomes curious about her heritage but is afraid to leave the Amish life behind. As she gets older she has an English friend who gives her a Bible which is forbidden for her to read but she reads on the sly anyway. As she reads she learns that there is nothing in the Bible that teaches following the strict rules that the Amish demand. Esther secretly writes to her mother's English friend who is operating a mission school among the Indians and offers her services. At the mission she is surprised and delighted to meet the Native American aunt who save her mother's life years ago.I was proud of Esther's bravery in leaving the Amish church but felt her pain with the resulting shunning she had to face.
The enduring love of this Amish family was so heartwarming given the circumstances under which rules dictated how they must live. Fear of going to hell if they break man's rules keeps these characters living a life of hell here on earth. They can acknowledge the truths of God's Word, but are not allowed to live based on those truths. Yet, this family finds a way to stay connected.
I have enjoyed this book I can't hardly believe that the Amish people really believed in some of the things they did. To shunning your loved ones I myself could not live with that. There are some things I do agree with, but it is a very struck life. Be sure you read the first book first.
Being the result of her mother being kidnapped by indiana, Esther has a difficult childhood having bronze skin. She realizes the Amish men are reluctant to marry her because of her Indian blood. She decides to be a teacher. When she leaves the Amish to teach at the Indian school her life changes.
I read all 3 books by the author..I knew nothing about the Amish before reading the three books. Some families have moved into the Maritime Provinces where I visit Summer and Fall..so I am curious about them. I will say that I couldn't/wouldn't live the way that they do and the practice of shunning is sad. I was happy for the ones who leave and find freedom and enjoyment in life.
I have now read all three of Misty Griffin's books and have been taken with each one
Much of the information about the child abuse was unfathomable for me to comprehend the inhumanity of any parent The history that she put into the Amish Faith was revealing The story she wove into this history we're heartwarming heart-wrenching and real
I really enjoyed this book. It had historical information and interesting facts. There was also some very useful good insight on the need for all of us to get along better.
Loved this continued story from the first book in the series. Loved the historical facts shared at the beginning of each chapter. Looking forward to reading book #3.
It is a rare thing to find a book like this that is every bit as good as book one in the series . It is also a rare thing for me to give five stars to a book where I have found some errors . But this story and the history lesson that goes along with it is just too important and conveys so well what it must feel like to be shunned.
I highly recommend this book but I do feel you should read book one in the series first. It's not that this book could not stand alone but you will find that reading book one will provide character richness that will make this book even better.
I found this series of two books to be enlightening as to historical perspective that had been unknown to me and (probably) a lot of other people. The story line is well developed, the message was executed well. A refreshing book. I would recommend having the books proofed for the use of the words "too" versus "to," as well as typos. Sometimes the word order is such that you have to interpret the intention of the author.
This is a brilliantly written book, i just could not put it down. Having first read her firsto book, i knew i had to read the second both were fantastic. I fe!t as if i was actually there with her; feeling her pain, sorrows and joys.
I loved this book so much that I could not put it down. I felt her pain, her joys and her sorrow. Thank you so much for this amazing book.
Very well written story about a young Amish lady that wants to know more about her past. The characters were well developed and the story was an easy read. I didn't like how the book jumped so many years at a time. The author could have made the book a little longer and filled in some of the gaps.
This book uses real historical events that are formed into a story about the Amish religion. Ester is a mixed bread, that has a longing about the half that is not Armish.
Great book , not only an informative book on the Amish lifestyle and religion with all it's rules etc, but a good heart wrenching story of a family torn apart by unfounded church rules. A real eye opener to be read by all.
I tried to understand the Amish, their belief in the Ordnung and shunning. I can understand their beliefs but not shunning. There is a good story in the book of a family torn apart plus much informaytion on the Amish way of life
Really helps you understand why they believe as they do. Keeps ones interest for certain. Would recommended more for the history side of it and not so much the story itself. The ending seemed rushed to me.