Amish for a Week: The True Story of an Author Staying with the Amish

by Ashley Emma

When Ashley Emma was a small child, she knew she wanted to become an author. When she was 20, she decided to stay with Amish families to do research for her writing. This journal captures her unique experience and the friendships she made with the Amish in Unity, Maine, who opened their homes and their hearts to this curious, young author. (PLEASE The writing style of this research project will reflect the age of the author at that time and is very different from her USA Today Bestselling Amish novels.) Ever wondered what it would be like to stay inside an Amish home, make Amish friends, or go to an Amish wedding? Now you can experience what everyday Amish life actually looks like in this journal. This updated, improved version now has 90+ photos from Amish communities in Maine and Pennsylvania. Come along on the fascinating journey as Ashley learns everything she can about the Amish as she rides in buggies, shells buckets of peanuts, attends Amish church services, helps make 100 quarts of applesauce, learns Amish customs, teaches in the schoolhouse, visits an Amish family in Lancaster, and attends an Amish wedding. Most of all, she befriends the Amish in both Maine and Lancaster, Pennsylvania who let her ask them questions for her research. What does an Amish home look like inside? What happens at an Amish wedding? How do rules in Amish communities differ? Why do the Amish live the way they do? This journal will not just answer these questions, they will show you what it truly means to be Amish. You will see a week of Amish life through the eyes of a young woman who admires and respects this wonderful group of people. Ashley Emma used the research from this book to write her 10+ bestselling Amish novels. Now, 10 years later, she is now a USA Today Bestselling Author and feels that she owes her entire career to the Amish of Unity, Maine. *** "If you are looking for insight into the REALITY of daily life in an Old Order Amish settlement, then this personal journal is for you..." -Amazon Customer "Her adventure into the Amish community felt like an intimate behind-the-scenes tour." -Marie Schaeller, bestselling author "This book takes the reader into some homes, a church service and a 'singing'...Highly recommended." -Amazon Top 500 Reviewer "I have been around the people of the Unity Settlement for about a year now and can absolutely state that this journal has captured the flavor of the Unity Settlement and its people as well as their hospitality... This journal is a nice tool for those researching the reality of the Amish lifestyle. People who find this journal interesting may want to look into the life and works of Elmo Stoll, the deceased father of the Stoll brothers of Unity, Maine." -Pls1721, Amazon Customer "This book gives readers a very rare peek into life in an Amish community." --Tracy Lee, Author and Pastor (This used to be called the Ashley's Amish Adventures Series. This is both books combined into one.)

Genres: Amish, Nonfiction

247 pages, Paperback

Published May 12, 2020

Reviews

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

2011-2012 Unity, Maine

Part-time author, full-time cosmetologist looked for an opportunity to spend a week living as Amish to better understand the culture. Initially, she planned to be in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, but was pleased to discover an opportunity much closer to her home in Maine. Details of more than one time living among the Amish in Unity, Maine. Ashley Emma is now a full-time author and attributes her success partially to her time spent with the Amish of Unity, Maine and the relationships that have developed.

[Heidi Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The simple, God-centered lifestyle/culture of the Amish have fascinated me from the first time I read one by Beverly. Both she and this author have familial ties. Here, the author, Ashley Emma, had a unique privilege of both visiting, working alongside, and living as a guest for over a week in Unity,ME. There were major differences between what many of us may have preconceived. I'm very thankful for Ashley's respect for the people as well as detailed insights to current ways of life. Indoor plumbing, praying aloud, and even some wearing of modern clothing were surprising. What hasn't changed in centuries, is the God-first/ Family - oriented/ not material minded culture. Their peace loving ways and sincere contentment cannot help but inspire the readers to long for even a fraction of a simpler life. Told through the author's own experience in journal style, the approved photos interspersed, lend just a bit more to the reality, not fictional lives of the Amish. Highly recommended!

[Cathy Erickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice easy read.

[Autumn Fortier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun read about an "Englisher" woman staying with the Amish of Unity, Maine, for a week. Also includes her accounts of staying for two days before, attending an Amish Wedding, visiting with her fiancé, and later going to Lancaster, PA with her now-husband. There is also a section of letters between the author and her new Amish friends. This is the updated version, which is cool. It is fascinating to see how the Amish are different and the same as other Christians. Ashley reveals how the simple lifestyle of her Amish friends challenged her faith in God and helped her slow down. I highly recommend this book if you are interested in how the Amish truly live, beyond reading fictional books that may or may not be factual. Also includes a recipe for apple dumplings that I want to try out sometime(Page 87). There are also pictures, but none of them have Amish people in them because it's against their beliefs, and Ashley Emma respected this.
Please read and support this self-published author!

[Aurélie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found it really interesting reading this diary, especially knowing that the fictional books are all based with real-life experiences of the Amish living. It makes it so much more special that the research has been done thoroughly and the descriptions of the Amish way of life are authentic. I admire how the Amish live after the will of God. Thank you for the insight of the research journey with the Amish of Unity, Maine.

[Tandy Oschadleus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy to review: I absolutely enjoy Ashley's Amish-themed stories, so reading her memoirs of living with Amish people who have become dear to her was interesting and eye-opening. Whilst I can relate to Ashley's sentiment that she is called to be where God has placed her, we can all learn a lot about faith, life, love and relationships from Amish people. Well worth the read! 

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashley is a writer of Amish fiction. In order to do this, she spent a week living with the Amish people. It's quite interesting to read the hows and whys of the Amish. So this is not Amish fiction. This is a journal that helps to better understand their way of living.

[J. Gilmour · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Ashley Emma's visit with a few Amish families and how they live. This was truly an enjoyable book!

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amish for a week is an interesting book to read. It is nice to have a glimpse into the everyday life of the Amishe community. It is a well written book and very pleasant to read.