Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness.

Holmes County - Amish Country

August 2007

My family and I went to Holmes County, Ohio to see the Amish. We didn't go to shop or to be tourists, but to really meet and spend time with these people. I wanted to see if they were who they appear to be on the surface or if they are just a group of people living a life they have always known. I suppose that is true with some of them, as it is with us in our modern churches, but I now truly believe the Amish and Mennonites are my brothers and sisters in the Lord.

I have had a love for the Amish for a long time. I have read dozens upon dozens of books about their way of life and devotion to God for years, even before I was a born-again christian. I have read the negative and the positive. I have done so much research that I wanted to go and spend time with these people. To know them.

I did have a chance while I was there to interact with the Amish on several occasions. The most profound for me was when I took a buggy ride with an elderly Amish man and had a chance to talk to him about his faith. He said to me, "You know, many people think that the Amish think their works will save them, but that is just not so... We are saved by faith alone, just like everyone else. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Eph. 2:8-9)" I almost cried, I was so happy. My spirit was so joyful that the Amish knew the Lord. He continued..."But we just believe that works should follow our salvation

But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works."  James 2:18,20

A Tree and Its Fruit

 Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will ⁾know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruit.  Matthew 7:15-20

I am seeking God and His will in my life. No, I don't think He is leading me to join the Amish, oh but I would if it were possible! But He is teaching me to learn from them and to bear fruit myself. Who knows, but if I am faithful, maybe someday he will lead me down that country road I so long to live on.

Did you enjoy the pictures? Actually the ones of the children are my own. They all have the same deep respect and love for the Amish/Mennonites that I do and therefore spent their vacation money on these Amish dresses at a Mennonite Thrift shop. Then they purchased their kapps from an Amish fabric store. My daughters wear their dresses all the time around home now. I even have one that I love. Visiting Holmes County was like going home for me. I feel like that is where I belong. I actually long for it. My daughters and I are going to return in October when my husband goes out of town. We will visit our dear friends there. No, we really do not know anyone personally, but I feel as though they are my brothers and sisters in the Lord. Hopefully I will get an even greater chance to meet some next time I am there.