Misconceptions
During a recent interview I was asked if I thought most people had misconceptions about the Amish, and if so, what are some of those misconceptions? I think one of the biggest misconceptions about the Amish is that they aren’t friendly and want nothing to do with people who aren’t Amish. I believe some think this because the Amish look different and live a different lifestyle than we “Englishers” do. So we just assume they won’t want to have anything to do with us. My husband and I have many Amish friends, and even though we dress differently and do some things in different ways, we still have many things in common. We have found the Amish to be friendly and kind. They may look different than us on the outside, but inside we are very much alike.
Unfortunately, people often judge others by the clothes they wear, their mode of transportation, the way they talk, or their lifestyle. You’ve heard the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Well, in Matthew 7:1 God says, “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” I don’t know about you, but I’d rather not have others judging me by the way I dress, talk, or choose to live. After all, it could be just a misconception. God created each of us, and He thinks we are beautiful just the way we are. With Him, there are no misconceptions.
What a wonderful journal entry! I do have to say that each district must vary. When my family and I visited the Amish in southern MN they were extremely friendly and inviting. Then, when my husband and I visited a few Amish in Central MN they were not as friendly. In fact, when we pulled up a woman was sweeping the porch and quickly went inside. The man came in to the shed and opened the curtains because it was rather dark in there. He then excused himself to check on the plow. It was quite some time later that he returned. I didn’t mind at all. I can completely lose myself amongst their handmade goods! When I thank the man he did not reply. I was told later that men do not talk to you unless you are spoken to. I found this very interesting. My husband thought the man looked sick and that we had caught him during a very busy time–fall harvest.
I recently found out about an Amish co-op about 45 minutes from our home. An English woman inherited money and wanted to put money back in to her hometown so she opened an Amish co-op. She never knows what she’ll have available since the Amish bring goods daily. I’m so excited to check it out.
Thanks again for the wonderful books you write. I can’t get enough!
Hello,
I was just wandering what an Amish co-op is and where you are from (just to know where the co-op is that you talk about, if you don’t mind).
Thank you!
It’s in Bertha, MN
I have returned to the area and found the Amish very welcoming. In fact, several of them had their items for sale right in their homes and I was invited in to browse. After visiting with a family for a while, I mentioned my previous experience. Turns out the man I was referring to is their Bishop and he suffers from Bipolar Disorder as well as being hard of hearing. The gentleman has been approached several times but has not received the proper treatment. I hope that they’re able to help this man.
Your thoughts are spot-on! I agree that these misconceptions are common, and, oftentimes, it is due to the very Amish fiction that we read: for instance, an Amish character might say something to the effect of not wanting their children to interact with English children (but this is usually done in the context of the kids being older, and the Amish parents not wanting their children to be swept away by the lures of the English world).
I was in the grocery store once, near Christmas time. I was looking at some pricess snow-globes, wondering if I should buy one for my princess-adoring daugher. There was an Amish woman there, too, looking at the same snow globes. We spent the next 15 minutes engaged in a very nice coversation, and found that we were both “older” moms with younger kids. I walked away from that conversation thinking that we could have, quite easily, become the best of friends.
You are so right! It is so often difficult to remember not to judge others, as we are all God’s children. I adore the Amish and am very impressed with their dedication to God and their families. Our little church that I grew up in has many older people in whom I see so many of the Amish characteristics. We truly do share many things with the Amish. Thank you for your books that bring us real information about the Amish and entertainment as well. Keep up the good work! God bless. Regina
As a Africian American female I thought the Amish would dislike me. I live in Missouri the show me state. I show them the up most respect. I just turned 50 April 20th and I spent my whole day in the Amish Community in Clark, Mo. When I left there I was truly euphoric. I just felt one with God. I learned to love the Amish from reading your books. Now I travel to different communities in Missouri. They are all so friendly. I got lost once and this Amish man was very helpful in helping me get back to the highway. Just traveling through the country side is so peaceful. My dream is to one day travel to Ohio and Kentucky. Can’t wait for you next book release.
Hello. This is my first ever post. I’m from NJ and have traveled to Lancaster, Pa. Amish communities. I have heard others comment on their clothes etc. But I have always found them
to be friendly and pleasant. Recently I have been shopping and eating at a local Amish
Market and have made many lovely friends of the Amish folks working there. I’ve asked questions
and have received answers readily. They’ve helped me pronounce some words I wasn’t sure of.
And I’ve found the teenagers very engaging. Thank you Wanda for your wonderful books. I curl
up and travel to special places with special people! I really am enjoying reading on this forum.
God Bless you all. Linda
I was so upset that I did not know you were in Paducah Ky. tell it was on the news in the morning and then I could not make it; there was two of us that wanted to be there. we are so close “30 miles” I have just read the Journey and looking forward to book two. There are three of us that share and I don’t think we have missed a book in the last couple of years. Please keep your little fingers working I hate to have to wait….. Yours in Christ, Dona Childers.
Wanda, I met you in Berlin ,Ohio and Sugarcreek, Ohio and at Sugarcreek had my picture made with you. We have a small Amish store in Hebron, KY. The name of our store is “Touch Of Amish.” Some of our greatest trips have been to Holmes County Ohio. In July 2009 we had the opportunity of having an Amish Family of 23 to come and spend the complete weekend with us.
It was great. They are very close friends and we have stayed in their homes. Amish take time to enjoy life where the English do not. They take time for their families. I have read many of your books and have never found where they are off on their practices. I take my books up to them after I finish and they past them around to read. They love them also. Thanks for all the great stories you have written and giving great information. Wanda Jackson, Petersburg, KY
Thanks Wanda for taking the time to share a little of Amish with me I have always thought that they had thinks right. They marry for life I would have done that but it takes two to stay married. Now I have found the man that I was to marry in 2003 and we take the ups with the downs but know when all said and done it comes down to us together. George is my best friend and he brings out the best in me and he says I do the same to him. Glad I found this website so I can come back and read.
Tina Summers, Hebron, Ky
I love reading your books. We live in the ozarks near Seymour, Missouri. I love to drive around the area seeing the Amish. I find their lifestyle very interesting. I would dearly love to spend time with them. I have spoken to them and they are very friendly. We almost bought a home in the middle of an Amish settlement. WE couldn’t get our home sold fast enough and someone else purchased the home. Looking forward to your next book. God Bless!!!
You are so right, we are just like you. We don’t take enough time to enjoy our children, just like Englishers. We do work together a lot.
I feel very blessed to know you and hope we can connect sometime this year. If you come on June 24 you can meet some of The Connection writers, as we are hosting the reunion at our house. You can imagine me frantically cleaning my house and trying to plant garden.
God Bless!!
My Mom lives outside of Eau Claire, Wisconsin and has a small farm. All around her are Amish farms and she likes them, they do a lot of bartering for goods with each other. She also said their is all kinda of Amish just like we have all kinds of other people. Some are very clean; some not so, some take good care of their things, some not so… you see what I’m saying but she likes them all.
Wanda I think you are right about that. I love your books that you write about the Amish and at times I can see myself living like the Amish do. (except for the dress part not a big fan of dresses) I also think that people are afraid of what they don’t know and that they are afraid to find out for themselves so they make them look bad because they are different when in actuallity they are no different than you and me. after all god made us all and we all bleed red when we are hurt. I so enjoy your books and I love the fact that you are connecting to a previous book series “The Storekeppers Daughter” series. Keep them coming and I will keep picking them up. I also love to read the Verses of the Bible that you put in them. THANKS