While vacationing in Ohio, my family and I went to visit the Amish community in Berlin. Growing up in Ohio I remember seeing the Amish at flea markets and we'd visit the different communities on occasion, but it wasn't until I was an adult that I actually looked into (by reading Beverly Lewis novels) :) what they believe and how they really lived. I have so much respect for these people. They may not have the true faith (though they're not as far off as I originally thought), but their way of life is so commendable. You guys might think I'm crazy, but I wish there was an Orthodox community like that! The women, men and children all live according to what Christ commands. There are no feminist Amish women and no feminine men!! Women are happy fulfilling their role as wife, mother and housekeeper and the men take care of their families and work incredibly hard.

They really just LIVE. They have no secular concerns, they work hard and enjoy life. I really envy that, I struggle so much trying to cut off my secular passions and oftentimes fail miserably.

Their children grow up believing their faith without a doubt, they're respectful of others and they work hard without complaint. It truly amazes me.

I'll share a not-so-funny story with you that I'm sort of ashamed of myself for. While we were driving into one of their communities the wannabe photographer in me kept trying to get out (you know Amish don't take photographs they believe it breaks the second commandment and they think it's prideful). I kept seeing these beautiful little houses with Amish girls hanging clothes, men plowing the fields by hand. I mean it was post-card beautiful. Then I saw these two little Amish girls walking barefoot down a dirt road holding hands, I couldn't resist! I pulled out my camera and decided I'd take a picture of the next Amish person doing something plainly wonderful. So as we went up the hill I saw my photo. There was an Amish boy about 8 years old harvesting a field. We're talking giant horses controlled by this tiny little boy who was cutting wheat down like there was no tomorrow. So I asked DH to pull over so I can get a good picture. I wasn't going to get his face, just a profile. I mean it's not against my religion to take photos, right? Right then I notice he stopped working and he was waving to me! Oh bless you little one! "Honey, turn around so I can get a better picture, he's waving to us!" So honey turns the car around and I'm waving back to him as I snap a picture and he waves again. Only he wasn't waving. The poor boy was putting his hand in front of his face and screaming "NOOOO!" DH about killed me and we noticed we were now being STARED DOWN by his Amish grandparents up the hill. I wanted to DISAPPEAR! I felt sooo bad! Here's this little boy working like a grown man and he had to stop because some insane tourist pulled off the side of the road to take his picture which is against his religion in the first place! I sell out my faith so easily and this little 8 year old is so steadfast. I'm ashamed of myself.

Anyways, on the way back he and his Pa were outside in the field again on top of a hay truck and the little boy pointed to our car (of course he remembered it!!) and the Pa just looked at us. I was truly ready to die.

Needless to say, next time we go we will drive someone else's car just in case.

Here's the pic: (well, it's not against my religion and you can barely see his face anyhow)