He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. ~Micah 6:8
The Monday following our apple orchard adventure, we again meet up with Dominic for lunch, and then embark on a journey to Amish/Mennonite country in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, about a 30-minute drive from Reading. We encounter lots of twisty backroads and enjoy the views of sprawling farms and impressive homesteads. I had somehow never envisioned Pennsylvania as a rural state, but it truly is once you leave the confines of the major cities.
I've always had a fascination for the Amish people, and their close cousins, the Mennonites; I couldn't let our visit to Pennsylvania go without entering into and observing their way of life up close. Here are some absolutely amazing photos that Danny miraculously captured while sitting in the passenger seat of Dominic's car. Enjoy!
We are blessed and privileged to enjoy this glimpse into times gone by, before the mechanization and modernization of society. I read so many blogs/books today where people tout a return to simpler times, when uncluttered minds could more readily focus on God, trusting Him in every facet of our lives. In both the Amish and Mennonite communities, that closeness is the most cherished and upheld gift that God could ever bestow. It isn't just a way of thinking, it's a way of life.
In our brief visit to the Amish Village gift store, I spy a book that I know immediately I need to read.
You can order the book for yourself here, and I highly recommend it to all my fellow bloggers. I learned so much I didn't know, including the fact that this community has three favorite Bible verses, the first one being Micah 6:8. Coincidently, that is my own life verse! How it resonates with me!
Understanding how and why the "simple" folk live and work the way they do just might inspire you to find ways to simplify your own walk with the Lord.
Amen!
I love visiting Amish country. We used to live in Amish territory in Ohio, and I loved watching the horses and buggies go trotting past our house. They do have a very intriguing and interesting way of life...one that we may find ourselves wishing we knew how to do in the days ahead. But some of their religious views are a bit different from true Christianity. I admire their work ethic, etc. but could not adopt their total way of life. I'm afraid I'm too lazy now...
ReplyDeleteInteresting, Pamela, that you mentioned their religious beliefs. I recently found Mission to Amish People on YouTube about former Amish leaving and becoming Christians. Worth checking out.
DeleteHi, Pamela and Anonymous! That's so cool, Pamela, that you have memories of the Amish community near you in Ohio. I'm a bit baffled, though, by both of your stances that these folks are not true Christians; I'll have to delve deeper to try and understand why that perception is out there. I think you would both like the book I've recommended here.
DeleteLove and blessings!
It sounds like a lovely trip. My sum total experience with Pennsylvania is downtown Philadelphia and the Philadelphia airport.
ReplyDeleteThe entire trip was marvelous, Glynn; I have the best memories to treasure.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Something I've learned since "retiring" to a ranch/farm is that all the machinery in the world can't replace the human mind and a strong work ethic. Don't get me wrong, I'll take plowing a field with my tractor any day over a team of horses, but getting the job done "easier" or "faster" doesn't always equate to better. It's when I'm doing manual labor (setting fence posts, cleaning the barns, repairing fences, brushing animals, etc.) that I find myself closer to God. It's when I take a break in the sweltering heat or duck inside for a warm cup of coffee after working on a freezing cold winter's morn that I have built-in "God Pauses" that enable me a few moments to thank Him for all the blessings He's given me. Know that you and Mr. Danny is one of them. Happy Thanksgiving ma'am.
ReplyDeleteJ. D., your daily experiences on your ranch are such great opportunities to listen to God and feel His presence in your life. I'm certain that is how the Amish folks must feel, too, as their simplicity leads to a deeper relationship with the Lord. And you are so right - no machinery can ever replace human ingenuity and a solid work ethic, the latter of which seems to sadly be fading in this generation.
DeleteHappy Thanksgiving to you and Miss Diane!
Love and blessings!
Where I lived in Ohio there was an Amish community not too far away. It was not unusual to see the buggies. I was on a bike tour once which went through Amish country and I once got off my bike to take a picture and they all hid. Didn't know some don't believe in taking pictures. There are different types of Amish groups. Don't prejudge before you make sure. Thanks for the travel back through time Martha.
ReplyDeleteI've heard that, Bill, about some not wanting their picture taken; obviously, not the ones on the cover of the book I mention here. Doesn't the girl in front remind you of Melissa Gilbert in Little House on the Prairie? I thought the resemblance was a bit eerie.
DeleteThere are quite a few differences within the community and culture, especially between Amish and Mennonites. I find that fascinating!
Love and blessings!
Bom dia, Martha
ReplyDeleteQue versículo maravilhoso e que viagem ótima, conhecer novos lugares é bom demais, viver com simplicidade agrada o coração de Deus, obrigada pela indicação do livro, um forte abraço.
I hope you will get and read the book, Lucinalva. I learned so much that I never knew before. And yes, it's great to approach God with simplicity.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Great photos. They certainly live a simple life. Did you see the Harrison Ford movie "Witness"?
ReplyDeleteWe have complicated life with our modernism. Many people are lost without Netflix and FB and WhatsApp and ... and ... and ... I NEED a Guinness right now.
God bless.
Yes, Victor, I did see that movie years ago, and would like to see it again, especially after our recent visit to Amish country. In our modern era, we do tend to make life more complicated than it has to be, that's for sure. Let's vow to keep it simple!
DeleteLove and blessings!
We try to get to Lancaster each year. Yes, there's something very special about the area and we get renewed in just a day or two.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with rest, hope, and celebration, friend. I'm grateful that we get to do this blogging life together ...
How wonderful that you make a point to visit this area of the country each year, Linda. I wish we had had more time to truly explore the vicinity, but I'm happy with the time we did have.
DeleteI wish you and yours an amazing and memorable Thanksgiving celebration, too, my friend! The blogging life is grand indeed!
Love and blessings!
Beautiful photography, Danny! (... and kudos to Dominic for that sparkly clean windshield!) Your excursion sounds like such a pleasant eye-opener; thank you for sharing it with us!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed the post, Myra, and I will be sure to tell Danny that you enjoyed his photos. I can't believe the clarity of them considering how fast we were moving, but there really wasn't a convenient place to pull over and take pictures. So grateful for what he was able to get.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I enjoy visiting Amish areas too, Martha. Are you connected on blogger with Jean http://musicaljean.blogspot.com/ She and her husband were raised Mennonite. She writes about it often. I have met them both in person! Danny's photos are beautiful. Happy Thanksgiving!!
ReplyDeleteNo, Terri, I'm not connected with Jean, but I will certainly make an attempt to connect with her. Thanks for this heads up!
DeleteHappy Thanksgiving!
Dearest Martha Jane,
ReplyDeleteHappy for both of you for having visited that part.
Yes, Pennsylvania can look quite rural and very peaceful!
As for the Mennonites, they hail from Menno Simons, born in 1496 in the northern part of my birth country.
Peaceful and hardworking people and they have a lot to show us about the simplicity and true happiness with a strong Faith in God.
Our tree cutter is also a Mennonite—great work ethic!
Hugs,
Mariette
Definitely, the Mennonites and Amish are the model of the work ethic. They are peace loving and hard working. The book I feature here does give the historic background of how this way of life emerged around the time of Martin Luther. Menno Simons is specifically mentioned in this book. I feel so blessed to have found out more about what motivates these folks to represent the Lord in this world.
DeleteLove and blessings!
💞
DeleteWhere we used to live in upstate NY there was a large Amish/Mennonite community. A lovely post, my friend. Wishing you s Happy Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteWhat a joy it was for us to have God's assurance that His providence is enough; the simpler, the better. The Amish display this in every way possible.
DeleteMay you enjoy a happy and blessed Thanksgiving, too!
Sounds like a lovely trip.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to experience living in an Amish community.
Hugs and blessings💐
It was a lovely trip, indeed, Veronica. I have many memories that I will always treasure.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I am so fascinated with the Amish, too, and I watch several Mennonite channels. My favorite two are these (in case you're interested): https://www.youtube.com/@theMennoniteMom
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/@PositivelyAmy
God bless you, sweet friend!
Thanks, Cheryl, for these links you've shared here; I'll be sure to look them up.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I love the simplicity as well. I have often just thought of how life could be so much different if I would shed the complexities of life that I have become accustomed to and simplify. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteI've tried my best to simplify my life as much as possible in these retirement years, but I can still find myself getting caught up in the frenzy of the moment. My guess is we could all do better at that.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Your trip enabled you to see and do some interesting things. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us on your blog. We all learn so much from each other! Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteWe certainly can and do learn so much from one another here in Blogland, Barbara. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I know very little about the Amish except for their strong work ethic and embrace of life without modern conveniences and electricity. I greatly admire their self-discipline and loyalty to their community.
ReplyDeleteI think you would enjoy the book I recommended here, Nancy. It is available on Amazon, but your public library might carry it, too. Easy and quick reading, yet so informative.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, this looks like such a great trip, love seeing the photos about the Amish people. God bless!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Karen! Yes, it was a marvelous trip.
DeleteLove and blessings!
What a fabulous trip! Thanks for sharing these lovely pictures.
ReplyDeleteYou are so very welcome, Beckie!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Their simplicity is good, although I think they may put too much weight on tradition, rather than a living link with Christ.
ReplyDeleteTry: http://dcbverse.blogspot.com/2015/02/thoughts-on-micah-xi.html for your favourite verse.
That's a good point, David. I will check out the blog you referenced.
DeleteLove and blessings!