Hi Friends! I have been meaning to write for several weeks now, finally here I am.
My 2 youngest daughters and I attended the Gingerich Family Reunion in Indiana last weekend. We had a great time. Got to see a lot of family that I have not seen in years. Some of them I have not seen for 25 years. Brought back memories of my childhood. I was sorry to discover that quite a few that I was hoping to see were not there, but I was very happy that I got to visit and catch up with cousins and also got to know some of my cousins that I did not know at all. It was fantastic! All of my uncles sure look a lot like my Dad! Lol! One thing was for certain, you could pick out who was a Gingerich:) There was all walks of life, Old Order Amish, New Order Amish, Mennonites, and then those of us who had completely fell off the wagon. I must say, I was the only one with tattoos. Yikes! What a bad girl I am! Some of the older women, who are my Dad's cousins, sat there staring at me with their beady eyes, every time I happened to look that way. I could just see the look of disapproval and disdain all over their faces. I disgusted them. They didn't have to say a word, I could feel their judgement burning me in hell at that very moment. Some others might have had similar feelings, but if they did they kept them well hidden and were very friendly. We spent 2 days and I loved every minute and so did my daughters.

I have recently met the founder of M.A.P. Ministries, Joe Keim. M.A.P. is a Mission to Amish People. I am looking forward to getting to know Joe, his family and the people of his ministry better. He is dedicated to helping and encouraging people who have left the Amish and helping them aquire a GED, drivers license, an education, a place to live, anything they might need. Helping them find a job, teaching them God's Love, not condemnation. I hope to help mentor some of these girls, I have a strong passion for this. I am struggling writing my book, it is harder than I thought, but I plan to dedicate myself to it. I have decided that if it were actually easy, it won't mean so much to me in the end, and like someone recently told me: "God does not waste pain." I like that phrase, it has so much truth. Sooo my friends, until next time. I hope to have a glimpse into my "transition to a different culture" for you next time.

I am pretty excited! I am going to attend the Gingerich family reunion on July 7th and 8th. This is my Dad's side of the family whom I have not seen in like 12 or 13 years. I have some cousins that I used to be very close to. The Gingerich's live in, Ohio, Texas, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Delaware, Kentucky, Missouri, California, and I know there are more states just can't think of them right now. It will feel a little bit like going back to my roots. Most of my memories of my Dad's side of the family is from when I was a little girl.
I have taken this summer off from school, (this is my first week off). I am going to travel back to Wayne County where I grew up, memories seem to really flood back when I go up there. I have been up there far and few between, I don't like the dark feelings that flood me when I go back to my Amish past.
I have happy family memories, and I have the best parents anyone could ask for, They have big hearts, honest and full of love. (They do however still have some Amish thinking lol). The dark feelings that I have are from Amish culture and dictatorship (if I may be so blunt). It is not easy to go back in memory, it is depressing really. But, I am going to have to go back so that I can tell my story and write my book to help others that are coming out and going to experience the very same feelings, fears and giving up family, friends and having the world as they know just simply disappear. I felt like I didn't belong anywhere. The "English" world was so foreign and the Amish world had damned me to hell. I felt lost.

Free from Amish Rules

Hi! I am back after a great Memorial Day weekend and a hard but productive week at work. I think I have writer's block this week. Work has been rather stressful and so have school assignments. Have to help prepare food for my fiance's daughter's graduation party and bake and decorate a birthday cake for my son who just turned 19. Softball practice and game tomorrow. Hair appointment and then drive to Berlin to buy pumkin seeds for our 4 acre field we are planting. And numerous other errands you would not be interested in. So that as why I can't go back to memory lane. I have to many "other things" floating around in this teeny brain. I do hope to write early next week so check back!!!:))))

Free from Amish Rules

Growing up Amish I was taught that music is wrong. Any music with a beat is considered the devil's music. As a little amish girl I loved to listen to music every chance I got and it would stir emotions inside of me. I was told that these emotions were from the devil, but I didn't believe it because it made me feel alive and happy! I wanted more! I really couldn't understand what the big deal was. I would argue that the Bible talks about Angels blowing trumpets and making beautiful music, but I was told that was not really for me to understand and that I just needed to obey. The only musical instrument we were allowed to have was a harmonica, and that was only played when sitting around and relaxing with family and friends.  The Amish can play the harmonica very well. I remember listening to my Uncles play and I loved it.
 Here in the world I live in now, I get to do so many things I would never have been able to experience otherwise. I love and get to enjoy music but am way behind in recognizing bands and singers, because I never heard the names before. I am very proud when I can have the correct answer to the question: What band plays this? or who is this singer? Yay! I am learning.

Free from Amish Rules

Of course in starting my book a lot of memories start flooding back and everything is more clear and not as confusing as it is in the Amish world. The Amish say I am going to hell because I left the Amish faith. In their eyes I have lied to God and "the church".  That is their words not mine. "The church" to them means the "Amish church." In the past I have been told this many times. They (the Amish) used to send me letters and leave messages on my answering machine, telling me about the hell I was headed for. It got to the point where I no longer wanted to push the play button on my messages or open any mail. If they would see me somewhere they would either corner me, and proceed to tell me what an awful person I was, call me a whore, or they would turn their back.
I am here to clarify that I am not going to hell because I left the Amish, if I would go to hell it would be for some unforgivable sin, not for leaving the Amish. Please! That would mean that the Amish are God or equal to.
Today, that doesn't happen so much anymore. They gave up I suppose. I do however, still get cornered from time to time, but let me just say, not by the same person twice. I have gotten brave and well versed and am not so easily intimidated anymore. Having said that, I have no ill will towards the Amish. Just speaking truths.

Free from Amish Rules

Hi all!
I am an Amish woman who left the Amish almost 14 years ago. I would like to share my journey with others who are in this same journey or who have just left the Amish and are looking for someone to talk to. I know how hard it is and I am now at a place in my life where I believe I could reach out and help those who still feel lost and unsure or who just want to talk. My journey was often troubled and dark but I have found freedom in this once scary and intimidating world. I have also found success and happiness.
I am going to be writing a book about my journey and I want to take the opportunity to share true stories and tidbits from the Amish life.

I want to hear other Ex-Amish people's stories and memories as well. I thought I would create a blog to begin sharing my story and maybe get to know other Ex-Amish and share thoughts, ideas, and opinions.

I also hope to hear from people who have never been Amish who have an interest in learning about the culture.



Free from Amish Rules