Amish Country

We left Cincinnati and started out towards Holmes County, Ohio where the largest Amish/Mennonite community resides. I have been wanting to stay in Amish country for a while and I wasn't disappointed. Theirs is a life of simplicity and peace. I loved seeing the horse drawn buggies driving down the same road as all the other vehicle's. I'm sure that those who are used to a fasted pace life become disgruntled with having to slow down for the buggies, but the way I felt about it was, we are in their part of the country and we can learn a lot from their way of life. Slow down and smell the roses!
For the most part, the Amish worship in their homes, but there are a few scattered churches about. So our family decided to go to a Mennonite Church on our first Sunday there. I wasn't sure what to expect, but was very excited about being able to worship with a whole different culture. I carefully chose my clothes, decided not to wear a watch, very simple jewelry and with as little make-up as I dared to wear out in public. Hmmm...how should I put this? I was slightly disappointed when we arrived. To our surprise there where high heels and mini skirts, a cappuccino bar (it was acceptable to take coffee into church), a full band with over-head and power point, and to top it off the church service started off with four men playing a game to see who could put the most noodles on a straw stuck between their teeth! What ever happened to the unspeakable holiness within our worship? I have a whole new appreciation for my church! Fortunately, while we were there we made friends with some of the old order Amish and the next time we visit, I'm going to church with them!
Since that first Sunday morning, we became more familiar with the difference between the old order and the modern. It varies greatly in both the Amish and Mennonite community. You can have old order Mennonites and modern Amish, but more often you would find the old order being Amish and the modern being Mennonite. The only way to know the difference is to ask, and we did a lot of that. They were all very willing to teach us about their culture.
The country side was beautiful with the perfectly manicured farms and homes. The food was fresh and home made. The folks were so friendly and visited with us and the children. While we were there, we avoided all of the "tourist" shops and went to the homes of the Amish who had business to get to know more about them. We also bought the kids clothing at an Amish second hand shop, so the kids strolled around town looking like they belong there and if it weren't for Steve and I, no one would have known the better. Steve fit right in with his beard, but I couldn't talk him into shaving his upper lip. I kind of like the look! We also saw the biggest horse in the.....maybe the world. The owner said that it still had potential to grow even more. I'll post a picture with Steve, notice that the horse's back is as tall as Steve.
I am often asked where my favorite place has been in all of my travels and up until now I have always said Death Valley. Now I would have to say that Holmes County is a place where I would love to live. And, if it weren't for the dress that I would have to wear, not baptising my babies, not having graven images, being a dispensationalist and not having electricity, I could totally be Amish!