What About the Amish?

I do realize I haven't talked much about the Amish here.  However, if you spent time with me daily, you'd be annoyed by my constant chatter.  Okay at least if you were in my head.  You may even go as far to say, 'Obsess Much?'  Yes, yes I do obsess.  Truth is, my fascination is growing.

Okay, so since I live no where near an Amish community, I do depend on the internet and books from my local library to fan the flame of this new found fetish.  I'm pinning on Pinterest and hearting on Etsy Amish everything.  Just to clarify, I don't want to be Amish.  I'm drawn to their simple ways that reflect a strong foundation, security, a richness in life and faith.  

I do a lot of Amish stalking.  I, like most women who get caught up in the G-rated Amish novels, who want to know more about the people and why they do the things they do?  I've read a few short novels of mystery, murder, shunning and faith building.  I loved them all!  But... this wasn't fulfilling my desire to glean from them.   How do I apply some of their simple life-style in my life? 

Honestly I struggled with this for a while.  Please, someone help me!  I want to apply my desire to be Eco-friendly, loving and caring for God's creation while spending time in it with the Creator.  I want to slow down, spend quality time with my family, resist temptaion to be hip and trendy all the time, and keep up with my wifely and motherly responsibilities?  I want to spend time making quilts for loved ones, jams, baked goods, and grow things with my own hands.  I want to have a peace that I know only comes from spending time with God.  But how?  How do I do it?  How do I slow down, and still function where I'm at?

Today I found my self caught in a pit of temptation.  I'm constantly busy outside my home or online or in a store. The more I'm out the more susceptible I am to advertisements for things I don't need.  I remember when my husband and I got married we decided not to have Cable TV.  This was mostly because we thought it wise to avoid commercials, negative news, and wasting time.  We wanted to spend time with God, each other, and create or build things.  It worked great for a few years, but then we both got our own laptops for 'research'.  Originally they had specific purpose, work.  But now its odd.  Although we are selective online it has replaced Cable TV by sneaking in advertisements and is a huge time waster!

So how to solve Lindsay's world problem?  Haha... no seriously though.  I really want to change my bad habits and move in my convictions.  I know what I want to do, but how do I start?  Where do I begin?  Well, I've found a stepping stone in my path...

Recently I was blessed to stumbled across this book called Almost Amish: One Woman's Quest for a Slower, Simpler, More Sustainable Life, by Nancy Sleeth.  

Intrigued?  I was.

I loved the title and was instantly drawn to read it.  Wow!!!  Its like she read my mail!  This is exactly what my husband and I have been talking about for years.  But here is a woman of Christian faith that I can actually relate to and who practically implements the same Amish values I so admire into her modern life as an American God Fearing Woman.  Its a must read. 

When I finish this book I'll have a practical plan of my own.  I may not go as far as Nancy Sleeth, but I'll be working towards some of my own goals and spending more time Practicing the Presence of God.  Another great read, by Brother Laurence which has hugely impacted my walk with God. 

I hope to have a good mix of Amish and quilting and cooking here in the future, but I can't make any promises what that will look like or how often I'll share.  Thanks for hanging around to read this far. 

Love,

Lindsay