Amish on the 4th

We had a great fourth of July weekend. Paul was off on Friday, so we decided to do something we had always wanted to do and have never done. We went to the Amish Country. South of where we live is a small community of Amish people. We have been wanting to take the boys and show them that you CAN exist without electricity, specifically electronics (tv, computer, etc). We said that we were going and they panicked. We finally told them it was only a tour of an hour and a half. They were very relieved. I have always wanted to go as well and learn more about them. This is what we learned:

1. They don't call themselves Christian. Even though, to us they are very Christian. They are Amish and we (all of the other people) are English. They believe that if you say you are a Christian, you are living the Bible exactly as is says. And we know that no one does that.

2. They don't like their picture taken. I knew this but did learn that the reason is if their image is "captured" on film or even in a mirror a peice of their soul is gone. So they have no mirrors in their homes.

3. The children speak German until about age 8. Only then will they teach them the English language. This is to seperate the children from adults. The kids go to school until age 14 or after 8th grade. They only learn reading, writing, and arithmatic. After school, they go to work. They can only sell what they have produced. One man we met made furniture, another made the wagons. They also sell vegetables, candies, bread, and crafts. Their shop is set up outside their home for people to come to. This is why they like to tours of their community.

4. At age 21 they marry. The father picks 3-4 girls for the man and he gets one date to choose the girl for him. The girl's older sister goes along to chaparone. Once married, they have 12 children.

5. Their clothing is simple. The women wear a bonnet because their hair is only for their husband. The man will grow a beard to show his love for his wife. They do not wear socks. I don't know why.

Hampton got to drive the horse drawn wagon. Both the boys cracked up when the horse did his business as we walked along.

I wanted to take pictures of the area so bad, but was very afraid of someone seeing me. They are very simple and poor. I thought it might make me want to simplify and declutter, but it didn't. It just made me appreciate our ability to work hard and earn what we have. I guess I will have to find some other modivation to clean out.