Publication
Kregel, c2014
Status
Available
Description
Leah is seventeen and Amish. Like many her age, she has lots of questions, but the temporary flight of freedom known as rumspringen is not the answer for her. She does not desire Englisher fashion, all-night parties, movies, or lots of boyfriends. Leah is seeking to understand her relationship with God, to deepen and broaden her faith by joining a Bible study hosted by an ex-Amish couple. She wants to know why Amish life is the only lifestyle her family accepts, why the church has so many rules, and . . . most disturbing, how godly men can allow her best friend to be abused in her own home. In the pressure-cooker environment of church and family, Leah is not allowed to ask these questions. When finally she reaches the breaking point, she walks away from the Old Order Amish life that is all she has known. Though adapting amiably to the Englisher world, Leah is tormented with homesickness. Returning to the community, however, entails a journey of pain and sorrow Leah could never have imagined. The miting--shunning--that will now be Leah's unendurable oppression every day is beyond her most devoted attempts to believe or understand. All the bishop and her family ask is that she abandon her practice of reading the Bible. Is that a price she is willing to pay?… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member macnoid
The Miting was a great look into the beliefs and way of life in the Old Order Amish. Based on the experiences of former Amish who left the group, it is an eye opener to anyone who has the romanticized view that the Amish are all a godly and devout people. You will find yourself understanding why
We see Amish life through the eyes of a young Old Order Amish girl Leah, who is struggling to understand why her Bible study is wrong, and finds it impossible reconcile Amish rules & beliefs with what the Bible says about salvation and how a Christian is to live. The treatment she receives at the hands of the Amish leaders, her community, and even her own family is heartbreaking and confusing.
The dilemma of this young girl, and what will become of her and her newfound faith, keeps you reading to find out. You alternately cheer her on, and groan at some of her decisions as she struggles to find where she belongs.
You will also learn that there are differences in the Amish culture, as some have evolved to including Bible study, and striving to follow Biblical teachings, while others have clung to the old ways of following the rules of the Ordnung and Bishops who rule with an iron fist. You will understand why some choose to leave the Amish way of life, and why some choose to stay.
All in all, a good read, with believable characters and interesting story line. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys inspirational fiction, and wants some insight into the Amish way of life.
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some call the Amish a 'cult'. And you may even be shocked that sexual abuse is as big a problem in the Amish world as it is outside it. The fact that the story is based on the experiences of former Amish, and the work of MAP (Mission to the Amish People), lends credibility to the story line. We see Amish life through the eyes of a young Old Order Amish girl Leah, who is struggling to understand why her Bible study is wrong, and finds it impossible reconcile Amish rules & beliefs with what the Bible says about salvation and how a Christian is to live. The treatment she receives at the hands of the Amish leaders, her community, and even her own family is heartbreaking and confusing.
The dilemma of this young girl, and what will become of her and her newfound faith, keeps you reading to find out. You alternately cheer her on, and groan at some of her decisions as she struggles to find where she belongs.
You will also learn that there are differences in the Amish culture, as some have evolved to including Bible study, and striving to follow Biblical teachings, while others have clung to the old ways of following the rules of the Ordnung and Bishops who rule with an iron fist. You will understand why some choose to leave the Amish way of life, and why some choose to stay.
All in all, a good read, with believable characters and interesting story line. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys inspirational fiction, and wants some insight into the Amish way of life.
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LibraryThing member Betty-Anne
For anyone with an interest in the Amish culture/people, this one is a must read! Fascinating story of a teenage Amish girl, who is coming of age, but who is struggling with her Amish culture, religious rules and beliefs.
Leah starts to second guess and question everything that she has been brought
She decides to leave her home and family, causing much despair and strife, but living in the 'Englisher' world, she finds the truth in the Bible for herself. Since becoming a born-again believer, she finds the peace that she has been longing for, and develops the longing to have a stronger relationship with God.
After being homesick for so long, she decides to go back to her family and the Amish ways, only to be shunned by the Bishop and her family. They instruct her to stop reading the Bible, and to renounce her born-again faith, that she is going to hell. She only wants her family to understand that they can know that they can go to heaven and truly know salvation.
Things get more difficult since coming home, and only her Jacob, whom she is engaged to seems to understand her longing to read the Bible. After a whirlwind of activity at the family farm, and many family confrontations, Leah and Jacob end up leaving in secret to start their new life together.
The story contains joy, and sorrow, and is a tale of how a culture tries to have its young people controlled and conformed based on tradition, and not religion.
Leah starts to second guess and question everything that she has been brought
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up believing. Too many rules and regulations to abide by in the church.She decides to leave her home and family, causing much despair and strife, but living in the 'Englisher' world, she finds the truth in the Bible for herself. Since becoming a born-again believer, she finds the peace that she has been longing for, and develops the longing to have a stronger relationship with God.
After being homesick for so long, she decides to go back to her family and the Amish ways, only to be shunned by the Bishop and her family. They instruct her to stop reading the Bible, and to renounce her born-again faith, that she is going to hell. She only wants her family to understand that they can know that they can go to heaven and truly know salvation.
Things get more difficult since coming home, and only her Jacob, whom she is engaged to seems to understand her longing to read the Bible. After a whirlwind of activity at the family farm, and many family confrontations, Leah and Jacob end up leaving in secret to start their new life together.
The story contains joy, and sorrow, and is a tale of how a culture tries to have its young people controlled and conformed based on tradition, and not religion.
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LibraryThing member passionforbooks
An Amish Fiction Book Like No Other!
I literally could not put this book down. I was totally drawn into this storyline and so fascinated with it. The character Martha, faced a certain kind of abuse that isn’t discussed much in Amish fiction. I know this goes on in the English world but it is kept
I loved Leah the main character in this book. A 17 year old girl bound by her Amish upbringing but not understanding why her bishop and her family are so against her wanting to read and study the scriptures in the English Bible. Leah has such a hunger and thirst to learn more about Jesus and what He taught.
Leah’s life is not easy as she follows her heart to do what she has to do to find freedom in her relationship with Jesus Christ. Will her family understand? Will she be put under the Miting if she doesn’t give up her daily Bible reading?
The characters in this book were real to me. I worried for Leah, I prayed for Leah, I cried with Leah. I wanted to be her friend and give her comfort.
This is one of the very best Amish fiction books I have ever read. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!
I highly, highly, recommend this book to anyone reading this review. It will hold you captive!
I won this book on LibraryThing to read and review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.
I literally could not put this book down. I was totally drawn into this storyline and so fascinated with it. The character Martha, faced a certain kind of abuse that isn’t discussed much in Amish fiction. I know this goes on in the English world but it is kept
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underwraps in the Amish world.I loved Leah the main character in this book. A 17 year old girl bound by her Amish upbringing but not understanding why her bishop and her family are so against her wanting to read and study the scriptures in the English Bible. Leah has such a hunger and thirst to learn more about Jesus and what He taught.
Leah’s life is not easy as she follows her heart to do what she has to do to find freedom in her relationship with Jesus Christ. Will her family understand? Will she be put under the Miting if she doesn’t give up her daily Bible reading?
The characters in this book were real to me. I worried for Leah, I prayed for Leah, I cried with Leah. I wanted to be her friend and give her comfort.
This is one of the very best Amish fiction books I have ever read. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!
I highly, highly, recommend this book to anyone reading this review. It will hold you captive!
I won this book on LibraryThing to read and review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.
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LibraryThing member wearylibrarian
The book started slow and it took a couple of chapters for me to become hooked but when I did, I couldn't put it down.
Leah is Old Order Amish and has begun to feel stifled by the strict rules of the Ordnung. The Englisch world calls to her and to her families dismay, leaves to experience a new way
Leah is Old Order Amish and has begun to feel stifled by the strict rules of the Ordnung. The Englisch world calls to her and to her families dismay, leaves to experience a new way
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of life. She finds the Englisch world is not what she is looking for, but neither is the restrictive world of the Old Amish. When she finally decides to go home she is shunned (mited) by her family. Her only friend seems to be her boyfriend, Jacob. After many confrontations with her family, Leah leaves home again, this time with Jacob. Leah just wants to be free to worship God and read her Bible. You wouldn't think that would cause consternation in her community, but it does. Leah doesn't wNt to live in the Englisch world neither does she want to live with the Old Order Amish. Show Less
LibraryThing member starbritejan
I actually could not put this book down once I started reading it! Read till 2:30 am to finish it. The story is well told about the Old Order Amish and their strict rules and Leah having questions about all the rules. I am hoping there is a sequel and look forward to reading it!
LibraryThing member hobbitprincess
Leah is a member of an Old Order Amish congregation, and she feels stifled by the rules and regulations, especially when it comes to her faith and her desire to read the Bible and learn more for herself by reading scripture, something that is forbidden. There's also her feelings for an Old Order
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Amish young man and her love for her family. I appreciated that this book did not sugarcoat the Amish. I know from my own research that there are groups as conservative as Leah's. Expect a message about personal salvation. The cover can be a bit misleading - Leah is actually 17, and the cover photo looks like someone younger to me. I would suspect that a sequel may be coming, and if there is, I look forward to reading it. Show Less
LibraryThing member polarmath
I liked learning more about the ways of the Old Order Amish. Leah has grown up this way but actually has questions about why things are the way they are. This is different than many books were they just accept and I liked how it was different. I would recommend this book.
LibraryThing member drebbles
Even though she is in her Rumspringen, Leah Raber has tried to be a good member of the Old Order Amish. While her friend Martha has been running around dating English boys, drinking, and partying, Leah’s one rebellious act has been to read the Bible in order to understand her relationship with
“The Miting” by Dee Yoder is a wonderfully written, moving, heartbreaking, at times disturbing, and yet uplifting novel about the Old Order Amish. I've read many books about the Amish, but this is the first one I've read that reveals the dark side of the Amish (this book, in fact, would make an excellent choice for a book club read). While some people may think that the Amish, with their Plain way of living, have seemingly perfect lives, “The Miting” shows that they are human after all with some dark secrets that they prefer to remain hidden. While there is a nice romance in the book, this book is heavy on the religious themes as Leah begins to read the Bible and question some of the beliefs she's grown up with. Leah is a strong character – perhaps a bit too headstrong at times. Her dealings with authority in the Old Order Amish, along with her friend Martha’s story, are some of the scariest and heartbreaking moments in the book. Her struggles, especially with her questions about religion and dealing with her family, are achingly real and a bit tough to take at times. In the end, just like Leah, you may wonder why a simple decision to read the Bible could cause so much anguish and trouble.
The Miting” is a book that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading it and you may never look at the Amish people the same way when you are done reading it.
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God. Unfortunately, that one act has gotten her into the serious trouble and Leah needs to decide whether to remain Amish or embrace her growing relationship with God. Will Leah have to decide between being born again and her family? And what about her growing relationship with Jacob Yoder?“The Miting” by Dee Yoder is a wonderfully written, moving, heartbreaking, at times disturbing, and yet uplifting novel about the Old Order Amish. I've read many books about the Amish, but this is the first one I've read that reveals the dark side of the Amish (this book, in fact, would make an excellent choice for a book club read). While some people may think that the Amish, with their Plain way of living, have seemingly perfect lives, “The Miting” shows that they are human after all with some dark secrets that they prefer to remain hidden. While there is a nice romance in the book, this book is heavy on the religious themes as Leah begins to read the Bible and question some of the beliefs she's grown up with. Leah is a strong character – perhaps a bit too headstrong at times. Her dealings with authority in the Old Order Amish, along with her friend Martha’s story, are some of the scariest and heartbreaking moments in the book. Her struggles, especially with her questions about religion and dealing with her family, are achingly real and a bit tough to take at times. In the end, just like Leah, you may wonder why a simple decision to read the Bible could cause so much anguish and trouble.
The Miting” is a book that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading it and you may never look at the Amish people the same way when you are done reading it.
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LibraryThing member annaalvin21
I won this book on Library Thing as an Early Review. I would highly recommend this book for those who Like Inspirational novels. I enjoyed the characters very much and the story line was exceptional. Hated to see this story come to an end. Read it sure you will enjoy.....
LibraryThing member Romonko
This book is a Christian book, but it is one that exposes the life and religion of the Old Order Amish. Ms. Yoder knows her subject very well as she works with the Mission to Amish People charity and their mandate is to help those who wish to leave the old religion and start new lives in the
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"Englisher" world. The heroine in this book is Leah and we watch as she begins to question the tight rules and regulations of the Old Order Amish to which her and her family belong. She discovers a different and rewarding life and becomes a born-again Christian. Leah faces tremendous odds, punishment and banishment pursuing her new religion. With the help of her Christian friends and her young Amish man, she finds the strength to hang onto her beliefs and to her God even though she is ostracized from her Amish family. Even though I've always been interested in the Amish faith and lifestyle, I don't know if I would have read this book on my own. I was asked by the publisher to read and review it, and I am glad that I was chosen to read this book. I really enjoyed it and I thought Leah was a tremendous character - realistic and believable. I feel that I learned a lot about religion and faith after reading this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member Moonpie72
I really enjoy reading Amish fiction, and especially did this book. Not that I would want Amish people to have problems, but the idyllic life portrayed in many books is only showing one side of their lifestyle. This book actually addresses questions I have wondered if Amish youth might struggle
Seventeen year old Leah loves the life she leads, the closeness of family and community, and traditions. Her friend Martha was in her rumspringen and using that time to experience many sins the world had to offer. Her desire was to leave the Amish permanently. Leah on the other hand had no desire to explore the English world or leave her home. Her rumspringen was one of a spiritual nature.
The Old Order Amish she was a part of were very strict. Until reading this book I was not aware that the Bishop could set rules for the community he was over. Leah’s Bishop was extremely strict. The only Bible they could read was the German one and she didn’t understand it. Dark purple curtains were only allowed in windows, reflective triangles on buggies were sins, yet sexual abuse within a family was dealt with lightly. It wasn’t that way in other Amish communities and Leah wanted to know the “why” behind all the rules.
After secretly attending a Bible Study at the home of an ex-Amish couple, Leah’s eyes are open to the gospel of Christ and the way of salvation. She accepts Christ as her Savior. She realizes following the Ordnung and being a member of the church will not get her to Heaven. She hungers to learn more about God and read His Word. She tries to be open with her parents but they see desire to grow as rebellious and sinful.
The Bishop advises her family to treat her as if she were shunned to give her a wakeup call. Torn between the love of her family and following Christ she feels forced to leave her home. She moves in with the ex-Amish couple and becomes a part of the English world. While she finds it exciting at first she truly misses her family. How can she remain honest and not denounce her true salvation? Homesickness wins out. Leah returns believing God can work in her family’s hearts and she live Amish yet still read her Bible and be true to her new faith.
Her homecoming is a painful shock. Her family still rejects her. The Bishop insists she must give up her Bible. I will not reveal the ending but I learned of the extreme and harsh measures the Amish will take to keep a member from disobeying. The ending is a special surprise!
The book was excellent. It truly made me think about situations all over the world where people are forced to choose between Christ and those they love the most. The story is a beautiful example sacrificing all to take a stand for Him.
I received this book free from Kregal Publishers. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
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with. Seventeen year old Leah loves the life she leads, the closeness of family and community, and traditions. Her friend Martha was in her rumspringen and using that time to experience many sins the world had to offer. Her desire was to leave the Amish permanently. Leah on the other hand had no desire to explore the English world or leave her home. Her rumspringen was one of a spiritual nature.
The Old Order Amish she was a part of were very strict. Until reading this book I was not aware that the Bishop could set rules for the community he was over. Leah’s Bishop was extremely strict. The only Bible they could read was the German one and she didn’t understand it. Dark purple curtains were only allowed in windows, reflective triangles on buggies were sins, yet sexual abuse within a family was dealt with lightly. It wasn’t that way in other Amish communities and Leah wanted to know the “why” behind all the rules.
After secretly attending a Bible Study at the home of an ex-Amish couple, Leah’s eyes are open to the gospel of Christ and the way of salvation. She accepts Christ as her Savior. She realizes following the Ordnung and being a member of the church will not get her to Heaven. She hungers to learn more about God and read His Word. She tries to be open with her parents but they see desire to grow as rebellious and sinful.
The Bishop advises her family to treat her as if she were shunned to give her a wakeup call. Torn between the love of her family and following Christ she feels forced to leave her home. She moves in with the ex-Amish couple and becomes a part of the English world. While she finds it exciting at first she truly misses her family. How can she remain honest and not denounce her true salvation? Homesickness wins out. Leah returns believing God can work in her family’s hearts and she live Amish yet still read her Bible and be true to her new faith.
Her homecoming is a painful shock. Her family still rejects her. The Bishop insists she must give up her Bible. I will not reveal the ending but I learned of the extreme and harsh measures the Amish will take to keep a member from disobeying. The ending is a special surprise!
The book was excellent. It truly made me think about situations all over the world where people are forced to choose between Christ and those they love the most. The story is a beautiful example sacrificing all to take a stand for Him.
I received this book free from Kregal Publishers. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
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LibraryThing member alekee
The Miting is a powerful Christian read, exposing some of the misconceptions in some of the Amish sects beliefs. Of course, they are not all alike; this book is focusing on one of the strictest communities, the Swartzentruber Amish.
Miting is another word for Shunning, and even though the main
What a difficult decision to make, and how easy it would be to just accept what her faith is telling her. Accept or walk away, not always that easy, especially when God is leading you in a different direction. If she stays with her parents and siblings, and now a boyfriend, and pretends to be Amish, life can stay as she knows, but can she? If she follows her heart and leaves she loses everything she has ever known, what a decision for a seventeen year old.
Join Leah as she searches her heart, and tries to share salvation with her loved ones. You will not believe what happens to her, and who helps her. I don’t want to believe that things like this happen, but it sounded so real. This is a real eye opening book, and one that readers of Amish fiction should not miss! I am glad I was given the chance to read this, and it will linger with you for a long time after the last page is turned.
I received this book through Kregel Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review.
Miting is another word for Shunning, and even though the main
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character Leah has not joined the Church, yet she is treated as if she had. You will cry for her, such pain, and heartbreak, and what does she do? She accepts Christ as her savior. Watch or rather read whom God places in her path, coincidence? No I don’t think so.What a difficult decision to make, and how easy it would be to just accept what her faith is telling her. Accept or walk away, not always that easy, especially when God is leading you in a different direction. If she stays with her parents and siblings, and now a boyfriend, and pretends to be Amish, life can stay as she knows, but can she? If she follows her heart and leaves she loses everything she has ever known, what a decision for a seventeen year old.
Join Leah as she searches her heart, and tries to share salvation with her loved ones. You will not believe what happens to her, and who helps her. I don’t want to believe that things like this happen, but it sounded so real. This is a real eye opening book, and one that readers of Amish fiction should not miss! I am glad I was given the chance to read this, and it will linger with you for a long time after the last page is turned.
I received this book through Kregel Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review.
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LibraryThing member itsJUSTme
Fantastic book! This book is very real. As you all know I read a lot of Amish fiction and even non-fiction. Some of you may not know this though - I live in the finger-lakes area of NY and there are a LOT of Amish here! I am surrounded by them in my everyday life. I go to an Amish store at least
This book had a very different feel to it than the other stories I have read. The other ones were great, nice reading and there is usually someone who does want to leave the Amish but I feel like it is always candy coated to make a nice story - and I enjoy that too don't get me wrong. This book doesn't do that. This book is so real - I feel like a fly on the wall eavesdropping. Sometimes I even felt like "Should I be listening to that? LOL"It says that her fiction is based on real people so its no wonder it feels so real.
This is a very interesting book that kept up the pace all throughout! With its very good descriptions and excellent character development. I loved Leah and I could really feel her dilemma. Once she accepted Jesus as her Savior she struggled staying with her Old Order Amish family. They and the Bishop believed it was a sin! Imagine! She, even at only seventeen, had some very hard decisions to make about her own life.
I read the whole last half of this book in one sitting because I HAD to know what was going to happen to Leah. This story moves right along and is a very interesting read! I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in Amish living and Amish fiction.
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two times a week during the summer. Thats where I get most, if not all, of my veggies and plants.This book had a very different feel to it than the other stories I have read. The other ones were great, nice reading and there is usually someone who does want to leave the Amish but I feel like it is always candy coated to make a nice story - and I enjoy that too don't get me wrong. This book doesn't do that. This book is so real - I feel like a fly on the wall eavesdropping. Sometimes I even felt like "Should I be listening to that? LOL"It says that her fiction is based on real people so its no wonder it feels so real.
This is a very interesting book that kept up the pace all throughout! With its very good descriptions and excellent character development. I loved Leah and I could really feel her dilemma. Once she accepted Jesus as her Savior she struggled staying with her Old Order Amish family. They and the Bishop believed it was a sin! Imagine! She, even at only seventeen, had some very hard decisions to make about her own life.
I read the whole last half of this book in one sitting because I HAD to know what was going to happen to Leah. This story moves right along and is a very interesting read! I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in Amish living and Amish fiction.
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LibraryThing member deanna13
The Miting by Dee Yoder is the most enlightening Amish novel that I have ever read. Leah Raber is torn between her Amish beliefs and her desire to read the Bible which is forbidden by the Old Order Amish Church. She has no desire to go through rumspringen as many of the Amish teenagers do, she only
I have read many Amish novels but none has ever explained shunning so well. I knew what shunning was but it had never really registered with me how devastating it could be to the individual being shunned. I was surprised at the large number of things that the Amish are not allowed to do, many in my opinion seem ridiculous. Dee Yoder did an outstanding job in the development of this story. Every character in the story came to life and I felt as if I knew them. Many I loved and several I could barely tolerate. All the scenes were so realistic that many times I was in tears as I was reading, and if not in tears then sometimes fighting mad. There were a few twists and turns in the story but they added to the suspense of the story. Would Leah stay Amish or become English and will Jacob become part of her life? After reading this story, I have great respect for those who want to leave the Amish life for the freedom to read and study the Bible and to accept Christ as their Savior. I never realized how very hard that could be. I definitely hope that there will be a sequel for I want to know more about Leah and Jacob and would also like to know if Martha ever found happiness.
I very highly recommend this book to all who would like to know more about the Amish while reading a very enjoyable story that will touch the heart.
Kregel Publications provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
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wants to be free to read her Bible, to understand her relationship with God, and to attend a Bible study conducted by an ex-Amish couple. She does not understand how so many of the Amish “rules” are not in the Bible so she asks questions and this causes her family and the bishop to call her rebellious. Leah’s best friend Martha is also Amish but her family and the church do not prevent her from being abused by a family member. This and all the other unanswered questions cause Leah to finally leave the Amish life. She adapts well to the Englisher world but she is suffering greatly from homesickness. She finally goes back to her family but the miting/shunning is extremely severe and very painful but if she will give up reading the Bible, the miting will be lifted. Leah also wonders if everything that is happening to her will prevent her from having a lasting relationship with Jacob Yoder.I have read many Amish novels but none has ever explained shunning so well. I knew what shunning was but it had never really registered with me how devastating it could be to the individual being shunned. I was surprised at the large number of things that the Amish are not allowed to do, many in my opinion seem ridiculous. Dee Yoder did an outstanding job in the development of this story. Every character in the story came to life and I felt as if I knew them. Many I loved and several I could barely tolerate. All the scenes were so realistic that many times I was in tears as I was reading, and if not in tears then sometimes fighting mad. There were a few twists and turns in the story but they added to the suspense of the story. Would Leah stay Amish or become English and will Jacob become part of her life? After reading this story, I have great respect for those who want to leave the Amish life for the freedom to read and study the Bible and to accept Christ as their Savior. I never realized how very hard that could be. I definitely hope that there will be a sequel for I want to know more about Leah and Jacob and would also like to know if Martha ever found happiness.
I very highly recommend this book to all who would like to know more about the Amish while reading a very enjoyable story that will touch the heart.
Kregel Publications provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
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LibraryThing member skstiles612
I am familiar with a lot of Amish fiction. You know the kind, all romance and sometimes mystery. There is almost always a happy ending. I am also familiar with books that talk about people leaving the Amish lifestyle for various reasons. My former daughter-in-laws grandmother was Amish until she
A lot of young Amish kids go through a Rumspringa, where they try out the Englisher world. This is done before they decide whether they want to join the church or not. Leah wasn’t that type of kid. At age 17 she loved God so much she wanted to know more about him. In her order she was only allowed to read the German Bible, which she had difficulty understanding. She also didn’t understand why her order had certain rules that were extremely strict compared to other orders. She learned very quickly that you didn’t voice those questions aloud. She also learned that you didn’t read an English Bible and you didn’t question what more God had for you. To do so in her order was considered being disobedient to her family and her bishop. The consequence of this was to be counseled. Unfortunately this wasn’t the type of counseling we might go through. The counselor could put her in a hospital and treat her with drugs and other things against her wishes. It didn’t matter if she was 18 or older. They would take it so far as to keep her prisoner until the counselor would arrive. Anyone trying to rescue her would be kept away. In Leah’s case her boyfriend Jacob stood by her side. Other members of the order stood guard in the barn and around the property to make sure there was no rescue attempt.
I could identify with Leah. Their belief system reminded me of a time in Catholic history when Bibles were chained to the pulpit and people were kept illiterate so they couldn’t read the Bible for themselves. They could only believe what they were told. When my mom became a Christian I was five years old. She had no one to guide her in her walk so she decided to err on the side of right. She got rid of all board games because they contained dice and since people used to shoot craps with dice then games with dice might be a sin. Dancing became a sin. The worst spanking I ever received was because my cousin and I were pretending to be ballerinas. Most TV shows were a sin. I had to wear dresses most of the time because to wear pants to church was a sin. You see where I am going with this. Sometimes rules and regulations can become more important than God’s word. I applauded Leah for wanting to have a personal relationship with God. This is a book I would recommend to everyone whether they like Amish fiction or not.
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was shunned. Living in Sarasota, Florida I see everything from Mennonite to all levels of Amish. Knowing all of this made this novel seem so dark. Unfortunately from people I know, I understand that there are Old Order Amish that go through situations like this all the time.A lot of young Amish kids go through a Rumspringa, where they try out the Englisher world. This is done before they decide whether they want to join the church or not. Leah wasn’t that type of kid. At age 17 she loved God so much she wanted to know more about him. In her order she was only allowed to read the German Bible, which she had difficulty understanding. She also didn’t understand why her order had certain rules that were extremely strict compared to other orders. She learned very quickly that you didn’t voice those questions aloud. She also learned that you didn’t read an English Bible and you didn’t question what more God had for you. To do so in her order was considered being disobedient to her family and her bishop. The consequence of this was to be counseled. Unfortunately this wasn’t the type of counseling we might go through. The counselor could put her in a hospital and treat her with drugs and other things against her wishes. It didn’t matter if she was 18 or older. They would take it so far as to keep her prisoner until the counselor would arrive. Anyone trying to rescue her would be kept away. In Leah’s case her boyfriend Jacob stood by her side. Other members of the order stood guard in the barn and around the property to make sure there was no rescue attempt.
I could identify with Leah. Their belief system reminded me of a time in Catholic history when Bibles were chained to the pulpit and people were kept illiterate so they couldn’t read the Bible for themselves. They could only believe what they were told. When my mom became a Christian I was five years old. She had no one to guide her in her walk so she decided to err on the side of right. She got rid of all board games because they contained dice and since people used to shoot craps with dice then games with dice might be a sin. Dancing became a sin. The worst spanking I ever received was because my cousin and I were pretending to be ballerinas. Most TV shows were a sin. I had to wear dresses most of the time because to wear pants to church was a sin. You see where I am going with this. Sometimes rules and regulations can become more important than God’s word. I applauded Leah for wanting to have a personal relationship with God. This is a book I would recommend to everyone whether they like Amish fiction or not.
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Language
Original language
English
ISBN
9780825443008