Recently, I received an e-mail from a young woman, Kate, who is planning to convert to the Amish. Kate has offered to write a few guest posts for my blog to share her experience and answer your questions. For the next few Mondays and Tuesdays, you can read about Kate’s journey to the Amish.
Hello everyone!
I want to thank Suzanne for having me as a guest blogger on her blog it is such a privilege for me. I’ll start by describing me and why I’m guest blogging and go from there. I find that a lot of people find my “story” interesting and something a lot of people have thought about doing themselves but, to me, it is just simply my following God’s Will.
What am I doing? Lord willing, I am joining an Old Order Amish church in Michigan this coming summer after I graduate high school (my parents requested I do this and I want to obey them since I am 17). I’m sure, depending on the individual person, your thoughts are going everywhere right now! From agreeing with me, to disagreeing, to thinking I have no idea what I’m doing. These are the type of responses I get from friends and family members when I tell them of my plans.
My wanting to be Amish started back when I was in 2nd grade. My grandparents lived in the same town and on the same road as a lot of Amish families amidst a medium sized community. I just loved the dresses, horses and cute white houses. That’s where my interest began and I believe God was leading me to them even when I was that young but giving me those silly reasons for wanting to join them.
I was saved by the grace of God in 5th grade and once again began thinking of the Amish. I was new in my walk with Christ and was learning about Him every day. When I was ten years old I got a crazy idea while sitting at my grandmother’s house. I was going to write those Amish a letter! I wrote a letter, (I wish I remembered what I wrote), and cut a sunflower from Grandma’s garden and walked the half mile down to the Miller farm. I simply left the note and flower by their mailbox and walked home. A few weeks later I received a letter in the mailbox from the mother at that Amish home! I began getting close to this family through monthly letters to her daughters and Saturday afternoon visits.
After two years of these visits they had an idea…I should come to church with them. I had already told the mother I wrote to that I wanted to be Amish but, of course, coming from a ten-year-old that didn’t mean much. We dug through clothes and found me a suitable dress, kapp and black shoes to wear. I had an amazing day, though I was so nervous I made myself sick, even though I couldn’t understand a word of the three hour preaching.
At twelve years of age, I knew there was something special about the Amish. Sitting in church I could feel unity and something that I had never felt before in an “English” church. Afterwards everyone visited and I made some wonderful new friends. (One of the girls I was closest to would later be called to Heaven after a buggy crash.)
Now, five years from that special Sunday, I sit here and reminisce over those fond memories of my first few churches services among the Amish. God has done remarkable and life-changing work in my life and has led me to the Amish faith without a doubt in my mind. Everything that has happened in my life seems to be pointing this direction, from that first letter I wrote to the childish dreams of dressings and buggies.
I’ll go into more detail on my spiritual journey to the Amish and how I’ve grown in God because of this in a later blog post.
I’m always willing to (try) to answer any questions about the Amish you may have or joining them either at my blog www.journeytoamish.blogspot or through email at wardekai000@yahoo.com and I am sure Suzanne is happy to do the same. God bless you and have a wonderful day! ♥
What made you decide to convert to old order amish and not one of the other orders?
Congrats on your life long dream! But it wont be long now that you not able to blog. So I will be following this blog to read you story. I wish you the best and may god bless
So interesting! Will look forward to following your journey as far as we can go!
I have read this blog before but I didn't want to offend or bother you with my comments or questions. Like you I have felt as if God was leading me to the Amish faith and church but unfortunately I was already married and I had three children. I know it is not possible for me to be a member of the church or community but I wish you the best in your journey. God bless
Hi 🙂 I decided on the Old Order because I apprecatiated their stance on issues and things I agree with. These are the churches around me so I think that has part of the choice too.
Thank you to each of you! And no I will not be blogging once I am Amish but I have considered sending a letter to a friend every now and then to post so you all can know. Though that would probably just be until I was baptized.
You are more than welcome to email or comment on my blog. I may not have time to answer everyone but I do try 🙂
Kate
What I think, is that you have a fascination with the Amish that will soon fade when you realize what would be required of you, if it were even plausible. The fact that your on the internet, because you “still can” tells me your probably acting out a fantasy and are completely unaware of the commitment a conversion would take. If you were sincere in your religious beliefs, youd have given it up a long time ago. If it will be wrong next year, it is wrong now. Its kind of like the guy that says he’ll quit smoking next month. Im not sure you understand, that one doesnt simply “join” the Amish. You seem to be more interested in “telling your story” about “joining the Amish” than anything else. There is entirely no guarntee the Amish will accept you, as they generally dont accept “Englishers.” Someone of your age is especially at a disadvantage, as you dont have resources, and they realize you are likely acting out a immature fantasy rather than a “calling.” Having spoken with a Amish Elder in the past about converts, he said they are highly discouraged, even if they believe the person is spirtually sincere. They feel that there are plenty of other churches that support austerity of living, join one and dont go about worshiping God the hard way just for the novelty of it. At 17 having a fascination with the Amish lifesyle and religion I can assure you simply wont be enough to join the Amish community, esp the Olde Order. Not to mention if they find out your “blogging” about it, or doing “Q and A’s ” about your “journey”, your sure to be rejected, and rightfully so. The Amish place great emphasis on humility and not drawing attention to ones self….T
Kate, Will you have to give up the computer, or will you be able to use a battery-operated laptop?
Kaye Whitney
kayewhitney@bellsouth.net
I want to do a Q & A post so I'll save all these questions for that post. Feel free to leave a question here or at my blog and I'll answer them then.
Hi there Kate! I'm following you along here too! 😀 I'm so happy that you are a guest blogger, and I just wanted you to know I'm here supporting you! 🙂 YAY! –S
very interesting, i wish you can continue the blog after joining the amish, i hope you do that thing sending letters to your friend or something!
Hi their! I just wanted to ask how to go about to becoming Amish. My husband and I joined a Mennonite Church in IL were we live. We've been going for 8 months. We were going to be baptized, but we have came into some problems. We are moving up to Michagan in a few days. I'm begining to think God has bigger and better plans for us. I'm having such strong feelings about going this way and have for some time now. Were both so shy we don't know how to go forth with what God has in mind for us. Please help! Thank you and God bless
where’s my post? not writing the whole post out again lol you missed a typo mods
i wanna become amish but im only 14 what am i suposed to do????
I want to become amish and im 12 years old i am in the 8 th grade i want to know how to
become amish and know which to go to call me at 8323299265
Kate~ You are truly an inspiration! I am a mom of 6, grandmother of 3 and I have a wonderful husband. As I was growing up in northern Indiana I had many opportunities to be around the Amish. So often I yearned to be one of the little girls in the Amish families. Just always felt they knew who they were, why and what was expected. Even as an adult my thoughts often wander to what a life within the Amish community would have been like. I will keep watch for your notes and live just a bit of that life through you. I pray you have a fulfilled and meaningful life in your journey.
Hello katrina and destiny!! Im 12 to and want to be amish! if you want to talk
3085209494
sarahmeyer12800@yahoo.ocm
Does anybody know what happened to Kate? I used to follow her blog but it looks like it’s been hacked by somebody in Russian now. I hope she has joined the Amish as she wanted and is happy 🙂
Hey so I want to become a Amish I am only 14 and I wanted to be Amish sins I was 7 years old how do I become one ? I know that Amish does not watch t.v or listen to radios that’s ok to me cause t.v ant good it’s bad that’s why I don’t watch it I don’t listen to radio eather well unless I drive with my mom or sister cause they listen to the radio my mom says I’m practaly all ready Amish cause I do every thank they mosly do that I no I help my aunt on her farm and I cook I help others and go to church and read the bible pleas if u have any info on how I can become Amish please email me
A 10 year-old Amish girl, Sarah Hershberger, is being forced to receive chemotherapy against her parent and grandparents wishes. A court order was issued October 7, 2013 at the request of attorneys representing Akron Children’s Hospital (ACH) to continue chemotherapy for more than two years. Open the link below to read the full story.
https://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/10-year-old-amish-girl-declared-cancer-free-/145672
The above link will direct you to a fundraiser website where you can read the full story and also watch the news about Sarah Hershberger.
Amshprotect.
Dearest Suzanne,
I often think of Kate, on her wanting to become amish. I wonder what is the latest on Kate. Did she stay on being an amish ? Thank you for any information. I do know her blog site is not up anymore. thank you and Have a Happy Easter!
I would love to know what became of this young girl who wanted to be an Amish? Have you heard from her? Is she doing well? Thank you kindly for any information about her. Have a bless day!