Mosie

He softly crept out the door of his farm house. It was a still, dark night. For two miles he walked along the shadowy country road and debated his decision to leave. 

Eighteen-year-old Mosie, born into a New York Amish family, one of twelve children, turned from his society and all he knew because “there had to be more.” Tears welled up in his eyes as he feared being caught and stopped, and dreaded the painful shunning if he succeeded. Wearing his handmade, Amish clothes, and with $50 tucked into his pocket, he made his stealth escape.

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Mosie & his Amish brother

I admit it; until three years ago, I knew little of  the Amish. I neither romanticized nor criticized this culture even though I live in Ohio, home to the largest number of Amish settlements nationwide.

Then, by divine ordinance, Mosie, Uria, Andy, Dan, Harvey, Levi, and Jonas came into our home. By mutual adoption, our "son" Mosie became a daily and valued family member.

Then Harvey - who grew up Amish and left - married our daughter. Marvin, Uriah, and John were brief relationships. Jonas (who prefers Josh) moved into our hearts and is a permanent family member now. And there's sweet Mary, Sarah, Martha, Noah, my pals in the Amish & Beyond group, and more via Twitter. I'm on a vertical learning curve about this society; those both inside and outside. I'll have stories and fascinating details in coming weeks. So follow by email (see right column) to stay informed.

Feel free to ask questions, leave comments, give suggestions. After all, the great minds are always learning, right?   ~ Brenda

(C)Copyright 2012, Brenda Nixon.

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9/17/14 Update - Thanks for reading this blog. What is 200,000? The number of readers worldwide who come to learn accurate details or entertaining stories about the Swartzentruber (and sometimes Old Order) Amish.

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