Amish, exAmish and the American Culture - A Spontaneous Discussion!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.พ. 2025
- In this episode, while on a date weekend, we randomly started a discussion that we decided to capture on camera about the Amish, the exAmish and the struggles of both, while living in the American culture of today!
I know a number of "x-Amish" that know the Lord and display the peace of God in their daily lives.
I wonder where you grew up that they don't shun you. My parents had no intention to leave the Amish but the ministers did not want my father to be in the lot as a possible preacher so they found some little thing to put him in the bond till after "big church." Because he stood firm that he indeed had sold the chain saw as they suddenly required of him they kicked him out. Should he have lied to be at what they call peace? Unity at all cost. I am so thankful that we are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. No longer enslaved to traditions of men and the ordinances that stand against us and are contrary to us.
I do so enjoy watching your home style living and all of the wonderful things we inherited from our heritage. The canning, the cooking, the building. All of that I'm so thankful for. And yes, I love family and I love my family that is only because of Jesus Christ and the community that we have together.
Joas, you pondered the question, am i full of tranquility. I watch your videos because of your peace. I love that you are thoughtful, and kind, that you treat your lovely Pricilla with love and make her feel precious. Your children are balanced emotionally, and have such a good work ethic already. Your whole family is a blessing to the world, and anyone watching can feel the Holy Spirit because you're full of the fruits. When I watch , I often laugh, and I cry with a certain joy, because this world is dying, and the neo Marxist governments want to destroy all that you are.True, Good, and Peaceable. I love that you pray, say grace, that you post blessings at the end of your videos.
In short, I love you all, my brothers and sisters in Christ. THANK YOU for being you. X
I am a Christian. Never Amish, but I always respected the Amish. I love your videos. I pray that you remain firm in your faith about Jesus as the son of God and way to salvation from sin and Hell. Reading the Holy Bible and teaching your children to respect and obey it as the word of God is so valuable for a blessed life. Keep the videos coming ! God bless!
Just love and respect you both so much.
You both are a breath of fresh air! My husband was raised Amish, (Homes county, Ohio) I was raised conservative Mennonite, a PK, so it’s very wonderful to hear you both talk about the Lord, and found out what it means to be saved! I really believe that more and more Amish Preachers are preaching about salvation! Which is so wonderful! We have been to Rexford and Libby, so beautiful there! I’m from Oregon, now live in Sarasota, FL.. Thanks for your TH-cam videos, really enjoy them! Blessings to you both!
One of the attributes of the Amish culture that I've been drawn to since I was a very young girl is the dedication of family and community. I can understand how hard it is to turn and leave that. But Jesus has a lot to say about leaving our comfort zones and following Him. Blessings to you all!!
Being English, I appreciate you opening up to us and sharing your culture. I very much believe that all of us have uniqueness and with respect and understanding, we all make up a beautiful quilt. 🕊 ❤️
Good work Kelly!
You guys are my new favorite TH-cam channel. Just discovered you. I have 2 sets of twins and 6 kids! The scenery is beautiful!
Thank you for sharing this! We live next to an Amish Community in Moore, MT. We have enjoyed the people we have known through building our house and getting local groceries. They are just people like us all.
...a beautiful communication.....I love your realness, respect for each other, your peace, ..... I love that you get away just you two!💕👍. ......
God Bless you both. Have a great date. You deserve it! ❤️🙏
God Bless you both. The only thing that really matters is that we realize that it’s not about any religion but instead it’s the relationship that we have with the Father, Son & Holy Spirit.
Hi I am from Canada in a little village called Vanessa Ontario. We have a large Amish community to the north of us all around a town called Almira Ontario and love the culture. I came across your channel after watching a 6 part series called Breaking the Silence my Amish Story on TH-cam. I love how your family has been on a journey and it is evident in your family. Romans 6: 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. NIV ..I once heard a pastor say that in the Old Testament the 10 commandments were commands but in the New Testament in the life of the Spirit they are promises (because you won’t want to )and we are in Christ so Romans 8: 1-4 ...no longer condemned...Jesus has set us free ...the law was powerless to do...God sent his Son as a sin offering...so that the righteous requirement of the law might be met in us...because we don’t live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit....and this brings freedom (not to do as we want)but no longer bound by the rules of man but by the Spirit of God and become a light to a dying world that has no hope.
I feel a kinship with you and because of Christ we are of the same Spirit ...Keep up the good work you never know who will be touched by your post ..and it could be just a post of how to make delicious cinnamon roles.
Thank you for sharing Kenneth! I have cousins living in Almyr . My uncle lived there for quite some time.
Also, I went to school with Joseph Graber who filmed the series you’re speaking of.
Blessings to you!
We bless you back! You both are so refreshing and its easy to see the peace that passes all understanding upon you. The Lord is good and gracious to His children! God bless you brother and sister!🤗🕊🔥💖✝️💕❣
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it! I've left the Amish 10 years ago and I know exactly what you are talking about being lost. My brother in-law lives around round up Mt area and our plan is to go see them this summer and we may have to come and meet you all! God bless you and your family 🙏
I have been following you for several months now. Your channel is one of my favorites. I bless you also and am so grateful for being invited to come along side of your journey. I love learning about Amish culture and meeting your family. I love learning about my brothers and sisters in Christ! God bless you!
Love,
Kristin
As an Englishman, I find your culture very interesting and I want to learn more! I’m in Ohio and we have our Amish communities here as well! I love visiting the area! We all have the love of God in our hearts, some just don’t realize it yet! God bless you and your family and I want you to teach us more!
Thank you Tom !
Very interesting conversations! Glad you shared your thoughts with us!
Thanks Abigail!
It's no longer I that liveth but Christ that liveth in me. I can't improve on this scripture with any fancy words. I appreciate your honesty and truth.
An interesting conversation. I am British and often wondered how you manage to be so balanced within your culture. I think there is an element of strictness regarding Amish, Mennonite cultures that ‘we’ on the outside looking in don’t always understand. I recall asking you both when I first started watching your vlogs about being ‘shunned’ and if you still get to see your family. I totally understand now where you and a lot of others sit within the ‘culture’. Thank you for sharing.
Such a sweet blessing you give to each of us and I bless you also through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Every person is inherently in bondage to something. With the Amish culture it is the strict rules, even with much of the church today it is a less obvious form of self righteousness. What we all need is the freedom from bondage no matter where it comes from. Always remember that to God our righteousness is as filthy rags. Freedom and true purpose comes only from being a friend of the cross-we all need to live into that! Holding dearly to that which is good, and letting go of the things that weight us down!
Hi Joas and Priscilla, aw two very beautiful people I love your philosophy, you're so welcoming and I love watching and listening to you both, thank you, God Bless you and your family, my you always leave me feeling like the sunshine shines brighter, hugs from Shropshire UK. Oops back again forgot to say enjoy your break both of you, you deserve it and it'll recharge you ready for back to work, sorry old lady brain, I think I need a recharge.
Thank you Shelley !
I want to thank you both for sharing the Amish culture. It's an enriching knowledge to learn from you and seeing your other videos with your loving children..May God blesses you all with good health and more blessings to come your way. Do take care and be safe from this COVID- 19.. Godspeed always.
I am new to your channel and I have been binge watching your videos. I am an Amish School bus driver and their taxi driver. I love your channel.
Welcome Rhonda!
I would like to meet you guys. I left the amish and I'm one of those few you're talking about.
God Bless you! Thanks for sharing your testimony!
I have never found you offensive in any way. I have enjoyed your videos. I also feel fortunate you are providing an understanding of Old Order Amish. I have often wondered about the Amish culture and did not really have a good reference. I am English and live in Southwest Michigan. There are Amish communities just south of where I live. Understanding differences and seeing similarities between cultures are so incredibly important to getting along with each other. Thank you for your videos. I appreciate your willingness to share and be a bridge.
Thank you for that! Knowing your identity is the key, I'm glad you both have discovered that!
I love the way you worded it . Family is important- I am very happy to have been raised half Italian & Polish. Raised in gorgeous upstate NY💖
I just love you all!!!!❤️
I stumbled on your
channel by accident ( I know God led me to you). With all the turmoil in the world it is refreshing to see and know God has his people and they are willing to share their faith and his love. Thank you for sharing.
God bless you and your loved ones. 🙏🏽🕊
Welcome Adele!
Thanks so much for this video !! I was so blessed with what you shared and fully understand what you are talking about, God bless you as you continue to work for his kingdom!!!
Blessings to you Nora!
I loved the Amish people I bought baked goods from in Clare where we have a community. The cinnamon rolls were delicious. I’m so impressed with the Amish work ethic and their respect for older folks. Very nice video, Blessings from Michigan
Love this channel! Good conversation, Thank you for sharing! You are a handsome hard working man & your wife is very Beautiful & hard working. Love that you know the Lord & have recently be listing to your financial advice.
I read "Growing Up Amish" by Ira Wagler two summers ago and he seems to have had a harder time adjusting to his Amish roots. He grew up in a very conservative Amish sect and spent his time going in and out of the Amish and even lived near Shipshewana, Indiana. His father was famous and a writer for the Budget and other publications. Eventually he decided to leave for good and went to college and then on to become a lawyer. He does not practice law now but works in an Amish business in Lancaster, PA.. He was angry and abused whiskey for a while to cover up his hurt from a failed marriage and depression. He now has written a second book called "Broken Roads" which is out just now. I have not yet read it. I do feel that it must be very hard transitioning out into the "English world." He is a wonderful writer and I have learned a lot about Amish life from his experiences. I am learning that there are many diverse Amish people with individual experiences and now I am learning from yours as well. I like the fact that you preserve the family values of the Amish and yet are progressive in that you accept some forms of modern life. You have a balance that I have not seen before. Thank you for your channel.
Thank you for your comment Jennifer Lee! Yes I believe it is very hard for some of the amish to transition out of their Amish roots, especially if they come from a very conservative Amish settlement.
I agree: love the Lord with all your heart.... and your neighbor as your yourself. Everything in our Christianity needs to flow out of those two commandments. It's poinless in preaching to someone I don't love (it won't have effect)
Thank you for sharing your discussion with us. I really appreciate you folks. How nice to have a chance to get out and enjoy time together. My husband and I are retired, but one of our favorite things is being able to just enjoy coffee in the morning and share time together.
I also like the term Non-traditional Amish instead of ex Amish. It is so wonderful that you have been able to maintain a closeness with the community. I live in Alaska right now but there is a large community of Amish in Maine where I moved from. They have moved in and restored so many of the farms that had become run down. It’s great to see them all restored and working.
God bless you and your family, and thank you for sharing your testimony and pieces of your lives.
I am so thankful that the Lord has blessed you and brought you into our homes. You have touched my heart in a way that words cannot express.
Thank you so much Penny for your kind words! Blessings on you and your family!
I'm from a fundamental church of christ, and I completely understand when you say the roots of what you learned you should take with you even though you've grown to want to go on the journey separate then the way you started.
I love your consistent message of UNITY!
I was Holdeman Mennonite. I wasn't born into the culture but was excommunicated from the church but I'm still drawn to the Mennonite/Amish culture. It took me quite a while to heal from the hurt but I can truly say that I've gotten over it because I know what God has called me to and I was in the Mennonite church for a season.
Aww love the impromptu chat inviting us in. 😊 you need date night it’s important to take care of yourselves and your relationship. 💕💕 I totally agree with your point stay strong to your background and upbringing hurtful or not. We all have strengths to share, good or not.
Thank you Kim!
I love your talks together. I am glad you both had some times away. May you have a wonderful weekend. God bless your family.
Thanks Cynthia!
Love your impromptu chats!
Always love your talks with us, your TH-cam family, we are truly blessed to be a small part of it, hugs and kisses 🌸💕
you guys are so sweet, thanks from canada...where it's snowing right now lol
Cheri, thanks for watching!
I could hear this one so well. And will pass on your site to our family and friends. Your insights are so helpful.
Thank you for your kind words!
Thank you so much for sharing your life experiences having been brought up in the Amish ways. You really blessed me and gave me a real insight.
I really love your stories and I'm german and had the same life that you had I'm mennonite german
I would like to Thank You... You see, I've always admired the Amish for family values. I could always see the strong connection, but my limited knowledge was television and bad acting. However, even with that in the back ground was family.... So, I THANK YOU very much for enlightening me......
Thank you so much for sharing your life experiences having been brought up in the Amish ways. You really blessed me and gave me a real insight. Thank you so much for sharing your life experiences having been brought up in the Amish ways. You really blessed me and gave me a real insight.
Thank you for your kind comment Beatrice!
People are people everywhere you go. We are not much different when you get down to the brass tacks, so to speak. If you have a strong love for your family, fellow man and God, you will find peace and your way in life. I try not to get too hung up on labels. I try to have a love and respect for everyone that reciprocates and is good and pure of heart. Go in peace where ever you go.
God Bless you both and your families. When I watch you guys I can feel the love you have for your fellow man, even ones that are different, and may have slightly different beliefs religiously. No acting here. Just pure love and humanity. You guys are GOOD PEOPLE. I have never met you, but I am sure I a can be proud to call you friends, and I don't throw that word around willy nilly.
Thank you for sharing!
We are new to your channel. We are wondering if you and your family have a place of worship now that you have left the Amish? Do you still worship with the Amish? It is wonderful that you both have a little time away by yourselves.
Very insightful video
Very well explained thank you
I find the found this conversation interesting. That you for sharing.🙏😊❤️
You are Wonderful, Kind Couple❤️Bless You And Your Family💓Please Continue Making Videos ❤️I'm Not Amish ,But You Bring Back To My Childhood, And What I Believe🙏💓
I don't remember how I started to watch you on TH-cam but after the first video I was anxious to see more because the two of you exude peace and caring. You are such a blessing. I love how you look at each other you can tell you have mutual respect and caring and it is the same with your children. I do have one question, when you return to the more traditional Amish services etc. are you expected to dress in the "traditional" Amish style?
Thank you for watching! Yes, we often dress more traditional out of respect.
Always nice videos. Great family God bless you always. 😍
God bless you and I love you all
Glad you take the time to get away and be with each other
I believe you both can help those that need healing so they can become better individuals in the society. Amish is not the only religion that do those stuffs. Where does it say in the Bible to shun, excommunicate etc. Jesus said to go after that one lost sheep. Am so glad that both of you are living your life the way you want too. Heavenly thanks for all your sharing. I enjoyed watching your videos. Keep them coming.
Of course you have some of your ways traditions. Influences you grew up with. Never worry about the way you live now and what a life you had
I think your views are great and the way you express your self's is great and no i'm not amish or examish but i have a neighbour family that are mennonites . Witch i share my land with for a garden.good people.
Your videos are thought provoking - do you consider yourself to be Mennonite as opposed to Amish ?
You are correct we are all on a journey especially when we leave a religion, culture, family, work or other relationships. The way I see it ☮️ Peace is the goal for most people.
I am trying more and more to allow the peace of The Lord to lead me when making decisions.
I am glad to hear your family (s) were not shunned and that you still visit with family and friends.
A loving caring life you are living now
I'd say this phenomenon happens too in American culture when a child is grown and graduates high school, where is he/she to go if the home was mired in, well, I'll just say if it 'wasn't healthy?' There's no Good start. There's healing that's needed and no resources for those needs. Also leaving without skills? It's a hard world when you're turning toward your soul's New Direction alone. It's really important to be patient with people, you never know what someone is going through. Before our family came, we ran into person after person in this position, as we ourselves were once. It really, really keeps you sensitive for people that you meet.
I've been Lutheran since I was in the womb. I can (sorta, kinda) understand what you're talking about. Until 1926 our church's official language was German. Our church was founded in 1847 as Deutsche Evangellisch-Lutherische Synode von Missouri, Ohio und anderen Staaten. We were not as tied to old technology as the Amish, but were very conservative and exclusive in viewing other Christian denominations. I can recall my elders speaking of "verdammte Katholiken." I love what I see you striving for and doing a pretty good job at. I eagerly await your next upload. I hope you hit the 1000 subscriber mark and can get some extra income from it. I pray that our Creator will continue to bless you and yours.
Thank you Bill!
I was born in 1959. My mom and dad left the amish in 61, as a kid it hurt, not being able to go see grandma, was told to stay away. There was a lot about the amish that hurt and I'm not wanting to go see them or be around them. I lost my dad in 70 and my mom was killed in a car accident 3 1/2 years ago. I don't want nothing bad to happen to the family but I want nothing to do with them. My grandparents was old order here in North East Ohio.
I am very sorry to hear about your experience. Unfortunately that is all to common. On behalf of the Amish who did this to you,I want to tell you how sorry I am and ask for your forgiveness.
I pray you Will still find peace and joy. Blessings to you!
I have a friend who drives for the Amish. What a blessing:)
"Our Lord and your Lord are One. We bow in submission to The Lord of All Worlds"
Quran
I am happy to meet people like you on the road - even if it is by digital reality.
God bless. I gave all my being to the lord in 2014. I'm 47 on hospice care and I know for a fact hes the reason I'm still here. I never cared about race much. If your good people is all I care about.
Thank you John! Be blessed!
I am wondering since you have a new thinking on many things since you were a young child how do you believe concerning the Lord Jesus and Christianity. I truly enjoy your videos and understand you are not separating from your Amish family yet in your matter of religion or better to say relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit how has that changed. I too attended Amish Mennonite services and even wore the head covering but now attend regular Protestant churches. I was not lost when I went in and not lost when I came out but chose this way of living because of their peaceful way of living. My husband did not chose this way and my daughter and I came out. I suppose you truly understand your relationship and position with the Lord Jesus. I love the scripture. It's no longer I that liveth but Christ that liveth in me. And I understand that the most important church that I must and did join was the Body of Christ not a physical church meeting in a building. I am thankful your family still loves and accepts you. God Blesses
Thank you for your comment Debra! Yes our desire is to have a true relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ!
Sometimes, depending on the branch, leaving means their family shun them, and they would love to be able to keep in touch with their loved ones--but are not allowed. :-(
Same with JWs
so which would you say is the best of the two? looking like you got it together or not. all cultures start somewhere.
Chris, that’s a great question! I think it’s probably neither, but finding our place in life and getting healing from everything in our past and knowing the Lord as foremost!
I agree we need to know our roots. Our first identity should Jesus Christ, we are created in Gods image. We all struggle at times and I am grateful for his Grace. We need to extend that Grace whether we are Amish or not to others. The values are important.
I appreciate your perspective and thoughts on your culture and your roots, also your loving attitude toward all. One thing I am wondering about is, why didn’t you mention how important it is to be born again and to have a personal relationship with Jesus? Or is that not something you believe? The Amish, from my understanding, do not preach this or believe it. I have watched some videos from people who have been hungry for more and found new life in the Lord and were excommunicated from the Amish because of it.
Yes, we certainly believe that is the very most important thing is to have a personal relationship with Jesus. Why we did not talk about it in the video, I’m not sure… just can’t think of everything :-)
@@MontanaHaven I would love to hear your testimony of how you became born again, saved, made Jesus Lord or however you describe it. Do you have a video telling that story of your lives?
When you visit the Amish community do you change your dress to traditional Amish dressing for certain events?
If we go to funerals or weddings, we typically dress more conservative so our life is an example.
It took me a little while to understand when a cousin told me that one of the Amish uncles was spirit filled. He loved everyone and kept the family together, Amish or not. Do you think those that leave the church are lost when they don't find Christ? He is my peace. I still do as some as my family, send cards, donations, and love to get to reunions when I can. My folks converted to Mennonite before I was born in Goshen so I have never been shunned. Most of the family lives throughout Elkhart and LaGrange Co. Enjoy your vlogs. Be Blessed. From GA, Karen Yoder
Good questions Karen, I think we can be lost whether we are Amish or not, The good thing is, we can all get to know Christ!
It's good to know our natural heritage, but our identity (my identity) is in Christ!
Amen!
Blessings in Christ Jesus.
I am not Amish I am a German Schwäbisch
Danke für die berührenden Einsichten
Thank you so much for commenting. We hope to go to Schwabland someday and see our people! Blessings to you!
Question for Joas; are your parents still amish or did they leave the amish before you did?
Hi Melody, yes my parents still dress Amish and we still call ourselves Amish although we are not as traditional. So I do not feel like we have ever left :-)
@@MontanaHaven that's awesome, I also grew up Amish and it seems like a lot of people that leave just try to erase all of their Amish background, and forget where they came from.
Peace with God is greatest life
What is the population of Libby?
I'd like to comment this conversation.
We, the ecclesia, are all called out of something and we have got a new identity. We are members of the body of Christ. Christ is our new identity. 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh (amish, englisch ...): yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Peter says: 1 Peter 1:18
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
Now we are free to live a new life because we are dead in respect to sin, tradition, expectations of others and this new life is hidden with Christ in God.
Good morning
It seems that the Old Order Amish with all the various rules for dressing are very similar to the Jewish Haredi. They both come from a place of having been victimized and hang on to their past at all costs.
As a Jewish American who immigrated to Israel forty years ago, what u wrote is very accurate.
Blessings, love and prayers to all, from Israel
The one thing that Amish teens want is to see the Ocean, So why not get on a train and take them to see the ocean, easily reachable from Lancaster.
♥️🇺🇸
I really enjoy your videos but it would be really nice if Priscilla got to talk a little more
Working on that :-) thanks for the note.
I’d like to know WHY and HOW you were able to stay plugged in to your Amish community even though you broke their rules. Why do so many testify that they have been shunned for being baptized and studying scripture and you were not.
🤣🤣
Any African or Asian in your roots?
No, not that we know of.
Montana Haven maybe dig deeper?
🌌💋💋💋
I think being ex-communicated from any religion is kind of silly. What gives a human the right to think they understand what God wants.it’s between you and God to understand what he wants from you, and not someone claiming to act on His behalf. Such arrogance. Live your life in a way that honours God by your actions.
Thank you Paul!
In a very real sense you two are to be envied. You got to miss the sexual perversion of our American society. This sexual perversion/saturation is taking American society down down down fast. It's pretty bad.
Sounds like a ministry begging for help.
What do you mean?
@@melodyweaver1935 I am sorry Melody but it has been so long that I no longer know what I meant.
Thank you so much for sharing your life experiences having been brought up in the Amish ways. You really blessed me and gave me a real insight.