Anything But Simple

"Books opened my eyes to a broader world, gave me a safe place to explore that did not threaten my own existence. Lost in pages, I lived the lives and dreamed the dreams of a thousand people in a thousand times. I ruined my eyes but saved my mind with books. "

This is one of my favorite quotes from Anything But Simple by Lucinda J. Miller because is exemplifies the very reason why I have loved reading books since I was old enough to read. It is the one thing that stands out in my dad's mind when he recalls my childhood. In this book, Lucinda J. Miller tells readers what it is like living as a Mennonite, the differences between being Amish and Mennonite and her own personal struggles with the guidelines that the church establishes for those living in the community in rural Wisconsin.

"I used to wonder, when I was young, what it would be like if the whole world were Mennonite. What if you'd past a gas station and see Mennonites there, pumping gas? And what if you'd go into the grocery store and there were only Mennonite families doing the shopping? The dads in the lead, smiling in a friendly sort of way and wearing long-sleeved dress shirts like the men wore to church, the wives in their dresses and head coverings pushing heaped carts down the aisles, children gathered around them in bundles.

What if you never had to worry about anyone stealing from you or doing bad things, because everyone obeyed Jesus? (As, in my childish mind, I assumed Mennonites always did.) And what if everywhere you went - to the ocean, to the park, to California - it was as if you were meeting family, because everyone was just like you?"

I guess it is something most of us forget when we look at the Amish and Mennonites is how very different they are compared to us. But what about putting the shoe on the other foot and wonder how difficult it must be for them to live among the English world and the ways that are far different from their own. Anything But Simple conveys what it is like for one young woman growing up and seeing so many things changing around her as the established ways that set Mennonites and Amish apart are now trying to hold on to their faith while living in a world quite different from their own. I really enjoyed the stories that Lucinda shares in her book about her dreams of wanting to be a writer but stuck in a sense dealing with being very different and trying to share her own personal legacy with readers in this book. I applaud them in their efforts much like as Christians, we understand how vastly different the world is around us, trying to hold on to our faith in a growing hostile world.

I received Anything But Simple by Lucinda J. Miller compliments of Herald Press. In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, you should assume that every book reviewed here at Reviews From The Heart was provided to the reviewer by the publisher, media group or the author for free andments were received, unless specified otherwise. "But if you try for simplicity, is it simple anymore?" Lucinda compares some of the complex code of laws, both written and unwritten, as exists within her denomination, as the Pharisees of Jesus' day might be an excellent comparison. In the Mennonite world everything matters, clothes matter because they define you as separate in society and they define you in Mennonite circles as part of a certain fellowship or conference, a certain level of liberal or conservative. But then again something as insignificant as whether or not a man's top shirt button is closed during church service can become an important issue in certain church groups. In their world, every decision is given excruciating examination in light of the Bible and the church. This is a wonderful insightful book for anyone who really wants to know the truth about living life as a Mennonite and for that reason I give this a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about Anything But Simple, Lucinda J. Miller, or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Anything But Simple by Lucinda J. Miller

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Simple Pleasures

"Amish novels, Amish tourist sites, and television shows offer second and third hand accounts of Amish, Mennonite, and Hutterite life. Some of these messages are sensitive and accurate. Some are not. Most are flat-out wrong.

Now readers can listen directly to the voices of these Anabaptists through Plainspoken. In the book in this series, readers get to hear Amish, Mennonite and Hutterite writers talk about the texture of their daily lives: how they spend their time, what they value, what makes them laugh, and how they summon strength from their Christian faith and community." (Introduction, Author's Note)

In Simple Pleasures by Marianne Jantzi, readers get to read from the journal writings of a family of four Amish to gain an inside and true-life memories of what one woman captured and began a column in the Collection, an Amish-Mennonite newspaper. If you are looking for well-writing fiction, you will not find it in this book. These are moment by moment memories of what one woman captures in her life as a Canadian Amish woman working in her own business and home with her family and community. From how she deals with being stuck inside on very cold days and wishing it was warm out, to having an appreciation for where you're at in life. How they occupy their time, and how their house isn't as organized as they would like when company comes calling. To dealing with their children who want pets, to sometimes dealing with the hardships when death comes to early.

Here is a sample of what you'll find inside.

I was reading an article about baking bread; the writer mentioned that her husband carved her a bread spoon. I read on, intrigued. A bread spoon? Who ever heard of such a thing, and what could its purpose be? The husband had carved it from a piece of soft maple a little over twelve inches long. It gently curved outward to an almost-flat bowl a little more than three inches wide, somewhat like a paddle. Its shape worked very well in beating together bread ingredients. So that's what it was! That 'odd-shaped wooden spoon we received as a wedding gift." It's always what I grab to mix buns, rolls and the occasional donuts. A bread paddle, no less! No wonder it works so well. Then again, maybe it's not. Maybe I'm guessing wrong. I've done that before."  (pg. 75).

I received Simple Pleasures by Marianne Jantzi compliments of Litfuse Publicity and Herald Press for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free copy of this book, in exchange for my honest review. I absolutely loved the simplicity of what you'll find inside. Just like opening an Amish journal and who would have ever guessed that there are Amish in Canada? I love getting an honest look at how wonderful these communities are and how they aren't as put together as some fiction books might have you believe. They are just as real as you and I without all the modern conveniences. For me this one rated a 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion. There are even some great recipes tucked inside I can't wait to try! This is the fourth book in the Plainspoken Series of books.

For more information about Simple Pleasures or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Simple Pleasures by Marianne Jantzi

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Called to Be Amish

Each time I read an Amish book or watch a television show about the Amish, I am in awe of their lifestyle. The simplicity of keeping to their faith, while working hard with the modern conveniences we find in our homes like electricity and air conditioning and the love of their community. While most shows on television portray an exaggerated form of Amish living, most are a far cry from what really goes on. They live their lives much like we do, but their faith is what sustains them in trying times.

In the book, Called to Be Amish, author Marlene C. Miller takes readers into what is it like for an English girl raised in an abusive and unloving home and finds love in an Amish young man who laces up her skates once winter day. Knowing the mixing faith cultures that are very different is challenging enough but this true life story is how Marlene eventually made that transition to willingly give up the life she knew living among the English to embrace the Amish way of life. She wasn't pressured into making that decision, since the Amish don't encourage English people to join the Old Amish order unless that can be sure the decision is one made from the heart and not by love for a man.

It shows not only the difficulties on both sides, English and Amish alike that come from learning a new language, a new way of life, and the hard work that truly goes into making a life among the Amish which is far from simple. From learning how to do without modern conveniences like a phone or electricity, to how to learn how to handle driving a horse and buggy, setting up for a home church at your home, dealing with death, and celebrating a wedding. It is far from simply wearing a plain dress, apron and kapp, it is appreciating the life God has chosen for you, accepting God's will for whatever happens in life and never truly being alone because you have the strength of an entire community behind you.

I received Called to Be Amish by Marlene C. Miller compliments of Herald Press and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are my own personal ones. I loved learning about becoming Amish as my family is quick to remind me of the many times, I have wanted to visit an Amish family and farm for a few days to get a sense of what getting back to basics really means. I treasure their faith most of all as it is one that is lived out with 100% honesty daily. They accept whatever happens in their lives as God's will and they never seek to adopt any of the outside influences of the English changing lifestyle. It is sad to see that not many Amish are left, only 275,000, as most younger Amish are leaving to join the English world now that farming is becoming more challenging and the price of land is growing more expensive than some people can buy as well as limited availability among the growing towns and families. There are some great recipes the author shares at the conclusion of this book and I will be looking for more Plainspoken Series Books in the future, written by Amish and Mennonite men and woman about their lifestyles. I rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information about Called to Be Amish, Marlene C. Miller or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Called to Be Amish by Marlene C. Miller

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