Brenda Nixon's Blog

I've been relaxed on writing for a while - surgery, a new grandson, a daughter's wedding. Life.

But that doesn't mean I've "sat out" on learning about the Amish and those who leave nor on helping ex-Amish who come across my path.

Thin, quiet Jacob is the newest "fence jumper" who landed in my life. He asked me to teach him to drive . . . using my car. Husband refuses to ride along when ex-Amish learn that a vehicle is stronger and faster than a buggy. So Jacob and I drove alone through parking...

It's a crisp - 68 degree - morning here in Ohio. As summer begins to cool and close down, we have an abundance of tomatoes from our tiny garden.

When we are out and about, we pick up a local publication - The Vendor - which is aimed at Amish, Mennonite, other Plain Communities, and farmers. Remember there are many individuals who live the Plain life - that doesn't mean they're Amish. But Amish do live under the Plain people umbrella.

Anyhow, in The Vendor this month is a Spicy Tomato Jam recipe...

Earlier this month an Ohio library invited me to speak and to sell and sign my book.

After I arrived and set up my book table, hung the Amish clothes, and booted up my power point, the librarian introduced me. The mixed audience leaned forward and eagerly listened while I showed authentic Amish clothes and shared my story. I detailed my experiences with the "fence jumpers" and about my book, Beyond Buggies and Bonnets: Seven true stories of former Amish .

From the back of the room, a m...

It doesn't just happen in the Amish culture.

Religions around the world shun those who leave the faith, the "infidels," the "wayward" ones. I've known parents who shun a child for a behavior or decision against them.

But since there's tremendous curiosity - and misunderstanding - about Amish shunning - which is not practiced in all orders - here are a few stories from those who've personally experienced it since leaving the Amish world behind:

Esther shared:
He...

Usually I pen posts about the Swartzentruber or conservative Old Order Amish. This time, I want to ask how well doyouknow the Amish in general?

Some of these statements may be easy to you, some a challenge.

Ready?

1) The Amish Culture is 600-years-old:
True
False

2) Amish share similar beliefs and behaviors:
True
False

3) Amish and Mennonites are nearly the same in behavior:
True
False

4) Mennonites came out of the Amish:
True
False

5) Only married Amish men grow beards and mustaches:
True
False...

Last year my pal and author colleague Janet Perez Eckles invited me as a guest on her internet radio show. "Brenda please share about the Amish and what you're learning by helping those who leave," she urged.

How could I turn down an opportunity to share discoveries about the Amish with the world? Janet's producer set up the connection and she and I chatted comfortably for an hour - I from my home - the marvels of technology! "Wow, I never knew that," she frequently ex...

Those of us who know/assist those who've left the Amish use descriptive names:
ex-Amish, Former Amish, New English, Fence Jumpers.

Even "they" use these names! So in light of that - plus it being an election year - I had to share this . . .

One popular myth is that Amish don't vote - truth is,
some do,
some don't.

Typically, the lower the order the less they participate in "Englisch" government. The uber strict Swartzentruber do not vote. It was my privilege when helping Mosie adapt to our life, (h...

Thank You
for reading my blog posts and to those who leave comments! Speaking of . . . here's one I received recently,
I just wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog and have
learned a lot from your stories. Thank you for opening my eyes to how
diverse Amish culture actually is.I stumbled across it as I was doing a bit of research on various coming of
age traditions for a fantasy story I'm writing at the moment (of all
things!), and got sidetracked by Rumspringa. I'...

Today, I share Saloma's Story. She grew up Amish and left as a young married adult. The former Amish who I've had most experiences with are teens or those in their early twenties. Saloma, however, left after marriage and children. Here's her touching story . . .

Down Memory Lane

"Hi, my name is Saloma and I'm the oldest child in my family. I have two brothers and two sisters. I was born in 1977 into a very conservative Old Order Amishfamily in Fredonia, PA.
My parents bou...

Are you serious? Amish gangs? Are they like violent Mafia-type groups?
Naw.No TV hype here, just insider trivia.
In most cases Amish gangs are teen cliques with mutual interests.Some of the gangs are wilder than others, and some gangs pretty much hold to the Amish ways.
Below some of my ex-Amish pals tell it like it is...gang names and activities. (boy, this'd make a good book...)
One online pal remembers one of the gangs was called the Sparkies.Keep Reading »