I was asked to review a new book by Suzanne Woods Fisher, called Amish Values for Your Family. I jumped at the chance because I read another book by the same author and loved it!
After reading a few pages I told my husband I wanted to become Amish. I say that lightly, but what I mean is I would love to live more simply. There a re several values that I am going to try to incorporate into my own family and I really want to slow down and enjoy life and family and not work, work, work for stuff.
Amish Values for Your Family is an easy to read book. It’s sectioned off into four sections, with about ten values in each. Each Value is only a page or two, with a summary by Suzanne Woods fisher called Road Map: Getting There from Here. You will get ideas how to instilled this value into your own world.
I was asked to pick some Amish values that I would like to instill into my family – I have several.
The dearest things in life are mostly near at hand. The Amish don’t use Christmas to buy their kids lots of stuff, like most people. I always incorporate lots of family traditions into our Christmas’s, but I would love to cut back on all the gifts. I’d rather go on a family outing or small vacation and spend time together as our Christmas.
Teamwork divides the effort and multiples the effect. This section talks about family working together, gives special meaning. The Amish all work hard and they all work together. It seams like the “English” would rather do things themselves than teach their children. I know I’m guitly of this. It’s so much easier to just do it myself, but I need to slow down and teach my children and spend the time with them.
A word to the wise is unnecessary. The Amish to put their faith in God and allow their children to experience life. I know I worry a lot about my children, most parents do. I would love to let go a little more and have faith that my children will be okay.
About
Suzanne:
Her interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, W.D. Benedict, who was raised Plain. She has many, many Plain relatives living in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and travels back to Pennsylvania, as well as to Ohio, a couple of times each year for research.
Suzanne has a great admiration for the Plain people and believes they provide wonderful examples to the world. In both her fiction and non-fiction books, she has an underlying theme: You don’t have to “go Amish” to incorporate many of their principles–simplicity, living with less, appreciating nature, forgiving others more readily– into your life.
When Suzanne isn’t writing or bragging to her friends about her first new grandbaby (!), she is raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To Suzanne’s way of thinking, you just can’t take life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone’s underwear in its mouth.
Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com.
Link to buy the book:http://www.amazon.com/Amish-Values-Your-Family-Simple
I received a copy of the book for review purposes. Opinions are my own.
sounds like a great book!
Hi Anne!
I laughed at your remark to your husband! I have had the same thought!
Thanks so much for reviewing Amish Values so thoughtfully. Glad you were part of the blog tour! Warmly, Suzanne
Thank you! I’m looking forward to A Lancaster County Christmas!