No one can say that Amish Romance hasn't made it's mark in the publishing world. Wanda Brunstetter has written nearly fifty books, with over 4 million books in print. Many of which are Amish-themed. And Wanda is also professional ventriloquist and a member of the North American Association of Ventriloquists and the Fellowship of Christian Magicians. How cool is that?
It seems as time goes on, more and more people are taking an interest in the Amish way of life. I believe one of the main reasons for this is because everyone is so busy these days and people long to slow down and focus on the simpler things.
Another reason people are taking an interest in the Amish way of life is because they’re curious about people who are living as their ancestors did—without electricity and many modern things. Driving a horse and buggy instead of a car might seem strange to some, but traveling at a slower pace gives a person more time to think—more time to enjoy the scenery—more time to visit with others who are riding with them.
I love spending time with our Amish friends. It’s fun to watch the children play with their simple toys. They’re happy playing outside games, swinging, and playing in the barn with their pets. It’s also refreshing to watch the parents and grandparents visiting and working with one another on tasks such as gardening, plowing the fields, cooking, sewing, cleaning, and doing various chores. The Amish people’s simple dress and simple way of doing things awakens a desire in me to simplify my own life as much as possible.
Unfortunately, many of us “Englishers” are so immersed in TV, computers, cell phones, and many other electronic gadgets, that we barely know how to communicate with each other anymore. Even when we do taken time to visit, the TV is often blaring in the background. Is it any surprise that so many people are stressed out and feel uptight?
There are always ways we can simplify our lives if we just eliminate some of the unnecessary things. One of the things my husband and I have done to simplify is to plant a garden in our backyard. While it may take a little work to plant, water, and weed the garden, it’s fun to watch the vegetables grow. Of course, eating the fresh produce when it’s ripe is always a special treat, too. Instead of watching a lot of TV, we often spend time watching and photographing the birds that come into our yard to eat the feeders we have scattered around. It’s enjoyable to listen to the melody of the birds signing, too.
There are so many other things a person can do to simplify, like reading a book, instead of watching TV; fixing home-cooked meals, rather than eating out so frequently; buying fewer clothes and unnecessary material things; and taking a leisurely walk or riding a bike. Slowing my pace and not being in such a hurry, always helps me feel calmer and more relaxed.
The Amish way of life reminds me, as well as my readers, that there is satisfaction and joy in simplicity. At the beginning of each new week I often ask myself, “What are some other ways I can simplify my life?” At the beginning of each new novel I ask myself, “What are some new things I can show my readers about the Amish way of life?”
Wanda's latest release, Lydia's Charm is now available from Barbour Books.
Synopsis: Autumn is a lovely time of the year in the Amish community of Charm, Ohio, but ever since losing her husband, Lydia doesn’t feel at home in the community where she felt forced to move. When mysterious gifts start appearing on Lydia’s porch, could they be from a nearby widower? Or are they from someone else—a man who would sacrifice romance in order to care for his family perhaps?
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