Leaving My Amish World: My True Story (The My Amish World Series)

This is the story of a young Amish girl who grew up and married and became a mom. Her husband's drinking landed him in jail which caused their community to shin them and led them to start attending another church that taught the gospel and love of God. Very difficult but also faith building for this mom.

Leaving My Amish World: My True Story by Eirene EicherMany people hold the Amish up to a higher standard than people of other religions. I never understood this thought process because the Bible is clear that we are all sinners. I grew up knowing many from the Amish community in Holmes County, Ohio and knew they were regular people minus cars, electric, and living a simpler lifestyle. I learned from my Amish friends that every community was different. I have even met some of their friends & family from other communities, so I knew of some of the differences that existed. While not an expert on the Amish, I knew enough that I thought I had seen it all. Boy was I wrong!Eirene Eicher delivered a book that had me downright angry at times. It blows my mind that any Amish community would be so overrun with alcoholism, and allow it to happen. The same holds for the premarital sex. In my mind I'm thinking about what the Bible says and shaking my head that a religious group would go against those teachings. Realistically, I know they don't believe in a personal relationship in Christ, but in good works as the way to Heaven.I am very familiar with rumspringa and many of the things my friends from Holmes County wanted to experience during that running around time before they decided to join the church. Yes, they wanted to drive cars, smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, have cell phones, and wear Englisher clothes. But many of them were more interested in going to Englisher churches and seeing what other faiths believed. I didn't see that as something Eirene's group thought of as important during this time for them. That really surprised me. Many of the Amish stress about not questioning the way things are done, and not questioning their forefathers. It's almost as if they try to brainwash them into blindly following everything because IF they start questioning everything it won't stand up to the scrutiny. Eirene questioned it anyways. Maybe not openly to the other Amish faces, but it was there nonetheless. God thankfully placed people in her path that were able to help her. Proving He provides even when we don't realize it.Being in this particular Old Order Amish community led to Eirene being pregnant and, as a result, married when she was only 17. Her husband ended up an alcoholic that was abusive. By the time she had 5 little boys their family finds themselves excommunicated by the church. This was actually God paving the way for her family to leave the community and to follow Him in earnest.This book in both heartwrenching and amazing all at the same time. I learned quite a bit from it and am incredibly happy that I had the opportunity to read it. There are a few spots within the book that could use editting, but overall I am impressed with the end result. Those spots do not detract from the book as a whole. I am very much looking forward to Ms. Eicher's next book and am already following her on Amazon to make sure I got notified when it comes out!

Read this in one sitting! Beautiful explanation of a religious journey that forced a transition from one culture to another. Very insightful and filled with love for all!

As in any religion there can be alcoholism, which will have bad effects on any family with it. This book tells her struggle with Amish beliefs (which have many different districts with varying teachings). As Lutherans, Catholics, etc. we all believe in God and Jesus Christ but their interpretations of the Bible may vary. No church members of any denomination will ever agree totally on what their Church preaches. God gave us free will to let us decide what is best. I am not Amish but I do believe they are one of the most "dedicated" in their beliefs. The so called English world can look very nice but with it comes many of man-made problems. If there is a second book I will definitely read and keep an open mind. This book tells of her determination to find the best path for her and her family of knowing God and our Savior Jesus Christ.**Note* This is her story from the late 70's into the 80's. As all religions things and attitudes have changed over the years. This was almost 40 years ago.

Reading Leaving My Amish World was like looking through a looking glass, seeing so much of my past mirrored on the pages. The feeling that your life is not your own, knowing that there is more to life but not knowing where to look or what to do. Dealing with the effects of an abusive and alcoholic partner while trying to do right and raise good, Godly boys. Seeing it written in black and white, and knowing that someone else went through what I went through, is truly heartbreaking.This book is raw and real, putting the reader into the darkness of a woman trapped and fighting to find the truth. Though not eloquently written, Leaving My Amish World is authentic, almost like you're reading the authors personal diary, learning the author's story while feeling what she felt.You learn some of the differences between the different Amish communities, and what was allowed in Eirene's community, which was pretty shocking to me, especially the whole being shunned thing and the fact that drinking wasn't forbidden.I hope Eirene continues her story in a subsequent book because I would love to see how the author and her family handled the transition. Theirs is a poignant story that I hope has a happy ending.

This book is a testament for those who find themselves in life feeling "stuck, hopeless and overwhelming helpless." Eirene Eicher gives a very personal and poignant account of her life before and after living in an Amish community. She clarifies beforehand that Amish churches are each different in their rules and expectations. Eirene writes fondly about the simple uncomplicated time as a child of living in a large family with no plumbing or electricity where hard work was a way of life. She married young, had children and cared for a home. As a woman, in her community, she "was expected to be quiet and be submissive and obedient." Disturbing circumstances during this time had her questioning her purpose in life and the teachings of her forefathers of a "strict and cruel God with a long list of man made rules to get to heaven." Her story tells of the abrupt shunning of her family. You will want to read how she experiences a Christ of "unconditional love, peace and joy" and the trials it creates. I want to know more about Eirene and her family's experiences of transitioning to and accepting a world so different from how they were raised. I will look forward to her next book!

When I first look at the book I thought it was a fiction book. But on close inspection of the book cover I realised it was a true story. I found it very inspirational at heart, I just couldn't put it down. I highly recommend it. Its a short read but less is more. Well done Eirene for sharing the love and your masterpiece with us. Look forward to your next book.

I never realised that this was a true story. I would recommend this book to everyone.

This is the biography of the author.She is born in an amish big family, in Indiana.She has 13 siblings,big family, always busy.She had wedding early, in her 17, and her life as wife was difficult: with a drunker husband, every year a new baby, a few money for the family, but for alcohol.Interesting story about life in amish world, full of troubles, fear, lies, problems... as our world.I recommend it, enjoy.

So difficult to read . Full of paragraph after paragraph . This book has no flow to it and it was difficult to get into it. The message is good but so challenging to read.

This book was written by an Amish woman, and narrates her life and struggles. She is a woman who develops a strong faith and reliance upon her saviour.