Life through Amish Eyes: A Look into this Practical Lifestyle
By: Kim Behrens
Updated: February 5, 2013
ARTHUR-A growing fascination with the Amish is putting their communities in the national spotlight.
But reality shows like TLC's "Breaking Amish," or Discovery Channel's "Amish Mafia" is not what you'd call accurate portrayals.
How do we know?
Because we went straight to the source.
Welcome to Arthur, Illinois home to thousands of practicing Amish families.
"Most people that grow up in this area, they think they know all there is to know about the Amish and they really don't know too much about the Amish," said Stella Eads.
Eads is the owner of "Amish Adventures," a tour company educating others about the faith.
"It's just a way to introduce people to another culture and another lifestyle, so people can get a handle on it and not think that they are some Martians from somewhere else," she explained.
The Amish follow a set of unwritten standards called the Ordnung.
"It's the rules we have to go by in the church," said Mervin Herschberger.
Herschberger grew up Amish in Arthur.
The Ordnung says it's against his faith to do anything that would make him stand out.
"We try to live a humble life," said Herschberger. " That's what our goals are."
Herschberger owns little creek wood working.
He and his crew produce up to 30 cabinets a day without electricity because the culture forbids it.
"We use a lot of air equipment, hydraulic equipment," Herschberger explained.
Modifications like these allow him to get the job done.
"It's not about being overly rich. It's about trying to meet your maker at the end," said Herschberger.
We also stopped at Mary Ann Schrock's house.
Amish church services are held in homes, so they're built with an open floor plan to accommodate lots of people.
"You have family together, and our big meal is usually at noon instead of evening," said Schrock.
Since Amish homes don't have electricity it's a wonder how they can keep food cool.
Their refrigerators look the same as one found in a modern home, but they actually run on propane.
It's a strategy that's not breaking the Ordnung rules.
"The refrigerator, the stove, and the lights," listed Schrock. "I don't remember having a house fire in the community that was caused by propane."
From a young age, women are taught how to find their way around the kitchen.
We got a taste of that at "Sarah's Home Cookin'."
A homemade meal in this Amish house consisted of baked bread, barbequed meat, iced tea, and of course dessert.
"For different people to come in and do a meal in an Amish home, wouldn't get that at my house!" admitted Eads.
As it turns out you don't have to be born Amish to become it.
But Eads says leaving the present behind is hard for most to do.
"That means giving up your cars, your electricity, your curling irons, blow dryers, make-up, your jewelry," she explained.
While their lives seem drastically different than ours, each Amish family we met spoke about issues most people care about.
"They live life just like we do, they have the stress that we do and the business that we do. It's just viewed a little bit differently," said Eads.
At the end of the day, the Amish like just most people, are moving toward the same goal, a healthy happy life, where family comes first.
Did You Know?
In their late teens the Amish have a chance to explore modern ways of life.
During the period called Rumspringa, known as "running around," they can move to the city.
But the culture shock sends many back to their communities.
But reality shows like TLC's "Breaking Amish," or Discovery Channel's "Amish Mafia" is not what you'd call accurate portrayals.
How do we know?
Because we went straight to the source.
Welcome to Arthur, Illinois home to thousands of practicing Amish families.
"Most people that grow up in this area, they think they know all there is to know about the Amish and they really don't know too much about the Amish," said Stella Eads.
Eads is the owner of "Amish Adventures," a tour company educating others about the faith.
"It's just a way to introduce people to another culture and another lifestyle, so people can get a handle on it and not think that they are some Martians from somewhere else," she explained.
The Amish follow a set of unwritten standards called the Ordnung.
"It's the rules we have to go by in the church," said Mervin Herschberger.
Herschberger grew up Amish in Arthur.
The Ordnung says it's against his faith to do anything that would make him stand out.
"We try to live a humble life," said Herschberger. " That's what our goals are."
Herschberger owns little creek wood working.
He and his crew produce up to 30 cabinets a day without electricity because the culture forbids it.
"We use a lot of air equipment, hydraulic equipment," Herschberger explained.
Modifications like these allow him to get the job done.
"It's not about being overly rich. It's about trying to meet your maker at the end," said Herschberger.
We also stopped at Mary Ann Schrock's house.
Amish church services are held in homes, so they're built with an open floor plan to accommodate lots of people.
"You have family together, and our big meal is usually at noon instead of evening," said Schrock.
Since Amish homes don't have electricity it's a wonder how they can keep food cool.
Their refrigerators look the same as one found in a modern home, but they actually run on propane.
It's a strategy that's not breaking the Ordnung rules.
"The refrigerator, the stove, and the lights," listed Schrock. "I don't remember having a house fire in the community that was caused by propane."
From a young age, women are taught how to find their way around the kitchen.
We got a taste of that at "Sarah's Home Cookin'."
A homemade meal in this Amish house consisted of baked bread, barbequed meat, iced tea, and of course dessert.
"For different people to come in and do a meal in an Amish home, wouldn't get that at my house!" admitted Eads.
As it turns out you don't have to be born Amish to become it.
But Eads says leaving the present behind is hard for most to do.
"That means giving up your cars, your electricity, your curling irons, blow dryers, make-up, your jewelry," she explained.
While their lives seem drastically different than ours, each Amish family we met spoke about issues most people care about.
"They live life just like we do, they have the stress that we do and the business that we do. It's just viewed a little bit differently," said Eads.
At the end of the day, the Amish like just most people, are moving toward the same goal, a healthy happy life, where family comes first.
Did You Know?
In their late teens the Amish have a chance to explore modern ways of life.
During the period called Rumspringa, known as "running around," they can move to the city.
But the culture shock sends many back to their communities.
