Please give us the story of your life in a nutshell.  =)

I grew up in Spartanburg, PA, my whole life, with a family of 6.  I went to a one room school house until I was 16.  You only go until the 8th grade, but I continued going to what you call vocational school.  I loved school and did not want to leave it.  My mom had a greenhouse when I was very young.  I grew up helping with planting and taking care of the greenhouse.  My hobbies were quilting and reading (I was a bookworm).  I occupied my time (when I wasn't working) riding horses, walking, hunting and fishing. My chores were feeding the animals, manuring out the barn, and mowing the grass with my sister.  I loved babies, did a lot of babysitting, and was a nanny a few times too. 

When I was 16, I was given the opportunity to experience what they call "Rumspringa", something that has since then, gotten out of hand among the Amish kids.  That is another story-I feel so blessed to be out of that mess, as well as a lot of other things.  Those days are a huge regret to me, and that is something I'm not proud of when it comes to my background.

I met my first husband when he worked for my dad.  He was my first and only boyfriend.  I was discouraged to marry him, but I would not listen.  Most people believe the Amish have arranged marriages.  They do not.  We got married, and it was good for a while.  I loved being married.  I had two children, Cathereen, who is now 8, and Isaac, who is now 6.  Isaac was born with a double cleft lip and a cleft palate.  Our marriage started falling apart after that-we separated a year after that.  I moved in with my parents, and later was shunned. 

A couple more years of torture from Amish shunning, talk and gossip, I was blessed when God heard my plea and sent Laura into my life. 

I plan to write a book someday.  It will be a detailed book of the Amish and my life while being Amish, and my life since then.

How old were you when you learned to cook?

I was 8.  I started on easy recipes.  I was 5 when I started cleaning and doing chores.

The Amish culture is much different than the culture most Americans live today. How so? Are there things you think society would benefit from, if they were to follow the example of the Amish culture? Can you give a couple of examples?

Amish are different from the today's culture because they lead a simple life.The Amish feel these distinctive clothes encourage humility and separation from the world. Their clothing is not a costume; it is an expression of their faith. They do not use any type of electronic gadget.  Amish people interpret linking with electrical wires as a connection with the world - and the Bible tells them they are not to be "conformed to the world". 

In 1919 the Amish leaders agreed that connecting to power lines would not be in the best interest of the Amish community.  They did not make this decision because they thought electricity was evil in itself, but because easy access to it could lead to many temptations and the deterioration of church and family life.  Most of us today would think it impossible to live without the modern conveniences such as electricity and cars.  

What makes the Old Order Amish unique is not that they get along without modernity, but that they choose to do without it when it would be readily available.  The Amish value simplicity and self-denial over comfort, convenience and leisure.  Their lifestyle is a deliberate way of separating from the world and maintaining self-sufficiency.  (The Amish are less threatened by power shortages caused by storm, disaster, or war.)  As a result there is a bonding that unites the Amish community and protects it from outside influences such as television, radios, and other influences.  Everything is done the hard way.  

I believe if today's society would use less technology, families would be closer and lives would be more at peace.  Kids would have more respect and a better work ethic.  With no tv, phones, computers, or games, there would be more time for family time as well.

Why did you leave the Amish? 

I left because I didn't believe in the Amish religion.  My friend, Laura, helped change my life!  We had gotten really close and at that time of my life I was struggling.  Laura had a sense of peace about her and she was always happy.  She was what I wanted to be. 

She introduced me to the Bible and God.  I knew Him for who he was.  She taught me to know Him for who He was and as a Friend.  Laura quoted scriptures to me.  I was clueless to what they meant and didn't understand anything.  I had to keep everything a secret since Amish aren't suppose to study from an Englisher. 

Laura invited me to church and I loved it.  I was excited and scared all at once.  She would drive out of her way to and from church so I could go.  I secretly ended up going for a few months.  My mom started getting suspicious, and I wasn't allowed going anywhere with Laura on a church night. 

One day,Laura informed me that they were in revival and I must go.  So we took my kids to a babysitter.  It was a Monday night so my mom had no idea.  I remember Laura brought a set of clothes to church and I asked her why.  She told me that I was getting the Holy Ghost that night and I was also getting baptized.  I was thinking how nuts she was.  She insisted that she had prayed and fasted and she believed. 

Long story short, I did receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and I did get baptized!!  I was the happiest girl around.  It was amazing.  I will never forget all the dedication and hard work Laura had done for me.  It changed my life completely.  My family noticed the changed in me right away, accused me of being up to no good because I had a sparkle in my eyes and laughter on my lips.  I left that next morning and never went back.  Even though I miss the peacefulness of the Amish, and the family time, I don't regret my decision.  It will be five years, March 2012.

How did your family feel about you leaving the Amish community? 

In the beginning, my parents, Allen and Susan, shunned me just like the rest of the Amish community.  Even though it hurt me, I couldn't blame them for their actions.  They didn't understand why I did what I did.  

Most Amish that leave, leave for the world.  They instantly change what they believed in and bring shame to themselves.  Once my parents saw that I was not doing that, but really did leave so I could serve God the way I believed, my mom gave in faster then my dad.  It took him almost a year or more to even talk to me.  Now they do as much as they can with out getting ex-communicated themselves.  

It took my sister at least 2 years to even write me a letter.  Now if she does see me, she either hides (depending on her husband's whereabouts) or when she starts talking she starts crying so she avoids it altogether.  My brother just looks at me and I can still see the hurt and pain that he suffers.  My brother and I were really close.  I was also very close with my dad-I was daddy's girl.  That goes for my grandpa too.  I have seen him only a few times and he always has open arms and a big smile.  Out of my whole family, when I think of my grandpa I still get sad and shed a tear.  I get moments where I suffer a great deal of emotion but I remember where I am in my life and why I am where I am, and I just count my blessings and am thankful for the small relationship that my parents and I do have.