[Valerie]

Yes. welcome Clara Mae, it is such a blessing to hear from you! I know many of us desired to hear from former Amish women, and it is not easy to put yourself out there the first time, so thank you. You're story is encouraging. The Lord is using your skill amongst the people you left, and now want to be a witness to, and praise the Lord for that. I was surprised that Amish women don't do all their own sewing. Equally surprised there are stores to buy their Amish clothes, I know of none in our Amish communities in OH. May I ask a question? How did this business, which is also a ministry, get started? Was it after you left the Amish?
Also, on behalf of the other members, thank you for lending your husband's time to us, as he ministers to many people, here, and also, many that read but we never hear from, may find Christ and, also, grow in Him. I always imagine the wives of these former Amish men who share-to be so very busy as we outsiders picture Amish women, around the clock working!
Please consider sharing from time to time, I loved your advice at the end of your post.

[Joe Keim]

Welcome to the message board, Mrs Simon Peter. We were beginning to wonder if Simon really had a wife since we heard no trace nor sound of her. Now we know and have prove. Don't forget to come back often.

I appreciate how you shared about your ministry to the Amish. I find that very interesting because where I live, the Amish turn their back on those who leave. They are very cold and unforgiving. We have been chased out of funerals and living rooms and told to never come back. There's been times when Amish people in our area have come to our house in the middle of the night and flashed their flashlights through our windows, thinking that we were hiding a son or daughter, which we have never done in 23 years.

[Valerie]

Thank you so much Clara Mae, is all so interesting to me, coming from an extremely different culture in Southern Calif. I bet you do enjoy the time saved with more conveniences, to use for other things.You also made me a little homesick for a church I belonged to when living there, long time ago, where the pastor's wife, would have women's crafts class-we'd all bring a snack, learn a new craft, and have great fellowship (no gossiping allowed!). Loved it sooo much.
It looks fun to me to see pictures of Amish/Mennonite women sitting around a quilt they're making,and has become a favorite thing for me to go to, quilt auctions where these women have made beautiful quilts-and then donate them to raise money for relief efforts around the world! It brings tears to my eyes every time I go-Again, appreciate you're sharing. Hope you drop in from time to time.

[Simon Peter]

Clara Mae said:

I love our church and the women's fellowship gatherings such as quiltings, social gatherings, Bible study, etc.

May I put in my 2 cents?? The quote above is where I saw my wife come to LIFE with church activities. When we were Amish there was not much enthusiasm in the fellowship of the sisters. It seems all faces were meant to be long and gloomy.
The church we attend now is totally different in that regard. Clara Mae is very active and instrumental in womens fellowship activities. She loves to organize.. and when she goes to work... things get done. (^/^)

All readers of this forum... I really don't know where I'd be.. if it hadn't been for my wife.. helping mold me into what God wanted me to be... She had much patience... you may doubt this... but you wouldn't if you knew our story.

Thank you, Clara Mae. I love you!!

Simon Peter

[Henry Byler]

Simon, seems like you did what most of us guys do, you married up. Don't know if I said it correct, but hope you know what I mean.

A good wife is one of the best blessings. I truly miss my wife right now, as she is in China for the summer.

[Esther]

Clara Mae, on 27 June 2010 - 09:23 PM, said:

Thanks for the welcome Dee & Valerie,

I started sewing for a Mennonite merchant. Then some of the Amish wanted some special orders made or a slight different pattern.. and then people found out by word of mouth. And I now have all the sewing I care for. Sometimes I wonder if I have time to do my own sewing.
Having some of the electrical appliances makes such a huge difference in my work load & schedule. Also having a van to get me somewhere in less time is also important to me, instead of hitching a horse to a buggy.
I love our church and the women's fellowship gatherings such as quiltings, social gatherings, Bible study, etc.
I appreciate the time we can have together as a family. We all enjoy getaways, visiting other communities, camping, fishing, hiking, etc.
Yes, S.P. is into searching out the scriptures and loves knowledge. May he use it for God's glory. He enjoys being song leader in our church and I appreciate his spiritual insight and his love for the Lord.

God bless you.

Clara Mae

Wow, that's all interesting, Clara Mae Peter. I just discovered your post, after going trolling through the topics. No, "trolling" sounds like I was looking for a crime to commit. Make that "looking for posts I hadn't read."

That's really great that you can reach out to the other ladies with love and helpfulness. And enjoy your church the way God intended, too. Hey, I love camping, also.

But now you have all the sewing you want? Just when I was going to commission you to make an Amish dress for me. Or a kapp. Ah well, such is life. Happy sewing!