The Amish: Simplicity and Satisfaction Personified

Biography, Informative, Just For Fun

Published with Permission
Written by Shannon Swanson
www.TOSMagazine.com

Envision this . . . You wake up every morning, before the sun rises. The animals need to be fed, cows need to be milked, and eggs need to be gathered. In just a few hours, a very big country breakfast will be served back at the house, prepared with what you have gathered during the early morning hours. The entire meal will be made without the use of electricity, food processors, microwave ovens, or running water.

The remainder of the day will consist of much physical labor for the men, while the women diligently tend to household chores and prepare meals. The work will continue like this until the sun sets, late in the evening.1

Although this lifestyle may seem old-fashioned to you, it is quite up to date (more…)

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365 Ways to Simplify Your Life

Informative, Just For Fun, Organization, Projects

Published with Permission
An Interview with Patrice Lewis
Written by Amy Nicholson
www.TOSMagazine.com

“And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing” (1 Thessalonians 4:11–12).

These verses guided Patrice Lewis’s family as they moved from a hectic life in the city to a simpler life on a farm. In her book, The Simplicity Primer, Patrice suggests 365 ways to simplify our lives. I had the pleasure of interviewing Patrice.

AMY: When did you leave your hectic city life?

PATRICE: My husband and I were working as professionals in the city. One day there was an accident on the highway. It took me two hours to get to the office. That night my husband and I looked at each other and asked, “Is this really the way we want to live?” After a great deal of thought and research, we left it all behind and moved to Oregon. The house was in rough shape, but we fell in love with it.

AMY: What did you learn? (more…)

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A Day in the Life of a Young Amish Mom

Biography, Informative, Just For Fun, Recipe

Published with Permission
Written by Liz Lane
www.TOSMagazine.com

As I came to the end of the half-hour drive to Rachel’s home, it became easy to understand why many generations ago settlers had named this area “Paradise.” The hills, fields, woods, and spectacular views of the mountains in the distance enable this town to live up to its name.

When I arrived, Rachel’s home radiated peace. Her gentle way with her children, the absence of television noise and electronic chatter, the smiles from her children, and the breezes that greeted us on the deck (overlooking that beautiful view of Paradise) as we settled down to visit, all contributed to the peace of her home. However, none contributed to the peace of her home as much as her warm hospitality and the peace that shone from her countenance. (more…)

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