Amish Woman explains: What my typical day looks like

Marlene Lehman describes what her typical day looks like. Marlene belongs to an Old Order Amish church in Shipshewana, Indiana. She is the co-founder of Plain & Simple Magazine: plainsimplemag.com/ or call 260-768-7651
Get exclusive content including the Ben & Erik Show at: / amishamerica
Image credits: Jim Halverson; Don Burke

[@geoffcaflisch1352]

She seems like a totally lovely and beautiful person.

[@tiportangeles2696]

What a neat interview. She's a very hard working woman. Bless her!

[@raethibodeau9604]

Thanks Marlene for sharing your day with us. Very nice interview Erik.

[@philsajtar7487]

Cool video ! We make several trips a year down to Shipshewana. All of the Amish seem to be just as friendly as this lady. Sure would like to meet her, she seems like a very sweet lady.

[@candyrenee2152]

Great video! She seems like a delightful person. Prayers for her husband during his walk through cancer.

[@AmishAmerica]

Yes I am sure prayers are appreciated, wishing him the best

[@trixiegirlism]

What a lovely lady. Enjoyable conversation.

[@AmishAmerica]

I agree!

[@susanschuck8124]

I loved this video and didn’t want it to end! Praying for her husband. I wanted her to say how transportation was. Does she use horse and buggy? Erik you have such a compassionate way about you and I find it so amazing how well you have open communication with Amish. Its easy to see why you have so many friends! Your personality is heartwarming!

[@AmishAmerica]

You're very sweet Susan, thank you! On your question on the buggy, Marlene talks about that later in our conversation. Marlene lives in an area where you can actually manage pretty well without a buggy. And they use bicycles in this community as she mentioned. And good news, there will be a part 2 with Marlene! Should be out next week.

[@nildagivens7320]

​@@AmishAmerica yay, I can't wait to hear more from Marlene in part 2. Thank you, Erik. 😊

[@Reziac]

Interesting hybrid of lifestyles there, all the best parts. The magazine looks beautiful.

[@gatheringbaskethomestead9942]

Thanks to you and this wonderful lady willing to appear on camera. Most will not.

[@AmishAmerica]

I really enjoyed hearing Marlene's story. This was actually the first time we'd ever spoken.

[@KellysCreativeDreams]

Hi from central MO. Prayers for Ms. Marlene's husband. This is nothing like what I thought the Amish lived like. I've always heard they didn't believe in camera's and here she is using a Mac and doing this interview. I'll check out her magazine. Creative Blessings!

[@asmile4don]

Exactly this usually isn’t normal with the Amish……. I live by a lot of Amish so this is strange too me

[@susiecox8413]

Love this, looking forward to part 2!

[@stantonmagid4126]

Thanks Erik, I so enjoy your videos, entertaining and informative

[@loisfromohio3109]

Really enjoyed this.

[@TheMtggrl]

Very interesting, I really enjoyed hearing her daily schedule and how awesome that she is part of putting together a great magazine. Thanks for sharing Erik.

[@AmishAmerica]

Hey glad you liked it - after speaking with Marlene for an hour I get the impression she loves what she does. We'll have at least one more video from Marlene coming up here on the channel 👍

[@TheMtggrl]

Looking forward to it. @@AmishAmerica

[@susanrnbc]

As a woman, this interview was so interesting to me! Marlene is very articulate and obviously intelligent. I really enjoyed hearing about her life.

[@hippyelise1]

Love this video. She is a sweetheart. Bless you sweetie.❤

[@RockinRavenVA]

What a great interview! I just subscribed to the magazine. Looking forward to reading it!

[@AmishAmerica]

Awesome! I hope you enjoy it 👍 It's nice they have it available in an online version as well

[@lisacraze1]

Thank you so much for sharing this interview!

[@AmishAmerica]

I enjoyed this one! And there will be a part 2

[@dianeb7420]

Thank you for sharing! 🙏

[@AmishAmerica]

Gladly! Really enjoyed speaking with Marlene and getting her perspective from northern Indiana.

[@jeanholley5820]

Super interesting! Thanks for another great video, you’re amazing

[@AmishAmerica]

Thank you Jean! Really enjoyed getting to know Marlene's story myself

[@DollJazz2433]

I really enjoyed the interview with Marlene. I live near Shipshewana, so hearing her story was even more special. Thanks, Erik for all you do to keep us informed.

[@AmishAmerica]

I enjoy it and really glad you do too. Credit to Marlene for sharing with us!

[@cindynielson4231]

Thank you for such a great video. This lady is such a hard worker, makes me feel like a slacker. My aunt used to drive from MI to Shipshewana to sell her goods. TFS 👍

[@AmishAmerica]

Happy you liked this, and yes I have felt the same way at times around Amish friends 😁

[@180pottery]

Very interesting video! Times sure are changing. I think I agree with her and miss a slower paced life. Thanks Erik!!

[@AmishAmerica]

Glad you liked it :)

[@beautificvision2023]

Lovely Interview!

[@linnglede]

Very interesting interview and Marlene is such a indigenous and friendly person. And of course I thought all amish work as farmers or carpenters... Greetings from Germany

[@user-jb9dj7os4x]

I enjoyed this video .

[@karengunia5451]

Great video!

[@AmishAmerica]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kimfleury]

"It was a good way to wake up.” 🐄 That's quite a different attitude than the one my uncle had. Grandpa had a small dairy farm and put his 3 sons to work early every morning before school. Both of the younger sons got out as soon as they could by joining the military. This particular uncle went into the Air Force, and upon retiring moved his family to a rural area of Texas. Their property bordered the largest ranch in the State, with the fence in their backyard marking the boundary. One night my aunt couldn't sleep, so she was looking out the back window of the bedroom trying to count the stars. Along came some white Brahman cattle, all wearing bells and sounding ghostly in the darkness. Aunt was so excited that she woke Uncle, telling him, "You've got to come see this!" He groggily went to the window and looked out, but didn't see anything worth getting out of bed for. Aunt told him, "Look at the cows!" Uncle replied to her, "You woke me up to look at the cows? When I left the farm I vowed I would never get out of bed to look at a cow ever again!"

[@AmishAmerica]

😅funny one

[@debbimeyersbrant5752]

Very information on interview thank you if I remember correctly the Amish potato is from that area I know he moved back from Idaho

[@karenenglish4900]

Yes, CJ was raised in the area and has moved back.

[@debbimeyersbrant5752]

@@karenenglish4900 thank you I wasn't sure if I had that correct or not blessings to you and yours

[@midsouthhomestead7527]

When we got married my husband asked me if I would make breakfast. I said what time. He said he got up at 3:30am. I didn't get home until 9:30 pm. I make it after work. He warms it. You do what y have to do.

[@wendyzimmerman6002]

Awesome video into the Amish life

[@michellesunshinestar]

I'm not a morning person. I stay up until 11 or midnight. When I was married, my husband had to be at work by 6 am. I never made it up to make him breakfast. We're divorced. You'd like the movie "Finding Love in Sugarcreek (OH)".

[@sandybruce9092]

I have been married since Dec. 1975 - I asked my husband about making breakfast right after we married, he said no and I’ve never asked since😄😄😄. Luckily he’s never been a breakfast person!!!

[@damnu8089]

you single ??

[@Nanee907]

That’s sad…..

[@NobodySpecial509]

My husband works the back shift, i’m up early to make him a big, full breakfast every morning. 🍳 🥩 🫘 🥔 I’m happy to do that for him!

[@yana1955]

I watch Eli Yoder's KZbin channel and from his description she sounds more like New Order. BTW, he says he came from Old Order.

[@AmishAmerica]

The term "Old Order" is very broad (it really just means "horse-and-buggy Amish"). But some people somewhat erroneously use it as a synonym for "conservative", though there are quite progressive Old Order Amish. Looking at some things Eli has said (eg, describing a group as "very Old Order"), I think that is what he is doing here too. I understand he is from the Hardin County (Kenton) Amish, which is one of the more conservative groups - within the Old Order. But that term covers many many groups. By the same token, people also assume that "New Order" must be the most technologically progressive Amish. But that's not necessarily the case either. New Order Amish are a relatively very small subgroup that is distinguished from other Amish more by its spiritual approach (things like assurance of salvation; being more "evangelically"-minded; etc) than by technology. Marlene's large community for the most part is/has been an Old Order one. I should probably do a video explaining this in more detail.

[@lmmartin959]

This is interesting! I had no idea that the Amish could use the internet in their homes. Wow-- I guess there are different rules for all the different regional ordnungs.

[@GoogleAccount-hz2co]

I was under the impression that the Amish did not want to be photographed and use modern technology. Has things changed with the Amish community. Are they becoming more Americanized with technology? Question are the Amish groups continued to shun member who leave 😮 baptismal community for a different group? Maybe this should’ve been part of the interview too! Thanks

[@Lisa..4]

This was interesting.

[@emostyn]

Greetings from Liverpool uk

[@wendyzimmerman6002]

Very interesting

[@geoffoutdoors]

I live in the Ohio Amish Community... our local Amish are usually the most productive, straight-forward people with incredible work ethics, but not without their own issues. However, I'd prefer to work with Amish over non-Amish any day of the week and myself live a life VERY closely related to the Amish way of life. My internet is temporary so that'll be going away soon. No TV and use of electric is extremely minimal and could easily go without.

[@karenenglish4900]

Those Indiana cousins are so liberal! Thank you for sharing the real Amish that aren't Swartzendruber, strictest sect. Looking forward to her next video. Greetings from GA, Karen Yoder English

[@lauraswihart4816]

Sweet lady!💕

[@honestytoafault]

1- I thought the Amish didn't believe in being photographed/videoed 2- calls? Thought they didn't do phones?

[@Robin-yv3vs]

My mom maiden name is Lehman her mom was vade lehman we live in Pennsylvania

[@christineherson1413]

It's sad that activities are replaced with technology. A, "Let us do it for you", world. I still have a twin tub washing machine and I wash my own dishes.

[@AmishAmerica]

Well said - yes there are things gained by tech but also lost, for example, the sense of community built through doing manual activities in groups. That's still a typical thing for many Amish though

[@lynnb4348]

Solar panels, generators, or batteries to run equipment and computers....why not just have electricity?

[@FulbrightFarmstead]

Interesting that they are in the rv business. I wouldn't have guessed!

[@AmishAmerica]

Yes it's the number one industry for Amish in that community, for decades now. But I know, not the first thing you think of!

[@swisschalet1658]

She’s Amish yet on the computer, in front of a camera?

[@AmishAmerica]

Yes, she is Old Order Amish. Here is the explanation, some Amish people are okay with cameras. Point #5: amishamerica.com/exceptions-to-amish-rules/ 5. Camera Most Amish do not pose for photos or appear in videos. This is the popular “rule” cited by many in the public. However on an individual level, Amish people may feel comfortable appearing on camera. For example, the screenshot above shows an Illinois Amishman named Joseph Yoder discussing Amish ways for a news station. Certain more progressive churches as a whole may be generally more accepting of the camera as well. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJ2zfayGYpqLebMsi=72yK4sQpGQPsP8rg&t=260

[@AlisonMeyer-ud1ix]

There are some things about this woman that makes me question if she is really Amish or not. No accent for one and several other things.

[@AmishAmerica]

Amish in different communities and regions have different accents. But it's not much like the sort-of-German-sounding foreign accents they tend to use say in television movies. Marlene's accent sounds like the accent Amish people have in her area of northern Indiana. However, if you went to the Amish in southern Indiana (Daviess County), you'd hear a much more Southern accent. And you'd hear something quite different in Lancaster County, PA, and so on. As far as questions about the internet, photos, etc. this post/video explains a lot of that: amishamerica.com/exceptions-to-amish-rules/

[@mruggier0]

How do I subscribe to the magazine? Also she never mentioned if her dtg are Mennonite since leaving the Amish. Her family is unusally small she doesn’t fit the super sized family of Amish . Seems very progressive .

[@aroundthemiddle2112]

Plus she has a phone and webcam!

[@AmishAmerica]

You are right on average Amish families tend to be larger, but there are some Amish folks with smaller families, lots of ways to be Amish 😁 But sounds like Marlene has a great family. If you like, you can subscribe to the magazine at plainsimplemag.com. Or, their number is 260-768-7651. There is both a print and online version

[@SWiseman]

Is she really Amish? Don't they shun being filmed or having their picture taken?

[@AmishAmerica]

Yes, she is Old Order Amish. Here is the explanation, some Amish people are okay with cameras. Point #5: amishamerica.com/exceptions-to-amish-rules/ 5. Camera Most Amish do not pose for photos or appear in videos. This is the popular “rule” cited by many in the public. However on an individual level, Amish people may feel comfortable appearing on camera. For example, the screenshot above shows an Illinois Amishman named Joseph Yoder discussing Amish ways for a news station. Certain more progressive churches as a whole may be generally more accepting of the camera as well. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJ2zfayGYpqLebMsi=72yK4sQpGQPsP8rg&t=260

[@SWiseman]

@@AmishAmerica wow! That's totally news to me. I used to rent a house from an Amish family in KY in the country. They didn't do cameras, but a phone shed was allowed.

[@AmishAmerica]

@@SWiseman Yes I can understand - there is a lot of variety across the different Amish groups, some very conservative, others less so - but still Amish 🙂

[@MariaElena-rd2yr]

[@kathygrottendick1462]

I thought Amish didn’t have phones or computers.

[@somebody9]

Depends on the community