Can you join a community if your best years are behind you? - Ask Laura!

[@thewildacre2240]

It is so true what you say about ‘best years’. Many people seem to think that their 20s will be their best years but I am now 45 and every year I feel I am a better version of myself with more to give. I have been watching your videos for over an hour and each of them makes me smile along with you.

[@s.a3099]

I just turned 30 and I am so relieved to be out of my 20s!

[@ruthlaurie-hopper3489]

Older people joining and welcomed is good to hear. I feel bruderhof is my future but I'm 63 and don't want to be a burden however I have alot of experience and huge compassion to help others and feel I could continue to do that with bruderhof. I hope to visit when covid allows in the UK. I have been given positive feedback so far and look forward to visiting and hope there are no judgement about my age. I still feel young hahahah but my bones tell me differently hahaha but I have much to give.

[@bbeige54]

Ruth. I am 68 male and retired many years but still very active both physically and mentally. I am active within my church community and also spend a couple of months each year in mission work outside my country. Did you follow up on your visit to a community? I am looking at visiting one close to my area and seeing if this is for me.

[@ruthlaurie-hopper3489]

@@bbeige54 I did visit Bruderhof community in Beechgrove Kent UK twice. Recently 2 weeks over Easter. They made me feel very welcome but I'm not sure it's for me on a permanent basis. Maybe visit now and again. You sound very active in your church and abroad, well done. I have joined my local church I would like to volunteer abroad maybe Africa.

[@bbeige54]

@@ruthlaurie-hopper3489 Thanks for sharing your experience. I am in Canada. I’ve scheduled a zoom meeting with a Bruderhof representative to answer more specific questions that I haven’t had answered through all of Laura’s videos which are extremely informative. Specifically about immigration issues. I have three government pensions. How do I transfer them to a Bruderhof community if in another country? What about my personal assets that I have bequeathed to my nephew? Do I have to change and redirect to Bruderhof? I am hoping to schedule a visit to a community in upstate New York this October. Eventually spend a few months at one and continue to pray. Has your church an outreach in Africa? Presently I work along some pastors in Cuba - my plan was three months a year in Cuba until COVID hit. If I don’t follow up with intentional life then I will pursue wintering and working with the mountain pastors in Baracoa Cuba and summers back with my church. Will pray for Gods direction in your life.

[@ruthlaurie-hopper3489]

@@bbeige54 Bruderhof community are amazing people. I have learnt so much from my visits to them. You can join zoom meetings with Jesse and Lenor. Questions can be answered by the Bruderhof community. Best to go and stay with them to find out if they are your path. During those visits you can ask those questions.

[@sassy3923]

Love your radiant demeanor! What a light to the world the Bruderhof are......I pray that I can live in one of their communities one day.

[@annaosborne2815]

You brought tears to my eyes when you talked about older people. You have such a lovely, joyful, sincere way of talking and explaining that just draws you in. I come from a pretty non religious/faithful background. There is something in your words or maybe the energy behind your words that has peaked my interest so I have subscribed to your channel to learn more. It's not often a stranger's words have moved me to tears and brought a feeling of peace simultaneously. So thank you

[@nunyabidness4946]

Maybe this will intrigue u.. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piltdown_Man www.google.com/amp/s/losangeles.cbslocal.com/2014/07/24/scientist-alleges-csun-fired-him-for-discovery-of-soft-tissue-on-dinosaur-fossil/amp/ www.aa.com.tr/en/vg/video-gallery/3d-images-of-noahs-ark-to-be-shown-in-documentary/0

[@gregcolby4512]

Really appreciate your view that just because a person is a 'senior' it does not mean their best years are in their past.

[@AllThingsArePossible]

I love your personality Laura! Great job and what a beautiful heart! Bless you and your family!

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Thank you!

[@rachaelseddon2159]

Thanks for sharing. I enjoy learning more and more about your community

[@tudormiller887]

Beautiful video watching from London UK 🇬🇧

[@lunamaharuni]

I'm coming! (one day) 😊 I told my 22 yr old daughter about Bruderhof and she wants to visit! Maybe this next spring my daughter and I will come and visit for a week or two. ♥

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Please do!

[@lunamaharuni]

@@LaurafromtheBruderhof Yay!

[@because88]

3:21 "Um . . Don't ask what the purpose is." Has a lovely rhythmic/tonal symmetry.

[@dianner6637]

I've just discovered your channel and I want to thank you for your thoughtful answers and explanations. What a wonderful community!

[@naturelover6520]

Laura, your last answer is the answer of a brilliant mind. Only an extremely wise person would give that answer.

[@jacksoldano5752]

Dear friend Laura, I negleted to thank thee for thy comments on my question if indeed I was too old to join the brethern there. I so enjoyed thy comment "who says your best years are behind you". Thou are such a kind soul. I thank thee. Jack Soldano

[@PlaceboEllie]

why do you type like this?

[@pauldjerassi620]

Thank you Laura,God leads us on different paths nearly every day ,Thine will be done on earth as it is in Heaven, God tells us if we just listen he is telling us all the time in our dreams through prayer when we meditate what he wants from us .Amen

[@TheLizardKing1967]

My grand mother was Swiss German.. I want to join the Swartzentruber Amish and live totally off grid. Thanks for sharing. I enjoy learning more and more about your community.

[@bonnieannstarke1049]

Amen little sister

[@mandyonline17]

Thank you Laura, your such a lovely lady, God bless you

[@daynabarlow6347]

What is the typical discernment process like? In some Bruderhof videos people mention how many times they have come and visited. Is there a typical "get acquainted" time prior to deciding to "try" the Bruderhof life, and if so, is there a typical time you would expect someone to stay prior to mutually discerning if it's a fit? I realize some could depend on the individual, and that it may be an ongoing discernment, but at what point would you expect someone to make a decision to give up their belongings and make a commitment? These are some things I've been wondering about for a while.

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Hi Dayna! It totally depends on the individual. Some folks are part of us for years without making a commitment. Others decide to join after only a few months. Because it's such a big commitment there can be no question of pressure to decide. Thanks!

[@tanksouth]

Thank you.

[@meanpeoplesuckalot8690]

I just discovered your videos. Very interesting and uplifting. Thank you.

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Thank you for watching!

[@hundo9314]

So cool you answer questions. 👏

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

It's kind of fun :)

[@abhilashpaul9237]

Amen sister.

[@johnnydhollywood1587]

you are so smart your answers are so clear

[@charseward5366]

I would love to see a "what I eat in a day"

[@Melissa0774]

Hi, please don't take this the wrong way - I'm not trying to be rude, but I have a question I've been wondering about for a long time. Do you ever get people trying to join your community who don't really believe in your religion and are just lying about the fact that they do, because they want to live somewhere where all their basic needs will be taken care of? Basically either people who are trying to freeload, or people who are just frustrated and desperate because they can't get a job and support themselves in the outside society, for whatever reason? I've always wondered if there are people who try to join religious communities such as yours, or places like Catholic convents for this reason. If so, how do you handle it?

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Good question but living in community is pretty demanding in terms of giving of yourself. It's not a place you can freeload. Someone might try to join for the wrong reasons but it would become clear pretty quick both to them and the rest of the community.

[@mmmmlllljohn]

I have enjoyed watching several of your videos and just learned that your religion is Anabaptist which is a church I have attended over the last 10 years in Canada - called The Meeting House. ❤️🇨🇦

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Oh cool I've heard of Bruxy Cavey

[@mmmmlllljohn]

@@LaurafromtheBruderhof I hope you get to meet him one day!

[@kellylorang6845]

Hi, Laura! I have a couple of questions about Bruderhof: 1. do you have any people join who belong to a specific denomination (I am Catholic)? If so, do they have to renounce their faith? 2. The trouble with socialism (at least as I see it) is that it doesn't inspire people to strive to do their best (ex. Inventions, cures, hard work, etc) because all are given the same portion at the end of the day. This could result in an atmosphere of 'laziness'. Do you believe that this is not a part of Bruderhof because of the love and faith in God element? If so, how DO you deal with those who won't pull their weight? I hope you don't mind these questions, but I am fascinated by your way of life. Best wishes.

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Hi Kelly! We're Anabaptist so accepting believer's baptism is part of membership (www.bruderhof.com/en/our-faith/foundations/church-order/becoming-a-member). To your other question work is how we put what we say we believe into practice. If someone is lazy they're not using the tools God gave them to love their neighbor. So if someone's not pulling their weight they probably just need a gentle reminder that work is the service we do to God and our neighbor :)

[@uzeela]

I am a photographer and Love your photo realism .. your talent ed

[@AllThingsArePossible]

I have a question that may be a little silly and non applicable but oh well here it goes - when I lived in New York, it was near a Bruderhof community (Chester ny/Warwick NY) and they make their own bread and it’s amazing - absolutely out of this world. Do you also? Is there any way to order the bread????

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Hi! Yes we make our own bread still. We don't sell it but if you drop by I could give you some :)

[@patfros5902]

Thanks Laura! More and more I learn about the Bruderhof! Below there is a question if woman can take pastoral duties in the Bruderhof? I also would like to know. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Hi Pat! Pastoral leadership is only given to men. If he's married he and his wife work together and share the responsibility. More info here: www.bruderhof.com/en/our-faith/foundations/church-order/pastoral-leadership

[@brandydinsmore8214]

I think you said in another question session that women don’t take on pastoral duties other than being the spouse of a person who does that and I guess ministering people together but what if a woman is a counselor or therapist Or social worker by training by Profession prior to joining? Do they still have some role in non-religious counseling type duties or mental health areas? I was just thinking that and some professions if you have a license, you have to keep that license up which means you actually have to be working in the field in some manner.

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Hmmm. I don't know anyone here who's trained as a counselor. There are plenty of women MDs and GPs who I guess would do some counseling for patients with mental/psychiatric health issues.

[@MSUTBDR]

By the way; what about this definition of the real "agape love", "Love is a space in which anything can exist". Think of it as one looks at Jesus nailed to a cross and saying, "Father forgive them for........" Wow!

[@evygil]

where is your bruderhof? And thank you for these videos

[@rachelcookie321]

She lives at the mount community in New York.

[@robertalexander1299]

Hi, Laura. Thank you for sharing what life is like in your community! Question: Is there such a thing as "retirement" at the Bruderhof, in the sense of no longer having to "work" at a certain age, or is that just an incorrect framing of things?

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Hi Robert! There is no retirement as such, but from what I observe, our elderly members have to be encouraged to take it easy 😄 My grandparents are in their 80s and work every day in the factory at the Maple Ridge community helping to produce Community Playthings (the business which supports the community)

[@kimcole271]

I HOPE that “following Jesus” means that you DO believe that Jesus died to pay for your sins and that by believing IN Him and accepting that forgiveness for your sins you have free eternal life! I pray it’s not JUST living a lifestyle for Him to gain entrance to Heaven because the Bible does say all of our righteousness are as filthy rags and that there is none good, not even one. He exchanged His perfect God blood for our sinful blood and by His sacrifice and resurrection we can be set free from sin! I mean here we will never be perfect but we are set free from the penalty of sin (separated from Him forever). SO AWESOME! I can’t wait to see HIM soon! Talk about COMMUNITY! We’ll (all believers) be SO happy all together and with Him!

[@steven8551]

Hi Laura. Happy Thanksgiving.

[@ofsoundmind2687]

What if a former soldier who has a lot of tattoos wants to join the Amish community? Just curious how something like that would transpire and if someone like that would be accepted or if he would be kind of an outcast in the community?

[@monkofYHVH]

The first question cannot be answered perspicuously until you first fully understand Bibliolatry and as it relates to Pauline Christianity.

[@tracygrondahl3043]

Hi Laura! I have a question that might seem a little silly. I love animals, and if I am called to join the Bruderhof, and was allowed to do so, would I be able to have a pet? Like a little dog, or a cat?

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Lots of folks here have pets.

[@nathanackerson1]

I was scared of this too. Thank you for asking.

[@jamesjones7183]

How do I become a amish convert I always been interested

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

I'm not sure I'm not Amish

[@jamesjones7183]

@@LaurafromtheBruderhof oh okay I thought you were thank you for responding have a great day

[@nathanackerson1]

Your time in college: was it a Christian college? I go to a public university studying language, and we are often required to watch vulgar films... have people from your community come into areas in college where a teacher has asked something of them that is uncomfortable, degrading, or possibly against their faith?

[@Anne--Marie]

Laura, your videos are terrific! Thank you for sharing. By the way, why don't you have a British accent?

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Thanks! I lived in England for a year so maybe I do.

[@Anne--Marie]

@@LaurafromtheBruderhof My apologies as I thought that yours was a community in England.

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

We do have a couple communities in England and a house community in London.

[@jamesshaw3622]

Can adults play video games and watch anime movies? It's something I never grew out of 😇🥰

[@rachelcookie321]

From my understanding the bruderhof really priorities spending time with eachother and using technology sparingly. So you can maybe play and watch a little but doing it often goes against their ethos.

[@vedcon]

Since I lost my family and kids in the legal battle with my wife who committed adultery and simply manipulated and kidnapped our still small kids (of course all supported of the immoral in.justice system incl. theft of documents etc) and I haven't seen my poor kids for over 22 months now, I seriously consider joining a Bruderhof community. But I am almost 60 y. old now. I am a Christian and I believe living outside of the World while we still have to deal with the rest of the World is what Jesus and the apostels tought the first disciples. But I live in Europe and USA is kind of a no-go for me for political reasons. Is there some kind of 'probation' period e.g. one year or so in order to see if I would fit in, whether it's gonna work out ok? I am by nature rather inrovert and in community I am rather uncertain, withdrawn...

[@spenserwilkins1381]

Do you guys have a Thanksgiving feast all together or not

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Oh we're definitely celebrating Thanksgiving. Check out the photo in the Community tab.

[@LitoGeorge]

Hello Laura! Question: if you dont earn money, how did you both earn the money to provide each other with rings? (are rings communally available upon request for marriages?)

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

The rings were a gift to us from the community.

[@ge3029]

@@LaurafromtheBruderhof wow. What a community. That would have saved me the $10K I spent - and wasted. Life's full of lessons.

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

lol

[@ge3029]

@@LaurafromtheBruderhof wasn't so funny taking a bath on all the hard work I did to buy those ridiculous stones. Never again - LOL!

[@janesullivan5282]

🙏......

[@megiwpiegi773]

What did you stufy at college?

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Communications :)

[@duaanekobe2773]

@Libby Berman was it not Buddha who said all paths lead to the same place (god, et.al) :?

[@davidbratz7762]

What do you have to do do join the amish community

[@emmib1388]

she is not part of the Amish community

[@MSUTBDR]

How important is Holy Communion to the Community?

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Hi Brian! Communion (we call it the Lord's Supper) is a very important symbol of unity with Christ and with our brothers and sisters in the faith. We celebrate it several times a year.

[@jacksimper5725]

Confused on your answers . Previously you said bruderhof is not compatible with consumerism yet you produce stuff to sell . Which is the answer ?

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Consumerism (the idea that your happiness is derived from material goods) is anti-Christian. So we try to live simply and not acquire more than we need (don't lay up treasures on earth). We do have to make our living (you should live by the sweat of your brow etc.) so that's why we make (useful) stuff to sell. These things are not incompatible.

[@cbaymult9411]

So may I join your community? Age 62

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

First thing would be to visit!

[@reynbowconneccion5207]

❤️💛💙

[@damonhenderson5673]

What about someone who is heavily tattooed?

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Everyone's welcome

[@damonhenderson5673]

My Grandmother belonged to the bruderhoff community in London. Her name is Mary Veale but now she's back here in Connecticut with my Mother. My Grandmother is 90. We just had a couple visit us from the New York commune. A husband and wife. Jeff and Susan

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

Oh that's cool. I know Jeff and Susan.

[@damonhenderson5673]

@@LaurafromtheBruderhof awesome. If you see them please tell them Damon says hi. They came to visit at my Mom's house about two months ago and we had 🍗 KFC together. They told my wife and I we should visit the community sometime. I'd love to. I've always been very interested in communal living and especially Christian communal living. I was sent one of those Plough magazines but never got one again. How can I go about recieving those?

[@rheahutchinson2059]

Can women take on pastoral duties in the Bruderhof?

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

No only men serve as pastors. If someone's who's asked to be a pastor is married his wife will share the responsibility.

[@rheahutchinson2059]

@@LaurafromtheBruderhof Thank you for responding. Love your channel!

[@notusedexer]

As a Bible believer, do you believe the Bible literally?

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

I believe the Bible is authoritative and that you can only properly understand it through the guidance of God's Spirit.

[@notusedexer]

@@LaurafromtheBruderhof I figure God wants you to understand the Bible so he wrote it in a way to be understood. I'm a little concerned my that reply. Most every cult would say the exact same thing.

[@LaurafromtheBruderhof]

It's actually not controversial at all to say that we need the Holy Spirit to illumine the biblical texts for us. So for example "when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth."

[@notusedexer]

@@LaurafromtheBruderhof maybe. But I believe the Bible is plainly understood by all. If the Bible says something. That's truth. If the Bible says the sky is pink, then Crayola has it wrong. The Bible is the ultimate authority.

[@rachelcookie321]

@@notusedexer can I ask why you have so much unwavering faith in the bible? The bible was written by man, not god. I don’t believe we should worship the bible, we should only worship god himself. I think worshipping the bible and taking it as the absolute authority is dangerous and can lead us away from God. We shouldn’t put so much trust in a book written by man. It should be a guide, not the rule. We can’t be sure that everything in there is correct because it was written by man. And it was written by many men over a long period of time and only later put together as one book.

[@reynbowconneccion5207]

Will you marry me? 😘