This is Why I Grew up AMISH

The life of an amish kid.
Welcome to The Amish Potato’s Channel. My name is Cj Miller. I was raised Amish in Shipshewana, IN. I was Amish until I was 16 years old, when I started dressing “English”, drove a car and partied on the weekends. This is called Rumspringa.
I did this until I was in my late twenties. I then briefly joined the amish church, left again, and moved to Idaho where I discovered the truth of who Christ is, married my lovely wife and am now sharing my story on KZbin.
Thank you for watching and enjoy!
Email me at;
[e-mail]

[@suetomlinson7942]

I live in a community near old order amish. No indoor plumbing, outhouses, no electric. I can't imagine the amount of work to feed, do laundry, etc., with lots of children. Definitely hard workers and seem happy. I do respect their work ethic but know as you do that they are missing knowing our Savior in the way the Bible teaches. Enjoyed your testimony vlog.

[@barbaraweidenhammer7644]

I used cloth diapers for my children & my daughter used them for her children. Yes you are correct about not many children have chores. My children had them & now my Grandsons also have chores. My oldest Grandson is now eleven, but they started chores at about 3. Just picking up the toys they made a mess of, was the start. At 4 he was washing dishes, running the vacuum, unloading the dryer, taking laundry to the washroom. At 5 he made his bed, set table for dinner, fed the dog, and anything else that was asked of him. At 6, he packed lunch for himself & brother. Took shower before school, got younger brother up for school, they both dressed them selves, one would feed the dog, the other take for walk, always make bed ALL this before school. They are now 5, 8 & 11. They all 3 have chores. I am proud of the things they know how to do & they don’t really complain about it much. When they are at friends houses they are amazed at how many of them have NO CHORES !

[@theamishpotato]

This is how it should be done!

[@bettyh1100]

Your channel is going to be a big hit, you speak so naturally to the camera, you’re a pleasure to watch. By the way I’m from Northern Indiana too.

[@theamishpotato]

What part?

[@bettyh1100]

@@theamishpotato I grew up on a farm near Walkerton. I guess the closest old order Amish group would be in Nappanee.

[@pameladickson2945]

Much love from New Mexico! We are originally from northern IN and loved hearing your story! I was raised as a Jehovah's Witness and finally found the real Jesus at the age of 28. I'm right there with you wanting to shout it from the mountain tops how goid Jesus is and how freedom rocks! God bless you and your precious family! Mike and Pam

[@jennSalvate]

I never knew Jehovah Witnesses didn't believe in the "real Jesus" 😳 If I'm not mistaken, Jehovah is another name for God, am I correct? So, they are that much different from Christianity?

[@terywetherlow5980]

@@jennSalvate wrong. The dogma is different.

[@jennSalvate]

@@terywetherlow5980 who is even talking about "Dogma"?? Totally different. How am I wrong in asking a question about Jehovah Witnesses?

[@pameladickson2945]

Jenn, as one of Jehovah's Witnesses I was taught Jesus was actually Michael the archangel and that he returned to earth in 1914 but did so invisibly. That's what I meant when I said they teach a different jesus. Their translation of the Bible is extremely different than the original too. And they destroy families. I have been shunned by mine since 1975.

[@jennSalvate]

@@pameladickson2945 Oh okay. Thank you so much for explaining. I never knew there was THAT much difference. 😳

[@carolechenowith900]

From what I have heard about you and others who have left the church..you should be proud of who you are and the values you live by. You have had a very good upbringing.

[@MickiD255]

I love watching the Amish and love their baked goods and food. I really enjoy watching your video's, thank you for sharing your story.

[@rachelcompton4625]

I so agree on the chores!!! I have 8 kids (I'm not amish) but know a few Amish families and I am just amazed at how amish kids get their chores done at such a young age and with such a good attitude about it!! My kids complain and act like I asked them to cut their arm off when I ask them to do the dishes! I wish I lived close to Amish to gain some knowledge on how to raise kids!! haha

[@bryankelley6349]

Quit complaining. And your kids wont know complaining is a thing. They learned that work is undesirable somewhere. Just something to think about. Sorry if it sounds harshe.

[@bryankelley6349]

Amish mommy doesnt complain that she wishes she had some help. She sets an example with a good attitude. And its mirrored in there children. Same with daddy

[@bryankelley6349]

But also if you stay steady they will grow out of it your doing a great job. 8 kids must be a handful. Dont get discouraged

[@whitemamba0089]

so basically u isolate them from the get go an they have no other influences on how to act besides the community there raised in

[@rachelcompton4625]

@@whitemamba0089 Have you raised any kids? Isolating them is kinda the main thing for raising kids, I dont allow my kids to run the streets and act like everyone else. I'm not amish and I'd rather my kids not be influenced by the outside world either! Each Amish community is different but the ones I know are pretty open to English influences if they are safe (The same way I am with my kids with other english influences!) I sit down with the amish kids and show them pictures on my phone (We are from a different state so they enjoy seeing stuff from my state) We dont take selfies or anything (that's not my thing anyway) but they are open as long as its not too worldly (I am the same way with my kids, I wouldnt want someone showing my kids worldly things either!) I bring them books to read (My kids are homeschooled so we have tons of age appropriate books for them (all ages). They can have toys too, not all are as isolated as you think. I'd rather my kids not act like most kids I see in public anyway so expecting my kids to act as they were raised is exactly the key to raising kids! Amish kids do go out in public too.

[@jamesreimer9560]

Just found your channel. Love your testimony! Jesus Christ is truly the only way to heaven. Thanks for what you are doing. I've seen only a few of your videos so far, and noticed how dark it is. Could you please add more lighting when you are talking. Love your content!

[@alanacawker-therusticwife]

You hit the nail right on the head about kids needing chores and being soft. My husband always says that too as he grew up on a beef farm. We grew up using our imagination and playing outside and doing chores as well...it did nothing but enrich us as adults!

[@dawnklug6986]

We also had fun childhoods playing outdoors or in the woods or at the local above ground trash/refuse dump. My chores were to do the dishes and feed our dog. The boys had to cut the lawn and do outdoor work. We were a military family so had to find odd jobs as kids to make spending money.

[@cannephillips]

Interesting, thank you. It's good to hear something positive. I've always had a curious interest, a respect, for the Amish in our area. Ironically, I found out recently that my ancestor was the first, or one of the first Amish Bishops that came to America. My relation did the research and has a long, wonderful accounting of his adventures. My grandma is Mast / Yoder.

[@gracierose3076]

We were not Amish. We also played just like you described. No plumbing, baths in a galvanized tub with the water heated up. We did dishes in galvanized pans, one for washing and one for rinsing. Playing with cousins outside at night was so much fun. We had electricity, but it was many years before we had TV ... I do remember radio and I thought little people lived in them. Life was different for everyone when I was growing up.

[@butchtracy1248]

I enjoy the new Amish families that have moved to my part of Maine. I give them rides often and love their homemade baked goods. They seem to be fitting in really well. It also give me the chance to improve my basic PA Dutch. That is so different than Hoch Deutsch.

[@cannkotlarz9371]

Had me laughing at cloth diapers, not Amish, but I used them. Kids need chores, mine had them and rarely heard, "I'm bored". That comment always gained them their least favorite chore. Fresh air out playing with neighbor kids sure had them sleep well at night too. As a parent it's up to us to guide and direct and not buy them anything they want. We are not their friends, until they are grown, moved out and earn this, but still always mom.

[@emmib1388]

In our home, we knew never to use the word 'bored' as well..:-)

[@Kalani_Saiko]

Cloth diapers tend to be a lot better than the mass produced disposable ones from experience.

[@angelfriend3710]

Kids staying inside glued to the TV and video games may be a more modern thing. I grew up in the '70s and '80s, and my Mom kicked us outside to go play. We basically roamed the whole neighborhood with our friends and our bikes and roller skates, etc... We made up games, climbed the trees of neighbors we didn't even know. We just had to be in earshot of when my Mom would yell for us...then we had to come home...for supper. We were super badminton players as well. Nowadays I can't even imagine letting kids roam the neighborhood by themselves...too many sickos out there. I don't think kids use their imagination as much in playing. Everything revolves around the TV.

[@juditharsenault2131]

I had a one room camp with no running water, an outhouse, a propane cooking stove, propane lights, a barrel Wood stove for heat. I had to get spring water a mile down the road. I usually walked the 4 miles in on the dirt road carrying everything or rode my bicycle. I loved that place! I cooked on the wood stove, melted snow and filtered the water in the winter, brought my food in and burned my garbage, used an oil lamp for light. I sold it after about 5 years and used the money to fund my new roof. I miss it but it was one more thing to take care of and I was simplfying my life. My grandson lived at my house for 3 years with my son and his family. He rode his bike the 5 miles to town, played in the woods and stream out back. He moved to a city with his Mom and never rides his bike nor goes outside anymore. He misses my house ( which is very rural). He misses it but wanted to live with his Mom.

[@lshrom1]

Enjoyed listening to your story. I mostly enjoyed the Pennsylvania Dutch because my dad talked Dutch to me and my mother spoke English. By three years old I understood both languages. Here, the kicker, We were never Amish! As an older adult, anywhere I live and seek out Dutch speakers, which is a dying language among the memmonites, they think I was Amish!

[@susiepoe3240]

I was surprised when I first saw running water... but the most shocking is to have running water and an out house!! Cloth diapers have made a comeback! 🤓

[@maggiec9447]

Most important part of growing is learning ETHICS VALUES AND MORALS 👍👍❤️

[@tonyrobbins6]

I am enjoying your videos. I live in NE PA and I am around a lot of Amish. I drive by a couple of Amish houses to a from work. Just this year, I saw a child get on a public school bus for the first time not knowing they attend school outside of the Amish community. Were I work, we have a lot of Amish do contract work and from a distance I get a lot of double takes. I drive around in a 4x4 and I have a long beard and wear a black camo ball cap with a black camo coat in the winter.

[@amandagreen949]

New subscriber here, love hearing your experience in life .

[@maryscott7184]

I absolutely love your videos, your so natural in front of the camera. I feel like I'm sitting in your living room and we're talking. Thank you for sharing your life with us. 😇💖🌈🥀

[@hannajoubert879]

Thanks CJ. I look forward to seeing more of your video's. Take care and God Bless 😊🙏

[@christinestephenson1742]

This is all so interesting. I grew up in Eastern Michigan where we had no Amish at that time. Later on, when I was grown, a bunch of Amish moved into Brown City Michigan and they fascinated me. In 2018 my husband and I spent a lot of days in the area of Elkhart Indiana where many RV's are made and toured the Jayco factory. Most of the workers were Amish men who worked hard. They ride bicycles back and forth to work. It was a beautiful place, nothing prettier than Amish Farms dotting the countryside. We visited some of their furniture shops, excellent workmanship!

[@uncipaws7643]

Being able to move on your own as a child on foot or on bike and not just driven everywhere helps a lot with becoming an independent person! That requires parents trusting you and also learning to be reliably back home.

[@lkmsl]

It's great listening to your childhood stories .

[@christinejohnson1884]

Your video was so informative and Thank you for it !!!

[@janelleyharris5042]

I love listening to your stories!

[@heathercyr4965]

Wonderful stories 😊

[@PShy-er9hz]

New Subscriber ❤ Your Content! Much Respect 💯

[@feneshiagraham1531]

I love your videos.God bless you

[@terywetherlow5980]

You tell a nice story..... New sub. Look forward to more. And going backwards to get the fill in. Oh first vid i saw was u with your daughter. Heartwarming..... t

[@ccaswick]

I'm enjoying your videos. I spent some time in the early 70's living just outside of Ft. Wayne. We'd drive out to the country and "watch the corn grow." I'm in the Chicago area now, but still enjoy a trip back to Middlebury, Shipshewana and Napanee for the bulk foods and yard tool shopping, not to mention the produce and food. Keep up the good/honest work.

[@michelekobayashi890]

thank you for sharing. I am originally from the Detroit area, now in Yokohama, Japan. I love the information about the Amish! Had I stayed in the U.S. I might have tried to join the community! Michele in Yokohama💜💙💚💛🧡

[@marvinyoder5383]

Your story sounds similar to mine. I'm from Holmes County Ohio. Good stuff!

[@jennSalvate]

I'm grew up not too far from Holmes County!!😁💕

[@terywetherlow5980]

Holmes County is similar i think to Lancaster County, Pa. Group ( the one i am familiar with). t

[@jennSalvate]

@@terywetherlow5980 I think so also. Holmes County has a huge Amish population. I would say, 2nd in line to Lancaster. That's just my guess..🤗

[@neldabaer7282]

Hay man!! I really enjoyed the Penslavanian Dutch... my dad spoke it and taught me a few sentences... I’m a Hutterite from Manitoba Canada🇨🇦

[@maryhayes9649]

I enjoy all of your videos and I appreciate your transparency and testimonies. God continue to bless you in your freedom through Christ Jesus the Only Way Truth and Life. I pray that more Amish will accept the gift of salvation and come out into freedom🙏

[@coralkarrass1834]

I find this all fascinating from a historical, religious and societal standpoint. I really enjoy the fairness in your descriptions. I’ve seen other ex-Amish appear to paint the community in a very negative light. I believe there are bad people everywhere and I don’t discount their stories. I’m also a person who sees the allure in off grid living and I value freedom so my perspective may be guided by my personal belief that not all of society subscribes too. All too often I see a major disconnection in the way we live ( buys only organic foods, treats lawn with pesticides🤔)

[@tammyandm.e.8843]

New subscriber here! I enjoy listening to you

[@hildamclawhorm6305]

Enjoy your videos 👌

[@lindasegraves6207]

We are not Amish. We were raised to do chores and I taught our sons to do chores also their Daddy taught them the outdoor chores or how to work on their bikes, lawn mowers and later their cars. QUESTION: Do you still smoke? I noticed you cough or are out of breath often. I have never smoked nor my husband & no drinking, but my Daddy smoked and he coughed a lot (no drinking). He would wake me up at 5am every morning coughing. Thank you for all the information I learn about you growing up Amish and your community. I have been watching Montana Haven for a while now and enjoy them also. See the beautiful scenery in Montana and now Alaska is wonderful. I have enjoyed watching them build their log home. Talking about children working on chores theirs do. Everyone of their children were on top of their roof while building it.

[@1290DR]

Dunno why but sounds a bit like my childhood in Germany - good times, so much fun (except for the Chores) and freedom

[@veldajean1]

A fun video! Enjoyed it and had a few chuckles. The purse pranks! 😂😂😂 Finding cigarette butts to smoke. 😂 Chewing gum and using cologne, hoping to disguise the smell. 🤣I remember playing as though we had a drive thru window at one of our cousins house where we served real food. Fun memories! I like that your making some light hearted videos!

[@theamishpotato]

Yeah I didn't want to make them sound all bad because there are positives. Plus I'm hoping it'll make my family less mad that I'm doing this channel;)

[@emmib1388]

Hiding the smell reminds me of adults who smoke and think that their girl/boyfriend or spouse doesn't know they smoke... Yeah right, they know you smoke, they are just not saying anything!

[@donna5499]

Thank you sharing your life experience being a young Amish boy. Would love to get some great recipes. God Bless 💙♥️

[@theamishpotato]

Amish-heritage.org

[@francesodle6069]

Nice to hear he v is informative

[@otracuentaperra4290]

I love the Amish. I love their workmanship. In a society where people are eating Prozac and Xanax like candy as well as living in cities assailed by crime I have nothing bad to say about the Amish whatever imperfections they might have.

[@peacebestillgaming3073]

im lazy too, still am, but at work i zoom like i drank a gallon of coffee, i overperform, which sadly backfires, im so glad you got promoted at your job from working really well, me.. nothing... they just ask me to do more work without compensating me.

[@jeffpickard]

My experience with the Amish is limited. However, the one thing we, as the “English”, know of the Amish is that they are world class craftsmen. A gentleman named David, who grew up Amish, roofed my house (metal roof). I had great conversations with him. My opinion of him and of yourself is that Amish people seem more pure. My strongest impressions are that you, David, and perceivably many Amish is that they are good conversationalist. Unlike English people, who cannot seem to have a five minute conversation because they either have headphones in or cannot put their cell phone down. It goes farther than just conversing, David, like yourself, just seem like a good down to Earth people. I asked David many questions. I asked him if he would ever go back to being Amish, he said no…I asked why and he said he loved his pickup truck too much lol. It was a nice Ram 2500.

[@AllTheCloudsArePink]

Kitchen cabinets were taboo ?? Fascinating

[@lynnette3020]

WE ARE NOT AMISH AND WE LIVE IN A SEMI WELTHY COMUNITY WHERE KIDS ARE GIVEN EVERTYTHING THEY WANT AND NEVER HAVE TO SAY THANK YOU. BUT WE RAISED OUR KIDS TO WORK FOR WHAT YOU WANT AND DO CHORES TO ERN MONEY. NOW OUR KIDS ARE ADULTS AND WORK AND MARRIED, INFACT ONE OF OUR SON AND WIFE JUST HAD THIER FIRST BABY. OUR KIDS ARE ALWAYS GETTING COMPLAMENT FROM THERE BOSSES AS TO THEY ARE SHOCKED TO SEE A HARD WORKER. IT IS RARE TO FIND THAT KIND OF KID NOW A DAYS .AND IAM PROUD OUR KIDS AS THEY SAY THAT IS HOW THEY WILL RAISE THEIR KIDS. OUR KIDS SAY WE TOUGHT THEM TO RESPECT THINGS AND PEOPLE. I FEEL BLESSED FOR THAT

[@indescribablelove3846]

Oh my gosh we did the purse prank too😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@allfalldown6812]

I find it very interesting to know that most Amish children drop out of school in the 8th grade. Here in the UK, it is a legal requirement that children have an education up to the age of 16. You see we have school attendance officers, their job is to follow up on children missing from education. In some cases parents can be fined for not sending their children to school and or not providing proof of alternative education such as home schooling! I cant imagine an Amish mother not wanting at least 9 of her 12 children in school full-time - to me as a mother, the respite alone would be a massive help. Lol.

[@sharondease3551]

I think disposable diapers is the best thing invented since a washing machine..that ammonia smell was awful..i remember my mom used those on my baby sister.

[@ruthgingerich5984]

And the women sewed all the clothes!

[@kaicorps]

Do you have a video on Amish puppy mills? I'm curious about the experience from an Amish person

[@darelbennett209]

I was in a cult somewhat like the Amish we had a church and a pastor but the we were made to think unless we were giving it all we were lost we were taught of you had one dollar in your pocket you were lost and if we were a real Christians that in some mysterious way our needs would be met,fortunately most of the people had family on the outside that felt sorry for us and help out and the rules were so harsh that even if a child ran or played it was condemned and the parents were brought up and told that the children were were wild and need to be corrected and the men would have to be at the church to way up in the morning listening to the pastor talk and then after just a hour or two get up and go to a job and work all day and then it started all over and that was a small amount of the insanity that went on.

[@theamishpotato]

😳where was this?

[@YoMama9021]

I used snap closure diapers when I found out we were having twins in order to save money and help the environment. Ended up buying a sprayer that attaches to your toilet and a spray guard attached to that for the “solids”. We saved so much money until they were potty trained at age 3-4. Highly recommended them (if you can afford them but they will pay off investment wise). I had them professionally cleaned and now I have them stored away for when we have another baby. Oh I’m not Amish btw. Lol

[@jeffc6268]

This is a random question: Did your community observe St. Michael's Day? I live near the Lancaster, PA community and I seem to recall that they observe it.

[@tracyfisher3435]

My granddaughter plays store cause I Bought her play food and toy dishes

[@maryconnor4576]

✝️❤️ I am soooo thankful you allowed God to catch you!!! I am an evangelical believer and watch your videos all the time. Your message is Biblical therefore it is truth. I have one question though. Why is it when you speak of salvation and Christ forgiving our sins, you NEVER mention how He did it, meaning His shedding of His blood on the cross paying for our sins and then His resurrection! Maybe you tube will take you down. I don’t know about that, I certainly hope not. I pray for your ministry AND you, your precious family❤️✝️

[@theamishpotato]

I don’t think KZbin would take it down. I’m just not the best at explaining things at times. I just assume everyone knows how Christ paid for our sins but thank you for pointing that out. I need to include that when sharing the gospel.

[@bornagainchristianvanlifer2018]

Did you ever know an English turn Amish and if so how far did they go or last?

[@therealz360z7]

The rumshringer seems scary I don't think I would want to go that route even as an English kid I never wanted to walk after dark or go to bars ,I guess it's just me.

[@davytroyer5672]

😂😂😂CJ.... loan em to a farmer....? Cracking me up. We're we loaned out or did they sell us...?😂

[@theamishpotato]

Haha now that you bring it up, maybe we were sold😳😂

[@davytroyer5672]

@@theamishpotato either way it was a good childhood. 😊

[@tammyandm.e.8843]

I’m glad you found the truth. I don’t think any of the Amish are going to hell either unless that’s in their own hearts to do so. God is Love. He isn’t looking to cast people into hell. They cast themselves into hell, not by God

[@tracyfisher3435]

Where do they put their food if they don't Have cabinets

[@ariellechapman1670]

Is there anything out there like Rosetta Stone, that teaches Pennsylvania Dutch?

[@theamishpotato]

I don’t think so. It’s not a written language either. But there is a guy on KZbin who discusses it

[@Butt--Head]

In America do all Amish speak Dutch & English or just English?

[@billierenshaw3302]

Do not be ashamed of the “good values” you were taught ,and most of all be very grateful that GOD has His hand on you FOR PURPOSE. TO TELL ABOUT JESUS ...HOPEFULLY YOUR TESTIMONY WILL INFLUENCE YOUR AMISH FAMILY 🥰🙏🩸

[@conniesalamy8486]

Why no kitchen cabinets? I don’t understand. Please let us know please.

[@theamishpotato]

Just the rules they have. They can’t really explain either other than saying it’s to “worldly”.

[@sharondease3551]

What did your family teach you about people who wasnt amish?..i mean i feel like we who arent of thier faith or community are looked down on,is that true?

[@AllTheCloudsArePink]

It's so interesting that Pennsylvania Dutch are known for their carpentry then there's a taboo on cabinets. Im so confused.

[@theamishpotato]

Yes. It’s only a few communities who outlawed cabinets. Those communities tend to push farming. Every church district has different rules. None really make sense😋

[@glutenfreejoe6099]

Hi CJ why do Amish kids have to drop out of school after 8th grade?

[@Butt--Head]

I got a weird question, if Amish people are still around when the world is about to end and society is so advanced to move to a moon or planet do you think every Amish community would stay and go out with the planet or do you see by the time that happens Amish people not having a choice but to no longer live cut off from society because of how futuristic the rest of the world is living that wanting to live with no running water or electricity wouldn't be possible anymore?

[@journeyhawk1728]

Could you explain the rationale or superstitions as to why the Amish do not like their pictures taken? Also, is it the Amish who will ride in another person's car only if the bumpers are painted and not silver, or is it the Mennonites that do that? What is the superstition or belief about shiny bumpers on cars? Thank you.

[@theamishpotato]

I've never heard of Amish not riding in cars with shiny bumpers, unless there is a community out there like that I don't know about? One of the 10 commandments says "do not have make any graven images for yourself". They view photos of themselves as having an idol and being prideful and setting yourself higher than God. Most amish aren't that concerned with it, they just don't like feeling like an exhibit when a bunch of tourists take pictures of them. I talk about a little in this vid. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZ7Ulmyfo6-SnNE

[@journeyhawk1728]

@@theamishpotato thank you for your reply. I have been watching quite a few of your videos in succession and after I asked the question about the taking of photos, I think the next video I watched, I got my answer. It figures! Many years ago when I was on a weekend liberty frim Navy boot camp in Maryland, we went to the farmer's market in Lancaster. Boy! What a piece of heaven with all of the goodies! I noticed people taking photos of the Amish. The Amish people threw the offenders dirty looks. If looks could kill! The message was definitely strong! As far as riding in cars where the bumpers must be painted black, or must not be silver as I had asked about, it must be a part of what the Mennonites believe. I often get the two groups mixed up. Thank you for your time in answering my question.

[@terywetherlow5980]

@@journeyhawk1728 Hence black bumper Amish sects

[@journeyhawk1728]

@@terywetherlow5980 is this true? I just was curious about this because I have seen this activity before, but I get confused as to whether it was the Amish or Mennonites that had issues about shiny bumpers on cars. I took it as some sort of superstitious belief or something.

[@DaveD2488]

Wow I thought the Amish people stayed within the Amish group always unless they chose to leave the group at age 16 after rumspringa?

[@chrisdubois8980]

Hello

[@christiegilliland6932]

Are you able to see all your siblings and parents or are they aloud to see you

[@theamishpotato]

yes we can see each other. video on shunning coming up.

[@ladyryan902]

Oh I disagree with your being lazy I think you paid attention to all things around you..noticing that the boys were soft was because you noticed those kids don't look like kids you grew up around..you probably seen animals in the clouds too..😄 you brought a memory back..my folks were driving thru blueballs in pa. I was about 5 n in the back of the truck he picked up an amish boy about 14 he was hitchhiking n my dad must've checked back there dozens of times didn't trust that boy?? Learned years later why ..that was a very old memory. Thx

[@kerry6499]

Are all your siblings still in the Amish church?

[@theamishpotato]

All but 2. I have a brother who is non-amish and another brother who is in rumspringa.

[@pilgrimcarolee7294]

I notice your wearing a wedding ring. When did you find a woman you fell in love with & Later marry?

[@theamishpotato]

I found a beautiful wife in Idaho. We have been married 4 years now. You can find my testimony on how I left the Amish on my channel.

[@pamfink4052]

Was your family "house church" or did your district haves church building?

[@theamishpotato]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKDNf5-qg9qYaas

[@freedomacreshomestead3723]

Do the Amish have to give a certain amount of their earnings to the church or leadership of the community that they live in?

[@theamishpotato]

Most tithe but they are not required to.

[@judywankel5276]

Were you shunned by your family when you chose to leave?

[@theamishpotato]

Thank you for watching. Yes I was shunned for a year and a half but since I am from a less conservative community it wasn't bad at all. I still visited with my parents. The only thing different was the eating part. I will do a video on this someday.

[@tyd_vir_nuwe_begin]

Why did you leave the Amish?

[@theamishpotato]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/j17HfJ1urMl-etU

[@rebekahwilson7703]

Do you have a brother named Eli?

[@theamishpotato]

I don’t

[@rebekahwilson7703]

Thanks.😊

[@geraldinemcardle2418]

You look cute

[@fordbossss]

Did all of your siblings remain Amish?

[@theamishpotato]

All but me and my brother so far.

[@willwipf7030]

Der engliher hatouf du fonst on ,that was for smoking, that's how the hutterite said it

[@nicholelivesay3828]

Day in the life from your mom or sisters point of view would be a nice video if not to intrusive

[@theamishpotato]

I will put it on the list and do my best to explain it from there side. Thank you for the idea!

[@terywetherlow5980]

@@theamishpotato I was wondering if they had any new opinions of your channel. I saw an earlier one that seemed to convey they weren't going to be making cameos much, understandably. Did you marry the Amish gal or not?

[@theamishpotato]

@@terywetherlow5980 I haven’t talked to them since they discovered my channel😬. Nope I didn’t marry her. My wife is non-Amish from Idaho

[@terywetherlow5980]

@@theamishpotato Oh that was wise given the dilemma you faced.....i am not up to speed yet....lol sorry. My paternal great gram must have been old order Menno. Deutwiler....sp? Having lived geographically near both groups i get overall sense of how it must have been for you. Fascinating groups....

[@tracyfisher3435]

Me or none of my grown kids ever had Chores to do

[@jennSalvate]

Wow!

[@tracyfisher3435]

I mean never had chores to do

[@bradfordrusso7480]

This young man is describing his own experience, with fond nostalgia. That's fine ... for him. BUT he is implying, and viewers are getting the impression his way is "better". Suggesting that All kids across America should be raised this way. I disagree. Not only completely, but violently. I washed dishes and was creative with common household items, too. But I grew up to be a scientist and engineer. I was a child in the 1960's. Called "The heroic age of science". TV was clean and educational. He was only "educated" through 8th grade. By his own admission it was mostly religion and hyms, rather than academics. I met these kids. Barely able to read and write. What he calls 8th grade is less than I would call 5th grade. Example: Being taught the earth is Flat, because an Old Testament verse says God will gather His people Israel "from the 4 corners of the earth". What would happen if every kid was raised his way? In savage ignorance and superstition. It would be a complete disaster for our nation and the world. You speak of a wide spectrum of "levels" -- different sects, beliefs, and practices. All based on different opinions. Tell the Truth. What you call "communities" is actually "splinter groups". Where one congregation explodes into tooth-picks. Fighting over absurd nit-picking doctrinal arguments. Now these opposing groups are made to hate, damn, and shun each other. In a NON-Christian way. Do NOT try to deny it. I KNOW. I, too, have lived my entire life of 65 years in Lancaster PA. I take great exception to this video in that it is an imbalanced white-wash. Hiding the UGLY side of Amish and Mennonite. As evidenced by all the comments expressing admiration. The typical naive NYC tourist viewpoint. Why didn't you tell about the horrible abuses -- physical, psychological, sexual? Brain-washing torture used on kids and adults. To destroy self-esteem and individuality. Playing with grotesque dolls who have No faces. Rape, incest, adultery, beastiality. Mental retardation, birth defects, genetic diseases. In more than half of families. The results of denying science and generations of in-breeding. All hidden from prying eyes of outsiders. Until the police finally find out. You are male. Let's hear the girl's side of the story. It's vastly different. They are totally powerless and helpless. Often Raped and Not allowed to tell. (Where the rapist is often their own Father or Brother.) Why didn't you reveal the sordid details of living by the Ordnung? Ridiculous arbitrary rules such as hair length and hem length. Which are viciously and vindictively enforced by a church tribunal of lecherous old men. With NO accountability. Ruling like the Spanish Inquisition and Salem Witch Trials. You didn't mention the self-righteous, hypocritical, religious intolerance and bigotry. Because you simply don't know any better. What life is like in the present-day modern, enlightened, Christian world. Instead of the Calvinist dark-ages religion which is all you knew. A world of 500 years ago. Before the Rennaisance, and enlightenment of Martin Luther's Reformation. What about puppy mills? Farm animal abuse? And stinking money hungry, money grubbing? Because hoarded money is seen as God's Approval. Money is the only sign of "Salvation", as opposed to the Christian view of "Assurance". Repentance. Salvation by Grace through Faith. By contrast is your antiquated Calvinist-derived view. A primitive mixture of pre-destination, and earning heaven by "good works" out-weighing the bad. None of which is supportable by New Testament scripture. Money-nites are so greedy, it is said they would steal the dead flies from a blind, starving spider. In your culture it's common practice of Lying By Omission ... which is not considered evil. For Example: Road side produce stands hide the bruised, spoiled, moldy fruit at the bottom of the basket. This is considered Clever -- God-given wisdom -- out-smarting and cheating city slickers. In my up-bringing this would be considered Sin. You did not mention or admit that Amish are Not American. They refuse to fly our U.S. Flag. Nor recite the Pledge of Allegiance. All I have mentioned is but a tiny fraction of more than 100 Ugly facts and stories I could tell, from my lifetime experience living among the Plain People. Including personal testimony, journalistic research, police reports, and court records. You need to be honest and tell BOTH sides. But you can't. You don't know any better. Because you were raised in a culture where hiding things is necessary for survival. Since your vicious, vindictive friends, neighbors, family earn their salvation by Tattling to church elders. Just like Gestapo. What you called "visiting" is what we call gossip. Which is absolutely forbidden in the Bible. This is NOT the democratic American way. It is the "communal" society way. You are "commune-ist". This habitual lying and hiding is seen in Russian imigrants. They come from a strictly repressive society, just like yours. By your own admission you said you did NOT overall enjoy childhood. Of course Not! Self-esteem must be crushed. Because it breeds individuality. Which threatens cohesion of the "community". As in an ant colony, not the human spirit of individual Freedom of body, mind, spirit. NO THANKS. I would Never raise kids like you were raised.

[@barbaraweidenhammer7644]

Now that you are not AMISH, do you wish you would have finished high school ?

[@theamishpotato]

I wanted to finish school even when I was Amish but wasn't allowed to. I did get my GED later.

[@dannyyoder6034]

@Barbara Weidenhammer. May I answer for myself, not others? I finished 8th grade in my old order district. ( I never tell where). I did not pursue "higher education" though I have spent many hours with graduates from the Mennonite college in Lancaster. I am not adept at a computer, or this "smart phone" or I would do a video ( minus my image). Amish children learn only what they need to learn to live.( Bible is a MUST!) my parents always said, " if God is silent to you, then your Bible is closed" I do not tell my age, but I am up in years, and I have learned from experience that what you need ( extra) in life, God will teach! People are so soft these days, including some Amish, that they feel God's Lessons are sometimes so harsh. Did I ever wish for more Schooling and "higher education"? No. No. No. What I did and still wish for is understanding. The older I get, the more I say, " I dont understand" For example: why would an Amish trade in wealth of peace for the ways of the world? The ways of the world are harsh, and condemning. I would much rather suffer the Shunning of Old Order Swartzentrubers than try to evade the evil judgment of the world. Much criticism is piled and shoveled at the Amish ( except on Indian Reservations) by peoples so trapped in the quagmire of sin, they actually feel comfortable in hypocracy. I wish I knew how to upload, I have so much to say. I defend Amish life and will until I die. Yes, there is much wrong in our ways, but is it a righteous world that judges us? Observe the events forced upon us...and you...by elite,rich and powerful people. They have "higher education" but as the Bible says, " professing to be wise, they became fools" and " forever learning but never coming into the knowledge of the trurh" I know that my redeemer lives and that he will never forsake me. What greater promise is there? Today higher education teaches blasphemy and unGodliness. A pharmacist told me recently that a medical student cannot graduate without assisting in an abortion. See the trap? Once your hands are bloody, it is supposed to keep you silent and imprisoned. I serve a saviour who spared me many pitfalls, and I know that both my parents when they lived offered a profuse vial of tears praying for me.they loved me and as Timothy said in the Bible, they showed love for God by obeying his word. My dearly departed brother, "Walking Joe Yoder" was uneducated, while another legend, "The Goat Man" use your browser to look him up..except Joe.. had a PhD. Yet, they both filled my life with " sorrow and the happiness of it" It matters not how you were born, it matters only how you die.❤🌷

[@barbaraweidenhammer7644]

@Danny Yoder, I was asking about finishing high school, because I wondered IF it was hard to find employment, without a high school Diploma. I didn’t have any College Education, but I never wanted to be the CEO of any Corporation either. I worked all sorts of different jobs, before I had children. Once they arrived I was a stay at home Momma. I also took care of other children both in my home with my children & then in their homes once my children were grown. I don’t look own my nose at at anyone, educated or not. For me it’s how you treat others that matters to me & you don’t need a college education for that.

[@dannyyoder6034]

@@barbaraweidenhammer7644 Barbara, it was never hard to find work being young and Amish. Contractors came around looking for us because we gave a good day's work and even at their reduced wages, we did good. It is all relative though. Some will say they cheated us in wage earnings, others were on a preferred list the Contractors had a mental note of.ha. One quick story: the "Boss", a medical helicopter pilot came one day...my wife was there and would not shake his hand. He told the Foreman to fire me. The Foreman said, " that is their way. His wife never shook my hand either." The Boss insisted and the Foreman said, " get yourself another foreman, then, and another crew, they are going with me." I admire you staying at home and being a wife. It seems to be nothing modern women want. I am often asked, " where can I find a woman like your wife?" I smile and say, "Marry Amish, and do not try to convert her." 😀 Thank you for your kind post.I will remember it. I admire

[@terywetherlow5980]

@@barbaraweidenhammer7644 most of the famous inventers had an 8th grade education.....many in my generation grads of mid 70's. Learned on the job. Until some whiz found out offering 20-30,000 certifications for a career was an endless income for the shucksters. Hence the debt on the backs of todays youth.....

[@catheyahannas3240]

I'm seriously interested to know why they think God doesn't want them to have indoor plumbing? God has blessed people with the intelligence to make life cleaner, safer and most definitely for a lack of a better word sanitation removal from the home and disease! Do they also know how dangerous propane gas is in the hands of someone not Gas Check Certified? I'm not being disrespectful when I say this, but they have made themselves specticals of today's society when there isn't one thing in the bible that says anything about the way you should dress. Common sense dictates women who are respectable should wear clothing that covers them appropriately and men as well. What I have read so far is sadly a whole lot of brain washing cult like behavior.

[@tracyfisher3435]

I wish I could watch One thing without those stupid words Coming up

[@theamishpotato]

What words? Do you have captions turned on on your video player?

[@coxqt]

Do Amish men mastubate?

[@hardcorehunter9438]

My neighbors are mennonite, new order amish. Great people.

[@relaxationandmeditation9512]

Thanks for sharing your story.