Plain Wisdom: An Invitation into an Amish Home and the Hearts of Two Women in Crazy Challenge Connection

Feb 12, 2011 Christy rated it it was amazing

Let me just say that I enjoyed this book way more than I ever expected to! When I first started reading it, I would read a couple of pages here, a couple there, and I didn't invest a lot of time with it in the very beginning. I finally decided to pick it up again a couple of days ago, and really allowed myself to enjoy it fully.

Well....the rest was history! In no time flat, it became nearly impossible to put down! I soaked up each chapter, and the wisdom contained within. Some chapters spoke to Let me just say that I enjoyed this book way more than I ever expected to! When I first started reading it, I would read a couple of pages here, a couple there, and I didn't invest a lot of time with it in the very beginning. I finally decided to pick it up again a couple of days ago, and really allowed myself to enjoy it fully.

Well....the rest was history! In no time flat, it became nearly impossible to put down! I soaked up each chapter, and the wisdom contained within. Some chapters spoke to me more than others, and some had morsels of wisdom that I would go back and read again.

Even though Miriam and Cindy are from two completely different worlds, they share how similar they really are. Whether it was the daily tasks of being a mother, their commitments to their husbands, or their devotion to their friends, their goals were the same. They've trusted God to lead and direct their lives, and let Him shine through them to bless others.

I think that anyone that reads this book will have something that speaks to them. My moment came almost at the very end in the chapter called "Opportunity for the Taking." Now, I have been a procrastinator all my life, and no, it's not something that I'm proud of. I've missed deadlines, had to eat some crow on a few occasions where I didn't step up to the plate like I should have, and missed opportunities for all sorts of things that I would've enjoyed being a part of, whether it was a benefit to me or a benefit to someone else. Well, this one little statement that Miriam made in this chapter brought it all into perspective for me--"One little deed done in time is worth more than a thousand good intentions." I had to stop right there and say a little prayer that God would help me take action quicker on the things that are important, and to focus my time on things that are meaningful.

This book was such a blessing to me, and I have no doubt that it will be to so many people. For folks that are fans of Amish fiction (like me), this book provides a handful of insights into the daily routines of the Amish. It's a very quick read with short chapters, and there's even a few tasty recipes scattered throughout. I hope you'll take the time to read Plain Wisdom, and I pray it will be a blessing to you as it was to me.

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Jul 31, 2012 Kathryn rated it did not like it

Shelves: non-fiction, kindle-books-includes-arcs, christian, library, read-in-2012, overdrive-libby

I read this partly on the Kindle and the rest in paperback. but neither way did I really like it. I just didn't feel a friendship between the two women and it just really wasn't what I was expecting. As someone else put it, not much wisdom just a lot of common sense. But this is not to say, this is a bad book, it just wasn't for me. It solidifies the fact though that even though people are different in many ways, in many ways, we all are very similar. ...more

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May 25, 2011 Kara rated it really liked it

Novelist Cindy Woodsmall might seem to have little in common with Miriam Flaud, a woman from the Old Order Amish. With nine children and almost 60 years of marriage between them, Cindy and Miriam have found secrets to facing life with strength and grace.

With poignant recollections, unexpected insights and humorous tales, the women welcome the reader into their unique friendship. With glimpses of traditions and ways of the Amish, Miriam also shares her traditions and even some family recipes.Trul ...more

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