The Amish Life

There is a simple life in the northeast corner of Indiana, where books take the place of television and horse-drawn buggies are the essential mode of transportation. Meet the Zehrs, an Amish family in a devout Christian community.\nThe Amish live to serve God through a life without the technical advancements of modern society. For the Zehrs, a family of nine, the day starts at 6 a.m. with a hearty breakfast and a small prayer. During the day, some children go to school while others tend to chores. Girls will learn to sew, make clothes, cook and bake. Boys will learn the family business: farming or carpentry. \nChores on the Zehr homestead are typical of farmers. Once the Zehr boys return from school, they tend to the cows, feed the livestock and groom the horses. The girls help with preparing food and cleaning the house. When the Zehrs have spare time, they read newspapers or library books. At the end of the day, they light kerosene lanterns, and the children finish their homework. \nThe Amish life is long with labor but fruitful with the pleasure of knowing that it all was accomplished with one's own hands.\nThe father of the family, Henry Zehr, said, "The Amish way of life has an in-depth sense of practical living in the world but not of the world. Waking in the morning to the dawn of a new day ... something attempted -- something achieved. Life is worth living knowing that God is in control of everything"