Loren Beachy Answers (Part 2) and Book Winner

Loren Beachy has delivered a second batch of answers to your questions, so we’ll get right into them.

Loren Beachy Chasing Amish Dream BookToday’s questions include queries about Loren’s favorite writers, how he manages eight grades at once, and how many single Amish ladies he is currently fending off. You asked some good ones.

With these and his previous answers, Loren got to over 30 of your questions, so I think he did alright. We’ll let him off the hook now. 🙂

You’ll find the winner of Chasing the Amish Dream at the end of this post.

Loren Answers Your Questions (Part 2)

Gail: What sorts of books do you like to read for your own personal edification?

Besides of course, the Bible, I enjoy reading Dale Carnegie and historical fiction.

Derek J: How many auctions a year do you do? Who pays for your efforts? and are you limited to a certain geographical area or can English drive you to more distant events?

I am blessed to work between seventy and eighty auctions a year in addition to a weekly hay sale most of the year. Most times the seller ultimately pays the auctioneer. I have sold at auctions in Montana, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Michigan in addition to the good old Hoosier state. You’re right. I either hire a driver or ride with a bus or train.

John Amey: Having been a resident of this state for nearly 65 years and having never been away from home for more than 10 days at a time and only two times, at that, I have a sense of place here in Northern New Hampshire. Also having visited communities in Pennsylvania, new York and Michigan where the Amish thrive, I have yet to ask an Amishman this question; Why do you think there are Amish all around my state but no communities here?

Sorry, your question is beyond my area of expertise.

Andrea Woodard: Is it hard to teach in a one room school house? How do you keep up with the different grades and students?

It is a lively challenge. Maybe that’s why I keep coming back. Delegation is a huge factor in getting everything done. Older students help a lot with drill and checking as well as doing a bit of teaching.

Emily J:  What do you think makes parents choose one sort of school or the other for their children, and do they generally stick with that choice for all their children? Here, I am specifically wondering about children with special needs who might be the fourth or fifth child–if the previous children had all gone to Amish school, might the parents consider sending the child with special needs to public school, or does that usually not happen?

I am looking forward to finding and reading a copy of your book, whether or not I win.

You have an excellent questions. My best answer is: sometimes. Some parents would be much more apt to do this than others, and it is completely up to the parents. Thanks for your kind words.

Debbie Rhoades: How many young ladies want to court you right now, and how do you know that they are interested in doing so?

Your question is the one I shared with the most people. I don’t know how serious you are in asking this. All kidding aside, I have no idea except that the number is something less than all of them.

I don’t even know where to begin on your second question. I feel quite clueless.

Alice Mary:  I truly hadn’t heard of an auction school before. I thought it was more of a “craft” handed down from father to son (or are there any female auctioneers? Would a female be allowed to attend auction school? Just curious, as I know several women whose voices are loud and carry quite a ways!

Loren, your book sounds like a hoot!…how hard was it to be permitted to publish your book, being Old Order Amish?

I know some of those ladies too (smile). Publishing the book was not difficult. Many of us Amish are readers. Producing a TV show would be a different story.

Thank you.

Kim H: I love Amish Produce Auctions.. Do you ever call at any of them?

I don’t have any experience with produce auctions. Sorry.

Jess: 

1. Forgive me, but I was not aware Amishmen were school teachers. Is this normal for Amish? Or unique to your situation or group of people?

2. If you’re a bachelor, how old are you? Just curious, if you’re still young and plan to marry or are (most likely) a lifetime bachelor?

3. Is becoming an auctioneer and attending the classes for it usual among the Amish or is it frowned on in some communities as being higher education?

1. There are certainly more women teachers than men though the gap has closed in the past decade or so.

2. I’m twenty-seven, single, and certainly willing to get married if that is God’s will. I’m enjoying singlehood in the meantime.

3. Hopefully this question was answered in one of the earlier replies.

Renata:  What is the one part of Amish life that you feel is most beneficial to building strong character in your children (or those you teach)?

Excellent questions. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…” (Proverbs 9:10).

That’s not a cop-out. I truly feel that is the foundation we all need to build from.

Eugenia: What do you think is the overriding advantage/benefit of the Amish lifestyle?

Another superb question. The overriding benefit, I think, is the atmosphere that makes it easier to focus on Jesus and His teachings and eliminate distractions and temptations.

Tom Geist: I applaud anyone that has a good sense of humor. Life has plenty of solemn moments to it but most things are not as serious as people make them out to be. Humor lifts us up, changes our moods from dire to delightful.

Question: Do you take much heat from others in your community for being a celebrity of sorts?

What’s a celebrity?

I have received nothing but good-natured harassment.

Thanks, Tom.

Annette: If you could visit any foreign country for a week (on someone else’s dime) where would you go, and why?

The Holy Lands. Just think of all the earth-shaking events in Israel’s history. Do you think we could actually see Calvary and the Garden of Gethsemane?

Terry Berger: What do you think your biggest hurdles were in attaining your dream?

The biggest hurdle in becoming an established auctioneer is all the competition. There are so many good auctioneers in our area.

Gayle Grabowski: Who is your favorite author? What has been your inspiration for writing?

My biggest inspiration is a deadline. My favorite storytellers are John Grisham and John Lescroart.


Chasing the Amish Dream Winner

The winner, drawn using random.org, is:

 Question #8: HDL

Congrats HDL, send a mailing address to ewesner@gmail.com and we’ll get your book out.

Chasing the Amish Dream Winner #2

Surprise, we’re going to do a bonus winner, thanks to the good folks at Loren’s publisher Herald Press. That’s what you call under-promising and over-delivering.

Winner #2 is:

 Question #7: Kim Shinn

Congrats Kim. Let us know where to send it.


Get the Book

One more time, Chasing the Amish Dream: My Life as a Young Amish Bachelor, in a nutshell:

Chasing the Amish Dream SmallLife in author Loren Beachy’s Amish community brims with old-fashioned box socials, smart-alecky students, and pranks involving pink duct tape and black pepper. Meet the young women who manage to be late for church twice in one day and the man who plans to fight drowsiness by jogging beside his horse and buggy. Cheer for Beachy and his cousins in cut-throat baseball games, and join community members as they surround and support a family in their loss.

With the witty warmth of small-town storytellers like Garrison Keillor and Jan Karon, Beachy invites readers into his life as a creative, wise, and wisecracking Old Order Amish schoolteacher and auctioneer.

If you weren’t one of these two lucky folks, you can get your copy of Chasing the Amish Dream at Amazon, MennoMedia, and I’m sure lots of bricks-and-mortar places.

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    10 Comments

    1. Robert Gschwind

      The Book

      Received my copy (UPS)last night. Looking forward to sitting in my favorite recliner (with my dog of course), some hot cider, and reading. From what you have said here, I believe I am in for a treat.

    2. Marvin Mohler

      Oh yes, you can see Mt. Calvary & you can walk through the Garden of Gethsemane. I have been there a few times. For the Christian there is nothing like traveling in Israel.

    3. Gayle Grabowski

      Congratulations to the winners! I have to agree, deadlines are powerful sources of inspiration…

    4. Naomi Wilson

      After the two Q & A’s, I think I am “sold” on this book. Loren has answered plenty of questions, so maybe someone else can answer mine. My two oldest children are ages 7 and almost 5. We struggle to find enough good quality, wholesome family read-aloud stories. Would this book be enjoyable for the whole family?

    5. Tom Geist

      Wait and see...

      I wonder in 10 to 30 years how Loren might answer the same questions. Hmmmm

      If we knew Loren in person I might have understood what he truly meant by certain answers. Some seem tongue-in-cheek answers, some seemed like ‘canned’ responses while some others seem typical for a 27 year old to answer.

      Tom in Lincoln

    6. Loretta

      Enjoyed the questions and answers; congratulations to the lucky winners 🙂

    7. Thank you

      Thank you Loren for answering my question. His answer is exactly as my husband & I would personally have answered it also! Praise God for Christian school teachers!
      Blessings
      Renata:)

    8. Dave

      Renata: What is the one part of Amish life that you feel is most beneficial to building strong character in your children (or those you teach)?

      Excellent questions. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…” (Proverbs 9:10).

      That’s not a cop-out. I truly feel that is the foundation we all need to build from.

      Eugenia: What do you think is the overriding advantage/benefit of the Amish lifestyle?

      Another superb question. The overriding benefit, I think, is the atmosphere that makes it easier to focus on Jesus and His teachings and eliminate distractions and temptations.

      These two thoughts are powerful for a Christian worldview where ever God has planted you. Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Second, our modern world is a wash with pavement, shallowness, weeds, and predators of all kinds. Amish lifestyle sets up a model where both of these answers get the support they deserve.

    9. Ordered the book

      I’ve ordered the book from Amazon, so my wife and I can read it. (Erik continues to be a good book salesman!)

      1. Hey, I guess I can’t help myself, it’s in the blood 🙂