Marlene Miller on Grace Leads Me Home: Giveaway & Interview
Marlene Miller is a convert to the Amish and author of Grace Leads Me Home, a memoir of becoming Amish and her life in the 45 years since. I read Marlene’s book a couple of months ago and quite enjoyed it. Here is how I described my overall impression:
I liked the book. We’ve seen a few accounts of individuals leaving the Amish lately (see Ira Wagler or Saloma Miller Furlong). An account of joining the Amish by a person still in the faith is rarer. I asked an Amish convert once for an interview for this site, and was politely refused, a decision I could understand. At the same time Amish literary expression has flourished with more and more publications by Amish. Marlene is not afraid to share her warts in this book. If you enjoy raw first-person life stories you’ll like this one.
You can read the rest of what I wrote, including more details about the content here: Marlene Miller’s Grace Leads Me Home.
Marlene has kindly answered a few questions for us today, and also offered a copy of Grace Leads Me Home in a giveaway contest.
How to Win Grace Leads Me Home
There are two ways to enter to win:
1. Leave a comment on this post.
2. “Like” the Amish America Facebook page, then leave a comment here.
You can do both, for a total of 2 chances to win. I’ll draw and announce the winner in one week’s time, on Thursday, July 5th.
Marlene Miller Interview
Marlene’s answers are short and sweet but I think you’ll enjoy them. Thanks Marlene!
Amish America: What aspect of Amish life has been hardest to adapt to or adopt?
Marlene Miller: Number 1 was language, number 2 sewing, number 3 farming. It was 1971 before I ever tried harnessing and hitching up our road horse.
What was the hardest thing about writing Grace Leads Me Home?
Two aspects of my life were really hard. My childhood memories and my son’s accident, death and funeral had me constantly dripping tears on my paper.
What do you like about living in Holmes County?
We live in Tuscarawas County. But we call ourselves Holmes County Amish. Holmes County is next door. The scenery in these rolling hills are beautiful. The people are kind, laid back and very helpful when a need arises. Because the Amish drive buggies we can take the time to greet with a wave an smile.
What changes have you seen come to your community over 40-some years?
Because of the huge growth over 45 years, we’ve been divided 4 times. We only have 2 farmers in our district. They have more modern machinery. The homes shops also have more modern conveniences.
As a mother and grandmother what if any concerns do you have for the next generations?
My biggest fear for my grandchildren and great-grandchildren is that they may become slaves to our government. Our forefathers died so they and we also could have the freedom to worship Jesus Christ.
You write that certain things about being Amish have been harder to pick up than others, such as language. At this point are you treated much differently than others in your community?
I must admit our family was at times treated differently, but as the years have passed we’re treated very kindly.
What would you advise someone seeking the Amish?
Whether you’re Amish or not you need to repent, ask Jesus Christ our Savior to come and live within your heart. Read the Bible everyday and be obedient to His Word. Seek a real Bible-believing church. The Lord may want you to become an Amish Christian. NOT Just anyone can do this.
Do you know others who have joined the Amish?
Yes, two married families who live 10 miles from us. Another man who was in his 70’s wanted to marry an Amish widow. He joined the Amish faith, married her and had a wonderful life. They have both passed away.
Can you tell us about the reception of your book? How have you promoted it? Where can we get a copy?
My book was received exceptionally well. I self-published but have sold over 6 thousand. I sent wholesale brochures to different stores in 3 states. I have books in some restaurants near my home, but the biggest restaurant is in Sarasota, Florida, called Troyer’s Dutch Heritage.
My book is available on Amazon as an E-book only. A person can order from Faith View Books (Millersburg, Ohio), Gospel Book Store (Berlin, Ohio), Gospel Shop (Sugarcreek, Ohio), or direct from me at Marlene C. Miller, 9082 Cement Bridge Rd., Dundee OH 44624.
**A little more info on ordering (thanks Linda)**: If someone wants to order a book directly from Marlene Miller, the price is $14.99, plus 3.00 shipping. Ohio residents add 6 1/2% tax. She accepts check or money order, and yes, she will autograph her book for you. Her phone is 866-660-2332. Marlene said she will gladly send you a book; she will gladly send 2 books if you want!
Grace Leads Me Home Winners & Book Excerpt
We’ve got two winners of Marlene Miller’s Grace Leads Me Home today. First, a note from Cathy:
Hi, I’m Cathy, Marlene’s friend who helped her write her book,Grace Leads Me Home. I just got off the phone with Marlene and she is just thrilled with all the comments from everyone on this site. It’s wonderful to her that out of her conviction that God wanted her to write down her story for her family and others to read, so many are blessed and enjoying reading about her journey. She is excited to see who will win the drawing for the books.
So…let’s see who that is. Judging by the number of entries on the blog and Facebook there is quite a bit of interest in Marlene’s book. I’ve just used random.org to draw 2 numbers from the entries:
Andrew Dufresne (Facebook comment #14)
Patsy (blog comment #18)
Congrats to Andrew and Patsy. Send a mailing address to me at ewesner@gmail.com, and I’ll pass it along to Marlene so she can send you your book.
We’ve also got an excerpt from Grace Leads Me Home. In this section, taken from chapter 13, “Tough Times”, Marlene describes a particular trying period in her life as an Amish farm wife:
After we had been farming Wayne’s place for three years, in the summer of 1971 I started having misgivings about my abilities as an Amish wife and mother. Johnny was still farming and working days at the window and door plant; and we had six children, two in diapers, which began to overwhelm me. My workload was at its peak in the middle of canning season, and I was in a family way again and probably run down, physically and emotionally.
Because our two babies slept in their baby beds in our bedroom, I was constantly awake at night. Several times a night I had to get up to feed the babies, and, with feeding and changing, it was an hour or two each time until I could get back to bed try to catch a little bit of sleep. Lack of sleep along with the pressing weight of all the other duties that a good Amish wife should do made me want to leave it all. A consuming thought started going through my mind, “Just walk away…just walk away. You can’t do it all. This is too much.” Satan really had a heyday with me during that dark time. I still loved Johhnny and my children, I still wanted to belleve and keep the Amish faith, but I was terribly overwhelmed, and I continually allowed this thought to consumer me, “I’m not good enough to be an Amish wife.”
The other Amish wives seemed to be an ideal of industry and kindness I could never live up to. Then when I was called lazy by an Amish relative, it really hurt me deep down to the core. I had tried very hard to be a dedicated Amish wife and mothers, had spent several years studying and learning this life, and I knew absolutely in my spirit that the Lord wanted me to be Asmih, but I diddn’t know how I could go on any longer.
For about two weeks, the feelings of being overwhelmed just consumed me. Outside I had sows and pigs to feed and 100 chickens to tend to besides collecting and washing the eggs. Inside, I had three babies in cloth diapers, which I had to wash-no Pampers for us. Then there was the continual washing, cleaning, sewing baking, ironining-back then I ironed all our everyday clothes besides our church clothes-meals to make, bathing of children, and always dishes and dishes and dishes to wash.
Gardening, which I hadn’t known much about with my city upbringing, was the hardest chore for me. It seemed I could never keep up with the weeds. Then the canning for our ever-expanding family would start. In the summer I canned many different kinds of fruits and vegetables. Even in the winter, the canning continued with beef, hogs, and chickens that we raised, butchered, and preserved. We put up hundreds upon hundreds of quarts of food each year. Many times I thought, “How in the world will I ever get this canning done?”
It’s not that Johnny didn’t help me when he could, but with farming morning and nights at our place and Wayne’s and working eight hours at the factory, he could only do so much. I still brag about how many dirty diapers Johnny rinsed out in the toilet and then rinsed in the sink before I washed them on wash day. Sometimes when he came home at night, I had whole piles of dirty diapers waiting to be taken care of. Johnny would look at them and say, “I will do this.” And he took them, rinsed each one in the toilet, rinsed it again in the sink, and hung it to dry either on the side of the bathtub or the rinse tub in the basement. If we didn’t hang them to dry those diapers would mildew by wash day. Not only were the diapers piling up, but my feelings of being overwhelmed were piling up, too.
It wasn’t that I wanted to leave being Amish or leave Johnny, but I just couldn’t cope any longer. I even began thinking, “My mom was right. I can’t handle this life anymore.” One gloomy day with overcast skies, I sat down and wrote Johnny a note, my mood as glum as the weather. I told him that I really loved him and the children, but I couldn’t go on any longer with the overwhelming responsibilities; I just had to leave. I even said I would wear my Amish clothes and believe my Amish faith, but mentally I couldn’t take my life any longer.
I had my leaving all planned….
If you’d like to get a copy of Grace Leads Me Home, you can do that direct from Marlene:
The price is $14.99, plus 3.00 shipping. Ohio residents add 6 1/2% tax. She accepts check or money order, and yes, she will autograph her book for you. Her phone is 866-660-2332. The address: Marlene C. Miller, 9082 Cement Bridge Rd., Dundee OH 44624.
Marlene said she will gladly send you a book; she will gladly send 2 books if you want!
Great interview
I am going to read this book! I would love to win it, but either way, I am going to read it!
Liked the FB page and shared also. With all the interest in Amish fiction, it is good to see some less romaticised non-fiction presented.
I can't wait for this book!
I greatly enjoy reading about the Amish, and have often mused about how it would be to “jump the fence” in reverse. Reading about someone who did it would be fascinating!
I liked the FB page and oommented there as well.
Thanks for writing this book, it presents a view not often seen or heard..
Interesting!
I have been wanting to read this book. I know one of the author’s daughters and so the story intrigues me. I already liked the facebook page before this so do I need to unlike it and like it again? 🙂
Barbara, sorry I’m late replying, no you didn’t need to do that 🙂 I hope you’ll get a chance to read, Marlene’s is an interesting story.
Would love to win this book!
I would love to win a copy of this book, I enjoy reading true stories of people who live or have lived in Amish communities. Look forward to reading this book. I have liked Amish America on face book and have been following this blog for years.
Thank you for the chance to win!
I would love to win this book! Thanks for the opportunity!
Thanks for making me aware of this book. Looking forward to reading it!
Would love to win this book — looks ike a winner.. thank you for the chance to enter the giveaway.
I would love to win a copy of this book. Thanks for the opportunity.
Jane Reeves
Grace Leads Me Home
I have read sevearl of your books and looking forward to reading Grace Lives Me Home.
Grace Leads M Home
I have read almost all of your books and would like to win Grace Leads Me Home. But if I don’t win it, I will probably read it anyway.
Would love to read your book. Thanks for the chance to enter your giveaway. Blessings on your writing journey, Marlene.
Grace Leads Me Home
I would love to read this book. My husband I just came back from Lancaster yesterday. I love to visit the Amish. We are now looking to visit Holmes county. thank you so much for the opportunity to win this book.
Thank you for the opportunity to win.
I love to read the Amish Books.
Cheryl B
Comment on Marlene Miller's Book Grace Leads me home: Giveaway & Interview
I enjoyed reading the interview questions and answers. I would love to read the book too. If I don’t win the book, I will definately be ordering it from Marlene.
amish memoir
i enjoy all amish reads, iam reading murray puras novel now about an amish fighter pilot in ww1. look forward to this read and will donate to collinsville(ok) library after i read it Pat Davis
Awesome interview with Marlene Miller…I would love to win a copy of Marlene’s book…’Grace leads me Home’…..I have shared on facebook and twitter
A Welcome Book
I am so glad to finally find a book about the Amish that is by a convert. It is nice to see the positives. While every group has fans/critics all to often only one side receives the press. I would love to read this book.
Book giveaway
I loved the interview! I would love to be a winner of this book! Thank you for the chance and have a great day.
Sounds like my kind of book, would love to win it. Thanks!
Grace
I would love to win this book. I buy so many all the time that a free one would be wonderful. Thanks
Comment on Marlene Miller giveaway
I would love to be entered to win a copy of this book. Thank you.
I sure hope that I win it’s sounds like a goood book.
I liked this on facebook.
Nice interview. Would love to win her book.
Wow, would love to read this one!
I have been looking in the stores for this book,and haven’t found it.I would love to read it.Please enter me.Thanks
Grace Leads me home (Give away)
Please enter me. I was blessed to be picked for Sherry Gore cookbook, so I’m hoping to be blessed again!
I would love to read this!
Would love an opportunity to win a copy of Marlene Miller’s books-enjoy her perspective as an Amish convert.
I would love to win Grace Leads Me Home. I live near several small communities in upstate NY and am learning new things about the all the time. Thank you Marlene for a great giveaway.
I am looking forward to reading this book. I had not heard of it previously but it sounds wonderful. I sure hope to win this book but if I don’t, my husband and I will be visiting Berlin, Ohio next month so I will be able to buy it at the Gospel Book Store.
God bless you, Marlene. Are you planning to write any more books?
Linda say hi to “Small” at Gospel Book Store!
I quietly crept over to facebook and liked Amish America then left asap, lol.
please enter me in contest for book drawing. thx, Rhonda
rhonda_nash_hall@comcast.net
I liked your fb page too. Would love to read her book. Love your site!
well this is odd, it’s telling me I already left a comment, but I didn’t…so adding that sentence to see if it’ll work now..I liked your fb page too. Would love to read her book. Love your site!
This book sounds like a great read. I would love to win a copy. Thanks for the opportunity.
I just read Saloma Miller Furlong’s book, now I would really love to read Marlene Miller’s story.
Book
Erik-
Really enjoy your blog. Just saw this book for sale at the Amish and Mennonite Heritage center in Berlin, OH 2 weeks ago. Didn’t buy it, but would love to have it. Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks.
Thanks Chris, hope your Ohio visit went well. I plan to be there this summer.
Would love to win the book! Also visited Yoder’s in Pinecraft a year ago while visiting family in Sarasota last year-awesome!!
Comment on Marlene Miller on Grace Leads Me Home: Giveaway & Interview
I would love to win this book! Anything about the Amish is fascinating to me….in an anthropological way. I enjoy learning about all different “sub-cultures” in our world and the Amish are among them! Either way, I am going to read this book though!
Giveaway
I would love to read this book! It’s not often you can read a story from a convert TO the Amish, as opposed to someone who has left it.
Thanks for another chance to win! Looking forward to reading the book – that way I am a winner either way!
In awe of the Amish lifestyle
I grew up on the outskirts of an Amish community in Indiana. They always seemed a little mysterious in their dark buggies and different style of clothing. As an adult I would take my children to their farms to buy eggs, vegetables, as well as turkeys at Thanksgiving. Friendships were made. I still enjoy reading about them as well as seeing them go about their day. I realize also that in many ways they are no different than the rest of us in our many trials in life.
Sounds like a great book, would love to win…..
Hard Choice
Having read a number of Amish books, I find it interesting to read about someone going into the Amish instead of leaving. Watching “Amish: Out of Order” were Michaela a teenager wanting to convert to the Amish because of their values, I find that this book could only add answers to the age old questions. That being, How hard is it to convert, and what makes a person want to become Amish. There being several different orders of Amish life,(from old order Swartzentruber to the Beachy) I would think the choice could be a hard one to make. I know that Michaela’s was as she still wanted to stay in contact with her family which some old orders would not permit. I sure that Marlene had these choices to make also which would make it quite interesting reading. I would like to add her books to my collection of Amish books upon my book shelves.
I would love to read your book. I heard your interview on a podcast. If I don’t win, I will certainly purchase it.
Sounds like a great book, please enter my name for the contest.
Would love to be a winner, book sounds great.