Hey! My name is Lori O’Dell. I’m 35 years old…a mother of a teenage daughter and a seven year old son, who are the loves of my life, along with my husband. I am a police officer by profession (a patrolman as well as a DARE Officer). My husband is a full-time firefighter, which means we have a very unusual household. 🙂 I began photography a few years ago to escape some of the stress and heartache from police work. I had the feeling that I could bring happiness to others with my camera, and have a feeling of success now in doing just that.
I live approximately three hours away from the Amish community in Seymour, MO. I visit there often, and have began getting to know some of the locals. My mom and I have made it tradition to attend the bake sale they have during the 2nd and 4th weekends of each month during the spring/summer. The Seymour Amish are Old Order Amish. They only drive open buggies and do not have indoor plumbing. They have several small businesses in their homes or nearby shops, offering fresh eggs, produce, tack and harnesses, as well as a small general store that supplies many of the items they need. It is such a friendly group of Amish, they make each and every trip so memorable.
These are some of the photos I took:
Want more about the Amish? Check out my Big Sky book series! Book Three: Beyond Hope’s Valley is out now!
After an extended stay in Montana, where Amish traditions are different than in her home state, Marianna Sommer returns to Indiana for two reasons, first to help her brother and his girlfriend prepare for a baby and their wedding. Second, to plan her own wedding to Aaron Zook — a marriage she’s been dreaming about ever since childhood. And yet, although she had missed the idyllic farms and families of her upbringing, Marianna is surprised that Indiana is somehow making her long now for Montana.
As months pass, secrets that were hidden in winter’s frozen grasp thaw and take on a life of their own. The truths about a child, about a past relationship, and about God’s plans are being revealed. Walking through a valley of questions, Marianna must hold on to hope as she decides where and with whom her heart truly belongs.
Hello Tricia,
I like your blog and your photos are real nice. My wife is a photo journalist as well. We are making our way up to seymour, Mo this weekend. I am currently serving in the Army, so it will be a good getaway for us. We wanted to visit the Amish country. I was wondering where they have that bake sale every other weekend? We would like to see and experience some of the shops. Please let me know where we could find these spots. thankyou
There is a amish man lives about. A mile from us who castrated his son for dating an english girl. He was bleeding a lot and hadto go to the doctor andthe boysaid he did itto himself.
I’ve always had a thing for Amish boys. Would like to know more about their family. It’s been a dream of mine to marry an Amish boy and live the way they do. Prayers for the family ❤
I would like to know more about the family. I live in Seymour, MO. And I have always lived Amish. And it’s been a dream of mine to marry one. Prayers for the family sent.
Very disrespectfull to take pictures of the amish..they do not believe in photos..ask first,many will say no,
I agree! We live off of C Hwy and are very close with our Amish neighbors. They would be very upset that pictures were taken and put on the internet! How would you feel if someone was taking pictures of your family without your consent!
I absolutely agree ~ some of my closest friends are Amish and they give me the freedom of taking pictures till my hearts content BUT I would NEVER disrespect them by taking their pictures EVER!
I agree. The Amish do not believe in photographs. We need to admire them with our own eyes, not on paper or a computer screen. Do not take a camera with you when you go to visit, and you won’t have to worry about accidentally offending anyone.
Thank you so much for all the helpful hints. We were here last weekend my 9 year daughter and I drove over to Seymour it’s only 30 min from Springfield. We were so excited!!!! We both had never been before, and we may go again tomorrow? We are up here for my dad who is in the hospital, but have managed to have daily excursions. I never thought I was going to be able to experience visiting an Amish community, except if I went up to Pennsylvania. Once we got here it came to me that I should look it up, and I’m so happy I did!!!! It was so neat getting to drive around & everyone was super friendly My daughter and I were off exploring off the main road I forgot the name but off the ten mile road. We were just driving & happened to come across a little boys hat. Then my daughter spotted the buggy down the road so we drove up next to them, and my daughter said: sorry to bother you, but is this yours?? She said: yes, and it was her sons hat, he was asleep on the back of the buggy. They were so nice, and we had a nice conversation. As we drove off my daughter squealed with excitement that she couldn’t believe we talked to Amish people. It was so sweet, it’s just the simple things. I was so neat to see her react in that way , and I never would’ve expected that from my child. I would definitely recommend visiting Seymour, MO! Hopefully someday I can make it up for the bake sale.
Hello There!
I just wanted to let you know that we just bought a home in Seymour Mo right amongst all the Almish. We have Almish neighbors on both sides and we buy eggs from a Almish family just around the corner from us We have’nt gotten to know any of them yet because we just moved here but hope to make friends with them. Could you tell me where they have their bake sales at? I would love to go to one of them. It’s nice meeting you! You have a Wonderful day!
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