amish

December 24, 2013 by Tricia Goyer 47 Comments

A Not Quite Amish Experience | 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways Day 12

A Not Quite Amish Experience

I didn’t mean to have a Not Quite Amish Christmas last year. Yes, I did choose to simplify. (This year we only purchased a few gifts for each person and instead focused our attention on spending time with one another.) What I didn’t expect is five days without electricity, Christmas included. Unlike the Amish, I am not prepared to live this type of lifestyle. I’m dependent on electricity for cooking, for lights, and for heat (not to mention all the gadgets we have around this house).

.@TriciaGoyer’s most memorable #Christmas? How about a @NotQuiteAmish one?

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What I learned:

Decorator candles make good light makers, too.
Gingerbread cookies can be a yummy breakfast.
When you have nine people (ages 1–83) gathered in the same room for three days, keeping warm by the fireplace, you have some great conversations.
Toddlers, ages one and two years old, do not even notice there is not electricity when they have Christmas toys.
Playing charades by the light of a lantern is a blast.
Cleaning out the closets and donating to Goodwill is great . . . but for once, I’m glad for the large closet filled with blankets!
There are a few things that can make no electricity a little bit more challenging, and that is the stomach flu going around. UGH!

I also learned that even more important than our situation is our response to the situation. Even though we were uncomfortable, and even though this wasn’t the holiday we had planned, everyone kept a great attitude. And I don’t know about you, but I’d rather be stuck in a house with no power and the stomach flu with a family I love—who laugh and make the best of the situation—than being stuck in the most luxurious conditions with people with bad attitudes and conflict.

When a normal #Christmas becomes a @NotQuiteAmish experience (via @TriciaGoyer):

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As Proverbs 17:22 says, “ A cheerful heart is good medicine.” And I’d like to add that it can warm you from the inside out, too!

12 Days of Christmas Giveaways Day 12

I’m celebrating Christmas with my favorite blog readers by giving away a different book pack each day! Today’s book pack is the Fiction Pack, which includes: Sweet September, Songbird Under a German Moon, and Love Finds You in Glacier Bay. Winners will be announced on my blog on Christmas day!
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December 24, 2013 by Tricia Goyer 47 Comments

A Not Quite Amish Experience | 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways Day 12

A Not Quite Amish Experience

.@TriciaGoyer’s most memorable #Christmas? How about a @NotQuiteAmish one?

Click To Tweet

What I learned:

Decorator candles make good light makers, too.
Gingerbread cookies can be a yummy breakfast.
When you have nine people (ages 1–83) gathered in the same room for three days, keeping warm by the fireplace, you have some great conversations.
Toddlers, ages one and two years old, do not even notice there is not electricity when they have Christmas toys.
Playing charades by the light of a lantern is a blast.
Cleaning out the closets and donating to Goodwill is great . . . but for once, I’m glad for the large closet filled with blankets!
There are a few things that can make no electricity a little bit more challenging, and that is the stomach flu going around. UGH!

When a normal #Christmas becomes a @NotQuiteAmish experience (via @TriciaGoyer):

Click To Tweet

As Proverbs 17:22 says, “ A cheerful heart is good medicine.” And I’d like to add that it can warm you from the inside out, too!

12 Days of Christmas Giveaways Day 12

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December 17, 2013 by Tricia Goyer 57 Comments

Books on Sale | 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways Day 5

Right now for a limited time, three of my books are on super sale! For a list of all my books you can buy digitally and physically, check out my book page.
*Please note: Before you purchase one of these books for the price listed below, check to see if the sale price still applies. Prices and dates are subject to change.

Merry early #Christmas! Three of @TriciaGoyer’s books are on #sale:

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12 Days of Christmas Giveaways Day 5

I’m celebrating Christmas with my favorite blog readers by giving away a different book pack each day! Today’s book pack is the Amish Pack, which includes: The Promise Box, A Christmas Gift for Rose, and Along Wooded Paths. Winners will be announced on my blog on Christmas day!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

December 17, 2013 by Tricia Goyer 57 Comments

Books on Sale | 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways Day 5

Right now for a limited time, three of my books are on super sale! For a list of all my books you can buy digitally and physically, check out my book page.

*Please note: Before you purchase one of these books for the price listed below, check to see if the sale price still applies. Prices and dates are subject to change.

Merry early #Christmas! Three of @TriciaGoyer’s books are on #sale:

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12 Days of Christmas Giveaways Day 5

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December 5, 2013 by Tricia Goyer 1 Comment

Trivia Answers from the 'Simple Things' Chat Party

Thanks to everyone who showed up last night for the “Simple Things” author chat party! If you missed out on it, you can re-read through the highlight and comments here.

Trivia Answers

I wanted to share with you the correct answers to the trivia questions. Some of them were tricky! How did you do?
1. All Amish have church in their homes. False. In Somerset County, Pennsylvania they have meeting houses.
2. Amish women do not wear makeup. True.
3. The vast majority of Amish housewives us the classic wringer washers, once popular in the post-World War II era. True.
4. Amish children go to school through the 10th grade. False. They go through the 9th grade.
5. Amish dolls are made without faces. True.
6. The only way to become Amish is to be born Amish. False. Some children are adopted and some Englishers join as adults.
7. The Amish believe that decorating their homes for Christmas is too worldly. False. They do allow simple decorations such as greenery, candles and cards.
8. Amish teens are expected to behave in rebellions (large and small) during their rumspringa years. True.
9. The majority of Amish men are farmers. False. Farming has decreased over the years. Many men also work in factories or trades such as woodworking.
Did you attend the party last night? Make sure you check to see if you won a prize! Click here for the full list.

How well do you know your #Amish facts? @TriciaGoyer tests your knowledge:

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Did you hear the good news? A Christmas Gift for Rose is only $2.99 (digital), now through January 6! Get the ebook HERE!
Are you new here? You might want to subscribe to my email updates, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram.

December 5, 2013 by Tricia Goyer 1 Comment

Trivia Answers from the ‘Simple Things’ Chat Party

Thanks to everyone who showed up last night for the “Simple Things” author chat party! If you missed out on it, you can re-read through the highlight and comments here.

Trivia Answers

I wanted to share with you the correct answers to the trivia questions. Some of them were tricky! How did you do?

1. All Amish have church in their homes. False. In Somerset County, Pennsylvania they have meeting houses.

2. Amish women do not wear makeup. True.

3. The vast majority of Amish housewives us the classic wringer washers, once popular in the post-World War II era. True.

4. Amish children go to school through the 10th grade. False. They go through the 9th grade.

5. Amish dolls are made without faces. True.

6. The only way to become Amish is to be born Amish. False. Some children are adopted and some Englishers join as adults.

7. The Amish believe that decorating their homes for Christmas is too worldly. False. They do allow simple decorations such as greenery, candles and cards.

8. Amish teens are expected to behave in rebellions (large and small) during their rumspringa years. True.

9. The majority of Amish men are farmers. False. Farming has decreased over the years. Many men also work in factories or trades such as woodworking.

Did you attend the party last night? Make sure you check to see if you won a prize! Click here for the full list.

How well do you know your #Amish facts? @TriciaGoyer tests your knowledge:

Click To Tweet

Did you hear the good news? A Christmas Gift for Rose is only $2.99 (digital), now through January 6! Get the ebook HERE!

Are you new here? You might want to subscribe to my email updates, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram.

December 3, 2013 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

A Book-Signing in Berlin, Ohio

Do you live in or near Berlin, OH? I’ll be signing books Friday, December 6th, from 4–7 PM at the Gospel Book Store! I would so love it if you joined me! I’ll also be signing A Christmas Gift for Rose, my newest book. You can bring your books to be signed, or you can purchase books at the bookstore (and don’t forget they would make great Christmas presents)!

To RSVP for the event, visit this page. I really hope to see you there!

Near Berlin, OH? @TriciaGoyer wants to meet you at her book-signing!

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Did you hear the good news? A Christmas Gift for Rose is only $2.99 (digital), now through January 6! Get the ebook HERE!

Are you new here? You might want to subscribe to my email updates, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram.

November 30, 2013 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

You're Invited to My "Simple Things" Facebook Party

As we look ahead to the closing of one year and the beginning of another, let’s pause for an evening of encouragement and fun. Let’s share how we can hear God’s voice in the simple things—both during this busy holiday season and throughout 2014. Grab your copy of The One Year® Book of Amish Peace and a warm winter drink and join me for an author chat party on Wednesday, December 4th at 8:00 PM EST (that’s 7:00 Central, 6:00 Mountain, & 5:00 Pacific)!
Click JOIN on this page to RSVP and then come back to it on the 4th (I’ll send you a reminder!) and follow the link to the party page on Facebook.
During the party I’ll be hosting a book chat and talking about finding peace by the example set by the Amish and how you can live that out in 2014. Of course, there will be plenty of fun giveaways too: books, gift certificates, and more!
I ALMOST FORGOT! I’ll also be announcing the winner of the Canon PowerShot from the Snap It to Win It Amish Peace contest! Find out how you can be entered here!
I hope you can join the fun—and bring your friends! Just share the link to the party page.
Excited about the party? Let your friends know via social media, and make sure to use the hashtag #OneYearAmishPeace.

Are you new here? You might want to subscribe to my email updates, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram.

November 14, 2013 by Tricia Goyer 3 Comments

Snap It to Win It Contest!

We all have that moment when we realize our lives are too stressful, too busy, too filled, and instead of feeling content with ourselves, our relationships, our lives, we end up disappointed, overwhelmed, and burnt out. Sometimes even the simplest reminder—whether it’s a photograph or a page of encouragement from a book—can help us de-stress and re-prioritize our lives.
My new book, The One Year® Book of Amish Peace, taps into the wisdom of the Amish in order to help us draw closer to God and hear his voice—encouraging believers to carve out more time in each day to listen to God and experience his presence. These daily devotions are a way to help us re-prioritize our lives and focus on what really matters.
In celebration of the book release, I have a challenge for you: to look at your daily lives and find peace, joy, and inspiration in them. When you find something that inspires you in your life, take a picture of it. Upload it to your computer. Make it fancy and beautiful. Then upload it to Pinterest with the hashtag #OneYearAmishPeace and #TriciaGoyer.
The contest will run from 11/14 to 11/30, and on 12/2, I’ll announce the winner (chosen at random) on my blog.The winner will receive this cool camera so you can continue to find inspiration in your life and photograph it as a reminder that peace is achievable. You can pin one photo per day to be entered into the contest.
What do you think? Can you take some time this Thanksgiving season to be thankful and to find peace with the simplest things in life? I can’t wait to see your photos!

Want to help me spread the word? Add this button to your blog!

Pin to Win Today – 11/14 – 11/30!

The One Year Book of Amish Peace Tricia Goyer Tyndale

Just past this code into your blog sidebar:

<center><b>Pin to Win Today - 11/14 - 11/30!</b><br /><a href="http://wp.me/P3k8nw-1Dp" target="_blank"><img alt="The One Year Book of Amish Peace Tricia Goyer Tyndale" height="170" src="http://bit.ly/1aFCmKT" width="170" /></a></center>

Want to win a Canon PowerShot? Snap it to win it with @TriciaGoyer! #Pinterest #Giveaway

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Looking for a Christmas present to give to a reader this holiday season? Why not give a copy of The One Year® Book of Amish Peace?
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October 26, 2013 by Tricia Goyer 2 Comments

How to Live a Slow(er) and More Peaceful Life

Too often we rush through life. We speed through our neighborhoods and cities without truly seeing what we’re passing. We don’t have time for friends, and because of that when we truly need a friend no one is around. In the Amish community, travel is done at the speed of a buggy. They attend church with those who live closest to them. They help a neighbor, knowing they will have a day when help is needed. And because of that, peace comes. It’s peaceful to wave at a friend as your buggy travels past her home. It’s even more peaceful knowing that your friend has your back.

What inspiration can we get from the Amish to live a slower and more peaceful life?

What inspiration can we get from the Amish to live a slower and more peaceful life? @TriciaGoyer

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Decide what’s important.

Make a list of three things important to your family, your job, and in your life. Years ago my husband and I decided to make dinnertime a priority. We gather our children (and sometimes friends) around the dinner table nearly every night. We protect our evenings. We don’t sign up our kids for many activities because knowing the people around the dinner table is more important. What is important to you? Too often we fill our days with too much and because of this we are always in a hurry. When you focus on the most important things you’ll give up much busyness.

Do less each day (yet invite others to join you).

Efficiency and accomplishment are prized in our society, but crossing off a to-do list isn’t as meaningful as connecting with others. The Amish appreciate family farms because they’re able to work side-by-side with their children. Even preschoolers are taught how to work and have responsibilities. Mothers don’t hurry through a chore. They do it at child-speed, knowing that their child’s help will someday lighten their load. The Amish also gather for tasks, such as canning, cooking, and quilting. They focus on one big thing and do it together. This brings peace to their schedule and their hearts.

Read the rest of this post over at FaithVillage!

Take a few tips from the Amish to live a slower and more peaceful life. @TriciaGoyer

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October 21, 2013 by Tricia Goyer 4 Comments

Winners Announced from My Double Kindle Fire Giveaway

Thank you to everyone who participated in the double Kindle Fire giveaway in celebration of the release of A Christmas Gift for Rose! I’m happy to announce the grand prize winner (two Kindle Fire HDXs and two copies of A Christmas Gift for Rose) is:

Tammy Cordery

The four second-place winners (A Christmas Gift for Rose Christmas pack) are:

Sandy Xiong
Sarah Keimig
LeAnn Mooneyham
Sherry Jackson Greene

Winners, my assistant will be in touch, so watch your inboxes for an email from her.