To be honest I’ve always been curious about the Amish way of life. They seem to be such a peaceful, harmonious community, even though I know there are always underlying issues and things to deal with in any community. However, they have a simple way of life that I’ve sometimes envied and wanted to know more about.

Suzanne Woods Fisher, one of my favorite authors, has now written a book that takes you on an Amish journey through their way of life, especially when it comes to raising their families. This book is Amish Values for Your Family. Suzanne is really a master storyteller, so this book isn’t just full of nonfiction teaching. It’s full of real-life stories that really make the Amish values and way of life become real and doable to the reader.

Each chapter tells a story related to the value at hand; then at the end of the chapter is an explanation and several excerpts from Amish Scribes all over the nation. It’s interesting to read what the Scribes have written, in their own words. Sometimes it’s very comical, the small stories they share, and most of the time it’s not hard to just soak in the wisdom of the small tidbits they’ve shared.

There were several things that stuck out to me as I read this book, but one of the main seeds of wisdom that became very real to me is how much actual time with your children is emphasized. No matter if their children are very young or older, time with them is such a necessary part of life. There was one story in which a father and son spent time building a rabbit hutch together. It was a time for the father not only to impart knowledge and skills in building a hutch, but it was time spent together, just being together. When a neighbor suggested just buying a hutch, the Amish man spoke up and said something to the effect that buying a hutch didn’t give them the time to learn skills, to talk while working side by side, that they would have missed out on these things if they’d simply went and bought the hutch. I walked away with two thoughts from this….my children need my time more than anything….my children also need me to give them their independence by teaching them how to do things on their own, so that when they grow up, they’re prepared for life and don’t expect someone to do everything for them….I can teach my children the value of sustainability.

Another story I read touched on how when a certain Amish mother spent all day doing laundry, she used that time to pray for her children. I have a certain chore that I dread every week….why not turn that chore into something positive by using the time, as I work, to specifically pray for each of my boys?

I definitely recommend this book to all readers, families, individuals, etc. Everyone who reads will walk away with concepts that can be integrated into their own life. You can purchase Amish Values for Your Family for $8.31 on Amazon.

The great news is that I’m giving away a copy of this book! You can enter to win by doing one or more of the following things. I’ll draw the winner, via random.org, on Wednesday, September 14. This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada only. Good luck, and have a wonderful day!

1. Leave a comment on why you’d like to read this book.
2. Follow MamaBuzz or subscribe to our posts.
3. Follow @mamabzz on Twitter.
4. Tweet about this giveaway, one time only.

Suzanne Woods Fisher is thrilled to announce the release of Amish Values for Your Family, her latest non-fiction release. ”It offers loving ways to bring your fractured home back to life-Amish style. Read it and apply generously! It’s a beautiful book-funny, charming, soulful, and beautiful.” -Mary Ann Kirkby

Read the reviews here.

To celebrate the release of Amish Values for Your Family, Suzanne has teamed up her publisher Revell Books to giveaway a Kindle, and with Bill Coleman (the amazing photographer used on Suzanne’s book covers) to give away a signed Bill Coleman original.

One Grand Prize winner will receive an Amish Values Prize Package (valued at over $200) and includes:

* A brand new KINDLE
* A Signed Bill Coleman original
* Amish Values for Your Family (for KINDLE)

Click on one of the icons to enter. Winner will be announced on 9/2 at Suzanne’s blog. Be sure to stop by the blogs on Suzanne’s blog tour – many have copies of Amish Values for Your Family to give away.

But, wait there’s more! Suzanne is running a Bill Coleman caption contest during the month of August on her blog. Title one of Bill’s gorgeous photos for a chance to win a print from Bill’s Amish Photo site and/or a copy of Amish Values for Your Family.

(Disclosure: I received a copy of this book, free of charge, from Litfuse, for the purposes of review. All views/opinions remain solely my own.)