Growing Up Amish

One fateful starless night, 17-year-old Ira Wagler got up at 2 AM, left a scribbled note under his pillow, packed all of his earthly belongings into in a little black duffel bag, and walked away from his home in the Amish settlement of Bloomfield, Iowa.

Now, in this heartwarming memoir, Ira paints a vivid portrait of Amish life—from his childhood days on the family farm, his Rumspringa rite of passage at age 16, to his ultimate decision to leave the Amish Church for good at age 26.

Growing Up Amish is the true story of one man’s quest to discover who he is and where he belongs. Readers will laugh, cry, and be inspired by this charming yet poignant coming of age story set amidst the backdrop of one of the most enigmatic cultures in America today—the Old Order Amish.

My thoughts...

Wagler's story of his growing up in an Amish family is fascinating and sad. He left the community 4 times, the first at age 17 searching for a way of life that would give him peace. He knew in his heart the ways of the Amish were not for him. The rules were too restrictive, church was boring and lifeless, and he longed for a close relationship with his father. Wherever he went he felt he never fit in and that there had to be more to life.

He talks of the despair he felt throughout his teen and young adult years until one day the idea occured to him to talk to God. After thinking that God wasn't going to answer and that he was doomed for eternal punishment he meets someone that shows him the way. The rest of the story is a pleasant one.

I read this book in one aftermoon and highly recommend it. I do wish Wagler had told the readers what he has done since leaving the Amish community.

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Growing Up Amish
SubTitle: A Memoir
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Pub Date: 07/01/2011
ISBN: 9781414339368