Leaving Lancaster County [Paperback]

Teresa Phillips (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2004

Miriam Ruth Yoder is an Amish lady who yearns to travel to Africa as a missionary nurse. It takes a letter from the Governor and a mysterious lady to make her family see that God has given her a talent. She must decide to use it or lose it.

Having Doctor Charles Lambert walk into her life doesn't help matters. He is a Baptist medical missionary who has his eyes set on her. This handsome man has found the key to turn her heart. He is turning it so fast that her heart can't keep up. It is through him that she learns that life is worth taking risks even when you could fall. For you have to fall before you walk. Sometimes the good person wins even when he loses.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Sicily Yoder aka Teresa Phillips was once a member of an Old Order Amish sect. She received special permission from the Bishop to finish nursing school at Eastern Kentucky University. During school breaks, she would ride horseback to visit ill members of the sect. On Saturday nights, she would leave with the Bishop's son and a Mennonite driver to nearby Reading to do "street missions." She was excommunicated when she was twenty for wanting to work in a hospital. Although she was secretly engaged to the Bishop's son, she never married. Her great love for him is shown as young Miriam Yoder falls head over heels in love with handsome Dr. Charles Lambert. Her strong desire of healing and witnessing of God's Word to everyone is portrayed in, "Leaving Lancaster County", as Miriam ventures outside her sect to witness to a street gang. Miriam's strong bond with God leads these gang members down on their knees in repentence. For she learns quick from Dr. Charles! Lambert that life is worth taking risks-even when danger abounds. For sometimes the good guy wins when he falls flat on his back.

From the Author

I converted into an Old Order Amish sect when I was in nursing school. I received special permission to finish school with the promise that I would return to my sect. For they needed a, "plain", nurse. In my particular sect, there were several ladies that had finished high school via home-school courses. This is very uncommon, as most only go to the 8th grade. Therefore, I guess you can call my sect a, "new" Old Order sect. I know there are lots of differences among the Amish sects. For in Adams County, Indiana, some have cell phones. Alot is changing in Amish sects- at least some of them. Mine was one that I yearned to see change. For I always felt like we were saved by grace and not rules. Although, "Leaving Lancaster County", was my first self-published book, I went on with great obstacles and courage to follow through with my desire to share my particular sect with the world. "Leaving Lancaster County", was originally supposed to be my autobiography; however, I got scared that my church elders would find out that I wrote the book. Therefore, in one night, I revised the whole version and made it fiction(sorry about the typos:>) Although it is not a perfect work, I hope you enjoy reading about my particular sect. I also hope you enjoy, "The Conversion of Teresa Phillips", an autobiography which is coming in September. After reading it, you may get a better understanding of my particular sect.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Holy Fire Publishing (August 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974521272
• ISBN-13: 978-0974521275
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,719,930 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thumbs up for,, September 25, 2005

By 

SchoolLibrarian "Amy" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leaving Lancaster County (Paperback)

I read this book again, last night, while I was nestled on my cozy couch. I had ordered several books from her website- all which are very good books. I just got the cookbook, and can see that this young lady was very fortunate to live in such a frugal, yet rewarding environment. I only found a couple of typos,and they didn't interfere at all with the story. There are lots of Amish books out there. However, this one is unique, in that this young lady LIVED in an Amish community and learned how to cook in an Amish community. (...)

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Reflection of the Amish Life that Ms. Phillips L, June 7, 2005

By 

Amish Fan "Amish Fan" (Kentucky) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leaving Lancaster County (Paperback)

Although there were some typos in this book, I gave it 5 stars for several reasons. Fortunately, I had the advantage of attending one of Ms. Phillips' seminars. Some sects do allow home-schooling past 8th grade, but it is rare. They are now considered the, "new" Old Order Amish- some are in Adams County, Indiana. Some even have cell phones. There are so many sects that it is hard to stereotype one as being, "all Amish." After hearing Ms. Phillips' story, I realized that, "Leaving Lancaster County", was very much a reflection of her life. She got special permission to finish nursing school at Eastern Kentucky University- the same school Miriam attended. You have to realize that Dr. Charles Lambert was originally Amish- he was from a sister sect of her sect. That is why they accepted him with open arms. It is easy for someone to stand back and judge someone as saying that they don't know about the Amish when they themselves have never been in an Amish sect- even Good Books will tell you that there are tons of sects- and hers was a little different that the, "stereotyped" sect. I can't wait until her full autobiography comes out in September, for then most will understand why Ms. Phillips had some variations in her fiction book. During her seminar, Ms. Phillips DID tell us that most only go to 8th grade; however, some, who have alot of money, are allowed to homeschool until graduation. And, yes, several of her Old Order Amish friends have went through high school. Not know to most, Ms. Phillips converted INTO the Amish sect, from the Seventh-Day-Adventist. She encouraged the sect to change. They did, to an extent. However, they wouldn't bend on some things; therefore, she was excommunicated. I am glad to read about her reflections of her Amish life. I am also glad that there are some sects that are more liberal. For those that haven't heard her speak, her autobiography will make more sense of, "Leaving Lancaster County." She had originally made this book her autobiography, then got scared about her sect finding out. It was due to be at the publsihing house, so she stayed up all night one night, to change it to fiction. That is how most of the typos and errors got into the book. She told us that her next book would be edited. I can't wait to read it; however, I don't care about the typos- its a great reflection of the, "new" Old Order Amish.

27 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Rocks!, September 2, 2004

By 

Lonnie E. Wilson "Book guy" (Lawrenceburg, KY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leaving Lancaster County (Paperback)

"Leaving Lancaster County" shows how the good guy sometimes wins even when he falls flat on his back. By placing her faith in God, Ms. Yoder is able to leave her Amish farm in chase of her dreams as an English wife, nurse, and mother. Ms. Phillips has built her characters so well that you cry with them and laugh with them. The great hidden life of the Amish lady is also portrayed well. Although it is fiction, Ms. Phillips' most secret feelings while being Amish have been tucked inside Miriam Yoder's character. This "battle" between being tugged by two worlds-the English and Amish worlds, is a remarkable battle that Ms. Phillips does very well in showing.