Longing for simplicity? Overwhelmed by demands? Tune in to “Amish Wisdom” to explore ways to slow down, de-clutter, find peace, and live a simpler life. You don’t have to “go Amish” to incorporate principles of the Plain People into your life. There's much to learn from them: simple living, everyday joys, and greater value on family, community and church.

Share an hour with Suzanne and give yourself over to a world that prizes old ways, where time slows down. Where people are more important than things, where nature is revered, where holding on is more important than letting go, where humility and peace of mind are treasured. Give yourself to an Amish moment.

Join Suzanne Woods Fisher, bestselling author of Amish fiction and non-fiction, as she interviews fascinating guests who can teach us to simplify our busy lives. So pour a cup of coffee, settle into your favorite chair, and tune into "Amish Wisdom." Thursdays, 4-5pm CST.

About the host:

Suzanne's grandfather was raised Plain. W. D. Benedict was born into a family of eleven children, started his career as a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and ended it as one of the first publishers of Christianity Today magazine. A wife and a mother--and now a grandmother!--Suzanne is the author of the bestselling Amish Peace: Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World and the “Lancaster County Secrets” series. Suzanne is contracted for books--both fiction and non-fiction--into 2016.

Have a question for Suzanne or one of her guests? Call the show at 1-877-864-4869.

To learn more please visit Suzanne's web site and for the latest news, her blog!

Missed a show? Listen here or on iTunes here!

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We're featuring to more fiction authors on the show this week. The first half hour we'll hear from Jennifer Beckstrand. She has a brand new series with Summerside Press called Forever After in Apple Lake. The first book from that series, Kate's Song has just released. Then during the second half hour we'll meet Amy Wallace. Her latest novel, Hiding in Plain Sight, is set in the Mennonite community. Looking forward to hearing the inspiration behind both stories.

For a chance to win 1 of 3 copies of Jennifer's Kate's Song or Amy's book, Hiding in Plaine Sight, leave a comment here. Winners will be notified next week via email.

More about Jennifer: Jennifer Beckstrand grew up with a steady diet of William Shakespeare and Jane Austen. After all that literary immersion, she naturally decided to get a degree in mathematics, which came in handy when one of her six children needed help with homework. When daughter number four was born, she began writing, and by juggling diaper changes, soccer games, music lessons, and dinner preparations, she finished her first western historical, Rachel’s Angel, in just under fourteen years. Rachel’s Angel won First Place Full-length Book in the League of Utah Writers writing contest and First Place in the Inspirational Category in the Utah Heart of the West Writers' Contest. Jennifer is a member of the Utah Chapter of Romance Writers of America and is represented by Mary Sue Seymour of The Seymour Agency.

She has completed three Amish romances in the Forever After in Apple Lake Series (Summerside/Guideposts). Book One, Kate’s Song, is now available. Rebecca’s Rose follows in Fall 2012, and Miriam's Quilt is scheduled for release in Spring of 2013. She has two Amish readers in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania who make sure her stories are authentic. No matter the setting, she hopes to pen deliriously romantic stories with captivating characters and soar-to-the-sky happy endings. 

Jennifer lives in the foothills of the Wasatch Front in Utah with her husband and two children left at home. She has four daughters, two sons, one son-in-law, and one adorable grandson. www.jenniferbeckstrand.com

More about Kate's Song: Kate Weaver was raised in an Amish home and has always been expected to choose baptismand strict observance of the Ordnung. But Kate is blessed with a beautiful singing voice, and when another path leads her to the academy for vocal training, she struggles to understand God’s will for her life. She returns to Apple Lake, haunted by a violent encounter with a fellow student, and finds herself drawn to the peace and devotion of her Amish home. But can she give up her dreams? Or will her calling forever separate her from the people and the way of life she holds so dear?

Nathaniel King has never wavered in his commitment to the community and the Old Order Amish Church into which he is baptized. He has been in love with Kate for as long as he can remember, and he is devastated when she leaves Apple Lake to attend the academy. When Kate returns, will she make his most profound hopes a reality—or will she break his heart all over again?

More about Amy: Amy Wallace is the author of Ransomed Dreams, Healing Promises, and Enduring Justice. She is a homeschool mom, speaker, and self-confessed chocoholic. Amy is also a graduate of the Gwinnett County Citizens Police Academy and a contributing author of several books, including A Novel Idea: Best Advice on Writing Inspirational Fiction and God Answers Moms' Prayers. She lives with her husband and three children in Georgia. www.amywallace.com

More about Hiding in Plain Sight: In a quiet town with a thriving Mennonite community, police officer Ashley Walters finds her threadbare faith and way of life challenged by the Plain people whose simple dress and welcoming manner open her eyes to a God she left behind. Peace eludes Ashley until she realizes the answers she seeks aren’t found in starting over but in returning to the simple truth that it’s God who overcomes the world, not her.

Written for women who desire action-packed suspense, romance, and an escape into the peaceful world of the Mennonites, Hiding in Plain Sight delves into the painful struggle to fit in and the search for peace that so often eludes our fast-paced lives.

This week on Amish Wisdom we'll be hearing from the writing duo Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith. Their book, The Heart's Frontier, is an exciting new Amish-meets-Wild West adventure that weaves an entertaining and romantic tale by two best-selling authors. 

For a chance to win a copy of The Heart's Frontier, leave a comment here. The winner will be notified via email next week.

More about the authors:

Lori Copeland is the author of more than 90 titles, both historical and contemporary fiction. With more than 3 million copies of her books in print, she has developed a loyal following among her rapidly growing fans in the inspirational market. She has been honored with the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award, The Holt Medallion, and Walden Books' Best Seller award. In 2000, Lori was inducted into the Missouri Writers Hall of Fame. She lives in the beautiful Ozarks with her husband, Lance, and their three children and five grandchildren. Visit Lori's website.

Virginia Smith is the author of more than a dozen inspirational novels and more than fifty articles and short stories. An avid reader with ecclectic tastes in fiction, Ginny writes in a variety of styles, from lighthearted relationship stories to breath-snatching suspense. Visit Virginia's website.

More about The Heart's Frontier: Kansas,1881—On a trip to visit relatives, Emma Switzer’s Amish family is robbed of all their possessions, leaving them destitute and stranded on the prairie. Walking into the nearest trading settlement, they pray to the Lord for someone to help. When a man lands in the dust at her feet, Emma looks down at him and thinks, The Lord might have cleaned him up first.

Luke Carson, heading up his first cattle drive, is not planning on being the answer to anyone’s prayers, but it looks as though God has something else in mind for this kind and gentle man. Plain and rugged—do the two mix? And what happens when a dedicated Amish woman and a stubborn trail boss prove to be each other’s match?

This week we'll be talking to two devotional authors about making room for God in our busy lives. The first half hour we'll chat with Shirley Brosius about her new devotional, Turning Guilt Trips into Joy Rides. Guilt trips...we've all got them and we've all been along for the ride. Shirley, and her co-authors Janine and Kim, bring a wide range of situations we can connect to. Then during the second half we'll hear from creative mom, Carey Bailey. Carey is the creator of Cravings-The Devotional in a cupcake! Super cute and useful. Cravings is a series of devotionals on the Psalms, written to help mothers make God time easier. Don't miss this week's show!

For a chance to win either Turning Guilt Trips into Joy Rides or Cravings, leave a comment here. Winner will be notified via email next week.

More about Shirley and her co-authors: Kim Messinger, Janine Boyer and Shirley Brosius had a common bond of Christian service when Christ drew them together for their first small group meeting in January, 1998.

Since then they have drawn closer through life’s joys and struggles and found God to be sufficient for their every need. They call themselves “Friends of the Heart” because their passion is to help women open their hearts and find joy in Christ. 

Kim and Janine supported Shirley in writing Sisterhood of Faith: 365 Life-Changing Stories About Women Who Made a Difference, which was released by Howard Publishing, a division of Simon & Schuster, in 2006.  More recently the three women worked together to write another devotional book, Turning Guilt Trips into Joy Rides. They have spoken at women’s retreats and events in five states. All three women live in Millersburg, Pennsylvania. Visit their website for more info.

More about Turning Guilt Trips into Joy Rides: Women today are busy, stressed, and guilt-ridden, yet they long todevelop their spiritual sides. Turning Guilt Trips into Joy Rides offers inspirational thoughts based on scripture--brief enough to be read during a television commercial, yet insightful enough to open your eyes to the grace of God on days you change diapers and/or lead corporate meetings. Each reading suggests a "Guilt Trip to Avoid" and ends with a way to "Take the Joy Ride." The book includes six months of daily readings so that you may establish a habit of connecting with God. Readings are listed under the letters G-R-A-C-E, representing God, Relationships, Acceptance, Challenges and Emotions.

The coauthors hope these meaningful readings will help you deal with guilt--both real and imagined. By applying the insights shared in Turning Guilt Trips into Joy Rides, you may develop a calmer, less guilt-ridden life-style and become better equipped to function as wives, mothers and friends. Younger women often develop patterns of thinking and experience feelings of guilt that carry over into their mature years, so women of all ages will find this book helpful.

The Friends of the Heart ladies are giving away a FREE life-coaching consultation and a $50 gift certificate to Amazon.com! Enter today.

More about Carey: Carey Bailey is a recovering perfectionist, wife, proud mama and Family Life director for her church in Surprise, Ariz. On the side she loves party planning, crafting, and pursuing her dream of writing. She has a degree in religion from Westminster College and writes at her blog found at www.CareyBaileyOnline.com.  

More about Cravings-The Devotional: Cravings is a collection of card-size devotionals based on the Psalms. They are written to help mothers develop their relationship with God in the midst of motherhood. Each card contains a scripture for the day, a "thoughtlet," and an action idea. As moms crave the sweet morsels from God's Word, they can draw a card from a delectable Cravings holder--a pink cupcake!--that also displays the daily card for hands-free viewing. Versatile enough to fit with any feminine décor in a dining nook, a prayer closet, a kitchen--wherever you'd want Scripture at your fingertips. If you find you need Cravings around the home, just one may not be enough!

Be sure to visit Carey's blog tour and enter to win a Minute-for-Mom gift pack (Gift Certificates to Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works, and much more!)

Enter Today - 4/23-5/12!

This week I'm traveling and doing a little research. Enjoy this encore presentation of Jonas Beiler's interview from last summer. We talked about "Think No Evil", his wife Anne and their business Auntie Ann's Pretzels and so much more. Don't miss it. I'll be back next week with return guest Nancy Sleeth!

More about the book: THE TRUE STORY OF OCTOBER 2, 2006, WHEN CHARLES ROBERTS ENTERED AN AMISH SCHOOLHOUSE, bound and shot ten schoolgirls, and then committed suicide, stunned all who read the headlines or watched the drama unfold on television screens. Somehow, the senseless violence seemed all the more horrific against the backdrop of horse-and-buggy funeral processions and scenes of wide-eyed innocent children clad in bonnets and suspenders.

But perhaps even more startling than the violence was the quiet yet powerful response of the Amish community offering unconditional forgiveness to the murderer and reaching out to his family with baskets of food and warm welcomes into their homes. Could such forgiveness be genuine, truly heartfelt? Surely there must be simmering rage behind those peaceful words.

Jonas Beiler wondered. He had grown up in that very Amish community. His own pain of losing his daughter in a tragic accident years before resurfaced, and the lingering shadows of other life tragedies loomed darker. As he met with the grieving families, he could see how devastated and broken they felt, and yet he was drawn to the strength he saw in them.

Outsiders, too, had difficulty understanding the rock-solid faith of the people in this Amish community. How could they forgive someone who killed their innocent daughters? How could they reach out and embrace his family, expressing unconditional love for them in these circumstances? Letters from around the world poured in, asking these universal questions in the face of suffering.

And so began Jonas Beiler's journey into this story -- the story behind the headlines, behind the farmhouse doors, around the lantern-lit kitchen tables, at the local market, and alongside the tiny coffins. His quest is now yours to read. His discoveries yours to consider.

Walk with those closest to the scene: an Amish grandfather, an ambulance driver, a surviving Amish schoolgirl, and volunteer firefighters. Even look on as the community demolishes the school where the murders took place and builds the New Hope School that holds no memories of bloodstained walls.

Think No Evil is the first insider account of the tragic events, the personal victories and the daily Amish life in Nickel Mines, written by a native of the Amish community who still lives and works where most of his relatives are Old Order Amish. Against the rich and fascinating backdrop of Amish culture, Beiler reveals the best of the human spirit in the midst of the worst, and leaves us all drawn heavenward, the richer for it.

More about Jonas: Born and raised in the Amish-Mennonite community of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Jonas and Anne Beiler grew up surrounded by faith and family. During these early years, important life lessons were permanently woven into the fabric of their lives.

Jonas and Anne both attended traditional Amish schools until the 8th grade. They met as teens and were married by the age of 21 and 19, respectively.

Jonas and Anne's peaceful life as newlyweds and young parents went into a tailspin after the death of their 19-month-old daughter, Angela Joy, who died tragically in a farming accident in 1975. Anne, in her mid-20s at the time, found herself depressed and eventually on the brink of suicide. Despite being a faithful churchgoer, she didn't feel she could share her pain with friends or family members.

Jonas and Anne drifted apart. They remained silent partners who simply lived together and went through the motions of family life. They stayed together for the sake of their other two surviving daughters. Anne sought counsel from her pastor, who used the vulnerability of her grief to manipulate and control her for more than six years.

After confessing the manipulation to her husband, the Beilers sought counseling. The Beilers reconciled as God restored their marriage. Through the repair of their own marriage, God revealed that many others were suffering from the same despair and hopelessness. After studying at Dr. Richard Dobbins' EMERGE Ministries in Akron, Ohio, Jonas began providing lay counseling as a way to give back and help others.

To support Jonas' vision to help others, Anne bought a concession stand at a local farmers' market in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. She sold everything from pizza to ice cream, but it was the hand-rolled soft pretzels that customers couldn't get enough of. Because of the demand, Anne dropped the rest of the products and concentrated on perfecting the pretzel. Auntie Anne's Soft Pretzels was born.

Under the leadership of Jonas and Anne, Auntie Anne's grew from a single outlet to more than 950 locations worldwide, with a workforce of more than 10,000. Auntie Anne's, with its international headquarters in Lancaster, PA., is the world's largest hand-rolled soft pretzel chain offering snack and meal options to shoppers and travelers. Today, Auntie Anne's has over 300 franchisees in 20 countries and continues to be recognized for its superior product and service standards. In order to pursue their passion to strengthen families and build community, Auntie Anne's was sold to a private owner in April of 2005.

From their modest beginnings to the notable success of Auntie Anne's, Inc., the Beiler's have become one of the nation's leading entrepreneurs. In 1992, the Beilers founded the Family Resource and Counseling Center, a Christian, non-profit counseling facility which currently employees 24 people. In 2008 the Beilers founded The Family Center of Gap, a 55,000 square foot building created to meet the ever growing needs of the community. Through their time and resources, the Beilers continue to give back to the community they love so much.

The Family Center of Gap also houses numerous partner organizations. Some of those partners include the Salisbury Township Branch Library, Angela's Café, Cornerstone Pregnancy Care Services, Tree of Life Health Ministries, Hildebrandt Learning Centers, Gap Community Church, House on the Rock Family Ministries and Family Resource and Counseling Centers.

The Beilers have always believed in leading by example, doing business with integrity, and giving back to the community. While at Auntie Anne's, they demonstrated their business principles with the acronym, LIGHT: Lead by example; Invest in employees; Give freely; Honor God; and Treat all business contacts with integrity. These principles continue to LIGHT their way as they follow their passion to serve people, strengthen families, and build community.

Visit www.thebeilers.com for more.