We did a VIP tour with Jay on a Tuesday, July 3. We've done VIP tours twice before as well as other Amish tours. We keep coming back because we love them so much. The VIP is so special to us, getting to be up close with the Amish and being welcomed into their homes. We stopped at a raw dairy farm that sold their own products, a home where the mother makes comforters (who sells her awesome canned goods), and another home where the mother sat with us for 30 minutes talking all about her life and kids and finding common ground with us. We were especially privileged to be the only people on the tour this day. July 4 week may be a great time to beat the crowds because it's hot out. Or maybe we just got lucky. Usually our tour bus is full. Jay was a gentleman the entire way though, happily sharing all his knowledge and experience with the Amish culture. It turns out he's related to someone I went to school with. Amazing how this area and these tours bring people together, making the world smaller. We're all kind of pursuing the heart of what life is all about. I am grateful to Jay and the Amish experience for being part of such a venue.