Faith Farm

You need to consider-

As I was sitting here this morning trying to decide what helpful tid-bit to share, I felt strongly lead to share some advice about starting a homestead.  Now being the private type of person that I am-I don't usually give personal advice, but I feel it is important.  First let me say that I LOVE my life and I feel that this is what God's Will is for me.  There is a very strong appeal to this lifestyle and it is very easy to encourage people to strive for it.  There is a peace like no other in doing this.   My family is happy and healthy...we have never been closer to each other or to God.  With that being said....Lets talk about the transition.

Until a few years ago-I was an educated, working mother living in the world with all the benefits of it.  Both my husband and I worked long hours and our children were either in school, daycare, or babysitters.  I was a weekend parent with lots of money and debt.  I had the newest of clothes, weekly hair salon visits, manicures, pedicures, and a nice fake tan.  I had the latest of electronic gadgets, nice cars, nice home...you know  "I had it all"... except what really mattered to me.  I didn't have a life, I didn't have a personal relationship with God, my "perfect family" didn't know each other, I had poor health, and I lacked happiness, but on the outside all looked fine, I had 'peoples' approval and was considered successful. 

I only share with you this so you can understand where I am coming from.  When we decided to make a change in our lives-It was a big change.  We got active in our church, sought God's Will, and started our new life.  We did it cold turkey you might say...Sold out everything and moved into our old camper on a piece of land and started building our future.  Not  a good idea if there is any reservations on either spouses part.  Thank God we were together in this.  It was hard..I laugh when I look back at it now....Take a family of four who aren't used to being together and throw them in a lil camper together and see what you get!  We got close...we had lil' choice.lol 

The first year was what I call our "Safe, Warm, and Dry year"....we built and dug, and built and dug.  Let me tell you-You get into shape in a hurry.  Ibuprofen was my friend.  We got our bathroom/laundry room 10'X12' done quickly with the money we had...It was great.  Then 6 months later we got our one room cabin livable.  It had a kitchen and enough room for us to move around in.  It was 14' X 24', I was in heaven.  The bathroom was 8' ft away and we built an attached room to enclose the two structures.  We spent another 6 mo. building the rest of the house...It doubled in size.  That was our first year.  Debt free. Anyone wanting specs can ask and I'll share how we built and cost.  Cheap, effecient, and sturdy.

Our second year was "farm year".  We built coops, barns, and converted our camper into an animal clinic/storage.  We aquired chickens, milk goats, and rabbits.  We have two Dogs and a cat as well.  Learned as much as we could.  Started learning homestead skills.  You learn fast.  I'll go into the animal stuff later in detail so you can learn from my mistakes. We built a garden and planted berries and tree's.

This year is going to be the year of making it better.  We are(God Willing) going to start Solarizing the house and barns, hook up the house to the well (still on rural water and electricity), try a water tank system, build a better barn, and increase our propane tank size,  add some non-electric gadgets into our lives, and build a secure fence around the propery.  There is a pond and a cellar on the land already. Our animals are growing and multiplying--Thinking about getting into pigs and cows this year.  maybe even a Thanksgiving Turkey or three. 

Basically this is a short and sweet run down of how we did it.  Many, many ups and downs in the process.  I wouldn't change a thing.  But my advice to anyone about to start this adventure.....Make sure your heart  is in it.  Make sure your willing to make those sacrifices...yes-they are worth it (at least to me) but transition can be very difficult.  If your not sure- start small.  Get rid of all the extra's...see how well it goes.  It doesn't matter what other people think.....it matters what you think and where you think God is leading you.  No matter how you much you plan or how long you prep....it's going to get down to the simple matter of  what you are willing to do to reach your goals.  I pray that you find peace and joy in your adventure--If there is any of you homesteaders out there that want to expand on this topic please feel free to comment....maybe-it can help some one else.

It takes time and 'grit'. Not to mention the crazy looks and comments from others who just don't understand why.  It takes God first-all this is possible because of Him, I could do nothing w/o Him.  My family is close, we are happy and at peace.  I have made some great friends and have grown so much. 

Untitled Comment

{ 07:08, Monday, December 3, 2007 } { Posted by gokings13 }

Thank you for your post. It is appreciated.
Laura

WOW...

{ 12:07, Friday, December 7, 2007 } { Posted by specialmom42000 }

I so admire you for what you have done! We built our home 6 yrs ago. Went from the city to the country and I don't regret any part of it. We are now considering a more conservative approach...but need to go slow as not to get into debt....(our only debt is a house payment!)...

Any suggestions?

kelly in MI