“Into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.”
Homesteading for most people today is all about the land: wide open spaces for animals to roam and graze, raising chickens for eggs, growing and canning food, hunting and preserving their meat.
For us, homesteading means something a little different.
Over many years, we prayed that God would bring us to a place where we could be surrounded by His creation, not man’s. We saw the destruction of beautiful wetlands and forests for yet more office/medical buildings, widespread overconsumption, worldly temptations, and it just didn’t feel right. It wasn’t inline with the truth. We are called to seek truth; how can we live honestly in a world that was getting it so wrong?
This led us into the forest where the air is crisp, the birds are friendly, and nature dominates. The trees hold ascendancy.
Homesteading for us meant carving out the forest to live in it — with it, just enough to grow a garden, catch the rain, and feed the birds.
We don’t have animals, we don’t eat meat or eggs, so why would we need a homestead? We truly believe the most nourishing food is what God has provided around us — the honey from the bees, the fruit from the trees, and even some of the weeds (sounds like a poem)!
We delight in the wild passers-by, as if an old friend has come to say hello.
Growing food, harvesting from the land, forest management, homeschooling, slow cooking, and prayer are all parts of living honestly. It is about seeking truth in all we consume, living a life well intentioned with purpose and meaning.
Perhaps every generation has a back to the land movement. These are the people who see how nature beckons us — how it guides us to a life that is far more fulfilling and reminds us of our Creator. But this one, what a glorious generation to be a part of! With all of our modern conveniences, life in nature is far easier than ever before.
Join us as we carve out our little place in this world, so that we can live more honestly.
