The Hunnicutt Homestead

New Chapter

Well, it has been an exciting year.  Have we set out to do what we had wanted? Yes, if the main focus was to spend time together, all 6 of us, as a family.  We've strengthened relationships and learned new skills.  Here's a list of what we feel we have accomplished:

1. Increased our trust in God to provide and lead us in our lives.  Not too many people we know would quit their job and move to another part of the country where they didn't know anyone in the community to start their own business- and a laborious one at that.
2. We've learned the pleasure and value of hard work.  While we always like to think of ourselves as hard workers, we've really bitten off quite a bit this past year, tackling more than we imagined.  The boys in particular have learned a lot more about self discipline and the joy of working physically hard on something.
3. We managed to renovate a 180 year old home.
4. We've learned to get back to the basics, baking bread from scratch, organic gardening on a larger scale, putting food by for winter consumption, the benefits of raw milk, taking care of animals, heating our home with wood (which entails a whole other list of chores!), as well as beekeeping.
5. Learning more about ourselves, about the realities of homesteading and running a farm based business.

The last accomplishment has lead S and I to reexamine our goals, ideas, and realities, particularly in light of who we are.  Starting out we had made some assumptions that homesteading would be difficult, but worth it.  We figured that while we were expecting to give up  trips to town, nicer clothes, healthcare benefits, a more socially active lifestyle and vacations it would all be worth it in light of the benefits we would receive.  Well, I'm here to tell you that it isn't as rosy or romantic as some would think.

I have learned that I like to go to town for social reasons- eating out, visiting friends, attending plays, orchestras and the like.  I have always loved the arts and love to share that with my kids.  Just the gas alone calls for a higher level of disposable income.  Homestead farming doesn't exactly allow for that.

Additionally it has been difficult to break into the homeschooling group here.  I am feeling like we are schooling our kids in a bubble- in isolation from the rest of the world.  Not exactly ideal.

It would be nice to have family vacations other than at the coldest time of the year.  Plus, it seems that doing everything in moderation lends itself to a healthier state of being.  It is not good for all of us to be cooped up and idle from October to March!

There are some who may criticize our current state of mind but we feel that it is time to make some adjustments.  In our defense, let me just say that nothing we ever "do" can make us pleasing in sight of the Lord.  Our works are like rags to Him who is holy-filthy rags at that.  Trying to live a certain life can cause us to forget the gift of grace we have been given.  It can also cause us to look at ourselves as the source of any positive outcome.  For example- if my  kids are turning out wonderful (and yes, my kids are wonderful!), do I attribute that to the Lord's answer to prayer and Him blessing our family?  Or do I attribute that to my own doing?  Unfortunately for me I think I've been a bit too smug in my own self-righteousness.

We have decided to seek placement in our local Christian school for our children.  Gasp!  Oh, no!  We are being disobedient to the call of raising our children according to the Lord's will!  I think not.  Placement in school does not negate our home life or our worldview.  If anything, I am hoping it provides a bit more experience for my children to love others in a way that they would not have received in our homeschooled environment.  I have also seen too many kids as well as adults become prideful in homeschooling.  No one likes someone who is boastful or wise in their own eyes- regardless of their convictions.

I also haven't felt that I have been able to utilize the gifts God has given me as an individual according to His will.  Selfishness?  No- in my defense I am not running out there to try and earn more money at the expense of my family.  I am not seeking my own pleasure at my family's sacrifice.  I am trying to seek the route that God would have me follow in order to serve Him better.  I am seeking to find joy and happiness in the way He has created me versus trying to be someone I am not.  I don't feel I could have learned this any other way than attempting to live the lifestyle of farming and homeschooling in the country.

Thankfully, my husband and I have reached these revelations at the same time and are united.  Neither one of us is dragging the other down a road we are reluctant to travel.  As always, life is an adventure with God.  Whoever claims Christianity is boring hasn't really tried it to the level of full surrender.  Every new avenue can be exciting, like a new chapter in a thrilling book, one that you can't wait to see unfold.

Untitled Comment

{ 05:01, Saturday, January 12, 2008 } { Posted by a1health }

These sound like some major changes. It's great that you and your husband are on the same wavelength.
May God bless you in your endeavors.
~Farrah