Our Story Continues… One Year on the Homestead

On a cool day at the end of September we loaded everyone into our van, placed all of our possessions into a trailer, and embarked on a two-week trek across the country. When we arrived there was a camper, a roof, a water tank for catching rain, and two acres that we would call home.

That was one year ago.

On exactly this day last year there was so much to share – the newness of it all was overwhelming. We’ve built cabins, hung a clothesline, made fences, planted seeds, raised chickens, birthed babies, and found a home in this community.

There have been a lot of tough lessons learned over this past year but the why behind us being here has never changed. And we are grateful to be able to share all of this with you.

This is our story.

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24 Comments

  1. I love your story…thanks for sharing! As our little family of 5, soon to be 6, prepares to move next month to our own little bit of land, we too look forward to time together and working with our hands. Your story, and they way you share it are some encouraging and inspiring…so beautiful. Congrats on the first year!

  2. Hi, I have been reading you blog for a short time, and enjoy it very much, but I have never commented before. What a brave, inspiring, wonderful thing to do.

    I wish I had the courage to do the same.

    Can’t wait to continue to follow your story.
    Cheers from Australia

  3. Just starting following. Yes..congratulations on your one year Anniversary. Thanks for sharing a bit of your life..sometimes we can only live through others. : )

  4. Can’t believe it’s been a year! I’ve been following your blog since just before you moved to Texas. Thanks for allowing us glimpses into your life; I’m enjoying it so much!

  5. I understand why you moved, and I admire your family for being so brave. Thank you for sharing, you might change the lives of another family.

  6. I am so happy I found your blog a little over a year ago. It has been a huge blessing to me. I am absolutely enjoying watching your journey, and hope that my family can follow in that direction someday soon!

  7. Hello! I’ve followed for a long time and love your inspiring and interesting stories. I watched the video, so great. Thanks for sharing your lives with all of us and your beautiful stories.

  8. That took courage. I will sure be following your story. I DO understand why you left to live that kind of lifestyle. May God bless you richly.

  9. Shannon, our lives couldn’t be any more different (except for the shared Michigan connection…and the husbands with long red beards…and the red-haired baby girls…), but I have to say I love your blog. I could never do what you and your family is doing, but I admire it, support it, and am fascinated by it. Please don’t stop writing!

  10. Shannon, what a powerful video. Thanks for sharing that intimate glimpse at your life. Watching it I got misty eyed and felt a lump in my throat because I so respect and admire your faithfulness to follow a dream, no matter how uncommon. May we all act out our faith with as much trust as you seem to. I will continue to pray for your family. Blessings 🙂

  11. Shannon, it is so lovely to see the beautiful face behind the writing! Thank you for sharing your story. I’ve been reading since before you moved. We are on somewhat parallel jouneys, although we are not off-grid.

    I have a silly question…when you say “off grid”, do you mean literally without electrical power? (I read the Bunker book, and I realize that Off-Grid has much wider meanings.) And if so, how do you power your computer in order to write. I know its very possible, I’m just curious what method you use for electric power generation?

  12. Oh, Shannon, I teared up while watching your video. It is so beautiful! Your dream is the dream of so many others. We often just don’t have the courage or the vision to break free from the world that enslaves us with comfort. God bless your family!

  13. Love the video! Doesn’t the time fly ~ hard to believe it’s been a year! We’ve been here on our farm for 5 years now & that’s gone really fast too!
    Is your community like an Amish one ~ I see the similarities with clothes/head coverings?
    May God draw you closer to Him as you strive to live for Him each day!
    Blessings
    Renata:)

  14. It is so nice to see pictures of you Shannon!!!! What a sweet family!
    Thanks for sharing! We love to follow your adventure. Blessings.

  15. Aww, I love the video! I’ve read your blog on and off for awhile, and love it! I think you are who taught me to make chicken stock, lol. Thanks for sharing your moving and your reasons and the beginnings. And I had to laugh (out loud, kids in bed were whispering about it!) at “sometimes we stumble”, then your little one trips. That was too precious!

    We, too, are newly starting out on a homestead. I love it! Not the same as yours, but all the same, it is a wonderful way to live as a family, working together, enjoying God’s creation.

    Blessings on your family!

  16. Thank you for the invitation. Thank you for the invitation. What absolutely beautiful children!! I love what you are doing for your family. I love it! I love it! I love it!

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