2013 Family Christmas Newsletter
Hello,
all! As I write this, I'm looking out our 1976 vintage-retro
double-wide's window to the most glorious view of snow-covered
rolling hills, big whitetail bucks and Canadian geese grazing by the river. Our family's homesteading dream finally came true
this year. We are back in the country and loving it! We now live on a
3.32 acre parcel of land. Our goal
is to build the shop of Michael's dreams and eventually replace this
trailer with a stick-built house that Michael wants to build himself.
We also want to raise more of our food via a larger garden, chickens,
butcher animals, etc, and provide ways for the kids to flex their
entrepreneurial muscles.
How
did we get to our new place? 18 mos ago, Michael was hired as a tank
mechanic at an Army Depot and hour and half away from where we were living. It took the National Guard awhile to get their shop built and then to get us our orders, but it all finally came
together in the fall of this year. God's timing is always best! He is
very happy to have a shorter commute that does not involve driving
over a treacherous mountain pass and he seems to like working
at the Depot.
While
moving to our new town meant we would be leaving deeply established
friendships and our homeschool support group, we knew God was calling
us to do His will here. I'm not going to lie, there have
been a lot of tears shed, but it is always a comfort knowing you are
in God's will even if it is uncomfortable, painful or even lonely.
The kids and I are quickly getting involved in the homeschool support
group here in Pendleton and are meeting some wonderful families. We
are still in the process of looking for a home church and are
sincerely praying for the Lord's guidance in this area. The kids have
joined the AWANA group here, and are loving it. We're praying for
some good friendships to develop with other kids in the area. We are
now in our 5th
year of homeschooling and going strong.
It
has been wonderful being so close to my mom and Larry Pop. We've never
lived near family before but are now enjoying the benefits of helping
each other out. It is nice getting more breaks and just having family
there to celebrate the milestones of life. We are enjoying having
more company as well, now that we are on this side of the mountain. We are now an hour closer to the rest of our family as well.
We
look forward to what this new year holds as we get our “homesteading
legs” under us. I'm sure we'll make many mistakes, but we will
learn from them and continue on.
Merry
Christmas and a Happy 2014!
God
Bless,
Michael,
Jackie, Josiah (10) and Hailey (6)
Our 2013 Fall Family Photo
Josiah (10) and Champ's 4th Grade School Picture
Hailey's 1st Grade School Picture
Josiah read somewhere that dogs like to work, so he tried to turn Champ into a mushing dog when we got our tree. He'll have to work on a harness for him next year. Champ was lovin' it!
The kids did a great job helping me decorate our blue, white and silver snowflake tree.
6 comments:
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Blessings,
Nadine
Merry Christmas, Jackie and family. I love the last foto of the kids look so cute in front of the tree. I pray things go well with your new venture. Hugs! Pop over go see my Christmas family post.
I am looking forward to seeing how your homesteading dream unfolds Jackie! Though there will be challenges to face (there always are when moving), I think being out in the country and closer to your family will be a HUGE blessing to you!
May God bless you and continue to work in your life this coming year.
Blessings,
Aimee
Such a wonderful blessing that you have been able to move to your homestead my friend. I am so happy for you! And, yes...the Lord's timing is always perfect. May He bless you all as you establish a new routine there in your new town. Love to you! Camille
So exciting! :D looking forward to see what God has planned for you guys!
Haley looks all cute on her toes in her ballet outfit in front of the tree!
Congrats on the new home! I can't wait to see what you share next!
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