Josh, as a Christian woman (born again 7 years now) who grew up with no father & not seeing many godly examples - seeing you lead your family is truly amazing & gives me context of how godly men should be. Same with Caroline as a godly wife example. I really appreciate it.
Having lived a few years longer than you, and having to learn to trust the rest times, you'll be amazed at the blessings that come from your obedience.
I am a small backyard gardener, but I’m pretty full force, but I’m only four years in and I’m thinking too maybe when I get to my six year then I will slow down for the seventh spring 🌱
Your family's Christian beliefs and homesteading journey is inspiring. It inspired me to turn my backyard into a larger garden using Josh's lasagna method. When this done, we will have three 4x16 mounded beds, one 2x16 mounded, trellises bed and a raised shade garden for greens and herbs. Thank you so very much for your channel, for the School of Traditional skills and for your hearts to help others. Blessings and peace from the LORD upon your family.
Ya'll know that you posted this video on Rosh HaShannah ...right? How interesting a blessing of timing. May this year of rest bring with it a double portion of blessings to encourage your closer and deeper walk with G-D!
I love this concept of taking a sabbath rest from major projects! I went back to school in the fall of 2019, just before my 49th birthday, to get certified in holistic nutrition. I’ve been fully self-employed the past 5 years, and have been going hard trying to build up my business, without a proper vacation. I do take Sundays off, and prioritize daily rest breaks, but I’m really feeling the strain. I think I’ll consider 2025 to be the last year I push forward in “business building” mode, and will take 2026 as more of a “rest” year in my business. I will trust the Lord to provide enough growth in 2025 to sustain me in 2026 so I can rest. ❤
I love this topic! Next year I am going to let half of my garden lay FALLOW, as it is 7years old. So my newer half is only 2 years old so I am planning that part of the garden now. Letting the land rest once every seven years is suppose to bring a larger production the following year. We will see!
Actually if you listen a little closer, he said, "It's a good concept, nothing that they have to follow legally," so I can assume that they are not Torah Sabbath keepers because they don't honor the law.
As a first responder we carry tourniquet on our waist 24/7. (Like carrying a knife.) Each member in our family knows how to use them. If you are cutting wood on your homestead, if you are cutting meat up, operating equipment or even driving down the room. It takes 3-5 minutes for the body to bleed out. It takes 7-10 minutes for EMS to arrive and that depends on where you are at. You can save a family members life if you know how to apply a tourniquet correctly. Refuge Medical base out of OK has the best medical supply packs for the buck And they have tourniquets in most of them. Great chat! Have a great week and God Bless!
Carolyn and Josh. After watching so many videos I feel that you have been my teachers and examples on my journey to improving my life with my family. From your modern day parenting podcast to making cheese. I am so happy for your wisdom and example on the value of rest. On the 7th day there is rest. We are intended to enjoy the fruits of our Labor. Enjoy your time and I do hope to see more in the future. God bless.
We are at the same point where we need a break from homesteading... Reflective time is so important, as you say we are all super busy amd dont have time to enjoy or even look at what we create!!! We going camping with our dogs over the otherside of our land, no water or electricity supply!!! 2 weeks of no chores except reflection and enjoyment of eachother! ❤❤ Enjoy your beautiful selfs 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜edit our homeschooled kids need the break with our full attendance too!!!🙏🏻😆
We took the 7th year off this year and it was amazing. It was not only a year of rest but also stepping back to see the big picture. We accidentally doubled our flock of birds so there is always something that comes up 😂
I think this is a great thing for y'all to do! I am always encouraged by y'all. Your decisions, thoughts, life & the way you treat each other is great examples of how God wants us to live.
You mentioned the homestead someday being the children's. I'd love to hear in a pantry chat how you plan to pass it on to them, how to divide it among those who want to stay and work the homestead and those who don't. How to deal with inheritance taxes, and all those types of things.
That would be a very interesting subject to discuss and learn from. What will happen if someone in the homestead dies (God forbids!) or another very important subject that nobody talks about? Who's going to take care of you when you are too old to take care of each other? Inheritance and taking care of the elderly or disabled. Subjects that nobody wants to think about, but are very real to everybody.
You talked about having stumps that need removed. I saw an idea you could try. They said to drill holes around the stump about 18 inches deep and to put grain into the holes, then have pigs in the area and let the pigs root up your stumps. Obviously that would depend on the size of your stumps, and knowing what north Idaho looks like, your stumps might be too big. But it wouldn't cost ad much as hiring someone to remove them and you would get bacon too.
Absolutely love the new format. I have appreciated the interviews you’ve done for the past few years, but honestly I follow you to hear YOUR insights, learnings, thoughts. Even if it’s rehashing topics you covered a few years ago; you will have always learned something new, had something atypical happen since then, or just have fresh faithful wisdom to share. Thank you for all that you give to the community.
Composting and having our own soil for the garden is probably one of the most empowering things we have done, in our journey to (at least) relative self-sufficiency. Such a simple thing but so great.
However the Sabbath is Friday Sundown to Saturday Sundown according to the Bible. And that is one of The Commandments he never changed it the Catholic Church did
@lindarochefort9520 Yes, you're right. I commented before watching the video. I thought they were truly following the Lord's command to let the land (and the laborers) rest the 7th year.
A great read , A Pioneer's Search for an Ideal Home. It's the journal of an early pioneer woman who came to the NW via the Oregon Trail with her husband... Phoebe Judson. They were the founders of Lynden, Wa. There's an interesting part on their journey. The man who lead their wagon train was a believer who observed the 7th day as a day of rest. At the beginning of the journey they were passed up by other trains who traveled every day. In the end they passed up these trains because the animals were rested, people were rested, equipment repaired.... while the other trains had animals dying, equipment failure sickness.... It's a great book for pioneer history ❤ Thank you for the video.
Absolute love this idea to stop, rest, and evaluate. I think everyone could benefit from doing it even if they could only do it on a smaller scale or for a shorter period of time.
Love hearing how you think things out. I also love the idea of taking a break and enjoying what you've accomplished. Remember to hold on loosely to the things of this world, work hard but know there are more important things. Love that you can balance working hard but not being fearful.
This year has been my 7th year rest and I left the garden be. I built a couple small boxes for a few crops but otherwise it's been a rest. It's been challenging to stick with the plan but now that I look back on it, just a couple weeks away from a heavy frost, I'm so glad I did it. Come spring next year will be a wonderful season. It requires a lot of trust in Yahweh to provide and it requires one to be truly honest with ourselves to know priorities vs wants. But I learned so much already and I recommend everyone who does this life to take a 7th year fallow.
I like that 7 year rest! We just started our homestead journey and off grid this year, i couldn’t imagine taking a year of rest right now! I can imagine how challenging it will be
You guys are awesome. I’m rooting for you! I pray you are rewarded this year, and that your 7th year rest is rewarded with an overflowing abundance you’ve never seen before, just as in the days of old. ❤️Yours in Christ.
I love love how you talk about the different seasons on the farm and the different jobs that go with each season. I find it so fulfilling to hear about your journey and since I can't live like you guys at least I can participate by listening to you guys!!
Carolyn I had a sense of urgency in 2020 until I had a good supply of food and things that would help us be more independent. And even though I felt a sigh of relief once I did that, I still feel like I need to put up and prepare all that God puts before me. I think I am just a little more relaxed as I prep.
This year was my 7 years, garden sabbath. It was stressful at first for the reasons you mention. Also as u mention, it is an element of faith. There is absolutely no being lazy just bc you are taking a break. I canned twice as much, i made almoat twice as much food and as u said, i worked on all yhe things that have broken ir arent optimal over the last few years. I am very glad I have done it but also look forward to planting my onions in Jan!!! ( here in Texas). God will bless your garden and harvest and family!
This is so great. Rest is so important. I think homesteaders tend to forget to rest. My husband and I have been homesteading about the same length of time as you guys but when we moved to our new homestead 5 years ago we didn’t get things rebuilt very fast so its been our break from homesteading. I would have liked to rebuild faster but God has had other plans for us. We have 4 adult children and 5 grandkids and things do change once the family expands. I’m now at the point where I really want next year to be the year I get to all (or at least some 😂) of things we haven’t be able to get to. Homesteading projects never end but I can see how your focus to be intentional about not adding new projects will really benefit you guys. Enjoy your rest year!
I loved watching you two just having a converstation. You reminded me that we used to do a monthly Life Skills class (social etiquette, car maintenance, CPR etc) with our older kids and homeschool group. Our youngest daughter, in 11th grade, hasn't had that same community and it's created a gap in her education. Time to address that gap!. Thanks for the reminder.
Just a suggestion on the bull situation. Many people are afraid of getting a bull because they can be aggressive. If you raise them from a baby/bottle calf & handle them daily with gentleness they will be less aggressive & more friendly. We raised a bull from a bottle (bought it from a friend no mama cow for it to nurse from) because we bottle fed him from a baby & the kids were always down there with him, petting him, etc. it got to the point that we could just call his name & he’d run up to us like a dog & come rub up on my girls & lick them .😂. He actually got out of the corral one time into our neighbor’s yard & all I did was called his name from our side door & he came running up the street & up to the door. I walked him back to the pasture & he walked right back in. Raise them from babies, be gentle with them, have the family pet them multiple times a day. They will be gentle.
It can work that way, but after farming for over 40 years, we found that it can be unpredictable. I also know of an old farmer that did this with his bull and he was fine up until the day he gored his owner to death. Very sad. The old saying around here is, you should never turn your back on a bull.
A friend od mine ha a bull born to a cow she rescued. She raised them with love ant kindness as pets. When the cow and heifer came into heat he broke down fences and when husband tried to put bac in his shelter, he cornered the man and tossed him into the air with his head and severely injured the man. Animals do what natures hormones and instincts dictates..dont take chances.
Yes, except it's also unnerving if they are so familiar that they see you as another cow. They come running right up to you and you wonder if they are going to stop or run you over. Or they go to rub on you and push you over or don't know what their horns are about to do to you since you aren't another cow. We had a bottle fed steer and he became more annoying than the other steers.
It looks like you have a great system in place and well stocked. I live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and one thing I’ve learned after all the storms we have been through is to use up your stored food before hurricane season (mainly frozen foods), keeping the nonspoilable foods for the storm. (Just thinking about some of the Helene comments) It seems like we all have our own 7-year off system in place from our routines, no matter if you homestead or not. You have to step back,reassess, evaluate, you know? When we slow down things begin to become clearer. We can set new goals and become reenergized. Then we can start again. We have the mindset, the energy and the ability to do so.
We are doing the 7th year break too. Interesting! I started thinking about that after listening to Heidi on Rain Country. This was her 7th and next year will be ours.
I am planning on a year of rest for my garden this year as well. I have been praying if it is an all garden rest, or rotational rest as not all my gardens were started at the same time. I have settled on cleaning out the annuals, do my perennial care, place a layer of compost over everything, top with straw, and not intentionally plant anything new this next growing year. Anything that comes up is a use when picked, not to go into storage (even herbs).
Thankyou for this talk…being REAL in front of total strangers 😅 !! but really, we are all facing different challenges and priorities, so, before we “burn out” we need to “take stock”. We can keep going if we’ll just take in the big picture, take that deep breath, reflect with gratefulness on what’s been accomplished, realize where we would be if we hadn’t embarked on this path, giving thanks and appreciating all who helped us thus far. Then looking ahead…forward…to the next 7th year, what will life look like? If God wills, we can do thus and so, but if we don’t take time to look, to have a Vision, to maybe write it down, how can we move toward it. This post was very good for me. Thank you!
48 hr go bags... an old backpack or duffle with a couple of changes of clothes with your binder of important #'s, canned food, cash, and/or an extra debit/credit card. If you need to bug out ( in case of fire or evacuation), you have emergency clothes food, and a way to buy needed items right away.
Interesting to listen. We need to be resourceful and prepared. But the bottom line is life can change for many reasons. Skills and experience can stay with us even if life robs us from a catastrophe or things changing beyond our control. We can’t live in fear. We also need to appreciate what we have be good stewards of our present blessings.
Thank you for another one of you guys' fabulous episodes I always enjoy your work please keep them coming and keep that algorithm and monetization working for you😊
We have been homesteading 13 years, building from raw land. Both of us are disabled. We take the winter off to reflect and adjust plans. We can 't take a year off though, we would really like to get a water system in and continue working on the house. Slow and steady wins the race.
We have a family who went full time farming 8 years ago. This year was tough with some failures due to weather challenges. They announced that they are finished. They've sold almost everything and did their last Farmer's Market and CSA pick up yesterday. 😢
So many blessings we miss out on when we neglect to follow the principles set forth in God's Word. I encourage anyone to try this principle of a 7th year rest and find out for yourself what you have been missing. God Bless!
You know, I just realized we also started in 2018 and are just getting to that seven year place as well. We're also having this "ok, we did it, what is next?" discussion. We're talking about places we can get energy and enjoyment from things that are not "new project!" "new building!" "new garden"....but in other things.
I appreciate this video and your candor. Similar situation here actually, and its time as well to reprioritize some things here on our homestead to. Make it more about ourselves perhaps and less helping everyone else has led to some burnout. It is hard to relax when the world....well the world being the world and all. Giving me some things to think about, thank you!
Years ago I put together a household management binder for important information such as names of utility providers, internet and phone, etc. along with account numbers and contact information. You could include website info as well. It also contained insurance information, doctors, & veterinary’s information. Anything that had to do with running my home was included as well as in case of emergency. It’s great to have that stuff on an app or program but a paper copy is invaluable. It can be organized anyway that is best for you. I now have a separate health binder for doctor info, medical insurance, appointments, follow ups, and medications. There are forms available online either free or not but I recommend designing your own. This could be a project for a teenager if the parents don’t have time.
The Psalmists would say "Selah!" As artists have to pause to step back and view a piece considering progress and next steps, it can be a time for attaboys, praises to God, and to see what God's doing in the world to consider His will. Love this idea!
Fertilizer? We have chickens and they are fairly secure so far. However our terrain is large enough but mostly hill side with a few small plateaus leaving little room for making fertilizer. Add we've medical problems including problems with both my hands. HOWEVER we have plenty weeds and some with edible portions when desired yet they need cut back often enough to make fertilizer (( using a water barrel )). Stuff some weeds in the barrel, add water and wait. I like to remove the residue off the top and place it on another pile and extract the fertilized water. For small locations it's a good option! Other fertilizer comes from decades of leting leaves pile against a fence around an acre on two sides. Fantastic fertilizer to start each season.
The Red Cross has a first aid app for your phone that is really quite good. Even if you know first aid, in the event of an emergency you never know how you will react so having a source is 27:01 really great. It even has a tone that it will play to help you with cpr compressions. I think that one of our biggest challenges would be keeping each other reigned in when someone tries to start a project lol
Yes there is going to be a great shaking. The Lord promises He will see his people through we are not be afraid, we sre to judge ourselves and get right with God.
Another option for composting is vermacomposting. I have a big plastic container with small holes dripped into it that holds my worms and compost. It works well.
Hi !Greetings from Brazil ! Nice to see this idea of the 7th y rest, but if you allow me an advice, it makes more sense, you would sort it out better, if you keep the 7th month feasts, as the Bible tells us. Tabernacles camping week starts in a few days. If we were 2000y ago, the most important feast would be the Passover. Now it's Tabernacles.
I'd argue that you should do the trees in the spring. that's not a delay on your end. Plus, with no other projects happening, you'll be able to dedicate more attention to it and enjoy the process. Plus if it gets cleared in the spring, it gets to rest the remainder of the year too
Great video. I bought a small book to list all my contacts - phone numbers, addresses, and emails. What if your phone goes down and you loss all your contacts? Who knows phone numbers these days? Now days we relay on our phones and computers - a list of bills and account numbers in case the system goes down.
We are doing this a year early. We just past our 5th year & are exhausted & starting to feel burnt out. We also have decided to implement a new philosophy of “one & done”. Do the project the right way the 1st time, no “temporary” fixes (this has been a huge issue for us the last few years & we are realizing it’s a big waste of time). We decided next year 2025, we aren’t going to plan any major projects, just basic maintenance stuff & focus on our garden. I’m REALLY looking forward to it!!
I was raised in a Christian household growing up and I asked my mom if she took a rest on 7th year in garden to repair soil(like some other homesteads have done)and she said, “no, that’s what crop rotation is for. She said with 5 kids and both her and dad working she still couldn’t afford to not grow a garden “ so I guess it’s just a preference.
You mentioned resting on the 7th day. Which we do and believe we should. What most people have forgotten or don’t know is that. “the 7th day Sabbath is Saturday “. Bible also say not to eat unclean meat;
Some of the homesteads where Helene hit were probably totally prepared but that doesn't mean anything when water and mud destroy everything. Best to have a close relationship with the Lord who can protect and provide. God moves through faith, satan moves through fear.
Ultimately, Jesus Christ is the Be All, and End All. And you have to look no further than NC, or TN to see that all your planning can be brought to naught, quickly and concisely. He IS our Providence. I love that your faith guides you because it means one day, we may work on the same "farm". ❤
Generally I let different areas lie fallow in a rotational manner. That way I still am able to have fresh food from. Someplace. Downside is weeds tend to get a good foothold in those areas lying fallow creating more work for me. I should put a dense cover/nurse crop in those areas but haven't been too sucessful in that for small areas. Might be better to leave the whole garden fallow, and just mulch it extra heavily to keep the weeds at bay. Not a homesteaders, live on acre and half, I am the only veggie gardener, hubby dabbles In fruit trees, bushes,and strawberries. But he feels no need/call to get what he can, and can what he gets. He hunts at the grocery store...lol.
I think when one is detoxing...it is hard on the body...i think even though you feel the internal pressure from outside sources, if you don't honor your body and take it easier so it can have better resources to detox with, if stuff hits the fan so to speak...you'll dwindle down much quicker. So taking an easier physical activity sabbatical is a good idea. Think about how hard your body is working to detox.
I will miss the possibility of the root cellar for another year! Looking forward to that. Will you be adding any classes to the membership ? Or is that off the table? I can see taking a break from that too.
And people put cardboard/ newspaper in their gardens 🤮🤬.. we bought this home in 2016 and it needed a teardown to studs/ wiring/ pipes.. we feel the need to ramp it up. Hubby is re doing garage bath now while i finally get to water bath and PC - garden was a failure because no pollinators- saw 6 honey bees . I added more chicken-silver laced orps for meat . along with the eggs and added 4 more dwarf Nigerian goats… next to create a hot house out of logic soft sided garages.
For the pollinator issues... we had this problem... the solution is goldenrod. Hands down. I started harvesting/foraging medical weeds, did a lot of research and found that what I thought was "ragweed" was actually goldenrod. Since then, I let my goldenrod go to bloom and I am swimming in pollinators.
You can never go wrong with applying biblical principles to our homesteads
Josh, as a Christian woman (born again 7 years now) who grew up with no father & not seeing many godly examples - seeing you lead your family is truly amazing & gives me context of how godly men should be. Same with Caroline as a godly wife example. I really appreciate it.
👍
Same here! What a blessing their example is to so many!
Having lived a few years longer than you, and having to learn to trust the rest times, you'll be amazed at the blessings that come from your obedience.
7 year rest is Biblical wisdom for sure. Gods good plan for our blessing. Plus the 7th day is a commandment 😘pray you are blessed!!
I am a small backyard gardener, but I’m pretty full force, but I’m only four years in and I’m thinking too maybe when I get to my six year then I will slow down for the seventh spring 🌱
Your family's Christian beliefs and homesteading journey is inspiring. It inspired me to turn my backyard into a larger garden using Josh's lasagna method. When this done, we will have three 4x16 mounded beds, one 2x16 mounded, trellises bed and a raised shade garden for greens and herbs. Thank you so very much for your channel, for the School of Traditional skills and for your hearts to help others. Blessings and peace from the LORD upon your family.
Ya'll know that you posted this video on Rosh HaShannah ...right? How interesting a blessing of timing. May this year of rest bring with it a double portion of blessings to encourage your closer and deeper walk with G-D!
I love that you are giving your land the 7th year rest.
I love this concept of taking a sabbath rest from major projects! I went back to school in the fall of 2019, just before my 49th birthday, to get certified in holistic nutrition. I’ve been fully self-employed the past 5 years, and have been going hard trying to build up my business, without a proper vacation. I do take Sundays off, and prioritize daily rest breaks, but I’m really feeling the strain. I think I’ll consider 2025 to be the last year I push forward in “business building” mode, and will take 2026 as more of a “rest” year in my business. I will trust the Lord to provide enough growth in 2025 to sustain me in 2026 so I can rest. ❤
Did you know Friday sundown to Saturday sundown is the true Sabbath according to the Word of our Lord in the bible.
I love this topic! Next year I am going to let half of my garden lay FALLOW, as it is 7years old. So my newer half is only 2 years old so I am planning that part of the garden now. Letting the land rest once every seven years is suppose to bring a larger production the following year. We will see!
Love you guys! Been a fan for years, and always look here first when I want Godly diligence in the kitchen, or on the land!
Beautiful comment regarding trusting in the Lord, at the same time being wise and doing what is needed.
It sounds like you two are sabbath keepers. Our family in Idaho is also! It’s so good to see Christians getting these revelations.
I also keep Shabbat here in N. Idaho. It's wonderful.
Actually if you listen a little closer, he said, "It's a good concept, nothing that they have to follow legally," so I can assume that they are not Torah Sabbath keepers because they don't honor the law.
Sabbath is actually Friday Sundown to Saturday Sundown according to the bible. Our Lord never changed it
As a first responder we carry tourniquet on our waist 24/7. (Like carrying a knife.) Each member in our family knows how to use them. If you are cutting wood on your homestead, if you are cutting meat up, operating equipment or even driving down the room. It takes 3-5 minutes for the body to bleed out. It takes 7-10 minutes for EMS to arrive and that depends on where you are at. You can save a family members life if you know how to apply a tourniquet correctly. Refuge Medical base out of OK has the best medical supply packs for the buck And they have tourniquets in most of them.
Great chat! Have a great week and God Bless!
Carolyn and Josh. After watching so many videos I feel that you have been my teachers and examples on my journey to improving my life with my family. From your modern day parenting podcast to making cheese. I am so happy for your wisdom and example on the value of rest. On the 7th day there is rest. We are intended to enjoy the fruits of our Labor. Enjoy your time and I do hope to see more in the future. God bless.
We are at the same point where we need a break from homesteading... Reflective time is so important, as you say we are all super busy amd dont have time to enjoy or even look at what we create!!! We going camping with our dogs over the otherside of our land, no water or electricity supply!!! 2 weeks of no chores except reflection and enjoyment of eachother! ❤❤ Enjoy your beautiful selfs 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜edit our homeschooled kids need the break with our full attendance too!!!🙏🏻😆
We took the 7th year off this year and it was amazing. It was not only a year of rest but also stepping back to see the big picture. We accidentally doubled our flock of birds so there is always something that comes up 😂
I think this is a great thing for y'all to do! I am always encouraged by y'all. Your decisions, thoughts, life & the way you treat each other is great examples of how God wants us to live.
Helene should be a wake up call for many people to be prepared for weather disasters and then move on in preparation after that for other things.
You mentioned the homestead someday being the children's. I'd love to hear in a pantry chat how you plan to pass it on to them, how to divide it among those who want to stay and work the homestead and those who don't. How to deal with inheritance taxes, and all those types of things.
Yes. We were manipulated and deceived one side, and there is instability on the other side because the parents don't know how to do things fairly.
That would be a very interesting subject to discuss and learn from. What will happen if someone in the homestead dies (God forbids!) or another very important subject that nobody talks about? Who's going to take care of you when you are too old to take care of each other? Inheritance and taking care of the elderly or disabled. Subjects that nobody wants to think about, but are very real to everybody.
You talked about having stumps that need removed. I saw an idea you could try. They said to drill holes around the stump about 18 inches deep and to put grain into the holes, then have pigs in the area and let the pigs root up your stumps.
Obviously that would depend on the size of your stumps, and knowing what north Idaho looks like, your stumps might be too big. But it wouldn't cost ad much as hiring someone to remove them and you would get bacon too.
Absolutely love the new format. I have appreciated the interviews you’ve done for the past few years, but honestly I follow you to hear YOUR insights, learnings, thoughts. Even if it’s rehashing topics you covered a few years ago; you will have always learned something new, had something atypical happen since then, or just have fresh faithful wisdom to share. Thank you for all that you give to the community.
Composting and having our own soil for the garden is probably one of the most empowering things we have done, in our journey to (at least) relative self-sufficiency. Such a simple thing but so great.
Blessings!!! So glad to see you two keeping God's commands! He is gracious and perfect! Enjoy!
However the Sabbath is Friday Sundown to Saturday Sundown according to the Bible. And that is one of The Commandments he never changed it the Catholic Church did
@lindarochefort9520 Yes, you're right. I commented before watching the video. I thought they were truly following the Lord's command to let the land (and the laborers) rest the 7th year.
I love that you are taking a break. Burn out is real.
I don't think you will take much of a break, you might be tired but you seem to love what you do, it's your life. And I love the chit chat.
Azure yes absolutely! I have been with Azure forever it seems. Thanks for all you do and I always walk away with a new idea!
We've started fire drills for the kids 2x's a year- Spring and Fall. They practice climbing down the ladder from their rooms. It puts my mind at ease.
A great read , A Pioneer's Search for an Ideal Home. It's the journal of an early pioneer woman who came to the NW via the Oregon Trail with her husband... Phoebe Judson. They were the founders of Lynden, Wa. There's an interesting part on their journey. The man who lead their wagon train was a believer who observed the 7th day as a day of rest. At the beginning of the journey they were passed up by other trains who traveled every day. In the end they passed up these trains because the animals were rested, people were rested, equipment repaired.... while the other trains had animals dying, equipment failure sickness.... It's a great book for pioneer history ❤
Thank you for the video.
Thank you! Just found it used for about $6!
Looking forward to reading!
Absolute love this idea to stop, rest, and evaluate. I think everyone could benefit from doing it even if they could only do it on a smaller scale or for a shorter period of time.
Great chat. It’s important that homesteaders take a break. Burn out is real.
Love hearing how you think things out. I also love the idea of taking a break and enjoying what you've accomplished. Remember to hold on loosely to the things of this world, work hard but know there are more important things. Love that you can balance working hard but not being fearful.
I feel that 'urgency' to the core of my being!
Same
100% ; )
This year has been my 7th year rest and I left the garden be. I built a couple small boxes for a few crops but otherwise it's been a rest. It's been challenging to stick with the plan but now that I look back on it, just a couple weeks away from a heavy frost, I'm so glad I did it. Come spring next year will be a wonderful season. It requires a lot of trust in Yahweh to provide and it requires one to be truly honest with ourselves to know priorities vs wants. But I learned so much already and I recommend everyone who does this life to take a 7th year fallow.
God Bless you all!!!🙏🙏
I like that 7 year rest! We just started our homestead journey and off grid this year, i couldn’t imagine taking a year of rest right now! I can imagine how challenging it will be
You guys are awesome. I’m rooting for you! I pray you are rewarded this year, and that your 7th year rest is rewarded with an overflowing abundance you’ve never seen before, just as in the days of old. ❤️Yours in Christ.
I love love how you talk about the different seasons on the farm and the different jobs that go with each season. I find it so fulfilling to hear about your journey and since I can't live like you guys at least I can participate by listening to you guys!!
Carolyn I had a sense of urgency in 2020 until I had a good supply of food and things that would help us be more independent. And even though I felt a sigh of relief once I did that, I still feel like I need to put up and prepare all that God puts before me. I think I am just a little more relaxed as I prep.
This year was my 7 years, garden sabbath. It was stressful at first for the reasons you mention. Also as u mention, it is an element of faith. There is absolutely no being lazy just bc you are taking a break. I canned twice as much, i made almoat twice as much food and as u said, i worked on all yhe things that have broken ir arent optimal over the last few years. I am very glad I have done it but also look forward to planting my onions in Jan!!! ( here in Texas). God will bless your garden and harvest and family!
I couldn't saw it any better, Amen
This is so great. Rest is so important. I think homesteaders tend to forget to rest. My husband and I have been homesteading about the same length of time as you guys but when we moved to our new homestead 5 years ago we didn’t get things rebuilt very fast so its been our break from homesteading. I would have liked to rebuild faster but God has had other plans for us. We have 4 adult children and 5 grandkids and things do change once the family expands. I’m now at the point where I really want next year to be the year I get to all (or at least some 😂) of things we haven’t be able to get to. Homesteading projects never end but I can see how your focus to be intentional about not adding new projects will really benefit you guys. Enjoy your rest year!
I loved watching you two just having a converstation. You reminded me that we used to do a monthly Life Skills class (social etiquette, car maintenance, CPR etc) with our older kids and homeschool group. Our youngest daughter, in 11th grade, hasn't had that same community and it's created a gap in her education. Time to address that gap!. Thanks for the reminder.
A worm bin is great for precomposting food scraps.
Just a suggestion on the bull situation. Many people are afraid of getting a bull because they can be aggressive. If you raise them from a baby/bottle calf & handle them daily with gentleness they will be less aggressive & more friendly. We raised a bull from a bottle (bought it from a friend no mama cow for it to nurse from) because we bottle fed him from a baby & the kids were always down there with him, petting him, etc. it got to the point that we could just call his name & he’d run up to us like a dog & come rub up on my girls & lick them .😂. He actually got out of the corral one time into our neighbor’s yard & all I did was called his name from our side door & he came running up the street & up to the door. I walked him back to the pasture & he walked right back in. Raise them from babies, be gentle with them, have the family pet them multiple times a day. They will be gentle.
Agree. There is a big difference in how you raise them that can give you the best chance to gentle hem.
It can work that way, but after farming for over 40 years, we found that it can be unpredictable. I also know of an old farmer that did this with his bull and he was fine up until the day he gored his owner to death. Very sad. The old saying around here is, you should never turn your back on a bull.
A friend od mine ha a bull born to a cow she rescued. She raised them with love ant kindness as pets. When the cow and heifer came into heat he broke down fences and when husband tried to put bac in his shelter, he cornered the man and tossed him into the air with his head and severely injured the man. Animals do what natures hormones and instincts dictates..dont take chances.
Yes, except it's also unnerving if they are so familiar that they see you as another cow. They come running right up to you and you wonder if they are going to stop or run you over. Or they go to rub on you and push you over or don't know what their horns are about to do to you since you aren't another cow. We had a bottle fed steer and he became more annoying than the other steers.
Thank you for acknowledging God in this. Finding the balance is key.
It looks like you have a great system in place and well stocked. I live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and one thing I’ve learned after all the storms we have been through is to use up your stored food before hurricane season (mainly frozen foods), keeping the nonspoilable foods for the storm. (Just thinking about some of the Helene comments)
It seems like we all have our own 7-year off system in place from our routines, no matter if you homestead or not. You have to step back,reassess, evaluate, you know? When we slow down things begin to become clearer. We can set new goals and become reenergized. Then we can start again. We have the mindset, the energy and the ability to do so.
We are doing the 7th year break too. Interesting! I started thinking about that after listening to Heidi on Rain Country. This was her 7th and next year will be ours.
I am planning on a year of rest for my garden this year as well. I have been praying if it is an all garden rest, or rotational rest as not all my gardens were started at the same time.
I have settled on cleaning out the annuals, do my perennial care, place a layer of compost over everything, top with straw, and not intentionally plant anything new this next growing year. Anything that comes up is a use when picked, not to go into storage (even herbs).
If it helps it's to allow the land to rest
Thankyou for this talk…being REAL in front of total strangers 😅 !! but really, we are all facing different challenges and priorities, so, before we “burn out” we need to “take stock”. We can keep going if we’ll just take in the big picture, take that deep breath, reflect with gratefulness on what’s been accomplished, realize where we would be if we hadn’t embarked on this path, giving thanks and appreciating all who helped us thus far. Then looking ahead…forward…to the next 7th year, what will life look like? If God wills, we can do thus and so, but if we don’t take time to look, to have a Vision, to maybe write it down, how can we move toward it. This post was very good for me. Thank you!
You guys are very balanced! I love it!
Enjoy your rest. You deserve it!
48 hr go bags... an old backpack or duffle with a couple of changes of clothes with your binder of important #'s, canned food, cash, and/or an extra debit/credit card. If you need to bug out ( in case of fire or evacuation), you have emergency clothes food, and a way to buy needed items right away.
Interesting to listen. We need to be resourceful and prepared. But the bottom line is life can change for many reasons. Skills and experience can stay with us even if life robs us from a catastrophe or things changing beyond our control. We can’t live in fear. We also need to appreciate what we have be good stewards of our present blessings.
Thank you for another one of you guys' fabulous episodes I always enjoy your work please keep them coming and keep that algorithm and monetization working for you😊
We have been homesteading 13 years, building from raw land. Both of us are disabled. We take the winter off to reflect and adjust plans. We can 't take a year off though, we would really like to get a water system in and continue working on the house. Slow and steady wins the race.
We have a family who went full time farming 8 years ago. This year was tough with some failures due to weather challenges. They announced that they are finished. They've sold almost everything and did their last Farmer's Market and CSA pick up yesterday. 😢
So many blessings we miss out on when we neglect to follow the principles set forth in God's Word. I encourage anyone to try this principle of a 7th year rest and find out for yourself what you have been missing. God Bless!
Very interesting video. Always good to take stock of where you are at. 👍🏻
❤GOD BLESS YOU & FAMILY❤
You know, I just realized we also started in 2018 and are just getting to that seven year place as well. We're also having this "ok, we did it, what is next?" discussion. We're talking about places we can get energy and enjoyment from things that are not "new project!" "new building!" "new garden"....but in other things.
I appreciate this video and your candor. Similar situation here actually, and its time as well to reprioritize some things here on our homestead to. Make it more about ourselves perhaps and less helping everyone else has led to some burnout. It is hard to relax when the world....well the world being the world and all. Giving me some things to think about, thank you!
Amen!! God Bless y'all!!
Years ago I put together a household management binder for important information such as names of utility providers, internet and phone, etc. along with account numbers and contact information. You could include website info as well. It also contained insurance information, doctors, & veterinary’s information. Anything that had to do with running my home was included as well as in case of emergency. It’s great to have that stuff on an app or program but a paper copy is invaluable. It can be organized anyway that is best for you. I now have a separate health binder for doctor info, medical insurance, appointments, follow ups, and medications. There are forms available online either free or not but I recommend designing your own. This could be a project for a teenager if the parents don’t have time.
Always appreciate your pantry chats!
Glad you like them!
We took out all of our raised garden bed. We literally are out of rooms food storage wise. Freeze dryers are good.
The Psalmists would say "Selah!"
As artists have to pause to step back and view a piece considering progress and next steps, it can be a time for attaboys, praises to God, and to see what God's doing in the world to consider His will. Love this idea!
Welcome to Jubilee! The concept that was put out there and so, so seldom followed.
Fertilizer? We have chickens and they are fairly secure so far. However our terrain is large enough but mostly hill side with a few small plateaus leaving little room for making fertilizer. Add we've medical problems including problems with both my hands. HOWEVER we have plenty weeds and some with edible portions when desired yet they need cut back often enough to make fertilizer (( using a water barrel )). Stuff some weeds in the barrel, add water and wait. I like to remove the residue off the top and place it on another pile and extract the fertilized water. For small locations it's a good option! Other fertilizer comes from decades of leting leaves pile against a fence around an acre on two sides. Fantastic fertilizer to start each season.
The Red Cross has a first aid app for your phone that is really quite good. Even if you know first aid, in the event of an emergency you never know how you will react so having a source is 27:01 really great. It even has a tone that it will play to help you with cpr compressions. I think that one of our biggest challenges would be keeping each other reigned in when someone tries to start a project lol
Always love your chats…and you!!❤️
Trust and obey
Great team work!
Yes there is going to be a great shaking. The Lord promises He will see his people through we are not be afraid, we sre to judge ourselves and get right with God.
Another option for composting is vermacomposting. I have a big plastic container with small holes dripped into it that holds my worms and compost. It works well.
Thanks you guys. Your inspiring and lovely. Your neighbor to the north - Oliver BC. 👋🙂🍁🇨🇦
Amazing. Hallelujah
“Having done all, stand and see the Salvation of the Lord”
Hi !Greetings from Brazil !
Nice to see this idea of the 7th y rest, but if you allow me an advice, it makes more sense, you would sort it out better, if you keep the 7th month feasts, as the Bible tells us.
Tabernacles camping week starts in a few days.
If we were 2000y ago, the most important feast would be the Passover. Now it's Tabernacles.
I'd argue that you should do the trees in the spring. that's not a delay on your end. Plus, with no other projects happening, you'll be able to dedicate more attention to it and enjoy the process. Plus if it gets cleared in the spring, it gets to rest the remainder of the year too
Congrats on the coming grandchild!
Great video. I bought a small book to list all my contacts - phone numbers, addresses, and emails. What if your phone goes down and you loss all your contacts?
Who knows phone numbers these days?
Now days we relay on our phones and computers - a list of bills and account numbers in case the system goes down.
So good. It’s harder for me to sit still so often & I think of the lesson of Mary & Martha.
I would argue if it’s biblical, then it is probably more than a great idea…. Glad to hear you’re planning a shmita year!!
We are doing this a year early.
We just past our 5th year & are exhausted & starting to feel burnt out.
We also have decided to implement a new philosophy of “one & done”. Do the project the right way the 1st time, no “temporary” fixes (this has been a huge issue for us the last few years & we are realizing it’s a big waste of time).
We decided next year 2025, we aren’t going to plan any major projects, just basic maintenance stuff & focus on our garden. I’m REALLY looking forward to it!!
I was raised in a Christian household growing up and I asked my mom if she took a rest on 7th year in garden to repair soil(like some other homesteads have done)and she said, “no, that’s what crop rotation is for. She said with 5 kids and both her and dad working she still couldn’t afford to not grow a garden “ so I guess it’s just a preference.
I let my garden lie fallow but I did portions at a time, so I had some food at all times.
You mentioned resting on the 7th day. Which we do and believe we should. What most people have forgotten or don’t know is that. “the 7th day Sabbath is Saturday “. Bible also say not to eat unclean meat;
" Pray that your flight will not be on the Sabbath.."
Sometimes, you can't take that rest, because you have to fight for your survival.
Some of the homesteads where Helene hit were probably totally prepared but that doesn't mean anything when water and mud destroy everything. Best to have a close relationship with the Lord who can protect and provide. God moves through faith, satan moves through fear.
It’ll be interesting how difficult it is to not do any large projects for a year. You’ll find yourself wanting to work on some project.
As we get older and older we are drawn more and more to the bible
I agree with this statement
Ultimately, Jesus Christ is the Be All, and End All. And you have to look no further than NC, or TN to see that all your planning can be brought to naught, quickly and concisely. He IS our Providence. I love that your faith guides you because it means one day, we may work on the same "farm". ❤
Less worried about stuff going on in world , (politics, wars etc)- as much as worried about the wild weather which is unpredictable.
Resting the land every 7 years is Biblical. You should let the land lie fallow for a year Lev 25.1-7
Generally I let different areas lie fallow in a rotational manner. That way I still am able to have fresh food from. Someplace. Downside is weeds tend to get a good foothold in those areas lying fallow creating more work for me. I should put a dense cover/nurse crop in those areas but haven't been too sucessful in that for small areas. Might be better to leave the whole garden fallow, and just mulch it extra heavily to keep the weeds at bay. Not a homesteaders, live on acre and half, I am the only veggie gardener, hubby dabbles In fruit trees, bushes,and strawberries. But he feels no need/call to get what he can, and can what he gets. He hunts at the grocery store...lol.
@@marthasundquist5761You miss the Biblical concept entirely. Pray on trusting YHWH enough to be obedient.
Sabbath Peace
I'm in canada I wish we had that store here
I think when one is detoxing...it is hard on the body...i think even though you feel the internal pressure from outside sources, if you don't honor your body and take it easier so it can have better resources to detox with, if stuff hits the fan so to speak...you'll dwindle down much quicker. So taking an easier physical activity sabbatical is a good idea. Think about how hard your body is working to detox.
I will miss the possibility of the root cellar for another year! Looking forward to that. Will you be adding any classes to the membership ? Or is that off the table? I can see taking a break from that too.
And people put cardboard/ newspaper in their gardens 🤮🤬.. we bought this home in 2016 and it needed a teardown to studs/ wiring/ pipes.. we feel the need to ramp it up. Hubby is re doing garage bath now while i finally get to water bath and PC - garden was a failure because no pollinators- saw 6 honey bees . I added more chicken-silver laced orps for meat . along with the eggs and added 4 more dwarf Nigerian goats… next to create a hot house out of logic soft sided garages.
For the pollinator issues... we had this problem... the solution is goldenrod. Hands down. I started harvesting/foraging medical weeds, did a lot of research and found that what I thought was "ragweed" was actually goldenrod. Since then, I let my goldenrod go to bloom and I am swimming in pollinators.
I love your videos. I would love Azure, but it's still a $50 shipping charge, and I have to drive 30 minutes to puck it up. Maybe I'll try them again.