How did we get here?

We started our journey to the UP (that is, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan) about five years ago, although we didn't have a clue at the time! The improbability of us landing here is surely proof that amazing things happen when you put your trust in God!

Back in 2000, we were living with our three kids just outside the stately city of Charleston, South Carolina. We were on our way; a beautiful townhouse, good schools, and plans for furnishing and "bettering" our lives. For the first time in our lives, we were able to buy our kids all the things they "needed". We could go out to eat whenever we wanted. We had some money in savings and were tithing... well, most weeks we were giving something to church anyway. We had come through a very rough patch and were pointing ourselves on the road to a bright future. Or were we? Chuck was traveling and therefore out of town for up to 55 out of every 60 days. He was literally risking his life, health, and safety with 100+ hour weeks and swing shifts. The kids missed him terribly when he was gone, and it made him miserable to return home and see how much the kids were growing, how very much he was missing out on.

We made a decision that was a major turning point in our lives. We decided that the nice townhouse, the cute little car, the nice clothes, even the money in the bank was not worth the toll it took on our time together. A job opened up in Alabama, and we moved. It meant a huge paycut (about 33%) but it also meant dinner as a family every night and Sunday Mass all together.

The transition wasn't easy. It felt like we were just coming up out of the poorhouse, and then choosing to jump right back in. But we knew it was best for us, for our family. Our time together is so short and much too precious to squander for any amount of overtime.

Slowly but surely our priorities changed. Millbrook was small enough to give us the feel of living "in the country" but big enough that we longed to really be in the country. I started desiring to declutter, not only our home, but our hearts. I shunned shopping and driving into town started to give me a creepy feeling. It is no coincidence that at this same time we began homeschooling, opening up even more time for us as a family and giving us more control over raising our children. Neither is it a coincidence that I began meeting friends online and in real life who shared the same vision and goals that were developing within us. We wanted so badly to committ ourselves to a completely Christian life; to embrace Lady Poverty and put ourselves and our children on the path to simplicity and holiness.

God is good! We put all our trust in Him, and He is certainly carrying us on His shoulders. Six months ago we were living in a trailer park in Alabama with almost no savings and barely enough income to last until the next paycheck. Now we are living in a 4-bedroom house on our own 40 acres!

The only downside is that Chuck must travel for work. We have come full circle with that; I think his previous years on the road were a preparation for this. We knew what it was like back then, but so far it is completely different this time. I think the difference lies in the fact that our focus has changed. Our goal is not to make as much money as possible; rather our goal is to get to where we don't need as much. When Chuck is gone, we both have our work to do. When he is home, he isn't as much consumed by the job; he can focus his energies on being here with us until he must leave again. But we sincerely hope that God will lead us to a way to someday keep him home for good.

For more about the Community of the Holy Family, and the Home n'Stead mission, please visit their homepage.
God bless!