Where We Are At

Rizzie and I felt the need to clarify for the sake of truth and reality for everyone else.

Our home in trenton is under construction because we have a design in mind for it, which you can see in the image below. The condition of the house IS poor, due to the age and methods of its original construction.

But our current state in the kitchen and other areas is due to the construction of the design requiring thousands of dollars, not because we can't run down and grab some cheap cabinetry.

We absolutely could have assembled a replacement sink and various other amenities to get us by while we saved up for the sub flooring and planks etc. But the fact of the matter is that's not our aim, so we haven't.

The sink someone dropped off unexpectedly struck me with gratitude because it did in fact sooth a struggle we were intentionally dealing with. But it too will have to come out when it's time to replace the sub floors. But again, we probably won't, because by that time we won't be here.

This home and property is meant to serve the community as Lulu's Garden, it is not allowed to be at a state of bare minimums for long. And since we are moving to our acreage out in the county, our priorities are the property in the county, not this one.

THAT is why I mentioned in my previous post that this was all self imposed struggle. Because it literally is intentional things we are doing and pushing through for very specific reasons.

Financially, we do struggle, I'll be honest.

But have what we need, and we are solid.

Some folks got the impression I do not work full time or provide well for my family. So I'll speak to that quickly;

I am a full time permaculturist and mentor.

And I am currently a full time student taking my profession to the next level in permaculture design.

I have owned my own businesses since I was 16 off and on, and the last 2 years we have been organizing what will be a thriving practice which I hope all of you will come and see with your own eyes when it is time.

We are very very blessed, above many others in some ways.

Yes, we struggle and I'm not going to give the impression we are rolling in the dough, but we are taken care of, and like peter James and jon, we have sufficient for our needs.

And that's enough. The lord loves us and we love the lord, and all of our needs have been and continue to be provided for through him as we work hard on those things we feel inspired to create.

We have an incredible friendship and connection to those in our life, and we work hard to keep improving and building upon what we have been given.

That being the case, we choose to keep our eye on the peak of the mountain, the vision we hold for ourselves in the long-term. And the here and now may be fridged and minimal, and uncomfortable. But it is by choice, and we will infact be at our next peak by our own efforts and sacrifices we choose today.

We have room enough to give and help others, and we do our best to do that.

If I gave the impression we were dirt poor and sickly, you'd be gasping at our next stage of life boggling how we accomplished it. We've lived dirt poor and sickly before, in our early marriage. This is not that.

And we are excited to take all of you on the next journey with us!

So, if you are one of those that got the impression that we are not working full time, or living our best life, or putting our shoulders to the wheel, I sincerely apologize.

We have an amazing life. Our fridge is full, our pantry over flowing.

Our clothes in abundance so much we have to give some away regularly.

Our beds are warm, and our lands are large.

Our knowledge is growing and we are surrounded by good loving people that we can trust with our lives, who put us first, and we them.

So, without further ado, from our family to yours, Merry Christmas.

Please reach out if YOUR family is going without something this year.

We don't have much, but maybe we can pay it forward