Monday, January 18, 2016

At The Risk of Repeating Myself...

Living Simply.
 
What does this really mean? This thought has been at the center of my heart and mind for a while. I have written about ways to live a simple life, I have discussed this with friends over and over, and spent many evenings making lists with my husband over this topic. The one thing I realized I hadn't done was to find out what the word of God says on the topic. I did some studying this afternoon and came across quite a bit of scripture discussing this matter of living a simple life.
 
Are We Happy Yet?
True happiness will never consist of things. Contentment won't be found through desires of the flesh.
Psalm 90:17-17; Proverbs 15:16-17, 16:8; Ecclesiastes 4:6; Isaiah 55:1-2,6; Matthew 6:25-34; Romans 8:5-6; Philippians 4:10-13; 1 Timothy 6:6-11; Hebrews 13:5-6; James 5:1-8
 
Too Much Stuff!
Give it away before it controls you.
Proverbs 11:4, 28, 23:4-5; Deuteronomy 15:7-15
 
A Truly Simple Life
We don't need to do, be, or have more to be happy. Be content with what God has given you.
Psalm 46:10, 63:2-5; Mark 1:35; Luke 12:13-21, 22-31; 1 Timothy 6:6-10
 
Simple Living
Are we consumed by consumption?
Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Ecclesiastes 5:10-6:9; Matthew 6:25-33; Acts 2:44-47; 2 Corinthians 8:1-9; Hebrews 12:1; Revelation 3:17-20
 
A lot of scripture to get through, I know, but going through it slowly and really meditating on the word will help to really grasp the Lords' view of simple living.
 
 
~Blessings,
T.
 


Wednesday, January 6, 2016

The End Of Our No Electrcity Project

I hadn't even realized that we had come to the end of our project this past Tuesday evening. Lily has been so sick, and of course all my attention was focused on her these last couple of days. Due to all the illness in our house I have not posted about our last two days of the project(or was it three?)...Oh well. We have enjoyed this time of living without lights in the evening. It definitely helped us to be a little more grateful for electricity. Even though we have turned the lights back on, I find that my husband has lit a lantern somewhere in the house. At least we know what it feels like to live without lights and if we had to we totally could. There are so many other projects we want to try out, but for now I think we will just be satisfied to have saved ourselves a little money on the electric bill.
 
 
~Blessings,
T.
 

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETHANY


 
To the best sister any girl could ask for, I wish you all the happiness and love your heart can hold on this day! I am so proud of the woman you have become and all that you have accomplished. Keep going forwards and never change who you are. I love you!
 
Always,
Big Sis
 
 


Monday, January 4, 2016

Day 4 of Our No Electricity Project (Almost)

 I am so behind on posting about this project, we have all taken turns being sick. Poor Lily got it the worst, it seems. The past two nights have been sleepless for the both of us, oh the joys of this germy season.
 
Our No Lights Project        1/1/16
 
It's been cloudy all day, so our natural light throughout the house hasn't been very illuminating. I almost had to light a lantern at breakfast time. Aaron cleaned our lanterns today, they had all turned black from the smoke. We finished all our chores early, so we have mostly been indoors staying warm and talking of future homesteading plans. Not really an eventful day by any means, but memorable for our little family. Hot dogs on the propane grill tonight for dinner.
 
 
 
 
 
~Blessings,
T.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Saturday, January 2, 2016

Day 3 No Electricity Project (Almost)

I haven't really taken many pictures of our "no lights" project, honestly, how many photos can one take of the dark?...Anyhoo, here is my next journal post of how things are going and what we have experienced along the way.
 
 
Our No Lights Project                           12/31/15
 
It's New Year's Eve and we can hear fireworks going off in the distance. It's quiet in the house this evening, we're all snuggled together on the couch. The living room is aglow with candles and our trusty lanterns give us clear view of our surroundings. Although this is only day 3 it feels familiar somehow, like an old friend who's come to visit. It feels like we have been doing this forever. Some laughed at us when we shared our thoughts about beginning this project. Varying opinion of, "Oh you'll give up after two days", "Wow, good luck with that", "Whatever floats your boat". So far we have no desire to give up. I think it seems so far out there of an idea for some to grasp, that they call us crazy for trying it. Oh well, what fun would a project like this be without the naysayers.
 
My friend Abby Jo from forgottenwayfarms.com, they lived off-grid for a couple of years on their homestead. Here is a video she and her family made about off-grid lighting.
 
Hope ya'll are staying warm and cozy in this cold winter weather.
 
~Blessings,
T.
 
 
 
 


Friday, January 1, 2016

Day 2 of Our Almost No Electricity Project

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
 
I am a bit behind on my posts in regards to our project, this is technically day 4. Anyhoo, I didn't take any photos for this post so I will just add some of my favorite pics of off-grid lighting.
 
Day 2  Our No Electricity Project (Almost)          12/30/2015
 
Today we decided that having the use of the oven/stove was imperative Aaron didn't want to suffer through a whole week of burnt food. Hahahaha! So we are down to just having no lights on. Daylight to lantern light.... I am actually enjoying the low light in the evening. There is something almost magical about how the light flickers and plays off the walls. Once your eyes adjust to lower levels of light it becomes rather easy to see in the dark. Jacob doesn't seem to mind too much, as long as we are all in the same room together. Lily is just happy for someone to hold her. I do love how the living without lights has brought us all together in the evenings. We all share in the warm glow of a lantern and each others company.
 
homestead-honey.com
 
offbeathome.com
 
lightafrica.org
 
We are loving this way of living and I have a feeling we might be doing this long after our project is over. I pray you all have a wonderful and blessed new year!
 
~Blessings,
T.