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Music by Daniel Smith
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46 Comments
Jess I always resonate with you. My husband and I are in our 60’s and started our homestead journey 5 years ago. I absolutely agree with you that this is not to create an isolated life. I love sharing what we produce with neighbors and friends. I love the idea that no matter what happens in the world, our life and values don’t have to change.
Our life is simple and full of hard rewarding work and wholesome food and most of all, I love that our life revolves around the simple tasks of living.
I wish I would have figured this out in my youth, but I bought into the career and lifestyle inflation. I feel so lucky that I get to live this simple life now. Better late than never 😊
Jess, my husband and I just talked about this last night! We can’t watch a lot of the YouTubers that used to be some our favorites because it’s all doom and gloom and that is contagious. I know God’s got me, but when I listen to people who are spouting fear, panic, and hatred, I tend to forget that and end up in panic mode, dealing with anxiety and that leads to anger and distrust. I’m much happier listening to you and channels like yours and the world hasn’t crashed down around me yet.
People also saw that their jobs were deemed "not essential" and figured out that they could be cast aside so easily.
Now many of those people that started homesteading realized how hard it is when you have no basic knowledge and it is hard work.
Listening while straining beef broth…
We are part of that middle class that is struggling. Cut hours at work, animals that are ill or injured (rabbits, quail), and I have given up that “homestead” card for now and learning to use where I am wisely. Also laying down the “homeschool” card. Thankfully my parents are helping keep the kids in a small private school. But it’s so hard. And so defeating
The division is out of control. Certain groups work to drive that division and make it an us versus them mentality that is unhealthy. People need to get back to having conversations that don't resort to name calling whenever you don't agree. It is why I often don't comment on alot of things on social media. It never fails that some people will come back calling you an idiot because you see things differently than they do. I am a fairly liberal person in a very conservative area, and it is so exhausting trying to have an adult conversation with people who can't stand it when they do not get complete validation from you. It is ok that we don't agree on something. It isn't an attack on the other person when I explain my viewpoint, but it seems so many people take it that way. I simply want to share my view point and hear yours. Maybe we can both learn something.
Pam here….we have been created with eternity in our hearts…we always have desires, goals, projects, dreams, ect…that we plan for…when you changer your perspective to eternity the pressure of today lessens.
I’ve decided not to raise out a second round of meat chickens this year so I can move that feed cost to my grocery budget. I’d been hoping to move from GMO feed to organic non-GMO feed this year but instead I’ll be supporting factory farmed chicken again. It’s not much but every little bit helps. My grocery budget just doesn’t stretch as far as it used to and let me tell you it was already stretched tight last year. I hate the options I’m forced to choose by finances. Even my paycheck has gotten smaller over the past 5 years even though I’ve done all the things I’m supposed to do to make it bigger. Every single expense has gone up, sometimes crazy amounts. I’m just starting my homestead journey, bought some pretty rough property 3 years ago, and have no systems or infrastructure in place. That’s expensive to develop. I’m feeling stalled out at best and just trying not to fail. I’m afraid we already have and I refuse to look down to see if the edge is there. I just keep hoping and trying my darnedest. All the bs about a good job market and inflation is down is just that, bs.
Awesome video!
Thx Jess you are amazing
If more people prepared, there would be less to fear, and more peace to share all around.
HOPEFUL DEFIANCE
Amen sister, we are feeling the same and hearts on fire for the Lord.
Well said Jess!!
It's hard work, it takes a lot of time. It's exhausting. The amount of bugs in the garden makes me feel defeated. The squash bugs are taking over. BUT when I sit down to eat the food and to know where it came from is peace of mind. I keep pushing through I think to give up or quit would be a bad mistake. The world is to uncertain. Don't stop, stay strong, keep going. Ask GOD for strength, wisdom, just don't quit.
Amen Sister!
Freedom is not tidy. Nor is it free.
The people that can let others have their own opinions and still be friends will thrive together.
Good evening. My first time commenting. My fiancée and I will be married soon. We fully intend to own a small farm. But before that can happen our goal is to be debt free. We follow Dave Ramsey and are each working extra to fulfill that goal in 3 to 5 years. Then to have a down payment with 7 years for our homestead. Hopefully sooner. Your videos and Justin Rhodes are a continuing inspiration. Thank you.
I think you are spot on.
We can think of preparedness on a grander scale the way any good homemaker prepares ahead. We keep a list on the counter or the fridge where people can write down things for the shopping list. When we shop we have an idea of what we will prepare for meals in the coming days and weeks. We are always preparing ahead because we can’t do it all in a day and we find the farther ahead we can get the easier our days go. When it comes to the big preparedness we can focus on learning skills from scratch which can be personally edifying and can be entertaining especially if learned together with a family member or friend. And then you really are in a better position if something difficult comes. The thing is we never know exactly what’s coming so the most important thing we can do is maintain our faith in the righteousness of God. He can do anything or become whatever is needed to do His will. He does expect us to do whatever we can because He’s a good and loving Father. So I want to do all I can with what I have and I’m thankful to know our Father’s love so I don’t have to do my part in fear but in joy because it’s God’s gift and in confidence because I know whatever he allows will ultimately turn out for the good of those who love Him. I love that there are so many people sharing on these things and they all seem to be lovers of God. It seems to me this is His provision and I’m thankful. God bless you all. ❤
I’m doing what I can what ever I can living in a town with just a front lawn to take control of my food because no matter what happens I want to control what I need to keep living.
My grandma always said, "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all." It's such a strange thing that people just assume that anyone cares what negative opinions they hold about anything. It's such a freeing thing to not always be critical and pick people apart. Thanks for always being your authentic beautiful impactful self.
Live Psalm 1 because of Psalm 2. I feel you, daughter of the KING!
It’s corporate greed and people don’t feel the eminent threat that Covid provided. We are a country of jerk reactions. If another wave of something hit it back up. Also interest rates used to be like 12%.
I’ve been prepping since 2010 when we bought our little farm. I’m not afraid. I know I will make it no matter what. I’m driven that way. My dad always gardened and was raised on a farm. I also was raised on a farm. We don’t have meat animals because I could not allow them to be killed. I’ve been a vegetarian since 1975. I am very much a loner. I have my husband, my kids, my grandchildren and two good friends. I have been abundantly blessed. I’m not good with many people because the world has gone crazy. What has always been right is now wrong. What has always been wrong is now right. Killing babies is okay. Taking care of our veterans is not ok. The world is in disarray. I feel like I am in the twilight zone! I do not like the world we are living in right now! I’m ready for the Lord to come back and take me home. The good thing is all the people I love will be going with me. Good bless you and your family Jess!
I garden and regularly visit our local organic farmer to access healthy foods for everyday eating as well as storing away. Our grandmothers did the same. The story of the ant busily storing food for the winter is inspiring to me. I decided to do these things three years ago not out of fear, but out of wisdom and best practices. I was a girl during the Cold War. We lived across the street from our school which was also the fallout shelter. My mom told us she would kill us herself before she allowed our capture. I remember gas rationing, the Vietnam war, Y2K and more recently COVID. My grandparents remembered two world wars, the Spanish flu, and a depression. We have survived by the grace of God. Jesus said, in this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
I can’t see the future. God does. I trust Him. We were poor growing up and I’m grateful for the skills I learned then. Reading true historical accounts of those who have lived through terrible times reminds me that we are owed nothing. Most folks in this world are even now living through desperate times. Make the most of each day, pray for those in your circle, practice kindness, and hold the things you have in an open hand. Most importantly-know God.
Thank you Jess, you are always the voice of reason when we need it the most.
Absolutely feel everything you have said. I feel confident in our community. The Bible says that they will put down their swords for plow shares and pruning shears. The vision I have is that we will be there with an extra set of shears and give the directions that was given to us so they can join in to God’s will.
This video was confirmation of that vision of that scripture. It’s confirmation that we are on the right track. Everything goes back to his original work in the Garden. ❤
My dream is to run my family's 500 acre calf-cow farm. My uncle has taken great care of it since my grandparents passed away, but he doesn't have any children to leave it to. I would love to turn that big farm into a homestead and farm. I am the only one in my family who is really interested in running the farm, but my husband is so against the idea. I feel so stuck at this point. I know it's what I need to do, but I don't want to do it if it means I lose my husband. I am trying to turn my waiting room into a classroom in hopes that my husband will come around.
I'm prepping but not out of fear ❤❤❤
It’s a quality of life. The freedom to make decisions about
your food source.
My job in healthcare has taught me a few things….first, people want to be seen, heard,and understood. Second, when you engage with that and understand that, then you give people permission to be their authentic self. Life in general is emotionally traumatic. You should always surround yourself with people who will walk beside you
First, so sorry for the loss of your sweet baby lamb. This has been another one of your videos where I feel like you are talking straight to me or are saying things that I could be saying myself and agree with whole-heartedly. The same examples you used for homesteading have been very true for our RV full time travel lifestyle, in the timing that it started, how much it blew up with growth and its decline due to people not being able to afford it. Your words on preparing and fear rang so true in my heart. You have a true gift for sharing what I'm sure so many others besides you and I feel the same about. You are a true blessing to so many, please don't ever stop sharing and helping others.
Thank you so much Jess, you spoke of my heart today, I feel seen. ❤❤❤
We are interdependent on each other.
How beautiful is that guitar intro too
I prepare every day. My homemade pancake mix. Chopping peppers for the freezer, feeding my chickens and turkeys for the day we will harvest them. I so dislike the fear mongering but I listen to learn. You have a knack to hit me in the heart. You express what I feel. It's a heart of a homesteader. Thank you for sharing my feelings. I love ya girl!!!
I'm a 'liberal' 'non-christian' living in good ol' crunchy Santa Cruz, CA and I 100% agree and connect with what you are saying. Although I carry all these societal labels, I also homestead and believe in self-sufficiency and preparedness. Perhaps due to my life experiences but I see preparedness as very important, even though everyone around me thinks it's a bit odd or extreme. I think the way someone prioritizes or values preparedness is based on a number of factors like cultural norms, religious values, life experiences, trauma etc. I agree with you in that there is so much content out there which tries to evoke preparedness based on fear, instead of just offering a space to provide sound, rational and logical content for folks to feel empowered and prepared. Thank you for your grounded perspective and relatable content which spans beyond all the labels! 💚 Community and connection, with open acceptance, can absolutely bridge people regardless of the 'labels' society pins us in.
You are absolutely right, farming is not for the faint of heart. You have to be made for it. I'm so sorry for your loss. Death never gets easier,. I grew up on a farm, and although there are losses and hard days, I miss it. Blessings.
Brene Brown does an amazing job of explaining the difference between fitting in and belonging in Braving the Wilderness. It is one of those books I listen to yearly to reinforce my growth. I like to think I am a grounded realist that can see myself, others, and the current social and cultural situation fairly clearly. I work my traumas as I become aware of them. Like you, I believe my emotions and ability to feel are sources of strength and guidance. I have never found the community that I belong in, but some gardeners and homesteaders are great to share ideas with. I do belong to myself and the divine I believe in. that divine has lead me to learn and apply everything I can to prepare for the life it has planned for me. I believe there is massive change coming in how our world operates, and I believe what I am learning will help me thrive in it and in the life that is now.
I get you hun. I use to watch a lot of them prepper videos and i stopped I did start to feel nervous and that’s why . I’m done with a lot of them . I just leave it to God and I feel yes we need to prepare For anything But don’t fear .
I get you hun. I use to watch a lot of them prepper videos and i stopped I did start to feel nervous and that’s why . I’m done with a lot of them . I just leave it to God and I feel yes we need to prepare For anything But don’t fear .
I get you hun. I use to watch a lot of them prepper videos and i stopped I did start to feel nervous and that’s why . I’m done with a lot of them . I just leave it to God and I feel yes we need to prepare For anything But don’t fear . GODBLESS YOU ALL
I get you hun. I use to watch a lot of them prepper videos and i stopped I did start to feel nervous and that’s why . I’m done with a lot of them . I just leave it to God and I feel yes we need to prepare For anything But don’t fear . GODBLESS YOU ALL
Preach it sister. Have drive to thrive! I love it. In 2008 my husband was diagnosed with cancer. I was a stay at home mom with 3 children under the age of 7. We already had chickens, turkeys and gardens. But my SELF SUFFICIENCY journey started at that point. No matter what happened I wanted to be able to feed my children. My husband managed quite well but since then we have continued on the self sufficient path. Even if it’s taken us 20 years. No matter what’s going on in the world, natural disasters, worker issues… we will be fine. We have the drive to thrive.
I get you hun. I use to watch a lot of them prepper videos and i stopped I did start to feel nervous and that’s why . I’m done with a lot of them . I just leave it to God and I feel yes we need to prepare For anything But don’t fear . GODBLESS YOU ALL❤❤❤❤
I got a tear in my left shoulder a few months ago… And then because life goes on… It took all of about a week before I had acute tennis elbow in my right arm because it was pulling double duty. Look after yourself. Take all the help you can.
Watching the sun going down is a privilege