We set off on this homesteading journey with the initial purpose to work on taking better care of my animals and work on skills that will help our families now and in the future, but it has turned into so much more than that. Thrive in ‘Stead is about achieving goals higher than simply living more sustainably.

We seek to discover the wonders of God’s Creation and enjoy the beauty He has created. In learning how He designed the plants animals and the systems that sustain them, we can better care for them. The care of His creation is one of the first commands He gave to Mankind (Genesis 1:28). And in the process of discovery, we draw closer to Him as well.

We strive to cultivate true Community. Though the world seems more connected than ever thanks to modern advances in technology, people in general are farther apart. We don’t know our neighbors anymore. This is the opposite of what God has called us to today. As He is in community as the Trinity, so he calls His people, namely His Church to be One Body (Romans 12:5). Community is vital to our ability to thrive in our environment.

Finally, we aim to revive Common Sense and Values now often thought as old-fashioned. In learning the skills of our ancestors, we not only become better equipped to face uncertainty, but we also develop a stronger work ethic and greater sense of purpose. We were not meant to live solely for entertaining and pleasing ourselves; rather, great worth is found in hard work, especially in service of others.