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Homestead Blessings

Building a New Homestead for The West Ladies

7/19/2015

34 Comments

 
Dear Friends,
  We hope you all are a having a wonderful and blessed summer! We have been harvesting out of our tiny garden and been gathering veggies from neighboring farms. So far we have "put away" corn, green beans, yellow squash, pickles and relishes. So our summer is going well and we are staying as cool as we can in the southern heat by visiting the creek often and eating lots of watermelon!

As many of you may have noticed we have a much smaller garden this year than usual and the reason for that is, we are currently living in a very temporary housing situation. After 14 years of a beautiful life of homesteading on the 96 acre farm we leased, we had to move last fall. The owners decided to do other things with their property and it was time for us to move on. How very grateful we are for the wonderful time we had there in the valley and all the many things we learned and did. It was hard to leave, after living on the same dirt road for over 21 years, {in two different farmhouses}  but we have many wonderful and fond memories. We met many wonderful folks from around the world, hosted events, made instructional DVDs, did herb walks and garden tours. Singing was always heard around the homestead, whether it was a common work song, hymn or ballad. We sang in the fields, on the porches and a lot of singing in the kitchen!! What a blessing when other folks would join in!! 

We were able to thrive and successfully homestead the farm there by cultivating the gardens, tending the orchards, building the fences, growing herbs, and raising sheep, goats, horses, chickens, dogs and cats. We had many friends and families come out to the homestead over the years to help with various workings and farm chores and we are so grateful for that! We wouldn't have been able to manage without their support. When we moved, the herb gardens, raised beds and greenhouse were lost and left behind. We had to sell our work horse. Our cows and other horse have been divided up between two different farms where our friends have so graciously helped keep them until we can get a more permanent situation. This move has drastically interrupted our lifestyle on which our living depends. But thank the Lord, He provided a temporary living situation for the last 10 months in a borrowed travel trailer on borrowed property. To our surprise we are still able to grow and homestead quite a bit; although, it was quite a change from the farmhouse we had from years past. 


We gratefully count our blessings. We have learned many things by growing a tiny garden and living in a tiny space. What good news to know that we can creatively homestead with whatever the Lord graciously gives. 

It has always been the dream and vision of our family to own our own piece of Tennessee soil-land we can work, love and live on while continuing the art of homesteading.

 After three years of time intensive filming, pouring our hearts, visions, and original ideas into 11 DVD's that we hosted and created the content for, we thought we would be able to buy our own little homestead with some of the means produced from the sales. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances that we had no control over, we did not benefit from those three years of work as we had hoped.

 We are grateful for the many folks we have been able to meet and be blessed through the films and we do continue to share our homestead blessings with many through our website and blog. We are very grateful to all of you who have faithfully followed, kept up, and supported our small home business!   May the Lord bless you all abundantly! 

Our time here at this location is quickly coming to an end. By October 1st we will no longer have the travel trailer so we will need a home to move into! We are eagerly looking forward to having a place we can call home and carry on the work the Lord has given us to do. Some wonderful friends of ours have graciously offered for us to build  a cabin/home on their property where there is spring water, a bubbling creek, a barn, pastures that are fenced and crossed fenced, garden spots and some fruit trees. This is a place where we can truly see our family prospering on and continuing our homesteading call. Folks are coming together from our church to help get an online fundraiser going to raise up the sufficient means needed for us to build an off-grid cabin that we hope to call home. Local community and dear friends have offered labor and work days for the building project. 

We thank you so much for your kind consideration and prayers! We have a lot of hard work and monetary goals to accomplish in the next few weeks, but the Lord is truly bringing great things together for us!

 If you would like to donate and support us in this new homestead quest,  just visit https://www.youcaring.com/thewestladies and please spread the word with all your friends and family! Over the next few weeks we will keep you all posted. Keep visiting our blog, Facebook, and the fundraiser site mentioned above, to stay updated on the progress of our building project. 
 

Blessings,
The West Ladies- Vicki, Jasmine, Cecilia and Hannah













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Please Like, Tweet, Share & pass the word along- thank you!!!
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34 Comments
Katy link
7/19/2015 02:01:28 am

I don't know whether to smile and be joyful because of the beautiful attitude you all have with this change and all that is going on or just sit and cry. I didn't realize the house and land didn't belong to you and it saddens me terribly that you had to move. I will be in prayer for you all. I also have a decent following on my blog and will share your donation page! :) I am sure the Lord has something all planned out for you ladies and I look forward to seeing it all come to fruition!!!

Lots of Love,
Katy

Reply
vicki west link
7/19/2015 03:29:18 am

Dear Katy,
Thank you so much for your kind words and prayers! It would be wonderful if you share with your friends and followers!Yes it was very hard ,for many reasons, having to leave the most wonderful place we have ever lived! We are very thankful for that time we did have there.
It is so good to here from you! Thank you for caring for us!
Many blessings and love,
Vicki

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Katy link
7/20/2015 10:48:33 am

I have shared a post with the donation site link in it and have had people say they were going to take a look! :) My husband and I have been married almost 15 years and lived in this house for 14 of those years. We have raised all of our children here and I would be so sad to lose our home...so I can totally understand your difficulty. But then, as Christians, isn't it so beautiful to know that these homes are temporary anyway!? :o) It's all just *stuff* and I truly look forward to seeing what you ladies do with a new homestead to work on...I am certain it will be all that the other one was and more because your hearts are in it.

When I first read this, all I could think of is to cry out: "Just move up north to PA and we'll get you all set up with a place and land to garden"! haha....Although I know that is probably a silly idea...but it *was* my first thought! My (almost) 12 year old son, upon hearing of this all said the "same" thing! hahaha! My boys have enjoyed your videos as well as my daughter and I! :o) When they were a little younger, they began play-acting videos and called it "Boystead Blessings"! It's a beautiful memory that is near and dear to my heart, truly!

It's funny though, how I feel as if I have known you ladies for years...and honestly, you don't know me from anyone else. I talk to you as if we are old friends...but to my family, we really are old friends. :o)

Keep the faith and know that your friends love you and are truly hoping and praying the best for each of you!!!

Warmly,
Katy :)

Reply
vicki west link
7/22/2015 04:48:14 am

Dearest Katy,
Thank you so much for writing your sweet letter to us ,we were all so tickled to here about Boystead Blessings!!!!! We were more than tickled we laughed out load for quite a while!!You are right wonderful memories! Thank you so much for the encouragement and the reminder about this world is not our home! Amen, amen!
What a kind thought you had about us coming to PA ! It made us all feel very cared for, maybe we could come for a visit one day!
Well, dear,old friend,(I say with a big smile on my face) i must close for now -canning peaches and purple hull peas today!
May Our Father continue to bless and draw you and your dear family closer to Him,
Vicki

Kimberly
7/19/2015 05:15:12 am

What is your facebook link? I tried looking you ladies up, but was unable to find you on there.

Reply
Vicki West link
7/19/2015 06:03:02 am

Go to our home page then look up to the top ,right side of that page its a small f

Hope this helps! Vicki

Reply
tikva
7/20/2015 07:36:54 am

Praying you will find a great place to live and continue your work. I really enjoy the DVDs and this blog.

Reply
vicki west link
7/22/2015 04:58:37 am

Thank you for your prayers tikva!!And thank you for your understanding about our work. We are grateful to have this work.
So glad you have enjoyed the DVDs and blog, thats an encouragement!!
Many Blessings,
Vicki

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linda hopper
7/20/2015 08:53:57 am

I so enjoy revisiting all your blogs and hope to get dvds soon will be praying for you blessings will rain down on you and your family to have a home soon.

Reply
Vicki west link
7/22/2015 05:11:38 am

Hello Linda,
Thank you for revisiting all our blogs! Thank you also for ordering our DVDs May you have much enjoyment and encouragement from them!Thank you for the prayers!And yes, let it rain!!!!
May God bless you for your compassionate heart !
May His love rain down on you!
Vicki

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Alana Wells
7/20/2015 10:56:17 am

You ladies have blessed me (and my son!) with your DVD's and your godly attitude and dress. You are always looking so feminine. :)
I pray that you will acquire the funds to move the perfect location that God has in mind for all of you sweet lades.
Blessings from Oregon :)

Reply
vicki west link
7/22/2015 05:22:31 am

Dear Alana,
Thank you so much for letting us here from you and your son! What a blessing to hear that you were blessed by our DVDs! Thank you so much for your prayers!
Blessings
Vicki

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Rowanne Stephenson
7/20/2015 01:11:33 pm

I have six daughters 13 and under and have been following yall since I received your DVD set a few Christmases ago. You have inspired my daughters and myself so much! We live on a rented 3 acres that we will have to leave soon, and we will miss what we have built here on our little homestead. Keep fighting the good fight as the Good Book says. We must all grow where we are planted!

Reply
vicki west
7/22/2015 07:19:17 am

What a blessing! Six daughters! Thank you so much for your encouraging words Rowanne,! I pray you and your beautiful family will continue to 'homestead on' wherever the Lord may lead you all.
Many blessings,
Vicki

Reply
Jodie
7/21/2015 10:14:57 am

I was almost in tears when I read your email yesterday. I also did not know the homestead and land was not yours. You poured so much of yourselves into it just like you owned it. God has a plan for you beautiful ladies! I have been so inspired by you and my children and I love watching your DVD's.I would love to visit and fellowship with you all. I am looking forward to purchasing your cook book next :) Off to donate!


Blessings from Australia

Jodie

Reply
vicki west
7/22/2015 07:06:02 am

Dear Jodie,
Wonderful to hear from you! Thank you for the encouragement all the way from over the great water! Yes, it was very sad to have to leave after so long. Where we lived was like a step back in time! We do look forward to our new homestead!
Thank you so much for all your kind words! So glad you and your children have enjoyed our DVDs. And thank you for your donation!
Blessings,
Vicki

Reply
Neal
7/22/2015 06:06:15 am

My heart breaks for you as I read this post. I know you can't live on a piece of this earth as long as y'all did and not be heartbroken to lose it. Especially when you have the rich history of care and concern for it that you do. The only words I can think of are the words of Job that have given me assurance thru hard times... The Lord Giveth and the Lord Taketh Away... Blessed Be The Name of the Lord!. Job had a lot, and he lost a lot, but thru it all he never ceased to Bless the Lord. I know you will to, and as Job's second estate was even greater than his first, I look forward to seeing what our Father has in store for you wonderful ladies! Blessings on you and thank you for sharing your lives and experiences with us!

Reply
vicki west link
7/22/2015 07:52:58 am

Dear Neal,
Thank you so much for the wonderful encouragement! Yes it was hard to leave but,we are grateful for being able to build a simple cabin and we are grateful to our Father for seeds to plant and the opportunity to start again! The Lord is good ! He has a reason for every thing ! Thank you for the wonderful reminder of Job. Blessed be the Name of the Lord!
Thank you again for writing us!
May you continue to be encouraged while you encourage others!
Vicki

Reply
Penny Raine link
7/22/2015 02:46:22 pm

you are loved!!! and even in this I laugh at the thought of your laugh!! because I know even in this you are joyful!!! call me :)

Reply
Vicki west
7/23/2015 12:09:33 am

Hello Penny!!
Great to hear from you! Thank you or the encouragement. We are joyful because of HIM!!!! And hearing from you makes me smile big!
Will be in touch!!
Vicki

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Penny
7/25/2015 02:23:41 am

yes I want to help :)

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Christine
7/23/2015 01:06:53 am

I am so sorry to hear of your trials, but I 'hear' the joy and trust in the Lord in your post.

If I was to purchase your DVD's now, would you receive the benefits/revenue?

Blessings on the West Ladies,
Christine

Reply
Vicki West link
7/23/2015 01:35:40 am

Thank you Christine, for your sweet comment!
Yes the Lord is good & we rejoice in Him!!!
Good question- yes, if you purchase a DVD from us
(homestead-blessings.com) we do benefit from the sale.
Blessings-
Vicki

Reply
Helen link
7/23/2015 11:47:16 pm

Hi West Ladies,

I remember you all from years back when you first started blogging. We're homeschoolers here in Texas. I grew up in the Ozarks, so it was nice finding you country folks online :) We've also spent several years working at a living history museum, reenacting the 1800's for the public. We own our home here in the suburbs, but I didn't let that stop me from "country living"... I've since learned that no matter WHERE you live, whether it's in an RV, boat, or an apartment, you can STILL have that country living. Of course, no horses, or cows, but if you can manage a home in a non HOA, you can have backyard chickens, a small goat, ducks, rabbits, squirrels ;) a nice front/backyard garden, and you can have blue country dogs! (I have 2 blue heelers, and a toy poodle :)

Anyway, I just wanted to offer some encouragement on your living conditions, as I'm convinced ya'll are going to prosper. We country women have something that money can't buy. We have spunk, experience, homesteading skills, and a make-do attitude.

We purchased our home and live on less than 1/4 an acre in town. Even though we "own" the home, I'm fully aware that nothing is permanent. All it takes is the grid to go down, job loss, and a financial crisis for us to lose everything. I just know that no matter what happens, I will have a garden, and I will continue on with the pioneering spirit. Not to mention, whether a person lives on 200 acres, or in a 1 bedroom apartment, we always need to be prepared for any type of emergency. Preserve and set food aside, have plenty of water, and know how to treat water for safe consumption, etc.

Ya'll are going to make it. I look forward to seeing your new home, and your accomplishments. It's been awhile since I've been on your page, so this news was surprising for me. I have a lot to catch up.

I'm - A Slice of Texas - online and am always willing to share on how to live like the country, while in the city :)

Best of wishes!
Helen
Your neighbor up yonder

Reply
vicki West link
7/24/2015 05:05:20 am

Dear Neighbor Helen,
Thank you so much for all the encouraging truths!
Sense we have live here in our temp. spot we have,rendered lard, trained horse named Pistol,raised blue healer pups,canned peaches, purple hull peas, pickles, and more. We hosted friends in our out door living room,taken folks down to the creek. Gathered herbs, grew
small but plentiful and pretty garden-and Hannah keeps sewing on our treadle sewing machine-I still make 17 peg loomed pot holders-and lots more homesteading and country living! We are grateful! Now you may have heard about our friends The Dervaes family. They have Little Homestead in the City.They are amazing! Homesteading happily, on 1/10 th of an acre in Pasadena! Like you said they have a goat,chickens,award winning gardens ! Check them out, i think you'll be inspired!We sure have been by this wonderful family! Thank you so much for sharing some of your life and thoughts!
We can all press on and continue to inspire one another!
You have inspired us!
Thank you, my Neighbor !
Many Blessings and Homestead adventures !
Vicki

Reply
Helen link
7/24/2015 05:29:17 am

Hi Vicki,

Yes, Ma'am, I HAVE heard of that awesome family in California! In fact, Anais, is on my facebook page. I also remember when ya'll paid them a visit. I could only imagine all that good music and food. I was a bit jealous!

So next time ya'll are passing through Texas, give me a holler. And in the meantime, I look forward to your adventures.

PS) Outdoor living rooms are the best!
PSS) Do you have an Etsy store or anything to sell your country crafts? I mainly sew for a living and its helped my family a lot for extra income. Would love to get ahold of a treadle machine like my mom/grandmother had, but I'm lacking space.

Your fellow pioneer neighbor,
Helen

Reply
Christine
7/24/2015 05:50:15 am

I didn't realize you knew the The Dervaes! I've been following them for a long, long while. What they do on the 1/10th of an acre is incredible and inspiring! Makes a fellow homesteader proud :-)

Blessings,
Christine

Reply
vicki West
7/24/2015 12:04:05 pm

They are a true blessing! We were able to visit them two years ago. They hosted a concert for us, it was a lot of fun!
Thank you for your comment Christine!
Blessings, Vicki

Reply
Tabitha
7/27/2015 09:32:56 am

I was so sad to hear about you sweet ladies having to give up all that you called home. I am glad that you have been blessed with a support system and a new dream and vision as well as a positive outlook. You all have inspired my family tremendously. We first watched your videos 4 years ago and they changed our hearts and our plans! We bought a farm in Oklahoma and are slowly implementing "West Ladies" ideas. I had the pleasure of meeting you all at a conference in San Antonio 3 years ago and you further blessed me. I enjoyed chatting with Jasmine and learning and being encouraged even more! Your cookbook is a staple in our kitchen, I think we've made almost every dish in it! We will continue to support and pray for you daily! God bless you on your new journey!

Reply
Kathy
7/28/2015 03:54:30 am

Praying for you ladies, and holding you in my heart. I know there are wonderful things in store for you. My husband and I have both been so inspired by your dvds and your music, for which I truly thank you. You've helped me learn so much about doing things for ourselves, and to overcome my fear of my sewing machine - sounds silly, doesn't it? :)
With kind regards,
Kathy

Reply
Jasmine link
7/30/2015 12:32:49 pm

Hello Tabitha,
It's good to hear from you! Thanks for the encouraging words & prayer!
Blessings,
Jasmine

Reply
Jasmine link
7/31/2015 04:20:06 am

Thank you Kathy, for the uplifting words of kindness! Glad you no longer fear the sewing machine :)
Blessings to you & yours-
Jasmine

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Beth Bower
8/5/2015 03:50:22 am

Oh dear family, I am so sorry. I know that your heart is in your home. I'm terribly disappointed that the revenue you thought you were getting didn't come through. Times are difficult....for us, too....but you are rich in faith and in love. So many of us love you to pieces. We don't have nearly the room we would like to have here....just about 3/4 of an acre but it is what God has provided....and with that, I am so grateful to Him. I hope to meet you some day. I will be praying for you and looking forward to reading more about your new adventures.
Love and Blessings,
Beth

Reply
Vicki West link
8/5/2015 06:23:06 am

Dear Beth,
Thank you for your compassion and understanding!
It is true our lifestyle and family revolved around the home and "our" beautiful farm. Our kind Amish neighbors and many,many wonderful customers (many became friends) and friends who visited and gathered for diffrent reasons at our farm and home-We will greatly miss! We are blessed to have 20 years worth of fond memories! (so fond i will be putting together my writings of our life in that beautiful valley in a book!) (When we get into our home)
We do look foward to our new homestead ! We are so grateful to Him!
And of corse He is our Strength!
So glad that you found contentment on your little homestead! What a Blessing!
We are so thankful to you for your thoughts and many prayers!
We have been encouraged by you !
Many Blessings
Vicki and Family!

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