I want to be a Christian Agrarian.

I want to be a Christian Agrarian.  What does that even mean, you might ask?

Well, it begins with Christian.  I am a follower of Christ, Jesus Christ.  I believe the Bible account of Creation, The Fall, The Promise of Redemption, The Coming of the Son, The Payment for My Sins, and Salvation and Adoption.  I believe I am a child of God, covered by his grace.

And it ends with Agrarian, ie Farming.  Whether one believes the Dominion Mandate still applies, or if one simply believes in being responsible for oneself, and being liberated from the corporations and masses.... I think most can see the benefit of providing for one's OWN needs and not being dependent on others.

But entwining the two.... also entails the understanding that I do this for the Lord.  I care for the land and trust that the land will care for me BECAUSE the Lord made it so, and promised me He would provide for me and my household.  By moving towards my subsistence on the land, I am leaning more and more on my TRUST in the Lord.  I am believing that He will care for me, and acting on it.

This does not mean that tomorrow I am moving out into the woods and building a log cabin by hand and washing my clothes in a creek.  Although... If I had to... I guess I'd have to make the best of it.  It means, to me, that I must educate and train myself, how to move off of the grid.  What do I purchase at the store regularly?  Can I provide it for myself without buying it?  What would that take?  And as I research, use my newly acquired skills and move closer and closer to my life on the old homestead.

Is this even possible??

I NEED FOOD.
I can grow many vegetables and fruits and nuts myself.  I can raise chickens for eggs and meat, and cows or goats for milk and meat.  I can keep bees for pollinating my crops and a supply of honey, one of nature's most amazing and astounding foods.

I NEED SHELTER
I can choose a home that is energy efficient.  I can utilize Solar, Wind and Water Energy Sources.  I can use water in a responsible manner, not wastefully.  I can provide adequate living space for family, animals, and food storage.  And I can attempt to do this without living under mind numbing debt by choosing functionality over appearances.

I NEED CLOTHING
I can take the best care of my clothes.  I can purchase or take used clothing from others.  I can purchase sale cloth and make any necessary items of clothing that my family needs.

I NEED PROPER HYGIENE
I can make my own laundry, dish, hand and body soaps.  I have made my own laundry detergent for a few years now.  It is very cost efficient and hypoallergenic.  And my pantry currently holds the ingredients to make laundry soap for the next 2 years.  My mother in law makes hand soaps, and has recipes that especially help eczema or dry skin, and these too are hypoallergenic.

I NEED MEDICAL CARE
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Henry de Bracton.
I can eat a moderate and well grounded diet (ie dirt growing), and exercise regularly.  I can treat many minor ailments with rest and fluids.  I can make distilled oils and balms with herbs from the garden.  I am also fortunate enough to conceive and bear my children in the privacy and safety of my own home.  I can go to a doctor when I NEED to.

Home is where my heart is.  My husband... my children.... there is nothing more dear to me.  I love them and though I may not like the labor involved, I rejoice to do what is necessary for their care.  It is an act of service, and an act of love.

My Progress....?
I guess at this point, I can consider myself a beginner.  So, at least, I have BEGUN.

In the last few years I have begun to learn vegetable gardening, and fruit harvesting (since I don't own any fruit trees/plants myself yet).  I have begun learning to sew, from a dear friend of mine.  I have been canning jams, vegetables, sauces, and even chili.  I have been researching the care of chickens and bees, because when we do move onto our land, I hope to get started on that.

Here are some links of other Christian Agrarians, what does it mean to them, and how do they live out their beliefs and dreams.

http://thedeliberateagrarian.blogspot.com/2008/04/christian-agrarian-creed.html

http://randallgerard.blogspot.com/2006/09/christian-agrarian-faq.html

http://www.biblicalagrarianism.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1463

http://sustainabletraditions.com/tag/christian-agrarian/

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/october/43.64.html

http://www.mindfully.org/Farm/2003/Everything-Is-Illegal1esp03.htm

http://journal.michaelbunker.com/2009/02/christian-agrarian-community-living-101.html

http://www.agrarianbible.com/Principles%20&%20Notions/89B5B131-F524-43FB-A8BE-D63110DA04F0.html

I have alot to learn.  But I am not alone.  And I am not giving up. :)