The beginning. Lisa and I have decided to be farmers.
We are sure that this is what we want to do, so we began an education on the process. It is not something done lightly. The reasons are many, but primarily the reason is to feed ourselves with the cleanest, locally produced, pasture based protein and produce as is possible. In order to efficiently produce enough food for ourselves, we believe that there will be a surplus that will be available to sell.
We decided that the first thing we had to do was to come up with a Mission Statement or Set of truths that we can pass all our options through to determine the direction we should move. This is common in business ventures, but we wanted it to be MORE than a business venture, we are changing our lives and livelihood and we needed a LIFE statement. We looked all over and came up with many different ideas but finally found what we were looking for, in the best place, The Bible.
Proverbs 3
1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,
2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.
3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof,
12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

It seemed to us that these verses were written for the farmer, and we could apply it to the rest of our life as well.
Of course this made sense to us, as we have lived our entire lives together with the understanding that God is in charge and if something is HIS WILL than it will be so. We don’t believe that it will be easy, or we will be made “rich” in the eyes of man or that it will ultimately be successful, but that IF we listen to the voice of God in all its many manifestations and follow the path that He is leading us down, we can do no more.
We thank God for all we have and will have and that Grace through Faith is the only path to Him.