Friends, I don’t even know how to begin this post.
When I started this blog nine years ago, I never dreamed of what it would become. I was a newbie homesteader with absolutely zero experience living off the land. I didn’t know how to garden. I didn’t know a thing about raising chickens, or goats, or a pig. I couldn’t tell you the first step in preserving food.
What a long way we’ve come!
In those early years I wanted to share our journey for others who might too be interested in getting back to the land, but I was also reaching out for answers to the problems we ran into from people who’ve been there and done that. Back in 2008, there wasn’t really anything on the web about homesteading yet (imagine that!), so I relied on my readers to help me troubleshoot garden pest issues and livestock predator problems, among other challenges we faced.
You guys cheered us on, encouraged us when it got tough, and gave us the support we needed so that we never felt alone in the journey.
Because of all of you, this website has turned into an amazing community of like-minded people and a rich resource of information for anyone looking to learn homesteading skills.
Jerry and I have done a tremendous amount of work on our land during these blogging years, but there is still much to be done. Perhaps we might even sell our homestead and start fresh with a better understanding of what we need in mind.
The next year or two will be extremely busy for us. And I know in my heart that I won’t be able to continue blogging about this journey on a consistent basis. My fear has been that without new material being added this community might fall by the wayside, and all of its valuable information, stories, and knowledgeable readers would be lost in an ever growing sea of information.
So, with much prayer and consideration I have decided to pass New Life on a Homestead on to another passionate blogger who is eager to pick up where I left off and keep the community here alive and thriving.
I feel like my baby is all grown up. It’s a little scary to let it go on its own into the world, but I know this is the right thing to do.
Dan, the gentleman I’m passing the torch to (I’ll let him introduce himself to you in his first post), has assured me that he wants to keep all of my stories, photos, recipes, and tips here on the blog. Everything will stay where it is, he’ll just be adding even more valuable content for you to enjoy.
There is so much more that I’d planned on sharing with you. So many unwritten stories. Sometimes I would think to myself that it would be so much easier if a camera just followed me around all day so that I wouldn’t have to try to find the time to put my experiences into words.
Next year will be 10 years on the homestead. I hope to have a book finished by the end of 2018 with all of our experiences, recipes, tips and tricks from our first decade on the land. I’m excited about this project, if for nothing more than for my children to have in print memories to look back on from their childhood. I hope you will find it a treasure as well.
And who knows. There could be another blog in the future.
In the meantime, I will miss you all greatly. You’ve come to be like a second family to me. I’ll miss reading your sweet messages and hearing your personal experiences. Please continue to build the community here and help each other by answering questions in the comments section. You are a wealth of knowledge. Support each other with love and encouragement.
Rest assured, dear friend. I leave you in excellent hands! I’m excited to watch this blog grow with a renewed passion. You might even find me in the comments section every now and then as well!
May you all be blessed richly in your efforts as you continue to seek peace and freedom in your lives.
With much love,
Kendra Lynne
A city girl learning to homestead on an acre of land in the country. Wife and homeschooling mother of four. Enjoying life, and everything that has to do with self sufficient living.
Hey,Kendra
I pray you and your sweet family be blessed in whatever you set your hands and heart to do! I am in total agreement about a community being necessary for long term survival and to truly flourish. I believe that is the design! My family and I just bought 33 acres in Arkansas which is where I am from. As of now we have a few dairy goats, sheep and chickens. I have greatly admired what you have done over the years even on just one acre! Seeing as you have been so faithful with little I am sure that the Lord will bless you with much more Amen! I am interested in all the lost ways as well. We are looking into building an earth bag house right now while we are sprucing up the older farm house on the property. My husband and I have talked about building a community before and Lord willing it will all come together sooner than later! Shalom
Hi Kendra my name is Linda and I have a daughter that is dealing with a speech delay. She speaks but I feel she needs to have more consistent conversations with her peers. I’ve been praying trusting and believing god for her. I ran into your blog and sense I use oils in my home I believe your method can be helpful to my daughter. Tell me where you get your oils from. Please! Send me the name of the stores. Thanks!
I just found your blog,and saved it in my favorites. i will be referring to it as we become more self reliant. We have been canning produce from our garden the last 4 years. I had 30# of concord grapes given to me by a neighbor, and needed the pressure cooker time for the easy grape juice. I’m sure God will lead you through your next journey! Many blessing to you, and your family.
I have been reading since the beginning and you will be missed! I hope that whatever is next for you sees you continuing on your journey and growing in knowledge and faith. God Bless you and your family. Thanks for the advice and encouragement through the years!
Congrats on the new adventure. Hope you all the best.
Noooo! Say it aint so!! I will miss you! Lots of prayers for you and your entire family, as you move out to new endeavors and frontiers! Prayers also continue for Grandpa. You are a wonderful inspiration to this new generation, as well as the ‘old’ generation that I come from. I hope that you will check in every once in a while, so we know how to keep up with you. You are a special young Lady, and I hope you find exactly what your next dream should be. Godspeed with your NEW New Life on your Homestead!
I’ll miss your encouragement and advice, Grandma Susan! Hopefully we’ll meet again if I decide to start a new blog in the future. Thank you for always remembering my grandfather. So far his decline has been slow but steady. We are still with him around the clock. Thank you for being such a faithful friend!
Lots of prayers for you and your entire family, as you move out to new endeavors and frontiers! Prayers also continue for Grandpa. You are a wonderful inspiration to this new generation, as well as the ‘old’ generation that I come from. I hope that you will check in every once in a while, so we know how to keep up with you. You are a special young Lady, and I hope you find exactly what your next dream should be. Godspeed with your NEW New Life on your Homestead!
Kendra, I was a late bloomer when it came to homesteading. Your blog has been such a blessing to me. Sad to see you move on, but I completely understand. Prayers going out to you for Gods direction in the next season He has for you!
Allison
Thank you for the well wishes, Allison! I’m sure there will be plenty more inspiration to come on this website. 🙂
Kendra,
Thank you for all the wonderful advice!
Your canning videos are the best that I have come across– you are a great teacher!
I totally understand your needing to hand the reins over to another– go and be free to spend time with your family! 🙂
Thank you once again!
Thank you, MeanJean! So happy to hear that you’ve enjoyed my canning DVD. 🙂
Best wishes as you move forward with your life in a new direction 🙂
Thank you, Zabeth!
Congrats, Kendra!! I sold The Frugal Farmer last month as well, due to the same kinds of time restraints and wish to keep it going in the hands of someone with the time and passion to do it right. I know you’ll be happy knowing you’re focusing on what you need to focus on and leaving your blog in capable hands. Best of luck to you! You’ve taught me so much!
Good for you, sad for us. May the Lord bless you and your family.
Thank you, Laurie! Congrats to you as well! Best wishes in the coming year.
Best wishes to you and your family, Kendra! Thank you for leaving this site in Dan’s hands to keep it going. I’m sure he will work hard to make it last a long time. There really is no end to homesteading as a way of life. I hope Dan will do the same when it’s his turn to pass the torch. Thank you for blazing the homesteading trail in the digital frontier. You are a true pioneer!
Thank you so much, Jay. You’re right… there is no end to what can be learned and experienced in the homesteading lifestyle. I’m looking forward to so much more in the coming year! I’m sure I’ll be back in one way or another with more stories to share. 🙂
What a surprise! CONGRATS on your new adventure. What will you be doing now? You will be missed for sure. At least you aren’t closing the blog for good.
Thank you, Charlotte! We’ll continue to build the homestead, and prayerfully consider our next adventures. I leave you in good hands. 🙂
Good Luck!
Thanks so much!!
Congrats on your next step in your journey. Good luck and prayers.
Thank you, Amanda. 🙂
How exciting for you, congratulations on this new phase of your life! I’m sure that passing the blog over to Dan will leave it in good hands and I can’t wait to see what you do with all your extra time!
Thank you so much, Shelle!
Congratulations! I’m so happy for you and your family, but you’ll be missed!
Kendra! It’s been so long since I have been to your site as I am not keeping a blog (Laughing Family) anymore! So proud of all the years you have kept at this! Enjoy your next adventures!!
Oh Kendra, I will miss you so much! Welcome, Dan…you are taking over for a long-distance but treasured friend.
You are so sweet, Pam! I’m sure we’ll run into each other in the future. 🙂
Congrats on the sell and can’t wait to meet Dan. It’s very sad to see you go but I’m sure the community hasn’t seen the last of you. Thanks for all your hard work over the years. It has benefited us greatly and the people we know. We will continue to share your site with others and look forward to what the new owner can offer.
Shalom!
Zac and Jaimie
AnAmericanHomestead.com
Thank you so much, Zac and Jaimie. Best wishes to you in all you do! Blessings and Shalom.