Our Story
This idea of a family economy grew from a place of yearning, but we didn’t know what for. We both grew up in the typical way of a scattered family- children sent to daycare and public school, both parents working, university and corporate jobs, marriage, children, repeat. A few years into our marriage and a couple of children later, the world turned upside down and a veil had been lifted.
With both of us now working from home and more time, we delve into gardening, animal husbandry, foraging, and medicine making. Working the land stirred up other desires within us and we realized that old ways were lost and the drive for self-sufficiency settled in. Little by little, the more we learned, the more we became aware and the more we felt the pull to become integrated as a family. Thanks to the 2020 fiasco, Ciara became a homemaker- one step closer. During the same time, we joined a new church community and another veil was lifted. This one showed us that there were others already living this lifestyle, but in communion with one another. Goodbye “self-sufficiency."
In this setting, we were introduced to the term “family economy” which is basically getting back to how the nuclear family operated pre-industrial revolution: together. It was through these conversations, reading multiple books, seeking wise counsel, planning, and much prayer that Josh made his mission the family economy and left the corporate world. Rooted Pines Homestead was born some months before his grand exit and has grown much bigger since. Our family economy is in full swing now with multiple businesses- woodworking, carpentry, farming, handymen, and appliance repair. The children have also begun their own small businesses with their handiwork.
As we look back and see how we were led to this point, all the stretching and learning that had to happen, God’s kind and hard providences become clear. We are deeply thankful for all the lives He has used to shape ours. Thanks be to God for His merciful kindness endures forever.
"It is better to buy from a small, privately owned local store than from a chain store. It is better to buy a good product than a bad one. Do not buy anything you don't need. Do as much as you can for yourself. If you cannot do something for yourself, see if you have a neighbor who can do it for you. Do everything you can to see that your money stays as long as possible in the local community."- Wendell Berry, "Sex, Economy, Freedom, and Community: Eight Essays"
