The Cook Family Homestead
EPHESIANS 3:20-21
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A Look Back.

12/30/2021

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About 9 years ago my wife and I went out in faith and put our home up for sale. We lived on a cul-de-sac in a nice neighborhood. But we longed for land and a simpler way of life. To be more self sufficient. Check out the "Our Story" tab to read more about it. 

Over these past 9 years we have slowly built up our Homestead. I remember the excitement of getting our first chickens! Or planting our first little garden....and it was little! But it was amazing. The joy and contentment of those moments are hard to put into words. There is something spiritual that God has instilled in us when we work the land or raise/harvest our own food. You can't find that peace anywhere else. 

Next week we are butchering one of our sheep. It made me reflect on how far the Most High God has brought us. I thought about 9 years ago when we went out in faith and put our trust in Him for this move. How He provided this land (it was a miracle). How He has sustained us through the tough financial times. How we have always had enough and been provided for. Always. 

We are humbled to be butchering our first sheep that we have raised right here on our own land. It may not be that big of a deal to some. But this is a goal of ours being realized. 

We have butchered hundreds of chickens. We have collected thousands of eggs. We have planted, grown, and harvested tons of vegetables over these past 9 years. But raising sheep has been something I have wanted to do for many years. 

And to see it come to fruition is humbling.

Years and years of planning. Hours and hours of research. Tons of work to prepare pastures, pens, and to expand the barn. The expense to become a Finnsheep Breeder. All the failures and successes of breeding.

​Yet the Most High has been so gracious and merciful to us. We are thankful. We are blessed. 

You see, this lifestyle brings so much contentment and joy. It is hard to look back and not get emotional. The blessings are incredible. The hard work is so rewarding. The joy is unexplainable. 

We get a lot of comments on our YouTube channel from people who are longing to live a more simpler way of life. They don't want the things this world offers. There is something missing. 

To those people longing to leave the empty promises of this world, let our story be an encouragement to you. We are not special. There is no magical formula or luck that is involved. There is only faith in the Creator of this world. He can accomplish anything. He can give you the desires of your heart. Trust in Him.

Write down your goals. Pray over them. 

Do you want land? Pray fervently for it. Do you want to live more simply? Pray fervently for it. The Most High is merciful and gracious. Live for Him and be free! The Bible says in James 5:16:

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

As we wrap up 2021, I am looking back at what the Most High has done for us. It has been a beautiful 9 years. I have learned to enjoy the ride. There is a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). That verse has come alive to me over the past years. 

I'm looking forward to what's in store for 2022! We have big plans. But everything is in His hands. We are trusting in that and can't wait to share this journey with you'all!

Thanks for following along and blessing us with the kind comments and all the prayers. We love you all! 

Many blessings in the name of Yeshua and Happy New Year! 
-Steve

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We're Back!

12/29/2021

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What an amazing and challenging 2021 it has been! We've been on a hiatus from our blog/website due to the many projects around the Homestead. 

As 2021 comes to a close, we wanted to share some successes and plans for 2022.

So what are some of the things that happened here at the Homestead in 2021?

Well, first and foremost, we had our 7th baby in July. God blessed us with another beautiful baby....Dakota Stephen Cook! He is growing a ton and we love him so much. 

Secondly, we did a huge amount of remodeling on our house. As some of you know, when we purchased our 20 acres 9 years ago, we had a double wide trailer on a full basement. The trailer was 20 years old. We have slowly over the years made some progress, but this year we really needed to do some things. So this summer we put on a new roof, added a huge mud room, new windows and doors, new furnace and central air, new floors and counter tops. It was a major project and took months. That is why we haven't done a ton on YouTube or our blog. 

But we are back!

As we look forward to 2022 we have a ton planned here at the Homestead. Here are a few of our goals.

We will be opening our online store (finally!). This has been in the works for 2 years. It will include a redesign of our website. This should be open in January/February sometime. 

We will also be going full steam into growing our Homestead. We have numerous animals now who will be having babies soon! Our Finnsheep and Goats are all expecting. We will also be getting into selling lamb. I am now a Finnsheep breeder and am looking forward to growing our flock. 

We had a great year in the garden, but this year we will be expanding even more! We will be growing a ton of vegetables for canning and to give away to others. Janel loves to garden. It is her passion! She's always dreamed of a huge garden and it is a blessing to see her get it. God is good! 

Continuing to grow our preps and become more self sufficient is another goal this year. One of the things we set out to do on this journey years ago, was to live more simply. That is something we are going to put more effort into this year. To enjoy our land and each other. To be content.

To intentionally be old fashioned! (See my video below)

Finally, but more importantly, we are going to strive to live for Jesus more passionately. That includes serving others more. To give more of ourselves for the Kingdom. To help those in need. To stretch ourselves both financially and with our time.  

I hope you had a blessed 2021. We are thankful for the blessings of God and wish you all a happy new year!

Check out some pics and videos below!

God bless. -Steve




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    Authors:

    Stephen and Janel Cook from The Cook Family Homestead

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Ephesians 3:20-21

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.


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