I know... that does seem a contradiction in terms, but then again I pretty much am a contradiction of terms: I do not like to be noticed (unless it is for something positive) yet I live with 15 other (mostly LOUD, raucous) people...
I have 18 kids (not at all conspicuous, that),
live in a giant house,
drive a rather rusty, beat up WHITE 15 passenger van, recognised everywhere in our neighboring small towns,
married to a pastor of two small town churches
and blah blah blah...
Yeah, I get noticed.
I am a Bible believing Christian (you wouldn't think you would need to mention that "Bible believing" part to clarify "Christian" would you?!)
I believe in energy conservation, but probably have the highest electric bill in the county.
I firmly believe that NO DEBT is the only way to go, but oh my, we are so very far from that.
I believe in eating healthy, non cholesterol type foods (please pass the chips, salsa, sour cream and an ice-cold Becks)
I long for a quiet, peaceful existence with few demands on my time and brain... but as I mentioned I live with 15 other people, three of whom have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, One of those with Reactive Attachment Disorder, One medical/extreme behavioral special needs, 8 of our kids are adopted from foster care and 7 of those can be found screaming their lungs out for no apparent reason at any given time of day (Or night) also qualifying them as "behavioral special needs". I also home school 4 of our kids.
I am not a fan of public school, yet 8 of my kids are enrolled there (FABULOUS teachers, and special ed department).
I love to blog, but frequently neglect my blog for days (ok sometimes weeks) at a time.
Where am I going with this? I have been distracted 15 times at least while typing here, so just spewing stuff apparently.
HERE IS WHERE I AM GOING:
Though I have been drawn to the life of a practical homesteader for over 30 years now, I have really lost my direction just trying to keep my head/home in survival mode as I navigate the waters of adoptive parenting and large family life in general. Still, the draw of the simple life has been strong... I have heard the call of a radically minimalist life getting louder and louder in my ear.
Since I have rather a hard time ahead of me, trying NOT to worry about my soldier/son, it is time to get something on the horizon to garner my focus while I let God be God of all that I cannot control anyway (and frankly I control NOTHING, and that is pretty plain).
SO... The next year I am focusing on becoming a LARGE MINIMALIST FAMILY. A Radically Large, Radically Minimalist Family. Here we go:
By no means my first project, but the first one I am taking time to blog: PROJECT 333
5 comments:
I don't think "large family minimalist" is a contradiction at all. In fact the larger the family, the more you need to be a minimalist. I know an eight-year-old girl who has her own walk-in closet. Is that crazy or what? But she's an only child. You couldn't very well have 15 kids each with his or her walk-in closet.
I also think I understand what you mean with "Bible believing Christian", seeing as I'm "taking the Hebrew Bible with a grain of salt" Christian. A lot of us pick and choose what we want out of the Bible.
Linda, you are an inspiration. I so enjoyed this post and catching up on your family life. You should really blog more. Did you write the Project 333-- meaning are you the blog author? I would love to email with you if you ever get the chance. I would love to pick your brain about some things. Have a wonderful day.
I am so happy to see you are blogging again. I hope project 333 becomes the answer for - time to think and have a large family.
Just found you and I am SO glad, you crack me up and make me think. (I totally agree with the "Bible" comment btw, we're having to make very hard decisions b/c of this very problem) Keep truckin God is with you and so am I now (well at least through your blog that is-lol)
Hey there, glad I found your post. I'm a mom to 9 dc, and traveling the minimalist journey awhile now. Just started a blog this month over at www.crunchyminimalist.com if you care to visit, but I also have a memoir blog too about health and our family life. I'm wondering how other larger than average families live the minimalist lifestyle since most ppl blogging about it are single or have 2-4 dc. Anyways, nice to 'meet' you.
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