“How did we get here?” This is a question I have often asked myself over the past couple of years, mostly out of gratefulness and awe that my husband and I were able to make a move out to a good piece of land and raise our family here. We have always lived in northern Minnesota, mostly in small, rural towns, but had the dream of buying acreage and living a somewhat secluded lifestyle.
God definitely had His hand guiding us to this point. I had been working at my hometown church for 12 years when a priest in a somewhat nearby city that I have known my whole life asked if I would be interested in a business manager position at his parish and school. It seemed wild to even think about that kind of change – while still in our Diocese, working at a whole new parish, a school (which I knew nothing about), a 40 minute commute, along with the usual adjustments that come from a new job, was a whole lotta change for me to process. After much prayer and discernment, meeting with the pastor, lots of discussion, my husband and I decided it was in the best interest for our family to make this change.
Fast forward to me loving my new job, our kids being enrolled in the Catholic school I work at, all of us enjoying a four-day work/school week, our new rhythm established. My husband came across a property for sale that was much closer to the city I now worked in, had 40 acres of land, two houses, an old barn, outbuildings, and was very secluded. We took a look at it, and after a LOT of realty untangling, we purchased the property. There is a lot of history and details to delve into about it, but more on that another day.
Since the move, we have been slowly restoring, maintaining, repairing, and loving the property. We now have chickens, adopted another dog, started a large garden, and are still making plans. I hope you will come with me on this little life adventure we have started, and learn, laugh, and get some good ideas along the way!
Hill Road Homestead 