Name: Spreading the Feast Gathering
Start: 2025-07-11T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-07-12T23:59:59-05:00
Location: LaGrange, KY

This topic has 4 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 16 years, 11 months ago by 8smallones.

Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

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May 3, 2008 at 10:56 pm
christina
Member
Hi ladies,
I have been wanting to come here for days to “talk” to you ladies baout what you think or what you would do if in our place. My family has the opportunity to move into a rented rancher for 350 less than what we are paying now, and could give us the opportunity to pay off some of our debt load which paralyses us in many ways financially and opportunity wise. The house though, is smaller than the current townhouse. It has a huge fenced back yard, however, the living room is half the size of ours. We have four kids, and hopefully a fifth whenever God blesses us with one. My husband and I are both thinking about the opportunity to get a foothold to be able to take us further for the family in the future, not to mention to grow our family larger without the finanacial burden. I know many of you have large HOMESCHOOLING families with possibly little space? What are your thoughts???
Thank you so much and blessings!
Christina
May 4, 2008 at 1:50 pm
CindyS
Participant
Oh Christina do it! We do have a large family and we went from a 4 bedroom/3 bath house to a 3 bedroom/1 bathroom old, old farmhouse. Plus the kitchen was more bathroom size itself! We lived this way until after baby 7 was born.
We learned: how to simplify, how to be a family that spends tons of time outside, how to garden (and farm), how to be considerate of others waiting on the bathroom and how to be considerate of those we share a bedroom with or those that are needing a quiet spot to study in, how to really think through each purchase because once it’s in the door whatever it is must be stored and cared for, how to get along in a small space, how to take advantage of our surroundings for rich homeschool learning versus going out and purchasing a curriculum. Mostly, how to trust the Lord for our circumstances and be thankful in all things.
Now that we are in a larger home, I find that these lessons are difficult to live out. Your post has actually ministered to me as my husband and I were just talking this morning about the need to get back to the basics and simplify in our ‘stuff’ as well as our activities.
As for debt, we were/are also in debt. We are still working on eliminating a debt that can at times hinder us; especially with two children attending college now and six more to go in homeschool. We’ve even talked about downsizing again (hopefully not to the 1 bathroom stage :)). So, my advice is, stay away from debt in the early years as much as is possible.
I have enjoyed the opportunity to pray for moms on this board; I will certainly pray for you and your family!
Blessings,
Cindy
May 4, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Misty
Participant
Christina,
1st and formost PRAY, ask God to give you and your husband direction and guidance. He knows better than anyone what you are suppose to do. This might be his gentel hand guiding you to better times.
I have to say we have 5 wonderful boys and also hoping that God will bless us w/ another angel. That said we have just sold our beautiful LARGE home because we felt about a year ago that it was not letting us be the family God wanted us to be. We are getting more land but a smaller home about 1500sq ft smaller!! Am I scared a bit, my boys are use to having there own rooms and now they will all share, I am use to having a “playroom” and I will not. But you know what. My hubby is self employeed and isn’t working much right now and this is what we need. Also, when times are better and he is we might actually be able to take this precious children on a vacation (something we have never done)! There are also so many wonderful things we feel we will be able to do now, raise chickens, be a foster dog family, have more children w/o worring, spend more time as a family because dad will NOT have to work every chance he gets!!
All I am saying is yes it is a hard decision, yes it might be difficult for awhile, BUT yes you will learn in the process, yes you will not be so worried about $$ and yes God will help you and guide you!
I hope that helps, this is a big deal for you to think about way the pros and cons and decide what feels right. I will be praying for you. God Bless You
Misty
May 5, 2008 at 7:47 am
christina
Member
I have tears in my eyes!! Thank you so much ladies! My husband and I really felt God saying last night to take that step of faith and to go through these changes to be able to grow as a family. This is just confirmation and encouragment for me!
I was excitedly talking to DH today about a veggie garden, a bird bath, feeders, and a compost, all of which we can’t do where we are. My daughter who is going to lose her own room, and therefore easel in her room was telling me that she’ll just paint outside now. So many changes, so much less space, but our fmaily will grow closer together!
This is wonderful….a little scary…but wonderful!
Thank you for opening your hearts and sharing!
Blessings, Christina
June 21, 2008 at 4:14 pm
8smallones
Member
We had our first 6 dc in a very little house. Then lived in much larger ones as we added a 7th and the 8th little one. We are currently renting a small one again, for very little, we got a serious foothold over our debt situation. :o) And are now saving hard for a downpayment for a house.
Just a little more encouragement.
Rebecca ~Mot to 8 under 10!
Alberta, Canada