Non-stop activity and a to-do list that overwhelmed us, we started the month focusing on getting the shipping container, called The Shelter, organized and kitted out. It is to function as an emergency shelter, with a complete kitchen and storage, with sleeping facilities for our family of six. We bought six large 4 ft x 2 ft x 6 ft shelves to store our belongings and food in an organized manner. Over the early days we bought two sets of bunk beds (second hand), a futon sofa, and a gas stove. We stocked shelves with food, got the kitchen and Berkey water filter set up, and were in business. We set up a privacy tent in the back to house a composting toilet and The Shelter was good to go, al hamdulillah.
We then dug a large 3 x 6 x 3 hole for our composting. We used the dirt to fill 17 tires for planting. We also weeded and prepared to straw covered planting beds and made 6 more planting beds.
We used our telephone poles, given to us last summer by Springer Electric, to outline our private cemetery, so it is clearly marked. Alhamdul'Illah, we do not have to bury in a casket and can have completely Islamically compliant burials.
Corner posts went in for the 23 acre plot and for a 2 .2 acre livestock corral on the 28 acre side. The 2,2 acre corral was then fenced in with goat and sheep fence and a gate put up.
19-21 August: Went to Dallas, TX for our first job doing Permaculture evaluations for some land sites being considered by a family friend.
22 August: received 40ft shipping container to be used as a masjid, In striving to emulate the example of our beloved Prophet Muhammad, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, our first priority after established safe shelter was to have a masjid. Masjid Al Muqarraboon is now at Healing Earth - al hamdulillah!
22 August: While trying to adjust the position of the masjid to be more exactly in line with the qiblah, our recently purchased Ford Excursion burned to the ground with 500lbs of chicken feed, most of our electronics, and many other belongings inside - al hamdulillahi Rabb il aal ameen! Nobody was hurt and it was a test greeted with gratitude and patience. What a purification, expiation, and elevation bi idhn Illah!
The fire and replacing certain key things like the organic feed, phones, and computers changed the near term plans by the Will of Allah. We had to postpone getting the next shipping container, which was to be the barn for our dairy cow and bull calf, and also postpone the training and purchase of the cow and calf until spring 2016, However, we turned our focus on planting for autumn, looking for smaller animals, and setting us a shop front/office space in the village to serve as our homeschooling center and online teaching base for Shariyf. Rent is $50 per month, internet and phone are reliable, and it has a glass store front window so we can use it to display our goods for sale, inshaa Allah. Allah is ever Merciful and all success lies with Him alone.
May the test strengthen you and serve as an expiation. Ameen.
ReplyDeleteQuestion- how have you been received out there? I recently asked another sister from wide earth small holding blog and she stated overall not to bad. We currently live in NYC and I've been talking to my husband about considering a more rural location. But to be honest, even I'm a little scared of how the people will react. We have small children. I think country living would be beneficial. And I'm surprised you found a muslim community close by. May Allah continue to bless your emdeavors and keep you moving forward and growing -Ameen
As salaamu alaikum Rumaysa. Al hamdulillah, the people here have been very welcoming. I'm not saying it's a utopia, but it's been very peaceful and positive.
ReplyDeleteSeveral people have been to our place to visit. A few have even brought gifts. Our neighbor even installed the border fence for free, and used his skid steer to orientate the masjid to the qiblah after we burned up our truck.
As for a community near by, I think you may have misunderstood a previous post. The closest community is 2.5 hours away. So, we are the community in our area, and wee seek to build it even more.
That doesn't mean we aren't connected to the students of knowledge and the scholars. In fact, we are in contact with the students of knowledge daily, and the scholars when the need arises.
So, all and all, living here has been a great blessing, and we hope others will join us and share this sakinah.
Barak Allahu feekum.
Asalaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu Mai and family! I am so happy for you all, and sorry to see the burned up truck. Alhamdullilah you seem to have come out the other end even better. We just had a shipping container put on our land, too. They are awesome to have. May Allah make things easy for you and put baraka in everything that you do! Ameen!
ReplyDeleteAmina Bint Yusuf Knuckles
As'salaamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. I wanted to ask. Did you guys previously talk about building earthern homes in the past? It looks like you are incorporating shipment containers! I'm excited to get your updates, insha'allah
ReplyDeleteWa alaikum as salaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. Yes, we spoke about building with cob. In the mean time, we have decided to use what was available, inexpensive, and sturdy.
DeleteWhen we start building with cob, we will also include shipping containers into the design, insha'Allah. We are very excited about this and hope to have some serious progress this coming summer.
It's nice to hear your positive comments, they motivate us! Barak Allahu feekum.