Reviving Stewardship

03/12/2022

The whole fam is gathered around the laptop to watch the premiere of from on YouTube!

25/10/2022

🍁This is why our family will never grow pumpkins in our own garden...
Well, probably never. 🤔
It was many autumn seasons ago that a tradition began of taking our girls (just one girl in the beginning) to a local farm or farm stand to pick out their pumpkins!
Of course, we always search for the most "sincere" of pumpkin patches (leave a comment if you know what I'm referring to)!🎃
This year we returned to an old favorite: Dennisons Roadside Market in Horse Cave, KY ()!
If you're ever in the Cave Country region of Kentucky, I encourage you to stop and see what they have to offer! You might find it's a good place to make memories of your own!

23/10/2022

Wisdom from above will confound the conventional wisdom of humanity.

Maybe conventional wisdom needs to be confounded in order to be revealed for what it truly is.

"Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house." Proverbs 24:27

24/09/2022

The look you get when you realize the children’s book your 3 year old picked-out from the library was written by a late-night talk show host! 😳

17/09/2022

Our sweet Anna organized an entire day for Leah and I. It’s a blessing how she loves us and how she wants to show her love for us by doing things like this! If the world were full of Anna’s we’d love our neighbors like we love ourselves and no one would feel the need to lock their door at night.
Part of the day she organized for us was to visit Lost River Cave in Bowling Green, Kentucky. There we hiked nature trails and visited a quaint butterfly habitat. It’s just what we needed.
If you’re in the area, I think it’s well worth your time!
Anna was the camera girl on many of these shots, by the way! 📸👏🏼

14/09/2022

Even when you live in the country, but don’t own a truck...

You still need to find a way to cruise the hay fields and enjoy a beautiful summer day with the people you love!

13/09/2022

It's the nature of every human being to worry and even be consumed with frustration over our inability to control our circumstances. We overload ourselves with a burden we're unable to bear.

This poem from Wendell Berry has been framed and is hanging on the wall of our home office. It serves as a reminder of how God offers His grace to us in the most simple of ways. One of those ways is through the creation.

We have something to learn from our bird and flower friends if we'll only look. The flowers are not consumed with how they will be clothed and the birds are not consumed with how they will find food. They are not "taxed" with burdens they cannot bear. They simply fulfill their created purpose and their Creator knows them, cares for them, and supplies their need.

When we awaken our senses and are resolved in ourselves that God's grace is always near, then we will most easily find it.

Reference Matthew 6:25-34

12/09/2022

You might or might not know that I've been dealing with chronic health issues over the past 12 years. It's been difficult and exhausting, but it's also been an unexpected school teacher.
One thing I've been learning is the great value of work. When I say "value of work," I'm not talking about money (that's great too though). What I'm talking about are the many learned values that come from a day well worked.
There have been days when I could not work. There was a three year period when it was tough to just get out of bed. I was sick, weak, depressed and often feeling the end of my life was just around the corner.
Today, by grace, I feel much better than I did for those three or so years, but I still have good and bad health days. I live with chronic pain and other issues, but I'm so grateful that I can now rise-up and put my hands to work!
I've been off-and-on in handyman type work for over twenty years. It's always been my fallback work, but I've recently decided to give "handymaning" (I'm trademarking that word 😉) a real shot and start an official handyman business. In just a short time I've been able to meet many new folks, help them with their small and large around-the-house jobs and show love to my neighbors through my work! OH! And I get paid for it! 👏
In this world there will be trials of various kinds. We have a choice to complain and give up or we can see the trial as an opportunity to persevere, grow and count it as joy!
I choose the second, though I don't do this perfectly. Sometimes I complain and I become grumpy, but overall the providence of God is not lost on me and I know that I'm still here for a reason!
I want to see good things come to my family and neighbors, because of the decision I choose to make daily to be a good steward of what time I have, what know-how I have, and what resources I've been entrusted with.
"make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, mind your own business and work with your hands..." 1 Thes. 4:11

10/08/2022

I just want to share a beautiful view with you. This is a view from our stroll this evening.
Yes, it does include a neighbors to***co monocrop. 🫤

13/07/2022

No matter what happened yesterday, God’s mercies are new every morning and His faithfulness is great. 🙏🏼

“I have forgotten what happiness is;
so I say, ‘My endurance has perished; so has my hope from the Lord.’
Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall!

My soul continually remembers it
and is bowed down within me.

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul,
‘therefore I will hope in him.’”

from Lamentations 3:17-24

20/05/2022

Keep on movin’!

12/05/2022

We’re moving!
Leah and the girls (and me too) are all working hard to pack up our boxes as we prepare to move back to Kentucky!
We’re praying this will be our last long-haul move, but you just never know.
Our dream is to settle into an area and invest long-term in our community and establish a homestead where our children and friends and family and others will know they are welcome! All in God’s timing! 🙏🏼

10/05/2022

Mother’s Day 2022!
Only a few times have I seen Leah this excited about a gift she’s received! But hey, this IS a GreenStalk Garden after all!
🪴 👩🏻‍🌾
I thank the Lord every day that he’s given me the blessing of Leah being my loving wife and a sweet mama to our girls.
GreenStalk Vertical Gardens

03/05/2022

🎶 “Old McDonald had a carcinogenic, immune system destroying, ecosystem disrupting, make you feel bloated, farm! E-I-E-I-O!” 🎶
Is that not how the song goes?? 🤔😉
When I was a kid I thought this plate was so neat and it made me want to run to McDonald’s for another happy meal! Things change over time and nowadays when I see this plate it reminds me less of “happy meals and happy times” and instead reminds me of something more akin to Marlboro Man or Joe Camel paraphernalia.
It wasn’t until my mid-20s that I started realizing what damage this kind of food was doing to my body and mind. But by the time I realized it my body was already in full-on immune system break down. Isn’t there a saying, “If I only knew then what I know now”?
Of course it’s not fully the fault of the fast food or conventional agricultural industries. There are many factors that come into play. One very important factor is personal responsibility. It was partly my own ignorance and bad judgement that lead me down the path of destruction.
Also, moving away from these bad choices is not always easy. Sometimes these things come quickly and sometimes they come gradually over time.
Sometimes family and friends understand and join with you and sometimes they have to go on a journey for themselves before they get it.
It’s my prayer that the people I care about, and even those I don’t know yet, will begin to wake-up to this reality sooner than later.
The land of promise isn’t a land of carcinogenic, soybean oil fried, french fry gardens + earth pillaging and self-destruction. Rather, the land of promise is the land of rest and healing of the spirit, the mind, the body and the land through living as good stewards over all aspects of this life and creation.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
- Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30)

26/04/2022

Big sister is teaching little sister about the finer things in life…
Like how to bake mud pies or the proper way to prepare grass, dandelion and sunflower seed soup! Yum! 😉
It’s sweet watching these girls play and seeing their love for one another.

05/04/2022

Big shoutout to Shinning Light Farm who, according to our entire family, has the best maple syrup we’ve ever tasted! For real!
We just purchased these two large bottles from them two weeks ago and one’s already empty! SO GOOD!
If you’re in the Southeast Michigan area (or even if you’re not) and believe in supporting a great farm family who’s working hard to be good stewards by building a quality regenerative farm, then you need to follow Shining Light Farm and Homestead on Instagram and Facebook! 👩🏻‍🌾🐄 🐖🍁
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01/04/2022

Currently my mom (Nana) and step-dad (Gramps) are living with us. One of the things that gramps enjoys doing is helping with the chickens. Most days he’ll check the nesting boxes to see if the chickens have laid eggs.
Now let’s talk about my 11 year old, Anna. Anna might seem sweet on these Instagram posts and on our YouTube videos (she is sweet), but under all the sweetness is a sneaky little trickster! She is ALWAYS playing tricks on us and trying to scare us or sneak around the house like a ninja. So, it makes good sense that April 1st is one of Anna’s favorite times of the year! And listen, I’ve been tricked by Anna every April Fools Day for the past several years, but today it was Gramps turn!
Today Anna kept a close watch on the chickens to see when they were laying eggs just so she could creep in and give each egg a little face! I’m not sure if she thought that gramps would think the hens had laid them that way or what, but either way Gramps got a big surprise and a laugh when he opened the door to the nesting boxes today! 😄😄
We love our Anna with all her jokes and surprises. There’s never a dull day with her around!
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15/03/2022

It's because of you that we're now over 1,000 subscribers on our YouTube channel!! We're only at the beginning stages of creating great content!

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If you're someone who isn't satisfied with the status quo of our culture, which leaves you weighed down with worry, overwhelmed with anxiety, depression, poor physical health and an empty spirituality, then Reviving Stewardship is for you. Why? Because settling for the unfortunate status quo isn't okay and in your heart you know that you're created for a greater purpose!

Thank you very much for supporting us and the mission!

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"Good Stewardship - Intentional Living - Modern Homesteading"

Go to YouTube and search "Reviving Stewardship" for more.

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19/02/2022

CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zCCgU3t-50

In this video you'll see how we're keeping our chickens water from freezing during these cold Michigan winter months! We've tried several homemade options as well as other electric water heaters / deicers, but this is the option that's worked for us!

Please let me know what your experience has been with this particular deicer or if you have another way taking care of this cold weather issue!

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15/02/2022

How to clean a Kerosene Heater (Cleaning the wick and other tips)

Head over to YouTube for this new video!

CLICK HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_AEJs3cWQE

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DESCRIPTION

In this video we'll be taking a look at how I clean my barrel style kerosene heater! Cleaning your kerosene heater at least once a year is very important as it limits the chance of a dangerous fire and it also lowers carbon monoxide emitting from the heater as well as black smoke and kerosene smell.

*This video is NOT intended to be a replacement for the heater manufacturers user manual. Please see the manufacturers user manual and/or website for greater details on how to properly clean your kerosene heater and wick.

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TAGS

01/02/2022

ITS THE END OF THE WORLD!!
Or so you’d think by going to the grocery store and waiting in this 200’ long line (there are about 15 of these lines) before the big snow storm.
We’re well prepared and I really didn’t need to go to the grocery store, but I thought that maybe I’d pickup a couple of things ‘real quick.’ You know, just in case I get a craving for some Kashi cinnamon waffles. 😬
Maybe I should’ve stayed home. 🤔

27/01/2022

We feel like some true Michiganders when we clear off the snow from the pond behind our house and strap on the ice skates for a little winter fun!
This is the first time this little pond behind our house has fully frozen over in the past almost three years.

02/01/2022

Head over to YouTube to view our newest video...

"Handmade DIY gift ideas that can save you money and show others you care!"

Click the YouTube link below and type, "Reviving Stewardship" in the search box!

FOLLOW THIS LINK: https://youtube.com

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VIDEO DESCRIPTION
Every year we stress ourselves out as we think about what big box store products that we can buy for the people we care about. What about gift cards? You buy a $20 gift card for someone and they buy a $20 gift card for you! What a way to show you care, right?!

What if you were to bypass Walmart and Amazon by building gifts with your own two hands? I know that many of you will be thinking, "there's no way that I can do that!" But I disagree!

A lot of us have creative muscle that we're unaware of and it just needs to be stretched and strengthened! Let's flex that creative muscle and give an unforgettable DIY gift for this birthday, Christmas or holiday to our friends and family!

23/12/2021

Today we're in the workshop and building chickadee nesting boxes from red ceder! These nesting boxes are inspired by the boxes found inside the Audubon Birdhouse Book. I highly recommend you check out the Audubon Birdhouse Book, because it is FULL of well researched birdhouse/nesting box ideas!

Audubon Birdhouse Book (Amazon affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3qneSL9

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Our Website: https://revivingstewardship.com​​

Instagram: https://instagram.com/revivingstewardship

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgiXQpm5c4PhXi10aPUBFyw

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18/12/2021

Reviving Stewardship | Modern Homesteading on YouTube

Head over to YouTube to view our newest video, "Our compost is a failure! Let's try it again."

Click the YouTube link below and type, "Reviving Stewardship" in the search box!

LINK: https://youtube.com

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Have you ever tried something new with the thought that it wouldn't be that difficult and that maybe you could just "wing it", only to fail?

That's exactly what happened to me when making compost! It wasn't my wife's fault. It wasn't my girls fault. It was me. I killed it with carbon!

10/12/2021

Reviving Stewardship | Modern Homesteading on YouTube

Head over to YouTube to view our newest video, "Why we took a break from YouTube and what's next"!

Click the YouTube link below and type, "Reviving Stewardship" in the search box!

LINK: https://youtube.com

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You may have noticed that our channel has been mostly inactive for the past few months. Some of you have made contact and asked why! I hope this video can answer the questions you have and give you a clearer vision for where we're going with this channel and platform in the future!

09/12/2021

This morning’s reading…
First: The Bread of Life
Second: The Minimalist Woodworker by

The Minimalist Woodworker (per recommendation of ) is looking very practical, helpful, and thought provoking. Just what I need! (same words I’d use to describe the Bible 😉)
The Minimalist Woodworker (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3rTmQ10

Christian Standard Bible (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3Hh0gDG

06/12/2021

The gate to the chicken pen is assembled and ready for mounting! 🐓🪚🙌🏼
There just might be a new video post on YouTube about the chickens soon too! Keep watch! 👀
Anna helped me with the pocket hole joinery on this gate and let me tell you, I think that Kreg Tools has a new fan in my eleven year old! She was like, “that’s cool!” Sorry. I forgot to take pictures of Anna using the jig. 😕

15/10/2021

When I asked Anna where she’d like to go to get pumpkins this year, she said, “can we go back to the little stand from last year?” 🎃 👩🏻‍🌾
It’s so great that even though she could’ve chosen the big box store or the big and flashy orchards that are overrun with people, she chose this small and unassuming little stand off the side of a country road!

12/10/2021

It’s these little memories that I hope will always stay with me. 🛌 📖 🌙
But my memory is’t always the greatest, so I’m glad I can record video! 🙂
Rory Feek

06/09/2021

Anna and I have been working hard to build a new pen for our layer hens!
Why??
Because a daddy will do almost anything in his power to make his little girl happy!
And I like to see our hens healthy & happy!
🐓😁👍🏻

Kobalt Tools

25/08/2021

I love the look of fresh garden vegetables spread across the kitchen counter! 🌽 🍅 🫑
Believe it or not, it’s one of my favorite things about gardening! (I’m sorry Leah for dirtying the freshly cleaned counter! 😬)

19/08/2021

Have you noticed that it’s been a little quite as of late on our YouTube channel? Well, there’s good reason for that!
At this point I’ve been active on YouTube for about 4 months, have 22 videos uploaded, 79 subscribers, and somewhere in the 1,000+ range for views. Point being? The channel is still in its infancy and we’re just getting started!
I’ve been trying my best to be patient with the process. I’ve been learning the basics of creating content, learning how to operate my camera equipment, learning how to edit video, figuring out the YouTube platform 🤔😕😩, and all that stuff.
But there’s more to it than that. I don’t want a platform for the sake of having a platform. That’s vanity. I want to help others. I want to encourage others. I want to be a good steward of the gifts that I’ve been entrusted with by ministering grace to others! There’s far more to it than what meets the eye!
But at this point I feel that I’ve learned about all I can on my own and I need to begin learning from the professionals. That’s why I’ve decided to get serious about the future of the channel by joining the “Video Ranking Academy,” which is offered by THINK Media! I’ve only just started into the introductory coursework, but I’ve already learned so much! Can you tell that I’m excited?
Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we begin this journey together. In every endeavor, we want to prove our love for God and our love for our neighbors. This endeavor is no different! 🙏
I can’t wait to share more when the timing is right! Keep watching! 😁
Sean Cannell

03/08/2021

Your garden vegetables should never go to waste! In this video we're preserving our very own "pickling cucumbers" through the, you guessed it, pickling process! Being food prepared is a big deal on the modern homestead and preserving your own garden produce will go a long way toward stocking-up that homestead pantry!

We hope this short video will bring you a few minutes of joy, relaxation, and maybe even a whisper of inspiration!

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https://youtu.be/wywS_xq4K6Q

DESCRIPTION Your garden vegetables should never go to waste! In this video we're preserving our very own "pickling cucumbers" through the, you guessed it, p...

01/08/2021

It’s our first little egg from the layers!
Anna was so excited! 🐓 🥚 😃
Alright, girls! Let’s keep’em comin’!

25/07/2021

We had a little visitor in the garden today!
I know that some might not welcome his presence, but these guys are great to have around (believe it or not)!
He slithered off, but I’m sure we’ll meet again!