A Yearly Tradition

Our 4 weeks came and have gone.  I must say it really flew by.  It's almost daunting to think of summing up the time that we spent in this most amazing experiment.  There are things that I'm glad to be done with and things that I have gladly kept since ending.  I hope that by posting our journal entries and pictures you'll be able to catch a glimpse of the peace and happiness that we've found.  I'll be the first to admit that I don't want to live this way all the time, but we'll be keeping this tradition of the Pioneer Experiment.  I think it's a perfect once a year "reboot" of simplicity, of slowing down the pace of life, of gratitude.


July 24, 2011                                                                                                                                                


Randi's journal:

It has begun!  What a wonderful day.  At so many points today I was so grateful for what I was experiencing and yet, I'm still having a hard time putting to words why.  Some things are obvious.  Sitting here in the cool twilight air watching the sun set, grateful beyond belief that this is Idaho where the cool sweet air chases the sun to the western horizon, watching Ben write in his journal and enjoying the sound of crickets sing to the steady beat of the Bingham's sprinklers.  Also obvious was the joy of keeping cool this evening before bed as the kids discovered the pure heaven of a squirt bottle filled with cold water and an old panel from a play tent turned Grecian fan.

 I must admit I took a turn or two under the fan... it was nice.  We had so much fun taking turns serving each other and then.... Ben and I tucked them all soundly into bed complete with a few minutes of spritzing.  What's less obvious to me is why at seemingly random points of the day the spirit would fill me. I've had such a confirmation of the divinity of what we're doing.  Maybe it's not so hard to figure it out... Maybe the less obvious side of this is simply that... a confirmation of it's goodness.  There was an article I recently read from the BYU Magazine titled Family Work (found here).  In it the author spoke of our life sustaining work and toil being a blessing.  Adam was not cursed, but rather the land was... for Adams sake.  In today's world we seek after labor saving devices.  We save time like money.  Less work.  What work is done is not for mundane house necessities, but rather on a platform, in the "work force" as it's called where we're sure to receive our due accolades.  All of this points towards an Eden like existance.  Even the ideal of a perfect vacation is a paradise where we are served and do nothing but relax and enjoy.  Onwards to Eden however, is not forward to Zion.  Today I have had more time talking to my kids as we prepared and cooked outside, bonded as we fought the common foe of HEAT and felt unified as we tackled this idea of modern day pioneering.  I'm sure I'll have bad days, and it won't surprise me if I'm tempted... but for today.... right now.... I've had a taste of Zion and I'm not about to let go.

Ben's Journal:

Day 1 of the pioneer Living Experiment.  I think we started planning for this day that would kick of four weeks of modified modern pioneer living sometime back in February.  Of course, you can never plan enough and there is never enough time to properly get everything ready.  Ready or not, here we go!  Just like the pioneers, fancy that!

Last night I was up until just after mid-night baking away like a fiend to lay up four loaves of banana bread, a couple dozen banana muffins, two loaves of regular gluten free bread and a dozen or so rolls.  All this before we said goodbye to all of our electrical appliances.

For the first breakfast that banana bread hit the spot!  Delicious!  We had a little trouble remembering not to turn lights on, but overall we did good.  Everyone was ready for church by 8:10 and we walked there arriving at 8:45.

After church Randi took Tanner, Jocelyn and Lenore home while I waited with Rylie for her baptismal interview.  We started for home at 1:00 pm and Rylie was "starving".  The afternoon passed by idyllically.  We read books, played outside, went for a walk, had a visit from our home teachers and it was Heaven!

Randi prepared a delicious chicken and rice dish for dinner in the Dutch Oven.  We used forty briquets but I think we would have been fine with just thirty.  I want to learn to make my own briquets.

Randi said it best, when you think about it like camping in your home with all your comforts and just not using electricity it's not bad at all.  At bed time the kids came up with a very clever way to keep cool, all ton their own.  With a water spray bottle and a wire frame tent panel for a fan they blew and misted everyone with a refreshing indoor summer storm.

Day 1 has been so blessed and I feel greater love and unity with my family.

Tanner's Journal (age 10)

Today is Pioneer Day!  We now begin the pioneer experiment.  We walked to the church.  Me and Rylie caught a bunch of butterflies and let them go in a flutter.  It was cool.  The hardest thing in being a pioneer is the heat.  Rylie and I also played a game of Magic (a card came) I won.  And soon Rylie's getting baptized!  Real cool, except the heat.

Rylie's Journal  (age 8)

We started the pioneer experiment today.  I read in a pioneer book.  We caught butterflies.  Soon I'm going to be baptized.  It is hard doing the pioneer experiment.  I'm sad for the pioneers

July 25, 2011                                                                                                                                               

Randi's journal:


Day two, and we've already found another wonderful way to stay cool.  Amanda (our neighbor) invited us over for a visit.  She set out the kids pools and everyone had a blast jumping in and out.  The BEST was when I cannon balled in as well and then Amanda and Jolyne joined.  SO much fun!  

The Rocket Stove is working amazingly. ( here's a link to rocket stoves...  ) and here's a picture of ours.

And here's a friend of our's version.

I was a bit worried in the beginning because it hadn't been cooking very consistently.  The fire was hard to keep lit.  After putting a cast iron skillet on top however, no problems!  The sticks (inserted in the front hole) burn HOT and steady.  It only takes me a moment to light and the skillet is almost instantly hot.


Tanner's journal:


Today we cooked eggs on the Rocket Stove for breakfast.  Day 2 of pioneer experiment.  We had to clean our rooms, but afterwards we made ink.  We made the ink out of charcoal, guar gum, homey and water.  Once it was made we drew pictures with ink and quill.  After that it was reading time.  I finished Jurassic Park.  It was a good book.  Next we went to the Bingham's and played in their pool.  I got to play dunk the dummy!  When we got home I drew some more, read my book and went to bed.

July 26, 2011                                                                                                                                               

MORE COMING AS SOON AS I FIND TIME TO POST!!!!

Preparations!! - send me your photos so I can add what all the families are up to!!!

Ben weeding the strawberry patch.

 Tanner working on reusing old tee-shirts to make pot holders... he's planning to make a basket next.

We're getting things organized and starting projects to teach us more about the pioneer way of life.  Our garden is getting planted and weeded.... slowly.

Welcome!

The idea is simple.  Forsake all the modern day conveniences that we can and see if at the end of 4 weeks we've learned anything.  


At the most, we'll learn   patience,   humility,   love  and gratitude.... 


and at the least we'll learn that we never want to do it again.  


Whatever the outcome, I believe it will be fruitful, especially with friends to join in the journey.  So, read, think, and then email me at rchuthers@att.net to let me know you've committed to try our little experiment too.  I can't wait to see what we all learn from it!