No homestead is an island.

And even though we've been talking a lot about self-sufficiency and self-reliance and blazing

our own trails and being out on our own in this podcast season, one thing that we haven't

really touched on too much is the role that community plays in our self-sufficiency.

And it's really a misnomer to think that someone who's truly self-sufficient is never going

to need anything from anyone else.

Because that's not true.

It's actually more of a give and take.

It's a situation where we're able to work with others and barter and trade and lean on

other strengths and share our strengths.

And it creates this beautiful synergy that ultimately creates these homesteads that are

strong and able to withstand whatever life may throw our way.

So I know this can be tricky sometimes, especially if you are an introvert like I am being super

people.

It doesn't necessarily come naturally to me.

Believe it or not.

Yes, I know I have a podcast and I talk to a lot of people and I do YouTube videos.

But believe it or not, a lot of people who are doing things online are pretty introverted.

And I'm raising my hand here because that is definitely me.

However, we have had quite the journey, Christian and I over the last couple of years learning

how to better engage with our small town community and also just some really great lessons

and how important and valuable it is to us and just both are both our personal lives

...