I think I’ve always been grateful that I grew up on a Christian hippie commune called Joyfield Farm. There was at least a year in adolescence when I resented that I couldn’t go on the ski trips or shopping trips that my peers did, and bemoaned how little money we had. But I don’t think I ever really wanted a different life.

In the last couple years I’ve gotten more evangelical about the way we live. Not only because we cherish it and want to share it, but because I see the rising ache and exhaustion and shame of friends who are trying to make it work in grind culture (nod to Tricia Hersey’s wisdom), raising kids in expensive suburbs for the school districts, working jobs they care about but can’t keep up with, working jobs they don’t care about but depend on for health insurance . . . .

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practise what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them.” (Matthew 23:1-4)

I invite people to step out of the rat race and live in the countryside with us at Joyfield Farm rent-free. We don’t have a standalone house for anyone to move into, so it’s not the easiest invitation to accept. Someone would need a plan to build something, or be willing to move in with one of our households, or bring their RV. We’re talking more and more about putting up a few tiny houses so this invitation could be lighter and easier.

Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

We visited recently with “the bus people,” a family of four we love fiercely and who lived at Joyfield Farm in a school bus. We all hoped they’d stay forever, but after a year they moved closer to their parents and grandparents. We love visiting each other still, watching the kids grow taller and more confident, hearing how the family’s current homestead challenges and supports them. 

The family had found a church to be part of but finally had to leave when the Christian Zionism wouldn’t relent. They were kind and clear about their leaving. They haven’t found another church to be part of, so on Sundays they have family devotions and walk in the woods. They said how much they love their Sundays! Even Saturday nights are more relaxed because they won’t be rushing out the door the next day.

But they feel like they should be part of a church community because that call is so clear in scripture, to live and worship interwoven as community. I am confident that they’ll find a home, or they will be the home that others find church-community in.

The family reflected that they haven’t seen anyone else living so truly as community as we do at Joyfield Farm. That when anyone is away, we all notice, because we do depend on each other, because our lives are interwoven. 

It’s so sweet to have your life reflected back by someone who loves you and sees the good in you! I hope you, reader, are finding that gaze of love this fall from someone in your household or faith community, or simply by the Holy One in your prayer time. (By the way, if you don’t have someone adoring you, consider adopting a dog – they are highly-evolved, unconditional lovers in the image of God.)

While Joyfield Farm isn’t unique, we are countercultural. Are you part of this counterculture, too? It’s simple. Be willing to need someone.

I was talking to a friend whose life is totally different from mine. She’s got kids and lives in a big house on a cul-de-sac and works full-time at an insurance company and puts a lot of time and money into her appearance, and I bet she’s never thought about not paying income tax. One thing we have in common: we can travel because we have people whom we can ask for help. She has a great relationship with her neighbor – they get each other’s mail, empty each other’s dehumidifiers, etc. She said, “We’re not really friends, but we have keys to each other’s houses.”

I recently went to a Fort Wayne, Ind., celebration of neighborhoods. Author Seth Kaplan says wealth isn’t the crucial factor in a neighborhood’s safety and well-being. It’s trust. A poor neighborhood where people have relationships with each other has wealth.

As you consider how you could need your neighbors more, you could make this savory pie to share with them while you discuss your holiday travel plans, and ask how you can look out for each other this season.

Carrot pie on a nut crust (based on Mollie Katzen’s Russian Carrot Pie from The Enchanted Broccoli Forest)

Crust Ingredients

1 cup minced nuts (we use pecans and walnuts, but any nuts should work)
1 dash salt
3/4 cup flour of your choice
4 tablespoons cold butter, sliced
¼ cup cold water

Filling Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter (or oil)
1 cup minced onion
3 cloves garlic
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1 lb carrots: peeled or scrubbed and trimmed, either sliced in thin coins or shredded
1 tablespoon flour (skip or use gluten-free replacement as desired)
1 1⁄2 cups cottage cheese
1⁄2 cup grated mild white cheese (use yogurt or more cottage cheese for lower fat)
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp black pepper
1 tablespoon of any or all of the following dry herbs: dill, basil, chives (more if using fresh herbs)
3 tablespoons wheat germ (could use ground flax seed or sesame seeds)
Paprika to sprinkle

Instructions

1. Prepare the nut crust by putting all dry ingredients in a food processor, adding butter, and then finally just enough water to form a dough. If you don’t have a food processor, you can crush the nuts with your preferred method and mix the dough by hand or electric mixer/beaters. Press into a pie pan. Set aside.
2. Heat skillet, add butter/oil, then onion.
3. After onions begin to soften, add salt and garlic.
4. When the garlic is incorporated, add the carrot.
5. When the carrots are tender, add the flour (if you’re using).
6. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
7. In a bowl large enough for all the filling ingredients, combine the egg or cottage cheese (and any other dairy you’re using).
8. Add black pepper and herbs, then stir carrot mixture into dairy mixture. It’s fine if the veggies are still hot. Taste and adjust as desired.
9. Fill pie crust. Top with wheat germ (or seeds) and a colorful dusting of paprika.
10. Bake for 30 minutes.
11.  Shake the pie gently and if it’s jiggly in the middle, reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake another 15 minutes. You may want to cover to keep the top from overbrowning.

This pie is cheap (though nuts are getting more expensive) and naturally healthy for most people. Here’s a vegan version. This pie also keeps well and is delicious served warm or room temperature.