Josh's 2013 Newsletter

           Hey All

 I thought it would be a great time to tell everyone what has been going on with your Texas Friends.  I have spoken with some of you about it already but I realize that I have never really explained what is going on to everyone and things may be open to interpretation.  Again, for some of you this may be old information and for some it may clarify a little bit of how things have been going.  As of today, my family has been camping full time for 4 1/2 months!  It has been the craziest thing ever but also the most fun thing ever!  I am not going to take much time to explain the reasoning since we will be up in Michigan in a few weeks and can talk in person.  The main reason that Lindsey and I are camping is that we felt God was calling us to this primitive (for lack of a better word) lifestyle.  We built a house 3 years ago and loved it.  But financially we had the house debt ($130K) and some school loan debt ($20K).  We were able to buy food, clothing, pay for utilities, all the essencials but were unable to have anything left over for emergencies or for giving to others the way we really wanted to.  We were not able to buy gifts for others much or allow our kids to be involved in any activities that cost money.  We didn't see any relief in the next 10 years... So we came to God together and asked him what we should do.  We both felt like we should sell the house.  We said, okay... then what?  After looking at all the options (downsize, trailer, apartment, etc.)  God made it very clear that He wanted us to go camping at the state parks around Houston (and during breaks, explore the rest of Texas)!  Side note, we had gone to the state parks a lot before but never really camping.  It was not only what God asked us to do but God changed our hearts within a couple weeks.  We could not sell our house soon enough and were very exciting to get camping.

As you know, we sold our house while we were in Michigan over the summer.  We had camped a couple of weeks prior to selling our house to make sure we could do it.  So, when we returned from Michigan, we went straight to full-time camping.  Our goal is to continue following God and to pay off the school debt that I have.  Then we will pray again and ask God what to do after that.  We have about $16K left on the student loan and plan on having it paid off in 1.5 - 2 years.  Some options after we are debt free are to continue camping but move from a tent to a camper and then continue saving up for a house.  But we really don't know what God has planned or what he is preparing us for.  There were so many unknowns with this:  no onsite electricity or water, all sharing one 10x20ft space, still maintaining a professional appearance at my job, homeschooling, food storage, having to move every other week, no a/c or heater, etc.  It was overwhelming to think about... but at the same time, Lindsey and I could not resist the Lord.  It was a call.  We felt like we could do what God asked of us or go the other way.  We chose to follow God.

We have several days worth of stories of how God has supplied for our needs every step of the way.  Yes, we have had 100+ degree days and we have had 28 degree nights.  God has provided a breeze for the hot times and has provided sub-zero sleeping bags for the below freezing nights.  Honesly, life is really crazy.  I can't quite explain the feeling of not having a perminate place to live, not having a home.  But also can't quite explain the feeling of having to chase away 3 shooter bucks from our camping site so I could set up our tent last night.  Thanks be to God, last week was the only time anyone actually got sick. Lindsey got a cold and we all had raspy throats... the normal stuff that goes around.

I could go on for pages of how God has been guiding us through this.  But I want to be clear.  We could get an appartment or buy a house tomorrow if we wanted.  We have several church families that have offered us their home, their RV, their backyard :)  We are more than taken care of.  We are very expectant of how God may use this time in the future.  Currently, we are splitting our time between Brazos Bend State Park and Stephen F. Austin State Park.  We know the staff at each park and they are aware of what we are doing and have treated us very well and have in some ways been our "family" that welcomes us home each day. 

We have people applaud what we are doing and ask to join us; we have also had people threaten to report us to CPS.  But God is so good.  He is so good!  He has given us much more than we need.  We are in His hands.

As far as the address goes, we have a P.O. Box set up... but we are changing it next week to be "closer to home".  I'll update you on that. 

To answer some quick questions you may have:

How do you get electricity?  We have a Car Battery Pack/Jumper that charges our electronics and give us electricity in our tent if we need it.

How do you get food?  From the store :)  We usually only buy food 1 day at a time.  We go shopping every morning and buy food for the day so raccoons don't get it at night.

What happens when the weather gets bad? We have a tarp we put over the tent.  We normally get a little water inside but 1 towel takes care of it.  We keep a close eye on the weather.  If weather gets super bad, we can get a cabin at the state parks or we can get a hotel for a couple nights.  There is also a family at our church that gave us a house key if there is ever an emergency.

What happens when it gets really cold?  Each of us have mummy bags that we use, the sleeping bags that you can only see the person's face.  Actually, the kids usually overheat:)

What do the kids do for toys?  They have a whole world of toys!  Sticks, stones, sand, woods, little baby armadillos :)  They also have scooters they ride around on. And they also have iPads.

How long does it take to set up and pack up camp?  About 2 hours to set up camp.  About 2 hours to pack up.

How do you communicate without cell reception at the camps?  2 way radios

What do you do when your son blows out his diaper in the middle of the night and the temperature is below freezing?  I change his diaper and give him new pants to wear :)

How do you do schooling with the kids?  Lindsey has put most of their curriculum on iPads so we don't have to carry around loads of book. 

How do you stay professional at you job?  I keep all my dress clothes in my office in a wardrobe.  I get to school before the kis and then get changed. 

How do you take showers?  Each camp has showers with unlimitied hot water :)

What does a typical day look like?  We leave together about about 5:00-5:30AM, we get groceries for the day, Lindsey drops me off at school, then goes to the library and schools our 4 kids.  Then at about 5PM, she comes by school and picks me up.  We go back to camp and get cleaned up, have dinner, and get ready for bed.  Hopefully, but not lately, we try to get in bed before 9PM.

What do you eat?  What we were eating before.  Mostly fruits, veggies, beans, rice, nuts, salads, grains, pitas, mainly whole foods.

How do you go to church?  In the truck.

Where do you wash and dry your clothes?  Brazos Bend, where we spend most of our time, has two washers and dryers.  There have also been many friends that have allowed us to use theirs when we are in town.

What parks have you been to because of your mobility?  Stephen F. Austin SP (State Park), Brazos Bend SP, Garner SP, Lost Maples SP, Buescher SP, Bastrop SP, Palmetto SP, Seminole Canyon SP, and Big Bend National Park.

What are some of your favorite things to do while camping?  Look up at the stars, go hiking, chase my kids around, read books... but we really aren't at the park too much other than in the evenings and some on the weekends... but we are gone all day most days.

Who do you get internet?  At school, church, and at the park headquarters.

Would you give up camping if God called you to do so tomorrow? Yes.  But we will keep doing it until that time.

Many people are called to do many things.  Camping is not our only option for living.  It is, however, the one we have decided upon based on our decision to follow God in every area of our lives.  Whenever you make this decision, God will move you.  Always spiritually.... and sometimes physically.  But He always promises that following Him will lead to the most fulfilling and purposeful life possible.  We have found this to be the case.  Is is our joy to be camping.  God has given us a special love for what He has called us to do.

On behalf of the Feldpausch Family,

Josh