Beautifully thought and written, Jaimie. As I have switched from my commodity-guzzling suburban lifestyle and finally gotten to homestead on our land, I have found that my appreciation for the "slowly gotten" things is so much more sharp and clear, like you're saying. I relish the 7+ hour wait time of getting a sourdough loaf done. I truly enjoy the months its taking our heritage chicks to reach adult size. I love watching my husband harvest lumber and mill it by hand, even though it takes all day. Being able to take part in, learn from, and truly experience these moments of life has made me see the Creator's good design in so much of the living things that surrounds me, and I feel more thankful than I ever did when it was easily accessed. I want my children to grow up learning this, like I'm sure yours are.
Being able to read articles like this is both encouraging and bolstering. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and thanks for seeing such beauty in the time it takes for water to boil.
Thanks so much for the kind and encouraging words!