Why we've moved to a new house at the Bruderhof - and what makes it a home

Home, Robert Frost once intoned, "is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in." Oh, but it's so much more than that, right?! At Bruderhof communities, families and single people live in houses that come in all shapes and sizes, some old, some new. Everyone is provided the space they need, but none of us owns the home we occupy, as no community member holds private property.
Our family has spent the past ten years living in a well-loved two-bedroom cottage. But, as we discuss in this video, seasons change - and we recently moved to a new house at the Danthonia Bruderhof. We have a lovely, well-appointed apartment. Now it's our job to turn it into a vibrant, happy home!
And don't miss Norann's reflections on our move in her latest substack post, at seasonsofcommu...
About us: We're the parents of three sons and live at Danthonia Bruderhof, a Christian community in northern New South Wales, Australia, and enjoy discussing our faith, family, food (Norann's an awesome cook!), and the day-to-day adventures of life in "the bush".
More about the Bruderhof community where we live: www.bruderhof....
Follow Norann on Twitter at / norannv and Instagram at / norannvoll
Norann is a contributor to Seasons of Community Living, a group substack providing a window into the daily lives of women in Christian community. seasonsofcommu...
Norann & Chris are both contributing authors for the Bruderhof's publishing house, Plough, and its magazine, Plough Quarterly. www.plough.com...

[@gillianhatters6613]

What a lovely video! Your happiness and love for your memories in the cottage really shines through. It’s lovely to see your boys, they are a real credit to you. Your new home looks beautiful, your spiritual guidance is second to none, and well done to Bear for staking his claim 🤣.

[@DuoDownUnder]

Thank you for your kind words and for sharing in our general joy in being alive. We are all here on this planet right now, 'for such a time as this' - and may our homes and hearts be open to the tasks asked of us.

[@ElizabethPollardAus]

I loved my visit to your humble abode last year. Having a lovely lunch on your porch then a wonderful drive with you, Norann, around your community then back to your home for coffee and cake. I was made so welcome by you and Chris and I felt so at peace spending time with you. I will always remember you and your community with fondness. God bless you all, love Elizabeth ❤🙏🏻♥️

[@DuoDownUnder]

Aw, we remember your visit well, dear Elizabeth. Thank you for your kindness!

[@laineyga]

My spouse and I have moved 15 times in our 27 years together, mostly for my work. We have been grateful for each house, condo, or apartment, and we have found much and many friends to love in the communities in which we have lived. Blessings on your new home and best wishes for all the gatherings that will bring friends together there.

[@DuoDownUnder]

Thank you for this perspective and well-wishes! Moving (more than) every couple of years must surely have its challenges - but as you say, also opportunities for new friends, new encounters, new home-making. Love your attitude of gratitude! 💛

[@juliepizzino6852]

Thank you for sharing your life and move with us. I love the organic feel of your community.

[@vivianpowell1732]

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing where you are living now. While it is true that your sons have grown and are entering a new season as adults, it's a blessing that Chris's mother has been able to join you at this time in her life. As for Bear and Julian, I think dogs adjust more easily and quickly to new surroundings than cats do. You've certainly made your new home very warm and welcoming. I love your "picture window", it's perfect.

[@DuoDownUnder]

Thanks, Vivian. We trust in time Julian will remember the wisdom of her namesake, and that "all manner of the thing shall be well" - including her 'cattitude' presence in our new home! 😊 Yes, our new view, toward the western hills of our farm, is lovely and brings sunsets right into our living room. We are very fortunate.

[@andrewdewitt7234]

'Wherever I lay my hat....🎶' . I get the feeling that because the bond that you both share is so strong, wherever you choose to live it will become a place of love, a place of peace and a place where community will blossom. May God bless your home and all who visit it! A.

[@DuoDownUnder]

Kind of you to say so, dear friend. Blessings on you and your home too as you follow in Joshua's footsteps: ''As for me and my house...' 🙏

[@andrewdewitt7234]

@@DuoDownUnder Yes, following the Lord and making Him the polar north is the key. Unless the Lord builds the house...

[@leighwaters5961]

i have precious memories made in that little space. All about the people Sitting playing music, laughing, eating and sharing. Solving the world's problems Sharing ideas. Sharing faith I see the faces and hear the voices Remember your boys as children _ not young men. Bless you all in your new little space. I know there will be new memories that will be equally precious and unique.

[@DuoDownUnder]

Thank you so much, dear sister. You and your Dave are always in our hearts, and often referenced in our homes (Dave usually in connection to some joke or pithy remark of his 😊). We have so much to cherish, and as you say, it's all about the people. Always will be. Our new door is just as open as our old one was -- just not such a big draft coming under it anymore, thankfully! -- so you know you are always welcome. Blessings.

[@joannamiller3569]

Thank you so much for sharing- it feels like such a treat getting to look through a window into your life in Australia. I recently moved out on my own for the first time, which has been necessary, but not without challenges. What I am learning is that it is the people, Gods people, which truly make someplace a home. I have peace because I know that this season is just that, a season. I’ll be moving forward, towards the community, at the end of this season…and I can’t wait! ❤

[@DuoDownUnder]

Thank you for your thoughts, Joanna. Totally agree that it's people who make and shape a home (whether a house/household or a larger 'home' like a community), and - with God's help - make it a place of love and welcome. May your steps be guided as your journey continues to unfold! 🙏

[@soundsbig]

Hello from New York! My family has been friendly with the Bruderhofs for several years now and I am so pleased I found your channel while watching Heinrich talk about the figs with Norann. I subscribed to your channel and will keep checking in on your ministry in Australia. Great video and thanks for sharing your lives with us! Truly inspiring...

[@DuoDownUnder]

Welcome, and thanks for saying hello! Norann grew up at Woodcrest Bruderhof in Rifton NY, and that's where we met (both of us attended SUNY New Paltz for a while) and where we were married. So NY will always be part of 'home' for us even though our Aussie roots run deep now. Thanks for your encouragement, and hopefully we'll keep the videos coming. 😊

[@bettyrudd109]

love this video guys. we are in a very small “cottage” with our 5 children, it’s hard sometimes but a blessing. ❤

[@DuoDownUnder]

Thanks, Betty - and may the memories you're making hold your kids in good stead in the years ahead. For us, 3 lively boys under a small roof was a challenge at times - so you certainly have us beat in that department! We're sure there's lots of laughter in your home, and that the love of family carries you through. 💛

[@daisychan6571]

So lovely to come home to this video ❤😊 thank you for sharing your hearts with us!

[@DuoDownUnder]

Our pleasure!

[@OurFamilyJourney]

Ahh this video made me miss you all! I've stayed with many families all over the community, in many different buildings. It's always been fun to be on the outside and explore the uniqueness of each building and how people make it a home with their artworks and gifted treasures, plants and such. What makes my house a home (besides my family) would be my plants and my daughters drawings I've stuck up all over the walls. Oh, and the mess - that makes it homely ;)

[@DuoDownUnder]

👐 from all your Danthonia friends! Our home is where house plants go to die, we're sorry to say. (Neither of us has a green thumb.) But yes to the kids' art - and of course the mess! 😄

[@FreeToLove999]

Thank you for sharing your story. So glad to hear that Chris' mom has joined you. Love what Chris said about the world being a bridge and not to build your house on it. Great wisdom nugget. I visited your Hiwassee community this past Spring; great experience! 💙💙💙🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾👍🏾🥰🥰🥰

[@DuoDownUnder]

Hi Arnita! Glad you enjoyed this video - and it's so good to know you were able to visit the Hiwassee community. We certainly remember your visits to Woodcrest, and your love for Norann's mom and dad, many moons ago now (guess we were all a bit younger then, hey?). It's truly a joy to us to have Chris's mom with us; she's such an outgoing and energetic person - an example to us. Trusting you are well, and sending you our love, N&C

[@FreeToLove999]

@@DuoDownUnder Likewise! I also have very fond memories of spending time with J and N. So glad that N is with you. Please greet her for me. Love to all! 🥰🥰🥰

[@summerlake356]

Very interesting! Thank you for the honest explanation. Sounds like you traded up! I didn't realise so many people lived in this community.

[@stepone6159]

Indeed. It sounds like they traded up to me as well.

[@DuoDownUnder]

You're welcome, and yes, the new digs are lovely. Danthonia Bruderhof is home to over 200 people, so it's kind of like a small village in layout, etc.

[@DuoDownUnder]

We loved our years in the "quaint cottage", but the new home is perfect for us, and our mom, right now 😊

[@lailja21]

I receive Joy that Bear is reunited with his sister! What fun... let's hope 😉 And so much more territory to lay claim to... There are many things that make home Home... A biggee for me is I feel safe here and do my best to let the criiters know they can feel that as well.

[@DuoDownUnder]

Oh yes, Bear and li'l sis Jada are inseparable now. Jada's family lives in the apartment across the hall from ours, and she and Bear wander in and out of each other's homes at will. Small problem: apparently Jada self-regulates her eating; her family leaves food out for her all the time. Bear, not so much self-control. He's on a "see food" diet... So, we've already had to call some interventions to help him address his weight issues. 😂 He's certainly feeling "safe" - as do we. Blessings to you for a happy weekend!

[@patloubar]

Seven years ago, my husband and I decided that we no longer needed to live in a crumbling Victorian money pit of 3,000 sq ft that we had poured WAY too much money into. Our kids had grown and the 22-year home renovation was finally finished. Time to move! A friend who lived in a tiny house in the woods decided it was time to move closer to her family in Spain. She suggested we buy her house. At first we thought, nah, it's too small. But, the seed was sown and before long we found ourselves the owners of a 1,000 sq foot home on 3 acres. There was no way we could bring all the furniture and stuff we had in the old house, so we gave a lot of it away and then just left a bunch of furniture behind in the house for the new owners (they were thrilled). We just walked away from it. What a relief! Now we live in our dear little geezer hut in the woods and we couldn't be happier. It's also small enough to discourage any thoughts from our kids that they might like to move back in with us! We love to see them, but we don't want to live with them anymore! Thanks for sharing your story.

[@DuoDownUnder]

Oh that's such a great story (and a true one at that)! Who wouldn't want to live in a 'dear little geezer hut' in the woods?! 😅 Maybe in a few more years we'll share your views re the kids being welcome to visit but not move back in: we are still at the stage of adjusting to an emptying nest. Thank you for sharing your downsizing tale.

[@cityhomestead4490]

thank you for sharing. Can you give us a tour in your now/new house and building?

[@DuoDownUnder]

You're welcome - literally! We'll leave the rest of the tour (the video shows the exterior of our house, our porch, living room and kitchen - albeit briefly) for when you visit us 😊. Hope you're having a wonderful weekend! C&N

[@swampophelia2098]

Your little house was so personalised by you guys as opposed to those more sterile looking apartments

[@DuoDownUnder]

Give us a minute to live in, and you might say otherwise - lol! (But yeah, that cottage was pretty funky: there's no other place like it at our community, and we feel blessed to have been able to call it home for 10 years. We didn't leave our hearts in it, though, so we always know where home is. 🙂)