FAQ #1

Why are you leaving Southern California?
     We have lived in SoCal all of our lives (except for Ric's 2-year tour with the U.S. Army in Fort Stewart, GA), and since we were married, we have always dreamed of a more rural existence among wide-open spaces ("WOS").  It just so happens that most of our dearest, most trustworthy friends are "transplants" from other U.S. regions, who have given us a glimpse into other lifestyles and viewpoints.
     We have seen, firsthand and for decades, how this densely-populated area has become heavily-dependent on convenience, consumerism and spurious entertainment.  We believe this "colonized" mindset infiltrates all facets of life here, including matters and practices of faith.  In short, it sort of resembles a modern "Tower of Babel".  So, in order to pursue an environment that has the propensity toward greater peace and sustainability, we believe it's in our best interest to relocate, that we may begin "A Different Legacy".

Why Montana?
     Short question, long answer(s).  Ready?

1. Our country was founded as a Republic, not a Democracy (see the John Birch Society's "Overview of America"... go ahead and view all 29 minutes of this extraordinary video).  However, our legislators here in the Golden State seem to have forgotten that.  Or maybe they were never taught that, having been largely educated in the public/government school system.  Well, the truth of the matter, I regrettably inform you, is that they want the people to remain ignorant of their history, that they may annihilate our Republic from the inside out, creating something exactly opposite in its place.  (This is a recurring cycle in history, that most people are too complacent to recognize, let alone act on.)  The United States' founding documents, most notably the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were written, I surmise, to empower her citizens against the tyranny of an all-encompassing and invasive government — whether from distant shores, or right in our midst.  My research and recent experience has led me to believe that Montana is among the more Constitutionally-governed states... while California government continues in a trend toward the opposite, invading every conceivable sphere of our existence.  One can hardly buy a light bulb or flush a toilet without this state's government — and even the federal government — dictating how.
2. Montana has huckleberries!  'Nuff said.
3. Natural resources and plenty of water?  Got 'em!
4. No state sales tax.
5. Average number of firearms per household?  Twenty-Seven!  Mm, Mm-mmm!  (This document lists a lot of reasons to live there.)
6. "I'm... dreaming of a.... _________ ___________" (Yes, yes, I'm aware that the novelty of snow will wear off faster than I can say "below zero".  Still, this will be the first time in 15 years that I will be listening to Christmas music for purely non-professional reasons!)
7. The more harsh the climate, the more "filtered" the population.
8. Buying land is actually an attainable goal.
9. Together as a family, we want to take on the challenge of a more God-reliant, agrarian lifestyle.  We believe that as national and international events continue to unfold, greater skill in self-sustenance will be absolutely vital.  If/when "Grid" systems fail due to natural or artificial causes, we would like to be able to experience very little interruption of our normal standard of living.  So, becoming less reliant on large-scale systems of convenience can equate to becoming more reliant on Christ and His work in and through us.  That is our hope, in Him.

     I could go on and on, but the real bottom line is that we Calvi's are united in our belief that the Spirit of the Lord — for some as-yet undisclosed reason(s) — is calling us there.  And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2 Corinthians 3:12, 17 / John 3:8)

     "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." — Joshua 1:9 (emphasis mine)