Welcome to Faith & Fending, a space where life’s journey intertwines with unwavering faith, everyday resilience, and the joy of building something meaningful. My name is Michele, and I’m so glad you’re here. This blog is my family’s story, a chronicle of raising and homeschooling children, strengthening our faith, and taking on the exciting adventure of building our dream home this spring.

For the past year and a half, my family and I have called a cozy two-bedroom apartment home. After moving to Tennessee from New Mexico, we found comfort in simplicity and stability. But we’ve always known this was just a chapter in our journey. As our children grow, so do our dreams for their future. This year, we’re taking the next step, a bold leap toward building our forever home on the serene shores of Watts Bar Lake, a blessing that felt nothing short of miraculous when it came into our lives.

Building a house is no small feat. It will challenge our patience, our budget, and our strength, but we know it will also deepen our faith and bring us closer as a family. At its heart, Faith & Fending is about more than constructing walls and choosing finishes; it’s about creating a life rooted in purpose and guided by God’s grace.

As a homeschooling family, we weave faith and learning into every part of our lives. From math lessons at the kitchen island to teaching resilience through real-world challenges, we’re on a mission to raise children who are confident, compassionate, and strong in their beliefs.

This blog is a reflection of our life: messy, beautiful, and faith-filled. It’s a place to share stories, celebrate triumphs, and navigate setbacks while leaning into the knowledge that God’s plan is always greater than our own.