Greenfield Family
7 Generation Family Constitution
2025
"Legacy is Greater Than Currency"
Our Family
"Family is not an important thing. It's everything." – Michael J. Fox
Ben Greenfield
Date of Birth: December 19, 1981
Parents: Gary & Pat
Symbol: Tree (Ponderosa Pine)
Color: Forest Green (#0B6623)
Spirit Animal: Grey Wolf
Jessica Dawn Greenfield
Date of Birth: June 30, 1981
Parents: Ann & Dave
Symbol: Seed
Color: Hunter Green (#659267)
Spirit Animal: Dolphin
River Greenfield
Date of Birth: March 19, 2008
Parents: Ben & Jessa
Symbol: Water Droplet / Waves
Color: Azure (#F0FFFF)
Spirit Animal: Arctic Fox
Terran Greenfield
Date of Birth: March 19, 2008
Parents: Ben & Jessa
Symbol: Leaf
Color: Winter Green (#4F9E81)
Spirit Animal: White Wolf
Our Family Values
Faith
We believe in the absolute truth of God's word and value obedience to His Word, and the deity, death, burial and resurrection of His son Jesus Christ.
Love
We value sacrifice, service, generosity, stewardship and sharing all God has gracefully loaned to us. We care for our women as queens of our household. We believe that love and forgiveness covers all.
Creativity
We immerse ourselves in and passionately appreciate art, music, and stories. We are curious and eager to discover and explore the wonders of Creation.
Intelligence
We are well-spoken, prepared and intellectually driven.
Honesty
We believe in radical honesty, transparency, and truth in all relationships and all matters.
Gratitude
We are at peace, choose to be content in all circumstances, and have a satisfied spirit of abundance rather than scarcity.
Endurance
We prize perseverance and strength in body, mind and spirit. We are dependable leaders. We stick through thick and thin, we stand by our word, and we let our yes be yes and our no be no.
Interdependence
We are cooperative, sacrificial and recognize with humility our dependence upon each other and our fellow humans.
Joy
We laugh and love with games, food and drink, engage in humor and light-heartedness, and build a joyful Christian culture building that savors God's creation, knowing that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.
Adventure
We love to immerse ourselves in nature, seek out physical and mental challenges, and travel to distant lands, try unfamiliar cuisines, learn new skills and beyond!
Symbols & Family Crest
"Family faces are magic mirrors. Looking at people who belong to us, we see the past, present, and future." – Gail Lumet Buckley
Family Crest Description
The actual shape of the crest is a shield, representing the shield of faith from Ephesians 6:10-18.
A cross weaves through the crest with five roots extending into water, representing our core values: joy, love, peace, sacrifice, and obedience.
The triangle with circular base represents a firm mountain of leadership with a soft base of empathy and openness.
A lasso represents Jessa's Montana rancher background and symbolizes love that ties us together, transitioning into chains symbolizing interdependence.
An anchor plunges into water, representing how our family is rooted in God's love.
The Four Quadrants:
- Lower Right: Joy - food, drink, humor, games (bocce ball, frisbee golf, tennis, cornhole, cards)
- Upper Right: Spirit animals racing through the night sky, led by a shooting star towards heaven
- Lower Left: Art, music, creativity - treble clef, art palette, books, musical instruments
- Upper Left: Culinary arts, hospitality - the oak dining table, bread and wine representing holy sacrament
At the top: A mountain with family members hiking toward the gates of heaven despite thunderstorms, representing perseverance and contentment.
Traditions & Rituals
"Everyone needs a house to live in, but a supportive family is what builds a home." – Anthony Liccione
🌅 Beginning of the Day
Family Huddle
Each morning we gather as a family to read God's word, pray, breathe, meditate, connect, talk about plans for the day, and hug.
🌙 End of the Day
Family Dinners
We have at least one meal together a day where we take time to relax, sit down and catch up with one another, and also to play fun family games together. Our family dinners always begin with prayer and a hymn, Psalm or spiritual song.
Songs & Stories
On as many evenings as possible during the week, we prioritize post-dinner songs and stories, often gathered in the bedroom, and usually before meditation and journaling.
Meditation, Journaling And/Or Scripture Memorization
We have an evening practice of gathering to review the day, memorize Scripture, self-examine, pray and hug.
📅 Regular Rituals
- Group Dinners: At least twice a month, we prioritize stewardship, service, love, fellowship and joy by inviting friends - both old and new - into our home for a feast.
- Board and Book: We keep a centrally located prayer board and write upon it the names of those we have committed to pray for.
- Sabbath Day: We commit each Sabbath day to rest, relaxation and spending time together as a family and in God's creation.
- Escape Rooms & Cooking Classes: When we travel together for family vacations, we find local escape rooms and cooking classes to complete together.
- Breath Work: We teach our children the value of using their breath to control their emotions and physiology. We often complete a 10-20 minute breath work session several days each week, and occasionally do a longer session of 50-70 minutes.
Holidays
🎄 Christmas
- Advent calendar for the month
- Special Christmas story read each night
- Christmas Eve: dinner, pajamas, movies, shirt puff-painting
- Christmas Morning: Scripture reading, pickle hiding, stockings first, gifts
- Bob the "Elf on the Shelf"
- New ornament for each child on Christmas Eve
🦃 Thanksgiving
We have a habit of hosting Thanksgiving at our home and inviting family, friends and those in the community who may not otherwise have a place to go.
🐣 Easter
- Treasure egg hunt with clues throughout yard and property
🎆 New Year's Eve
- Light Chinese lanterns
- Write prayers and intentions on lanterns
- Release into the night sky
💒 Wedding Anniversaries
- Sons and daughters prepare feast for parents
- Romantic music and cards
- Gift appropriate to anniversary "theme"
🎂 Birthdays
- Dad: Carrot cake, steak, family time
- River: Likes to make his own cake
- Mother's Day: Men cook amazing meal for mom
- Father's Day: Family time, carrot cake, steak
Mission Statement
We are the Greenfields.
We live to faithfully shine the light of God's love and Christ's sacrifice to the world by savoring and sharing His Creation. We believe in the absolute truth of God's word and commit to daily immersing ourselves in the wisdom of Scripture, prayer and communion with God.
We are lovers of life and savor all of creation with a spirit of curiosity, adventure, light-heartedness, community-building and sharing our joy with all, knowing that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. We know that each of our blessings are gifted through grace for us to steward, to share and to enjoy with an abundant spirit of generosity. In all of our relationships, we prize, prioritize and commit to love, sacrifice, forgiveness, radical honesty, transparency and truth.
We are uniquely created in God's divine image and called as makers to intelligently create beauty that shines forth His glory. Our yes is our yes, our no is our no, and we are dependable leaders who endure and persevere through all, learning to be content with a spirit of gratitude and peace no matter our circumstances.
We embrace in a spirit of full humility our interdependence and need for deep, present connection with our ancestors, our community, our planet and our legacy. We fully trust that as fruits of our faithful obedience, God's promises and blessings will extend to our family, our children, their children and a thousand generations beyond, so that the knowledge of the glory of the Lord shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.
Life-Defining Events
"The love of family and the admiration of friends are much more important than wealth and privilege." – Charles Kuralt
Open Communication
Talk of birds and bees, sex, and any sensitive subjects. Takes place somewhere quiet and private - ideally a camping or backpacking trip.
Non-Entitlement
Trip based on serving others. Go to underprivileged communities - another city, country, or state. All focused on helping others.
Courage
Rite of passage into adolescence, focused on wilderness and nature. Self-sufficiency and ego dissolution. Not forced, only when ready.
Capability
Self-provision and helping others. More epic rite of passage into adulthood. Can include gap year: self-supported adventures like Pacific Crest Trail, Camino de Santiago, international travel with hostels. Should include service element.
Independence
7-10 Day Wilderness vision quest. If in college or business vocation, shift into full financial self-support, unless otherwise discussed that any older child living at home shall earn their room and board via helping with manual labor, business and house chores. If male, has moved out of the house at this point.
Interviews
Interview each parent about their parents' history, upbringing, life, education, work, and other topics. Transcribe the interviews and place both the recording and transcription online.
Contribution
Understand forgiveness and grace. Prison visit or service such as church or school build.
Family Office
"Life is beautiful. It's about giving. It's about family." – Walt Disney
Financial Quarterback
Carson Wealth
sheizer@carsonwealth.com
(301) 739-8505
Tax Prep & Strategy
Tanner Adams
(800) 400-8385
Attorney
Erin Stone
erin@yorkhowell.com
(801) 527-1040
Estate Attorney
Kristin Simmons
Trust & Use of Funds
Purpose of Trust
The purpose of the Greenfield Family Trust is to uphold the family spirit of abundance & giving when it comes to finances. To add value to generations of Greenfields and give back to the people, community & environment.
The Greenfields stand for hard work, consistency, dedication, kindness, balance, faith, love and freedom from the vices of this world. The trust serves to uphold family values and make each generation better physically, mentally, emotionally, financially & spiritually.
01 Health
All health costs, insurance premiums, long-term care. Health decisions through natural and ancestral lens, functional medicine approach.
02 Education
All educational costs broadly defined - private schooling, alternative education, extracurricular activities. Based on "Boundless Parenting" principles.
03 Impact/Contribution
Charitable goals such as non-profit foundations. Engaging in good works throughout community.
04 Business/Start-Up
Assistance for descendants starting, building, or expanding ethical businesses. Encouraging entrepreneurial spirit.
05 Special Events
Unique situations using prudence, diligence, and seeking God's wisdom through prayer.
06 Others
Support for useful, contributing members of society. Not for unproductive, self-destructive, or immoral lifestyles.
Memento Mori
End-of-life wishes for each family member
End-of-Life
OK with advanced medical care if there's hope of resuscitation. Prefers trusted proxy to decide using prayer, wisdom, and discernment.
Care of Body
OK with organ donation. Wants ashes planted in an urn and turned into a memorial Ponderosa pine tree.
Funeral/Memorial
- Celebration with color, music, and fond remembrances
- Bright and colorful garments encouraged
- Dancing, music, food and drink (carrot cake and steak!)
- Outdoor venue if possible
- Memento/keepsake for guests (pin, charm, seeds to plant)
- Gospel message presented to all in attendance
End-of-Life
"Take me home Jesus" - death is certain and heaven is an upgrade. If brain dead, pull the plug after 3 days for family goodbyes.
Care of Body
Would like body composted. Willow tree planted with compost by the pond with small plaque.
Funeral/Memorial
- Simple service with 4 speakers maximum
- Hymn: "It Is Well With My Soul"
- Slideshow of memories
- Doxology sung at end
- Reception with great food and wine
- Photo table with cherished items
End-of-Life
OK with medical treatments to a certain extent. If dying within hours/days, wants family, friends, and pets to visit. OK with CPR, feeding tubes, breathing assistance. Not OK with indefinite machine dependency.
Care of Body
Ashes scattered into a creek on a sunny day with sunlight reflecting off the water. OK with organ donation.
Funeral/Memorial
- Sweets: scones, cupcakes, cookies
- Beverages: eggnog, horchata
- Lots of hymns with harmony parts
- Winter preferred, with nature views
- Bible verses: 2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 8, Matthew 25:35-36
End-of-Life
Wishes final moment with trusted friend, family, or wife. If coma, trusts family. OK with life support but not if just prolonging inevitable.
Care of Body
Ashes thrown into nature at sunrise (favorite time of day). OK with organ donation.
Funeral/Memorial
- Remember, don't mourn
- Hymns - as much music as possible
- Normal church attire (no required black)
- Outdoor if not winter; nature view if indoors
- Eggnog required if winter!
- Verses: Romans 8:28, 1 Thess 4:13-14, Rev 21:4
Lifebook
"You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement." – Woodrow Wilson
For an in-depth look into Ben and Jessa's thoughts on all areas of life, explore their life roadmaps:
Ben's Lifebook
Health & Fitness • Intellectual Life • Emotional Life • Character • Spiritual Life • Love • Parenting • Social • Financial • Career • Quality of Life • Vision
Jessa's Lifebook
Health & Fitness • Intellectual Life • Emotional Life • Character • Spiritual Life • Love • Parenting • Social • Financial • Career • Quality of Life • Vision