Blind Calf (Stevie Wonder) is Born

Nothing like coming in from the morning's work to a nice, warm fire and a great cup of coffee!

As I sit here in my long johns and sweatshirt and ponder all the things I could write about, Simon lies snoring under my chair, the fire crackles in the wood stove, the frosty air blows through the trees outside my window and a random, lone, wild turkey hurries across the pasture. Out front in the pond are seven Hooded Mergansers diving for food while a Blue Heron stealthily stalks a meal. 

Today, the sun is shining (we've had a spell of cloudy, cold, rainy weather)

and every living being seems happier. To just sit and be totally aware of the amazing life going on all around me, living and breathing in an awesome (miraculous) exchange of energy, resources, and nutrients. THIS is living!

I so struggle to put into words what I experience here, living in the midst of God's creation (Job 12:7-10) on this beautiful farm. So tangibly aware of life and death, suffering and healing, and great sorrow and joy! 

Most of our calves are born between late September and November each year but we had a calf who was born out of season this past summer. This was the result of some bull shenanigans the previous year. So, this little black bull calf was born. It was hot for this little calf in the summer sun so he hid himself in the shade under some grasses by the creek. His mama knew where he was but alas, we humans could not find the calf.

The cow herd was moved daily and when it came time to move the cow herd to the other side of the farm (through the shop yard and down the road) we had not seen the calf in a week or more. 

Presuming the calf had died, we moved his mama with the herd. However, the next day we noticed this mama was missing from the herd. Thinking she was grieving the loss of her calf back across the farm, we searched those pastures but could not find her anywhere. Each day Doc, Howard and myself would ride out and search the pastures for the cow but no luck. It was totally amazing to me that we could lose a cow on the farm!

About a week later, one of the girls from the horse barn let me know that she had seen a black cow in a certain pasture. I decided to check the pasture at dusk.... sure enough there was our black cow... and her calf! This was exciting news! But there were complications. The calf had contracted pink-eye in both eyes and was in very bad shape. Doc and I caught the calf and treated both eyes but in the days to follow it became sadly obvious this calf would be blind.

As I've watched this little guy grow I've gained such respect for a mother who would not give up on her calf and for a little bull calf (7 months old now and about 400 lbs) who has had to learn to negotiate life without sight. Sometimes moving the herd involves going through several gates, across a creek, through some woods, and around corners. If he stays with his mother, he can make it safely through, but if he gets separated from his mother, he is lost. 

It is extremely difficult for a human (usually me) to herd a single, blind animal of his size. I have watched helplessly while this little calf runs head first into fences, fence posts, and trees and falls into hedgehog holes while trying to find the opening through the gate. It is heart breaking! But don't you know, his awesome mama will slip through the gate some how without tearing it down and braving a pretty stiff electric shock to get back to her calf and lead him back up to the herd.

This all reminds me of abiding in Christ (John 15:1-16). As God has been teaching me to abide in Him through various means (Dr. John Barr, Jesus Calling, Secrets of The Vine) I can't help but see the parallel of the blind calf. When we stay closely focused on Christ we have peace and avoid many obstacles but if we don't, life is full of hardship. 

We are always abiding in something... worry, TV/Internet/smart phones, what people think of us, how we've been hurt, or what's next on the task list. Perhaps we have made a habit of letting our minds dwell on unhappiness, despair or the busyness of life? Sometimes I have. But these are dead branches. There is no sap or life in them and they will not bear fruit. Abiding in Christ means fully understanding and being fully aware in each moment that Christ holds our future, our reputation, and our hurts. Living in this truth gives us freedom to live in complete joy!

This day, this hour, this moment is not repeatable. It's the only moment like this we will ever have. It's a gift from the most awesome Giver of gifts ever! Where are you abiding? Where is your mind dwelling?

In personal news, I have learned so much about farming here. It seems the more I learn though the more there is to learn! I am now able to operate the tractor to load and unload round bales of hay, operate the tractor's bale unroller, load and unload cattle and drive the truck and big stock trailer, catch, tag and administer oral vaccines to calves, determine daily forages (paddock size) for the varying nutritional needs of our herds, manage customer accounts and retail store sales/inventory. It is exciting that everyday I have the opportunity to become a more resourceful and capable person. 

I have also met a very special person (Dennis). Lord willing, we are planning a future together which may very well include an agritourism business and youth outreach. As we abide, God will provide according to His will! Dennis and I are also ministering to the Greensboro, NC, Teen Challenge organization. I'd encourage you to read the book The Cross and the Switchblade. I have learned the ministry's financial and the participants nutritional needs are great. Please pray for and give to this ministry or a chapter more local to you as God leads you.

I love hearing from you about what is going on in your life so please email me!