If making plans and having them go exactly the way I wanted them was a reality I'd live a comfortable but boring life. God said it best in Proverbs 16:9: "The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps."
I like making plans but I love seeing God work them out in His time and way. We had planned on building a new barn when we first moved to ASR but our plans did not work out that way and I'm glad. If I had gotten what I thought I wanted at first I don't believe it would be as good as it is now. It took us almost two years to get a new barn and in that period of time we learned a lot. If we didn't; have time to live and learn what ranch life was like we would have built a barn not half as useful as the one God planned. His timing gave us time to grow, think and experience things we had no clue about. I am pleased to know we love and belong to a Father who always has exactly what is right in mind for us and directs ours steps.
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It is rewarding enough to own these wonderful fluffy creatures but to have one of your photos posted in the ISBONA news letter makes it all the more exciting. To see one of our sweet little ram lambs in print among all the other wonderful Icelandics born this year is an honor. Looking at that photos makes me sad, they grow so fast I feel like lambing season just zipped past me. I am already dreaming of next years lambs. If you want to know more about these wonderful sheep click the button for the ISBONA web site. Check out the pictures below from their news letter, can you guess which one is our little cutie?
I'm pretty sure every one believes their State has the weirdest and most changeable weather, and I would agree. Every State I've lived in has had the oddest weather and can't seem to make up its mind. But, I live in Texas now so I guess I have to claim we have the craziest weather out of all. At least I can predict it will be unpredictable. Here on our little hill in the middle of no trees we face a lot of winds, that's predictable. What's not predictable, is how fast, which direction and when.
This year has brought us a lot of heavy winds to the point, I believe, we have had at least two tornados blow thru here. In the process of such windiness we have experinced much loss and destruction. Our barn is totaled, the coops roof blew off, our pergola is gone, the green house is leaning, lawn mower broke, and the house needs a new roof, did I leave anything out? Oh ya, one of our neighbors decided to do a burn pile and in the process set our field on fire. Now the blessing, no animals were injured or lost, yay! All humans are intact and so is the majority of our house. We will be getting a new barn, pergola, roof and our field is growing new greener grass. We have already added a loafing shed, 20ft storage crate (water tight, bug, and critter proof) a new lawnmower with zero turn (ya baby!), and hopefully enough insurance $$ return to pay for it all. In the process of waiting and preparing for all our newer and better things we have welcomed 12 new chicks, who seem to have enough hens who want to be their mama. All our lambs are healthy and growing strong and we will soon welcome a nanny with her two bucks, super cute! ASR has many wonderful highlights and reasons to be here, but if weather was a factor in staying it would cause me to move, I guess you could say that about everywhere. So we will stick this out, add value to our farm, enjoy what we do have and be thankful for the predictably unpredictable life we live. Welcome Inga to ASR! What a sweet spunky little pygmy/Nigerian dwarf goat she is. After our loss of Disa, this pure little delight has brighten our home up again. Her playful jumps and needs for cuddles in our arms has given us something to look forward to daily. Our sheep are precious and certainly give us much joy but there is just something about this pint sized kid that brings an enchantment we have not experienced. Inga has surprised us with her patient quiet napping and charming antics that have us captivated. We hope share more of her spirited vivacity with you.
Had to say goodbye to our darling dear Disa. She was our first little bottle fed lamb here on ASR and for us in general. She was born the day before Mother's Day of 2016. What a sweet surprise to us to have a baby in the house again, even if it was the fuzzy kind. I had been feeling down lately due to all my babies being older and no little ones toddling around. After confessing my sadness to my husband, he was delighted to point out God had brought Disa to fill the gap. I had forgotten all the hard work, interrupted nights of sleep and constant cleaning up after a little brings, but it was all worth it. She lived inside our home and our hearts till her size proved to much for these walls and we extended her dwelling to the outside. Disa remained close to the house avoiding the "strange" animals in the field, she thought nothing of herself other than my baby and belong with her kind, us. I know she brought us joy and everyone who had the pleasure of meeting her. It is not every day you get the chance to raise an Icelandic in Texas nor have one so close to your heart. Many may see her as just a sheep but to those who new her she was one of a kind, Disa.
Proverbs 12: 10 The righteous care for the needs of their animals... Seems people have trouble spotting the differences between sheep and goats. So here's some fun and easy ways you can tell. So, do you think you could tell the difference between a sheep and goat? What do you call a baby sheep and a baby goat?
Our sweet Disa is just growing and thriving! We have had the best time with this adorable little ewe. Now that she is weened and on solids nothing around the house is safe. She is enjoying grass, leaves on my rose bushes and Brad's hot pepper plants. She spends her days wonder the grounds of our house and evenings safely tucked in her pen. Disa loves her rubs and cuddles and on special occasions she may sneak in the house for a break from the heat or torentual rains. Her sweet baas sound more like maas as she calls to me in excitement every time I show up. Can't wait to see what else comes from this precious relationship.
Disa is in training as a Icelandic therapy Sheep. She makes everyone she contacts day better and Brighter!!
I built this wonderful stand today for an awesome friend that has helped us out with her knowledge and eagerness to always be available. It was easy to do with material I had around the Ranch. I think it's always good to repurpose wood that may have otherwise been destined for a snack for insects. Contact me if you want one as well. Have a wonderful day! Brad
Joy, elation, excitement and relief! We have our first little lamb, a ram ! Our first time breeding has not gone easy. We lost all 4 of first time ewe's lambs and one mama. Our hearts had grown heavy and burdened with the thought that this year may end with no lambs. Praise to God for His goodness in all things. Plotulopi delivered a little ram lamb today all by herself. My daughter had the pleasure of finding them out in the field. She carried the baby, with mama's watchful eye, up to the barn to give them shelter and personal space. What happiness to find a healthy live sweet lamb in our care. Mama is doing great and baby seems to be getting his legs under him.
(Pray for their health) |
AuthorTexas Icelandic sheep breeders since 2015 Archives
August 2017
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