The Good Shepherd

It has been a sad day here at Winter Wood Farm. My heart is heavy. Our beloved little lamb Simon passed away last night. He had been doing so great and was my ever faithful shadow, following me around the farm and even through the house. He is truly missed. 

Simon went from completely normal to very sick within hours with what's called "foamy bloat". Our best guess is that he ate too much clover yesterday afternoon which caused his rumen to build up with gas. We were up until the wee hours of the morning passing a tube to try and relieve the pressure, nothing seemed to help. 

Within hours he was gone.

Throughout the day, I have been really pondering in my heart what Jesus meant when He told us that He is the good shepherd (John 10:11).  My short time with Simon has given me yet another example of how vast and how immense Jesus' love is for each of His sheep. And knowing now how fragile a lamb can be, I have been shown just how amazing it is that not one of us will be lost (John 18:9). I do know His voice (John 10:27), and I will follow it all the days of my life. Thank you Lord for your never ending love and for laying your life down for this sheep crying at her computer over a little white lamb. You are truly so good!

The 'sucker' homestead...

So, I know that homesteading implies becoming more self sufficient by raising your own food. And I know that in order to do that, the homestead must focus on plants and animals that serve a purpose and provide something for the homestead, whether that's eggs, meat, milk, more stock, produce, honey, fiber, etc, everything needs to pull its weight. 

But sometimes, you just fall for a cute face. Sometimes you just need to accept that you have 'sucker' clearly written on your forehead and, as a result, sometimes you just have to forget what's practical...

Meet Simon.

Simon is a one month old lamb. He was a triplet and mama wouldn't take him. So, yes, I am chasing a 16 month old, 8 months pregnant, and bottle feeding this sweet, precious, adorable little guy. And as I'm sure you could figure out, he will serve no purpose other than to bring a smile to our faces.

Here I am giving my son a ride in the wheelbarrow on the way to feed the chickens, with my little white shadow and our dogs. God is so good!!!!!!!