Broken Ground Farm

This morning we slept in some. We were quick to get going. We did Bible stories and Bible verses.

We went out to the shop and loaded up some filament for a 3D print. Sunshine Girl is getting a pink and white water dragon.

Lovey Boy fed the cats and we headed up the yard to feed piggos and release the chickens.

I went into the chicken area to check water and decided it needed to be filled up. King Stripe didn’t flog me when I checked water, took out the water to fill it, or when I put it back. That is progress! He didn’t even seem to care.

We came in and have worked on laundry and dishes. I set an hour timer for the boys to clean their room and they made huge progress! If they keep it up we may get to have a movie night.

I couldn’t handle being inside any more and I needed to check the animals. It is so hot again today. I needed to make sure sweet piggos had water and that none of the chickens escaped.

I decided that we needed to scoop poop to put in the compost pile. I told the kids they could go swing or play. I wasn’t going to push them to scoop poop in heat. I just wanted them to be outside for a bit. However, Lovey Boy and Sunshine Girl said they wanted to scoop poop! Who knew?!

It was fairly shady in their paddock so it wasn’t too bad to scoop the poo. Honestly, it just felt good to be outside and doing work; being productive. I noticed that the area we were hoping they would wallow, and had been watering, the place under small trees that is shaded, they had turned into a bathroom around it. I wouldn’t want to wallow near my bathroom. Now that we cleaned up the area I am hoping thing will use it.

That is a 7 cubic foot wagon. It may not look impressive, but it was quite a bit of poo. I am loving the wagon. It is easy to pull and to dump.

Happy Oreo. To her right there is a stump. We noticed that they like to use it as a scratching stump and that they lay there a lot. I wet down the area today to help them have a wallow there.

Said stump.

I’ve been thinking more about rabbits. They need a rabbit tractor for sure. I am thinking probably getting meat rabbits. Maybe letting the kids have 1 or 2 Lop-type rabbits as pets (they would still mow and fertilize the lawn) and the rest of them be New Zealand or Rex. We could have meat rabbits for the freezer and then I think we could sell them to others for their homesteads. I don’t see a very big market for pet rabbits. And if we are going to have an animal it needs to be benefiting our family.

Our cats and dogs are debatable if they benefit the family (I saw with a grin.) I didn’t get a photo, but the dogs had killed a groundhog yesterday and then ate half of it, blah. They get food, but I guess they needed fresh meat.

Panzer. 120lbs of pooch.

Bella. Maybe 50lb of pooch.

Peso aka Pestins. Mainly good for pets and cuddles.

Bagheera aka Baggins aka Baggy. This cat is our predator. He rolls with claws out most of the time and will hunt anything that doesn’t hunt him first.

We spent a lot of time cleaning kids’ bedrooms today. Finally they are looking so much better. T.V. ban lifted! The kids are getting to enjoy snacks and a movie tonight.

When C.N.R. came home and the sun set we went back outside. We were able to move the chickens again. They have fresh grass inside the coop and a new run for tomorrow morning. They will love it.

We refilled piggo water and gave them more pets. They are fairly spoiled pigs. Oreo backed into the fence tonight and took off running. I have never seen her move so quickly. So, I moved the fence a little to see if that will help her out some.

Here they are all cuddled up. Note C.B. in the tree line.

All kids have met their reading goals for this summer. I would like Sunshine Girl to read a little more, but considering she learned to read this summer, I am not too concerned. They are super excited to get prizes for their hard work. I am pretty excited too.

I have had a song stuck in my head all morning. I have to share.

Psalm 46 ESV

God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way,
    though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
³ though its waters roar and foam,
    though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy habitation of the Most High.
⁵ God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
    God will help her when morning dawns.
⁶ The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
    he utters his voice, the earth melts.
⁷ The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

⁸ Come, behold the works of the Lord,
    how he has brought desolations on the earth.
⁹ He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
    he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the chariots with fire.
¹⁰ “Be still, and know that I am God.
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth!”
¹¹ The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

I cannot help but be humbled by my God. The vastness of him and his glory. His steadfast love and the detail he pours in all his creation. From the seen to the unseen, he knows. He is sure and faithful and can be trusted. He is the potter and I am the clay. Who am I to say no or to think I know better or to doubt his ways? Every day, every moment I am faced with the choice of what to believe. My beliefs shape my thoughts and my thoughts shape my actions. God is calling me nearer, closer still than I have been. Oh how my hearts jumps within me. There is a peace in saying yes. A peace that comes in trusting God, choosing him over fear. Choosing him over worry or doubts or thoughts that would try to run astray.

Isaiah 26:3-4 –

3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
4 Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

There is peace in choosing Jesus. Peace in presence and in his word. Why would I ever choose anything else?

Tonight I am thankful. Thankful for the faithfulness of the Lord. Thankful for his desire for me. Thankful that I know I am not alone. Thankful that if anyone else reads this that you don’t have to be alone either.

Romans 10:9-11

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. ¹¹ For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”