Saturday was a day we had been anticipating for over a year at Faithful Flock Farm. It was finally time for Grandpa's 79th birthday party. While we were a little sad that the "surprise" part of the surprise party had been revealed a day early, our hearts were full. We knew that what mattered most wasn't the secret, it was the celebration of a man who has spent nearly eight decades pouring love and faithfulness into everyone around him.
Our day started a little later than usual. If we are being honest, Friday was a very long day of preparation, and we were just plain tuckered out. We headed outside to let the chickens out for their morning adventures, but our faithful companions, Milo and Panda Bear, decided they were far too tired to offer much help. Milo, our white Maltese, and Panda Bear, our black-and-white Shih Tzu, seemed perfectly content to take it easy right along with us. They could tell we were worn out, and they were happy to supervise from a comfortable distance.
The Morning Rush and a Lesson in Patience
Aunt Sue was visiting from Texas, and since she isn't much of an early riser, we tried to stay busy with quiet jobs that wouldn't wake her. We spent our morning in the garage, hanging decorations, smoothing out tablecloths, and checking off the long list of things to accomplish before the guests arrived. Even with the fatigue, there was a palpable excitement in the air. We could hear the roosters crowing across the farm as if they were announcing the start of something special. Their calls echoed from coop to coop, proclaiming that a brand new day had arrived.
However, a farm wouldn't be a farm without a little bit of chaos. At 9:30, we called the company that was supposed to deliver and set up the party tent. Our hearts sank when they told us they had the delivery scheduled for the following week. We had even called the day before to confirm everything!
For a moment, frustration started to rise. There was no time to fix a mistake of this size, and the party was only hours away. But then, we heard Grandpa's words in our minds. He always says, "When things go wrong, you don't have to go with them." We stopped, took a breath, and realized he was right. Getting upset wasn't going to put a tent in the yard.
We also remembered that God always has a plan. Every time we thought we had reached the end of our own strength this week, He sent help. God often answers prayers through willing hands and helping hearts. If the tent wasn't going up the way we expected, then maybe it simply wasn't part of His plan for the day. There was no sense letting one problem steal the joy from the celebration.
Faithful Help and Farm Tours
As it turns out, God did provide, just as He always does. Grandpa, Uncle Rick, Joey, John, and Colton all jumped in to help. With a lot of hard work and determination, the men managed to get the tent up themselves. We were so grateful for those extra hands. It reminded us that God often answers prayers through willing hands and helping hearts.
Joey was an absolute trooper. Even after helping us all day Friday, he was back again to help with water and chores. Because we had slept in a bit, he helped fill the gaps in our normal routine, making sure all our feathered friends were well cared for.
Before long, guests began to arrive. We expected the children, like Garret and Jacob, to be excited about the chickens, but we were surprised by how many adults wanted to see the coops too. We found ourselves leading tours around the property, introducing our visitors to the different breeds that make up our faithful flock.
We shared about our pasture raised eggs and the daily care that goes into producing them. Many people were fascinated to learn about the Seramas, which are the smallest chickens in the world. Others were captivated by the Ayam Cemani, often called the "Lamborghini of the chicken world" because of their rare, completely black appearance. Watching our guests' excitement reminded us of how much we enjoy sharing this life of faith-based farming with our community.
A Lifetime of Faithfulness
When it was time for the meal, we all gathered in the garage. As it turned out, the tent the men worked so hard on wasn't even needed because everyone fit comfortably inside! Grandpa's brother, Leonard, suggested we go around the room and have everyone introduce themselves and share a memory of Grandpa.
What started as a simple plan turned into a deeply moving tribute. One by one, siblings, children, and friends spoke about kindness, hard work, and faithfulness. We listened to stories of lessons learned over seventy-nine years of a life well-lived. There were more than a few tears in the room.
We realized then that while we had worried about food, decorations, and tents, the part people would remember most was the love in that room. God has blessed Grandpa with a beautiful legacy of family and friendship. We were especially thankful that Katlyn recorded these moments on video so we can cherish them for years to come.
Gideon’s Big Adventure
While the humans were celebrating, one little rooster was convinced the party was actually for him. Gideon, our sweet little rooster, had a wonderful day. He got a break from "chick duty" and even got to go on a walkabout around the farm with us.
When we went to collect eggs from Mimi's Coop, we set Gideon down in the grass. He wandered around happily, pecking at the ground while keeping one eye on us. Later, when we moved to Mercy's Coop, he sat right on the poop shelf and watched our every move as if he were the official supervisor of egg collection. It truly felt like Gideon was having a special day of his own, right alongside Grandpa's celebration. He certainly enjoyed every minute of the extra attention.
Teenage Chicken Antics
As the sun began to set and the guests headed home, the farm returned to its quiet rhythm. We started our evening chores, thankful for a day that had exceeded all our expectations. However, the chickens had one last surprise for us.
Cousin Chris pointed toward the House of Joy and asked, "Is that a rooster on the roof?"
Sure enough, a tall, skinny Leghorn rooster was standing on the roof, looking very proud of himself. As we walked closer to tell him to get down, we realized he wasn't alone. One by one, we spotted more. We didn't have a rooster problem, we had a "teenage chicken" problem! About eight to ten of the young birds had discovered they could fly onto the roof, and they were quite pleased with their newfound freedom.
We spent the next bit of time with a rake in hand, gently encouraging our young escape artists to return to the ground. It was the perfect, humorous end to a long week. Even after a day of celebrating human milestones, the chickens still managed to make themselves the stars of the show.
Reflections from the Farm
As we finally tucked everyone into their coops and headed inside, we felt a deep sense of peace. The party was over, Grandpa had been celebrated, and our family had been reunited. It was a week full of unexpected turns, but through every challenge, God was faithful.
We often look for God in dramatic ways, but this week we saw Him in the willing hands of a neighbor, the laughter of a child, and the quiet consistency of a life well-lived. God often answers prayers through willing hands and helping hearts, and we were thankful to see that so clearly. We are so grateful for our local community and everyone who values knowing where their food comes from. Whether you are looking for farm fresh eggs or just a bit of encouragement, we are so glad you are part of our journey.
Think About This
Have you ever spent so much time worrying about the details that you almost missed the blessing God was preparing? We spent the week thinking about tents and food, yet the things people remembered most were the stories and the love. God often works through ordinary people doing ordinary things. Who has He placed in your life to help you carry the load this week?
"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
: Galatians 6:9 KJV
A Prayer for the Week
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for being faithful in every season. Thank You for family, friends, and the people You place around us to help carry our burdens. Help us remember that even when things do not go according to our plans, You are still working. Give us grateful hearts to recognize the blessings You provide. In Jesus' name, Amen. 📞 🤍
If you are looking for local eggs or want to learn more about our pasture-raised flock, we would love to hear from you. You can reach us at 513-607-1317 or visit us at www.faithfulflockfarm.com.
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