The rain finally stopped on Thursday, though we truly thought we might need a boat in the backyard before it was all over. Every step we took across the farm was a little adventure in itself. The ground was soaked clear through, and each footfall made a soft squishing sound beneath our boots.
It was a muddy mess, but there is something so refreshing about the air after a long storm. Thankfully, Joey was able to get fresh wood shavings into The House of Joy and Mercy’s Coop. It made a world of difference for our girls. They were much happier with dry toes, and we were grateful to see them settling in.
We especially felt for the Brahmas in Mimi’s Coop. These gentle giants really do not like having wet feet. Right now, their area is a mix of mud and puddles. It was long past time to move their chicken tractor, but the ground was just too soft to manage alone.
A New Voice in the Morning
Our morning chores started early as usual. We checked the feed and water for every flock to make sure everyone was settled. At first, we decided not to let The House of Joy out into the field because the ground was still so soft.
Then, we heard that small still voice again. It simply said, "They need more room." We decided to trust that nudge, and it was their turn to explore. As we opened the coops, we heard something brand new.
A young white Leghorn from The House of Joy stretched his neck high and answered the older boys with a loud crow of his own. We have decided to name him Ezra. It always makes us smile when a young rooster finally finds his voice.
Ezra joined right in with the "Rooster Radio" network. Road Runner started first with his raspy crow, followed by King and Blacky. Ezra followed proudly behind them, and Big Red finished the announcement. It felt like they were having a full conversation across the farmyard, keeping watch over us as we worked.
Grandpas and Stubborn Tractors
This week was also very special because Grandpa came home, and he celebrated his 80th birthday. We still can hardly believe he has reached such a wonderful milestone. He is such a vital part of our farm family.
There were projects waiting everywhere we looked. We hoped Grandpa might help with a few things once the ground dried a little more. The tractor had been acting stubborn again, and he spent quite a bit of time wrestling with it.
While he worked, we had a chance to catch up and talk about all our plans. We even discussed using the greenhouse for our growing babies. Grandpa thought it was a great idea, so we did some measuring and decided we just needed a large tarp to get it ready.
The Blessing of a Neighborly Trade
We expected our trip to get supplies to take maybe an hour or two. Instead, we spent four hours fighting unbelievable traffic. It was one of those moments where you have to choose to stay patient even when things aren't moving.
When we finally returned home, God had a beautiful surprise waiting for us. A neighbor we had never met named Oksana stopped by. She brought several stacks of empty egg cartons with her.
If you know life at Faithful Flock Farm, you know that egg cartons are like gold. They seem to disappear almost as quickly as the eggs themselves. Since she was so kind, we decided to send her home with a dozen fresh eggs and a story.
It felt like a perfectly fair trade. Our Milo, a white Maltese dog, and Panda Bear, a black-and-white Shih Tzu dog, were thrilled with the visit. They proudly escorted Oksana around the farm and introduced her to the babies.
Mowing as Ministry
By Friday, the sun was shining beautifully and the temperature reached eighty degrees. We also had a special opportunity to serve a new neighbor.
Abbey’s family is currently serving our country through military service. Her husband was called away for training, and we wanted to help ease the load at home. Helping others is simply what we are called to do, and it was an honor to spend the afternoon mowing.
We mowed the front yard three times and the back yard twice to make sure it looked just right. We even swept up the clippings so it wouldn't look messy. It was hard work, but it felt like a quiet form of ministry.
We hated to see all that good grass go to waste, so we hauled loads of clippings back to our chickens. The girls in Mercy’s Coop and The House of Joy were so excited. They acted like tiny feathered landscapers, scratching and spreading the grass everywhere.
Musical Coops and Sunny Moments
Friday was also "field trip day" for our Silkies and baby Seramas. Since the greenhouse is still being prepared, we used part of Haven’s Coop as a temporary playground. It was a game of "Musical Coops" as we moved everyone around to get some sunshine.
We noticed that we might have more roosters than hens again, which made us laugh. The babies scratched, pecked, and chased bugs in the real grass for the first time. Sometimes the simplest moments, like watching chicks enjoy the sun, feel like the biggest blessings.
We even gave King’s smaller Brahma companion a name. He is now officially known as Prince. He and King spent the evening inspecting the yard with their usual regal confidence.
A Peaceful Evening Reminder
By the end of the day, we were feeling a bit of a sunburn from forgetting our sunscreen. It was a small price to pay for such a productive day. We were also thrilled to see our eggs flying off the shelf, with customers stopping by for several dozen.
As the sun began to settle lower in the sky, we stopped to just watch the farm breathe. Milo, our Maltese, and Panda Bear, our black-and-white Shih Tzu, were stretched out under the cedar trees. They were waiting for their friend Victor to come outside.
While they were distracted, a little rabbit hopped right up to the edge of the chicken run. He wasn't scared, and the chickens didn't mind him at all. They all just shared the cool evening together in total peace.
It was a gentle reminder that God cares for all His creation. The chickens weren't worried about tomorrow, and neither was the rabbit. They were simply enjoying the moment He provided.
Sometimes our plans don't go exactly as we expect. The greenhouse isn't finished yet, and the garden projects are still waiting. But God arranged the day perfectly, sending neighbors with cartons and opportunities to help others.
We are learning to take life one step at a time. We trust that He is already working on tomorrow, just like He worked on today. We would love to hear how God has surprised you with His timing this week! 📞 🤍
If you are looking for fresh eggs or just want to see what we are up to, you can always check out our photo gallery or stop by the farm. We are so grateful for this community.
"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." ( Galatians 6:9)
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