Easter Lambs

Introducing our newest farm babies:

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Sweet little lamb sisters.

{I know you’re dying to see pictures, so I’ll save the story for the end.}

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Can you stand it?!?!

Some people get pretty new Easter outfits and baskets full of candy; some people get lambs! {I guess we’re officially farmers when we choose lambs over pretty clothes and candy!} I’ve always had a thing for lambs and sheep, but I never imagined I’d someday have my own! When we were dreaming of life on a farm, all I could envision were chickens. And now here we are with chickens, ducks, livestock guardian dogs, a sheep herding dog, barn cats, lambs and baby turkeys {the turkeys are my husband’s project; the only animal we intend to harvest. Not my thing, so I may not photograph them much}.

Here’s the story: on Good Friday, I thought it would be fun to visit a local sheep farm. Just to see the lambs and learn about sheep in case we wanted to add them to our farm in a year or two. No more newness; time to settle into what we’ve got. But when I saw these sweet little lambs, I couldn’t resist. Not in a “I can’t say no” kind of way. But in a “this just feels right” kind of way. Being around the sheep made me feel alive. And I’m all about saying yes to life these days!

So while my husband was talking with John about tractors, tools and other farm stuff, I was asking Abby if we could buy any of her lambs as pets…thinking she’d tell us next year. And she did at first, but as I watched the lambs, I just had to ask if there was a way we could buy some right now. When she said yes, I looked at the girls, saw their shock and excitement over my spontaneity, then broke the news to JD. I’m sure in that moment he had to wonder who I had become. What happened to the girl who has to overthink everything and talks herself out of most things? What happened to the girl who has a plan, sticks to it and doesn’t embrace unexpected change and newness? Well, I’m not that girl anymore. I’m a Bravehearted Beauty. And I think my family likes it!

As I look back over my life, the craziest decisions I’ve made {saying yes to JD after only knowing him for 2 1/2 months; leaving Enron when my career and earning potential looked so promising; moving to a small farm in Franklin when I thought I’d spend my entire life in Houston} have all been leaps of faith that led to more life. And as my daughter pointed out, when I’m feeling fear that I’ve lost my mind and have gone crazy, I’m usually right where God wants me. He always does something good in that place.

So on Saturday, we said yes to more life and brought these two little lamb sisters home. Hysterical that they rode in the back of the jeep! And here we are, learning as we go. A total crash course in raising sheep! And let me tell you, they are the sweetest things on the planet! When I enter the barnyard, they come leaping and bounding toward me with the sweetest little “maaaaa” sound. They follow me wherever I go and lean into my legs like little children. {I’m dirtier than I’ve ever been, by the way. Another layer of my obsession with cleanliness stripped away!}

Our farm was meant to have sheep. How do I know apart from the deep feeling of peace and joy I felt in my spirit when I saw them? The name of our farm is Ten 10 Farm, after John 10:10. {I have come that you might have life and have it to the full!} When I came home from the sheep farm on Good Friday, I read the entire chapter of John 10 aloud. It’s all about the sheep and the shepherd. So of course we need sheep on Ten 10 Farm!

We think their names are Lily and Lavender. Lily for the Easter Lily, and Lavender because I love all things lavender. {We have dreams of growing it here someday.} Calling out “Lavender” sounds a little funny right now. Though we mostly just call out “girls” and they come running!

Yes to life, my friends. Yes to life!