Whether your heart’s been through the ringer or you’re just in need of a pick me up, there’s no better therapy than animals and photography. Would you believe it’s even better than red wine and dark chocolate?!?! The things this citygirl-turned-farmgirl never thought she’d say! Here’s a glimpse of the animal beauty on the farm these days…with a few updates along the way.
Yes, that’s TWO sheep you see!
Meet Rosemary, Lily’s older sister and much needed companion.
Rosemary was a bit of a rescue operation, but then again, aren’t we all?!?! Poor girl has suffered a prolapse, a c-section, a still birth, and a poisonous snake bite. She has fought for her life! But since she’s no longer fit for breeding, she was headed to the stockyard. {Not a good place for a ewe who can’t have babies to go!} Our wonderful sheep breeder gave her to us for free. What a gift to Lily!
Rosemary came to us with the name “Billy Jo.” But I took one look at her and knew she was a Rosemary. {Sheep don’t really know or respond to their names, but shepherds do. I may forget who I am, but my Shepherd calls me by name…and even calls me crazy, loving, personal things like Bravehearted Beauty!} And I didn’t think of this until today, but when we buried Lavender, we placed this into her grave:
I wasn’t planning on snipping any rosemary as I walked through the garden to gather a few lavender flowers for Lavender’s grave, but as I passed by the barrels of rosemary, I recalled something my Aunt Judy told me years ago: rosemary symbolizes remembrance.
Rosemary was reserved and skittish at first, but she has stuck to Lily’s side like glue and has quickly learned to trust our love for sheep. I’d say this is pretty trusting:
And Lily, who never misses a chance to give dirty nose kisses!
These girls like to get all up in my space!
And in the cat space, too! Especially Lily.
Crazy to think she could fit right through the cat door when we first got her!
Here’s what happens when I come out of the barn shed with a big scoop of feed:
Talk about having all your ducks in a row!
And then there’s what I call chicken happy hour:
And a glamour shot of our girl Hope:
Do you remember how she got her name? She arrived on our farm a very sick little chick. We prayed over her and had HOPE that she would live. And a year and a half later, she’s the only survivor out of our first 12 chickens. Like Rosemary, she’s a fighter! Thankful that HOPE IS ALIVE on our farm!
And what would Ten 10 Farm be without our good shepherds?
Our gentle giants know when to kick it into high gear. The other night, they killed a coyote who dared to enter our pasture in search of a duck dinner. That coyote should have heeded the bark warning! Buddy and Bella drove it straight into the pond and pinned it down in a few feet of water until my husband appeared. They don’t even like water! I’m still in awe of their God-given instincts…and how they know when to use them. They protect life on our farm every single day.
And one last update…and a big one at that! We have another new “family” member here at Ten 10 Farm. We have a precious 22 year-old girl living with us for the next nine months. She just graduated from college and is participating in the Fellows Program here in Nashville. They needed host families, and in yet another act of faith and courage, we said YES just a few weeks ago. Right in the middle of our mess, our counseling, our teenage emotions and our beautiful brokenness, we said YES!
And get this: she’s from TEXAS! Looks like our giant Lonestar State flag is finally making someone feel welcome! Can you believe she’s the only one from Texas in the entire Nashville program, and we get to have her?!?! We love her already, and like everything else we’ve done by faith, we’re feeling like this was a VERY good yes!
Have a wonderful weekend, my Bravehearted Beauties!
Dianne - I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this post. The farm scenes are so very precious. Thank you for sharing. If I lived closer I would be over there in a flash! Such beauty! I am proud of you for saying YES to many different things. Your life will be so enriched. xo
Adrienne - Wow! Just wow! The animals, the farm and the new addition to your family. You are a brave hearted beauty! I am overwhelmed at times with kids and sports and youth groups, but add to that keeping a whole farm alive AND thriving?? God is surely with you <3. Have a wonderful day Linsey!
P.s. My daughter who struggles with anxiety took it upon herself to make an appt. with the Christian counselor at her school. Just the fact that she did this on her own (with a gentle nudge from the Holy Spirit I'm sure :)), made me happy!
Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage - I just love the photos of the ducks all lined up! You brought a big smile to my face this morning!
Carrie - Wonderful pictures! I love all the animals but your “shepards” get me every time! Amazing that they instinctively do what the Lord created them to do! They are just beautiful!
chrissi - picture perfect. every shot. but your words make it beyond all of that. they make it real♥
Audrey Baker - So glad I found you again!
I so enjoy your posts, as they are so good for my heart, mind and soul!
Thank you for sharing all of your beauty!
Audrey
Sherry - Awesome pictures!!!!! And awesome words! God bless you all. It all touches my heart so much!
Abbie A - I’m so glad you were able to rescue that baby. Your farm is such a great metaphor for the ebb and flow of life!
Although we often encounter loss, love always flows back in to purify the heart.
Roberta - I recently discovered you through another blog. The post I read really spoke to my heart. We moved from California to Oregon in December. There are many fields and old barns, lots of animals, sheep and horses. There are deer that get hit on the back country roads and my heart just sinks and it makes me wonder what mama or baby or dad think when someone if missing.. Makes me sad. There will be no tears, sorrow or sadness in heaven.. Praise God!You have a beautiful ability(God given gift) to write..