Tag Archives: Itsnotta farm

Spiritual Preparedness: The Role of John the Baptist

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Welcome back, beloveds, to our second week of this Advent study we’re doing this year! We’re going to look at “preparedness” this week… I suppose an Advent study is entirely about preparing, but this week is specifically about John the Baptist and his role in Jesus’ birth.

We’ve chatted about preparing numerous times here at mittonmusings.com, and I’m not ashamed to say it popped up again this week. We’ve had our first dumping of snow… and I am unprepared. School buses were cancelled again, and the pallets are still sitting on the driveway. I knew winter was coming, but somehow I was stuck in falling leaves and an extended fall season. I’m sure it is too early for a full few weeks of snow, so I am trying to ignore it. Nonetheless, I headed off to do morning chores including the dumping of ice and refreshing water with my trusty butter knife to hack away at the ice… but in Crocs and a sweater because I have no idea where my winter coat is.

We’ve had to go searching for shovels in the barn and the fretting for my bunnies has begun. It was literally only -4 degrees Celsius, but I worry they get cold. My new chick birds are unprepared for all this white stuff… and I am not sure they know they can go back in to the coop. So far, they seem all huddled in the corner (outside). I must show them the way — again!

My “bunny basket” now includes an “ice hacker” knife…

In addition to being physically prepared for things, I like to be prepared in other ways. The hubby and I were having a financial discussion the other day (as one does in marriage) and he asked me what I’d like to do with a little surplus cash flow we had. He did not like my answer. If (and when) we get goats in the spring, we need a new fence and a little shelter for them (so I don’t worry about them in the winter…) and so I need to save up for said fence. I’m also reading and talking to people who have goats… which all say they are fun — but escape… hence fence discussions. My mother thinks I’m crazy. The hubby thinks, well, never mind what he thinks. I’m mentally preparing for goats.

Preparation. It’s important. My winter tires were on early this year… which allowed me to get groceries in the middle of our first snow. We’re gonna need a fence for escape artist goats. Fresh water is important. Luke 1 gives us the preparation story of John the Baptist’s birth announcement. It outlines the other special delivery sent to Elizabeth and Zachariah. And although they were righteous and believers… real life had them doubting. Can you imagine meeting an angel from Heaven who tells you you’re gonna have a baby in the middle of the most important day of your career as priest in the temple? Poor Zachariah was already under pressure… no wonder he was dumbstruck. A little un-prepared, I’d say, for such an encounter.

Yet, this was a significant birth announcement. John had a very important role to play. He was set apart for special service from the very beginning. He was the forerunner to prepare for the coming Christ. He served a very unique role with major distinctions that set him apart. Like us, we should stand out as ones who are “pointers” to the second coming. Ones who prepare the way. Part of that, for me, is this little blog I do each week. It’s my way of highlighting my spiritual journey to (hopefully) walk along side of ya’ll in yours!

Photo by Vladimir Srajber on Pexels.com

And I don’t know if this “lesson” has had any coherent points. I’m feeling like it’s a little all over the place. So, let’s draw some conclusions. Advent reminds us to look forward, not only to Christmas time, but to the second coming of Christ, by looking backward to the Birth of Jesus. We have done that this week by looking at John the Baptist, his special birth announcement, and his role in “pointing the way” for Jesus and His ministry. We are instructed to do the same. Like getting new pets in spring, or winter’s arrival, we all must be prepared for what is to come. And that means, studying and sharing with others. That studying may mean sacrifice, repenting, preparation or a host of other things as we fulfill our role in God’s plan for us. Are you prepared? Are you preparing? Hopefully, this little advent focus has reminded you to get on that track once again. Me? I’m off to hack at some ice. Blessings!

Emotional Lessons on Faith from Chicken Keeping

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Another beautiful Tuesday here in sunny Ontario, Canada, and another thought for you from my little piece of the Internet. We’ve just celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving, and all the fall activities and sights and sounds are upon us. They say the colours are a bit muted this year, so I don’t know how to feel about that. I’m not so sure. Around here, the golden fields are rich in the sunlight, and I am reminded to be thankful. There’s lots of fall thanksgiving, gratitude, and blessings posts here at mittonmusings.com, so if you’re looking for one of those, do a simple search and I am sure it’ll pop up for you. This week, however, was not one of those gratitude musings… well at least not in the beginning. I had a bit of an emotional roller coaster of a night the other night, so I’ll share:

As you all know, the chickens here are the main attraction. They are the reason I dragged my family to the sticks to make a living. You’ll also know that we’ve lost a few to predators. I think the risk is worth it, so I continue to free range my girlies. It’s fun to watch them chase the bugs (and frogs and mice…). It brings me joy. However, the last time we were away we lost three to (what we suspect is) a coyote. Three is pretty devastating when you have a small flock, so a few weeks back we went about replacing those hens. Now, I am new to this chicken tending thing and have only ever raised day old chicks. Only this close to winter, chicks are harder to find and keep. The big companies don’t sell them and they will go outside too close to colder temperatures, so “teenager” chickens were the ticket. “Pullets” in the chicken keeping world. So, several weeks ago we brought home three new girls (hopefully girls!).

Travelling home with three new teenagers who are all wet because they dumped their water!

Then came the process of quarantining, integrating with the existing flock (the pecking order is a real thing!) and getting them to trust me and bond and all that good stuff. The bonding is a little harder with pullets because they are already fully feathered and didn’t spend any time with me in the house. They were able to go straight outside. Which means they don’t know my voice yet. They haven’t fully learned all the routines yet. They don’t trust me yet. Which is where my story begins.

A few nights ago I went out to put everyone to bed. The older girls were safely tucked up on the roosts already. The nights are getting darker earlier and I missed “dusk”. It was already dark… and the new girls were no where to be found. The hubby and I checked every bush and brush. I called and climbed. The new girls have been wandering a bit farther and farther from their coop as they gain confidence … but they did not recognize my voice.

I second guessed my whereabouts. I was home all night. Did I hear anything? I didn’t see anything. Did the dog bark unusually during the evening? I should have gone out before dark. I should have spent more time with them before letting them free range. I don’t deserve pets. I’m not worthy of animals, I’m no farmer. I dragged the whole family here for nothing… And the emotional spiral down begins. Then the tears. The hubby says “They are just stupid chickens” — not worth crying over. Yet, us girls go there in the middle of the night when we are upset. They don’t know me yet, and it was my fault!

My emotional breakdown was real, but unnecessary, and totally unwarranted, not only because it isn’t totally true, but because the next morning when I went out, three fluffy, buff coloured heads poked out from behind the bushes and looked at me. We had looked there. Twice. Even that morning they didn’t come running to greet me. I only noticed them after I heard the bushes rustle. Then, of course, I called and offered treats and goo goo voiced at them as prayers of thankfulness flowed and the begging of forgiveness for taking my lack of pullet training for granted. I’m such a basket case some days.

Safe and sound and learning to come when called!

In John 10, there is a strikingly similar story that Jesus tells about sheep. It was such a vivid parallel to me! It tells us that the sheep only recognize the voice of the good shepherd. They don’t recognize the voice of the thief that comes in the night. The one who comes from the back door only to prey on them with doubt. Only the voice that they trust (and recognize) to keep them safe will lead them to the rich green pastures. Or in my case, the warm and shielded chicken coop. Needless to say, I am working on my pullet bonding these days.

Are you there, my friend? Do you recognize the voice of the good shepherd? It takes time. It takes work. It requires trust to be built. You must learn the routines. Go back and read the story. It’s a good one. I’ll be back again next week with more thoughts on this faith journey and how God is showing me through crazy chicken keeping how our faith gets lived out on the daily. We’ll catch up soon.

Unfinished DIY Projects and Reflections: Another Day in the Life

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Well my lovelies… I’m sitting here on another random Tuesday, trying to come up with something to write about before putting on a pot to boil for spaghetti dinner. It’s a cool, damp day and it’s been a slow one from the start. I slept in too late. I likely spent more time on the internet than I should have. I soaked in the bath way too long and got all wrinkly. Time seems to be stuck again. The weather’s been fabulous for October and so projects keep getting dreamed up. Unfortunately, none of those projects seem to get finished. Currently, the pallets are still sitting in my driveway, and I decided to stain some outdoor furniture instead. Then, of course, it rained all morning and increased my drying time. And I forgot to clean the entire piece before I started at the back, so now will have to put off the front until everything is completely dry before I can hose it down again to wash up the front. I’m new to this staining thing, but I like it. Patience. That’s the ticket, right? True artistry takes time.

Started staining my porch bench

Luckily, I’m frugal (read cheap). So most of my inspirations have to be as well. Which, come to think of it, might not be ideal either. I think I can do it myself for cheaper, when sometimes it just pays to put the money in for a “professional”. Did you know you can paint a fabric couch? So if you buy a cheap but sturdy ugly patterned one… Anyway, here we are with another post going nowhere. There’s been a lot of moving parts on Itsnotta farm lately, and I am not sure where it’s all going to end up. Half finished projects and a pocket full of dreams?

Speaking of pockets, guess what happened to me yesterday? Collected eggs in the pocket of a sweater… and forgot them there. Which reminds me, I have to do some laundry. And there are dishes in the sink. But. Full stop. The kids are safe and well fed. I connected with a friend today who needed me. The hubby went to work at a stable job. The rains fell and watered the ground. I chased my free ranging chickens back home from the neighbouring farm field where they were taking in the bounty of the land. I smiled because I have them, and the land they roam through.

Canadian thanksgiving is coming up soon. We’ll be feasting as usual. We’ll likely complain about politics and chat about movies. We are truly, truly blessed. I’m pondering that today. Counting my many blessings. Knowing that each dream I conjure up is because I am comfortable enough not to have to worry about basic necessities. For this, I must learn to be thankful. Thankful and grateful that God has placed me here in this time and place with these people to love. So much of our world is dark and dismal. Even in abundance, there are those who are so lost.

The girls are back home, and the porch needs decorating for fall, but I am grateful.

You have heard me say it many times before, friends. Our faith journey must extend beyond our own little world. We must touch others. My projects will get done. Eventually. The dishes will be there when I am ready. We’ll find uses for the pallets. More importantly, I will love my friend. My grand baby will be prayed for. My family will know they are loved and I will be there for them in the future. No matter what the future holds. And we’ll be here for you again next week, too, my beloveds, as we travel along this journey together. So maybe this post doesn’t have a deep thought, or a significant musing. There’s no theological connection to some profound enlightenment. Maybe it’s just me going through the moments of a seemingly meaningless day and discovering there is meaning in it all. Yes, if you stop for a minute and look at the much bigger picture, it all has some meaning. It has to. Therefore, I’ll be back again next time, and invite you along, because, maybe you’re like me and just trying to juggle it all with a bit of dreaming on the side.