A Laugh

  A laugh. Such a silly sounding word. I repeat it over and over again in my head until it doesn't even sound like English. Who decided to put those 5 letters together? And why in the world does the 'gh' make a sound that we have a perfectly good letter for? (Do your job, F!)

  A laugh. Something people associate with fun, good times, their best memories. And for good reason. Laughs accompany us during our best moments. During those adrenaline pumping rides on a roller coaster. When someone from your seriously goofy mime team makes a really bad, yet somewhat hilarious, pun. The times when you and one of your best friends are reliving old memories, and inside jokes. Now that's when you really laugh.

  A laugh. There's so much more to this word though. It brings people together. Makes memories, things you'll remember for a long time. It's something so wonderful that the Lord has given us to be able to bond with others and share just a brief moment where we can all laugh, forget about the hard times, and have some time to release.

  A laugh. If this is such a wonderful ability we all have... then why does it remind me of times that I didn't feel like laughing. Times that everyone else was laughing... so I better, or they'll know how I'm feeling right now. Times when really, all I wanted to do is be alone. Times when someone has actually hurt me, but no I can't show that weak side of me. Times when I try to make people laugh, I try to be the funny one, so they can laugh, and not feel how I do.

  A laugh. See, laughs aren't always genuine. Someone may have a smile plastered on their face, forcing the laughing sound to come out. They may look like the happiest person in the world. Their shoulders dropping up and down, playing the motion of a laugh. "Surely," they think "if I play this part, no one will see me for who I am. See my true feelings. I'll just continue to hide them. With a laugh."

  A laugh. Yes they are a wonderful thing. Something we all cherish. But if something seems up with someone. Talk to them. Don't let that person continue to feel this way. Show them the love of Christ through you. Don't leave them behind.

Care for each other and go have a genuine laugh every now and then, will ya?
~Isaac

Meet My Farm! {Long post plus pics}

I believe that much too often people get too caught up in 'what ifs?' and 'hows?' Now, if you know me personally, you might laugh when I say this. Because I myself am a over-planner, worrier, and focus fairly often on those kinds of questions. While thinking things over, and asking yourself those kinds of questions isn't a bad thing, when you let it dictate your goals and dreams, it isn't right.

First off, I do want to say. If those goals, dreams, wants etc. are interfering with God's plan for you, then it may be time to let it go for a while. I don't know anything much worse than trying to fight against God's will. But if these ideas you're trying to work towards seem to have the "go ahead" from God, I think that's a sure indicator to go for it. As long as it doesn't become an idol in your life. Plus, if you can find a way to create a ministry out of it, that's even better!

You might be wondering why I'm even talking about this in a farm post, but you'd be surprised how much work and effort it takes to get a successful farm up and going, and how many people end their dreams of having a farm because they're too worried about other things. Now, I'll be the first to admit, I have a very small hobby farm, but I have plans to increase greatly in the future. That's where those wants and goals come in. I have to be careful not to let my goals of having a successful farm in my future overrule what God wants me to do in life. So after a rather lengthy explanation of that... let's get on to what I do on the farm. 

I got started officially in 2009, but I've been raising animals since probably around 2007-8. It started with Bobwhite Quail, which we hatched ourselves. Bobwhite's are a native gamebird that are used now for meat, eggs, hobby, sport, and conservation efforts. We don't have any Bobwhites right now, but during the years we did you could find 5 or 6 pens full of quail. We averaged 200-300 quail on the farm at all times. 

In 2009 I started with chickens with the intention of eggs. I've been raising chickens ever since and have had lots come and go. Over the past 8 years I've had Red Sex-Links, Buff Orpingtons, Buff Brahmas, Black Australorps, New Hampshires, Easter Eggers, Golden-Laced Wyandottes, and Bantam Cochins. We also raised meat birds one year, and having fresh homegrown white meat in your freezer is a really great thing! Plus I used to get at least a dozen eggs a day, which was great as well.  I've had the numbers of our chickens fluctuate greatly over the years, but right now have 21.

In 2013 I discovered the world of show rabbits (who knew?) and was immediately hooked. I had some trial and error at the beginning, as all do I guess, but finally landed with some good show rabbits. I'll explain showing rabbits in other posts. I decided on the breed, the Holland Lop, and have been going with them for about three years now. My goals for the Hollands will be breeding to improve the breed, the standard, and showing competitively. My rabbit number has fluctuated also, but right now I have 12.

To finish off this post I'll mention what the goals for the future are. I plan to grow quite a big first-time garden this spring, showing and breeding Hollands will become much much more competitive (we're actually heading to our first national show in Indianapolis this year), and I plan to become NPIP certified soon so I can breed and ship purebred/heritage/rare breeds of chickens. More posts are sure to come about the farm, which by the way, is now called Shady Branch Farm. Check out our website and Facebook. Gotta get that free advert in there haha.

Thanks for taking the time to read this lengthy post! Now here are some pictures for you lovely folks!