My Most Favorite Person

I have the most amazing boyfriend ever. Really. He's tall, dark, and handsome but that's the least of my reasons to love him. I've told him over and over (he's probably sick of me saying it) that he's my most favorite person in the world.

When something exciting happens, he's the first person I text. When I'm angry and frustrated, he's the one who gets the phone call. And at the end of a long day, there's no one I want to talk to more than him.

Every day he makes an effort to let me know how much he loves me. He tells me I'm pretty and that he's the luckiest man alive. He tells me he loves me about 1,000 times a day and sometimes I think my heart might brim over with happiness.

 

But then I thought - isn't this the way we should look at Christ? Shouldn't He be my favorite person in the whole wide world? When I get in a predicament no matter how big or small, doesn't He want to hear them all? No matter how many times I get angry or frustrated or want to pout, doesn't He love continuously?

I felt guilty at first that I had never thought of this before. But then I realized how blessed I was that I had a man that brought out the Jesus in me.

"He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm." - Proverbs 13:20

Despite what girls want the world to see, girls are yucky sometimes. Sometimes I get sick and look miserable and act impatient. But he'll still kiss my forehead and tell me he loves me. This takes commitment people.

"In the day of my trouble, I call upon you and you answer me." Psalm 86:7

Sometimes we fight. Usually because I get frustrated. I will yell and throw things and take it out on him, even when he did nothing wrong....simply because he's the one I feel most comfortable with. And you know what he does? He gets mad for about 5 seconds then asks me not to be frustrated with him. And usually we get over it.

"My dear brothers: take note of this - everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. For a man's anger does not bring about the righteous life God desires." - James 1:19-20
 

Other times we fight and man we really get angry. This is normal in relationships I think. And do you know what? He's always the first to apologize. I mean always the first!

"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked "Lord, how many times should I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven times"" - Matthew 18:21-22

Don't get me wrong, he's a typical guy. He's not perfect. He says things he doesn't mean, and thinks flatulance is the worlds funniest thing. And I'm pretty sure after two years of dating he still doesn't remember my birthday. But I love him for the big things and don't think I can love him anymore. (I can't wait to see how love grows!)

"But when the goodness and loving kindness of God, our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirirt." -Titus 3:4-5

 

My message is this: be with men who bring out Christ in themselves and more importantly yourself. But always remember that no man can be as perfect and loving as Christ!

 

The Truth About Farms: Accidents Happen

If I close my eyes and think, it would take more than two hands to count the number of mothers I know who have had premature babies. I'm sure you know some too.

So I got to thinking. All of these women I know are fantastic people. They love their children. Given the opportunity to carry a baby full-term, it wouldn't have been a question. 

Did they do anything wrong? No!

Is it their fault? No!

What happened? Who knows.

My point is that no matter what these mothers did, they couldn't avoid having a preterm baby. It was an unfortunate event. Period.

Well folks, I'm here to tell you the same thing happens on farms. Gasp! I said it. I told you the truth, the dark side. The not-so-flowery, non public approved, it really happens fact of the matter.

I can't tell you how many seminars I've attended where people say: some things don't need to be shared to the public. If it isn't pretty, don't tell people because people don't want to know.

Well, if you don't want to know, don't read this article.

But, just like life and just like humans, sad things happen on a farm too. And I don't believe that people want things "hidden".

No matter what farmers do, calves are going to be born early. Some will break their legs. Some get sick.

Now, before you point fingers, stop and ask yourself if your child has ever caught a cold or broken their arm??

Yeah, mhmm, not so fair to bash on farmers when you see a calf in a cast. Farmers care and love their animals just the same, but accidents happen. And unlike your two or three children, farmers could have 20 or 200 to take care of.

Let me show you some examples.

This spring, we had a calf born who's front feet were turned up. They weren't broken, they were perfectly normal. The problem was, he was probably turned funky inside the womb and the tendons in his feet didn't form right. All we had to do was put some casts on and force him to stand up.

Did he wanna do it? Nope, it hurt! Was he in pain? Maybe a little. But, here's the deal, if we didn't force him to get up and walk, he was never going to walk.

(I named him Forrest because we had to "give him new legs".)

It broke my heart holding him up and making him walk because I knew he didn't like it. But the day he stood up and walked on his own, he ran! He jumped and played and ran because for the first time in his life he could walk.

It was worth it.

Here's another one. I named this little girl AnnaBelle. She was born about 2 months early.  When she was born, she was tiny! Her hair wasn't completely formed, and she was too weak to stand. We kept her under heaters for weeks.

Even when she was 2 months old, she was smaller than a baby that was a day old. I wish I had pictures of when she was a baby.

But, here she is today, at 4 months old. She's some kind of spunky. I think she knows she got more attention than the other babies.

So, yes, accidents happen on a farm. I'm sorry to tell you but it does. It breaks our hearts the same as yours. 

Here's what I'm asking. Think of a farm the same as people. Because accidents happen and we're not perfect. 

But what I can assure you is that farmers and ranchers have dedicated their lives to improving animal care and minimizing accidents the best they can. It's our job as farmers to provide for animals; you'll be hard pressed to find an occupation where people care more than that of agriculture.

So here's to you farmers: for induring the heartache and pain of running a farm when running away sounds like a far better plan.

I'll tip my hat every day and pray for ya. Thanks for providing for the animals that provide for us.  Thanks mom and dad. Thanks to ya all.

Farm Fact Friday: A Pig Is A Pig

So now that we have finished with covering what each animal is called, let's talk about the different breeds animals can be!

Just like dogs can be a Labrador or a Chihuahua; cattle, sheep, and pigs can be different breeds too! For the most part, they will be the same size vicinity, unlike that Lab vs Chihuahua, but the breeds are totally different.

So today, since I've already covered cattle, we'll dive right into pigs!

The first breed, that has the highest registration numbers, is the Yorkshire, or York. The York breed is well-known for being great mothers! York's are solid white and have ears that stand upright naturally.
Hog tip: if the breed name ends in "shire" you know it has ears that stand upright. If it doesn't, then it's ears are floppy, or down.

 

 

 

The next breed, also very popular, is the Hampshire. Hamps are known for their muscle!

 

 

Hamps are solid black with a white belt right behind their shoulders. Again, it ends in "shire", so it's ears stand straight up.

 

The next breed is totally different. This solid red hog is called a Duroc, and are known for their growth rate, and also muscling ability.

 

 

Now, the next pig, which looks strikingly similar to the York, is called a Landrace. Landrace's are also known for being great mothers! They are also solid white, but this time they have very large ears that hang down over their eyes!

 

Anyway, these are the most easily recognizable breeds in the hog industry. There are LOTS of others, here is a link to the National Swine Registry explaining these same breeds in a little greater detail.

 

Comment below for any basic ag questions! Have a great weekend.

State Fair of Texas Entry Deadline

Hello all!

This blog post is just a friendly reminder that if you are a livestock exhibitor in the great state of Texas, the entry deadline for the State Fair of Texas youth show is MONDAY, August 25th!

Remember: entries MUST be submitted online - no mail in youth show entries accepted.

Click here to go to the online portal.

Best of luck to all! Be sure that if you have any questions at all, call the State Fair Livestock Office at 214-421-8723.

 

Farm Fact Friday ~ Boy or Girl ~ Horses

Okay, we have reached the end of our "name calling session"! The final blog in this group covers horses, also referred to as: equine.

Now, I will admit it. Even though I am a farm girl through and through, I am not a horse person! Yes, I live on a cattle ranch. No, I do not own a horse. I just wanted to confess that. I feel better now.

But, I do know a little about horses. Enough to write a blog on naming. Horses have a lot of name changing going on!

So when born, a baby horse is called a: foal.

A girl foal is termed: a filly. You know, like the movie :)

A boy foal is termed: a colt.

When a filly has her first baby, she is then called: a mare.

When a colt grows older, and is no longer a baby, he is referred to as a: stallion.

The colt will become a stallion unless he is castrated, at which point he will be termed: a gelding.

Whew! We've finished our name calling adventure! Once again, have a great weekend.

Be sure to comment below if you have any farm questions you would like answered! Remember, no question is "too silly", I love to talk about agriculture and I would love to answer any ag questions you have.

Farm Fact Friday ~ Boy or Girl ~ Pigs

Alright! We are breezing right on through the naming of species! Today's topic: pigs. In case anyone was wondering, pigs are termed: porcine. Easy enough.

So, pigs aren't like other farm animals, in fact, they're the most different of all. Most animals, like cows and horses, will typically have 1 baby. Pigs, however, will have litters, like dogs or cats. Pigs can have anywhere from 2-14 babies at a time!

When they're born, pigs are called: piglets. AKA the cutest animal on the planet.

The piglets that are girls are referred to as: gilts. She will remain a gilt until she "farrows" (or delivers) her first litter.

When the female has her first litter, she will change from being a "gilt" to a "sow".

Now as for the boys. When they are born, all boys are called "boars".

They will remain a "boar" all their life.

Most boar pigs, however, are castrated and used for pork products. When they are castrated, they are then called: barrows.

And that is all for the pig name calling :)

We are almost done with our naming segment. Next week is horses, then we are finished! If you have any questions or want to know more information about an area of agriculture, comment below!

Sweet Sunday: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

And that's all I need to say.