From Pig Roasts to Posts: A Week of Hard Work and New Beginnings
After a wonderfully relaxing weekend at Dale and June’s annual pig roast, it was time to roll up my sleeves and dive back into the farmwork. The weekend had been a much-needed reprieve, filled with good food, great company, and plenty of laughter. But as with all things, the fun eventually came to an end, and it was time to tackle the tasks at hand.
The first order of business? Picking up more posts. I paid another visit to Grant to grab as many as I could carry, along with a roll of bison wire mesh for fencing. It felt like the start of something big—like I was laying the foundation for what’s to come, both literally and figuratively.
The Groundwork Begins
Monday rolled around, and Dale was kind enough to bring over the skid steer once more. We were on a mission to get posts into the ground, and thanks to his help, we managed to push 70 posts into the earth in just three hours. The heat was intense, but we moved quickly, seeking refuge in whatever shade we could find. With each post planted, the fencing area was slowly but surely taking shape.
Meanwhile, the sheep were getting antsy. They’d been cooped up in a small enclosure for over a week now, and their patience was wearing thin. I couldn’t blame them. But after their last great escape, I wasn’t eager to try harnessing them again just yet. I had my hands full as it was. With the posts in place, I took a moment to thank God for the help and the strength to get it done. It’s easy to forget, but when I pause to reflect, I realize that the ability to keep moving forward is a gift.
Gratitude for Neighbors
I was blessed by an unexpected favor from my new neighbor to the East, who graciously allowed me to run the mesh along his barbed-wire fence. That saved me from needing to put up additional posts, which was a huge relief. It’s moments like this that remind me of the beauty of community—people coming together to make the work lighter and easier.
Once the posts were in, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work unrolling and cutting the bison wire mesh to size. Incredibly, by the end of the day, I had managed to finish half of the fencing while also pushing posts. My body was sore, but it felt good to see progress. As I worked, I couldn’t help but think about how much effort it takes to build something lasting. It’s much like our lives. We put in the hard work, day by day, and before we know it, we’re building something beautiful, even if we can’t always see the end result.
A New Chapter for the Sheep
The following morning, I was up at the crack of dawn—6:00 a.m. sharp. It was cooler then, and I had a lot to do. By noon, I had finished not only the fencing but also put together two temporary gates. I’m still waiting to get the wood to build permanent gates, but for now, this will do. With the main fencing done, I was finally able to round up the sheep and move them to the new pasture.
Twitch, my trusty dog, was as excited as I was to see the sheep out on fresh grass. There’s something about seeing them in the new pasture that feels like a fresh start. Twitch wasted no time pushing them into the area, though I have to admit, corralling them back to the pen at night has been a bit of a challenge. Twitch is still learning how to guide them effectively, but I have no doubt she’ll master it soon. Practice makes perfect.
Preparing for Goats and More Work Ahead
With the sheep comfortably settled into their new home, I turned my attention to the final piece of the puzzle: adding the top electrical wire to keep them safe. That’s one of the things I’ve learned over the years—safety always comes first. I managed to get the tensioned wire in place, and I’m happy to report that the sheep have spent an entire day out there without any issues.
But the work didn’t stop there. I’ve got plans for goats too, and so with the sheep safely in their new enclosure, I shifted my focus to the next project: preparing for them. There’s still plenty of work to be done before I can bring in the goats, but I’m confident that everything will fall into place in due time.
With the rabbit enclosure upgraded and the sheep happily grazing in their new pasture, it’s time to change gears once again. I’m off to pick up lumber for the A-Frame. Over the next six weeks, it’s all about framing, and I can’t wait to see how it all comes together.
Reflecting on the Journey
Through it all—the hard work, the sweat, the tired muscles—I’ve found myself reflecting on the bigger picture. Building something from the ground up isn’t just about physical labor; it’s about patience, perseverance, and faith. There are days when things don’t go as planned, when the weather is too hot or the work is too much. But in those moments, I remind myself that the work I’m doing is part of a larger purpose. Whether you’re building a home, a farm, or a life, it’s all about laying the foundation and trusting that God’s plan is unfolding, step by step.
The Bible speaks to this idea of building with intention and trust. In Matthew 7:24-25, Jesus tells us:
“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”
Just like that wise man, I’m laying a foundation, not just for the farm, but for my life, anchored in faith and guided by purpose. Every day brings new challenges, but I trust that with hard work and God’s grace, the foundation of my home will hold strong, just like Christ’s foundation in my faith.
So, as I continue on this journey, I’ll take each new task as it comes—one post, one wire, and one step at a time.