Twenty-Seven

Kraig took Colton on a daddy son date on Friday. The location was a surprise, even to me. Kraig said little as they loaded in the car, but his big dimple smile told me he was up to something. Hours later, they came home with six goats, one of which was one day old! They had them loaded in our SUV, the mamas and the billy in crates, the tiny newborn kid in Colton's lap, and the twin kids hopping around in the car. What a sight to see!

The day before this car load of animals pulled up our driveway, John, our sheep breeder text Kraig in desperate need of someone to take these goats. His newest kid wouldn't nurse, and John is older and not in great health and couldn't commit to the frequent bottle feedings. The kid would die. That was enough for Kraig- the goats would be ours. So, he loaded up our son and went to the rescue. We have very minimal knowledge on raising goats, and all the "what if's" would have stopped me immediately, but not Kraig. These are the moments I'd never have if I wasn't married to him. Yes, things might be a little (or a lot!) less chaotic, but they'd also be way less meaningful.

Now we are a few days into caring for these little creatures and they've already taught us so much. The way a mama goat calls for and recognizes her babies is amazing. The way a baby goat can go from so weak and frail to frolicking just a day later is incredible. The way the billy goat thinks he's a big tough guy as he protects his girls is adorable. These goats have smoothly joined our farm and once again shown me that we are capable of things that make us uncomfortable.

A few days after the goats arrived here, John text us to check-in. We told him all are thriving, even the littlest, who we were able to get on a bottle quickly and frequently. His reply message read like this, "All very good to hear. If you knew how earnestly I prayed (pleaded, begged) for that kid after losing Tittle's doe kid the week before (and kicking myself for not being as attentive then), how I knew I couldn't keep bottle feeding her for 6 weeks by myself, and how immediately you called right after I had texted three friends for advice about how to get the mother to suckle her baby, you would be as much in awe of an answered prayer as I am. Thank you sooo much!"

And just like that, these crazy beautiful moments on this ever-growing farm continue to show me that God will use anything to refine me- even goats!