Wonders Never Ceasing...

During this time of the year, when spring has full sprung and summer is hinted at around every corner, we have been as busy as ever with both culminating projects and the beginning of new endeavors. Full of hope are we, ever forging our life in the sacraments and in heartfelt petitions, as we realize daily that our children are growing right up under us, and there is no rest for the weary, especially when the family is trying their best to live on a little farm! 

Recently, we have progressed from full-blown consternation in the adventure of learning to milk goats to moderate manageability in the process, which is something to be grateful for. That one can say she knows how to milk a goat is no small feat - at least not now in our book. The rich and creamy liquid gold we get in return for our efforts has made the hard work worthwhile! In the same matter of many weeks, we loosely watched one of the hens sitting and then hatching eggs - though, all Jemima Puddleduck, she decided she had accomplished her task after a mere two adorable chicks were born and abandoned the rest of the enormous clutch! The family scrambled to make a make-shift incubator and, after sorting them as best we could, fervently poured all our attention to those abandoned eggs with prayers to Our Lady of the Hens and honestly feeble hopes that any would come to fruition. But, as things often go in surprises around here, we ended up with one miraculous hatch and it was a wonder to witness. After a week of warming and tending to and turning those eggs, we were on the cusp of giving up, when we heard a peep from inside one of the shells! And the next day we watched the little creature emerge. For five days more we nurtured the dear little thing - the only new sibling to make it - and learned a whole world about what chickens are like when they are first hatched and in their first days of growing up. It came when we called, and snuggled happily into our lightly cupped hands, peeking curiously out every once in a while to make sure all was well before snuggling back down again, and we all cheered when it took its first proud drink of water all by itself! These happy moments are lifetime treasured memories for us with the children, for it is in their shining eyes we get a glimpse of heaven!​

It was with trepidation that we introduced it to its mother and the other two chicks, since there was no guarantee she would accept it. Enduring fierce pecks, we tried to sneak it under her one night, and though it was a precarious thing Our Lady did not fail. In the morning we saw our little one hopping around happier than it had ever been, finally having found its proper mother and family. It will always remain special since we had to help it so and, to boot, it was born with a funny leg...the infinitesimal-seeming bandaid cast we made its infant foot did not avail...and so it will also remain in the care of Our Lady of the Hens - may it thrive!

We take the wonders we encounter seriously and do believe He made the world full wondrous, never ceasing, really - and are grateful for our small part in His beautiful end. Even as these feathered creatures are but a shadow of the intricate wonders of the life of the created human soul, it is a joy to be reminded that out of love He made us and everything that exists, that even in a fallen world He affords us moments of real happiness, and that through every trial and little consolation He is drawing us ever closer to Himself and our eternity with Him in heaven!