By raising goats, our children have had the opportunity to learn about so many aspects of life first hand. We have never had to have those awkward conversations about ‘where babies come from’ because they know exactly where the seed is, where it goes and what happens to make a baby goat! The process of reproduction is a natural part of their lives.
They have watched and helped the does giving birth…
and have witnessed how the mothers care for their new born kids…
they have watched as new borns take their first breath…
and cared for and enjoyed them as they grow…
they have experienced having weak kids, and learning how to help them get a good start in life…
and they have learned to deal with death when one or two are lost. They also know that to eat meat comes with a sacrifice. They have learned good stewardship, and care for all the goats equally no matter whether they are for milk or for meat.
By keeping goats, our children have learned and are learning naturally more than I could ever have imaged, and for that I am very grateful.
Howdy, Christine! Dropping by to say I love the goaty pictures and the new design. It is very pretty.
shalom Phyllis! thanks for your encouragement!
I hope one day Abba will lead us to sone land where we can keep goats! I LOVE the beautiful life lessons that your gorgeous childrenhave witnessed and learnt first hand mate. What a HUGE blessing. Just loved this post and the last one too
Love you guys x
I hope and pray that YHVH has this lifestyle planned for you guys too Lus
AMEIN Sister. This is so true. Every aspect of it. Our children also have learned about death, and life, about staying up with sick goats all night – every night – for a month.
They have had to learn responsibilities both in the barn and with the goats. They have done the fun stuff, the hard stuff, the gross stuff, and the stuff that no one wants to deal with. Our first kidding went great, the second one was an emergency that ended up with two dead kids, one live one, and a sick momma goat. That was really hard. I felt really inadequate, but we managed to save the doe and her little girl kid who became a family favourite.
I have slept in the drafty old barn on a couple of hay bales when I was 8m pregnant in February in Indiana – if you know what that means!! lol
We have had goats in the house and the garage and even a lame goat we made a brace and cared for for 8 months in a box, because he couldn’t walk.
It is a good, hard life, and I love it. When we got those two stubborn goats in May 2006, our lives were changed forever. I sure am glad about that.
I love looking into your life, my friend!
Shalom~
yes Jacque! its all those things and even though its hard, and sometimes I want to give it all up and go back to suburbian living, I know I really could never do it
Yep, me neither. Many “I can’t take this anymore” tears have been shed here… but we couldn’t either, and I hope we never have to again.