Gifts: The good, the bad, and the chickens...?

We are not farmers.

True, we live in the country.

But everyone who lives in the country doesn’t own a farm.

 I even looked up the word ‘farm’ to make sure—I was correct.

Well, sort of.

To me it all officially began when we purchased our first home.

What would you consider to be a typical house warming gift?

We received a couple free dinners. Those were awesome, especially as we were busy swimming in all the new paint we were adding to the walls. We were given a used grill and some tools. Double score! Those gifts would be considered normal, correct?

Then my mother-in-law told me what she was giving…

Chickens.

Yes, real-live-egg-laying chickens. Ten to be exact.

She claimed they had too many, and we had just the spot.

A gift that keeps on giving…

Even though I grew up in town—if you call 400 people a town—it’s not my first rodeo with chickens. Animals are good for kids. They help provide responsibility…but my kids are four and seven. Yes, they are quite able to take care of some hens. But in my head I preferred to wait at least a year before we started filling our acreage with pets. I mean I didn’t even have all our boxes unpacked yet…

The ''Coop'

But my husband was thrilled.

Happy as a lark—and no, 

we’re not getting one of those.

Laid egg found here

Roost: Chickens' bed

He spent hours fixing up the back half of one of our sheds into a coop. Built a roost and hung up some chicken gear we got from family. (Where the hens lay their eggs, ect.)

And now we truly did have a perfect spot for some silly ol’ chickens.

Water

My husband, our kids, and myself hopped into our truck. You know the kind, that old-trusty-beat-up thing you can hear coming from a mile away. The one that says the county folks are heading into town. (Also a gift from my in-laws…) In the darkness like thieves, we loaded up hens into a portable dog cage. (It’s easier to catch chickens at night when they're roosting. Otherwise you’ll break into a sweat chasing them. And if they run around too long…well, there may not be ten left to take home.)

We got them settled into their new house, and in the morning we had…eggs.

A farm: “a tract of land, usually with a house, barn, silo, ect. on which crops and often livestock are raised for livelihood.” (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/farm)

Livelihood, That one little word proves we don’t own a farm.

But…

Apparently, goats and sheep will also be arriving on our ‘not farm’ in the near future.

Sigh.

My husband’s other plans include planting an orchard, grinding his own corn meal…and did I ever tell you about the time he ordered earth worms in the mail for his garden?

Am I grateful for the gift that keeps on giving… 
So far so good. 

Stick around.

I have a feeling this ‘non-farmer’ is going to have lots of tales on her hands.

What do you consider to be a normal house warming gift?

Do everything without complaining and arguing. 

Philippians 2:14 NLT

 Even if you didn't want any stinkin' chickens in the first place.

Eggs…

Eggs for sale!


Now, does anyone want to come and help me unpack some more boxes?


with love and prayers,
Megan Besing
www.meganbesing.com
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; Proverbs 3:5 NIV