Dreams That Will Last a Lifetime

Each of these spotted wonders represents a place in the time line of my life. As I release each of them to a new home, I realize that this chapter in my life is closing. For us it has been filled with the joy of purchasing our first Jacobs to growing a sizable flock. I hold with in my heart the cherished memories of the unfolding excitement of learning how to skirt and tag a fleece, and the reality that all the excitement of this process was just removing poop and debris. I have found the richness of expanding my knowledge through professionals that shared their expertise with me to properly care for the health of God's creatures. I confess that I have detested the bitter Pennsylvania winters, only to find the delight in the miracle of birth with each of these spotted vivacious bundles. I have discovered each personality and place they hold within the flock. I have enjoyed exploring all the artistic possibilities that can be made with this lustrous fleece. I hold the reality of the years of accomplishment while breeding to perfect from the rough and wiry Jacob fleece to a hand spinners delight. I have enjoyed  the feasting and the provision of food for our table and the times of fellowship and special moments, they have provided. I will always be forever grateful to have been able to walk this path for the past ten years of my life. I have and will cherish that this time was never to long and seems cut so short. I will hold onto the found memories and will always cherish the images to bring those glorious days to the present. God has richly blessed our family as we have created, enjoyed, and cherished, dreams that will last a life time.
C.A. Bresin

The Arrival

As the snow melts it's last white flake disappears into non existence. A new birth begins to unfold. It's this wonderful time of year when the season is beginning to break between winter and the rainy season. This all takes place just before the arrival of spring. It's as if a curtain is opened and a new season is stated picturesquely before your eyes. With each rain, I can see the green grass starting to come to life. The crocuses are barley peering through the flesh of the earth. There is that refreshing smell of distant rain that drifts through each breath of fresh air. The seeds are starting to bud for spring planting. The chickens are starting to graze through the new niblets of grass. A brown egg is found nestled deeply in a nesting box. The lambs arriving with their new breath of life and the playful bleating begins.
C.A. Bresin

The Gift

I always looked forward to the time the rains would just subside. We lived directly adjacent to a wheat field in the open plains of Oklahoma. It was a regular event to sit on the front porch and watch the coyote; wolves and wild dogs cross the wheat field with their noses close the ground. As the mist and fog would settle they would cross the field and find there back into the trees and heavy thickets.
I had spent over two months in bed from a serious illness caused by a tick bite. I knew what it was like to be at deaths door and was still quite week. There was quite some time that I was not able to leave my bed. As I regained my strength, I would look out the window to gaze across the wheat field. One day after the rains had just subsided; I made my way out around the corner of the house. I saw a wild dog with his head down making his way to our chicken coop. There is something unexplainable about being on deaths door. There is this sense of peace and numbness to fear. I sat down and called out in a quiet voice. He turned and looked at me and I called again. Without hast he turned around slowly and came to me. I let him smell me as I would any dog. At first, we just sat in each other’s presence and then we silently exchanged helplessness. I could tell he sensed my spirit and I his. His steel blue eyes were like nothing I had ever encountered. I very carefully placed my hand on his thick wolf like coat. He drew closer. As I fingered through his coat, I could feel large ticks. He was so very sick from being depleted from what was sucking the life out of him. Just about that time, David came around the corner and laid his eyes on what was taking place. He stood still and told me that I was crazy. I reassured him that it was all right and that this animal needed our help. David got a tin can and we began pulling handfuls of these large ticks from this helpless creature. David had previously been inside cooking a chicken down for some chicken soup. He went inside, brought out the skin and some chicken, and placed it across the fence to lure our wild friend back to where he belonged. I will never forget the oneness of the encounter that I had been blessed with. His steel blue eyes and coarse coat is something I will always cherish. A gift from above that will never be forgotten. This encounter was another simple reminder that the animals followed us out of the Garden to teach us, unconditional love.
C.A. Bresin

Sky Blue Pink

The entire block of kids were always together playing games, building forts or learning the newest dance step.
It is indelibly marked in my memory, the times we would all stand in line for a drink. We would yell out to see who would get what color of glass. You remember those metal or plastic colorful glasses that came in an array of different colors. The shouts began as we all tried to outdo each other to obtain the most popular color. The repetition repeated itself until the most unwanted color was left.
Time after time, my best friend Sally would shout out the color sky blue pink. We would become exasperated with her unknown choice. Sally would enthusiasticly explain to us that there was such a color. On one particular evening she exclaimed, "See, there it is in the sunset!" Sure enough, we all gazed at the beautiful display of vibrant pinks and blues.
Sally went home to be with our Heavenly Father. She and those happy child hood memories are remembered in each of those sky blue pink sunsets.

Sky Blue Pink
Sky blue pink is just a color
Found upon a sunset
Crystal blue and pink clouds laden
Shimmering with delight
For as you look upon this color
See what you may see
A gift of Gods wisdom
His promise of eternity…

C.A. Bresin

Jack-a-man

For those of you who know us, we have the gift of taking in unwanted animals. They have meaning and purpose that are disguised in some of the greatest lessons, we have learned. We often embrace these challenges, as if we are taking on some noble and righteous endeavor. The fact is time and time again, I walk away with the lesson learned.
Jack was a gentle giant, a slow moving shepherd. For the spectator, he just did not appear to be of correct conformation in any way. He was an Algernon or a Forest Gump of sorts. Jack not only taught me to sit with the sheep, but too sit beneath the sheep. He showed me how to close my eyes and listen to the gentle rumble of their feet, as they brushed by my side in the blackness of the night. He taught me how to feel their presence, to embrace their very existence. A true shepherd knows how to feel the depth of ones soul.
Noah Webster states that a shepherd is: A man, who herds, tends and guards his sheep. A man, who protects, guides or watches over a group of people. To shepherd the flock. To watch over carefully. To escort, guide or direct. To council spiritually. Jack added one of the greatest virtues, to love at all times.
Jack’s life was short. His body was not made to last a normal lifetime. His brain was damaged from birth. He was a dwarf, his eyes were crossed, and his legs could not stand for long. Even though some may view Jack as limited, his purpose far surpassed his outward ability.
C.A. Bresin

Flying Sheep

Flying Sheep
Marvelous the sight these flying sheep
I see each night when they leap
Into the barn to bed for the night
Leaping over my head, oh what a sight

Who would ever think of flying sheep?
It's a sight to behold
Oh, Jacob Sheep

Their spotted and horned
Up to at least six
Their quilted and patched
Only God could fix

Marvelous the sight these flying sheep
There mine to enjoy
But, His to keep...

C.A. Bresin

The Shepherd

When walking in our fields with our sheep, I am often reminded, that He has risen and awaits our arrival.
The shepherd’s job is to feed, water, shelter, nurture, and protect his sheep. In many cases, the shepherd’s goal is not merely to keep the sheep safe and content; it is to prepare them for their life's purpose. How much richer will our experience be, if we cease those moments that we feel called by God to shepherd another. If we see beyond the temporary need for protection and nourishment and seize each occasion as an opportunity to prepare a child or adult not only for life, but for eternity. The Good Shepherd offers opportunities for us to come along side of those needing help and to lift them above the situation. It is unsettling to be caught in worldview when our mission is to keep our existence on our eternal home. If each moment of every day would be viewed in terms of how we are preparing for eternity, instead of what fleeting pleasure this world will offer us. Our spirit echos, how should we use our time differently?
Jesus is not only our Good Shepherd; He was also our sacrificial Lamb. He was never empowered by money or riches. He was never self seeking. He knew how to live in such a way that when death came, He was in complete surrender.
C.A. Bresin