My Last Week in America

My last week in America was blessed with being able to spend it at my favorite place on Earth. Many people would probably not say that 5am wakeups, hard work, and manure to be their favorite place but to me it's the closest thing to heaven you can get. Here are just a few pictures from my time where my heart is happy. 

The "boys" (Rebel and Rowdy) are ready to go out for evening  chores. 

This is my super gorgeous work outfit haha - its all about comfort, warmth, and usability on the farm

I am very much a big dog person, after spending a week with the boys I was pretty sad to leave them They are the sweetest labs!

This is the calf feeding system they use at the farm. Its is bottles with a holding tank for pasteurized milk that is fed to the cows. It is a very cool process, any milk that is unable to be sold into the market but is still ok once pasteurized is sent over to the calf barn. It is then put through a pasteurizer and put fed to the calves. By doing this they reduce the waste of milk they are unable to sell, do not have to pay for milk replacer, and have healthier calves since it has all the nutrients in the correct amounts for them. 

This is George. George is the trusty farm pickup that may have a little rust, and leak a little power steering fluid, but he runs well, and starts when asked without too much protest! Fun Fact: I learned how to drive on George! Whew that was a while ago haha 

Here is an outside view of the calf barn (which is where I worked throughout most of the week) and the exterior calf hutches 

This calf was not feeling so hot when the week started but with a fresh warm jacket, some warm milk in its belly, and a little penicillin in her bum she turned around pretty quick.

Rowdy (L) and Rebel (R) like to help with chores, and play around a bit, but when called they are the best good boys and will sit nicely for a picture! 

They may be a little chunky but they also have quite a few "treats" all over the farm just waiting to be cleaned up, so they may or may not have put on a few extra pounds... haha 

This is the bulk tank where the milk is stored and the pasteurization system! I definitely geek out over this system every time I use it and they have had it for years now haha 

Rebel makes sure the bench and my coat stay warm until we are ready to take the 4X4 out and deliver the milk to the calves 

These are part of the girls inside.

Here is the other side for the bigger calves that will soon be weaned. 

I was pretty sad to leave the farm, my heart is so full of joy there, but looking back and I have even more joy here on the sunshine coast, which I didn't think was possible, and I am so amazed at all the  things God is doing here, and has already done in my heart. 

I do have to say I feel pretty sorry for the farm this past week in the -50 degree weather. The cold makes it so much worse. (I am enjoying the sunny and 80 degree weather here though!)