Family News
Updates on recent events and activities of St. Paul's family ministry program.
Fun at the Animal Farm!
St. Paul's families had a fun day at the farm of Ron and Jean Shaw recently. The kids were excited to see all the animals, which included sheep, goats, llamas, a miniature donkey, a very large (but gentle) horse named Tilly, rabbits, goats, calves, ducks, geese, goats, peacocks, goats, dogs, cats, and did I say goats? (Because there were a lot of them!) Anyway, the Shaw family gave everyone tours of the farm to see the animals. Kids had the opportunity to pet the goats and sheep, feed the calves with large milk bottles, hug the miniature donkey, and even ride Tilly thanks to Jordan who proudly led her horse around the yard as the kids hung on for dear life.
It was an exiting hour or so of petting, feeding and play time with the animals. The adults may not have noticed this, but for the kids this was as close to heaven as they're going to get for a long time. The goats were nibbling on kids shirts. The llamas were prancing out in the pasture. The peacocks were squaking overhead. The lambs were a bit skittish, but eventually calmed down to allow the little ones to pet them, then hug them, and then (Mom look away!) even kiss them! There was a lot of love and kisses going around. (Way too much for my taste!) I'm not sure who enjoyed it more, the kids or the animals? After an hour or so, it was time for the cookout. The Shaws' friendly neighbor, Lavern from up the road, dropped in with his gas grill in the back of his pickup truck, and he got right to work on our hamburgers and hotdogs. A watermellon was split open, and along with drinks and chips, it was a pretty good feast. Even the flies thought so, I'm sure! Kids munched and giggled on picnic blankets as the day wound down. We had spent so much time playing with the animals, it was now getting on to 7:30 p.m. or so, and it was time to call it a day.
Thank you to the Shaw family and friends who blessed us with a great day at the farm! It was definitely buckets, bushels, and barrels of fun! On the way home my kids were asking if we could go back tomorrow and help with chores?! I'll have to volunteer for the next hay baling or something, and by the way, can I bring my kids?
For more information about these and other events
contact Paul Frantsen, Director of Family and Youth Ministry
at 319-352-3850 or paul.frantsen@stpaulswaverly.org