Blessings from our little farm in Eastern South Dakota where we enjoy the country life. Along with our goats, we host dairy cows, beef cows, horses, ponies, pigs, silkie chickens, German Wirehaired Pointer hunting dogs, honeybees and Tommy Wagon Train, the cat.
Our Story:
In 2017 my oldest daughter, Sophia (10 at that time), decided she wanted to show Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats for 4H. Her dad was not as excited so Sophia (using the stubborn DNA from her dad's side) wrote a 2 page essay for her father stating her case. She won! And life has never been the same. This mother-daughter team has a passion for growing the dairy goat community in our area. We joined the Dakota Dairy Goat Association and participate in their educational classes. In 2019 the mother-daughter team traveled over 3,000 miles to attend shows in Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota with only one doe in milk and a hand full of juniors. Perhaps a little crazy but there was a method to our madness. We did this because we had a goal of being a part of a sanctioned show in our area. And that goal came into reality! In 2020, along with some fabulous friends, we helped host the first ADGA Sanctioned Dairy Goat Show in our home town. It was a great experience where we met some truly wonderful goat friends. We're happy to say we have a two ring show in the works for 2021 and our prayer is to have an annual show for many years to come. Sophia shares her passion by teaching others about dairy goats. She has taught many youth how to do showmanship as well as herd management. She is hard working, too. We both do chores but she milks the goats while mom gets to do the clipping. I'm good with it!
About our goats:
We strive for conformationally correctness and milk production. We love to show and our girls will be on milk test this year, 2021.
About our herd name: Little Heart Rocks
Years ago I was visiting with a close friend about faith and how to know God is present in challenging times. She shared with me a powerful experience. When her son was young, he sustained a severe head injury and had to be airlifted to the hospital. Unable to be on the plane with him and overwhelmed with fear, she pleaded with God and asked to feel His presence. She then looked down, to find a rock in the shape of a heart. She knew it was her gift from Him. It was a tangible note telling her, "I've got this." To the doctors surprise but not her's, her son made a full recovery. That rock, that sign of love, that blessed note, fortified her faith which carried her through other trials of life. I think God enjoys giving us little reassurances but we need to have the eyes to see them. For nearly 20 years that story has always stuck with me and I've never looked at a rock the same.
Tough times will come and this life will challenge us; nothing is perfect this side of heaven. Farmers are always conscious of what can go wrong since so many elements are out of our control. We depend on the right weather to produce a good crop AND keep it from spoiling, machinery breaks down (usually at the most inopportune time) and even with the best care we lose beloved farm animals. Having eyes to see the many blessings is powerful; whether it be in a rock the shape of a heart, a beautiful sunrise or an unexpected call from a friend exactly when you need a friendly voice. He is always there and blessings are ever present. My collection of heart rocks has grown and now my kids collect them for me. They sit on my kitchen window sill reminding me to keep my eyes open for the countless blessings. My hope is that maybe others will become more aware of His blessings as well.
Our Story:
In 2017 my oldest daughter, Sophia (10 at that time), decided she wanted to show Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats for 4H. Her dad was not as excited so Sophia (using the stubborn DNA from her dad's side) wrote a 2 page essay for her father stating her case. She won! And life has never been the same. This mother-daughter team has a passion for growing the dairy goat community in our area. We joined the Dakota Dairy Goat Association and participate in their educational classes. In 2019 the mother-daughter team traveled over 3,000 miles to attend shows in Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota with only one doe in milk and a hand full of juniors. Perhaps a little crazy but there was a method to our madness. We did this because we had a goal of being a part of a sanctioned show in our area. And that goal came into reality! In 2020, along with some fabulous friends, we helped host the first ADGA Sanctioned Dairy Goat Show in our home town. It was a great experience where we met some truly wonderful goat friends. We're happy to say we have a two ring show in the works for 2021 and our prayer is to have an annual show for many years to come. Sophia shares her passion by teaching others about dairy goats. She has taught many youth how to do showmanship as well as herd management. She is hard working, too. We both do chores but she milks the goats while mom gets to do the clipping. I'm good with it!
About our goats:
We strive for conformationally correctness and milk production. We love to show and our girls will be on milk test this year, 2021.
About our herd name: Little Heart Rocks
Years ago I was visiting with a close friend about faith and how to know God is present in challenging times. She shared with me a powerful experience. When her son was young, he sustained a severe head injury and had to be airlifted to the hospital. Unable to be on the plane with him and overwhelmed with fear, she pleaded with God and asked to feel His presence. She then looked down, to find a rock in the shape of a heart. She knew it was her gift from Him. It was a tangible note telling her, "I've got this." To the doctors surprise but not her's, her son made a full recovery. That rock, that sign of love, that blessed note, fortified her faith which carried her through other trials of life. I think God enjoys giving us little reassurances but we need to have the eyes to see them. For nearly 20 years that story has always stuck with me and I've never looked at a rock the same.
Tough times will come and this life will challenge us; nothing is perfect this side of heaven. Farmers are always conscious of what can go wrong since so many elements are out of our control. We depend on the right weather to produce a good crop AND keep it from spoiling, machinery breaks down (usually at the most inopportune time) and even with the best care we lose beloved farm animals. Having eyes to see the many blessings is powerful; whether it be in a rock the shape of a heart, a beautiful sunrise or an unexpected call from a friend exactly when you need a friendly voice. He is always there and blessings are ever present. My collection of heart rocks has grown and now my kids collect them for me. They sit on my kitchen window sill reminding me to keep my eyes open for the countless blessings. My hope is that maybe others will become more aware of His blessings as well.
Proud members of ADGA and ANDDA.
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For more information:
Paula- (406-698-0679)
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littleheartrocks123@gmail.com
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