Moo, this is Wish.
 It is November and I am still on the late-season, vibrant Cressey pasture with Fancy. Until recently there were three of us here. Teeny, a longtime bovine friend, went back to the Farm in October with her newborn golden heifer. I will let Helen share the birthing story.

Prior to Fancy’s arrival on pasture, I had been with her only for a short period when we were young heifers. After Teeny returned to the barn, Fancy vied for pasture dominance. Head butting and shoving occurred until the “debate” was settled rather quickly. We prefer harmony over conflict. Why? Conflict causes stress, and stress threatens our survival, along with the welfare of the herd. I have been the “queen” of Cressey pasture for five years and continue to keep the title.

Even though I am dominant, I like to make new friends in the herd. Fancy’s company is enjoyable, and as of this writing the weather continues to be fairly mild. The lush summer has transitioned to cooler Autumn as the grasses continue to nourish us. Cressey pasture is a blessing.

Hello, this is Helen.
Each day is a special gift at Cressey pasture with Wish and  the Tide Mill Organic Farm bovines. My normal routine is to arrive at the pasture late in the afternoon to visit before they head into the woods for the night.

One afternoon I arrived after a storm. Wish and Fancy came to the gate, but Teeny was absent from the group. I began to look for her. Dark was descending when I found Teeny in the woods. She was about 30 yards from me in an opening where Wish had given birth in the past. Teeny was attending to something on the ground‚ most likely a calf or afterbirth. When I tried to get closer she began to move away. I did not want her to abandon a newborn, so I called Aaron and left for the night.

Darkness had already fallen as I walked out, and Wish stayed beside me making sure that I safely returned to the gate. As soon as I was in the open pasture and close to the gate, Wish turned and quickly headed back to Teeny. A couple of years ago I fondly nicknamed Wish the pasture “mid-wife”.

The next day I arrived before morning light and waited for sunrise to enter the pasture. Wish and Fancy took me to a birch grove that overlooks the water where Teeny was lying beside her beautiful golden heifer calf.

I called Aaron who said he would hook up the cattle trailer and head over with Bob (his father) to get Teeny and her calf. While I waited the calf stood and began to walk around, but Teeny did not get up. I became concerned she might have milk fever, a metabolic disorder caused by insufficient calcium after giving birth. A cow with calcium imbalance can lose mobility, and it can progress to the reduction of the heart muscle function. I prayed, massaged Teeny, and called Aaron. He did not answer. However, I knew God was hearing my prayers. 

Aaron and Bob arrived and confirmed Teeny had milk fever. Bob called, Jane (Aaron’s mother), and asked her to bring warmed calcium solution to administer intravenously.

While waiting for Jane, Bob decided to bring the truck and trailer into the pasture to reduce walking stress for Teeny in the hope that the treatment enabled her to get up. Aaron stayed for a few minutes and Teeny made an unsuccessful attempt to get up. Then Aaron headed up the hill to ready the truck and trailer.

Alone with the animals, I called out to Jesus saying, “I know the universe is enormous and this is only one cow, but if it be Your will, please heal Teeny.” I felt surrounded by our Lord’s love and Teeny immediately stood. It was as though He lifted her up. I was overwhelmed with thankfulness and joy. Jesus answered. 

Question: Why, when problems are so much bigger than normal situations, am I willing to call out to our Lord for help? Yet, in daily situations I often fail to ask for help. . Lesson: I need to put “all” my faith in Jesus each moment seeking His love, guidance, and His help.

“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”  Luke 11:9-10

P.S. With Teeny standing in the pasture, the intravenous was administered to boost her calcium levels and she walked onto the cattle trailer with her calf. Teeny and Titan, her calf, are settled in at the Farm.