Job and Farm Report

Bantam20 is still looking for a full-time job.  It's been disappointing that there are so few available.

But in the meantime, God has provided a part-time job that is turning into more than we expected--for his brothers, at least!

Through a friend from church, we heard about a local farm that sells eggs, pumpkins, Christmas trees, wreaths, "kissing balls," butchered pigs and cows, jams, jellies, pie fillings, candles, veggies, and the list goes on.  They are a homeschooling family with five children who are nearly all grown and gone; their youngest son is the same age as B16.

After B20 and I met them and talked about the work--mowing, cutting greens, cutting wires, making boxes, making wreaths and kissing balls, and general farm chores--they offered to give him a try, along with both his younger brothers, sight unseen, if they were interested.

And they were!  Flexible hours, being outdoors, getting to work together, and getting paid--who would say no?  B12 was especially delighted, at his age, to find himself with a real job!

So they've been putting in time there as often as they can.  But the big obstacle is that pesky expectation by their parents, society, and the virtual school that they still put in a substantial amount of time per week getting an education, and it's been hard for them to add a job to that. One week when we had lots of good weather, they put aside their schoolwork to get in extra hours...and they've been trying to get caught up ever since.  So they are trying to find that balance.  B20 is available all the time, of course, but he's not as capable at some of the jobs, plus they like to have the boys working together, so their time limitations become his.

Chicklet8 is getting in some time on the farm, too!  She was invited to come be a helper on her fall break from school, and she happily swept floors, gathered eggs, picked apples, and helped scoop seeds out of pumpkins--and she chose to go back the next day too.  She "earned" her choice of any pumpkin in the barn--just in time to turn him into a jack-o-lantern for Halloween!

The mom and I are forming a friendship too.  Especially before B16 got his license, when I was dropping off or picking up the boys, I'd be invited to come in for a minute, and we'd hang out in her commercial-size farmhouse kitchen, where there is always a canning project underway.  I've helped prep veggies while we chatted about the work, the farm, teenagers, homeschooling, church, health and nutrition, and food in general.

It all reminds me of my childhood, and I'm glad my kids have this opportunity now.  I just wish the boys were faster at their schoolwork so they'd have more time at the farm!  I am glad their lessons are challenging and consuming, though.  I guess I just have to trust that God who provided this opportunity will also help realize it, one way or another, if not in the short-term--between now and Christmas they really need help--then in the longer term.  Thank you, Lord!