Why Sunshine Valley?

Have you ever wondered how blogs, farms, and Instagram accounts come up with their names? I know I have, so I’m sure some of you have too. Today I thought it would be fun to share how Sunshine Valley came to be! 

About 7 years ago, we got our first two goats. They were double registered Nigerian Dwarf wethers, and I fell madly in love. After talking to several of my goat farming friends, and reading so many blogs about goat farming, I knew I wanted to make it official. I needed a name for this place. I tried several ideas using our last name, a combination of our initials, and random words, none of them “fit”. Despite my best efforts several weeks went by, and still no name. 

No name farm continued to grow, thanks to my animal acquiring addiction. Several ducks, chickens, and rabbits later, I went back to the drawing board with names. Again, nothing fit this place. It’s such a bright, happy spot in our world, and naming it N&A Farm hardly seemed sufficient. 

So, I did what I should have done first. I prayed about it. Now, it seemed pretty trivial to me to pray about a farm name. God’s got all kinds of people praying right now with some big, heavy needs. Little ole Amanda in little Ole West Virginia just needed a name for a little ole goat farm. It hardly seemed worth God’s time. Then I remembered, God WANTS to hear from me. Even if it is about a name for a farm. So, I prayed. I asked God to give me a name that fit this place. A name that would reflect just exactly how we felt about this home in the hills He had given us.

At about 3 am the same night I prayed that prayer, I sat straight up in bed and thought “Sunshine Valley”. That was it. The perfect fit. You see, our road is named Sunshine. The farm sits nestled in a sweet, sunshiny Valley. It was perfect, and so much better than NAE Farm. Ha!

Sunshine Valley became our registered farm name, and I have loved it since day one. I fully believe God gave the name to this place, and it fits is so well. So much better than anything I came up with. It’s amazing what happens when you REALLY give things over to the Lord.

Recounting this story has given me time to reflect over the last seven years we’ve been here. There have been plenty of times I’ve wanted to throw in the towel, and head back to the suburbs. Living forty some miles to the interstate does have it’s drawbacks, but you know what? I wouldn’t change any of it for the world. Why? Because this is the place God gave us. Our family has grown. The farm has grown. We’re safe, we’re healthy, and we’re happy. God continues to show us His goodness, and I am extremely thankful. 

Thanks so much for spending a small part of your day with me! I hope you have a great week ahead!

I’d be so honored to have you following along!