A Visitor's Experience of Shepherd's Cross
Debbie meets a lamb
Hearing about shearing from
the shepherds
Spinning demonstration--yarn
for the sheep-to-shawl event
Shearing team in action
Shepherd’s Cross, Inc.
&
Heart of the Shepherd,
Inc.

16792 East 450 Road,
Claremore, OK 74017
2.5 miles North of Claremore
on Hwy 66 &  2 ½ miles East
on Akin Road
(EW 45 Road or EW 450
Road)

(918)342-5911

farm@shepherdscross.com
              My Visit to Shepherd’s Cross
                       By Debbie Eagle

               On April 25, 2008, I had the pleasure of visiting a most remarkable sheep farm.
    Shepherd’s Cross lies a little north and east of Claremore. Just go north on Highway 66 for
    two and a half miles. Then, turn right onto Akin Road. Go two and a half miles east, and a
    wonderful experience awaits any guest.

       Shepherd’s Cross is a non-profit organization that has a vision of ministry to the surrounding
    communities. Biblically and educationally-based shepherding tours are given for all ages,
    where the process of shepherding and sheering the sheep is demonstrated. The farm also
    boasts a large Bible garden, which has a variety of plants, most of which have Biblical
    references. Educational and Biblically-based garden tours are conducted as well.

       When a friend from church learned that I wanted to tour the farm, she graciously agreed to
    take me. A few days before our scheduled visit, we anxiously watched the weather forecasts to
    make sure rain would not spoil our trip. It didn’t rain, but the afternoon was cold and breezy as
    we set off. Armed with a good thick cardigan, I wasn’t about to let a little wind stop me from
    enjoying this adventure. As it happens, I have a yellow Labrador, named Ellie, who serves as
    my guide dog. Though she would have loved the trip as much as I did, she could not
    accompany me because the farm has two Great Pyrenees guard dogs and a guard llama to
    protect the sheep. Essie, one of the dogs, was very friendly to me. Maybe she wanted to meet
    Ellie.

       Upon our arrival, we were greeted warmly and shown into a large, open room with workers
    demonstrating the various spinning and weaving techniques. One lady was knitting a scarf out
    of yarn spun from llama wool and her own dog’s hair. Another young lady was demonstrating
    weaving on a triangular-shaped loom. The looms come in all sizes, and can be used to make
    everything from neckerchiefs to tiny, intricate quilt squares. When the loom is in use, it stands
    upright, with the point of the triangle facing downard. As the weaving progresses, the yarn is
    attached consecutively to nails which run all the way around the front of the loom.

       Next, we visited the gift shop, which featured many items from local vendors, such as
    homemade soap, homemade jams and jellies and handmade jewelry. It goes without saying
    that the shop sells wool in all its forms, drop spindles, dried and fresh herbs from the Bible
    garden, and mutton or lamb.

       I got to try my hand at using a drop spindle first, then the spinning wheel. A desire to learn to
    spin fibers had been growing in me, somewhat like a plant sometimes seems to flower in a
    very short time. I think the seed was planted by my interest in “the old ways.” The seed lay
    dormant, just waiting for the right time to blossom. The opportunity came when I decided to
    learn to knit. The more I learned about yarn, the more I wanted to learn about spinning fibers.
    In this world of disposable everything, I think it would be the neatest accomplishment to knit a
    garment with wool spun by my own hands. Maybe the pioneers of old would laugh at my silly
    antics—they did that all the time—but I think this country could use a good dose of the
    pioneering spirit.

       After the spinning and weaving demonstrations, we made our way to the sheep pen, where a
    few sheep were held ready for shearing and yearly vaccinations. Diane, a shepherd, explained
    the process as she expertly caught and subdued the sheep with her shepherd’s staff. A
    shepherd’s staff is a stick about five feet tall with a large crook at one end, similar to a walking
    stick. The crook is placed over the neck of the resisting sheep, and the sheep is guided into
    the pen for shearing. She further explained that if sheep have never been shorn before, they
    will sometimes struggle a bit. Such was the case with the two ewes I watched. The first was a
    little older, but new to these particular shepherds. Since she was bigger than most of the
    sheep, the job was a little harder. The second was a year-old ewe with a newborn lamb. She
    struggled out of concern for her baby. As the shepherds began the shearing, I admit, I
    expected to hear the snip-snip of quiet shears. Instead, the buzz-buzz of modern electric
    clippers met my ears.

       As this shepherdess flipped each sheep onto its back, she quoted a verse from the 53rd
    chapter of Isaiah, which explains that once a sheep is subdued, it resists very little. If their
    shepherd is kind and gentle, the sheep will learn to trust him. He can work as he likes and the
    sheep submits silently. Once the sheep is placed on its back, it cannot rise without help from
    the shepherd.

       After watching the shearing for awhile, we received our own personal tour of the farm’s Bible
    garden. We walked over uneven terrain and along narrow footpaths as the tour guide
    described each plant and recited its Biblical reference. There was a wide range of plants—
    everything from herbs and flowers to vegetables and trees. Though the wind whipped my
    sweater about me, the Lamb’s Ear felt soft as velvet, the Lemon Balm smelled sweet and
    fresh, and, though I could not see them, the flowers and shrubs displayed their riotous colors.
    It was a wonderful reminder that winter was over and spring had come at last. One of the most
    unique things I found was a tree that had barbed wire running through it. It tells the story of
    thriving, even when circumstances are painful.

    I learned many interesting things during my visit to Shepherd’s cross. Did you know that the
    average life span of a sheep is twelve years? Did you know that the average newborn lamb
    weighs about seven pounds? Did you know that the average fleece produces about five
    pounds of wool? I didn’t either. You can learn all these things, and many more, at the
    Shepherd’s Cross.
Seasonal Hours of
Operation

Shop Open:
8:30 ~ 5:30
Thursday, Friday
10~5:30 Saturday

Closed Holiday
Weekends
Closed December 21 -
March 1
He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries
them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.        Isaiah 40:11