Non-negotiables

Our lives are full of negotiables. Things that are open for discussion or modification. Things where there might be multiple paths to a solution. Things you talk over until you reach an agreement. I took this picture of Jan having discussions with five sons after bringing breakfast to the shop.

For instance, a negotiable might be would one use a 50 yr old combine or a 15 yr old one to harvest crops?

Does one forward contract crops out of the field, or store them? Farmers are in a slow realization that they may not "bushel out" (big crop) this fall to make up for depressed prices.

Does one pay higher fertilizer prices this fall? Or gamble and wait till spring?

Back in July, did you spray fungicide, or decide to quit spending inputs on low commodity prices?

Southern Rust blew in on our southern winds in late July. The middle pictures of stalks are the difference between spraying fungicide and not. Karl weighed ears from each set of three stalks. After compensating for moisture difference the approximant advantage to spraying fungicide looked to be about 30bpa. 

After my cancer diagnosis, someone asked me what my goals were for the rest of my life, whether short or long. A great question. One you all should ask yourself by the way. Everyone of us will have different answers. I came up with 10 goals that I enjoy, that I value, that define me. These are my non-negotiables.

 

1. Will care about others.

2. Will share what I have.

3. Will give generously.

4. Will acknowledge God's help in my life.

5. Will give 110% effort.

6. Will be committed to my wife, my kids and grandkids, and our help.

7. Will embrace change.

8. Will continue to write stories about God's faithfulness.

9. Will finish strong to the best of my abilities.

10. Will value relationships over property.

I've seen folks live by one set of rules with their faith walk on Sundays. And then have a different set of rules with their businesses the rest of the week. As I watched the kids, grandkids, and help harvest late last week I decided our non-negotiables need to have an impact on our everyday negotiables.

Be sure and drop in again next week. I've got a great story about the visit of the summer.

Passing The Torch With Grace

This past Thursday in Colfax at Becknology Days, Scott talked about the importance of a succession plan, especially in our farm businesses. Succession is the action or process of passing one's business or assets from one generation to the next. And since it's a known fact that we all leave earth with nothing, it seems one should plan sooner rather than later.

Jan and I were in our mid 30s when Shannon convinced us to start selling Dekalb seed for the Roberts family based in Dekalb, Illinois. At our first customer appreciation supper, Kurt and Karl were a year old.

Kurt and Karl are now in their mid 30s, with families, as they visit with Shannon at Becknology Days in Colfax. Much like our family's story, after working for Dekalb, Monsanto, and Bayer (consolidation), Shannon is now working for the Becks family.

Karl and Kristin have taken over the leadership role in our seed business. Does that mean Jan and I have lost interest? Of course not. And we help wherever needed.  We believe the next generation deserves opportunities during their family raising years, and not have to wait until the previous generation has left earth.

One of the many benefits of passing the torch earlier is getting to watch and appreciate the next generation in action, serve others, and loving it. Kudos to Jan, Cassia, Kristin, Stacy, Suzanne, Emily, and Linda for serving the meal. Also Kudos to all the others who helped with trash, wash dishes, encourage and watch the little ones running around, and cleaning up afterwards.

Even the 3rd generation helped. One of their responsibilities was to help dry and serve drinks from the ice tubs.

Yesterday Jan and I attended JoAnn's funeral. Howard passed away in 2007. 

In the spring of 1975 a newly married 18 year old walked into Mahaska FS, looked at the floor, and timidly asked the manager for some custom work to do. Howard told me, "Son, never put yourself down". Howard gave a young man a chance, and the rest is history.

In the summer of 1986 Mahaska Bank said I was no longer an asset because I had the wrong last name, and refused to give me an operating loan. Weeks later I received a call from a new-fangled car phone from Madison, Wisconsin. Howard told me about a new start up bank opening in Albia, Iowa. He said in his bold voice, "Steve, I've made an appointment for you at that new bank. Don't be late, and don't be under dressed." Peoples State Bank welcomed Jan and I with no co-signer. And we stayed with them 35 years until they sold out to a bigger bank. Howard gave us an opportunity. Later in Howard's life I was able to be his spiritual mentor.

What a blessing to be friends with this couple and their 7 children. Thank you Lord!

Jan and I stopped at Sully Locker and Market on Thursday. Grandson Gideon showed me he and his crew's day's work. They slaughter around 3 beef and 2 hogs/day. Kudos to everyone who helped give a 20 year old couple, expecting their second child, an opportunity to purchase and operate their own business.

I have always expected and appreciated our hired help to help us make a plan, sometimes for the day, sometimes for the season. If they become better at things than I or the boys, we all win. Guys, you are appreciated more than I take the time to tell you.

One afternoon this past week I decided to mow around a corn field with Kurt's skidloader and front mower. I got stuck. As I was walking the half mile home BJ saw me and gave me a lift. Kurt and Jim helped pull me out. I told Kurt I was sorry I got his loader stuck and thanked him for pulling me out. He said, "No problem Dad. I'm sure you've pulled me out way more times when I was growing up". The roles switch whether we choose it or not.

So you might think starting a succession plan would include identifying assets, identifying recipients, and the help of an attorney. Those things are necessary but minor details. Givers and receivers both need to start with contentment, gratitude, and a servant-heart. When we shovel out, God shovels back, and God has a bigger shovel! Let's get together again next week and talk about our non-negotiables.

Adaptability

"While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night will not cease." Gen. 8:22. It's State Fair time already. In a summer where we've needed to be flexible, to adjust, to embrace or at least accept change, we can hang on to promises made to us by our Creator.

Every summer for as long as we can remember we have always seeded just enough oats in order to have a load of straw to bale. It's not about needing the straw. It has always been about small square baling with the smaller grandkids and not forgetting that summer experience.

Well, with being "under the weather" so to speak, we have had to adapt. So BJ came in on one of his busy baling days between rains and rolled it up.

Because of waking up later this morning I'm just going to jot down some brief things I'm learning and adapting to while slowly recovering. These will not however be going in a personal tense so the whole story doesn't end up being i and me. Know your limitations and boundaries.

Know and be grateful for your team and their willingness.

Be grateful and content in your new role. Kudos to Linda and Kristin for hanging out with Jan while grandkids went fishing.

Don't fret and worry about things beyond your control. While visiting with Jan, Malaki and Gavin caught a four pound cat fish.

Realize you can serve even if it's encouragement. We have a seed customer whose church is starting a new accredited Christian School on the south edge of Knoxville. Karl was able to meet with the principal's husband and help with donating some items from our own Oskaloosa Christian School that is no longer needed due to remodeling.

Leave your ego at the door and don't be stubborn. Our family was looking forward to helping friends and a part time helper move. Since I wasn't strong enough, all I could do was to ask Kasey for a picture. Kudos to our crew; Mike, Mark, Kurt, Karl, Kasey, Ezra, Elijah, Ethan, John, Malaki, Jackson, Jayden, and Lane for helping

Our crew has definitely been cleaning up and getting ready for our annual Appreciation Supper this coming Tuesday evening. It's a home grown meal where we invite customers, family, and friends. If you would like to join us we would love to have you. You might just get ahold of one of us so we have a handle on food. Our get-together is anytime between 4pm and dark. A huge thank you to Andrew and his father Duane for this picture this past week.

Being Weak

I'm starting our visit this morning with my favorite picture of the week. This gal has been totally supportive; postponing her own troubles, thoughts, and anxieties. The yard, cabin, and flower pictures I'm using this morning are kudos to her for everything she does around our home. Thanks for the picture Emily.

Last Monday I was admitted to Mahaska Hospital for the first time since I had left this same hospital as a new born baby 69 years ago. I had surgery to remove a cancerous mass that was growing both on the inside and outside of the colon.

Just before the four and a half hour surgery Dr Jesse, myself, and a physician's assistant prayed together.

When we talk to God He doesn't promise to remove all our struggles. He does however promise to be the strong One. He says in the Bible, "My grace is all you need. And My power is made perfect in your weakness". II Corinthians 12. I'd like to highlight a few blessings I received this week as a result of God's presence. God's power. God's purpose. And my weakness.

The most obvious is allowing and watching others be blessed by giving and caring when one is weak.

There is a tenderness that can occur when one is weak that doesn't always happen when we feel and act strong.

There is a more intense noticing of others and their serving and caring when one is weak.

There is a total satisfaction of watching others step up and make things happen, knowing with my current limitations, I have no one to please, and can rest. Thanks for the picture Kasey.

There is a more intense gratitude to God and others. I walked the hospital halls. Occasionally I'd stop in a fellow patient's room. Just a word of encouragement and an offer to pray. 100% of the time a hand would reach for mine. I wasn't a strong healthy family member or friend. I wasn't a strong nurse or doctor providing care. I was a fellow, weak, hurting, patient with the same gown on they had.

Will I be strong again? I'm planning on it, Lord willing. I'm still waiting on lab results from the lymph nodes around the surgery. Joshua was 80 or close to it when God had him take the Israelites across to the promised land. And He told Joshua to be strong and courageous 3 times in one visit.

What about Jan? She had a more detailed MRI this week. And has appointments with brain surgeons out of town in the coming month.

Thanks for your dozens of visits. Thanks for your hundreds of spoken and written words. And thanks for your multitude of prayers on our behalf. All are felt and truly appreciated.

Living The Dream

It was foggy and raining the last morning we rode side-by-sides in South Dakota last week. By the time we stopped in Lead for fuel, then through Deadwood, and 13 miles north on Hwy 14A to Camp 5, it was raining steady. We were all wet. When arriving at the trailhead at the base of  one of the Black Hills, Jan heard a grandchild say, "Wow, this is living the dream".

But first things first. A week ago yesterday close to 40 of our immediate family headed to South Dakota to Cody and Tori's wedding. It was held in RiverTree Church in Mitchell. After a honeymoon, Tori starts her job as a Registered Nurse in Sioux Falls. Cody works at Fareway in Sioux Falls and continues his education as a Physical Therapist.

A week ago this morning, with Ethan driving the semi, and many cousins waiting their turn to ride with him, we left Mitchell and headed for the Black Hills. Thanks for the picture Stacy.

Our rented home for the week fit all of us comfortably. It was in a newer development just north of Lead. The name of the home was Diamond in the Rough.

Becky or one of the girls would usually get the four coffee pots ready the night before. And I would turn them all on early the following morning.

After a delicious breakfast ranging from eggs, pancakes, ham, sausage, or bacon, fruit, and cinnamon rolls, 40 sandwiches, a whole box of assorted chips, and a large cooler of drinks were prepared for the noon meal on the trails.

The boys would make a plan and destination for the day. We rode close to 200 miles of roads, trails, and paths within a 50 mile radius of where we stayed. We'd stop for lunch anywhere from an old cemetery, to along a creek, lake, or waterfall. And yes, the younger kids would inevitably jump in and get wet in 50 degree water.

After a large supper, we would all get together for devotions. One evening everyone was asked what one word they would like, or set a goal for, to describe themselves. Words ranged from, available, genuine, caring, attentive, rooted, to faithful, present, warm-hearted, etc.

Another evening I read from Proverbs 30 where the author shares he is weary. And asks God for not too much, or he will become proud, or not too little, that he might steal. I shared that after my diagnosis, I was at peace, and had asked God that He be honored, no matter what the outcome. Then 10 days later my wife Jan was diagnosed with a brain tumor. And I said, "Wait a minute God. What's the deal?" It always hurts more when someone you love is sick.

On the final night Mark read from II Corinthians 12 where the apostle Paul asks God three times to remove the thorn in his flesh. God answered Paul by telling him that His grace is all Paul needs. Mark asked Brian to read a devotion that talked about how God's power works best in our weakness. If I'm able to write next week we'll talk about handling weakness. And receiving help rather than giving it. Six year old Lane is holding eight week old Rosie after devotions.

After devotions the middle age cousins would play poker, while the younger cousins played UNO. Us adults would either join in, read, or visit.

Does God communicate with us in nature? Yes. In scripture and prayer? Obviously. With nudges? Yes from experience. Does He communicate with us in hardships? Absolutely. 

Living the dream is celebrating the past and anticipating the future. Living the dream in the midst of hardship requires gratitude. 

My friends in Israel have a Hebrew saying: Dayenu (die-ea-new). It means, "If there is nothing else, It is enough". It reminds us that we are forever grateful for the opportunities we have already been given.

Jan and I are celebrating the past, enjoying each others' company now in the present, and yes, we are both anticipating the future. Thanks to so many of you that are encouraging us in both spoken and written words, and with your prayers. The prayers and caring are truly felt.

A bit of an update: Jan is anticipating a more detailed MRI soon, and then hopefully an appointment with a brain surgeon either in Des Moines or Iowa City. I am scheduled for colon surgery tomorrow morning in Oskaloosa.