Looking Back On 2014

"Then I realized that it is good for a man to make a living, and to find satisfaction in his work during the few days God has given him, for this is his destiny. Moreover, when God gives man things, and allows him to enjoy them, to accept his destiny, and be happy in his work, this is a gift from God. He seldom looks back on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart." Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

 I'm spending just a little time this morning looking back over the past year and sharing some thoughts. It's been a busy year on many fronts. It's still a highlight of mine to be able to work with family and help that cares about each other as a team, is not scared of responsibility, and gives 110% effort.

Early in the year Kurt and Emily took their little guy home from Blank Hospital after recovering from a blood platelet issue.

 Today Jackson is a busy little guy looking and acting just like his Dad did 25 years ago.

I was able to go to Malawi, Africa with Ken last January, see my friends there, and help with some farming practices.

It was a Sunday afternoon in late April. The sky got black. We had heavy rain and scary high winds.

 We cancelled Sunday evening church. We were without electricity. We had to pull a fire truck out of the mud. Crops blew over.

We lost a small building across the road. Karl and Kristin lost two buildings. We had landlords lose a machine shed. We had to have a cleanup week.

Becky and Brian added a fourth boy to their family this year. Today Harris is 5 months old and a chunk. Becky will be strong by the time he is walking.

We are building a house. It's been fun getting to know Daryl, our contractor, and his son-in-law Colton better. Jan spent a long time dreaming, planning, and designing. Currently she is busy making choices. She has done a phenomenal job and our new home will be very practical and have a very homie feel.

I have three reasons for wanting a new home. The first reason is kind of selfish. It eliminates my honeydew list on the old house. I wanted Jan to have the experience of a new home. She deserves it. And finally I hope it will be a blessing to family short term and long term. I also hope we can find a way to share it.

Another highlight this year is when Karl and Kristin announced they are going to have a baby next April.

And then there was the mud. We had a 5 inch rain in September and another 5 inch event in October.

Because of all our commitments we traded for a combine on tracks.

We ended up taking 95% of our forward sold crop to market right out of the field again this year.

The crop south of Highway 92 was one for the record books. Corn on clay hills were making well over 200 bushels per acre. Soybean yields were a little more variable averaging from 50 to 75 bushels per acre. 

I was given some responsibility this year serving on our church council. I was blessed to be able to work with men that cared about and had goals for our church.

Our goals included to be a more affirming church to each other and to community, to experience joy in worship, and to serve our Lord by serving each other.

 Well you don't get anywhere looking backward for long. As we look down the road toward 2015 let's continue to find ways to be productive, effective, and caring. Happy New Year.