Stay Humble And Kind

This weekend we remember. Not only our loved ones who have left this earth but also those who gave their lives defending our country.

 Mike left for the Marine Corps when he was just 17 years old and served 4 years. I've always been thankful for having a son serve his country.

 A homemaker from Massachusetts named Lori wrote a song named "Stay Humble and Kind" and sent it to Tim to record. Both families were sending kids off to college and wrote and recorded the song wanting their children to remember those qualities.

Last Sunday afternoon Matt and Megon got together with family to dedicate their second son. Matt is my brother Bill and Julie's son.  

 We as a family prayed together and asked God to help with the raising of children in a world that's much different than we grew up.

Last Sunday evening we got together at BJ and Cassia's to celebrate their oldest son, Gideon, graduating from 8th grade. Gideon is working at a greenhouse this summer.

 A big thank you to Paul, Joel, Byron, and Cory who were the praise team at our guest Sunday worship service last Sunday morning.

At that service Dr. Bob shared his testimony about his life before and after living for the Lord. Today he is on his way to Greensville, South Carolina where he and Cheryl are moving. Thank you Bob for pouring your heart into Oskaloosa and thanks for being a humble and kind friend.

 Friday evening Jan and I, Mark and kids, and Karl, joined Mike and Cody who were camping in a neat spot along the Des Moines river for supper.

 Last evening I went to a farm south of Mt Pleasant to watch the kids race side by sides.

 In a side by side race a rider is required. Ben rode with Kurt. The track is through timber and CRP ground.

 Believe it or not Cassia rides with BJ. It was a fun evening even though Kurt had two flat tires and lost his drive belt and BJ and Cassia ended up on their side once. The race last a little over an hour and ended in the dark.

Remember the pond project. It's finished and looks great and even filling with water. Karl and Kristin's house is in the background and the green patch of grass you see was the old pond where Mark got his track hoe stuck.

 This is an old abandoned railroad right-of-way on our farm just north of Eddyville. It's about 15 feet deep and 90 feet wide and about a quarter mile long. What surprises me is that this right-of-way is on 1875 county maps which was before motors were invented. Can you imagine how long and how much work it would take horses and slips to get this built?

 I tried to cross a ditch spraying this week that was wet. Thanks to Eddie, a neighbor by the Denney farm, for pulling me out. The corn is growing so fast it is going to be a race to get it sprayed before the rows close.

I lost a friend and fellow farmer this week when his tractor was hit by a semi near West Branch.

 Tom's family and our family had mutual friends. He and I have been DeKalb dealers together for 25 years. We saw each other often promoting our love of agriculture. We've been to Hawkeye games together. We have both received the Master Farmer award recently. He will be missed. My sympathies to his wife Anita and their three children, and to his parents, John and Mary Ellen.

Tom was killed on the anniversary date of another friend of mine who lost his battle with cancer three years ago. 

My hope and goal is to stay humble when folks speak good and kind when they speak bad.