It's a holiday weekend. Summers in Iowa include vacations, parades, fairs, sweet corn, family, and friends. These boys are enjoying summer. They were helping Brian and I cut and load firewood, and are waiting for Jan to finish lunch.
Mike spent time on a building pad for John and Glenda near Pella this week.
Karl has been given the love of gardening from his mother. He has melons, pumpkins, cucumbers, green beans, and sweet corn.
About mid week we decided things needed a drink. This is Karl backing the hog honey pump into our pond.
We loaded water into Mark's old honey wagon that he uses to keep the dust down on their motocross track.
We hauled seven loads to our sweet corn. Karl hauled several loads to his house. We even watered down the gravel road to reactivate the dust control. Manual watering reemphasizes what a blessing rain is and Thursday morning we were blessed with our first significant rain shower in 3 weeks.
This is Adi making some flower arrangements from her mother, Cassia's, flowers.
Becky called and said she needed to take Ezra in for stitches so Harris and I hung out one afternoon while I watched the boys.
Our church has been having a second morning service once a month where we are encouraged to invite our friends and neighbors.
I asked Edgar to come. Edgar is a walking history book and Becky has interviewed him before and recorded his stories. Those of you that know Edgar will be surprised to know that his mother was a college graduate. Edgar's mother was self taught at home. Her first formal education was William Penn Academy at the time. She then went to Chicago University where she received her P.H.D. She came back home to Iowa to be a college professor at William Penn however the college burned down during the early 1900's. Since she no longer had a job opportunity there she ran a coal mining company for 14 years and her son, Edgar, went into the dirt work business.
Our church has potlucks at these guests services. Our gals are good at potlucks and Edgar had a wonderful time eating and enjoying the fellowship. I hope Edgar can join us again soon.
Farm Bureau sponsored a teacher ag day. Stacy is on the Farm Bureau board and helped host the event. Below Mark is talking and demonstrating about crops.
Our church has a seminary student helping us this summer. Scott and Becca have two little girls and are with us for about eight weeks. Scott wisely mentioned he would like to have more than just a Sunday experience and relationship with the congregation.
On Wednesday afternoons Scott and I go around and meet church members on their turf. Irv is showing Scott how to tile.
Thursday evening our kids took me out for supper for my birthday.
Well, since only the adults were going out for supper who was going to take care of all the grandkids?
Some very brave nieces babysat 17 kids. Thanks to Olivia, Ki, and Mariah for helping us out.
Parades are common in small town rural Iowa and Friday evening everyone was in Leighton for supper, candy, fellowship, fireworks, and a good time.
It was a beautiful evening and a number of friends and neighbors had their old cars and tractors there. Below is Ken and Joyce in their restored convertible.
It was a family event for Tunis and his 57 Chevy. Diane, Connie, and Jim were along. It was so good to see Tunis back on his feet after some health issues.
Celebrating with family in Iowa in July is a blessing. Below is a wife, a daughter, and five daughter-in-laws who I love dearly. In John 17 Jesus is talking to God and says, "My prayer is not for the world but for those you have given me because they belong to You. Protect them by the power of your name so they will be united just as we are."
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