Sunday, August 28, 2016

Strong, Secure, Selfless

Late one afternoon this past week a storm rolled in. 
It rained so hard we couldn't see across the yard. I was glad to be inside.
As the front rolled through the winds came. The trees leaned and cracked. Things flew across the yard. I was concerned about the crops.
Then it was over. It all happened in less than an hour. Things were bright and clean. And then a rainbow showed up. A promise. Will there be storms, struggles, or hard jobs in your life? Of course. Sometimes there is even damage. However God says, be strong, be secure, be selfless. I promise to take care of you.
We have grandkids about early grade school age that love to help and are always asking for jobs. So I try and plan my summer Mondays with them in mind. Thanks Ezra, Elliot, and Elijah for helping lay bricks.
Of course any job that includes driving tractor is especially fun. I made them practice their driving skills by asking them to back out this cornhead. It took a long time but they finally got it backed out. Notice it takes two folks this size on the seat. One isn't heavy enough to keep the non-operator button under the seat pushed down. 
Often the little ones get to hang out and help their Dad's.
However many times Grandma has the gates shut and then all they can do is watch things happen from the porch.
Especially on Mondays we try and all come in for lunch. It's kind of a transition. After lunch the three smallest have to take a nap. The middle ones get fruit roll-ups and have to be quiet. The older ones often are given Grandma jobs. They are all looking forward to something.  
Swimming!!! After the naps, quiet times, and jobs are finished they all run across the yard to the life jacket shed, a requirement at Grandma's house, and swim or play in the sand. Kinze, our Saint Bernard, usually thinks she's a life guard. 
We went up in a helicopter again this week to look at crops. We look for nitrogen deficiency and stalk strength in corn. We look for disease in soybeans. We can then make a plan as to what needs early attention come harvest time.
This picture shows the seed treatment we tried at planting time on half the planter for help against Sudden Death Syndrome in soybeans was effective.
Joe and Diana had eight couches the size and weight of pianos that needed put in rooms at Lake View Camp. Seven of the eight either had to go up or down narrow stairs.
Thanks to our crew for their help and willingness. Also thanks to Bob, Dort, and John who work at the camp often.
Last evening Jan and I hosted the board/staff social from Pella Christian High School. We had a good time. New principal Dan kept things organized. Vice pres. Rob did the grilling. Mike and Suzanne and Doug and Barb were a big help with setup and cleanup.
I volunteered to do a job yesterday for someone else  that wasn't any fun. However it was the right thing for me to do because I have been given the ability and equipment to make it happen.  
I have three basic principles I often told my kids and told the volleyball girls last week. Give 110%. That's being strong. Don't be scared of responsibility. That's being secure. And care about others. That's being selfless. I admit I don't always get it right. However at the end of a storm, there is often a rainbow.

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