Sunday, February 5, 2017

Now And Then

Every now and then I have to stop and remember that I'm either approaching or have already attained senior citizen status depending on who you ask. That Jan and I have kids approaching 40 and the grandkids getting bigger in size and numbers.
John is BJ and Cassia's third child. He is standing by his forge. John turned 11 this week. I totally forgot his birthday until his Mom mentioned it. John and his brother Gideon are busy choring this week.
Times aren't always peaceful at our house. Once in a while we have a domestic dispute, like fighting over a bike. I much rather have them learn to share when they are three rather than trying to learn at thirty.
Yes, the law comes occasionally. But mostly just for coffee and hunting and fishing stories.
Mark and I worked at burying the leftovers from burnt tree piles. We have a farm about a mile from the Des Moines River that under the top soil is a 16 foot layer of sand.
Matt and Ryan helped me put some more machinery inside that has been through the shop and we won't use until next fall.
Early in the week our family met with Russ, Mike, and Brent about our herbicide, fungicide, and top dress nitrogen needs for next spring. We paid for our inputs and also talked about a number of custom application jobs we help them out with.
It has become an annual event with us to take the older grandkids out of school a day and go and see the new ideas and new paint at the Farm Machinery Show in Des Moines. We usually split up some when we walk around however inevitably we meet up a number of times. My favorite part of the show is visiting and catching up with past friends we have done or are doing business with over the years.
The second part of this annual trip is to stop at Perkins afterwards for a late lunch. It's a good time. The kids look forward to it and so do I.
Shorty and I used to work together at spiritual retreat weekends. He was always full of energy and positiveness. He passed away this past week. His family are in our thoughts and prayers. Although they will miss him, they celebrate that he is with his Lord. 
Now and then I stumble on to the past. This back then picture was taken in the basement of 1st CRC Osky. Talk about life in black and white! The Mona Lisa has nothing on these sober faces. Front and center are my grandparents, William and Tina. The rest of the crew is their ten children and families as of early 1960s. Front row to the left are my parents. I'm the only one in stripes, on the left edge. I still enjoy living on the edge. I added this pic to our visit this morning because I think I have a cousin or two that reads this and is in the picture. 
This back then picture is the Osky 1 church council. Life is starting to get a little more colorful. At least Ervin and Duane have on red ties. I'm guessing this is mid 1990s.
Finally the good looking bunch were our organist back then. Wilma and Joann are making music in heaven. The rest of the crew are still with us although Kathryn, Brant, and Neil have retired. That just leaves Shirley and Gloria. They are still very much part of our worship music today. Thanks gals! In fact, this morning Gloria is playing the organ and Shirley is playing the piano.
Last Sunday Kurt and Emily's Jaydon was baptized. He was born the last week of December. We had lunch at the cabin afterwards and enjoyed each others company.
Kurt and Emily are members of 2nd CRC Pella where Pastor Tom and Erin have been filling in for the last couple of years while the congregation is in the process of searching for their next pastor. Along with the parents, Pastor Tom had the grandparents and great grandparents come forward to show God's promised faithfulness.
Rachael and Amelia are watching Hazel, Brian and Becky's daughter. All three girls are cousins. We are looking forward to Hazel's baptism in just 2 weeks at Sully where her father, Brian will probably do the honors. Hazel has 4 brothers.
Now and then means like occasionally, or every once in a while. I don't know why it means that. I don't understand the English language. However every now and then we look back, like we did some this morning. Every now and then we also look forward. Our family is looking forward to another addition and hopefully another baptism in August. Stay tuned. Some of you may wonder why we baptize children. It's a promise. As parents we promise to do our best to raise our kids to honor God. And God promises through baptism that He will help us. Thanks for the visit.


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