Spring Break

Spring break needed a double jump getting started this past week. It felt and looked like winter with cold temps and snow on the ground. 

 Up until yesterday the NH3 tanks were parked waiting for warmer and dryer days.

With the grandkids out of school for the week Jan had extras Monday. Malaki is checking out a CaseIH tractor quilt Jan is working on. Jan has also found material with  John Deere and Cat construction equipment on them.

I have had an interest in the Ag program at Dordt College for 15 years and have stayed in touch with the ag staff there since. Jan and I have had the privilege of being part of a class where the kids actually buy a partial pen of feeder cattle, purchase and keep track of cost, and decide when to hedge or cash sale their steers. This past week I was invited to visit and participate in the class. A local banker, Eric, from Sioux Center is visiting with the class about lending. Eric and I have a mutual friend, Jim, in the banking business. Ag professors Richard and Gary, as well as Steve, who is in advancement are also part of the class.

 We also had the privilege to spend time with friends Eric and Barb during our visit. We were blessed with their visit to our farm a couple of years back. Many years ago I enjoyed working with Barb's father, Dr. B, at Pella Christian High where he was an interim principal for a couple of years.

 We mentioned to our host, Steve, we would like to again see Loren and Barb's contribution to the college some years ago. This stained glass chandelier, created by our son-in-law Brian's parents, weighs 1200 pounds and contains 3200 pieces of stained glass.

 We had breakfast with an old friend. (maybe old isn't exactly the right word) A friendship that started years ago. Diane is in charge of events at Dordt college. She, her sister Connie, and their siblings grew up in the Oskaloosa area and were farm kids.

 Dordt is starting a new venture this coming year. It's called Pro-Tech and it's a 2 year program with more of a hands on approach to education in Ag and industry. Joel, the pro-tech director, Steve, and I went to visit with a Coop manager in Sioux Center about how using kids in this program next year will benefit both the student and the business. Low and behold it was Jared, Jan's cousin. He is the son of Jan's Aunt Debbie. What a small world.

We wrapped up our visit Wednesday by attending chapel. What an inspiring blessing. Keep up the good work Dordt.

My sisters came this week from Colorado to spend time with our parents over their spring break.

 My Mom will be needing surgery next month to fix a hip socket. Since the girls were here we got together for KFC Friday evening.

Do any of you who grew up in the Osky area remember the old Junior High School? Jan went to school there. Centuries ago a bunch of us guys used to rent the gym for Saturday night basketball. All I remember was it used to get a little rough. Thanks for lending me the picture Jon.

Grandson Cody spent his spring break helping his dad, Mike, push dirt and build terraces. Cody is in eighth grade. 

John also helped his dad, BJ, over spring break. John is in the 4th grade. He came to coffee at the office one morning driving his dad's pickup. Russ, our sheriff, was over for a visit and jokingly asked him how he got there. John told him he used Grandpa's pathway. :) 

 Spring break at our house is usually the week we deliver seed corn. We had a slow start however thanks to Karl, Ryan, Pablo, and Matt we did get organized and got started.

 Those fellows also helped get the seed treater set up. We hope to start treating soybeans next week.

BJ and Cassia's oldest son, Gideon, who is in 9th grade went on a work trip over spring break with Joe and Diana from Lake View Camp to help in Florida.

 Spring break is the time of year when we look forward to things starting to grow and take off. Do you ever wonder what God has in store for you this year? Are you using the full potential He has given you? Are you seeing opportunities He has put in your life? Are there folks in your life you can be an influence on? Don't judge people's success by what they have become, but what others have become because of them. Look forward to next week.