What's Inside Really

What's inside Jackson? You have to share with Jayden. But Grandpa, Jayden don't like spicy things. That's ok Jackson, you have to share with him anyway. 

 What do we see when we look at folks? Probably their personalities, their character traits, their activities, maybe some faults, maybe even their passions. What will you see if you really look inside them? Probably a desire to be needed, someone that wants a relationship whether they act like it or not. I'm sure some hidden talents not seen on the outside. Don't miss the wonder, the design, and the purpose. It's how God created folks. Don't forget to be an example. Some little folks may want to grow up and be just like us.

Well last weekend Des Moines and communities north had 7 to 10 inches of rain and flooding. Water runs downhill and in this case it runs to the Mississippi via either the Des Moines or South Skunk Rivers through southeast Iowa. The overflowing Skunk River backed into this unprotected field in Jasper County and was on about 60 acres. Time will tell what's inside the field and how much crop was destroyed.

As Jan and I were looking at crops in the flooded areas we were surprised at how much wildlife were on the roads. We saw rabbits, snakes, and turtles on the gravel roads since their timber habitat was under water along Romans Lake.

Despite obstacles most crops in our area of the state look amazing. The corn is mostly pollinated and the beans are putting on pods. For those that have some last years crop stored yet don't forget to look what's inside the bins and make sure everything is still in good condition. Falling grain markets since late May makes selling and moving grain a little more difficult. 

2nd cutting alfalfa has complained some and looks yellow due to wet feet. It's time to get it harvested so it has a good chance for the next cutting in 21 to 30 days.

Its the time of year when the stuff that ended it's season last spring by being broke gets fixed. Its also time to start remembering what needs attention before harvest which is just two months away. Below Jim, Kasey, and Kurt are repairing a walking tandem on a field cultivator.

Thanks to Marv and Carol and Bill and Julie's families for inviting us to share Marv's birthday and 4th of July evening with them. I forget what you call these little lantern like things but you light them and the hot air makes them fly away. Everyone was thinking of and remembering Ryker.

Our crew missed manure school last January. It's required in order to be licensed to haul manure for hire. So Alex and I took one for the team and spent 3 hours of a lovely day watching a video. 

We moved in our new house on the 4th of July/2015. Jan told me then we needed to get some landscaping finished. Well 3 years later we're gaining. Thanks to a landlord for some rocks he gets from central Iowa that come up from their fields every year. A benefit farming in southeast Iowa is the only ones we have to pick are the ones we bury from old building sites and the freezing and thawing ground in the winter time work them back up.

Have you ever wondered what's inside a rock? Answer. More rock. The ones we worked with this week weighed around 600 lbs. a piece and they are not even all that large.

BJ grows enough rye every year for our seeding needs for cover crop this fall. Yesterday we combined. Moisture and quality were good. Yield was poor. Oh well. The old timers always said you can't grow a good small grain crop and corn crop in the same year so maybe that speaks well for the corn crop. You see small grains like rye, wheat, and oats like dry seasons. That's why you see them "out west".

I went to the Ottumwa rodeo last evening. I hung around the back pens with Gideon and Kasey and watched the livestock and the cowboys.

Like I said last week we are in a month of a little slower pace. Mike and his friend are bow fishing in Kentucky. Alex and his team are just out of first place in the city golf league. Mark and his family went motocross racing yesterday. I'm sure Jim went to the drag races last evening. BJ and Kurt used to like to compete in side by side races. Gideon and Kasey like to ride bulls. When you look at them it's their hobby, their relief valve, their down time. When you look inside them you see an adventurous spirit, a fun feeling of competing, a sense of accomplishment.

When you really look inside you see folks giving 110%. You see folks not scared of responsibility and tasks at hand, and you see personalities that truly care about each other and help each other out. Do they have faults? Oh yeah. Just like me and probably you. But we are all made with a personality and a purpose that are God given.

What do you see inside homes? Probably furniture, food, and families. When you really look inside what do you see? Some adjectives that come to mind are planning, growing, changing, loving, caring, helping, including, and supporting.

What do you see inside churches? Probably a pulpit, benches or chairs, a piano or organ, some offering plates. On Sundays probably a Pastor or two and a congregation.

When you really look inside what do you see? Hopefully our church families look a lot like our immediate families. Faults? Oh yeah. We live in a fallen world. At supper time just before Jesus was killed his disciples were arguing who was the greatest. Jesus got some water and a towel and  washed his friends feet. Afterwards He asked, "Do you understand what I just did? I as your leader and master served you. You are to serve each other". We are to cherish our spouses. We are to love and support our families. We are to look out for our neighbors, friends, and enemies best interest ahead of our own. As you start a new week keep an eye out for what's inside. Really!