tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24173706872889154422024-03-27T01:37:56.873-05:00StillWatersIowaStill Waters Iowa is a farm family cabin that can be used for events such as reunions, conferences, and holiday get togethers, as well as overnight stays. It is located just off of an active farmyard and is adjacent to a four acre pond. This blog is updated weekly to connect with our guests and friends.stillwatersiowahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01904929764005950113noreply@blogger.comBlogger739125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2417370687288915442.post-77250195941176871112024-03-24T06:13:00.001-05:002024-03-24T07:55:40.794-05:00The Next Chapter<p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">What's the next chapter? In our country? In our personal lives? Will there be troubles? Or will it be our finest hour? Or will struggles bring out our finest hour? Thanks for coming with your Dad for coffee Jade and Logan, and hanging out with Malaki.<br /></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZeUltG_V-fE2G-alpIbpYWlO0SiVEB6BZ4wx3sWRleG5evv6kAbbzTkC1oJfc88WEjhbQydZZPRSlE9UXD23HakE6KFFhEMp0VNozE2pc-W-lg7kx-GtFegR-sRmYvVs9PgGwUcrmXxq43fAyTCIbwDkjga2KdeQYJDW6-HlmWVFB_M4qPaXSSNaGPUyj/s4000/2024-03-23%2009.23.24.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZeUltG_V-fE2G-alpIbpYWlO0SiVEB6BZ4wx3sWRleG5evv6kAbbzTkC1oJfc88WEjhbQydZZPRSlE9UXD23HakE6KFFhEMp0VNozE2pc-W-lg7kx-GtFegR-sRmYvVs9PgGwUcrmXxq43fAyTCIbwDkjga2KdeQYJDW6-HlmWVFB_M4qPaXSSNaGPUyj/w400-h300/2024-03-23%2009.23.24.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Since we're living our stories (history), we don't know details of our coming chapters. However we can look back. And remember what and why things happened. This was our first home as a young married couple. It was north of Oskaloosa on the Glendale road which was gravel back then. Earl and Marie were our landlords. Since the house had no water source, Orid would bring us a 1000 gallon at a time with his little truck for seven dollars. We farmed Walter's farm down the road.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeGG4gdMSlP_tkn_0bYf6FynNLzVCvI5lW4k2eRYhLag31bv86GJYwuCp3VS6PtEf5RqVqG8-3eBpJNH_6q7yaSme7GjoILuc_w7mr9qkDevtofuB7yaJTEcHzUcjl4cR1HJ4-KUCGTOAnp98YGGrXSbqnIIZ5mjD0AsT7Tqu1RfYpE-FfFvds_Np22Tj/s3773/2024-03-22%2016.10.13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="3773" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeGG4gdMSlP_tkn_0bYf6FynNLzVCvI5lW4k2eRYhLag31bv86GJYwuCp3VS6PtEf5RqVqG8-3eBpJNH_6q7yaSme7GjoILuc_w7mr9qkDevtofuB7yaJTEcHzUcjl4cR1HJ4-KUCGTOAnp98YGGrXSbqnIIZ5mjD0AsT7Tqu1RfYpE-FfFvds_Np22Tj/w400-h214/2024-03-22%2016.10.13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">After three years Walter's kids decided to sell the farm. Once again the next chapter was uncertain. We looked all over for a farm. We put a bid on a farm near Albia. Before that bid was accepted Jan and I went to the Muchakinock Creek bottom, where Jan's father was dozing, to ask if he would sell the West Place. Other than God's will and Papa Gene being a good father-in-law, I'm still not sure why a 53 year old farmer would sell. He accepted our offer, wrote a 20 yr. contract with a $5000 down payment, and $20,000/yr payments including 7% interest, with a final balloon pymt.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hyPWddhiqKqeFLfcbjoREqxu8CjePUgIbsOufmDAagPQ9Z5A4Vsfxw5gEANL7bd40ecKD8t1zLsmhlBCYzfdxNFbicdShICgdYm-L11nxJEn-hbmGkRiKpVmzN9n1rkZxa8z38VvcQaJB4sg3nmStfkaICPNjaTtAdLriYJeiQmVOEHEO3pn5znpJOO5/s4000/2024-03-22%2014.13.41.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2215" data-original-width="4000" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hyPWddhiqKqeFLfcbjoREqxu8CjePUgIbsOufmDAagPQ9Z5A4Vsfxw5gEANL7bd40ecKD8t1zLsmhlBCYzfdxNFbicdShICgdYm-L11nxJEn-hbmGkRiKpVmzN9n1rkZxa8z38VvcQaJB4sg3nmStfkaICPNjaTtAdLriYJeiQmVOEHEO3pn5znpJOO5/w400-h221/2024-03-22%2014.13.41.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">We moved to our current home in March of 1977 after considerable cleaning up and remodeling the house for $5000. In August our first child, Mike, was born. With Jan's father's help that spring we built the Hybrid so we would have a second tractor to chore with. It was a 1957 1 ton truck front end attached to an old Graham Bradley tractor rear end. We took it to the Iowa State Fair and received 3rd place in the gadget show. Because of a drought our corn crop averaged 10 bushels per acre. Once again, the next chapter was uncertain.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWyI0N-CKxkJy6ouSBIVNKaugNAOuYxcrKTM_daEUER58XVGq8DjmqXqMSuwETloqgwsJ1_90xApx9lo10dEyxfqOYmG9m-5oDZj_avsxoxqyZ3vMP0U2BWhchKUiycdVtly7WqF9_wcmssF5qIxG4QXP2aa_3KxfNrNPrpnbzXSEihMlV9EykLOwPCbc/s3625/2024-03-22%2016.55.57.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1607" data-original-width="3625" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWyI0N-CKxkJy6ouSBIVNKaugNAOuYxcrKTM_daEUER58XVGq8DjmqXqMSuwETloqgwsJ1_90xApx9lo10dEyxfqOYmG9m-5oDZj_avsxoxqyZ3vMP0U2BWhchKUiycdVtly7WqF9_wcmssF5qIxG4QXP2aa_3KxfNrNPrpnbzXSEihMlV9EykLOwPCbc/w400-h178/2024-03-22%2016.55.57.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">In the fall of 1977 we received a call from Daryl and Rosie, who we had been doing custom work for. Daryl was hoping to run for Mahaska County Supervisor and asked If Jan and I would rent their farm 50/50 north of Rose Hill. I was 21 years old. A second blessing in our young farming career that doubled our acres.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Gyu25GNzOMbP64j87lxkQo1vczo68ypla0y46jxuHVTQdZ9P8vTVr38524zKmmg-EhIN4XwSJgMg5TOLdO3ozif7yXwn4NsJ_dg7VMK-EsCVlh1IKBsPsWOicyJqO61c_fNl4gR9i0o7Ei6TvWEBjSH4DUoLYf89HsvDGH0GbcxdLs4nkhRhXrZTHR9G/s4000/2024-03-22%2016.09.00.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Gyu25GNzOMbP64j87lxkQo1vczo68ypla0y46jxuHVTQdZ9P8vTVr38524zKmmg-EhIN4XwSJgMg5TOLdO3ozif7yXwn4NsJ_dg7VMK-EsCVlh1IKBsPsWOicyJqO61c_fNl4gR9i0o7Ei6TvWEBjSH4DUoLYf89HsvDGH0GbcxdLs4nkhRhXrZTHR9G/w400-h300/2024-03-22%2016.09.00.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Droughts, kids, and struggles dominated the 1980s. Corn averaged $2/bu. and soybeans $5/bu. While my three best friend's hogs were thriving, ours were dying faster than I could hire a track hoe to bury them. My burdens, stubbornest, workaholic, and finally surrender to God is a chapter for another time. Even though our next chapter was uncertain, the time was both discouraging and delightful at the same time.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhJvrih-UoszDs767VRnM9aT3lwq6VQtDnfZmHFOcbVwl5ZMeJyCMqmP2G8fjGHlzfHg87kXos6z_8BE-xRyzmVn1g9JhEu8rSR0FYC-LmkROCxTy61DkNeVYZ-WbGD9LX55_BNJXMv3BiEI4tt4D0CJYh73lPBNCWT9d-8NGe-yfd-YUb-fKNu6GGKk2/s3562/2024-03-22%2014.18.20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2130" data-original-width="3562" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhJvrih-UoszDs767VRnM9aT3lwq6VQtDnfZmHFOcbVwl5ZMeJyCMqmP2G8fjGHlzfHg87kXos6z_8BE-xRyzmVn1g9JhEu8rSR0FYC-LmkROCxTy61DkNeVYZ-WbGD9LX55_BNJXMv3BiEI4tt4D0CJYh73lPBNCWT9d-8NGe-yfd-YUb-fKNu6GGKk2/w400-h239/2024-03-22%2014.18.20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Fast forward 40 years. March of 2020. A pandemic and shutting down of our country. Our country's next chapter was uncertain. Good folks needed work. After cleaning up the buildings in the above picture, we hired Rudy, Toby, Floyd, and three other ex-Amish young men to build the building below.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2CsXLD_Dvml1nNGdgpOK446bjkEIsqcICM0m6_iAhY11HKjSE4NVTVyldMDi6BWKfOxFdOTeJ63Wv7v12P1GirDo3HBlWozjNE1UEg9jSIfCxZeIYTRENX6rU2kSx3rb6B0yu_3HDxhu1RlBg08W-sy-hJeg1TcnnHFqbHdPs1yv09kd1AdNlVlMi1ksv/s2289/2024-03-23%2017.45.46.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="2289" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2CsXLD_Dvml1nNGdgpOK446bjkEIsqcICM0m6_iAhY11HKjSE4NVTVyldMDi6BWKfOxFdOTeJ63Wv7v12P1GirDo3HBlWozjNE1UEg9jSIfCxZeIYTRENX6rU2kSx3rb6B0yu_3HDxhu1RlBg08W-sy-hJeg1TcnnHFqbHdPs1yv09kd1AdNlVlMi1ksv/w400-h141/2024-03-23%2017.45.46.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">There are plenty of reasons to feel uncertain about 2024. It's very dry. The markets are depressed. Our culture has not only forgotten God, but is now intentionally disobeying Him. But hey, after 50 years of witnessing God's faithfulness in earlier chapters of our story, worry and fear are not our purposes. Because of the building above we can help friends get ready for spring. In 3 weeks we have the privilege of hosting our granddaughter Rachel and Carson's wedding here on the farm.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLPw8z7brpETW6iTJkdZeQpEFqwTcTCDPzfWjUbDVs3bCzviIkxLiFcEzulAgLm8qacO4hqSA-yfTwxztp1Dpi0EK4UzyanS3ReZ5xl-IfP2UVy1S3AQj37gs3n-x_a_NmMeVaorOF8g7VrrX51eG5jnSsh13BRhvBh2NTf470cpAN6mwoInpYa_Z5qv8/s3994/2024-03-18%2011.29.31.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2139" data-original-width="3994" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLPw8z7brpETW6iTJkdZeQpEFqwTcTCDPzfWjUbDVs3bCzviIkxLiFcEzulAgLm8qacO4hqSA-yfTwxztp1Dpi0EK4UzyanS3ReZ5xl-IfP2UVy1S3AQj37gs3n-x_a_NmMeVaorOF8g7VrrX51eG5jnSsh13BRhvBh2NTf470cpAN6mwoInpYa_Z5qv8/w400-h214/2024-03-18%2011.29.31.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">We're looking forward to spring and encouraging our customers to do the same as we deliver their seed corn. This load went to John and RJ.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3IRUx9uFAARg2M93Ywu2qmnDfDEHk_h14lccHYsoYHKNGawEdYfIOXLjq2H3HQ8AitFlw60enpxdifkSEPTs2DDq26wLNsnid_gap_T5PDUzOJN61w8wvvJN9pjMyNM28DK8Z2grvAHgqk7Y3OTjhoQw91ztH9JhthyqBjHpxHl_UciWxwvIHtMZOQTz/s3449/2024-03-19%2009.15.23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1746" data-original-width="3449" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3IRUx9uFAARg2M93Ywu2qmnDfDEHk_h14lccHYsoYHKNGawEdYfIOXLjq2H3HQ8AitFlw60enpxdifkSEPTs2DDq26wLNsnid_gap_T5PDUzOJN61w8wvvJN9pjMyNM28DK8Z2grvAHgqk7Y3OTjhoQw91ztH9JhthyqBjHpxHl_UciWxwvIHtMZOQTz/w400-h203/2024-03-19%2009.15.23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Because of such a dry winter we have leveled all our ground going to soybeans, hoping to save what little moisture we have. And hoping to be timely this spring. This pic is in front of our family's billboard just north of Ottumwa.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfdCzsCf6gTQfjA1rV-yPzYeBMyftjudpocMjEyHPbKRrslFjqOl3TMB-W3_bPp4PugeJF8cUKuG4iUw1n4WkBB1XsYf2msjezlX7dp69rLk3uyINUZVMlHi3DOcNkWfJ5xwfHhFtAou6w_xkHSKlj8ULcj5rTn4xH3ONimqAhiAhD37UOBb4iYnmvu9H/s3200/2024-03-21%2014.34.31.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1649" data-original-width="3200" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfdCzsCf6gTQfjA1rV-yPzYeBMyftjudpocMjEyHPbKRrslFjqOl3TMB-W3_bPp4PugeJF8cUKuG4iUw1n4WkBB1XsYf2msjezlX7dp69rLk3uyINUZVMlHi3DOcNkWfJ5xwfHhFtAou6w_xkHSKlj8ULcj5rTn4xH3ONimqAhiAhD37UOBb4iYnmvu9H/w400-h206/2024-03-21%2014.34.31.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">On Palm Sunday Jesus headed for Jerusalem knowing there were troubles coming. The people knew and proclaimed Jesus was the Messiah. However they were looking for someone to save them politically and nationally. Jesus came to save them spiritually. Thanks for the picture.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WSTRlKylCi90JKTfslcC4ca-0gQZuewsPwzcZBfffAPm-pugX9G9aActhvGX8qSF6xUK2GVFhcsUYLyXIFFvsJO3-yE9YjnMXeDHlhfLqV9j6WMrb3xOY3glF9vCXJYu7nhaHJH25S1JRi2rXbEaswprPfe3PCy3rIXv5EbFdOUXz4drHPZMHfJIwdJq/s1161/2024-03-23%2006.55.33.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1018" data-original-width="1161" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WSTRlKylCi90JKTfslcC4ca-0gQZuewsPwzcZBfffAPm-pugX9G9aActhvGX8qSF6xUK2GVFhcsUYLyXIFFvsJO3-yE9YjnMXeDHlhfLqV9j6WMrb3xOY3glF9vCXJYu7nhaHJH25S1JRi2rXbEaswprPfe3PCy3rIXv5EbFdOUXz4drHPZMHfJIwdJq/w400-h351/2024-03-23%2006.55.33.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">It's ironic we have the same thing today. Folks are all banking on a November/2024 election to save us. Our cultural problems today can only be solved spiritually.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8TQgJjKByk15m39iZN5ngAN1Ui2LT4ProAEl386SSwfwPHEAN-iSDzgpP4CUbsk-t0mtm4-sFZOmR_8IT44zBG5K0-7PysihxWiYv-PdOZgYR7OpejsaJV8Hz4s0oD0zW3Nwr9dKbuwhSMlvqr7lpjuo3QnF-brwH0aZfwFRTsKTM9noomwazymSZ0l9/s3598/2024-03-23%2012.15.46.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2143" data-original-width="3598" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8TQgJjKByk15m39iZN5ngAN1Ui2LT4ProAEl386SSwfwPHEAN-iSDzgpP4CUbsk-t0mtm4-sFZOmR_8IT44zBG5K0-7PysihxWiYv-PdOZgYR7OpejsaJV8Hz4s0oD0zW3Nwr9dKbuwhSMlvqr7lpjuo3QnF-brwH0aZfwFRTsKTM9noomwazymSZ0l9/w400-h239/2024-03-23%2012.15.46.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">The church and ruling government killed Jesus that week after He rode into town. Because of those horrible troubles, one Sunday later was Christ's finest hour, and ours, when He rose from the tomb and conquered death. Make sure your life's next chapter includes Christ. He died and rose for you. He wants to be part of your next chapters for the time you have remaining on earth as well as eternity.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9DHC_d6N-oTWU0Ocm7l2QI-gAS0kByE421ER1pZUbIQG8Le3f9Aad4H8bdtrKgj8Wr-If0yi9tLR5ghMmyj2yNapSEvHbRJeZuEWLIPqaeCZ5wwg_kQhIfI4SAixlUCqY2Ft-3I0f6JxBbPRGzsMOzEYoLCLyGyK30MwU4e2oiVkNqgxJUfqEK2xIVJh/s4000/2024-03-21%2019.57.55.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2193" data-original-width="4000" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9DHC_d6N-oTWU0Ocm7l2QI-gAS0kByE421ER1pZUbIQG8Le3f9Aad4H8bdtrKgj8Wr-If0yi9tLR5ghMmyj2yNapSEvHbRJeZuEWLIPqaeCZ5wwg_kQhIfI4SAixlUCqY2Ft-3I0f6JxBbPRGzsMOzEYoLCLyGyK30MwU4e2oiVkNqgxJUfqEK2xIVJh/w400-h219/2024-03-21%2019.57.55.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>stillwatersiowahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01904929764005950113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2417370687288915442.post-40532920907328460192024-03-17T06:13:00.000-05:002024-03-17T06:13:11.350-05:00Why Stories?<p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Jan and I arrived home from Arizona last Sunday afternoon. It's great to have family, friends, and a farm to come home to.</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ofp5zGb2iNd8yf-aba-SIyYVl9pfk40z6zW3u97Hk7STBIfJQpVlrDnwSPKawOBtxPaqg6Or0GeUdfwKftFiL1MTnvf4A6R6VJSr0cFpashN6JHcwsYfHwO8_Sx2GJAOqA5-V5oFQ2C68TSCXy4cMFBK8DJNFeFe3k9pwrTwv_IaaUppG13cgyllAn4V/s3677/2024-03-11%2012.51.00.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2657" data-original-width="3677" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ofp5zGb2iNd8yf-aba-SIyYVl9pfk40z6zW3u97Hk7STBIfJQpVlrDnwSPKawOBtxPaqg6Or0GeUdfwKftFiL1MTnvf4A6R6VJSr0cFpashN6JHcwsYfHwO8_Sx2GJAOqA5-V5oFQ2C68TSCXy4cMFBK8DJNFeFe3k9pwrTwv_IaaUppG13cgyllAn4V/w400-h289/2024-03-11%2012.51.00.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">In the beginning of Deuteronomy 11, Moses is talking to the Israelites just before they come to enter their promised homeland. He tells the people to keep in mind their children have not experienced God's discipline or seen the Lord's greatness, miraculous signs, and powerful arm when this large family left Egypt, and watched their adversary drown in the Red Sea. Or how God cared for them while they were in the wilderness. In verses 8-15 Moses tells them about the blessings of obedience. In verses 16-17 he warms them about the consequences of forgetting God.</b><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4yISMi3bk0XXXGIf0V4S6IIp91SAs9b0KrDupTY1PNjwkUU0EJwO-hq8AUl6awZiocdYqWZbwQ6kzeDXvEf2aNj_T4Fzbe9aAw7bdH-TlAhoX8K__FYnBwpq2bCt8RsI8uOgS0ubEAXsaPYtcVeapeQev27vmqEpTL0qlfMUcfvG0rI8-Jtin8ZliADq/s2340/2024-03-16%2018.31.42.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="2340" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4yISMi3bk0XXXGIf0V4S6IIp91SAs9b0KrDupTY1PNjwkUU0EJwO-hq8AUl6awZiocdYqWZbwQ6kzeDXvEf2aNj_T4Fzbe9aAw7bdH-TlAhoX8K__FYnBwpq2bCt8RsI8uOgS0ubEAXsaPYtcVeapeQev27vmqEpTL0qlfMUcfvG0rI8-Jtin8ZliADq/w400-h185/2024-03-16%2018.31.42.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">God's promises, instructions, and warnings don't automatically, spontaneously, through birthright, or unassisted come into the lives of children and young adults. Previous generations are to be intentional. Not just about rules and boundaries. But with personal stories about God's love and grace. Our everyday stories share Jesus.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXrBsj1njkfYF9GAJdo1b58FZT6q8fY3-TNTlnPiKUKrlIxenvc4oLfqN74RPTni30KXt_ImYp2toXuglFHeuh0dVfzioj4oUl5LwEukEH-rFaMRLe0eE0w4TbHCpGn9X3oO7Lpjpqzn3nk49LL3U2qlZI31-SxtvkdgYTmtmhdZWv7pj89iaV1Oi_Nkx/s3624/2024-03-14%2012.21.56.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="3624" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXrBsj1njkfYF9GAJdo1b58FZT6q8fY3-TNTlnPiKUKrlIxenvc4oLfqN74RPTni30KXt_ImYp2toXuglFHeuh0dVfzioj4oUl5LwEukEH-rFaMRLe0eE0w4TbHCpGn9X3oO7Lpjpqzn3nk49LL3U2qlZI31-SxtvkdgYTmtmhdZWv7pj89iaV1Oi_Nkx/w400-h297/2024-03-14%2012.21.56.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">I enjoy our Sunday morning visits. I hope many of you do as well. I also hope as grandkids, and someday greatgrandkids, maybe read Grandpa's stories, they will be reminded of God's faithfulness to our family.</b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Karl, Kristin, and their four children delivered Becks Seed yesterday with their semi. Thanks for the picture Kristin.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCKnnmmuF0BmIcVgUJRVxla6ttAJt9dbvs1fEUlG4M2s28CVSTliiwxF3JmhEJIZeqYStNOaTIoYMrO3m7Vg_9P_RWfE0RELsYLXx36z22s5KuBGZgCGowNRB8d9unubBNFARSBx1MKUb2yY74MgwlTZiqh5xb2poHu2Si8OpvdR56_yuTs1-kOlg7L6f/s1158/2024-03-16%2018.31.01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCKnnmmuF0BmIcVgUJRVxla6ttAJt9dbvs1fEUlG4M2s28CVSTliiwxF3JmhEJIZeqYStNOaTIoYMrO3m7Vg_9P_RWfE0RELsYLXx36z22s5KuBGZgCGowNRB8d9unubBNFARSBx1MKUb2yY74MgwlTZiqh5xb2poHu2Si8OpvdR56_yuTs1-kOlg7L6f/w373-h400/2024-03-16%2018.31.01.jpg" width="373" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Mark and Stacy's, Allison, got her wish of having 4-H pigs for the fair. Thanks for the picture Stacy.</b><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAIXLC2wbiNsCPMtDR6M7VetnEz_2jshao2rUYC0Rptk9CLcmYhtlie9G-BiE9vQ9jXm1aPjEmulFw-AKocyVJGouZW6wwtxyCIWmrpWsjoVGOrS9aT_iSHxSrCIMpi7_rNTTwCzMY_R7dKU5jvw01-RvYj9p1T7YPK8p5WyhPWnAWx_tliZEwEtDfsY2y/s1080/2024-03-12%2019.10.29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1057" data-original-width="1080" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAIXLC2wbiNsCPMtDR6M7VetnEz_2jshao2rUYC0Rptk9CLcmYhtlie9G-BiE9vQ9jXm1aPjEmulFw-AKocyVJGouZW6wwtxyCIWmrpWsjoVGOrS9aT_iSHxSrCIMpi7_rNTTwCzMY_R7dKU5jvw01-RvYj9p1T7YPK8p5WyhPWnAWx_tliZEwEtDfsY2y/w400-h391/2024-03-12%2019.10.29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Karl and his son Malaki got up early one morning and loaded out 5 semi loads of double stock. They are usually double filled with baby pigs. Then 6 to 8 week later half of the pigs get loaded out and go to growers somewhere.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvonqSrQ2epr4nJK4ywJ1errPCIfriG5EdM3M1rCssciV8UKTAP-KeaWUfDQS-j-N52X4H6wKuFt-wWjQ7iqDk_nW1Mn73PpVy84ii8dpDLkVau1hxouugj8xoUOdD9Vn1CT7r5MazLl5M0mTwbPWokSgLaME3qu5GxahBSQPpfp2QT1Kb7u-VBpMELenY/s3280/2024-03-13%2008.17.00.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1534" data-original-width="3280" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvonqSrQ2epr4nJK4ywJ1errPCIfriG5EdM3M1rCssciV8UKTAP-KeaWUfDQS-j-N52X4H6wKuFt-wWjQ7iqDk_nW1Mn73PpVy84ii8dpDLkVau1hxouugj8xoUOdD9Vn1CT7r5MazLl5M0mTwbPWokSgLaME3qu5GxahBSQPpfp2QT1Kb7u-VBpMELenY/w400-h188/2024-03-13%2008.17.00.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Because of spring break the grandkids were available to help this past week. Elliott, Elijah, Ezra, all helped Grandpa with odd jobs, sorting hogs, cleaning out cabs, washing vehicles, and some fieldwork.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHVQ0iXKHwA8X0UFkxBRCMdRdWl7RYgrG_zzgAtux3KjhVQ3YTph50OPKWDwLsOghDL0FPoe1GhOw9OeVMwqzoChV6pislWim83Pi0NngabV-9EPKSIgj5cGYcWWV1_9M8akVGZezN5fUIjNPYi729kLs-6d8fkc5-tBZc4VT3SeAzZXG7fCnhpr6fwuWo/s3051/2024-03-11%2009.47.18.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="3051" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHVQ0iXKHwA8X0UFkxBRCMdRdWl7RYgrG_zzgAtux3KjhVQ3YTph50OPKWDwLsOghDL0FPoe1GhOw9OeVMwqzoChV6pislWim83Pi0NngabV-9EPKSIgj5cGYcWWV1_9M8akVGZezN5fUIjNPYi729kLs-6d8fkc5-tBZc4VT3SeAzZXG7fCnhpr6fwuWo/w400-h189/2024-03-11%2009.47.18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Mike and Mark worked together cleaning trees off of dikes on a rented farm.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnyIBn_mLbUlGwoESk0nj4FN2QURBeOBWu1VQRZpvAZQEApI3dVVlQJiaDwmIwctX8IrGTQAOlqpS64U4eEgWRSR1XwUA3_WGWhyphenhyphenLxHay4O14sHBIaq4lp3_LKL2-KXCsVGZ8QT39FtKW2h0wwxfcMWJLsvTe-EQocjH1lrSFbzqkRt8SmvGPFkITz4HL/s1534/2024-03-11%2015.30.49.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1534" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnyIBn_mLbUlGwoESk0nj4FN2QURBeOBWu1VQRZpvAZQEApI3dVVlQJiaDwmIwctX8IrGTQAOlqpS64U4eEgWRSR1XwUA3_WGWhyphenhyphenLxHay4O14sHBIaq4lp3_LKL2-KXCsVGZ8QT39FtKW2h0wwxfcMWJLsvTe-EQocjH1lrSFbzqkRt8SmvGPFkITz4HL/w281-h400/2024-03-11%2015.30.49.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">BJ, his son John, and Alex plowed in more tile Our very dry soil did get a drink this week. We had 8 tenths of rain one day south of Oskaloosa.</b><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBLwL3VI19_xEajEhjakUqcIonr3c3a9PgI4xCLrsk8VNHsS8o_YtgWn_BdXJ77Wpz_rzGPaM_3taBZsolo76FNy5P6lAKmLLeKrPRPGnRxZmH6PgNatJtuNbfGCQMB9saJlmZrlsJuN5C2N-2XTOI6Xzet4RdCWHugAnqNXq5xkcQRuCZUfOxrUN___q/s2578/2024-03-11%2010.44.41.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1565" data-original-width="2578" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBLwL3VI19_xEajEhjakUqcIonr3c3a9PgI4xCLrsk8VNHsS8o_YtgWn_BdXJ77Wpz_rzGPaM_3taBZsolo76FNy5P6lAKmLLeKrPRPGnRxZmH6PgNatJtuNbfGCQMB9saJlmZrlsJuN5C2N-2XTOI6Xzet4RdCWHugAnqNXq5xkcQRuCZUfOxrUN___q/w400-h243/2024-03-11%2010.44.41.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Mike was able to sneak in a broadbase terrace for his Dad after the shower of rain since his dozer was around the shop.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IndNX_V8bWjSV3LxeYlUjTCYIT5NW1fpRItl2cN2mXKuzf_0ZRCH2MtahdG8c7c47H-_0-QbNSxRcU0jUPg-pR9GKU0J8BY3oNj_rsXJUBcCG1QB2YUeIUHjLwX3aRFQRJdLOrMeaGBAXxrto_5bxdKxCS6M7vlRZ7yQ99aopcQTE0_ugUkGdEGARbzM/s3470/2024-03-12%2016.28.21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1553" data-original-width="3470" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IndNX_V8bWjSV3LxeYlUjTCYIT5NW1fpRItl2cN2mXKuzf_0ZRCH2MtahdG8c7c47H-_0-QbNSxRcU0jUPg-pR9GKU0J8BY3oNj_rsXJUBcCG1QB2YUeIUHjLwX3aRFQRJdLOrMeaGBAXxrto_5bxdKxCS6M7vlRZ7yQ99aopcQTE0_ugUkGdEGARbzM/w400-h179/2024-03-12%2016.28.21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">The Gospel Singers have been singing since 1970. I sang with them from 1973 till 1993. Back then concerts were mostly after Sunday night church. And Jan would have a bench full of wiggling children while watching. Last Sunday evening I enjoyed their concert during our evening service.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNFAtxMJqnaufSNZ3vr5ANXE_FBVwfNCuT1Nt2cqjNzEUlNyWGXT2BAxu6cCgYtc5Th2huZaW6NZwMnphaKI59pj7OdKWIGSHyH1Hb3mAMqk7T33oyNMjjA_Tg0yQn4rMk8FTdVJTMfFJ0_h9O1MM7_6RWvXdJBH8k4C4jiY9H44dm63MKtt0lRqxIyZs/s3409/2024-03-10%2018.49.23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1659" data-original-width="3409" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNFAtxMJqnaufSNZ3vr5ANXE_FBVwfNCuT1Nt2cqjNzEUlNyWGXT2BAxu6cCgYtc5Th2huZaW6NZwMnphaKI59pj7OdKWIGSHyH1Hb3mAMqk7T33oyNMjjA_Tg0yQn4rMk8FTdVJTMfFJ0_h9O1MM7_6RWvXdJBH8k4C4jiY9H44dm63MKtt0lRqxIyZs/w400-h195/2024-03-10%2018.49.23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Our friend Andy and his son Olsen went to pick up a tractor with their semi. To their surprise the salesman threw in a pedal tractor in the deal. So Andy strapped on Olsen's tractor just like Dads. Kudos to Andy and the John Deere salesman. Little Olsen will never forget this story. And how important and needed it made him feel. Thanks for the picture Andy.</b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">I was talking to a retired Oakdale prison guard this past week. He agreed 80% of incarcerated folks in our country didn't have an active father in the home. Or hear positive stories.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAxRGR7Y22WdwveM3T9G2UzzSHnYm_78LiUzNInmHhw3ZiRXwWINovn-4XwBEuhlUTZEPZnoFXA4R3Bk1HEJZFtQnOLvaro1ZnDGglWS-KQsDjwbJzHQPeN0QLjgshZfv3Q_yZQ5GT5HDqPfHs7KhXTKvGawnzmia1LGhbk8-jETtuF7wDomfJqX3Vxv3/s1604/2024-03-15%2015.17.58.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1604" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAxRGR7Y22WdwveM3T9G2UzzSHnYm_78LiUzNInmHhw3ZiRXwWINovn-4XwBEuhlUTZEPZnoFXA4R3Bk1HEJZFtQnOLvaro1ZnDGglWS-KQsDjwbJzHQPeN0QLjgshZfv3Q_yZQ5GT5HDqPfHs7KhXTKvGawnzmia1LGhbk8-jETtuF7wDomfJqX3Vxv3/w400-h230/2024-03-15%2015.17.58.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Moses continues his story in Deuteronomy 11:18-21. He asks the Israelites to commit themselves to his stories. To teach them to their children. To talk to them at home, and on the road, and going to bed, and getting up. He asks they write these stories on their doorposts of their home, and on their gates. "So that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord has given you".</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rjZa-F42HAihtfFojR9Fr-WECfY0IYwvqzsydrOhGuoHWQwlxB6RNQgF-I8e9TFgJT5_nEjTbPb26gsLPYmzakK-ETRh8ofngG8rNbVHWBzxf4BazsCjtQ55TIgYj2eMgkKDQqeRiQJSjfF2Y1rjQz1_zSPS6wdNrNHvfWy_s2HA1xs1tH2rrTXHKvhK/s4000/2024-03-16%2015.03.44.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rjZa-F42HAihtfFojR9Fr-WECfY0IYwvqzsydrOhGuoHWQwlxB6RNQgF-I8e9TFgJT5_nEjTbPb26gsLPYmzakK-ETRh8ofngG8rNbVHWBzxf4BazsCjtQ55TIgYj2eMgkKDQqeRiQJSjfF2Y1rjQz1_zSPS6wdNrNHvfWy_s2HA1xs1tH2rrTXHKvhK/w400-h300/2024-03-16%2015.03.44.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">In one generation the country of Israel forgot about God. And they suffered the consequences. We live in a country that has forgotten about God. What can we do about it? It starts with families. And sharing stories about God's faithfulness. Thanks for the picture TFL. And blessings on your gathering today.</b></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivL8ed9rGGrAp8wdQS29V4eDoX1_Ty0goT9iaZpjmE07S7qVEME5QflQgwOOHwHPkKPAHlObWo33XiIbU0kb90R9cnjCEthXQi5-ni6TliUmNUjuf4xDsZZ6nesbMIZoh9sXcpF_a8tUPhTX8hmvE48U5mOEiuYGTDQrJstJfGxd0fHlkYXhqemAb09NGl/s2059/2024-03-16%2019.21.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="2059" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivL8ed9rGGrAp8wdQS29V4eDoX1_Ty0goT9iaZpjmE07S7qVEME5QflQgwOOHwHPkKPAHlObWo33XiIbU0kb90R9cnjCEthXQi5-ni6TliUmNUjuf4xDsZZ6nesbMIZoh9sXcpF_a8tUPhTX8hmvE48U5mOEiuYGTDQrJstJfGxd0fHlkYXhqemAb09NGl/w400-h119/2024-03-16%2019.21.09.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />stillwatersiowahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01904929764005950113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2417370687288915442.post-89092070860110336102024-03-08T12:43:00.002-06:002024-03-08T12:43:51.558-06:00Stories Old And New<p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Last week we went back 50 years to Jan's sister's wedding in 1974. Let's go back one more year to the summer of 1973. I had just finished my junior year year of high school. I was the pitcher for our Osky 1 church softball team #2. Phil and Phyllis came to our game with a friend of Phyllis. They introduced me to Jan who had just graduated from high school. After the game, the 4 of us went for ice cream.</b><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkaAAl04RgFPxnjvfUA8GOwNxUPurTAEWrkQuU-wOov1rZSm4s6iCGLOyy_ilXms9f4kXC-sY62et6zYe67I-7IIS6RLlNVv9sCjUMuQ-H4EQjl1gOxdkS9ZEpqXnGZiomWbF_QZtf1n4YRM-SpfrLX_U4KgeZa2z73wl1Kh37tXKNPouV6Bnj3EI-DE7/s2016/2024-03-06%2008.11.09.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="2016" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkaAAl04RgFPxnjvfUA8GOwNxUPurTAEWrkQuU-wOov1rZSm4s6iCGLOyy_ilXms9f4kXC-sY62et6zYe67I-7IIS6RLlNVv9sCjUMuQ-H4EQjl1gOxdkS9ZEpqXnGZiomWbF_QZtf1n4YRM-SpfrLX_U4KgeZa2z73wl1Kh37tXKNPouV6Bnj3EI-DE7/w400-h210/2024-03-06%2008.11.09.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Jan rode with me on my Honda 450CL motorcycle. She must have been brave. As we visited, I was impressed with two things. She was cute. And she knew so much about farming. We had a blissful summer. Wow. I was content to date that girl forever.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0n1SYWR3kLuqhGVQNNzW7ED1DjPDhyphenhyphen9rcT8rGa9VwgX0bYQXPI2-PjbihuG_wlwXkOHd4CXd5L_SWeXcG_hk96JN2RU8uGodTwjbR8lcEW8-pVzzT9m5Miq5GZT4LfMvbOfZ9Aav8U4RBW0JWBCnszLZzkkLRh1JrWrRRB9hnnsfS3aH6Dt3vZQQXnY0/s4000/2024-03-07%2014.13.08.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0n1SYWR3kLuqhGVQNNzW7ED1DjPDhyphenhyphen9rcT8rGa9VwgX0bYQXPI2-PjbihuG_wlwXkOHd4CXd5L_SWeXcG_hk96JN2RU8uGodTwjbR8lcEW8-pVzzT9m5Miq5GZT4LfMvbOfZ9Aav8U4RBW0JWBCnszLZzkkLRh1JrWrRRB9hnnsfS3aH6Dt3vZQQXnY0/w300-h400/2024-03-07%2014.13.08.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">However, that was the problem. I had no plan. All I knew was farming. I hadn't dated any other girl other than hanging out at social events. I wasn't taught to share my feelings. I was just plain boring! And come harvest time 1973, Jan broke up with me.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"> </b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">P.S. Notice our southern border wall near San Luis, Arizona in the picture below while the farmer is deep ripping a lettuce field with his 8R370 on metric tires. </b><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Chuqo3e9NSHGvzf-GcbwiWZAy2rt1QzMhZEEBO9owdcHhGAm3BJUv_cxHRueXe86woSAjy6dZJZT3RcKgqhr7egRdXUaIcYgNR1kUQdIMapG5vswmErMZTFqczRgXM5Dpa-2SCGGEY_VA0fjqDbKp855Vgya_gu6HQu9jgs7lSUtHcy8YsL8aHxsFEJy/s2511/2024-03-05%2011.21.38.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1272" data-original-width="2511" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Chuqo3e9NSHGvzf-GcbwiWZAy2rt1QzMhZEEBO9owdcHhGAm3BJUv_cxHRueXe86woSAjy6dZJZT3RcKgqhr7egRdXUaIcYgNR1kUQdIMapG5vswmErMZTFqczRgXM5Dpa-2SCGGEY_VA0fjqDbKp855Vgya_gu6HQu9jgs7lSUtHcy8YsL8aHxsFEJy/w400-h203/2024-03-05%2011.21.38.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">It's not cool for a guy to say, but I was heartbroken. The following week my Dad and I were custom combining for Ivan and Hazel east of Oskaloosa. I swore I'd never date that girl again. However I found myself praying for her and her safety just about every day. I tried dating other girls a time or two. It just wasn't the same. Christmas/73 came and went. Then Jan's sister Donna and Arlin's wedding in March/74. Then around Easter time I had gone to Central Reformed Church on a Sunday night with Valerie when Jan smiled at me and said hello.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpglSqnuJ92nblOfDmO-KA6-V3MZYvMe1EmnCY3GzjI7SAtBM0f5IONkf7qtMLXdD2iTDJ0TPHTUAYu85LwpKtwOz9Z3jopC9xapXayP8DsVMUoNC8ZUknGA9n48dv84T7C23X-Z_Nd3QCDa7_OwOyOuFfyO_rUa_g73i9D3jPe6b1NAj0dpPeNh8R-wKQ/s2766/2024-03-03%2010.23.20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1348" data-original-width="2766" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpglSqnuJ92nblOfDmO-KA6-V3MZYvMe1EmnCY3GzjI7SAtBM0f5IONkf7qtMLXdD2iTDJ0TPHTUAYu85LwpKtwOz9Z3jopC9xapXayP8DsVMUoNC8ZUknGA9n48dv84T7C23X-Z_Nd3QCDa7_OwOyOuFfyO_rUa_g73i9D3jPe6b1NAj0dpPeNh8R-wKQ/w400-h195/2024-03-03%2010.23.20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">The rest is history (His-story for sure). I asked her out again. I graduated from high school. We went "steady", and she wore my big class ring with yarn woven through it, even at her job as check-out girl at Fareway. We had a short engagement. We got married. And 49 years ago this past week I left Central Reformed Church with my bride, a pickup full of snow, and a heart full of dreams.</b><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmC_YvEf9iY9Qu40prFPJ5bZMHMatF_uVQtxT2a0yqUycnAKo69UAEXLTf5wRCBNYXCtf7_dmiWPECBa3wOpypJyC90RmsVvYxKu3TX9RGr0tkkjT5hNvDkeoHdRolbPexfVB12IOd5nzZcO8to3fN7vFWTUMv1LfKx13q3wd2Ae4FQuTMgr4kaZq9dHW/s2340/2024-03-08%2008.01.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="2340" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmC_YvEf9iY9Qu40prFPJ5bZMHMatF_uVQtxT2a0yqUycnAKo69UAEXLTf5wRCBNYXCtf7_dmiWPECBa3wOpypJyC90RmsVvYxKu3TX9RGr0tkkjT5hNvDkeoHdRolbPexfVB12IOd5nzZcO8to3fN7vFWTUMv1LfKx13q3wd2Ae4FQuTMgr4kaZq9dHW/w400-h185/2024-03-08%2008.01.29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">This past week we have spent in Arizona enjoying each others company. And remembering and celebrating those first years farming side by side together. Then droughts, kids, 80s, farming crisis, faithful landlords, bad and good bankers, patient crop input suppliers, sick hogs, Jan's back troubles from carrying heavy seed corn bags, and customwork to diversify so we could stay farming.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZ3SUK424OB5q4WeQVyO_uziO2NcpJoWFDtDOUp0ZJ-I3jFdqRSsatHIiMGIHNBGxS9ZI_GBHajvJMI8xRPmPMGu_yCVQrSbmePCp5Lm3hVny2qYuI0AalfPgKIFFWe50DydEuLddoE47-Oe9kAnvg-8VKU6z3_MxVfv0kYmMR3YQcGN09CTT_hz1oD4a/s3832/2024-03-04%2018.57.29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1964" data-original-width="3832" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZ3SUK424OB5q4WeQVyO_uziO2NcpJoWFDtDOUp0ZJ-I3jFdqRSsatHIiMGIHNBGxS9ZI_GBHajvJMI8xRPmPMGu_yCVQrSbmePCp5Lm3hVny2qYuI0AalfPgKIFFWe50DydEuLddoE47-Oe9kAnvg-8VKU6z3_MxVfv0kYmMR3YQcGN09CTT_hz1oD4a/w400-h205/2024-03-04%2018.57.29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">This past Monday, after staying in Yuma, AZ, we left early and were in Old Mexico by 7am. We met our friend Israel, had chips and salsa with coffee at a local cafe, got my boots polished, went to a pharmacy for things like antibiotics, Prednisone, Ivermectin, and anything grandkids might need. And pure Mexican vanilla.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPser268VtWGU56lKDAJrxLiu37KsF3BXctHdJAUoloP-8qEnPHkVUFhqi158xWlfZ_abongV-h4OuxnHhMyeK3sfQQ9jxB-jjuHXSejmwzqBm55lXsrx27RkkINSBUF0k44bl8gFFHAFYkVv_9Lldy8fJiha66aAQGTMfL5MzgCIiz8m6GF_sYO1xJH5m/s4000/2024-03-04%2008.56.39.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPser268VtWGU56lKDAJrxLiu37KsF3BXctHdJAUoloP-8qEnPHkVUFhqi158xWlfZ_abongV-h4OuxnHhMyeK3sfQQ9jxB-jjuHXSejmwzqBm55lXsrx27RkkINSBUF0k44bl8gFFHAFYkVv_9Lldy8fJiha66aAQGTMfL5MzgCIiz8m6GF_sYO1xJH5m/w400-h300/2024-03-04%2008.56.39.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Yes, that vanilla changed our day. When you return to the USA you have to go through customs one at a time. Jan went first. The border patrol asked about her purchases. She told him medications and vanilla. One year Jan told him "drugs", and the border guy said, "you mean medications, right Mamm?" He asked Jan what she was going to do with the vanilla. She told him cook for others. Wrong answer. She was detained behind a locked gate. I was next. Same answer, meds and vanilla. Not knowing Jan's answer I was asked what I was going to do with that vanilla. I told him I was looking forward to giving it to all the gals in my family. Again, wrong answer. And I was put in that same holding room as Jan. Honestly, we were escorted out of customs, back to Old Mexico, and told to get rid of the vanilla.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldvVWQmz5WV4PLHh8Q1pCnjH6EO1_c9WmIiKg1aSqEsOWFlwtwH4Xzh3i2ru40CCjkGw3q9gje9w9cfWWcdHXTOiRNIPoSqVhlyaRMu2XCHCQKAIXvS40MvfxJw9nRlOKiqZyBuny3l3ajaCHfONEavhCvKNhha1z5EZ1fuJHLSF97yTBx7LSqg3ehZjx/s4000/2024-03-04%2010.51.49.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldvVWQmz5WV4PLHh8Q1pCnjH6EO1_c9WmIiKg1aSqEsOWFlwtwH4Xzh3i2ru40CCjkGw3q9gje9w9cfWWcdHXTOiRNIPoSqVhlyaRMu2XCHCQKAIXvS40MvfxJw9nRlOKiqZyBuny3l3ajaCHfONEavhCvKNhha1z5EZ1fuJHLSF97yTBx7LSqg3ehZjx/w300-h400/2024-03-04%2010.51.49.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">I grinned as I thought about the irony of our choices. We could buy a ladder and climb the wall like so many others. Or we could cross the Rio Grande River with the 890,000 illegals every year, and be welcomed to the USA. Or we could return the vanilla. After returning the vanilla, we again went through USA customs. When I was asked this time what I was going to do with all that antibiotics and Ivermectin, I said it was all for my personal use. Right answer. Welcome home.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMI6KCFrVRDNLqeslDFly3i6QgkOAiqflpAfjq2kAWuuuw3YuBKtAdol4Ag86fKvfVjjzApqw20Gr5Zn0KFmLaPkLX9S-2qBFAqHlpcRYNo40D49-CX19lVqyaAUYYRFM6whU8Ky2IzWJRlmnHhPoZfchxUH6NfXHJaNUSlCf9LbdOTiSK2M-k4JAAHmF6/s4000/2024-03-05%2009.09.43.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMI6KCFrVRDNLqeslDFly3i6QgkOAiqflpAfjq2kAWuuuw3YuBKtAdol4Ag86fKvfVjjzApqw20Gr5Zn0KFmLaPkLX9S-2qBFAqHlpcRYNo40D49-CX19lVqyaAUYYRFM6whU8Ky2IzWJRlmnHhPoZfchxUH6NfXHJaNUSlCf9LbdOTiSK2M-k4JAAHmF6/w400-h300/2024-03-05%2009.09.43.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Every year we come here, we go to a different part of the wall. Inevitably we will encounter a border patrol. Because most vehicles driving slow along the wall are waiting for visitors from Mexico with ladders. It's always an amazing visit. The officers are friendly and honest. When asked, Sergeant V. told us he encounters illegals every day. Most are finger printed. The bad guys come alone and are usually ready to fight. It's a fact Venezuela is emptying their prisons. Many are currently coming from Russia and China. The countries we're not friendly with will not allow us to send their folks back home.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_YVZ8fUUDpQxujSeEMQlHNL05uDbNpE5TvaFTxDs0OKBNGAQAaqPnSbS4t60-D6oHIW-h6zLOvfp4Y0OC86O-ajIdLFqZFQR7tY3K_dsxw_bf6aYJKHmHSuHvVJzBrEhITocnbKAiru817XOUdMBABh_BlNKgFPHr_EHva99Bc9szVcn-m1_p4v7_BHY/s3239/2024-03-05%2009.36.03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2239" data-original-width="3239" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_YVZ8fUUDpQxujSeEMQlHNL05uDbNpE5TvaFTxDs0OKBNGAQAaqPnSbS4t60-D6oHIW-h6zLOvfp4Y0OC86O-ajIdLFqZFQR7tY3K_dsxw_bf6aYJKHmHSuHvVJzBrEhITocnbKAiru817XOUdMBABh_BlNKgFPHr_EHva99Bc9szVcn-m1_p4v7_BHY/w400-h276/2024-03-05%2009.36.03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Back to present day, feel good stories. What fun to catch up with Pastor Tom and Erin in Yuma. And hear about Tom's 6 week work trip to Sierra Lione and Liberia. While enjoying pizza. We are looking forward to them and their camper staying with us during Tulip Time week in May.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyA2GuX1XjKpkEM551uS7YvaqcHlapvEMvttvtFtyhJsM8IBlP1jzB3dHs9ovKWh19uiGztM07EHCHb47LmIReHIam1hEguCcJXUZn4SVKT46h2PUuwo-8DyNcfcOydtyXyRsrhsCrqMsK_pYMBKtlK3e8_HYW6EkaTRYFGqUz7g4xrzUbdNznTEcxzYog/s3613/2024-03-05%2017.57.52.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2120" data-original-width="3613" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyA2GuX1XjKpkEM551uS7YvaqcHlapvEMvttvtFtyhJsM8IBlP1jzB3dHs9ovKWh19uiGztM07EHCHb47LmIReHIam1hEguCcJXUZn4SVKT46h2PUuwo-8DyNcfcOydtyXyRsrhsCrqMsK_pYMBKtlK3e8_HYW6EkaTRYFGqUz7g4xrzUbdNznTEcxzYog/w400-h235/2024-03-05%2017.57.52.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">KC was a joy to get to know. She's the gal at Texas Roadhouse that comes around and asks if everything is ok. She has a husband that is a helicopter mechanic for the border patrol. They have 7 children in Christian school. Her father is the voice of conservative radio in Yuma, AZ and has a talk show. I was able to have an enjoyable conversation with him by text.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklOuI8N2NV2r8hi7SuUbw1Vzfl9UbZVcV4cBdt9_ZEG0geZG2UCfU_GkBPUCvDAs8qrrrVWoa4HWxalAjyiesyIUxeFXqwUmuCztTSD2zDR_8Ah0ozeI8Di3hxhiZqTioOT9BVihRvwaImGf1To32S22kt9h7wraD4VGdpW3ZNrzrcatG3f4fvqYpOjMj/s3695/2024-03-06%2016.48.00.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2328" data-original-width="3695" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklOuI8N2NV2r8hi7SuUbw1Vzfl9UbZVcV4cBdt9_ZEG0geZG2UCfU_GkBPUCvDAs8qrrrVWoa4HWxalAjyiesyIUxeFXqwUmuCztTSD2zDR_8Ah0ozeI8Di3hxhiZqTioOT9BVihRvwaImGf1To32S22kt9h7wraD4VGdpW3ZNrzrcatG3f4fvqYpOjMj/w400-h253/2024-03-06%2016.48.00.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">So what's my point this morning? I'm not sure I have one that ties everything together. A week away is so good for me. To appreciate my wife. To miss all six of our kids and their spouses. To have time to think just how big a blessing it is to have to have grandchildren that are just starting their life's stories. To remember the stories when it seems nothing works out. And celebrating the stories when it feels everything is working out. <i>Our life's story + God's provision and redemption = His-story (history</i>) And you and I have a purpose with stories in this part of history "for such a time as this".</b><br /></div></div><div><p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_iFEVJpE3cRBHD9raGpdS_ozkQlfohb6M-ZzVk1L3BYoMlt61Wpb8jcWUymL7NNGkLKYZf6rkvsL8wImTy_Vb0Vfy3qow1ZE9CXVkxOGhH4B7pGjm7HP0XxfMj3Z8a2kQSMk3q0kjjgQioO1FQHZz3V7hY5lKdGWfdwpO6_cz6DHYNJ4HPd_3N1epJyH/s4000/2024-03-07%2015.52.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_iFEVJpE3cRBHD9raGpdS_ozkQlfohb6M-ZzVk1L3BYoMlt61Wpb8jcWUymL7NNGkLKYZf6rkvsL8wImTy_Vb0Vfy3qow1ZE9CXVkxOGhH4B7pGjm7HP0XxfMj3Z8a2kQSMk3q0kjjgQioO1FQHZz3V7hY5lKdGWfdwpO6_cz6DHYNJ4HPd_3N1epJyH/w400-h300/2024-03-07%2015.52.37.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />stillwatersiowahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01904929764005950113noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2417370687288915442.post-69392703063280459642024-03-01T22:40:00.000-06:002024-03-01T22:40:22.683-06:00Ora et Labora et Damus<p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Stories connect us. Our life's stories are often like the ones in the Louis L'Amour westerns and the Amish romances. At first it seems like nothing works out. Then in the end, everything works out. On March 1, 1974 on a Friday night, Donna and Arlin were married at Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa. Below was Donna's immediate family and her new husband.</b><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KCC8whB6j1vNsAem0rvU6mGei-Bjg9RrrAsVqtb4EvcYZg9u4lgKIH8T4i7k00f4SSWnD4QFqTAfPV7vnpdhK3AgugY0SEAs-Ip1497oxUUDy2BDpQ-zmd4ILD9oSahlHeOXGWFyOLGlw31whyRrhRULWYqjA5ZHQemvGtabE-1Evj5EeVCjWGpJhmpW/s4000/2024-03-01%2017.16.29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KCC8whB6j1vNsAem0rvU6mGei-Bjg9RrrAsVqtb4EvcYZg9u4lgKIH8T4i7k00f4SSWnD4QFqTAfPV7vnpdhK3AgugY0SEAs-Ip1497oxUUDy2BDpQ-zmd4ILD9oSahlHeOXGWFyOLGlw31whyRrhRULWYqjA5ZHQemvGtabE-1Evj5EeVCjWGpJhmpW/w400-h300/2024-03-01%2017.16.29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Last evening we celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in the cabin. Celebrating how everything worked out. In 1974 I was a senior in high school. At the time it seemed nothing was working out for me. I ended up attending Donna and Arlin's wedding. However it wasn't to see them. It was to see Donna's bridesmaid, her sister.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9H47LiUUTEZJRMHW-lEXkUi6kY8D7z1pKtw0ILuX6Kzyqfz6dkaO4zRgfGdXBNvr0PzLpoPU9jMmBcOKG9MXqUzFpHU1aFAsRuEFyYg__HwnLoO6q22JMIj-t-tODpJgqjvBxMdfM8iIudSQqK-U8p0ZIF0OF2T-Gr1O9ulR416wRQEKqIYftmHNwxd3q/s3532/2024-03-01%2018.26.15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1927" data-original-width="3532" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9H47LiUUTEZJRMHW-lEXkUi6kY8D7z1pKtw0ILuX6Kzyqfz6dkaO4zRgfGdXBNvr0PzLpoPU9jMmBcOKG9MXqUzFpHU1aFAsRuEFyYg__HwnLoO6q22JMIj-t-tODpJgqjvBxMdfM8iIudSQqK-U8p0ZIF0OF2T-Gr1O9ulR416wRQEKqIYftmHNwxd3q/w400-h219/2024-03-01%2018.26.15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">One year and one week later on March 7, 1975, in that same church, I was blessed to marry that bridesmaid sister. And today Jan and I celebrate how God continues to work things out in our lives.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhth6WJvIp728Xn2DO1_CrOGGC_GS1PUwl0gfWehWeSimmJKyYBLcO-1CF-B_2Xkax_In7ofnYqty_O7XjXDkDY226Nuxa2Vd-sIHHHk3mMsQEUqoZ_rXDDykBPSf6YpC_6kabPCw9uPy1dC9ysIBDxZvsy_yHQ_IGsr3sumR9Jqv37mV7Cyem8u5U6kL6u/s3742/2024-03-01%2017.18.30.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3742" data-original-width="2792" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhth6WJvIp728Xn2DO1_CrOGGC_GS1PUwl0gfWehWeSimmJKyYBLcO-1CF-B_2Xkax_In7ofnYqty_O7XjXDkDY226Nuxa2Vd-sIHHHk3mMsQEUqoZ_rXDDykBPSf6YpC_6kabPCw9uPy1dC9ysIBDxZvsy_yHQ_IGsr3sumR9Jqv37mV7Cyem8u5U6kL6u/w299-h400/2024-03-01%2017.18.30.jpg" width="299" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">In the late 1950s, Donna and Jan's father, Gene, had an old Vermeer tiling machine. According to most stories, one of only two made by Gary Vermeer. In 1973 Gene traded that very old tiler for a Vermeer 400. And his first tiling machine sits in the Vermeer Pavilion Museum. Gene raised that 400 6 inches. He widened and lengthened the tracks. And he put a diesel motor in it. With Gene's permission, Vermeer engineers came to the farm and took photos of Gene's 400 tiler improvements. Those improvements were put into production. And that production became the popular Vermeer 600 trencher. Thanks for the picture.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_c4ihCgxw4nfUZB3rSHVwn8y6nQGj6IKb-LwRTnnvb7OUK9f4XIdzZiT1duw3n94Cfko7-DqGVHjQxc2QNoUMyvhCi5newGBMv4C_igeQo6NK0F28PGYD7114RpLJykkCVnG_XGu1ucSHQ2YnWz7KvjyttTtR8PQlbjtmTCrYW-hzSjXmIfeseCVGZ7j/s1244/2024-03-01%2020.35.06.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="863" data-original-width="1244" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_c4ihCgxw4nfUZB3rSHVwn8y6nQGj6IKb-LwRTnnvb7OUK9f4XIdzZiT1duw3n94Cfko7-DqGVHjQxc2QNoUMyvhCi5newGBMv4C_igeQo6NK0F28PGYD7114RpLJykkCVnG_XGu1ucSHQ2YnWz7KvjyttTtR8PQlbjtmTCrYW-hzSjXmIfeseCVGZ7j/w400-h278/2024-03-01%2020.35.06.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Tuesday Kevin, from Quincy, Illinois, came to help tweak BJ's Wolfe chain tiling machine. Kevin told us his grandfather owned their first tiling machine in 1911 in Missouri. Kevin has worked with Vermeers as well as Speicher on trenchers. He owned Port Industries until 2020 which built Hydramaxx tiling machines. He currently works for Wolfe. Below is Alex, Kurt, John, BJ, and Kevin.</b><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGWYcsP5TK1hGrKqKijBXfmJ3RpXiiJlZPZa160YGM9ibUjFT14F4aWMJkiWLva-h0wrczYfHObQOafPdhmd5Hp7LTzLvH90fJ26D_3VvpxU5pnCYABsGFxQ-2VwEq1QNkZTekpWMKwB0qpb08vvhuAHvWsvNcWxA0xRK8vdY-qamY1qogOf0LzNz2hKt/s1730/2024-02-29%2020.06.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="1730" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGWYcsP5TK1hGrKqKijBXfmJ3RpXiiJlZPZa160YGM9ibUjFT14F4aWMJkiWLva-h0wrczYfHObQOafPdhmd5Hp7LTzLvH90fJ26D_3VvpxU5pnCYABsGFxQ-2VwEq1QNkZTekpWMKwB0qpb08vvhuAHvWsvNcWxA0xRK8vdY-qamY1qogOf0LzNz2hKt/w400-h201/2024-02-29%2020.06.40.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">So what in the world does our title this morning <i>Ora et Labora et Damus</i> mean? And how does it fit in this story. Hang in there. It's Latin. And I had these words on my flip phone before cell phones got smart. Below is Dr. John's dentist office early in the morning. And I have been spending at lot of time there getting ready for teeth implants.</b><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIBkDQl9wgNShnmnZUF_FiZBEWJhc1FZlcoAwQv8kTYZMELJRAlSuMeWqfV-Oi2hf4zU8B4emFcDlCY706YyV2CSo1xL5y89nJSXI0tywwcCJ8StT9XTTtFux_sV7Gviyh01_UkDHYjRQi2jX6DfqzeZJaIFlFkpo74I0hMT1_0jHG6Veq_MCuCmhhtSp/s2340/2024-02-29%2020.07.45.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="2340" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIBkDQl9wgNShnmnZUF_FiZBEWJhc1FZlcoAwQv8kTYZMELJRAlSuMeWqfV-Oi2hf4zU8B4emFcDlCY706YyV2CSo1xL5y89nJSXI0tywwcCJ8StT9XTTtFux_sV7Gviyh01_UkDHYjRQi2jX6DfqzeZJaIFlFkpo74I0hMT1_0jHG6Veq_MCuCmhhtSp/w400-h185/2024-02-29%2020.07.45.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Our title says<i> Pray and Work and Give</i> in English. I'm not excluding the wonderful women in our lives this morning. However I'd like to challenge us men to think outside the box. Which makes us uncomfortable.</b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Grandson John and I went to a field near Ottumwa on a cold afternoon to pick up some equipment including this tile boot for BJ's Wolfe plow. In the process John injured his hand, breaking a bone, and requiring stitches.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYvj5vKhXf24jSgrNklFR11kJEHzdm56QtJxCQr2QCmcQMWzO9jq_-erL1vqAsyeuOPts_glvkokNr761dnx6cWShLZEtatNWKtpltmXX_i2YH-SXjvgn3HqSHPesZvmgCBYZdaS2p7xXpc6wsFDvMR9nr3TeQU-96c7RtP0914HAiN27Kacot-9ei0gv/s4000/2024-02-28%2015.05.15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYvj5vKhXf24jSgrNklFR11kJEHzdm56QtJxCQr2QCmcQMWzO9jq_-erL1vqAsyeuOPts_glvkokNr761dnx6cWShLZEtatNWKtpltmXX_i2YH-SXjvgn3HqSHPesZvmgCBYZdaS2p7xXpc6wsFDvMR9nr3TeQU-96c7RtP0914HAiN27Kacot-9ei0gv/w400-h300/2024-02-28%2015.05.15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Last week our purple Pete's motor went kaput. This week Kurt's clutch went out. We had to take it in for a replacement.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55Ruq2IvXsUFOXHcmgggNED3Ls-q8z56_QkQObIB-kU4Is9yFvLOaipN0OyinCEYswTK9irpqisNuL2YsJDY6jniVYjFjDGcDvmH2xqm_RRBaocFfqc8lSZd1angwiaBE_jptlob7yWxu8tdPV4-iQ9VSrU2zGoSxclIBseD31-S1gq0mJnYjd3MGlVX_/s2340/2024-02-29%2020.07.06.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="2340" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55Ruq2IvXsUFOXHcmgggNED3Ls-q8z56_QkQObIB-kU4Is9yFvLOaipN0OyinCEYswTK9irpqisNuL2YsJDY6jniVYjFjDGcDvmH2xqm_RRBaocFfqc8lSZd1angwiaBE_jptlob7yWxu8tdPV4-iQ9VSrU2zGoSxclIBseD31-S1gq0mJnYjd3MGlVX_/w400-h185/2024-02-29%2020.07.06.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">It's easy to become confused by our weather this winter. Lack of snow and cold. 20% humidity, 25mph winds, and 76 degrees in February. Followed by 11 degrees the following morning. Our crew spent the cold days working in the shop.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2Mm2-sOu_DTVAC5YkEC_f5joFIT7SbJYDogjD9LYYAAINt9UL2JsbEqjLy72exLHFUE5rYZJpQnMXdMRToCCXOTOoBeE-JZh-EscpXmx9XAn0pyRClU-XWAeF7UpCETMll0TtYfEP4Jqe1RCbqV_0YNR7Ih1uzq__ZaSLwkrhss5b9ce19h3de7QHYro/s3672/2024-02-28%2010.46.18.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1682" data-original-width="3672" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2Mm2-sOu_DTVAC5YkEC_f5joFIT7SbJYDogjD9LYYAAINt9UL2JsbEqjLy72exLHFUE5rYZJpQnMXdMRToCCXOTOoBeE-JZh-EscpXmx9XAn0pyRClU-XWAeF7UpCETMll0TtYfEP4Jqe1RCbqV_0YNR7Ih1uzq__ZaSLwkrhss5b9ce19h3de7QHYro/w400-h184/2024-02-28%2010.46.18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Ora</i>. Men, are you a spiritual leader in your family? Do you pray? Are you comfortable talking to God on your knees? Do you have a regular time and place for devotions? Things are going to get worse before they get better. Some think cell service interruptions. Some say down internet. Others think the power grid in our country is fragile. I doubt if a pandemic is used again. I'm not suggesting any of these will happen. However we will need real men that are connected to God. And our country's culture is fighting this, wanting weak fearful men.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfCz21dISU9M4dr2xttAvzh4sdsI_S5qlKBv6gBLZI1cQXM-7PNzYZP1Tp_IX5eDfrSJkHP0EuKQpiW_H8nfvl8VqOaY0av9uJs0RFtkGQ5QD1RHecl2L-407zVyPoXK7Mdqqbm9YEIIaNqmd_iSR0HFNdcjvaGeGWZUc5aL3Jzr9XDD1uL4aqrRrP02u/s1481/2024-02-29%2020.03.13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="1481" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfCz21dISU9M4dr2xttAvzh4sdsI_S5qlKBv6gBLZI1cQXM-7PNzYZP1Tp_IX5eDfrSJkHP0EuKQpiW_H8nfvl8VqOaY0av9uJs0RFtkGQ5QD1RHecl2L-407zVyPoXK7Mdqqbm9YEIIaNqmd_iSR0HFNdcjvaGeGWZUc5aL3Jzr9XDD1uL4aqrRrP02u/w400-h239/2024-02-29%2020.03.13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Labora.</i> When Cassia took John in to the ER to get sewed up, the doctor told John his hands were as tough as leather gloves, and asked what he did for work. John told him he had been helping his Dad tile when he was not in high school. Men, are we working to our potential? Are we taking advantage of opportunities? Men my age, is our goal to finish strong, for others, and not just ourselves? Are we teaching the next generations the value and satisfaction of work? Our work force is shrinking at an alarming rate.</b><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNdkiwPW3qVGZG1A1acGIL8n4ObYc-JdEqzCbEyJvJrIIYyi0HW-MVNTIbJp8qWxHiwspK-M4R7Vfu3_Kjc32TQC5VmCGzcOSBLIJFS_EvRYCcKTlaIimU63rKWR2ksNGwsLy1KEm4g4yBhnNv21R4AUFfD6qkezV_CBEHaqmtnrJ8nGYPqJkr8_-VHd4/s1326/2024-02-28%2017.49.48.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1326" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNdkiwPW3qVGZG1A1acGIL8n4ObYc-JdEqzCbEyJvJrIIYyi0HW-MVNTIbJp8qWxHiwspK-M4R7Vfu3_Kjc32TQC5VmCGzcOSBLIJFS_EvRYCcKTlaIimU63rKWR2ksNGwsLy1KEm4g4yBhnNv21R4AUFfD6qkezV_CBEHaqmtnrJ8nGYPqJkr8_-VHd4/w326-h400/2024-02-28%2017.49.48.jpg" width="326" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Damus.</i> Men, are we giving? By cherishing, providing for, and protecting the women we love? Are we teaching our children to give? Are we sharing our talents and abilities? Are we ok when others get the credit? For maybe something we helped with? Are we giving leadership opportunities to our children. And those we work with? We talked about nothing working out and everything working out. Most times life works out when we don't mind who gets the credit. Are we giving to God? </b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFiaB-xF0DPBIhycPxC0IqDXTjQfpK9TL8AJhxvMdmD1w8U6W6uugtZJ6fmRv_QnGiy6f7b2DPb_uEZ6fyPPfUOXL4jHZySsyAfF-ypYmIk7aJmgO-LpsN-RS_OV70z-Wi1bTQqGA-BAnwT2-PkL2CGaMzJZuIwGjUjg82URI2nbPZ0PgGdUeEHGs9LXz/s2340/2024-02-29%2020.14.13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="2340" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFiaB-xF0DPBIhycPxC0IqDXTjQfpK9TL8AJhxvMdmD1w8U6W6uugtZJ6fmRv_QnGiy6f7b2DPb_uEZ6fyPPfUOXL4jHZySsyAfF-ypYmIk7aJmgO-LpsN-RS_OV70z-Wi1bTQqGA-BAnwT2-PkL2CGaMzJZuIwGjUjg82URI2nbPZ0PgGdUeEHGs9LXz/w400-h185/2024-02-29%2020.14.13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">I realize it's a touch heavy this morning. Let's work on dusty knees, leathery hands, and a generous heart. Thanks for the visit.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QyDBiru4jdDydoqCfD3D5PPaN4Q_KD625uQA_mlDP5swcswFEP3aVu8Q-31-gZArHV8Y0nNRWQDFlO8RG9FeI3mBDyxl5i8Ci4zhivPLJ0wyp8pn1xVE0VYvmDQ4ZaS4v6exrPoEAZjaeRLRVJfBKBVlVat9Xtb4bx6DqITdBSHtfN8VdeqbtZiBlkLF/s4000/2024-02-27%2009.34.51.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QyDBiru4jdDydoqCfD3D5PPaN4Q_KD625uQA_mlDP5swcswFEP3aVu8Q-31-gZArHV8Y0nNRWQDFlO8RG9FeI3mBDyxl5i8Ci4zhivPLJ0wyp8pn1xVE0VYvmDQ4ZaS4v6exrPoEAZjaeRLRVJfBKBVlVat9Xtb4bx6DqITdBSHtfN8VdeqbtZiBlkLF/w400-h300/2024-02-27%2009.34.51.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>stillwatersiowahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01904929764005950113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2417370687288915442.post-13512818466837194622024-02-25T05:40:00.000-06:002024-02-25T05:40:07.512-06:00Hochmut<p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">The Amish communities struggle with the same temptations we Englishers do. We both live in an imperfect world. They have a Pennsylvania Dutch word they use called "hochmut". It's a word for pride, arrogance, and haughtiness.</b><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQN-0j0A6chlvbMvESXy1eQBSSQW4eq0ULhg2mPcw3VEDJ0L69pMeOz9ZR7Rb90miH1VPc-I5FGHrvv4SBTzdwJYp47vEnPEX3YIPZsyWR93ZE6_Scczg7UEuR70EQ_F-gJZMNOGUZfWbcwaLz_IFGqqT2Uc6DFbSWtWvmLx-EW29GcPW8OrvCZzAiUj0/s1299/2024-02-21%2016.56.50.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="1299" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQN-0j0A6chlvbMvESXy1eQBSSQW4eq0ULhg2mPcw3VEDJ0L69pMeOz9ZR7Rb90miH1VPc-I5FGHrvv4SBTzdwJYp47vEnPEX3YIPZsyWR93ZE6_Scczg7UEuR70EQ_F-gJZMNOGUZfWbcwaLz_IFGqqT2Uc6DFbSWtWvmLx-EW29GcPW8OrvCZzAiUj0/w400-h276/2024-02-21%2016.56.50.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">"Hochmut" goes further than just pride. It means wanting one's own way. With no consideration of others. Thanks for the picture.</b><br /></div><div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jGyvmgPFs60s5hPG6TrrebPJ0xncb_ejl5VKaD1UbmadHzJv752tgz3GGp-nZhS1FQk4Lupe3DwNsa1Jxo41veL0F8qhTSznc4VdTUnYs2EnsTxTjFq6lmcV6_gCld5r-4Q37yBPBlcDGrnvMn7vTY2PPclEDPKN0deyr6DbjKrOUhiS9a4re1iww5rj/s1614/2024-02-21%2017.06.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1614" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jGyvmgPFs60s5hPG6TrrebPJ0xncb_ejl5VKaD1UbmadHzJv752tgz3GGp-nZhS1FQk4Lupe3DwNsa1Jxo41veL0F8qhTSznc4VdTUnYs2EnsTxTjFq6lmcV6_gCld5r-4Q37yBPBlcDGrnvMn7vTY2PPclEDPKN0deyr6DbjKrOUhiS9a4re1iww5rj/w400-h248/2024-02-21%2017.06.45.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Last Wednesday our crew spent the morning in class. We are required to spend three hours a year for continuing education in order to keep our commercial sprayer license current.</b><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-cwvbgj3tnXBF9nUwwh7xjwhqq3UTBof2zb3ugoIXm_T3ZQmOk4uqdLIm8p8eEznRORbvxRehUZfcYFjGGoeZMN_1rESYzqACCKez-wRxmC53i0dBYI2oO-GUctU1qpTnyRRKfm_xJqGvGrmcDeJodswXPq3jInj5QOQ2iVsb8EmPLqa-GRrG6juqiYn/s3820/2024-02-21%2008.38.44.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2272" data-original-width="3820" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-cwvbgj3tnXBF9nUwwh7xjwhqq3UTBof2zb3ugoIXm_T3ZQmOk4uqdLIm8p8eEznRORbvxRehUZfcYFjGGoeZMN_1rESYzqACCKez-wRxmC53i0dBYI2oO-GUctU1qpTnyRRKfm_xJqGvGrmcDeJodswXPq3jInj5QOQ2iVsb8EmPLqa-GRrG6juqiYn/w400-h238/2024-02-21%2008.38.44.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Bummer. Our purple Peterbuilt started using motor oil and smoking. That means an engine overhaul. So much for trimming the repair budget this year. </b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFK6zqSWpPNfNcNH8dhIK4N53-xw5xFP1uSeP3sb2Fn_BD8TpEyyakxWSpsYiUWVQl7zQITqe0dOIidhDllla_F30BhpqHt6HAA-yUpEgAxkCFU80WrXPLBLpRkd4tvoFGzE38t9CvZyPRlQQsNHG9BKfPult5vUz_EcSiNPlaedN26fcRcfyueyAiMYwE/s3881/2024-02-20%2010.32.32.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2449" data-original-width="3881" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFK6zqSWpPNfNcNH8dhIK4N53-xw5xFP1uSeP3sb2Fn_BD8TpEyyakxWSpsYiUWVQl7zQITqe0dOIidhDllla_F30BhpqHt6HAA-yUpEgAxkCFU80WrXPLBLpRkd4tvoFGzE38t9CvZyPRlQQsNHG9BKfPult5vUz_EcSiNPlaedN26fcRcfyueyAiMYwE/w400-h253/2024-02-20%2010.32.32.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">After our snow event here in southern Iowa in early January, we've been extremely dry again. This past week we started closing up corn stalk ground going to soybeans this spring. Trying to save as much moisture as possible. Thanks for the help Elijah.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKhOlHIlkROTtGaHK_45RZIpDAjx7B46gXalFVg5_8dsGKaMBQ8u9cEzL63pfUbnCUwcSxhB474QsqcRfIhWd7agt6uOvkQnlOJTkcLc9SbawWIxoaBSuK8ZjeKbO89PlS6fG2wMgwUhTsw4fPKzQ5fyWe7pKdVUxoBafaDLYr1pVokMnSifno2gQK3-1/s3996/2024-02-23%2013.40.14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2116" data-original-width="3996" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKhOlHIlkROTtGaHK_45RZIpDAjx7B46gXalFVg5_8dsGKaMBQ8u9cEzL63pfUbnCUwcSxhB474QsqcRfIhWd7agt6uOvkQnlOJTkcLc9SbawWIxoaBSuK8ZjeKbO89PlS6fG2wMgwUhTsw4fPKzQ5fyWe7pKdVUxoBafaDLYr1pVokMnSifno2gQK3-1/w400-h211/2024-02-23%2013.40.14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Kudos to Ethan who helped us on semi repairs this past week. Below he is making his own gasket.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXaLNxKss2JJO31Pd8SViX2kqmOHPNpJvz6LgxO-Qpou77nV41yQoNSbYAXJbkGbychw-XAyhjLzzKiFtv9H-klQrj8zvn4RzpFwfZFa1sufYAqYPd7OhyphenhyphenNu1eD4I-e7hyphenhyphenKOwRueFgpJfkcaJe-zhH9z0N7A2gqZWLFqlmF__WgEwQ-ZtQgcXp2JqpRBwg/s4000/2024-02-22%2018.50.03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXaLNxKss2JJO31Pd8SViX2kqmOHPNpJvz6LgxO-Qpou77nV41yQoNSbYAXJbkGbychw-XAyhjLzzKiFtv9H-klQrj8zvn4RzpFwfZFa1sufYAqYPd7OhyphenhyphenNu1eD4I-e7hyphenhyphenKOwRueFgpJfkcaJe-zhH9z0N7A2gqZWLFqlmF__WgEwQ-ZtQgcXp2JqpRBwg/w400-h300/2024-02-22%2018.50.03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">When John is not in school he is helping his Dad tile. Kurt also helped me do some tile repairs this week.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUN_MeTu6pqlsOMYIKEEPoVdFIZe8I-kPvkyJUWjp5ySJCq_iUDOD7EV3-ZtbWK_m5eOS7lppO-OFYYXKkTZyy7x8bOYnMiG97v2u3mzBISDuCuzV2vDNgcWuj9rt9OtoGYjFF0ObMQ9YErvLw28mSidbEJbXJ5dQCi5M259cRglubmka4zYUiKFg-RCvF/s3777/2024-02-24%2011.20.50.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="3777" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUN_MeTu6pqlsOMYIKEEPoVdFIZe8I-kPvkyJUWjp5ySJCq_iUDOD7EV3-ZtbWK_m5eOS7lppO-OFYYXKkTZyy7x8bOYnMiG97v2u3mzBISDuCuzV2vDNgcWuj9rt9OtoGYjFF0ObMQ9YErvLw28mSidbEJbXJ5dQCi5M259cRglubmka4zYUiKFg-RCvF/w400-h239/2024-02-24%2011.20.50.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Mike moved home yesterday. He hopes to help Kurt near Howell Station tomorrow. He had a dozer repair this past week as well.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSROeZUSxSPGXX2uWTBqs-mCRyFFXp6o_hK5CEA0u0IJkr0UBEpnVZlhx3LfSuU3aHTQ2gF-3l_lcchrpUf0Whq-TkXTr3IXqryvIEatoDiS3S6sNsh6DyUB1XYm13YK9vPqAJxM85tJL1xe0opON4KkdduWYJB_pEIqEEMVChpU5QHdroFhQggBeErYo0/s3766/2024-02-24%2011.46.04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1919" data-original-width="3766" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSROeZUSxSPGXX2uWTBqs-mCRyFFXp6o_hK5CEA0u0IJkr0UBEpnVZlhx3LfSuU3aHTQ2gF-3l_lcchrpUf0Whq-TkXTr3IXqryvIEatoDiS3S6sNsh6DyUB1XYm13YK9vPqAJxM85tJL1xe0opON4KkdduWYJB_pEIqEEMVChpU5QHdroFhQggBeErYo0/w400-h204/2024-02-24%2011.46.04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">BJ moved home after finishing a large pattern tile job north of Ottumwa. He and John worked on some of our own land yesterday.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4P4eLKoVSGL8EA2wz3iykclWKgYD-kDhn19T9wXeEWexQYkZcGsr4jvrJTD5yLN9A7ugUivcH9jeedMi0jKBbfNZ-AiJ2MSfn7QbTLw9kZG0rbo2SEYFpHS3RfMVEQbg_ITsSmBKdxbO8vUe3KRvpLmxhBZA4-VtsgVsa7sMFh3XtG4-JsK7U6oqhZ4m/s3227/2024-02-24%2011.02.03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2026" data-original-width="3227" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4P4eLKoVSGL8EA2wz3iykclWKgYD-kDhn19T9wXeEWexQYkZcGsr4jvrJTD5yLN9A7ugUivcH9jeedMi0jKBbfNZ-AiJ2MSfn7QbTLw9kZG0rbo2SEYFpHS3RfMVEQbg_ITsSmBKdxbO8vUe3KRvpLmxhBZA4-VtsgVsa7sMFh3XtG4-JsK7U6oqhZ4m/w400-h251/2024-02-24%2011.02.03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">As grandkids build their forts out of boxes and blankets I wonder what their future looks like. And how I can finish strong for them. Many folks in Bible stories, and even in our past history did not finish strong. And in most cases it was "hochmut" that got the best of them. There is a quote in a restaurant scene in the movie, The Black Knight, that says, "You either die the hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villian".</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqYbujMHEhGNv_w-_Ac-isiuB10zsUnVgk-cRMTyXu5iFpbXwIYhUK_dxfZHPvOFJ6QWkwvYxBAfhPcqyTDLAo9O84zDfTq4MJxlK8nZDgZMveAL6ReUUrdWA-be4Fe44sLwdObz869RCpKEut41nxbvXHLpXWdKFM6ERsdvadSD_v3D-yBTntSkcdwYX/s3503/2024-02-19%2012.26.42.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2348" data-original-width="3503" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqYbujMHEhGNv_w-_Ac-isiuB10zsUnVgk-cRMTyXu5iFpbXwIYhUK_dxfZHPvOFJ6QWkwvYxBAfhPcqyTDLAo9O84zDfTq4MJxlK8nZDgZMveAL6ReUUrdWA-be4Fe44sLwdObz869RCpKEut41nxbvXHLpXWdKFM6ERsdvadSD_v3D-yBTntSkcdwYX/w400-h268/2024-02-19%2012.26.42.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">We have friends that lost family members unexpectedly this past week. Our sympathies to the families of Darin, Ed, and Shirley. "Let us not become weary in doing good. For at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9. Have a good week.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGt5YnTsAefTvpPx1q4WjyWjQkFzYsP7OBpOClnfvDTImuWiWzbvGprPnObj-i8sjCKhDjT1I2vs0-c0MKBvQPvHIZN2GlnQMJKLOwbTPEb30b7Cq6BqdJEnZfG4MVFmrv11lVIWCmZ9QvT4dVwTjylCr5mrWPH4bSFn3UrmKAnA968LhpjibUgcdafFC/s3388/2024-02-18%2015.21.56.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1617" data-original-width="3388" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGt5YnTsAefTvpPx1q4WjyWjQkFzYsP7OBpOClnfvDTImuWiWzbvGprPnObj-i8sjCKhDjT1I2vs0-c0MKBvQPvHIZN2GlnQMJKLOwbTPEb30b7Cq6BqdJEnZfG4MVFmrv11lVIWCmZ9QvT4dVwTjylCr5mrWPH4bSFn3UrmKAnA968LhpjibUgcdafFC/w400-h191/2024-02-18%2015.21.56.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p></div>stillwatersiowahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01904929764005950113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2417370687288915442.post-1016721913850305412024-02-18T05:51:00.000-06:002024-02-18T05:51:00.450-06:00Courage<p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">It's mid February. It takes courage not to get caught up in the doldrums of winter. Brynn is taking care of her little brother Tatum.</b><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrD7RNwfwaUKDgPJNS1mCNcp_xrk3i0nM1TVqmZzaHkPo1ymoFD6UpscPAmP1pIpqxnsWaxhYmS8lquHXB_6AEHfenFq6Yfca0YXS_lHrc0lkSS4SlJF81KSQ0cKfQg28qdaNO9LID31J4DAvykFXbcHRc_8SNjV6aSoIB4EUSk7sWrWB-KAtdVBZIfC6a/s3884/2024-02-14%2011.23.15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2723" data-original-width="3884" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrD7RNwfwaUKDgPJNS1mCNcp_xrk3i0nM1TVqmZzaHkPo1ymoFD6UpscPAmP1pIpqxnsWaxhYmS8lquHXB_6AEHfenFq6Yfca0YXS_lHrc0lkSS4SlJF81KSQ0cKfQg28qdaNO9LID31J4DAvykFXbcHRc_8SNjV6aSoIB4EUSk7sWrWB-KAtdVBZIfC6a/w400-h280/2024-02-14%2011.23.15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">This is the time of year we need to work at continuing to improve. The equipment. The process. The people. The timing. The planning. A good plan now is better than a perfect plan later.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Nnu1cNEvHx_8n0VbJLBotDjO6LE6t2DsFFwFCw6etljequS3J-MUM_xiy_vDyqbvUYPhJeFC4kjje19TYkUeDgAZgwbmf1b4ae-JbULqfdGl6-H8oSzrGDNEcdO9xN0JuXFCnSatPlyWl7ZoLQCPHw9d8PrHaiZdgnSuf8e-me1SWtFXvraLJtHaZglk/s1898/2024-02-14%2013.44.18.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1898" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Nnu1cNEvHx_8n0VbJLBotDjO6LE6t2DsFFwFCw6etljequS3J-MUM_xiy_vDyqbvUYPhJeFC4kjje19TYkUeDgAZgwbmf1b4ae-JbULqfdGl6-H8oSzrGDNEcdO9xN0JuXFCnSatPlyWl7ZoLQCPHw9d8PrHaiZdgnSuf8e-me1SWtFXvraLJtHaZglk/w400-h144/2024-02-14%2013.44.18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">On Wednesday morning our family hosted a Becks PFR planter clinic. After a breakfast of eggs, biscuits and gravy, sausages, cinnamon rolls, and coffee, Clayton went over maintenance, repairs, and settings on JD, Kinze, and CIH planters.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGt42A9Vayhfe_TeQNSnQTGrSownDAM2KLSy8L1fkPkbZYPqp8L2SSDw42-I0-HgcPZaOLSRiOXZaI5z30sfvai8BULGIV-snfIMP0QMv2VEXbmDyr8azBLOcARWl9HqCJt1xQSdykXsiENCMXxHjqwRYwKtqpLXUx2IX-sECGS-EFB6HFA0t1WSCh0FW4/s1460/2024-02-14%2008.46.40.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="1460" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGt42A9Vayhfe_TeQNSnQTGrSownDAM2KLSy8L1fkPkbZYPqp8L2SSDw42-I0-HgcPZaOLSRiOXZaI5z30sfvai8BULGIV-snfIMP0QMv2VEXbmDyr8azBLOcARWl9HqCJt1xQSdykXsiENCMXxHjqwRYwKtqpLXUx2IX-sECGS-EFB6HFA0t1WSCh0FW4/w400-h204/2024-02-14%2008.46.40.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Kudos to Luke and his crew for helping us get some lime spread.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLb7pqUgXzLk7qY0U1GzlIa3dF-mqSxWVKosNRCoQZt7bjHHSo4B06BCZXvXBvZs1Bw0uTdhj0G9_KQSJf54IMT6zwGnE3k5Adxes6ELoAE4q9nIN_gJvCM3ZBwWwygewzVTlQqZ3Azzgd03r20FmrIj0vR5ArbQ5cHS-tWxbYkV_HQPfPtvKbCa5kc_g/s3887/2024-02-11%2016.47.36.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1878" data-original-width="3887" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLb7pqUgXzLk7qY0U1GzlIa3dF-mqSxWVKosNRCoQZt7bjHHSo4B06BCZXvXBvZs1Bw0uTdhj0G9_KQSJf54IMT6zwGnE3k5Adxes6ELoAE4q9nIN_gJvCM3ZBwWwygewzVTlQqZ3Azzgd03r20FmrIj0vR5ArbQ5cHS-tWxbYkV_HQPfPtvKbCa5kc_g/w400-h194/2024-02-11%2016.47.36.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Mike continues to build terraces in-spite of a little winter weather coming back this week. Thanks for the picture Mike.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UEoxMMFLBsOjsvgDcluscbUUW3M4yxir4K1NaNGtJ8Ykh32ylprHVeKx5K-4ZHU1S-j8RVi7HmyM6kyWuUy2Op6yZpUCKoQ5FHUVv06HbmlDshDKWbwbFdcr_MRqqBcrH9U5Wy0kQuSNrYBVaG7n6kbwnZyhgPLMNIgGlXGXKHXJEGt0mur4RQjY57l3/s1485/2024-02-12%2016.07.13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1485" data-original-width="1063" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UEoxMMFLBsOjsvgDcluscbUUW3M4yxir4K1NaNGtJ8Ykh32ylprHVeKx5K-4ZHU1S-j8RVi7HmyM6kyWuUy2Op6yZpUCKoQ5FHUVv06HbmlDshDKWbwbFdcr_MRqqBcrH9U5Wy0kQuSNrYBVaG7n6kbwnZyhgPLMNIgGlXGXKHXJEGt0mur4RQjY57l3/w286-h400/2024-02-12%2016.07.13.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">BJ and John put in some long days continuing to pattern tile. north of Ottumwa. Thanks for the picture BJ</span></b>.<br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZl3R2pI9iFUsj903VBtxHdUPMJDzDUb2JlyRIXF0IHpnefvHFFqhhvVoUopGu_0ZKmf-1jdBwRbC-2rKvfrXIcxhJaTw-mnU6fu5W_zgxnJhnkeEHGBt0Y3yOj6rLRTBcEcPpTjuPJVZBY1bPifoJVBdFPaCcpuU2SNoRh9SX-wmR1bOhv1lZr9XNklN/s1586/2024-02-15%2019.10.55.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1586" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZl3R2pI9iFUsj903VBtxHdUPMJDzDUb2JlyRIXF0IHpnefvHFFqhhvVoUopGu_0ZKmf-1jdBwRbC-2rKvfrXIcxhJaTw-mnU6fu5W_zgxnJhnkeEHGBt0Y3yOj6rLRTBcEcPpTjuPJVZBY1bPifoJVBdFPaCcpuU2SNoRh9SX-wmR1bOhv1lZr9XNklN/w273-h400/2024-02-15%2019.10.55.jpg" width="273" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Karl continues to haul in seed. Our seed shed is full. Before you know it we will be delivering to the customer.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XaRq9PRxUnyVfs14V5cR9U9YkYJNi41t1r5a0-k6O1PRWPO1FmyOQwsroT9dj5qnnyF3TnO0tM0p5GaGjWPOxBSM-kjcjY0cMnNjv5DfYRzajkH9GmpILPoeQyPshkALRv5ggru0v8fEUD5C3bfPn9G0ieESX-AqQv-9dY2BEpFGpIjKlvcC06fo7ZlL/s4000/2024-02-12%2016.10.10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1985" data-original-width="4000" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XaRq9PRxUnyVfs14V5cR9U9YkYJNi41t1r5a0-k6O1PRWPO1FmyOQwsroT9dj5qnnyF3TnO0tM0p5GaGjWPOxBSM-kjcjY0cMnNjv5DfYRzajkH9GmpILPoeQyPshkALRv5ggru0v8fEUD5C3bfPn9G0ieESX-AqQv-9dY2BEpFGpIjKlvcC06fo7ZlL/w400-h199/2024-02-12%2016.10.10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Kurt used a grain vac to vac out a bin of soybeans. The unload auger had broke. Thanks for the picture Kurt. </b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8hP8gtAXnf9QEqiPNfFL-azeUDL52tCxxblSgprG-nOO7z5oMTTqwgDCMgXwygsNTvjOXqoV3-QMqXWkEaxN-ObeSg1uaG-bYnekM1qP6HCudDbGO5KktbmNPpjBOK4Jqt_gXjX0PnM0tfgu315u3FD6uyC1s0sGmDF2PEd8g1z3Ypw6-lRYuS2rTZZc/s1362/2024-02-15%2019.10.51.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8hP8gtAXnf9QEqiPNfFL-azeUDL52tCxxblSgprG-nOO7z5oMTTqwgDCMgXwygsNTvjOXqoV3-QMqXWkEaxN-ObeSg1uaG-bYnekM1qP6HCudDbGO5KktbmNPpjBOK4Jqt_gXjX0PnM0tfgu315u3FD6uyC1s0sGmDF2PEd8g1z3Ypw6-lRYuS2rTZZc/w318-h400/2024-02-15%2019.10.51.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Ezra and Elijah help Grandpa on Saturdays. Including washing up vehicles.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUMvSqAWUscHjCdrJ7ifNINqW2pFhcMOGPFqFpUVHtaBAIFjIRFoblolk7zMZ3rI0CFGd-Nf8gRzTLBfKjTW9RigH6hbzuaclGDX0SnxBuy-enqaODJhvN0q67s0wJnGi51OMINz4Fn47HmObpZDdjrINgpvC3ZtqfMQfoXathEUMzlXR3_VUM5YWrGjg/s3795/2024-02-17%2010.46.07.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2292" data-original-width="3795" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUMvSqAWUscHjCdrJ7ifNINqW2pFhcMOGPFqFpUVHtaBAIFjIRFoblolk7zMZ3rI0CFGd-Nf8gRzTLBfKjTW9RigH6hbzuaclGDX0SnxBuy-enqaODJhvN0q67s0wJnGi51OMINz4Fn47HmObpZDdjrINgpvC3ZtqfMQfoXathEUMzlXR3_VUM5YWrGjg/w400-h241/2024-02-17%2010.46.07.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Mike often goes all out when cooking for our church potlucks in the winter months. He often smokes meat after just the right amount of seasonings. Thanks for the picture Mike.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2J4n81hobGNcg_Wq4BgI62uuKE9DxRsdqDvHUH4n5pEukexhA1z4qoEcwHU193cFwskmz7K4g251qrJSDfzWGwA2XUTtGEpsNSsSz42kniDp9DjKTkRX9q_7WHNcEVNFW-q__DV_uJwTyeKZUfmS9MRhCutDzPNmKOwsZpv2FV1DLP8gOeEb-mpmsC4VK/s1526/2024-02-17%2012.54.57.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1526" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2J4n81hobGNcg_Wq4BgI62uuKE9DxRsdqDvHUH4n5pEukexhA1z4qoEcwHU193cFwskmz7K4g251qrJSDfzWGwA2XUTtGEpsNSsSz42kniDp9DjKTkRX9q_7WHNcEVNFW-q__DV_uJwTyeKZUfmS9MRhCutDzPNmKOwsZpv2FV1DLP8gOeEb-mpmsC4VK/w283-h400/2024-02-17%2012.54.57.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Courage is the power of principle. Courage is hope filled and has a positive attitude. Courage encourages others. A long time ago Moses sent out 12 spies to check out this country. Joshua and Caleb came back and said that with God's help we can do this. They talked about all the productivity in the land. But the other 10 spies said the people there were giants and made them look like grasshoppers. And convinced folks it couldn't be done. Fear and lack of courage stopped the Israelites from living in their promised land for many years. Courage is believing God can help us do it.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjsMaNrohIJ4AjJBVuSptkhWXytLcmZ3LXNbPwKALGNDUoYLbp6lAS5BtvIKWGE6R0QqQqE1i8bcNrR2NLAO6kZw3K766Ndw4fBt6VMHGjWeoJnMtHL17f5i3cKVA4B8TrfLE9KvQp8VCEBg3BPNrXgs4HCAxLBVyn-JgbiiEdRUrHmVf7pkE1XotIpur/s4000/2024-02-14%2007.33.24.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2354" data-original-width="4000" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjsMaNrohIJ4AjJBVuSptkhWXytLcmZ3LXNbPwKALGNDUoYLbp6lAS5BtvIKWGE6R0QqQqE1i8bcNrR2NLAO6kZw3K766Ndw4fBt6VMHGjWeoJnMtHL17f5i3cKVA4B8TrfLE9KvQp8VCEBg3BPNrXgs4HCAxLBVyn-JgbiiEdRUrHmVf7pkE1XotIpur/w400-h235/2024-02-14%2007.33.24.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p></div>stillwatersiowahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01904929764005950113noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2417370687288915442.post-84455575114287469632024-02-11T05:55:00.000-06:002024-02-11T05:55:48.294-06:00Business Under A Shade Tree<p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Twelve years ago this month Jan and I visited my sister Beth and her family in southeastern Africa where she was teaching English. During that visit, I met, became friends with, and continue to be friends with a South African farmer. While visiting his farm I asked him how he did his marketing. I'll never forget his answer. He said,"Steve, we do business under a shade tree".</span></b><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ulTBFFoGdUi4ojpXsc3eJxttySy2A34em-kTdmmuF532HOYIASg1o51hIg0BYFAIvpirq8VrmuudKxcMmv_Id89TyOH6ThzPaVAgYhGwwU6sZ8DHYtpa_Fkn4UKEQ1HzAZsjMwN8tQGsqFreKXKoe5nLpzTWHomi0FLxqheVGpRX7VIwux_jR91CcUf-/s4000/2024-02-10%2017.31.52.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ulTBFFoGdUi4ojpXsc3eJxttySy2A34em-kTdmmuF532HOYIASg1o51hIg0BYFAIvpirq8VrmuudKxcMmv_Id89TyOH6ThzPaVAgYhGwwU6sZ8DHYtpa_Fkn4UKEQ1HzAZsjMwN8tQGsqFreKXKoe5nLpzTWHomi0FLxqheVGpRX7VIwux_jR91CcUf-/w400-h300/2024-02-10%2017.31.52.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">What that answer meant was with the lack of infrastructure, red tape, inefficiencies, and a work force that didn't have the ability or desire to work, he adapted to his environment. This past week I've had a number of examples that reminded me of changes happening in our country.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjQb5hA8VhrzoQ_3sCdNREfvKiX6E3bizUO6QAF33Usm6Lv5lQ4F8T-WgcUMWHaYqB8DPV5TfTUoNJclmbo9gPnuFBraY7d1v1L4q9bm9gToMUK96uBNE1SKBbXCQBed0rfD8cvwIqrAe9f4VRv9As7LG6psXA7rc0vroOLTnswE-EuYs4Zv5t81J5qSk/s3985/2024-02-10%2017.35.41.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2950" data-original-width="3985" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjQb5hA8VhrzoQ_3sCdNREfvKiX6E3bizUO6QAF33Usm6Lv5lQ4F8T-WgcUMWHaYqB8DPV5TfTUoNJclmbo9gPnuFBraY7d1v1L4q9bm9gToMUK96uBNE1SKBbXCQBed0rfD8cvwIqrAe9f4VRv9As7LG6psXA7rc0vroOLTnswE-EuYs4Zv5t81J5qSk/w400-h296/2024-02-10%2017.35.41.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">During early morning coffee I learned we have a couple of rural routes in our community that don't have mail delivery to their home due to lack of help. They have been asked to pick their mail up at their local post office during certain hours. I also received a call this week from a crop retailer asking that we start direct depositing our commodity checks to our bank. They said it is not uncommon any more for a sent check in the mail to take 10 to 14 days to get delivered to the producer. </b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCSpYlHfLkzkBUFC7K-7dKNF9YfCfgF0-QTNRDJgNQVf8EH4tsAkiWXl0R0WzOB7pM4kkzAevvzzB9HmIvym5yx5BzWUd1neqhT7K8rHXckzGj3ROPo7eG2zily_RQ9whh7stxII_M2NdigMD9Kf_36YshSc9ZF9ndn2Pg2ggofeFseibCzQCakSbOgrlR/s2963/2024-02-10%2014.43.31.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2085" data-original-width="2963" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCSpYlHfLkzkBUFC7K-7dKNF9YfCfgF0-QTNRDJgNQVf8EH4tsAkiWXl0R0WzOB7pM4kkzAevvzzB9HmIvym5yx5BzWUd1neqhT7K8rHXckzGj3ROPo7eG2zily_RQ9whh7stxII_M2NdigMD9Kf_36YshSc9ZF9ndn2Pg2ggofeFseibCzQCakSbOgrlR/w400-h281/2024-02-10%2014.43.31.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Twelve years ago I watched folks in Africa use church based medical clinics or home remedies to treat illnesses. I have a profound respect for the medical professionals in our country. But their culture is changing all around them. I currently have a friend and helper that has serious health issues. Yet he waits weeks on health insurance approval and months on doctor appointments.</span></b> <br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheWKbCuN-Yd0jII4oY44rHGvGyOboTAPDxPVGYA-Wz96MejFl5NdHPjWFE6oJD_uTnl7LdDyevDEPecBjz065fA62mLIyTcCnS1SesjaQcpqPvZWaF0lpvQiSELJDHtpDbZ7CfF8As89OKW8_IMqUIFEqn48Oy4WXKnh8KQwvRoVnTJU3iK5oC5HDABb9/s3929/2024-02-10%2017.27.22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2335" data-original-width="3929" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheWKbCuN-Yd0jII4oY44rHGvGyOboTAPDxPVGYA-Wz96MejFl5NdHPjWFE6oJD_uTnl7LdDyevDEPecBjz065fA62mLIyTcCnS1SesjaQcpqPvZWaF0lpvQiSELJDHtpDbZ7CfF8As89OKW8_IMqUIFEqn48Oy4WXKnh8KQwvRoVnTJU3iK5oC5HDABb9/w400-h238/2024-02-10%2017.27.22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">When we started farming there were seven active tractor dealerships in our home town of Oskaloosa. And all seven brands were built here in America. Today there are three main tractor manufacturers. And most dealerships own and operate 30+ stores. More and more of our tractors are being built in Europe.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFj5y1iNdC234cS5wn668g2KWk4DjCrecn8vBowzPAZxu9eJiZwwfzlyXoOZoBrI0PC19VpH1LA-_8U2aOaY-a_B1XMSh-l7yIMkt5Bft1TvXzqVaSJM7VL4ZlqM6VWqUhe_f9YUa_jwMhjyd6FhbKnmYKVAajHR4CdFRNMfHreXNC-p8nRNMg4dhLobm/s4000/2024-02-03%2010.53.57.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFj5y1iNdC234cS5wn668g2KWk4DjCrecn8vBowzPAZxu9eJiZwwfzlyXoOZoBrI0PC19VpH1LA-_8U2aOaY-a_B1XMSh-l7yIMkt5Bft1TvXzqVaSJM7VL4ZlqM6VWqUhe_f9YUa_jwMhjyd6FhbKnmYKVAajHR4CdFRNMfHreXNC-p8nRNMg4dhLobm/w400-h300/2024-02-03%2010.53.57.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Every year Jan and I drive these southern border roads while on our week long get-away to Arizona. We stop and visit with border patrol agents. 3rd world countries usually have corrupt leadership because of lack of accountability. They enforce rules that hurt their opponents. And overlook rules that they feel benefit themselves. Thanks for the picture.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OHHfv4k-sWz70sl6zdBPyxksIxY1mp6xz_zgfSJf0LheWNUJYKvi1Re9CZOTPSTqDOnkBLYr2DEEWJ2heuW-6YiE8ej_MTjPvS1G-HN6jqElq6ltMKCdiu-IvMgnkTHWqOq2LofgZOsO-J1TdqUuUU2EJzwlqQ9q4pNuVhirharghzlHQnHhX3qcQcuy/s1751/2024-02-05%2018.11.55.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="1751" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OHHfv4k-sWz70sl6zdBPyxksIxY1mp6xz_zgfSJf0LheWNUJYKvi1Re9CZOTPSTqDOnkBLYr2DEEWJ2heuW-6YiE8ej_MTjPvS1G-HN6jqElq6ltMKCdiu-IvMgnkTHWqOq2LofgZOsO-J1TdqUuUU2EJzwlqQ9q4pNuVhirharghzlHQnHhX3qcQcuy/w400-h204/2024-02-05%2018.11.55.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Don't take me too seriously this morning. We still live in the best, most opportunistic country in the world. We can still worship freely. We can still share our faith with others by word and example. There is another thing I have experienced in my visits abroad. Folks in poorer countries have a contentment, grateful heart, and generous spirit. One day during a visit to Malawi, Miriam said, "Steve, don't be so pressurized". 😊</b><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCP-xqHBpDDXHDpTHEihDegRR8oGSaLoa7jLKFG-t5RyRHqLFCnfhFmNfBKlwb3DE_HpsUvif9LV70V6cCw8JTRNoD_RZqFNU2f-3-Ua2T5YFcVryiuBSjCyvzjzEpur2QQfMvCXZUkgERzTSFGMb1ADG7PAa6w2gpPeHVdJStai18PACNoWNsD0DwtbdZ/s1879/2024-02-04%2010.38.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="1879" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCP-xqHBpDDXHDpTHEihDegRR8oGSaLoa7jLKFG-t5RyRHqLFCnfhFmNfBKlwb3DE_HpsUvif9LV70V6cCw8JTRNoD_RZqFNU2f-3-Ua2T5YFcVryiuBSjCyvzjzEpur2QQfMvCXZUkgERzTSFGMb1ADG7PAa6w2gpPeHVdJStai18PACNoWNsD0DwtbdZ/w400-h169/2024-02-04%2010.38.55.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">With our moderate temps the past weeks, Mike is heading back to dozing next week. BJ and John have already been tiling near Ottumwa.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29WE6KrUs2gkfiEgnqiw8gPd3A_dD8gksl1yagWn9-sLmb9hroeudZUPfUlGOh-jb3X-GSKeNWXRV-GjgrlRrovepGTgCbmkck5-l2s-qGcH8eiasW0KPWbqREAM6i5vdz_PDKFZpzcb2oC7mukC-UWp9pR-uC_XoZ9NVcsPjoQHiF-EI4YcvRo-HVciH/s4000/2024-02-08%2015.02.13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2734" data-original-width="4000" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29WE6KrUs2gkfiEgnqiw8gPd3A_dD8gksl1yagWn9-sLmb9hroeudZUPfUlGOh-jb3X-GSKeNWXRV-GjgrlRrovepGTgCbmkck5-l2s-qGcH8eiasW0KPWbqREAM6i5vdz_PDKFZpzcb2oC7mukC-UWp9pR-uC_XoZ9NVcsPjoQHiF-EI4YcvRo-HVciH/w400-h274/2024-02-08%2015.02.13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Floyd, Aaron, and Jerry, helped line our shop across the road. We have customers coming for breakfast and a planter clinic Wednesday. BJ and Cassia's, Rachel and Carson, are getting married here April 12.</span></b> <br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbqh0dqmc7JTwCME8-Wg2r4qia0zOJ1g0LnqgDY4iSoMP6s3hfQUVQURz1r8FbVzepBi4Xj6IzXs3lrpJai9xPkAND97oHI9tcwhKIm_n81tg_1WM4qJpogfH0hzsCFR-ZCTrqaf-6pb3DXffReyqZG4073ZQ3MQXawTvdFmJiNKcIUIcyplFXz_eo2SN/s3388/2024-02-08%2014.54.53.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2420" data-original-width="3388" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbqh0dqmc7JTwCME8-Wg2r4qia0zOJ1g0LnqgDY4iSoMP6s3hfQUVQURz1r8FbVzepBi4Xj6IzXs3lrpJai9xPkAND97oHI9tcwhKIm_n81tg_1WM4qJpogfH0hzsCFR-ZCTrqaf-6pb3DXffReyqZG4073ZQ3MQXawTvdFmJiNKcIUIcyplFXz_eo2SN/w400-h286/2024-02-08%2014.54.53.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">We continue working in the shop. Dean helped BJ replace a bearing and he and John have been hauling manure.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7RUTGBn-VsTcY1lUlvjEfc3vNa5mUzmuaHl5in-7wSYY66UEM35l5Onpr-RMd9AFs7BhZk_XkIkotVBP5RRsMrGq0T3ZwR9CPJ2m8pbarWO0Eu-48khJecwviDJF8mAeMQmM7ai0KjSH6Kt38PdnIwqDeOoZXthZA-mbeGc4yzzJ1BV2_0-OobFwh8zsP/s3405/2024-02-06%2010.01.48.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2534" data-original-width="3405" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7RUTGBn-VsTcY1lUlvjEfc3vNa5mUzmuaHl5in-7wSYY66UEM35l5Onpr-RMd9AFs7BhZk_XkIkotVBP5RRsMrGq0T3ZwR9CPJ2m8pbarWO0Eu-48khJecwviDJF8mAeMQmM7ai0KjSH6Kt38PdnIwqDeOoZXthZA-mbeGc4yzzJ1BV2_0-OobFwh8zsP/w400-h297/2024-02-06%2010.01.48.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Kudos to an Iowa State grad for using his platform to share his faith. The darker our culture gets the brighter the light shines.</b><br /></div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgB9TETebZfxoXSuJgTMH70eSoHGNRtF-R-d-ghiY-FbBnoc6cijxWwWaOSVt0cTAlWBptauLNiIWk66sToXbDyLCybe9yhsobM683K4SZSYfum0BIvcxP67MJ-gTaYgFYXVrwWXMM3WJlX-ghRBlnG8mTT4yuXqJ2TjR9Pkuo6V_jYGn2BIdpqWOp3dHP/s1140/2024-01-30%2021.29.53.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1140" data-original-width="722" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgB9TETebZfxoXSuJgTMH70eSoHGNRtF-R-d-ghiY-FbBnoc6cijxWwWaOSVt0cTAlWBptauLNiIWk66sToXbDyLCybe9yhsobM683K4SZSYfum0BIvcxP67MJ-gTaYgFYXVrwWXMM3WJlX-ghRBlnG8mTT4yuXqJ2TjR9Pkuo6V_jYGn2BIdpqWOp3dHP/w254-h400/2024-01-30%2021.29.53.jpg" width="254" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">2000 years ago Jesus also did business under a shade tree. Zacchaeus collected taxes for a corrupt Roman government in Jericho. He had heard about, and wanted to learn more about Jesus. The kids' song doesn't tell the whole story when it talks about the wee little man climbing in a sycamore tree. And as the Savior pasted that way, he said, "Zacchaeus, you come down. For I'm going to your house today". The crowd muttered about Jesus going to the home of a sinner. And the church leaders started looking for a way to kill Him. Zacchaeus gained eternity that day. And God used evil intending men to accomplish His purpose.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbMq22Zse1H7KsT9hnQkdco1mxmGim9GGiT5x2QNzXep76S85MHuv-iQriuvJ0-AZJpOzBM9dV1YSrDhWwtynRVKtJ5nTgZp-hO0PB-K5LUw24_Jomjca1GHsADlRgGLl5wuv47LaOKLvVwUP_yqztcHYy1s3_YtYphjTfZt6I8xC5OGdSS4L5N-2s4f_/s1269/2024-02-10%2018.24.36.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1269" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbMq22Zse1H7KsT9hnQkdco1mxmGim9GGiT5x2QNzXep76S85MHuv-iQriuvJ0-AZJpOzBM9dV1YSrDhWwtynRVKtJ5nTgZp-hO0PB-K5LUw24_Jomjca1GHsADlRgGLl5wuv47LaOKLvVwUP_yqztcHYy1s3_YtYphjTfZt6I8xC5OGdSS4L5N-2s4f_/w340-h400/2024-02-10%2018.24.36.jpg" width="340" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">We have been visiting about doing business under a shade tree. We also need to be a shade tree to those around us. No matter what our or their circumstances are. Blessings.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oL3P9gReu50sxqSYhOuLTCxe7AmbstCjQkoDB0cD_QimngUmgMct1alcr9t4rWSGG-HYTC1dVPR5sjC1eAkYudx7thAqSB52L2NlLE1QKcP3t8kn7MBqyQgopY5TOrC5JGpCRScPQg7aQ6l40NElTJBJnQxIiaai45jrnWjXApfvRWisYE6NiNk-vmXZ/s1630/2024-02-10%2019.00.46.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1053" data-original-width="1630" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oL3P9gReu50sxqSYhOuLTCxe7AmbstCjQkoDB0cD_QimngUmgMct1alcr9t4rWSGG-HYTC1dVPR5sjC1eAkYudx7thAqSB52L2NlLE1QKcP3t8kn7MBqyQgopY5TOrC5JGpCRScPQg7aQ6l40NElTJBJnQxIiaai45jrnWjXApfvRWisYE6NiNk-vmXZ/w400-h259/2024-02-10%2019.00.46.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /> <p></p></div>stillwatersiowahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01904929764005950113noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2417370687288915442.post-86356305569515393042024-02-04T06:04:00.000-06:002024-02-04T06:04:23.956-06:00Family<p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Last Sunday our week started off with the blessing of watching Karl and Kristin's, Tatum, receive baptism. Karl and his kids sang, Great Is Thy Faithfulness. Keith, an elder and friend, held Tatum as he walked down the isles, showing and presenting our newest member to the congregation. It was truly a family moment to watch another grandchild be presented to the Lord.</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHiFvoPyskkNqTTHIWI8NevOBikNN5TTfz_4WXtvBWP9EZqgdTj2N5ihb9TxfRbexaX8wq3THx3uXecAD289zJwU4lm78hNWEXgsx4P2Mx1V7lGWTciRsnyhoJ6wCtCNYNj93OJ3hd1PhQXnxXhnCwrsL_d9n8wrFemrLyqxEZ4cNM9p84L6bVVcrntTc_/s3514/2024-01-28%2009.53.35.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1825" data-original-width="3514" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHiFvoPyskkNqTTHIWI8NevOBikNN5TTfz_4WXtvBWP9EZqgdTj2N5ihb9TxfRbexaX8wq3THx3uXecAD289zJwU4lm78hNWEXgsx4P2Mx1V7lGWTciRsnyhoJ6wCtCNYNj93OJ3hd1PhQXnxXhnCwrsL_d9n8wrFemrLyqxEZ4cNM9p84L6bVVcrntTc_/w400-h208/2024-01-28%2009.53.35.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">A Sunday morning visit with just facts about our week and family seem self-focused. So I'm going to throw in some ideas and goals I've had over the years involving family.</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Find a reason to attend church. Covid made it convenient for a lot of alternatives. If it feels like you're not missing out by not attending, find a church where it feels like you are. It's not about you. It's about being an example to those who are watching you.</b><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTm1D_7FpiGgG5G7Yk6Kad4NSUqHmlIDDkvAd8v0yNW-CCley8Q7mER2t82jbLUfhgnJ_duFmTskk-Gqi3Fy41ZpFunhua3dR3UfucWzbU6Ak8QOHsVbU2Q0Kqy3FbO7pHaDCPZfWQi8GNheS3DzaoL5MQcDbfnNtuDjesqlLAgN7VnIuxZOYrTx5pBtv/s4032/2024-01-28%2012.39.01-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTm1D_7FpiGgG5G7Yk6Kad4NSUqHmlIDDkvAd8v0yNW-CCley8Q7mER2t82jbLUfhgnJ_duFmTskk-Gqi3Fy41ZpFunhua3dR3UfucWzbU6Ak8QOHsVbU2Q0Kqy3FbO7pHaDCPZfWQi8GNheS3DzaoL5MQcDbfnNtuDjesqlLAgN7VnIuxZOYrTx5pBtv/w400-h300/2024-01-28%2012.39.01-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Harris, Hazel, and Jackson accompanied Grandpa to the Farming Power Show this past week. Teachers deserve a huge thank you for being ok with a school day absence.</b><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iF4c3JJu2BAE5E7a6MZ6_hUG3mw2HnMp_Y25C39pb4SZuQCEe4AdICDXC0_Iox6aAdkPqK5ng4mb51uOR54wNElcxgrgx-83jTTdnSACdjGEEy3mNrBRpM7o79nuXa16cbWMHIWRD6Ad7pGmVbWrDuQHCemRm33jcKdWkCKDooEbLttKyW3PQqmU-4bs/s3346/2024-01-30%2009.09.30.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2714" data-original-width="3346" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iF4c3JJu2BAE5E7a6MZ6_hUG3mw2HnMp_Y25C39pb4SZuQCEe4AdICDXC0_Iox6aAdkPqK5ng4mb51uOR54wNElcxgrgx-83jTTdnSACdjGEEy3mNrBRpM7o79nuXa16cbWMHIWRD6Ad7pGmVbWrDuQHCemRm33jcKdWkCKDooEbLttKyW3PQqmU-4bs/w400-h325/2024-01-30%2009.09.30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Natalie, Adi, and Allison and others went with Mark and Stacy. Many of the older grandkids are now old enough to drive and go with their friends. Thanks for the picture Stacy.<br /></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Give the next generations as much responsibility as they can handle. Identify each one's strengths and let them lead.</b><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_YZzlRSreNYK7B2QWNglp_mPAmKAn0w4B7Zi12fYtXQgs95YmmNCMzZYgO8y6x5zeCCUtY4SmJLlA9eTNMev5oj-sdTcXZJw1fwo8OVHtIle2BKcHSaW671swrET7en0G4YcHhBe0pIT8ggtKmSZ2ti52OaVFyVl6oKRm4qa3lHVQKRLvyGmiFoQT3X7/s1080/2024-01-31%2010.54.35.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1037" data-original-width="1080" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_YZzlRSreNYK7B2QWNglp_mPAmKAn0w4B7Zi12fYtXQgs95YmmNCMzZYgO8y6x5zeCCUtY4SmJLlA9eTNMev5oj-sdTcXZJw1fwo8OVHtIle2BKcHSaW671swrET7en0G4YcHhBe0pIT8ggtKmSZ2ti52OaVFyVl6oKRm4qa3lHVQKRLvyGmiFoQT3X7/w400-h384/2024-01-31%2010.54.35.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">The venue for the Power Show, Veterans Memorial Auditorium, was built in 1954. It was built for family attending events like concerts, sports, and tournaments in Des Moines. </b><br /></div><div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0Hv7X7-_70WkYJ_vMlDCbGcBshauqjM4Xh5urCPunALM9RMyu9CHHr5B25rK6X2DeCOtq239qvz5RhkYvKPS7MuFMwWzGT3qKpIElr1M6q1Wucq-_RFytPokemFgGpS9nhoUeA-CjtV-OpgF0JntWl_cUPlPpntnvlsoYQQxochqet9p2p-WHeDUKZz_/s1844/2024-02-02%2013.30.16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1844" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0Hv7X7-_70WkYJ_vMlDCbGcBshauqjM4Xh5urCPunALM9RMyu9CHHr5B25rK6X2DeCOtq239qvz5RhkYvKPS7MuFMwWzGT3qKpIElr1M6q1Wucq-_RFytPokemFgGpS9nhoUeA-CjtV-OpgF0JntWl_cUPlPpntnvlsoYQQxochqet9p2p-WHeDUKZz_/w400-h234/2024-02-02%2013.30.16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">After a morning at the Farming Show our crew went to Perkins for lunch.</b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">While farming with family, don't make smaller slices. Don't necessarily make a bigger pie. Find more and different flavors of pies. Meaning diversify.</b><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSayv7ruLFjJshww7euKKhPL5ylDb24A2ShqG5dYuwyBGe_uKncXfu05wNFXwOSF-y0TdNdi6X8ukTPdMwHCblGnc6JubIDlvjcbiUkDbiSatIh8kmNk7k4tTDnekUPXdMrDmAqqhqAPDlCcyEzZO4DWPKgs9tNErd1l-w4x1qohnZW3njnG_SZNpITWGM/s4032/2024-01-30%2010.54.31.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2907" data-original-width="4032" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSayv7ruLFjJshww7euKKhPL5ylDb24A2ShqG5dYuwyBGe_uKncXfu05wNFXwOSF-y0TdNdi6X8ukTPdMwHCblGnc6JubIDlvjcbiUkDbiSatIh8kmNk7k4tTDnekUPXdMrDmAqqhqAPDlCcyEzZO4DWPKgs9tNErd1l-w4x1qohnZW3njnG_SZNpITWGM/w400-h289/2024-01-30%2010.54.31.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">A delegation of PCHS Future Farmers of America went to the Capital this past week. Thanks Barb for the picture. And for being such an awesome host. Amelia and John are president and vice-president of their school chapter.<br /></b></div></div><div> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Allow as much independence as possible to establish the next generation's family unit. Even if that includes helping them move on if they choose. </b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ0q6EGDYpP_j9D7ZsxWKaOKmVBdhj68SwKhuXDp-9wpzyZuiHCqSFxZC8oBaFNO22rSa6wwlrymqrax7dzVQdg60rbyURBf7VEFWtmxLe7DHIWX4qv3iGi5_KwRqrr-Bx417PM5LOgv3IkSuQv44Q_faBuyB4lFYGzAHbOqtuA8r9q39giDLoqrKT8WNb/s1080/2024-01-31%2019.13.49.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ0q6EGDYpP_j9D7ZsxWKaOKmVBdhj68SwKhuXDp-9wpzyZuiHCqSFxZC8oBaFNO22rSa6wwlrymqrax7dzVQdg60rbyURBf7VEFWtmxLe7DHIWX4qv3iGi5_KwRqrr-Bx417PM5LOgv3IkSuQv44Q_faBuyB4lFYGzAHbOqtuA8r9q39giDLoqrKT8WNb/w400-h300/2024-01-31%2019.13.49.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Thanks Mike, Pablo, Dean, and Alex for helping move some corn that was close to becoming in trouble. It's been a weird year for storing grain.</b></div></div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">In farming as well as family, have goals. Weekly, marketing, community, servantly, and generosity.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8mdoANbMAbNzyZTdBn7AD_v92lBB5Ev6mDUSCvEskybgqGgbcOptbmYP8RSJvWBXJkTGVxAhXOF1D_CyLUKXRsL3EQRLlgcdP5zIMFB1PywMbcNlMnXY0AcLgpz50JS2DcvSvJBBWnw6TYypGznE6ybTv9__AEKGyj1LlbCLroRXf4txsVhz_2kDZOhQP/s1841/2024-02-01%2010.21.22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="1841" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8mdoANbMAbNzyZTdBn7AD_v92lBB5Ev6mDUSCvEskybgqGgbcOptbmYP8RSJvWBXJkTGVxAhXOF1D_CyLUKXRsL3EQRLlgcdP5zIMFB1PywMbcNlMnXY0AcLgpz50JS2DcvSvJBBWnw6TYypGznE6ybTv9__AEKGyj1LlbCLroRXf4txsVhz_2kDZOhQP/s320/2024-02-01%2010.21.22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Karl and I attended a Becks corn rootworm meeting in Colfax. Both western and northern rootworm eat the corn plant roots which hurt yield and standability. We are planning on having a planter clinic in our shop across the road on Valentines Day, February 14, from 8 till 10 am. We will be serving a delicious breakfast.<br /></b></div></div><div> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">In your business, create a culture that's progressive, cutting edge, and stewardly, without falling into the political correctness rut. </b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVUyLRD9A64Ds-AjATNi8iMzIVmkh8NuVOc_cY2mnp2evF-rhyphenhyphenmXWOat7woLir-6tkVo0nfTp-ttdxT3xSicRMiPStZMXsCbTTSGfOSqQd_3M873Go8JdUAsnaELbyKRCBJ83IaY2Lu6yzLh-OWFaFFxNqVvL5hiBVe98WVTrHRpmyg9MD0Rw6lLA_fhj/s3585/2024-02-02%2009.54.02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1974" data-original-width="3585" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVUyLRD9A64Ds-AjATNi8iMzIVmkh8NuVOc_cY2mnp2evF-rhyphenhyphenmXWOat7woLir-6tkVo0nfTp-ttdxT3xSicRMiPStZMXsCbTTSGfOSqQd_3M873Go8JdUAsnaELbyKRCBJ83IaY2Lu6yzLh-OWFaFFxNqVvL5hiBVe98WVTrHRpmyg9MD0Rw6lLA_fhj/s320/2024-02-02%2009.54.02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">We visited last week about bookwork and making a plan for next year. Karl, BJ, and I met with partners in business, our bankers. 2023 was a good year. If you borrow money and rent or are paying for land, you will need to be creative for 2024 because of the dropping commodity prices.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayQVfJ1vpFKZyNSUegZcF3UMoM5Fo6qYDitanN0u5H1v9tve99DcOJvPzp8i-zb1XVUuY3aYtgAD_YdCTdLm0iv6kBdO_t-n7wixp3ldYlWw7FzBG_Qo-24I-H8iAwnm7ZH0bEcVXtVF8LxqnNPTMxbOCSVcZaNVSOICuM4zc2xTCT7WAOvwyDnLeqVnk/s3720/2024-02-01%2013.17.11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2617" data-original-width="3720" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayQVfJ1vpFKZyNSUegZcF3UMoM5Fo6qYDitanN0u5H1v9tve99DcOJvPzp8i-zb1XVUuY3aYtgAD_YdCTdLm0iv6kBdO_t-n7wixp3ldYlWw7FzBG_Qo-24I-H8iAwnm7ZH0bEcVXtVF8LxqnNPTMxbOCSVcZaNVSOICuM4zc2xTCT7WAOvwyDnLeqVnk/s320/2024-02-01%2013.17.11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">At the beginning of every year our church hands out a word of the year for everyone. Below is a picture in my home office of words for the last 9 years. My word for 2024 is Inspiration.</b></div></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Some personal thoughts: Will I be remembered as someone who inspired others? Am I doing my best as a Husband and Dad? Am I having an impact on friends and community? Am I an asset in my vocation? Do you all ever ask yourself questions?</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyQ6SAOxxgoEl9X9PTPVwadmjQTGooqg1UPODcrJxTdziT83UVP8t__HsxsAW7Y0vUU5IVtVdH1gHC3il1M4gfcz5t3xsUQb0QcFh89VoFtaB0VGFEPyA2E16zk8l8WyYKXjIzJJawGfQ3Jys75gM3g235TJ6cn_Qmlzl3OVNf_fhEuVq3tAW4XIldUtC/s4032/2024-01-30%2013.38.37.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyQ6SAOxxgoEl9X9PTPVwadmjQTGooqg1UPODcrJxTdziT83UVP8t__HsxsAW7Y0vUU5IVtVdH1gHC3il1M4gfcz5t3xsUQb0QcFh89VoFtaB0VGFEPyA2E16zk8l8WyYKXjIzJJawGfQ3Jys75gM3g235TJ6cn_Qmlzl3OVNf_fhEuVq3tAW4XIldUtC/s320/2024-01-30%2013.38.37.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">I've always felt blessed making a living and raising a family in Iowa. However I feel we are starting to struggle just like the rest of the country with culture. This "graphsaboutreligion.com" below showed up during caucus week. The survey asked about church attendance among Iowans and it's neighbors since Covid. It shows 70% of Iowans who consider themselves religious attend church once a year or less. </b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvdlxJIyjB9Iex_SJwIxHM8lpzCrdE2CwCW0h8Lu2xCBesN_VXDsJmM1qiHkDcesp1n50elvoPq-7FABR6tfO4NyrTx8PUhCi5NQ1CWPV6_AuvLgC6b47o3nFucyukSXdShdiHMj_jkzrA32M7yOHXfFw-wf2o-XSqiqC1ndaJ1Fh8JTgj6oMiMNCfR83/s1758/2024-01-30%2004.10.48.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1021" data-original-width="1758" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvdlxJIyjB9Iex_SJwIxHM8lpzCrdE2CwCW0h8Lu2xCBesN_VXDsJmM1qiHkDcesp1n50elvoPq-7FABR6tfO4NyrTx8PUhCi5NQ1CWPV6_AuvLgC6b47o3nFucyukSXdShdiHMj_jkzrA32M7yOHXfFw-wf2o-XSqiqC1ndaJ1Fh8JTgj6oMiMNCfR83/s320/2024-01-30%2004.10.48.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">On winter evenings, my down time is often spent in our home office reading. Just westerns or Jan's Amish books, putting my mind in neutral in order to sleep.</b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"> </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">It takes about 40 gallon of maple sap to make 1 gallon of maple syrup through the process of boiling and evaporating water content. 2024 is going to continue to turn up the heat. As an example to family and others, will you be the water or the syrup? Blessings. </b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVYlCrNWTy3t8xZsef-33lEy4LbPOBbh6E3BZnK-YJNlrXCHdJPvooz7Wl7N07FsNNGjBu11qZGUMEz4xmFe0fRD5vWzfZk52wCmeuzeCS8b0tx-nfh_Ck0oUUb3nT7S0cuP_xH1V3nTm_TnvU6g79fiROpmx8uo7GNq4lLhYxdLhAgA8paNcBXWM0Zbh/s4000/2024-02-02%2020.00.00.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVYlCrNWTy3t8xZsef-33lEy4LbPOBbh6E3BZnK-YJNlrXCHdJPvooz7Wl7N07FsNNGjBu11qZGUMEz4xmFe0fRD5vWzfZk52wCmeuzeCS8b0tx-nfh_Ck0oUUb3nT7S0cuP_xH1V3nTm_TnvU6g79fiROpmx8uo7GNq4lLhYxdLhAgA8paNcBXWM0Zbh/s320/2024-02-02%2020.00.00.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /> <br /><p></p></div>stillwatersiowahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01904929764005950113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2417370687288915442.post-71228956268999407172024-01-28T06:10:00.000-06:002024-01-28T06:10:11.619-06:00Kinship<p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">There are acquaintances. There are connections. There are relationships. Then there's kinships. Kinship is a special connection with someone. You could be related. Amish folks call their children and grandchildren "kinner". It could be the folks you work with or hang out with at school every day. Or it could just be a friendship that developed. </b><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcu3Fd41rgDAzl1bLqWhoZ99WAvCsfY1Z6NkI9zhGe7bKAaUFBtVJq_SR7_Uo-pQVQy8WhH878zZHyXXyvJzL6X0NYizdk8LzUsAwPQNQcAwIGDpdQtfAQVcIjp1oN4PwAMoTTQGSN7omUcct4jbaSHY1o5KwyyYnwgwdXJDpJ1Yn8oNbuQSDqkxTMf-b/s3505/2024-01-22%2012.43.58.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1981" data-original-width="3505" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcu3Fd41rgDAzl1bLqWhoZ99WAvCsfY1Z6NkI9zhGe7bKAaUFBtVJq_SR7_Uo-pQVQy8WhH878zZHyXXyvJzL6X0NYizdk8LzUsAwPQNQcAwIGDpdQtfAQVcIjp1oN4PwAMoTTQGSN7omUcct4jbaSHY1o5KwyyYnwgwdXJDpJ1Yn8oNbuQSDqkxTMf-b/w400-h226/2024-01-22%2012.43.58.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">The roads are getting wide enough from 2 week old snow drifts for semis. So Mike picked up his dozer from the field and took it to get a new undercarriage. Thanks for the picture Mike.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cP6it8SBh9mq-FZWD7wU0fZUvVurhAR4vvFBGc4cvuLM4Sj0nlH7bMiQFueNhtnuOeRcfuVgiGVUoFhSdZ4rmFKbmYpiSN4HrRCDhzlRZE8c4KYw4L-0RFqdlLB08mrYwacws9rihRrCPfzITdpElYQn-6a0SCkQt3lFk4ylcuK4ONgYKR7HXWh7Lf2V/s1589/2024-01-22%2013.07.30.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1589" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cP6it8SBh9mq-FZWD7wU0fZUvVurhAR4vvFBGc4cvuLM4Sj0nlH7bMiQFueNhtnuOeRcfuVgiGVUoFhSdZ4rmFKbmYpiSN4HrRCDhzlRZE8c4KYw4L-0RFqdlLB08mrYwacws9rihRrCPfzITdpElYQn-6a0SCkQt3lFk4ylcuK4ONgYKR7HXWh7Lf2V/w400-h194/2024-01-22%2013.07.30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Jan and I have been enjoying the special warmth of a woodstove in our home this winter. The problem was I didn't prepare very well. And our split wood wagon was getting empty. A special thank you to my brother-in-law Roger, who brought us a supply of dry split hard wood. Roger is also one of our county road crew who worked day and night to get our roads opened back up a couple of weeks ago.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ga5i14cZNrT_m7xrDi_7_PxixkyTOa5IdHfqet6vUgdv9325bQ6v2dITqQCYer48AoDwIPdZhqh7la1Jq6ZdxAk-IYLeR0zZ0AMcOeY-6jIhl-Rm-6bkZHEGxxRg4Bn-1bwfCF9NtPP9WZqD85DZDq2d1XYBUO-Tlq0dvRtdB87D53qggPvItEozcY36/s3566/2024-01-27%2012.45.24.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2188" data-original-width="3566" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ga5i14cZNrT_m7xrDi_7_PxixkyTOa5IdHfqet6vUgdv9325bQ6v2dITqQCYer48AoDwIPdZhqh7la1Jq6ZdxAk-IYLeR0zZ0AMcOeY-6jIhl-Rm-6bkZHEGxxRg4Bn-1bwfCF9NtPP9WZqD85DZDq2d1XYBUO-Tlq0dvRtdB87D53qggPvItEozcY36/w400-h245/2024-01-27%2012.45.24.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">We had a stove shuffle yesterday after one of our glass stove top shattered in the cabin. Below Roger, Ezra, and Elijah are changing to electric cord to match the 220 outlet. Jan bought a new stove for our kitchen with both convection and an air fryer in the oven part.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_4V3zr6__G-B8hInjk4aDkyORhgRVBqrWQF8eVU_sAtyzbceJ3sEjFvrh172-ySDEE7n93Ju-oXi0Ow7c4lJtMEELyDrw2N7TBH7wANyx_wuZJuCDA_Dmo8J82alFnUXG0R3qfaSu5Li7geTP_b9s6UJbYU6XKfyNJjrzdFEyPCzbdfU4wbehFocic31/s3581/2024-01-27%2008.40.17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2363" data-original-width="3581" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_4V3zr6__G-B8hInjk4aDkyORhgRVBqrWQF8eVU_sAtyzbceJ3sEjFvrh172-ySDEE7n93Ju-oXi0Ow7c4lJtMEELyDrw2N7TBH7wANyx_wuZJuCDA_Dmo8J82alFnUXG0R3qfaSu5Li7geTP_b9s6UJbYU6XKfyNJjrzdFEyPCzbdfU4wbehFocic31/w400-h264/2024-01-27%2008.40.17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">With both Malaki and Sydnie in school, Brynn has a kinship with her Dad and is always asking him if she can help in the pig barn. Thanks for the picture Karl. Karl and Kristin's youngest, Tatum, is being baptized in church this morning with everyone coming to the cabin for lunch afterwards.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJ2ESCJjv62SD3hV1e_m42tInq46QBdSPCPbvg-6JqsVx5YFpJVgSqc8ecQZyMRKta3u7gxO0ijNF54ijC-MfjTWKFuPfVsW_ucC__PrPO_SGau7hbOqMMdu_hea7CuFhh2wCEwHgzvu981dRGmi4mwqFQ2KhJYJ_e-t6gRUvjLkwWco4blLftAWEnZLu/s1274/2024-01-25%2016.33.55.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1274" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJ2ESCJjv62SD3hV1e_m42tInq46QBdSPCPbvg-6JqsVx5YFpJVgSqc8ecQZyMRKta3u7gxO0ijNF54ijC-MfjTWKFuPfVsW_ucC__PrPO_SGau7hbOqMMdu_hea7CuFhh2wCEwHgzvu981dRGmi4mwqFQ2KhJYJ_e-t6gRUvjLkwWco4blLftAWEnZLu/w339-h400/2024-01-25%2016.33.55.jpg" width="339" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Kurt and Emily's, Lane, Jayden, and Jackson, have the responsibility of checking the cow waterer and making sure all the mama cows are ok. Thanks for the picture Kurt.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3kTLwTtLdp0iBJ0ri_KPvkoqMZRP4wRPNSL24peQwxbidfFXXtpYbb3RBQzZFLDVQ-nr6SQEYWlaOrzHclVgby9JBDpXinnOzzRWx4o8ERinOF2Oo8BdqrkjQORsIlrIbG5gTbdrNwRvN3pokUMI0omCt6kAR5eArCGXWlxpKCgpDRMpKvptx16T0q6R/s842/2024-01-27%2012.20.01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="842" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3kTLwTtLdp0iBJ0ri_KPvkoqMZRP4wRPNSL24peQwxbidfFXXtpYbb3RBQzZFLDVQ-nr6SQEYWlaOrzHclVgby9JBDpXinnOzzRWx4o8ERinOF2Oo8BdqrkjQORsIlrIbG5gTbdrNwRvN3pokUMI0omCt6kAR5eArCGXWlxpKCgpDRMpKvptx16T0q6R/w400-h288/2024-01-27%2012.20.01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">This past week the Pella Christian High FFA class helped Farm Bureau by building some educational displays. The class includes a number of our grandkids. Thanks for the picture Jill.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyWmIXzr8xyCIoKOU1B4jM_fJIYY6Y6_VFyPsuSgIStYdheBDdT4e02Gv3RtUKhfpqLaZZCnc76VB3bd_oYJCgtOzT6VLF21AIt2yDMl_e9OmfPfMjMQvtnCUMNnmB9XW6aF8EGTcnu2zp4CDKT-QNvjYlOWXOEuBmfkAnHJ6NU6fm0RUl4QpKO9-qF3_/s1667/2024-01-27%2018.09.22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1667" data-original-width="703" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyWmIXzr8xyCIoKOU1B4jM_fJIYY6Y6_VFyPsuSgIStYdheBDdT4e02Gv3RtUKhfpqLaZZCnc76VB3bd_oYJCgtOzT6VLF21AIt2yDMl_e9OmfPfMjMQvtnCUMNnmB9XW6aF8EGTcnu2zp4CDKT-QNvjYlOWXOEuBmfkAnHJ6NU6fm0RUl4QpKO9-qF3_/w169-h400/2024-01-27%2018.09.22.jpg" width="169" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Elizabeth and I had sort of a kinship. Every week while visiting my own mother at Osky Care Center, I would stop by Elizabeth and other's table during breakfast and visit. She loved cheerios with lots of cinnamon and sugar. Last Saturday I stopped and asked her about the Amish book she was reading as she was shuffling herself to the cafeteria in her wheelchair. I was surprised to read an email that she was in Hospice just a few hours later, and passed away last Sunday. </b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-hjh_qIEKDLljzbra07__uTaUvjLDlVSw6oe1GU-TTWdNDIMtoMHHiPw8CEN9PqnU5KwNWOwM0IqTix9nOsRt4lGqwtI63FzLQ4RmL7Wfys_PI7dl2huoi90_7luCwFp3hTTy5GmlXAMFJDeZ5NXHsYnIpqcIiPx9Oe7rOvCvkaUlrq-wI26z9tZuDvu/s1093/2024-01-25%2016.36.06.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1093" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-hjh_qIEKDLljzbra07__uTaUvjLDlVSw6oe1GU-TTWdNDIMtoMHHiPw8CEN9PqnU5KwNWOwM0IqTix9nOsRt4lGqwtI63FzLQ4RmL7Wfys_PI7dl2huoi90_7luCwFp3hTTy5GmlXAMFJDeZ5NXHsYnIpqcIiPx9Oe7rOvCvkaUlrq-wI26z9tZuDvu/w400-h394/2024-01-25%2016.36.06.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Jesse and Leah, and Jan and I, met and became friends earlier this year. Jesse was a speaker at the Cow/Calf Conference in Ottumwa yesterday. Talking about utilizing high marbling genetics using Wagyu/Akaushi bulls. I'm sure you've heard or seen Wagyu beef in the grocery store. Wagyu means Japanese cow. If your interested in purchasing Wagyu beef directly from the producer, check out J and L Farms, West Point, Iowa. Thanks for the friendship Jesse.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1MUJR7jwMiuqh4BfDGWxYeh4fjQuS_Aqwip-qC6rmNLzJp6xFN86Bi9LCYHOMAjZPJshS1nF9906SNIsHI5PpsOEO7B00TS_i_D0e1TTNXL0V5k9yZgGfm8QM7k2vSq9afaUOxphayeFfeZNGO1a-s_hzC9Y3sLG04UsK3U6oQL_RMqcOXScE5TMVdsu/s3253/2024-01-27%2014.40.54.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2298" data-original-width="3253" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1MUJR7jwMiuqh4BfDGWxYeh4fjQuS_Aqwip-qC6rmNLzJp6xFN86Bi9LCYHOMAjZPJshS1nF9906SNIsHI5PpsOEO7B00TS_i_D0e1TTNXL0V5k9yZgGfm8QM7k2vSq9afaUOxphayeFfeZNGO1a-s_hzC9Y3sLG04UsK3U6oQL_RMqcOXScE5TMVdsu/w400-h283/2024-01-27%2014.40.54.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">This is the time of year when we look where we've been, where we're at, and where we're headed. I'm talking year end bookkeeping. Looking back is wrapping up the 2023 crop year with yields, sales, and taxes. Where we're at is the balance sheet which shows whether we gained or lost from a year ago. And looking forward is putting together a projected cash flow for the 2024 crop season. This is not only necessary for good business, it's required for those of us that borrow money for crop inputs. And a good relationship with our banker partners. </b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYP3v2T63WT0YS-iXyYa003FSc4cLutwFro7bAQzVXOUfsJcgUiQB64aORo0Ec7bMlYsW1Du6RDY0CzH2sk5-z9tefBBHTUFk1nwlppSz7_rTDL9MAEX-0Wy42xCYdaa0Ehopdu9Pm_TLIkN8eN1rP_2R1ftMa7K8qze9iI0AzecVf4WwC5mYSOhsxJe-/s3514/2024-01-23%2007.45.10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2271" data-original-width="3514" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYP3v2T63WT0YS-iXyYa003FSc4cLutwFro7bAQzVXOUfsJcgUiQB64aORo0Ec7bMlYsW1Du6RDY0CzH2sk5-z9tefBBHTUFk1nwlppSz7_rTDL9MAEX-0Wy42xCYdaa0Ehopdu9Pm_TLIkN8eN1rP_2R1ftMa7K8qze9iI0AzecVf4WwC5mYSOhsxJe-/w400-h259/2024-01-23%2007.45.10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">How would you describe your correlation with God? An acquaintance, a connection, a relationship, or a kinship? I know kinship is not a "spiritual" description we're used to. However remember the stories in the Bible about a "kinsman redeemer"? That's someone who at his own expense pays the debt of another. God is our Kinsman Redeemer, paying our sin debt if we accept that gift. Since God is also Creator and in charge of everything, including our politics and chaos, it would do us well to have a close relationship with Him in a bumpy new year. Blessings.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrAMhFLa2wEsROWpD3yvXfRmsGck2QSoarSebp3ycTrhxKOAOHj2Ys_lEUpM_onMGgPdXvOfTAe91GRsvOBkPfe3FWr3BQhwHRPZtDUpePvfPzyxk8FqQ8KuiviOEdFYMtjfaoZ6lHSGBDp38GEWzKsRf9e4ZBCvaTyIaNzFmq7Sg8N_71AMA49KOn8eB/s3393/2024-01-23%2009.37.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2711" data-original-width="3393" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrAMhFLa2wEsROWpD3yvXfRmsGck2QSoarSebp3ycTrhxKOAOHj2Ys_lEUpM_onMGgPdXvOfTAe91GRsvOBkPfe3FWr3BQhwHRPZtDUpePvfPzyxk8FqQ8KuiviOEdFYMtjfaoZ6lHSGBDp38GEWzKsRf9e4ZBCvaTyIaNzFmq7Sg8N_71AMA49KOn8eB/w400-h320/2024-01-23%2009.37.08.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p></div>stillwatersiowahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01904929764005950113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2417370687288915442.post-53493510597313449812024-01-21T05:54:00.000-06:002024-01-21T05:54:46.030-06:00Winter Of 2024<p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">No journey is a straight and predictable path. January/2024 will be remembered as the snowiest and coldest event in southern Iowa in 51 years. This past week was spent digging out.</b><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDM4_1Wn5llHz95WZqAPAhZhPGjtPGBEOA2MWyc2b-O99OwdQvoRN226HLHujlcvHz0sV-nzjAN6-ht3ZRhaX2rvV5nE9pRIQ7Iq7H8pJcswY96bq7ZaedtSwYDKaLgQsRhy7Va5sePf_fHntNN-75Z4kN5Ix35Ein0sEE1qV9AhAdtRB6Qtq_QiexduPA/s3768/2024-01-19%2007.11.24.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2044" data-original-width="3768" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDM4_1Wn5llHz95WZqAPAhZhPGjtPGBEOA2MWyc2b-O99OwdQvoRN226HLHujlcvHz0sV-nzjAN6-ht3ZRhaX2rvV5nE9pRIQ7Iq7H8pJcswY96bq7ZaedtSwYDKaLgQsRhy7Va5sePf_fHntNN-75Z4kN5Ix35Ein0sEE1qV9AhAdtRB6Qtq_QiexduPA/w400-h217/2024-01-19%2007.11.24.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">A story with just the facts is as boring as a newspaper. There are many stories behind the storm of long hours of opening up rural roads, finding a way to care for livestock, making up all the extracurricular activities that happen in school, and a community just coming together.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEscQiVxFIj9jkMQEQQ2Z7kyZmNpqzfUFN28FlA5v3Byg_74zWubxl3Q4LBtAfrHzqtWk56XVbS4ebdhR8GJ7dzv5EBQmeQhMaedy4WHPnklTKwo7JkB5yeRvFqW21fwGJbvpeP3-JxpH3qIgGcqfY7bYG5sEioHhyKRyLAct3mnCIsJxCOW4Ikju6xTs/s3641/2024-01-18%2010.32.19.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2315" data-original-width="3641" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEscQiVxFIj9jkMQEQQ2Z7kyZmNpqzfUFN28FlA5v3Byg_74zWubxl3Q4LBtAfrHzqtWk56XVbS4ebdhR8GJ7dzv5EBQmeQhMaedy4WHPnklTKwo7JkB5yeRvFqW21fwGJbvpeP3-JxpH3qIgGcqfY7bYG5sEioHhyKRyLAct3mnCIsJxCOW4Ikju6xTs/w400-h254/2024-01-18%2010.32.19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">When you add heart in the story, the characters become personal. Thanks for the picture Emily. 4th grader Jackson spent a snow day off school to pile the drifts off their yard so the cows they are taking care of could be fed.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7v9G6ejriJZT71wIDZdPsCfh6EQKNLVdtymnHhrB2YevWSPGB8ef5hWxHQMPFLFaRpqOHysStzkM0I7eA4oVR-d9ZooCMUEoC_FlIob4q5OEuD9YBWLb_Qtz8T_Q4EowYkJ3YKeITjOJNNctxm6y24MMf7Yhdo4XuOHUKg_9gJBDHEshu04tsRmrdRPGt/s1650/2024-01-19%2013.38.32.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="1077" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7v9G6ejriJZT71wIDZdPsCfh6EQKNLVdtymnHhrB2YevWSPGB8ef5hWxHQMPFLFaRpqOHysStzkM0I7eA4oVR-d9ZooCMUEoC_FlIob4q5OEuD9YBWLb_Qtz8T_Q4EowYkJ3YKeITjOJNNctxm6y24MMf7Yhdo4XuOHUKg_9gJBDHEshu04tsRmrdRPGt/w261-h400/2024-01-19%2013.38.32.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">When you involve others in a story, and see things through their vantage point, you create relationships. 20 years ago Karl and Kurt wore the numbers 42 and 52 when they played football. Today their sons, Malaki and Jackson, are wearing their fathers' jersey numbers playing basketball. Thanks for the picture Kristin.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-o6Rdj2F5csu7ZRJxfkUoO5C4uMO5HvA6mWO0Kxbe-TYfMoGo3DbnzrHy434scyWScPfgfIDyphohrHTTDdu8xgJIOnqSV_8RFWozW2QUKwjzAGkOdU_ndeb3Wq8f-8CdAYhl8po9VWf7ox_7iUw9SCIDCoh330GLj9XpffdZOLz52Ah33LJpWbFJJXKc/s1770/2024-01-06%2020.39.49.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1770" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-o6Rdj2F5csu7ZRJxfkUoO5C4uMO5HvA6mWO0Kxbe-TYfMoGo3DbnzrHy434scyWScPfgfIDyphohrHTTDdu8xgJIOnqSV_8RFWozW2QUKwjzAGkOdU_ndeb3Wq8f-8CdAYhl8po9VWf7ox_7iUw9SCIDCoh330GLj9XpffdZOLz52Ah33LJpWbFJJXKc/w244-h400/2024-01-06%2020.39.49.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">With all the snow and cold outside, shop work was part of the agenda this past week. John, a senior in high school, worked on shining up the aluminum on Karl and Kristin's seed semi.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgx5_0lDKD9fWy1ld1DjMO6LUwjrOpvkmlxo7FfUd61n_OJFdZNEiu2LepCvUNx7dnaokyktbua2OX_N5ErXFVmMPqERKccG0EBihbXqhZksdKztyb9RbmL8bri-MhmC7k3F_ZbRQecoWNiEA7orG0VxdYNNLHWnE2TJb7NDH9KJFxg-vDY-uqvoAU9m1/s3525/2024-01-19%2013.26.47.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2290" data-original-width="3525" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgx5_0lDKD9fWy1ld1DjMO6LUwjrOpvkmlxo7FfUd61n_OJFdZNEiu2LepCvUNx7dnaokyktbua2OX_N5ErXFVmMPqERKccG0EBihbXqhZksdKztyb9RbmL8bri-MhmC7k3F_ZbRQecoWNiEA7orG0VxdYNNLHWnE2TJb7NDH9KJFxg-vDY-uqvoAU9m1/w400-h260/2024-01-19%2013.26.47.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Ethan worked on replacing wheel seals. Ryan helped replacing the brakes and drums. Most of this work is preventative maintenance, hopefully preventing a breakdown later.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5rvUa3Mxtu5CJkuhAOIG3hjDGT4hb_LIvwDmmX2bOdq-fN9hfucCkV4R0SX8Je7hhFy031I5oqFGWvbrpPn_VceVWLHM_2BAEnrpCmj5PJ6N5YsO6QrDVznpiHjj_O2TdFPi7PLNRWqJAjKWMX1HyIvXD2K1VHo0OPLGPd5ryk5DTqSk7FjagBB8fzOo/s2762/2024-01-19%2013.27.05.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1785" data-original-width="2762" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5rvUa3Mxtu5CJkuhAOIG3hjDGT4hb_LIvwDmmX2bOdq-fN9hfucCkV4R0SX8Je7hhFy031I5oqFGWvbrpPn_VceVWLHM_2BAEnrpCmj5PJ6N5YsO6QrDVznpiHjj_O2TdFPi7PLNRWqJAjKWMX1HyIvXD2K1VHo0OPLGPd5ryk5DTqSk7FjagBB8fzOo/w400-h259/2024-01-19%2013.27.05.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Replacing the no-till coulters, disc openers, scrapers, seed firmers, spacing the depth gauge wheels, and replacing bearings on the closing wheels, is an every two year job on our planters. Ryan and Alex helped Dean get our soybean planter finished. This rig will stay hooked up and ready for April.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9iXxUxhpf2HR-RppMQUUgQ71k3EVxLc3aozKPTY7iVp6jzhEbqgU0CUxJjo0MkGDlG8gQHKXowB-yx2_2zZiP79UbIuhbjbT7GhSI84dfZX4RA0wIwOYdfsOCg30iG2U_f4NMFxZ7gGlMcdDc7nzCg9Lk2BVo-1g2Kr3TU50U1acfgFFKU9ePn5kD8rY/s4032/2024-01-18%2009.56.44.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2114" data-original-width="4032" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9iXxUxhpf2HR-RppMQUUgQ71k3EVxLc3aozKPTY7iVp6jzhEbqgU0CUxJjo0MkGDlG8gQHKXowB-yx2_2zZiP79UbIuhbjbT7GhSI84dfZX4RA0wIwOYdfsOCg30iG2U_f4NMFxZ7gGlMcdDc7nzCg9Lk2BVo-1g2Kr3TU50U1acfgFFKU9ePn5kD8rY/w400-h210/2024-01-18%2009.56.44.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">It's hard to imagine all the long hours road crews and snow removal businesses spent helping folks get back to a normal winter life. Thanks for the picture Holden. 10th grader, Ezra, and 9th grader, Elijah, got up at 2am many mornings to help Holden scoop sidewalks and driveways in town.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHlmyvPUKTINRZjjainSWQorc1vVVexxYD8Q33_LgPmRiFcpTcd8KkSz8j2X4pVAlcCMDm-ialihIpsoeCQqZ-IOCmbfHx7zo5wUXJIZWb_p73-qksOy0Uh5NIDmqDiJ_V5ydbY8yD1JpvCcUmwsbJxhyfQ510aZrMM2Ua_Y3WXL6b3oc-N2gh4yoB2SM/s2024/2024-01-20%2014.30.38.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="2024" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHlmyvPUKTINRZjjainSWQorc1vVVexxYD8Q33_LgPmRiFcpTcd8KkSz8j2X4pVAlcCMDm-ialihIpsoeCQqZ-IOCmbfHx7zo5wUXJIZWb_p73-qksOy0Uh5NIDmqDiJ_V5ydbY8yD1JpvCcUmwsbJxhyfQ510aZrMM2Ua_Y3WXL6b3oc-N2gh4yoB2SM/w400-h214/2024-01-20%2014.30.38.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">With the roads drifted shut for 3 or 4 days, it was impossible for feed trucks to get loads delivered to the farmers that custom feed livestock these days. Feed mills got 300 to 400 loads behind. And hogs were running out of feed. Farmers were asked to help haul feed to their own buildings with their grain semis. Thanks for the picture Collin.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzCO0zjtEfnpuM5dpRE9SPjLj6E-sNvviEhcllqlq19533z48jsEzaaUC89I8SKq9KVPGn64eS0QPoNO-Z5wh0nZsUvUGg6_yg3y1Hn9_nO2OB2ils2Oem4fzGmnTpjiohJ88qOdQj1dPR_7aF_ZafDcNZB5t_dAFnTU6U_5NZFvsbquoqp_66RzRB9t4/s1234/2024-01-20%2014.54.45.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1234" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzCO0zjtEfnpuM5dpRE9SPjLj6E-sNvviEhcllqlq19533z48jsEzaaUC89I8SKq9KVPGn64eS0QPoNO-Z5wh0nZsUvUGg6_yg3y1Hn9_nO2OB2ils2Oem4fzGmnTpjiohJ88qOdQj1dPR_7aF_ZafDcNZB5t_dAFnTU6U_5NZFvsbquoqp_66RzRB9t4/w350-h400/2024-01-20%2014.54.45.jpg" width="350" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Ezra and I took a break from pushing snow yesterday to go visit my mother. We wheeled her all around the nursing home, meeting her friends and care takers.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHggaJg93rfP6lX89nGSXd1Afbc0GfTfHTNIppjmpi1uXbQPB_xBEGTSja4v7edCahIFIsdRfqdrpDsF20g_x6BJfFB3wRkPIlOCG_ciXG2zIxMjQugpBQwxRutJHckpQIpx3JEJv8xD7JE_PQr5ylhqW8wGVxNwxVF5WYzAjBKEhkKjBPvP_V4toJ0gdx/s3793/2024-01-20%2010.59.58.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2770" data-original-width="3793" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHggaJg93rfP6lX89nGSXd1Afbc0GfTfHTNIppjmpi1uXbQPB_xBEGTSja4v7edCahIFIsdRfqdrpDsF20g_x6BJfFB3wRkPIlOCG_ciXG2zIxMjQugpBQwxRutJHckpQIpx3JEJv8xD7JE_PQr5ylhqW8wGVxNwxVF5WYzAjBKEhkKjBPvP_V4toJ0gdx/w400-h293/2024-01-20%2010.59.58.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">The girls had a bridal shower for Rachel last evening. These are the gals of our family you don't see as often in our Sunday visits. But every bit as important and loved. Cassia, Emily, Kristin, Rachel, Becky, Stacy, and Suzanne. Thanks for the picture.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Dj6sJSEOP_dbYl8A5JaHmPBhzbhFdmCePtBBCmYB9AatL5uq1bGObnF4zvhl_znhpqwtsyfhW4dtwScIj9NwPdllfxf2DQrkUVG2N_CeXjvrrGJbFxXgIjE-teHFqNheqlD7WezDUZoxy-F8m_Gh-rKVdnn5mvFmxSiqEcdEzDMBnu6XntMQBCzhp0Hg/s1178/2024-01-20%2017.03.10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="951" data-original-width="1178" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Dj6sJSEOP_dbYl8A5JaHmPBhzbhFdmCePtBBCmYB9AatL5uq1bGObnF4zvhl_znhpqwtsyfhW4dtwScIj9NwPdllfxf2DQrkUVG2N_CeXjvrrGJbFxXgIjE-teHFqNheqlD7WezDUZoxy-F8m_Gh-rKVdnn5mvFmxSiqEcdEzDMBnu6XntMQBCzhp0Hg/w400-h323/2024-01-20%2017.03.10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Jan and I are so blessed. We started life together in the 1970s. Then spent 30 years raising a family. Then we got to and continue to experience and love grandchildren. And now we're starting to watch our grandchildren start families of their own. Thanks for the picture Becky.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqP8Xy7Obb2uSgiwdb27mL4r9TBW39RXlxzLeFKamzzf8PCOcyDeiQSFmNHp9d4V10nhoCj-agDwki75L6MnrHRwv4WzrsIZbOV5HziK1qQZkoAXLPeg4oZz-li1dWNMewEUXEp1oeNE6e67a-7Asyzwpvo5kKRIAP62PI4szdDFpMHGFb8T6cb8Byj7S/s1076/2024-01-20%2017.02.10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1035" data-original-width="1076" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqP8Xy7Obb2uSgiwdb27mL4r9TBW39RXlxzLeFKamzzf8PCOcyDeiQSFmNHp9d4V10nhoCj-agDwki75L6MnrHRwv4WzrsIZbOV5HziK1qQZkoAXLPeg4oZz-li1dWNMewEUXEp1oeNE6e67a-7Asyzwpvo5kKRIAP62PI4szdDFpMHGFb8T6cb8Byj7S/w400-h385/2024-01-20%2017.02.10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Were our lives a straight and predictable path? Not a chance! Sometimes a season of not having or getting what we expect is needed to develop trust. Trust leads to gratitude. Gratitude leads to contentment. Then finally embracing and enjoying the unexpected. No matter what unexpected turns come our way this coming year, 2024 will be full of opportunities and possibilities.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifK5ptW59SR3qrrp2MyaeXz_zxRID9m9D4SrUMNnc-wR5zigYMEIZ8vxCSd0Dl2o80fLUFm9HtUVgJs5OTvkxm5AACld-xQoKReLd2oK9DKhKcUSACZiqWkfDR25NM2nfL-MVsnv0WfpTHtEZxNsa5J8ZXNYzJLJ7AhtUzYHWZsD8OE70aBXIys94oJUnm/s4032/2024-01-18%2009.16.58.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifK5ptW59SR3qrrp2MyaeXz_zxRID9m9D4SrUMNnc-wR5zigYMEIZ8vxCSd0Dl2o80fLUFm9HtUVgJs5OTvkxm5AACld-xQoKReLd2oK9DKhKcUSACZiqWkfDR25NM2nfL-MVsnv0WfpTHtEZxNsa5J8ZXNYzJLJ7AhtUzYHWZsD8OE70aBXIys94oJUnm/w400-h300/2024-01-18%2009.16.58.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Remember those father/son pictures earlier in our visit? This is Kurt and Jackson catching up with Grandpa. Three generations telling stories about our past week. Psalm 78 says, <i>"Listen, I will tell you stories we have heard and known, handed down to us from our ancestors. We will not hide these truths from our children. We will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord".</i> You see folks, passing down testimonies and stories isn't just a suggestion. It's a command. Have a good week. Sounds like more moisture coming our way again.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfjsso8_WcE6sZb71LToBHunbEB5pmlfSPP7ElpQpYcuage0Sl5sfHvkZhee0C12XykBXT1NhBpE3bIz55I9X72gYFCrCzQ51Zt_-KnAObpYgltu-DJACs0ANI_Qx8kkUXhGCpYpb0K-ICZ35y2-ckbZo6EmeikF5ah2kBC10eQnkW6tyhu8fU5Gb5_1s/s3742/2024-01-20%2017.13.33.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2546" data-original-width="3742" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfjsso8_WcE6sZb71LToBHunbEB5pmlfSPP7ElpQpYcuage0Sl5sfHvkZhee0C12XykBXT1NhBpE3bIz55I9X72gYFCrCzQ51Zt_-KnAObpYgltu-DJACs0ANI_Qx8kkUXhGCpYpb0K-ICZ35y2-ckbZo6EmeikF5ah2kBC10eQnkW6tyhu8fU5Gb5_1s/w400-h272/2024-01-20%2017.13.33.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div></div>stillwatersiowahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01904929764005950113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2417370687288915442.post-24613337557585709162024-01-14T03:49:00.000-06:002024-01-14T03:49:08.368-06:00Choose Wisely<p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Winter has arrived in southern Iowa. And it made up for lost time dumping 20 inches of snow along with strong winds and plummeting temps, late in the week. Schools, businesses, and churches are all closed. Travel has not been recommended. Thanks for the picture Karl.</b><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU56TdsbrumFRbvqnI5df0jIJEG17ZYy84NTGuUPt9CoBdvK85L44Pp6sVFyCK0siDQkuabYbZyCTmoSKKWTijZt79FT228ECkPV_GeM-6OJ-fEvLMBQ-r-0vUrLcXspvRkHOe1JY0O0HU7nlAKFq2R10HW_t8sshn8hLPMn-cbxjjpiV1ySlcbjvGNKXI/s1293/2024-01-10%2020.08.52.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1293" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU56TdsbrumFRbvqnI5df0jIJEG17ZYy84NTGuUPt9CoBdvK85L44Pp6sVFyCK0siDQkuabYbZyCTmoSKKWTijZt79FT228ECkPV_GeM-6OJ-fEvLMBQ-r-0vUrLcXspvRkHOe1JY0O0HU7nlAKFq2R10HW_t8sshn8hLPMn-cbxjjpiV1ySlcbjvGNKXI/w334-h400/2024-01-10%2020.08.52.jpg" width="334" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">This was Karl and Kristin's week to get in early weaner pigs after emptying out and power washing the week before. Sydnie and Brynn are helping Dad unload pigs. Thanks for the picture Karl.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-JhEfIFh216v6YZqAqcQCjPrz9jPkl7PS9zQ6N1-GzOc-HwI3Jqq4xim-ZKNBZ9X9II7YIuqkSHI131vIfjBdaDd9eR1L3qC1IEP3w83BM-92cu6bHV_jLqT7hY_yVl9CQuPLFZLGi08GMie9aJvfqHFhgZM1JUbn95Hcch9qj6BABFpceXuz-g6fP3q/s1413/2024-01-10%2018.31.18.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1413" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-JhEfIFh216v6YZqAqcQCjPrz9jPkl7PS9zQ6N1-GzOc-HwI3Jqq4xim-ZKNBZ9X9II7YIuqkSHI131vIfjBdaDd9eR1L3qC1IEP3w83BM-92cu6bHV_jLqT7hY_yVl9CQuPLFZLGi08GMie9aJvfqHFhgZM1JUbn95Hcch9qj6BABFpceXuz-g6fP3q/w306-h400/2024-01-10%2018.31.18.jpg" width="306" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Malaki, who usually also helps in the hog barn, is shown here taking care of his little brother Tatum. Thanks for the picture.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3wfJJxSX0I_1imXScvvUX_AxZ49KGEmwFiIHeJ-DrsN3SeybzDVWZJPMpawA1kEYdKKT3Qshy1jOFXbzP4p6rnx4DDV5VPCmRLTvR_7UApBMLOz-OPMdHXJpwmgQfXRJ3MXsxrPdyfYP-m-VHCI7A6uEI1zwfuSSMpw36qtMnecJ9aN7o8Pg2YIMGHiW/s1498/2024-01-09%2008.03.32.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3wfJJxSX0I_1imXScvvUX_AxZ49KGEmwFiIHeJ-DrsN3SeybzDVWZJPMpawA1kEYdKKT3Qshy1jOFXbzP4p6rnx4DDV5VPCmRLTvR_7UApBMLOz-OPMdHXJpwmgQfXRJ3MXsxrPdyfYP-m-VHCI7A6uEI1zwfuSSMpw36qtMnecJ9aN7o8Pg2YIMGHiW/w289-h400/2024-01-09%2008.03.32.jpg" width="289" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Jan and I actually left last Sunday morning for a week of warm weather. After a stop at Kerch Cafe for breakfast in Farmington, Illinois we stopped to visit a dear friend in central Indiana.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySROtZy05Md5YkF6BtALEQ1XIwoVOjwLxKk8fJYzfPtTRgvt9KfiViyngy1ygiAFe5kNU9RDNRNBrBkFg2NkN2rf8hyTw_mY-Wu4CNmj0px6hcAodNRlnQYkm1D0poA5tu1g0ebbX-WIOuIcj6l7cYbknQlaroRmbdypf5ZV7SP_zZjKquHjwDq4bhBGE/s2128/2024-01-07%2015.47.23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="2128" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySROtZy05Md5YkF6BtALEQ1XIwoVOjwLxKk8fJYzfPtTRgvt9KfiViyngy1ygiAFe5kNU9RDNRNBrBkFg2NkN2rf8hyTw_mY-Wu4CNmj0px6hcAodNRlnQYkm1D0poA5tu1g0ebbX-WIOuIcj6l7cYbknQlaroRmbdypf5ZV7SP_zZjKquHjwDq4bhBGE/w400-h195/2024-01-07%2015.47.23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Last Monday morning we flew to Grand Cayman Island. Where we met up with farmer friends from multiple midwest states. This trip was a thank you for planting Becks Seed.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYSHUkp9G8pz6ShWdlfXz0NEfjRl1USRVF8A3z7b-l0G6Kgw3alF5sTtX3-ODv0kZ-sr-RgjAsjRVc9h5oVA1WJrlo5A0f1ZaAS974hrg3FCytk0Wu9aFB22Jriu3NwEBG0wZvEe_G9O_QMqU1kltw7N4oYfmkILBnM9zsD3oRZ3UP_x5sE66jWnZwgW1/s3789/2024-01-09%2018.00.59.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2857" data-original-width="3789" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYSHUkp9G8pz6ShWdlfXz0NEfjRl1USRVF8A3z7b-l0G6Kgw3alF5sTtX3-ODv0kZ-sr-RgjAsjRVc9h5oVA1WJrlo5A0f1ZaAS974hrg3FCytk0Wu9aFB22Jriu3NwEBG0wZvEe_G9O_QMqU1kltw7N4oYfmkILBnM9zsD3oRZ3UP_x5sE66jWnZwgW1/w400-h301/2024-01-09%2018.00.59.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Becks Seed is built on Faith, Family, and Farming. It's the largest family owned seed company in America. They have chosen wisely over the years building and maintaining a culture that keeps their customer's success their top priority. Thanks for the picture Alex.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzdCADu98Ts4L_7Qbz5l-J4GyZ_nUvvvzrXoYR9fru1zEVr9PBU_2WlQCJ7bDSNqnuzd-3PrLP3F5TQqOyERKCaiSTyf2QzsnqPfvDBypy0PTzg3nKV3fmmXGurEy60DuYwc_5KlcEZOZAzgNr25g49SAOEK0cdu-qehyphenhyphenjhjyyE3Of9HFz0qW5bYcJVEk/s1430/2024-01-12%2014.58.35.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1430" data-original-width="1055" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzdCADu98Ts4L_7Qbz5l-J4GyZ_nUvvvzrXoYR9fru1zEVr9PBU_2WlQCJ7bDSNqnuzd-3PrLP3F5TQqOyERKCaiSTyf2QzsnqPfvDBypy0PTzg3nKV3fmmXGurEy60DuYwc_5KlcEZOZAzgNr25g49SAOEK0cdu-qehyphenhyphenjhjyyE3Of9HFz0qW5bYcJVEk/w295-h400/2024-01-12%2014.58.35.jpg" width="295" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Many of you have heard this story. However everytime I share it, someone benefits. In January of 2018 while Jan and I were in Cayman we met Dave in the spice isle at Foster's Grocery. After the initial, "hey, how's it going" we found out he was on the island for his wife's back disc replacement surgery. Dave said back disc replacement was not allowed in the states as most doctors did fusions. </b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNH3pzNEwBs9cxMZYmpKSA_iFWRrD2hZZQJWzM0hZX4n9eVphbLPpFFru0fthmFOCbajX6PP3mz0kUYtOJex8MRosnC3glhNYAnUeGXyqFUA93Wk7lq3JBegfyjWg8Hc993BHSfdM5N_r0L1JP0-TJq6TaH3ES6tbrQSzUdCkTev515_qHUly-lXK0MvE/s1424/2024-01-09%2012.25.22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1035" data-original-width="1424" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNH3pzNEwBs9cxMZYmpKSA_iFWRrD2hZZQJWzM0hZX4n9eVphbLPpFFru0fthmFOCbajX6PP3mz0kUYtOJex8MRosnC3glhNYAnUeGXyqFUA93Wk7lq3JBegfyjWg8Hc993BHSfdM5N_r0L1JP0-TJq6TaH3ES6tbrQSzUdCkTev515_qHUly-lXK0MvE/w400-h291/2024-01-09%2012.25.22.jpg" width="400" />t</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Doctors who did fusions every day in the states developed a better way. However because of all the time, money, and red tape it takes to approve a procedure, they came to Cayman one weekend a month. Jan and I returned to our rental car wondering if God had put Dave in our path for a reason. Our son BJ was back home with a ruptured disc in his back. And he knew a fusion would severely hamper his farming career.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj173nsrXlj-SBE4rJmFoAgIbk2Z01XoI4QzIuSXm8k_dh7H6Jz4TiX1Yc7UtX4Pk4-xcdPFvt_gMPevtVlfkX0V-aBfC-9BBDZaTT74glVzuJuuDYRv4fl6S3MG1EnkotOkqvRy-Upln-s87NZWvHaMMmGraaD0FLvk5gPDW46Y5XJL2Y9XlY5JQPemhei/s1274/2024-01-09%2012.27.46.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1274" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj173nsrXlj-SBE4rJmFoAgIbk2Z01XoI4QzIuSXm8k_dh7H6Jz4TiX1Yc7UtX4Pk4-xcdPFvt_gMPevtVlfkX0V-aBfC-9BBDZaTT74glVzuJuuDYRv4fl6S3MG1EnkotOkqvRy-Upln-s87NZWvHaMMmGraaD0FLvk5gPDW46Y5XJL2Y9XlY5JQPemhei/w339-h400/2024-01-09%2012.27.46.jpg" width="339" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">BJ and Cassia were flown to Cayman, arranged by the team of doctors, the following month. Since the surgery was uninsurable, the cost was the price of a nice pickup. On Feb 9, 2018 the team of doctors took BJ from a Condo to surgery, prayed with him, and did the procedure in about an hour and a half in a 12 bed hospital. He was up walking in two hours, out for supper in two days, and planting corn that spring. It was a wise choice on BJ and Cassia's part. Today this surgery is performed in the states under a trial basis. The company and team are called "3Spine". Thank you Dave for being part of God's divine intervention. Thanks for the picture.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXRdbU3bnqkBRLEfDlN-eEx-tqwJkuyAWEVzMzd3hX_oh421mUKcEjYAEfaidYIeY_YnFGb-GrvnCMCOvTd8IDy5Kxan523sbix59oOejrSGFxFyqfgdWlK_XHqSZ6wScSGzV1v8K6V3JylQQqpZL2AnZQf3z4zHrRbyxIHYpx-eoL1PqNxO7oYDLp49y/s2095/2024-01-11%2012.19.58.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1028" data-original-width="2095" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXRdbU3bnqkBRLEfDlN-eEx-tqwJkuyAWEVzMzd3hX_oh421mUKcEjYAEfaidYIeY_YnFGb-GrvnCMCOvTd8IDy5Kxan523sbix59oOejrSGFxFyqfgdWlK_XHqSZ6wScSGzV1v8K6V3JylQQqpZL2AnZQf3z4zHrRbyxIHYpx-eoL1PqNxO7oYDLp49y/w400-h196/2024-01-11%2012.19.58.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">BJ, Cassia, John, Ethan, and around twenty five other folks from our church went down to Mississippi this past week to work on storm damage. Thanks for caring about others, friends. And thanks for the picture. Last evening this group came home to many snow filled, closed, rural roads. Some made it home. Some stayed in town with family. BJ got a couple home with a truck and blade. And another with a snowmobile.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLk_aqWogvQdVP9ezOOqf-gqD-h5mFznpMJxvPIfJTbcmvVj82FjrxtSNs3EejjeZ8RX5CkGM4vsAW2GbxBd2eUbZ6mSxH6TWVbog6Nby_6Pvj5fCCtacoYTBy3A-jRH_v2OWITRFsJ8LwxBCp49oHgb9wib07EwOhyphenhyphenBS69BX9r-p_tw77-d2GRl3VAnmA/s1817/2024-01-10%2019.37.31.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="964" data-original-width="1817" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLk_aqWogvQdVP9ezOOqf-gqD-h5mFznpMJxvPIfJTbcmvVj82FjrxtSNs3EejjeZ8RX5CkGM4vsAW2GbxBd2eUbZ6mSxH6TWVbog6Nby_6Pvj5fCCtacoYTBy3A-jRH_v2OWITRFsJ8LwxBCp49oHgb9wib07EwOhyphenhyphenBS69BX9r-p_tw77-d2GRl3VAnmA/w400-h213/2024-01-10%2019.37.31.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">While here on the Island, Jan and I went out for supper one evening to celebrate our anniversary a couple of months early. At the restaurant we were privileged to meet the Premier Deputy of Cayman. I was amazed at what Andre knew about America's culture. And how closely others are watching our civic decisions. Andre even talked about Iowa and Monday evening's important caucuses. Folks, if possible, engage in the process. And choose wisely.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvgmglk97W3JqRN1rdDErV6LTiZD-ZAqoykOObwqDOuBE2ZYhTT27m71Kdvvp4GqNZEWshy6hFgym4S6Sc5ejzvSElZ2o9xzr6YFJ20R6O8waVwe4sVn_pqRfm5UWkDkrITBgpk6zjonxCzNL9-tt5JVUlPbiOmCjyf9tUiT3QIARHeGaNDhk013iFxIa/s4032/2024-01-10%2017.58.53.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvgmglk97W3JqRN1rdDErV6LTiZD-ZAqoykOObwqDOuBE2ZYhTT27m71Kdvvp4GqNZEWshy6hFgym4S6Sc5ejzvSElZ2o9xzr6YFJ20R6O8waVwe4sVn_pqRfm5UWkDkrITBgpk6zjonxCzNL9-tt5JVUlPbiOmCjyf9tUiT3QIARHeGaNDhk013iFxIa/w400-h300/2024-01-10%2017.58.53.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">America is heading down a number of paths that are not sustainable, and lead to dark endings. Thanks for the picture Steve and Aaron. That's why it has been mentioned earlier in our visits that 2024 will likely be bumpy. However we need to encourage each other not to live in fear when things happen. In John 15:16 John quotes his earthly brother. Jesus says; "You did not choose me. I chose you, and appointed you to bear fruit (be productive). Fruit that will last". We need to know our why.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98nkVj2dNJcz9ISsb_59VtcEiIwzfMeTMgX8aGJlnWxS_jnuphnkefXJwkGeJXbRmTRihA7NupAm8MP9ZfsJ7pJ0uOFoLhExY0RdxVV0ZujepguZQWaA5K_8_M38097Rg9qCw8VZ8qmpFZRRxKR3zP5b4tyQBlnpu4of-lWz7wYh04M4av-DppUCG59VN/s1736/2024-01-07%2013.23.40.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1736" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98nkVj2dNJcz9ISsb_59VtcEiIwzfMeTMgX8aGJlnWxS_jnuphnkefXJwkGeJXbRmTRihA7NupAm8MP9ZfsJ7pJ0uOFoLhExY0RdxVV0ZujepguZQWaA5K_8_M38097Rg9qCw8VZ8qmpFZRRxKR3zP5b4tyQBlnpu4of-lWz7wYh04M4av-DppUCG59VN/w400-h249/2024-01-07%2013.23.40.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">It's been a blessing this week to sit by the ocean beach early in the morning. And listen. To the breaking waves. And to God. And asking God to help me choose wisely in 2024. When we find our why, and then work hard to accomplish our why, we help ourselves, our family, our vocations, our community, and start to make a difference in our country, knowing all along, that it is with God's help we have our abilities.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYgdaRS9b7_8it-tR13I18var2UXCb0JgG4vRTLaSqij3UeQouq1C33W1ByDwMvHchwMzqIBM1UBA4l0VGBvQMexmEEkDVQHD25d4EdymcQY05RrE6fF_fra72-S8Sf1FPG7TDkki1u9ohr1FzaR4GYnL9KuegbuojVnPp7P1lXdOHi7Y443qrevIRTUD/s1651/2024-01-11%2004.05.42.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="949" data-original-width="1651" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYgdaRS9b7_8it-tR13I18var2UXCb0JgG4vRTLaSqij3UeQouq1C33W1ByDwMvHchwMzqIBM1UBA4l0VGBvQMexmEEkDVQHD25d4EdymcQY05RrE6fF_fra72-S8Sf1FPG7TDkki1u9ohr1FzaR4GYnL9KuegbuojVnPp7P1lXdOHi7Y443qrevIRTUD/w400-h230/2024-01-11%2004.05.42.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">My heroes are people who could have been great, but chose instead to help others become great. Remember, you have been created for a purpose. You will have choices. Choose wisely.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKiNelg_UD_3F48n0Q74UHMXMDHEGfVzLOTIZ2H9Oir0zlexPxN6fjB_0g9Vggs8edrqQ1gsV8dGMUwkavr722KeGZYf1IlNSuMveB8-hBvMrfmKcT0jVoWGY5CNpjAgLIQkOTDEYv41pwh-r1yYjvGlX6Ap77AUsGwlue3iBeWXxlZFNnGNbi1_6qNRZz/s1436/2024-01-09%2012.26.25.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1436" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKiNelg_UD_3F48n0Q74UHMXMDHEGfVzLOTIZ2H9Oir0zlexPxN6fjB_0g9Vggs8edrqQ1gsV8dGMUwkavr722KeGZYf1IlNSuMveB8-hBvMrfmKcT0jVoWGY5CNpjAgLIQkOTDEYv41pwh-r1yYjvGlX6Ap77AUsGwlue3iBeWXxlZFNnGNbi1_6qNRZz/w400-h301/2024-01-09%2012.26.25.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <br /><p></p></div>stillwatersiowahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01904929764005950113noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2417370687288915442.post-36094222790643399112024-01-07T05:48:00.000-06:002024-01-07T05:48:31.565-06:00Plans And Intentions<p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Have you thought intentionally about your plans for 2024? What do you hope to get accomplished this year? The secret to getting something accomplished is to get started. Lane, Elijah, Jackson, and Ezra are getting a seed tender ready for spring planting.</b><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uxa2Onw9hD2VLO7bOQnww7dtJZ-qZ4H2dV6LZWFM30ngnygDT8ew5JZZxFSD3vmq3YtD3c0q9IcwT9hwbu9rflxXyX-S20-7eqXWhPzbm8mNyL1RTghknURSDyEoCHyRheVg866a2X2pTYgz429dgsHK-1SD2_AP7bh8lF8gBioItiJBpaBqsLpyGTcm/s3519/2024-01-01%2011.13.05.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2022" data-original-width="3519" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uxa2Onw9hD2VLO7bOQnww7dtJZ-qZ4H2dV6LZWFM30ngnygDT8ew5JZZxFSD3vmq3YtD3c0q9IcwT9hwbu9rflxXyX-S20-7eqXWhPzbm8mNyL1RTghknURSDyEoCHyRheVg866a2X2pTYgz429dgsHK-1SD2_AP7bh8lF8gBioItiJBpaBqsLpyGTcm/w400-h230/2024-01-01%2011.13.05.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">To think about a plan for the year you have to turn off the noise, and start with why. Jan and I have gone up on the hill on New Year's morning, prayed together, and watched the sun come up. However since it was cloudy Monday we prayed together from our home. "Commit to the Lord whatever you do. And He will establish your plans". Proverbs 16:3 Thanks for the picture FB.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tBu39-cc6xfCHgkjOYwC1f2UKnSbH2epA3znNz6eL4L-zo6w70nB5eFsKdmvs515XrfhwbXW0pV_RdplUogfTVFzJPvcyxW5FkD-R11WNpdDHsFXb-T18mCr_BdPL5AGJD0tR9n9WBQq9n1t5FjVBgqGuzp5Zt25HjFKrYe-6Pnv6YG-0HxqW9DKJVno/s1080/2024-01-01%2020.41.30.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="1080" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tBu39-cc6xfCHgkjOYwC1f2UKnSbH2epA3znNz6eL4L-zo6w70nB5eFsKdmvs515XrfhwbXW0pV_RdplUogfTVFzJPvcyxW5FkD-R11WNpdDHsFXb-T18mCr_BdPL5AGJD0tR9n9WBQq9n1t5FjVBgqGuzp5Zt25HjFKrYe-6Pnv6YG-0HxqW9DKJVno/w400-h244/2024-01-01%2020.41.30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">On New Years evening BJ and Cassia had our extended family over for a potluck including some of my siblings and their families.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBxLhu3HY71vFlry3HNwnGmdJXyDUvHkWufThR4UjuhyMu7r5ovFikB-52z-gRh3z7zxpuweYBBUzrz53KDqSmKTPgf8VFCxjtxzldikXhXuAPHbvp2mLp58WS83HKI27OOBo1KMJA4gZA0CX8H9v7c1cEVtseJXf26Qk_ZH4il-aZHtdaxOq1NZ0Dhyf/s4032/2024-01-01%2018.11.52.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2175" data-original-width="4032" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBxLhu3HY71vFlry3HNwnGmdJXyDUvHkWufThR4UjuhyMu7r5ovFikB-52z-gRh3z7zxpuweYBBUzrz53KDqSmKTPgf8VFCxjtxzldikXhXuAPHbvp2mLp58WS83HKI27OOBo1KMJA4gZA0CX8H9v7c1cEVtseJXf26Qk_ZH4il-aZHtdaxOq1NZ0Dhyf/w400-h216/2024-01-01%2018.11.52.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">This past Tuesday was the last day of the grandkids' Christmas school break. So cousins got together at Grandma's house. Thanks for the picture Jan.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPrvs9VWtVlFARaomVEz_5W2oYkr6xfFfe11vRPIxWHtM5IRd-UcF2_2Xs5-VMdRWFyqHuBlOgwIlyM95WoSg_Kx7l60htssnJXzYvMs-hvef2IXsTqOh4AU7Xpw925mZ1opeCiC70kmqqh7WQMVCkORR261lGKCizjPOI5OP_htXh3RUi9JN9NY4HqcZ/s1080/2024-01-02%2015.14.47.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="1080" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPrvs9VWtVlFARaomVEz_5W2oYkr6xfFfe11vRPIxWHtM5IRd-UcF2_2Xs5-VMdRWFyqHuBlOgwIlyM95WoSg_Kx7l60htssnJXzYvMs-hvef2IXsTqOh4AU7Xpw925mZ1opeCiC70kmqqh7WQMVCkORR261lGKCizjPOI5OP_htXh3RUi9JN9NY4HqcZ/w400-h259/2024-01-02%2015.14.47.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Our children had planned a progressive dinner for a Christmas gift for Jan and I. So Tuesday evening we started at Becky and Brian's for appetizers. Then Emily and Kurt's for the main course. And finally Cassia and BJ's for dessert. I have so much to be thankful for, that saying thanks hardly seemed adequate. Solid Christian families. That care about each other and us. All living in this community. All great cooks. All busy working with projects, family, and community. All with plans and intentions for the coming year. Thanks kiddos. And thank you Lord for having a plan that put Jan and I in this family. Thanks for the picture Emily.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRo_Wck4TBPCtORWDk40ksT78S7v6ihIyjHeKoLByzu66jKE2tr8lZ0a8_X6NLLeq_sR2Mxm6nw6PBUi4gX_JD2VFNV5412qlfy3ahbBV897bnSDM_LeIHfI3vJ8KNcGHj6rHgPOGxi5hDiVXzPaQd4x74i7gRL4FVR7jlabNuDK4Q3wHWJV_oZZ3HVpn/s1080/2024-01-03%2006.55.46.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="1080" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRo_Wck4TBPCtORWDk40ksT78S7v6ihIyjHeKoLByzu66jKE2tr8lZ0a8_X6NLLeq_sR2Mxm6nw6PBUi4gX_JD2VFNV5412qlfy3ahbBV897bnSDM_LeIHfI3vJ8KNcGHj6rHgPOGxi5hDiVXzPaQd4x74i7gRL4FVR7jlabNuDK4Q3wHWJV_oZZ3HVpn/w400-h385/2024-01-03%2006.55.46.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">For those of you that grow and store grain, it's time to check your bins and probably shake them. Shaking them means pulling some grain, especially the peak, and center, out of the bin. A couple of reasons why this year. Here in southern Iowa we've had the 2nd warmest December ever. And with a large crop most bins are full up to the roof. Which means there is no room for circulating air even if you run the cooling fans.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzeJ86D6kIENPlImZwRj2uBawunLkywcsQyqE1F1CJ8Elj9a1TbxZmDituqLVg5ql5YSq1_ZHhhFLMZdL7R0XOC2MRXdmutrEu0DZwtgD92P2e9-UbrzdFmre3NUUxMmb1X3rxo1nI9E5YJVmvWFGOPpbcdOaiDb8W9BMsfE5PclMbtJQWxkE9SO_ID82/s2400/2024-01-05%2017.24.02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="2400" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzeJ86D6kIENPlImZwRj2uBawunLkywcsQyqE1F1CJ8Elj9a1TbxZmDituqLVg5ql5YSq1_ZHhhFLMZdL7R0XOC2MRXdmutrEu0DZwtgD92P2e9-UbrzdFmre3NUUxMmb1X3rxo1nI9E5YJVmvWFGOPpbcdOaiDb8W9BMsfE5PclMbtJQWxkE9SO_ID82/w400-h180/2024-01-05%2017.24.02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">I know, in places the lines are long, the markets are depressed, and others have the same idea. But up until recently the roads have been good, the yards dry, and the unloading equipment unfrozen.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizofjmr3n-r8feAFDY4hBCeueYn90Dv5v9LEht6kLvnIj67j2QF8WKDD51-Hk62hQhXynQUpKYWR0VxdQaIoroDocCW64aplA1W9PAWFL1qyec_ZQhuP9FB100B8Zq2gvN6LlCQ48-Im2SsIc9bW0QIyrbo9j7clnA0P6Zkar3rQjXHpFNoqDCP4Dn5rzQ/s4032/2024-01-03%2014.05.16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2673" data-original-width="4032" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizofjmr3n-r8feAFDY4hBCeueYn90Dv5v9LEht6kLvnIj67j2QF8WKDD51-Hk62hQhXynQUpKYWR0VxdQaIoroDocCW64aplA1W9PAWFL1qyec_ZQhuP9FB100B8Zq2gvN6LlCQ48-Im2SsIc9bW0QIyrbo9j7clnA0P6Zkar3rQjXHpFNoqDCP4Dn5rzQ/w400-h265/2024-01-03%2014.05.16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Richard, an old marketing consultant, used to say, "Farmers sell for one of three reasons, they need the money, they need the bin, or it smells". And even dry corn can start to smell when it's temperature is warmer than the outside air temp. Plus this is the collateral you are either going to pay the bank note with, farm pymt, or cash rent next month.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrS0OcBKD_G9EdtIa9jHqh4-izv-Vlh1c-_zGvqgToDoRoB0rLY7oTOZN91w9L4pA1WlmGgorb0QY5pttInSlYJO_TrtRYdqS89n0z3db1ppPwLZImZs2EfTinn4ZYELoCKOlGqkGbsvJtNRZWiagutpW9pb4ClI66G2A-vJT1HdbDOdovaQwGtIev8qy/s2566/2024-01-05%2009.01.28.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1221" data-original-width="2566" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrS0OcBKD_G9EdtIa9jHqh4-izv-Vlh1c-_zGvqgToDoRoB0rLY7oTOZN91w9L4pA1WlmGgorb0QY5pttInSlYJO_TrtRYdqS89n0z3db1ppPwLZImZs2EfTinn4ZYELoCKOlGqkGbsvJtNRZWiagutpW9pb4ClI66G2A-vJT1HdbDOdovaQwGtIev8qy/w400-h190/2024-01-05%2009.01.28.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Kurt, Ezra, and Elijah helped rearrange our machine sheds so we could get more machinery inside before bad weather. Dean, Alex, and others started getting the planters in the shop for their yearly overhaul.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwlafuDUSue6XmB3vxALzSJokxmAqVoJF4fNrsxWgdkc4f3cB8f4XMFRPtJZWjlxfjvX60omvBwPeZ0ivuQ7kGAwgZOaSbR2b5FyXPl8xr4Gm61VxY6-E_RmG_gotCgbxV2Ds_TNkQGirMU88XVz2UtLeEdtaQr30mf_L1HTo-DNs-bQNfSXp9bUmIAer/s4032/2024-01-04%2012.21.16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2521" data-original-width="4032" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwlafuDUSue6XmB3vxALzSJokxmAqVoJF4fNrsxWgdkc4f3cB8f4XMFRPtJZWjlxfjvX60omvBwPeZ0ivuQ7kGAwgZOaSbR2b5FyXPl8xr4Gm61VxY6-E_RmG_gotCgbxV2Ds_TNkQGirMU88XVz2UtLeEdtaQr30mf_L1HTo-DNs-bQNfSXp9bUmIAer/w400-h250/2024-01-04%2012.21.16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Mike and Cody are just about finished painting Cody's car. They did a great job.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVVbYNGnEQ6VEICeLRpzH0vxA5Y7y2J1q4QO2F9i6p2d4AaHgly_gG6VFZp-rQBIhHYvlYHpFcBg1lix3Sfc2mKBKrIrj9EYBcJMnKf0X1ocBZMElIsvnvPvHuW_G3NULse1EGiNlrTEgcThbbR-pSHAgdQIUs8jLCiJdeOZ0C2n0D78O6si1ZsIqI6KB/s3778/2024-01-05%2018.21.26.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2097" data-original-width="3778" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVVbYNGnEQ6VEICeLRpzH0vxA5Y7y2J1q4QO2F9i6p2d4AaHgly_gG6VFZp-rQBIhHYvlYHpFcBg1lix3Sfc2mKBKrIrj9EYBcJMnKf0X1ocBZMElIsvnvPvHuW_G3NULse1EGiNlrTEgcThbbR-pSHAgdQIUs8jLCiJdeOZ0C2n0D78O6si1ZsIqI6KB/w400-h223/2024-01-05%2018.21.26.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Yesterday morning we woke up to unexpected slick roads. All of a sudden these easy, ordinary plans and intentions got complicated. That's winter in Iowa.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uA6uku-ZW_qxoyFz29mxDkFOc28kbdh3Q-bLpKAc9FxuU_a7e4dPlEJwg9XK98WXfBEj8MZ9DbRK6Da-Wnwx8DCYSwt-VNWEZExSV9elcQdPXgiVKQZ2kk8Wb3zmFQn3qKyZuxUVR_Cey1z_V6FzpYqZ7OYGPXkH4Z9DlGtTEA0qU6rcAqLO0dwbwK5D/s600/2024-01-06%2010.14.13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="600" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uA6uku-ZW_qxoyFz29mxDkFOc28kbdh3Q-bLpKAc9FxuU_a7e4dPlEJwg9XK98WXfBEj8MZ9DbRK6Da-Wnwx8DCYSwt-VNWEZExSV9elcQdPXgiVKQZ2kk8Wb3zmFQn3qKyZuxUVR_Cey1z_V6FzpYqZ7OYGPXkH4Z9DlGtTEA0qU6rcAqLO0dwbwK5D/w400-h326/2024-01-06%2010.14.13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">The room grew quiet as Grandpa told about the old days. His plans and intentions. His successes and failures. And how God was faithful even in the tough stories. Storytelling was how life was communicated in the old days. If presented in an interesting way, with the benefit of the listener in mind, teaching with stories is still effective today. Thanks for the picture Epoch.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-D627WAJST385NFCBEPZ0a6XsboW5n5UTd1gMudvGoTCXnbZQsABBJip6tXNTBwhu3RwMsx156rt05lHLTELZFIgMgRescTkSqh92m0raD3a2bCtjbKmkHISa9C6dhfJm_RUFBUdfGLiyNmEYRcp1Bva1bDLJmPEzPfnexEvXbgExArEbF2h__4FpxPY/s3836/2024-01-05%2012.42.02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3836" data-original-width="2615" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-D627WAJST385NFCBEPZ0a6XsboW5n5UTd1gMudvGoTCXnbZQsABBJip6tXNTBwhu3RwMsx156rt05lHLTELZFIgMgRescTkSqh92m0raD3a2bCtjbKmkHISa9C6dhfJm_RUFBUdfGLiyNmEYRcp1Bva1bDLJmPEzPfnexEvXbgExArEbF2h__4FpxPY/w273-h400/2024-01-05%2012.42.02.jpg" width="273" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Folks have asked about the upcoming 2024 elections. And folks' plans and intentions. We have slid as a culture and a country so far into corruption so fast, I question whether we will even have a fair election. Back home folks are putting polls, policies, media predictions, and their preferences, over their principles. And when you're not guided by a set of principles, you soon lose your way.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_v-ycm22hwLAl4iIAy9mOlTneVxpLvXKLl8hCCpiWo5A7fhjcOSTFlhGeV3bMzF238pkyoViDyJThmWYcY9ZUMwD-jaQCylDlkBane1R_23dYOvyJFKv31AZZGYSs2aN4nR_YUPbxEXsD_eN-fIDRcK2aaDULGOBA8KuDhOCLsm3dUT9S7kwfnVqLicn7/s1438/2024-01-06%2018.37.36.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1438" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_v-ycm22hwLAl4iIAy9mOlTneVxpLvXKLl8hCCpiWo5A7fhjcOSTFlhGeV3bMzF238pkyoViDyJThmWYcY9ZUMwD-jaQCylDlkBane1R_23dYOvyJFKv31AZZGYSs2aN4nR_YUPbxEXsD_eN-fIDRcK2aaDULGOBA8KuDhOCLsm3dUT9S7kwfnVqLicn7/w400-h300/2024-01-06%2018.37.36.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Eric and our family go back 30 years to our haying days in northwest Colorado. Thanks for the shout out Eric. And thanks for the picture Melanie.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipsjLrpIXGoZsgW3SekSC5d0H3qIosdHlCsv7L_yCCPyWLoNIWadGQLmDvoseuHkGpIBe_ufu1Z-psfrqvuZXwrVNXZual9DLID-LzM0xt9PSCuU9zXZfZCoy6aVXTdvLCPFmLghP8FVQuZ2mWQrEuqpi7MoRJvkgDuhbN3yFjzf7B_8-RFbgjQwX_VxR/s1364/2023-12-31%2020.01.55.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="1068" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipsjLrpIXGoZsgW3SekSC5d0H3qIosdHlCsv7L_yCCPyWLoNIWadGQLmDvoseuHkGpIBe_ufu1Z-psfrqvuZXwrVNXZual9DLID-LzM0xt9PSCuU9zXZfZCoy6aVXTdvLCPFmLghP8FVQuZ2mWQrEuqpi7MoRJvkgDuhbN3yFjzf7B_8-RFbgjQwX_VxR/w314-h400/2023-12-31%2020.01.55.jpg" width="314" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Two weeks ago on Christmas Eve I shared Jan, my, and our IHC 856's story 50 years ago. Back then I was needing a set of duals to do custom work. And didn't have the money in the checkbook or the blessing from FHA to buy a pair. Then a pair showed up in The Spokesman for $150. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future". Jeremiah 29:11. That promise to Israel back when they were in captivity, is the same promise for us in 2024. Thanks for the picture. Happy New Year.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYy82zwxwgZ7zApHTDi_rO_a5DSR-DBjoGSFjFoLZ_YUnvXp15P5P5go7b-sDN7mGUa4AjQic4aVJTryN7u0mVVF1bCX_jQWP7e4NUck1OxQ4HMlVLONJGW4HVQ17x9k28emQu43AHZKNHramPftfgxECRJpK8l4zT4G3YjW6LX7kC7JkZO6siA6ExET6O/s2113/2024-01-05%2020.12.32.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="957" data-original-width="2113" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYy82zwxwgZ7zApHTDi_rO_a5DSR-DBjoGSFjFoLZ_YUnvXp15P5P5go7b-sDN7mGUa4AjQic4aVJTryN7u0mVVF1bCX_jQWP7e4NUck1OxQ4HMlVLONJGW4HVQ17x9k28emQu43AHZKNHramPftfgxECRJpK8l4zT4G3YjW6LX7kC7JkZO6siA6ExET6O/w400-h181/2024-01-05%2020.12.32.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>stillwatersiowahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01904929764005950113noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2417370687288915442.post-65994858776329404402023-12-31T05:40:00.001-06:002023-12-31T05:40:43.592-06:00Being A Wiseman<p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">What's the best advice you were given this past year? Often the most effective advice is by example. Mike is giving his son Cody advice while they tackle a painting job together. Wisdom is advice from God. Wisdom has little to do with age or experience.</b><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIignfCT6bgRk4ditxr31R76ue2oF4CLkaevskOwKO_vt-_N5R48AUQWQ71mw72Zvw5Zj5KiZSw6lOe_2av0EajRkMPS2ErtkyQv9r6EuXxsE6Wt2g7XN52_62PKUWkMHZZhQkkkaChhlLtw88w0gS_QSfWtN-Ok6G0sjL2JvDEiapODeVjpghBQE1DN2N/s3927/2023-12-30%2011.03.37.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2836" data-original-width="3927" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIignfCT6bgRk4ditxr31R76ue2oF4CLkaevskOwKO_vt-_N5R48AUQWQ71mw72Zvw5Zj5KiZSw6lOe_2av0EajRkMPS2ErtkyQv9r6EuXxsE6Wt2g7XN52_62PKUWkMHZZhQkkkaChhlLtw88w0gS_QSfWtN-Ok6G0sjL2JvDEiapODeVjpghBQE1DN2N/w400-h289/2023-12-30%2011.03.37.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">What risks did you take in 2023? There are risks in business and making a living. There are risks in relationships. There are risks in serving the Lord. Most risks require us to get out of our comfort zone. Most risks pay off. 10 year old Jackson is taking a risk and learning to sand on his cousin Cody's car. Thanks for the picture.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaRvxFMJRDg7tg03Dsbbp7eaZUQAyUlOC5oOd1xcwuYyXokPAlICbyesaNa3xAoRhFVXc78CTs3rJ9BIiauaBIl1afImHL3zANIgj1NEVCw08X6pyKW7TXQAvMePQ8XE6cOy77u__9Gp_hqrm8y408fAKZfa0SP-Wf71UXlL0ta4EdJrAV6OVBE7XJ4cz/s1765/2023-12-28%2014.07.13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1765" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaRvxFMJRDg7tg03Dsbbp7eaZUQAyUlOC5oOd1xcwuYyXokPAlICbyesaNa3xAoRhFVXc78CTs3rJ9BIiauaBIl1afImHL3zANIgj1NEVCw08X6pyKW7TXQAvMePQ8XE6cOy77u__9Gp_hqrm8y408fAKZfa0SP-Wf71UXlL0ta4EdJrAV6OVBE7XJ4cz/w245-h400/2023-12-28%2014.07.13.jpg" width="245" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">What was the nicest or most memorable thing someone said to or did for you last year? Making someone's day often involves time, sacrifice, and surrender. Our past week was filled with planning for 2024, trucking, hog work, seed selling, tiling, and shop work. However this morning we're going to share some bits of wisdom that I've either received from others or learned from experience.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeDOkplZsESddzHFxlizqcYLxiGyEk9nKHGYLJWY61yCLDkZGv6JpjNrclMMemeoLUdk_84hFVg4xMjMDG3pN55T4HZMVchdEaCuEPO13HnxrrJGxd4fBh1ttLjjV1JfOcVJo7AAf62UQJpzIK_zTmpvwnaE7kgfxnx-fvcoFJMk-ErdDospOq_HboiVbj/s3742/2023-12-30%2018.40.20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2780" data-original-width="3742" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeDOkplZsESddzHFxlizqcYLxiGyEk9nKHGYLJWY61yCLDkZGv6JpjNrclMMemeoLUdk_84hFVg4xMjMDG3pN55T4HZMVchdEaCuEPO13HnxrrJGxd4fBh1ttLjjV1JfOcVJo7AAf62UQJpzIK_zTmpvwnaE7kgfxnx-fvcoFJMk-ErdDospOq_HboiVbj/w400-h297/2023-12-30%2018.40.20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Elijah and Ezra are working on a 10 hp electric motor. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">We all have value and were created by God for a purpose. However remember we are not to be the hero in every situation. It's easy to get weary of folks who are "legends in their own mind" as Big Steve used to say.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu720Kv9DN2h7wF4q6ssxqV_JJ66ETKWhJq9f4zz-IT8b46SCZIibay8x-aTI0FRI9IhbzyGJ5PcV83vLuYRyImiUC_KXIpjh2JjP5tDtsmjEOrURj2R6kVbnFTra11sEG1HFbnXxOL7u908cmG3Au7nHfZOszKJFKIgzd95zbR5RSL9d7_idtEiZU4-Xj/s9248/2023-12-23%2012.41.58.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6936" data-original-width="9248" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu720Kv9DN2h7wF4q6ssxqV_JJ66ETKWhJq9f4zz-IT8b46SCZIibay8x-aTI0FRI9IhbzyGJ5PcV83vLuYRyImiUC_KXIpjh2JjP5tDtsmjEOrURj2R6kVbnFTra11sEG1HFbnXxOL7u908cmG3Au7nHfZOszKJFKIgzd95zbR5RSL9d7_idtEiZU4-Xj/w400-h300/2023-12-23%2012.41.58.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">The future will always be to those who see the possibilities before they become obvious. That often means zigging when everyone else is zagging. You can't fly a kite running with the wind.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekpQRGpjQkb9h1LYar9rQlfz-RL343mGauM-lQLShKISqpG7kHNQis5GhUNuw27xOAfeZSofFs3t3i8N2gTS8E0b3IczHPFXs4NEObgaQ0LSvaqs99pGN_LWYIc6jfRM-nTJLSgI1_fobJIu-GjupUpZ4GN51f5UXgKsBGWBfkgB9pkq_lw-cv3B4wqxQ/s1080/2023-12-29%2017.57.05.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="930" data-original-width="1080" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekpQRGpjQkb9h1LYar9rQlfz-RL343mGauM-lQLShKISqpG7kHNQis5GhUNuw27xOAfeZSofFs3t3i8N2gTS8E0b3IczHPFXs4NEObgaQ0LSvaqs99pGN_LWYIc6jfRM-nTJLSgI1_fobJIu-GjupUpZ4GN51f5UXgKsBGWBfkgB9pkq_lw-cv3B4wqxQ/w400-h345/2023-12-29%2017.57.05.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">When we build our lives all above or in front, what people can see. And have done nothing behind the scenes, or served without recognition, our lives will not withstand the storms.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTNGkU0DxsV6T4age9Yhliun0xQWeZiDluN_uJbvoLikwm0y0I8n-hAyO8JFR2drW5CWDxjOp_0uabgXyKitAQzDxXgSHx-FoV4aRRhL5G-SsP8bxIdsHASfxASpvhyphenhyphenFjgE5ljuFY0Q7BX_TPnwyyEDEinJeO_OMT26LJQcLjI-0htNyKEvPL547N5viB/s3336/2023-12-30%2013.42.02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1997" data-original-width="3336" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTNGkU0DxsV6T4age9Yhliun0xQWeZiDluN_uJbvoLikwm0y0I8n-hAyO8JFR2drW5CWDxjOp_0uabgXyKitAQzDxXgSHx-FoV4aRRhL5G-SsP8bxIdsHASfxASpvhyphenhyphenFjgE5ljuFY0Q7BX_TPnwyyEDEinJeO_OMT26LJQcLjI-0htNyKEvPL547N5viB/w400-h240/2023-12-30%2013.42.02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">When things aren't always neat or organized, do you worry about a mess? Or are you thankful for the company? Surrender brings blessings we never expect. Sometimes the greater surrender, the greater the surprise.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtMgBiYiCnCLQ_8_iLPHqty9jJ4I7trH-rEItIcxWQ4aF-IypEV_RqBfYURmuJBxiPzCqSC8fQswTQPWq_dNXIHijwwlZzZg7pG2y5Ixg3PI1XHDSPy96ZFkmj6XJOUCaHwLSALsyUjhZMFP6d_aAZveoCYjZ2WF30PA8TWwd_fiiQzW7w7qXc8c3KuIq/s3943/2023-12-26%2010.07.12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2753" data-original-width="3943" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtMgBiYiCnCLQ_8_iLPHqty9jJ4I7trH-rEItIcxWQ4aF-IypEV_RqBfYURmuJBxiPzCqSC8fQswTQPWq_dNXIHijwwlZzZg7pG2y5Ixg3PI1XHDSPy96ZFkmj6XJOUCaHwLSALsyUjhZMFP6d_aAZveoCYjZ2WF30PA8TWwd_fiiQzW7w7qXc8c3KuIq/w400-h279/2023-12-26%2010.07.12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">While in a conversation, are you a good listener, or are you just waiting to talk? Don't talk so much that you say things you haven't thought of yet. God whispers to us in our pleasures and good times. He speaks to us in our conscious and in nature. He shouts to us in our pain and struggles. In most cases God does not bless one greatly until He has tested them deeply.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvdaV-00t89_GHyGl9FGaqCQQMg61QYmLIGucTWrG4p8cMd_PvOaptvoxWBGNgsfuiKi_ETGUD7-60SvsmZRDf133kczcV9qxAgMNxXxoCjA7nAgq6QOYGh42jBAy8wJ8usafmJt84MzznCzC69-RYf0nDotSbN0rpXWytss7zX7RG5pO9jUrxHGDCc6u/s3021/2023-12-26%2010.03.48.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2543" data-original-width="3021" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvdaV-00t89_GHyGl9FGaqCQQMg61QYmLIGucTWrG4p8cMd_PvOaptvoxWBGNgsfuiKi_ETGUD7-60SvsmZRDf133kczcV9qxAgMNxXxoCjA7nAgq6QOYGh42jBAy8wJ8usafmJt84MzznCzC69-RYf0nDotSbN0rpXWytss7zX7RG5pO9jUrxHGDCc6u/w400-h336/2023-12-26%2010.03.48.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Lane, Malaki, Harris, Anton, and Jayden helped me take down our reused Christmas tree Tuesday.</b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">If you look where your significance and security are, there you will find your God. Often folks are willing to go through any religious rituals to stay right with God. They just don't want that to interfere with their lifestyle.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WHhMYezWTv9uY8Bl0z3epurgPy0WbRZJTzGJdUa_0ImYHNGp-ykjq_7lBIoZlMsT5G84u-XPBDT-BR-YVQd2YwQSQ3RevdTBwXZVVlLSQEgebv5NqN369qgKZZ1SMBZRh1zl9A8E1iWhwD3U0ME0meFPyI7KETMPCiWGvlZ1MkpjnO0FKYmf7gZkf1wW/s1787/2023-12-26%2016.57.48.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1787" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WHhMYezWTv9uY8Bl0z3epurgPy0WbRZJTzGJdUa_0ImYHNGp-ykjq_7lBIoZlMsT5G84u-XPBDT-BR-YVQd2YwQSQ3RevdTBwXZVVlLSQEgebv5NqN369qgKZZ1SMBZRh1zl9A8E1iWhwD3U0ME0meFPyI7KETMPCiWGvlZ1MkpjnO0FKYmf7gZkf1wW/w400-h241/2023-12-26%2016.57.48.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Sometime between 2 weeks and 2 years after Christmas, Wisemen came to the house (not manger) to visit the child (not babe). They were observing and perceptive, they noticed the star. They took a risk. Distance did not stop them from being generous. They worshiped out of faith, and not just facts. They were willing to change when God told them to take a different route home. They weren't wise because of their age or experiences. It was God-given. Thanks for the picture.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UsRX0vS_625LGLJHenQfuIPMUp65qvGfEcXM88WI0hSSj5UAxYZWEKzfRLGg6HbD43OeNawQJxhWbflgr1oZcT-bRWDpIA4G-7HGDh1q_9zTc4-GNHgn1Hr2qsfWnnBE5p7qw5n5F_xvUknS1443weLnSYguz2iDQGPlGD1bF9m2b0y4pl9rKYnC7Gx8/s1827/2023-12-30%2018.07.19.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1827" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UsRX0vS_625LGLJHenQfuIPMUp65qvGfEcXM88WI0hSSj5UAxYZWEKzfRLGg6HbD43OeNawQJxhWbflgr1oZcT-bRWDpIA4G-7HGDh1q_9zTc4-GNHgn1Hr2qsfWnnBE5p7qw5n5F_xvUknS1443weLnSYguz2iDQGPlGD1bF9m2b0y4pl9rKYnC7Gx8/w400-h226/2023-12-30%2018.07.19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Living in the culture during the time Jesus was born wasn't easy. Just ask Joseph as he had to take his new family and flee to Egypt. Ask the Bethlehem families as their young male children were killed because of a power corrupt leader.</b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">I've broken a couple of my own rules. Too many can't, don't, won't, (negative). Last week in telling our story there were too many I's and me (self). </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Corrupt culturewise 2023 was a noisy year, a lot of talk. It's going to be a more bumpy year in 2024. However remember, just like the year the Wisemen visited Christ, God had a plan and was in control. Refuse to live in fear. Ask God for wisdom. Then figure out what's going to be good and make an impact. Happy New Year.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRzoLXTCI0BLpHXeP3dgf2gpmJ62AqmicGccbADP7Hv4fjsMpHwG_3PbQI7hAhnjbCWSyt36FxARjmH7JU7UM8OuxSMNPGLHJOuEZwM9Hclty934dH_mPZisXbf5pHB2Fm_bdPaRNmCHs3nXWIEMqWZae08xn77nZiyJkjDPyvtkVKzyanlEY1s6Ni5Gf/s3090/2023-12-29%2016.49.45.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1978" data-original-width="3090" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRzoLXTCI0BLpHXeP3dgf2gpmJ62AqmicGccbADP7Hv4fjsMpHwG_3PbQI7hAhnjbCWSyt36FxARjmH7JU7UM8OuxSMNPGLHJOuEZwM9Hclty934dH_mPZisXbf5pHB2Fm_bdPaRNmCHs3nXWIEMqWZae08xn77nZiyJkjDPyvtkVKzyanlEY1s6Ni5Gf/w400-h256/2023-12-29%2016.49.45.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>stillwatersiowahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01904929764005950113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2417370687288915442.post-86668514464454761362023-12-24T05:24:00.001-06:002023-12-24T05:30:53.329-06:00Let's Go See<p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">It was Christmas candlelight service 1974. Friends were asking to see Jan's Christmas gift from me, an engagement ring. We had a March wedding planned. My folks were not in favor of their 18 year old son getting married. I had graduated from high school in May. I had bought this IHC 856 with an FHA loan and had harvested my first crop. Folks advised that teen-aged marriages often don't last. They said, "You can't live on love". We said, "Let's go see".</b><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcwRJD7h6rwl_33w7gK50DPWS21sVJYVylsuopSF2xZufE4CTXGAGzcYgbGSZ5YuKq5S4kuyemLA3OXenDfnpRMhoWdO-RyQ7hvhesb-It7VhbXj3x5gzN29Hp1l2AUTmxnhLcxXjx3crCfmetZqwlPxy4JvSaAo1IP09WBHxgMBVciN3JMRXWtUXYqbM/s9248/2023-12-23%2017.36.57.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6796" data-original-width="9248" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcwRJD7h6rwl_33w7gK50DPWS21sVJYVylsuopSF2xZufE4CTXGAGzcYgbGSZ5YuKq5S4kuyemLA3OXenDfnpRMhoWdO-RyQ7hvhesb-It7VhbXj3x5gzN29Hp1l2AUTmxnhLcxXjx3crCfmetZqwlPxy4JvSaAo1IP09WBHxgMBVciN3JMRXWtUXYqbM/w400-h294/2023-12-23%2017.36.57.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">What prompted this story in my memory? Well BJ had a wagon load of corn he wanted to grainbank in town at Ozinga Feed. So Thursday I took it for him. It had probably been 30 years since I'd brought a load of corn to town on a tractor without a cab. This trip got me thinking about those early years when I would drive all over the county doing custom work for Farm Service with that first IHC 856. Doing field work for others was my plan to support and provide for a wife.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVXJNGhwApLUvwcTqcLx9OgX1AWztRA1S-5iUvWpMuKdJDnxS7jKR7tdOmlCi1S5YCraxsbwsrMai29IrrmT3Mz_y_3c0iqm0vv7qjluaPNB3-YVdsu5AToF1X2jA78ckpvn_4fBye4Tj6jWs-zFQ17G-IXsdJ-P_WhEPORovYva0DX5h9afF2qbvgLZa/s7053/2023-12-21%2009.43.15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3492" data-original-width="7053" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVXJNGhwApLUvwcTqcLx9OgX1AWztRA1S-5iUvWpMuKdJDnxS7jKR7tdOmlCi1S5YCraxsbwsrMai29IrrmT3Mz_y_3c0iqm0vv7qjluaPNB3-YVdsu5AToF1X2jA78ckpvn_4fBye4Tj6jWs-zFQ17G-IXsdJ-P_WhEPORovYva0DX5h9afF2qbvgLZa/w400-h198/2023-12-21%2009.43.15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">You see, I was like the rabbit on the right. I wanted folks to see that success was on the horizon in our farming operation. Then in the 1980s came 20% interest, a farm crisis, Jan's back surgery, and a bank that thought I was a liability. I always knew that baby in the manger came to pay for my sins. And I had accepted Him as my Savior for heaven's sake. But at 29 years old I got on my knees next to the tractor tire in the picture above, in the middle of the night, and told Him I needed help here on earth. God had to teach me success is not always what you see.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWRAJYusaX6WmRH9IOpLVXtlGXtAmWTLOIUw_13EpJWJSUx0gdD51_rhZy75q9PxETqTrOGPMjIdbgWUcYc5GGeKtUA4fwzKuVYmLGhVhgwWoCpN_12jafjpZThhuhpNuja82ImlUlIHmjsGlLASEuA3yVfOlN-fDf7i47b75DiijYWhx54T3W76Z4UZJJ/s1028/2023-12-21%2021.31.51.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1028" data-original-width="933" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWRAJYusaX6WmRH9IOpLVXtlGXtAmWTLOIUw_13EpJWJSUx0gdD51_rhZy75q9PxETqTrOGPMjIdbgWUcYc5GGeKtUA4fwzKuVYmLGhVhgwWoCpN_12jafjpZThhuhpNuja82ImlUlIHmjsGlLASEuA3yVfOlN-fDf7i47b75DiijYWhx54T3W76Z4UZJJ/w363-h400/2023-12-21%2021.31.51.jpg" width="363" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">We had our family Christmas Friday evening. What a blessing to not just know these young energetic kiddos, but to be part of their lives. Next year our family looks forward to a wedding in April, a wedding in August, and a new addition in June. </b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPSn9g3IpZufFWCuUwC3-cPAi76pbE6kLWbr6_i6pOicczMh83EeT31tsO3IaYx-mCnjoAiULL2VJJ_C-BJBLnsgVjvCMu3QEYyDBQniszdiz2FePRdx3pYio63YaLjqYdkYgSc_w1tBrP8Rl26ZfQm94pAivbGN3hhKRvbSlQs-CdKxDRm6GENvXT6Fg/s7658/2023-12-22%2018.53.29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4937" data-original-width="7658" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPSn9g3IpZufFWCuUwC3-cPAi76pbE6kLWbr6_i6pOicczMh83EeT31tsO3IaYx-mCnjoAiULL2VJJ_C-BJBLnsgVjvCMu3QEYyDBQniszdiz2FePRdx3pYio63YaLjqYdkYgSc_w1tBrP8Rl26ZfQm94pAivbGN3hhKRvbSlQs-CdKxDRm6GENvXT6Fg/w400-h258/2023-12-22%2018.53.29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">For Friday evening devotions I used David's words from Psalms 16: <i>"Lord, you alone are my portion. You have made my destiny secure. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places. Surely I have a delightful inheritance".</i> Folks, Jan and I didn't have a plan when we got engaged Christmas/1974. But God had one for us. It was and still is undeserved grace. Just like that rabbit on the left in the pic above, God showed me it's not always what we can see, but often what we can't see. That's the definition of faith. Thanks for taking the picture Linda. </b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbhzN_EifE07ScDAfZcOyKHt7CDRIItLvJkXloA8reDEQE5eQUPY5fyKkRWitvmYtyNzsmLeCaPmn9hMaEAXF7FHMoEcgwaBVjrli5wvBIzoMlfWB7-sNOzXvuk1b86bAVmZ4dyb7jDqLUnCbLfMQ0i71EngigCJxxZsWyJTjmYCI_9v0E-XrJzCztj79/s8387/2023-12-22%2018.43.51.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5014" data-original-width="8387" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbhzN_EifE07ScDAfZcOyKHt7CDRIItLvJkXloA8reDEQE5eQUPY5fyKkRWitvmYtyNzsmLeCaPmn9hMaEAXF7FHMoEcgwaBVjrli5wvBIzoMlfWB7-sNOzXvuk1b86bAVmZ4dyb7jDqLUnCbLfMQ0i71EngigCJxxZsWyJTjmYCI_9v0E-XrJzCztj79/w400-h239/2023-12-22%2018.43.51.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">When it was announced Keith and Kristin Getty were going to be in Iowa on Jan's birthday I decided to look into getting tickets. Thanks for helping me Glenda. Thanks for the picture Adam. It was a night of worship in Cedar Falls Monday evening.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEsKBMjWAxdmVp4NgBa0dTZcN6qEm_DBt2Gq4rbLZoKerK7xLR8vp99HpPe-Gi81VdUhyphenhyphenvbYWofMnwi_lbw4rkbIumIMgxswSBCFcTtvbnk3Vrkc0-8bXqNQRWREhI6oz3_MZTB-aXu7JI-FYn5rSiDXhWyq94d6g4yzO35LARHIi942FI3aiC19IWExn/s4128/2023-12-18%2019.05.38.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2414" data-original-width="4128" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEsKBMjWAxdmVp4NgBa0dTZcN6qEm_DBt2Gq4rbLZoKerK7xLR8vp99HpPe-Gi81VdUhyphenhyphenvbYWofMnwi_lbw4rkbIumIMgxswSBCFcTtvbnk3Vrkc0-8bXqNQRWREhI6oz3_MZTB-aXu7JI-FYn5rSiDXhWyq94d6g4yzO35LARHIi942FI3aiC19IWExn/w400-h234/2023-12-18%2019.05.38.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">The focus isn't on farming this morning. However I wanted to share this story. BJ, Mike, and crew tiled and dozed for Keith, Kurtis, and family a couple of weeks ago on the Else farm. Later Keith wanted to add an intake so he called his neighbor Bert and they accomplished their mission with Bert's outfit. Moral of this story. You can be in your late 70s and early 80s and still be productive. Thanks for the picture Keith.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGjy5YXFuMHDXgiIueTFXOdKxyIgw8gzGSFY_bHoc7KVUuQVHwupgmNCkUJ2k7G0pFp30w2zmZNXaOd3OgJRM0dJ5w-_q8i2WOxSAVDdpsjdIxuumyUFugoB3u_fAMtNY-V9seQBGPM9DdcYu8s-mBpvjkVkFs4rIOwIZAU9FL4KNd7xJkkNiuXPtgLtN/s1989/2023-12-19%2017.12.39.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="1989" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGjy5YXFuMHDXgiIueTFXOdKxyIgw8gzGSFY_bHoc7KVUuQVHwupgmNCkUJ2k7G0pFp30w2zmZNXaOd3OgJRM0dJ5w-_q8i2WOxSAVDdpsjdIxuumyUFugoB3u_fAMtNY-V9seQBGPM9DdcYu8s-mBpvjkVkFs4rIOwIZAU9FL4KNd7xJkkNiuXPtgLtN/w400-h213/2023-12-19%2017.12.39.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">We were working in the shop when our neighbor stopped by on Wednesday. He had built a grain bin with our name on it with a 3D printer. It took the printer 6 hrs to turn this out. The bin was full of Christmas goodies. Thanks Ron and Chris.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARt_3xtfv8bZDVn4zD6vAJ129kSAAtM7j9HO7f37O1xyCR14oq_gR9LMQwd-YdJryfI4iPCKSDR-cB5EriFo8WLD0Wk5YeTNVcxdOOHrNSCDy6nHbNt7ww1OqKQoJegNXeFHXu_G88RjNBzJ1hMcNbn5_VyANDXneE18S2Br1MAY8WXWmNkcE5Ce_5YCz/s8362/2023-12-20%2011.08.02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6668" data-original-width="8362" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARt_3xtfv8bZDVn4zD6vAJ129kSAAtM7j9HO7f37O1xyCR14oq_gR9LMQwd-YdJryfI4iPCKSDR-cB5EriFo8WLD0Wk5YeTNVcxdOOHrNSCDy6nHbNt7ww1OqKQoJegNXeFHXu_G88RjNBzJ1hMcNbn5_VyANDXneE18S2Br1MAY8WXWmNkcE5Ce_5YCz/w400-h319/2023-12-20%2011.08.02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">On that first Christmas there were shepherds keeping watch over their flocks at night. They were common farmers, maybe hired hands, with livestock. I'm guessing they had families. They had no idea a multitude of heavenly hosts would announce the birth of their Messiah to them personally. Most folks missed the event that night. The political and ruling class. Businesses, remember, no room in the inn. The church leaders even missed it. </b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQ90xv5BvqehE8n0JT3jVPObw_KMASQCqjjBzgcr5dAPUKrUXQHHcLIyB555oX5bEW-WvPigXh3pC6ApXJR-VryrGOhhnvWpI1QO5Ahgg3nCG_ORpPivl7pBig4NBrLtQVeTFAQp8Gn_ArRefpjDmfMl5d9mfDaYRg5g81IYZJef5QAfSrNE4pikChCMc/s1158/2023-12-23%2013.23.38.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="873" data-original-width="1158" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQ90xv5BvqehE8n0JT3jVPObw_KMASQCqjjBzgcr5dAPUKrUXQHHcLIyB555oX5bEW-WvPigXh3pC6ApXJR-VryrGOhhnvWpI1QO5Ahgg3nCG_ORpPivl7pBig4NBrLtQVeTFAQp8Gn_ArRefpjDmfMl5d9mfDaYRg5g81IYZJef5QAfSrNE4pikChCMc/w400-h301/2023-12-23%2013.23.38.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Here's the important part. Those lowly shepherds/common farmers, said, "Lets go see" this thing that has been told to us. The star guided them to the manger in Bethlehem. Their hearts were softened and filled. And they worshiped. They returned to their flocks/farms telling everyone the things they had seen and heard, praising and glorifying God. </b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLvT7mRNk1uxgDs2SNBpUc7CIcvxRONFAXjTcAMmYvbOaPpBswW16WnGBV5QIoJNlM7RCNQAlAhjkZvmNGF_0O7DTVO9CVaKGnXs5sa4Bw3tSi8apGZ16XeHdN0UBd3HGhemKCSV85rVHSoF6WuPLSi1uTa98xFvQvHUULO8OHnQ9iiZdApLzDG1KlE2_/s1402/2023-12-23%2013.22.29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="1402" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLvT7mRNk1uxgDs2SNBpUc7CIcvxRONFAXjTcAMmYvbOaPpBswW16WnGBV5QIoJNlM7RCNQAlAhjkZvmNGF_0O7DTVO9CVaKGnXs5sa4Bw3tSi8apGZ16XeHdN0UBd3HGhemKCSV85rVHSoF6WuPLSi1uTa98xFvQvHUULO8OHnQ9iiZdApLzDG1KlE2_/w400-h243/2023-12-23%2013.22.29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Don't miss both messages this Christmas Eve. The first we hear often. Jesus came to save us from our sins if we accept this gift. That's the assurance of<u> heaven</u>. The second we don't hear as often. We are to return from this Christmas season to our farms/jobs telling others about this gift. And glorifying and praising God. That's worship. It's our secure destiny here on<u> earth</u>. May your hearts be softened, guided, and filled. The picture below was taken in November/2019 near Bethlehem. Merry Christmas.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbLGoo26AB0ppuWvHMjQb782s7h8Y-bnZmaHjLiMBC0o-gPv61uPBRwaKeBDPLKHijhx10ypx0cmEgtw9q1V6B5mzvG7KHaBVlfbg4mK0v-N8A5xgbq-Mn2annlXC4uJOLnY6yuPGdz-_eKV6HQe8gs0p_AV2QHZsGudlB4lk4LwtwnitqBeIrj55c6cA/s9248/2023-12-23%2013.38.44.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="9248" data-original-width="4854" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbLGoo26AB0ppuWvHMjQb782s7h8Y-bnZmaHjLiMBC0o-gPv61uPBRwaKeBDPLKHijhx10ypx0cmEgtw9q1V6B5mzvG7KHaBVlfbg4mK0v-N8A5xgbq-Mn2annlXC4uJOLnY6yuPGdz-_eKV6HQe8gs0p_AV2QHZsGudlB4lk4LwtwnitqBeIrj55c6cA/w210-h400/2023-12-23%2013.38.44.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p></div>stillwatersiowahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01904929764005950113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2417370687288915442.post-51902588254810899202023-12-17T06:13:00.000-06:002023-12-17T06:13:26.647-06:00And The Time Came<p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">What are some of your most memorable days or moments? The day you were born? Probably not. The day you bought your first truck? The day you married? The day your business started or grew? The day someone helped you? The day you lost someone? These are all moments in history. When the time came. Big sister Brynn is listening while Grandpa tells Tatum a story.<br /></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnr9gmSyEvVBJqVIa-wazMlCOBo3kEEGrZU1iNWRyG6l_BnTxhCq-lVwFVEQfKDiFRHHSAF5U8_Y9BSmw5GVithkJp5ILdOwEhukLMQ8GlLHS92Z9YtKFLldJ2DDG-GJh114cmMVYpTv-rN-V-pU8jTYwGx4SrnmGP3AgpsxwIvZBHWatSKtcvaf6vn4R/s8865/2023-12-15%2010.57.18.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5910" data-original-width="8865" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnr9gmSyEvVBJqVIa-wazMlCOBo3kEEGrZU1iNWRyG6l_BnTxhCq-lVwFVEQfKDiFRHHSAF5U8_Y9BSmw5GVithkJp5ILdOwEhukLMQ8GlLHS92Z9YtKFLldJ2DDG-GJh114cmMVYpTv-rN-V-pU8jTYwGx4SrnmGP3AgpsxwIvZBHWatSKtcvaf6vn4R/w400-h266/2023-12-15%2010.57.18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Who you are, where you're at, and what you contribute in His-story does not just happen by chance or coincidence. The Christmas season reminds us of giving, sharing, and good-will. However God gives us opportunities year around. And I too often miss them.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_E31t9wl8lK7DZpKN8xieM2AwcUuaQD3AZxgar14Szo1biR0tTxKFoweJqDmeRWVasc4R0c3tfCcbauDmpt3Co5PHlWLcvu9ambNCKveEMZHfq4SWmW6jCUx21rlwEMGZT5xs8OF9K55e9RzibWIWH7rQqVHj7qiCo7OT9i4N14YsyVNCt29q3JxTrVt/s1799/2023-12-15%2017.48.40.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1073" data-original-width="1799" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_E31t9wl8lK7DZpKN8xieM2AwcUuaQD3AZxgar14Szo1biR0tTxKFoweJqDmeRWVasc4R0c3tfCcbauDmpt3Co5PHlWLcvu9ambNCKveEMZHfq4SWmW6jCUx21rlwEMGZT5xs8OF9K55e9RzibWIWH7rQqVHj7qiCo7OT9i4N14YsyVNCt29q3JxTrVt/w400-h239/2023-12-15%2017.48.40.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Jan and I took a morning off last Monday and went to Rutledge, Missouri. When the time comes for change or moving forward, the Amish resist because of their beliefs. And any change is decided by the district elder. Does this hinder them from sharing the story of Christmas to their unsaved neighbors?</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxKqDuNV3j_fSwyigAGsjBaxObgH4DqhTs_b2UqXyQ7xAQsySWNnVS0ISVJGr98RWuLxNHoYXbfAtHqimHBOXZP-DkP68gdCOhgaFgXITTnA-CVQWkE51c5H-6NUTVRKkXSRh9QMceVHOcOf8Dn_M2iuPbJMpYR6cbehN1cbXetaTC95Kchgb5jOVr4xq/s2400/2023-12-13%2016.22.21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="2400" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxKqDuNV3j_fSwyigAGsjBaxObgH4DqhTs_b2UqXyQ7xAQsySWNnVS0ISVJGr98RWuLxNHoYXbfAtHqimHBOXZP-DkP68gdCOhgaFgXITTnA-CVQWkE51c5H-6NUTVRKkXSRh9QMceVHOcOf8Dn_M2iuPbJMpYR6cbehN1cbXetaTC95Kchgb5jOVr4xq/w400-h180/2023-12-13%2016.22.21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">We continue to get field work done. Dean finished chiseling a bottom Friday.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDR34xrWQOqYqBmycH8bazadnEBVMQEA0OCnpI149EScsv1m-vDwMNSheSSTe2XzZqB-BRX_a_GspggncAXVYOw4btZmHbVl75HAsg-7duL4Nce6tpYmTePhyimA7yZHwMn__P3uLSHeTsm04cvg0xFeAmmhI8iuwNkisGpDg4xEceMeyLS5TfCWSGOMOz/s8084/2023-12-13%2016.12.35.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3820" data-original-width="8084" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDR34xrWQOqYqBmycH8bazadnEBVMQEA0OCnpI149EScsv1m-vDwMNSheSSTe2XzZqB-BRX_a_GspggncAXVYOw4btZmHbVl75HAsg-7duL4Nce6tpYmTePhyimA7yZHwMn__P3uLSHeTsm04cvg0xFeAmmhI8iuwNkisGpDg4xEceMeyLS5TfCWSGOMOz/w400-h189/2023-12-13%2016.12.35.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">BJ finished a big tile plowing project for Luke and then switched to a couple of smaller jobs with the trencher.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISQKmN4Zhod5Z3z9nS8wXDxs5w4lazmEPsupg7cWVTzJTpnaETsYARXc4Q7U4p5UvqYgJKIFgaGE_GB0m0HaAwUUqDqJXJY-6vv-bKBx6Z-zj1ZWc0u10BqcIu-1rN1v3XqirlAAAeU2c9js-BwWGbVrnf7KRcjlN9QcLMaWzFQlNCF63JPs5T8PmBK-E/s8807/2023-12-14%2011.37.19.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5769" data-original-width="8807" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISQKmN4Zhod5Z3z9nS8wXDxs5w4lazmEPsupg7cWVTzJTpnaETsYARXc4Q7U4p5UvqYgJKIFgaGE_GB0m0HaAwUUqDqJXJY-6vv-bKBx6Z-zj1ZWc0u10BqcIu-1rN1v3XqirlAAAeU2c9js-BwWGbVrnf7KRcjlN9QcLMaWzFQlNCF63JPs5T8PmBK-E/w400-h263/2023-12-14%2011.37.19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">We cleaned up the hog honey hauling equipment this past week inside and out. And Karl got much of the equipment put away.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_bLjmVWWDvlCnwOPlJg_jHAR_DzQ5DTzwbsrZLfb-3A0g_vcMJXbyXBnBObHnMjAWmcuHGvG-_Vk_XsTlg9ifIeDBHIUIC-V6S4gt1fVkp-YEkkq6bBDm8-b6QUY-Of41jCNJ3hb_yiaE1F9353NJ0JpkokoJ8FE3juhEG8_8DTsI3wHNiUgGDV5G663/s8032/2023-12-14%2019.38.07.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4004" data-original-width="8032" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_bLjmVWWDvlCnwOPlJg_jHAR_DzQ5DTzwbsrZLfb-3A0g_vcMJXbyXBnBObHnMjAWmcuHGvG-_Vk_XsTlg9ifIeDBHIUIC-V6S4gt1fVkp-YEkkq6bBDm8-b6QUY-Of41jCNJ3hb_yiaE1F9353NJ0JpkokoJ8FE3juhEG8_8DTsI3wHNiUgGDV5G663/w400-h200/2023-12-14%2019.38.07.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">It's getting to be shop work time and will ramp up after Christmas. We have semis to service. The combines have been inspected and have a list. Tractors need cleaned up. We usually replace ground working tools on our planters every other year.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyOLK5svwm5Y9-V9qtVztsI7n3Sx4nkfwRQtbKaCqm6Jcu_f9VaROdHcDJNlnHEsI9yVSmOT0FSKeQD_uq2fUoN6l5RgPgRsVPbnNo2FDU6cgC3s7bXMMI9GlNs9TXFJ55OZodFDEWFtSSMwz1-rj0429vH2-nb4Q7Z5-poSQbjZn6kUGqlRoPnDn-Zvm/s8572/2023-12-15%2011.22.10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5829" data-original-width="8572" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyOLK5svwm5Y9-V9qtVztsI7n3Sx4nkfwRQtbKaCqm6Jcu_f9VaROdHcDJNlnHEsI9yVSmOT0FSKeQD_uq2fUoN6l5RgPgRsVPbnNo2FDU6cgC3s7bXMMI9GlNs9TXFJ55OZodFDEWFtSSMwz1-rj0429vH2-nb4Q7Z5-poSQbjZn6kUGqlRoPnDn-Zvm/w400-h272/2023-12-15%2011.22.10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">We have a kitchen wall with pictures of 21 boys and 10 girls. Jan, myself, our children, and our grandchildren. Most at 14 months old. A Christmas nativity scene sits below. The grandkids in the pictures above have always liked to play with. Of course we have close to a dozen spouses and significant others that have joined our family as well. My point is not that we have large Christmas get-togethers, which we will this coming Friday evening. God has moments and times planned for each and every one of this crew. And you as well.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpzofh58YmeTkmd5jSsU50FDC1ri_ne66CSKOLqarp2P2FuuVtYy04VogNegnte_lgzWFdbr1TXpLUbu6an5El9cOQr_8hVb76BpmogwtS4QYl3qW1rqzec_RIfjK2PqK8AOb7tLnadHYBIbfgqywKBczwNKBK93Xin55xmre6ws77ebUuJ7NbrWAWg36/s9248/2023-12-16%2017.47.22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="9248" data-original-width="6936" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpzofh58YmeTkmd5jSsU50FDC1ri_ne66CSKOLqarp2P2FuuVtYy04VogNegnte_lgzWFdbr1TXpLUbu6an5El9cOQr_8hVb76BpmogwtS4QYl3qW1rqzec_RIfjK2PqK8AOb7tLnadHYBIbfgqywKBczwNKBK93Xin55xmre6ws77ebUuJ7NbrWAWg36/w300-h400/2023-12-16%2017.47.22.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">"And the time came for her baby to be born. Mary gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them." Luke 2:6-7 Thanks for the picture. That baby over 2000 years ago came for you. To save you. To create significant moments and times in your life. And to give you opportunities to create moments and times in others' lives. Don't miss it.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLn2FVZB-cjjf13_c1cHHJJdQOARaHMb1_N8iZV92HcIRppm0GyHnRlj0hOthgkN7Uu3n5m9nt-PeT9XimdBJmyJO57E340pi-VABBGRWA_ngroSg6yWZ1f6bjuf0bxYKTXNZKNDehTAej8b4ohaldcNhiUKe8lrafPejNBfuVBokEs3OkWuzBtp2swdUf/s1479/2023-12-16%2019.22.25.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1479" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLn2FVZB-cjjf13_c1cHHJJdQOARaHMb1_N8iZV92HcIRppm0GyHnRlj0hOthgkN7Uu3n5m9nt-PeT9XimdBJmyJO57E340pi-VABBGRWA_ngroSg6yWZ1f6bjuf0bxYKTXNZKNDehTAej8b4ohaldcNhiUKe8lrafPejNBfuVBokEs3OkWuzBtp2swdUf/w400-h234/2023-12-16%2019.22.25.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div></div>stillwatersiowahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01904929764005950113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2417370687288915442.post-56328288922020258232023-12-10T05:30:00.001-06:002023-12-10T07:57:52.444-06:00What Are You Hunting For<p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">What are you hunting for in this last month of 2023? For the workload to slow down a little? A bonus? Maybe for our nonseasonal weather to continue? Kurt, Karl, and friends went hunting for deer yesterday. And found some nice ones. Thanks for the picture Randy.</b><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IzWxeVnW7ayrKKxvAMBo4yKUpl2mWh35hsrx7_lajxdK09IgNTINRCn0rzq2nZPqLbE2nJxplg1NkoMnw69roRgpuNzv_fCjSsVpoAS4DOFHrt-6stjouROG39dA8BO-0fg-IHRFS34gVvmsbgM3IKYGzcsBu4Ou67ZmE8cDrAhvewh4hCAuPLdLFxl7/s1340/2023-12-09%2017.59.14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="1340" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IzWxeVnW7ayrKKxvAMBo4yKUpl2mWh35hsrx7_lajxdK09IgNTINRCn0rzq2nZPqLbE2nJxplg1NkoMnw69roRgpuNzv_fCjSsVpoAS4DOFHrt-6stjouROG39dA8BO-0fg-IHRFS34gVvmsbgM3IKYGzcsBu4Ou67ZmE8cDrAhvewh4hCAuPLdLFxl7/w400-h213/2023-12-09%2017.59.14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">How about in life? Are we hunting for real and authentic in a deprived culture? Affirmation at work? Better relationships? Are we all growing in our faith walk? We've been blessed with a good number of family and friends visit for early coffee, and are often on our 4th or 5th pot by 7:30am.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92yVg_Yp5T6iQal5_4xM11XuGPkXaznxOGmmhVzS5JlFA-wB5KLqojJsiuaoth2W3t3iGzyyIYzoPFhdM26me394j9H3-PBb7PIliO8P6c7Vz6lhidibl1PUQWynYLk3k6CB-7WS-OgWFN50yUTP-tOcJBHjcDGlDToUz4YzqHpjpG2UygpfDHIZoXMm2/s8807/2023-12-09%2007.44.27.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4396" data-original-width="8807" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92yVg_Yp5T6iQal5_4xM11XuGPkXaznxOGmmhVzS5JlFA-wB5KLqojJsiuaoth2W3t3iGzyyIYzoPFhdM26me394j9H3-PBb7PIliO8P6c7Vz6lhidibl1PUQWynYLk3k6CB-7WS-OgWFN50yUTP-tOcJBHjcDGlDToUz4YzqHpjpG2UygpfDHIZoXMm2/w400-h200/2023-12-09%2007.44.27.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">You often find what your hunting for. When I drive I see the road, traffic, and maybe some weeds and trash trees growing along the right-of-way. My mind thinks how neat it would look if the road sides were mowed. Jan can pick out these Conifer trees a mile off. Or the little blue berries on the Cedar trees. Or red berries. Or hedge balls. Or switch grass tops.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpSH62unZF8UeCnslA1_oBhL1H69yANGKIYEeLJi3YukpVnhxE0gOELWxJiYS8xpzlZFierLyCdDT2azYJYLMCGmSscqzA-KQJCjNEFO_w0z17MDhlZYmXgaVWox6I2FkCkKrgCNxfr9CHq8tySp7wx3ihk-54mtgfWTYyZ9RtGBrDi-RXIlLbuNOldyX/s7404/2023-12-03%2012.53.30.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3532" data-original-width="7404" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpSH62unZF8UeCnslA1_oBhL1H69yANGKIYEeLJi3YukpVnhxE0gOELWxJiYS8xpzlZFierLyCdDT2azYJYLMCGmSscqzA-KQJCjNEFO_w0z17MDhlZYmXgaVWox6I2FkCkKrgCNxfr9CHq8tySp7wx3ihk-54mtgfWTYyZ9RtGBrDi-RXIlLbuNOldyX/w400-h191/2023-12-03%2012.53.30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Jan sees possibilities. Her mind has already cooked up the idea.Then on a Sunday Ranger ride we go get the ingredients.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1YBFxpQmi3jV-Zb3G-eEKj96hyphenhyphenGwHlowwsohyhKXfsYqTvS2PAUl-nTCErJAdqqvuKTwSS72arA-vOSTVAd4wcu6I0RhJqt_OIxwn-CRGVMiJxAPhZONwOL7Vygup1vA-AQrl2ZFUSaTsrM63OA38TjY6bGGi9xbTql53wMHvikSM2W1hYeWnqAo2cmw/s9248/2023-12-03%2012.49.27.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6936" data-original-width="9248" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1YBFxpQmi3jV-Zb3G-eEKj96hyphenhyphenGwHlowwsohyhKXfsYqTvS2PAUl-nTCErJAdqqvuKTwSS72arA-vOSTVAd4wcu6I0RhJqt_OIxwn-CRGVMiJxAPhZONwOL7Vygup1vA-AQrl2ZFUSaTsrM63OA38TjY6bGGi9xbTql53wMHvikSM2W1hYeWnqAo2cmw/w400-h300/2023-12-03%2012.49.27.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">I forget the proper name for these Christmas arrangements Jan makes with the stuff we find. However they are very decorative. We have them by our home, our cabin, and Jan brings all the ingredients to school so others can make them as well.</b><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlSpyotGp9P7Kt2720yBGN3314hib1m3scm1a10dAmUbJ1edGWU1DGR3N9Ex_LxgO6S4FjeBL8BocYOuuDBeadKpJLEX8mlt7TIQTvd6b2M1gzqefNArmnAMlHgBw6eu_YBt70tapUHO5g3Z7x2Gm0gCgRLIh93XO3SzWT98zxS9qR5AaeFmk6zNanH2C/s9248/2023-12-10%2003.00.51.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="9248" data-original-width="6936" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlSpyotGp9P7Kt2720yBGN3314hib1m3scm1a10dAmUbJ1edGWU1DGR3N9Ex_LxgO6S4FjeBL8BocYOuuDBeadKpJLEX8mlt7TIQTvd6b2M1gzqefNArmnAMlHgBw6eu_YBt70tapUHO5g3Z7x2Gm0gCgRLIh93XO3SzWT98zxS9qR5AaeFmk6zNanH2C/w300-h400/2023-12-10%2003.00.51.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Our early morning temps are getting colder. We have an LP boiler with in-floor heat in our farm shop, however we also like to supplement that heat burning waste oil that we get from servicing all our vehicles. So Matt helped us get the Reznor going.</b><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_mVBPY4EmGl0GDcGdIW18AzOagKKZQpoBd9yufT2sLM3BffVk-yUsBEITQ0Yge6djeyV7VtCv6epSwK1Y2vPF_QB_YrphtwI6YgrEjgvOoxiYF6r9oC0tDc-VwrStoIJO3c8yyNZ-18D_xHMJGkptChz9XENiGvAWz-Mqj2mEaGL7GAphykp9bUxsNMp/s6604/2023-12-09%2008.56.35.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5904" data-original-width="6604" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_mVBPY4EmGl0GDcGdIW18AzOagKKZQpoBd9yufT2sLM3BffVk-yUsBEITQ0Yge6djeyV7VtCv6epSwK1Y2vPF_QB_YrphtwI6YgrEjgvOoxiYF6r9oC0tDc-VwrStoIJO3c8yyNZ-18D_xHMJGkptChz9XENiGvAWz-Mqj2mEaGL7GAphykp9bUxsNMp/w400-h358/2023-12-09%2008.56.35.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">BJ, Alex, Ryan, and Kurt have been putting in long days tiling. Mike has built over 40 terraces this fall and has about that many more to go yet if the weather holds. Mark and Ethan have been working on reclaim and wetland projects. Thanks for the picture Kurt.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhki2PAzmhZ1x4JNEE-nnHqoiTdox6-Suw14PR2Q-rS0Zf89WaIWRTn631Q-dCQKgl1WZM1Mlsjx_agt-aL06cPE0AH2fWU6olSXhz2blFxPUbYzVIR3ZG88J8dN9bfYKYf1enM-v51NHilsEtKqywio93sVnc6hW8u-QFJyFf1iAUXn2cQK9EyC5vGZdl9/s1425/2023-12-04%2019.03.53.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1425" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhki2PAzmhZ1x4JNEE-nnHqoiTdox6-Suw14PR2Q-rS0Zf89WaIWRTn631Q-dCQKgl1WZM1Mlsjx_agt-aL06cPE0AH2fWU6olSXhz2blFxPUbYzVIR3ZG88J8dN9bfYKYf1enM-v51NHilsEtKqywio93sVnc6hW8u-QFJyFf1iAUXn2cQK9EyC5vGZdl9/w304-h400/2023-12-04%2019.03.53.jpg" width="304" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Last evening I went to check on BJ and Ryan. BJ was placing broken concrete on a river bank around a tile outlet.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKElitgNsxEUSMomfufIMGeE6mafvrBCtWcR1DFmRZVmqIZsT7TxX24jwGm-4sG0-yfYapDFOgDdWD2dMnJQWImgAkvIUWY6LTwBz7wODSIuWVOXA0SEbuEKSniTquBqO5vijVmxBqZ5n7Nwakp_2YtEmZ7Jglx_IyIkrORYEAXE8WP-2qvfDOpvKTS4dK/s8518/2023-12-09%2015.49.29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4423" data-original-width="8518" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKElitgNsxEUSMomfufIMGeE6mafvrBCtWcR1DFmRZVmqIZsT7TxX24jwGm-4sG0-yfYapDFOgDdWD2dMnJQWImgAkvIUWY6LTwBz7wODSIuWVOXA0SEbuEKSniTquBqO5vijVmxBqZ5n7Nwakp_2YtEmZ7Jglx_IyIkrORYEAXE8WP-2qvfDOpvKTS4dK/w400-h208/2023-12-09%2015.49.29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">I found a little time to mow yesterday. Below our last alfalfa cutting just did not get enough rain in August to harvest. So since it is now dormant, I mowed off the dead plants.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbcY_NpOTbS0OSmiv3-BTHtGjDaOs-_nMBiY49vnV0Acqf_aOsRIyIjHi4kmJtvxddErXbO2ILUjMPKdQH7qwNnMdAt-RWpPET0zeauRFLKX-DhnmASd4UmZPaKKV9RBnvwGKxm0cdWBv15yB921W26VTTDc9nanCF_99f9qnDHO3Bqm0hb2wR5VPgjDr/s9155/2023-12-09%2013.53.08.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6027" data-original-width="9155" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbcY_NpOTbS0OSmiv3-BTHtGjDaOs-_nMBiY49vnV0Acqf_aOsRIyIjHi4kmJtvxddErXbO2ILUjMPKdQH7qwNnMdAt-RWpPET0zeauRFLKX-DhnmASd4UmZPaKKV9RBnvwGKxm0cdWBv15yB921W26VTTDc9nanCF_99f9qnDHO3Bqm0hb2wR5VPgjDr/w400-h264/2023-12-09%2013.53.08.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Our landlords Buddy and Eileen were fishing in Kentucky, and Eileen caught this 70 pound Blue Catfish. Their family manufactures catfish bait and sells it all over the world. Thanks for the picture Eileen.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0SaOK3X4Rf6-AwhV3IPI8DmqyVJhJS_5jkV5Z3GaF_nnlxZ5v9THb15sIRzfZHCIEAPHxCB-5QIF6JiBZx9pGBwITmt5amWbXeDq5yJ0foTV7JMfxQfRfMngQEnDt-yKFW_kI16c1Z0zf6eARw0V6VIn5qNfewiEbE-VatvUr4ZwcKKxpgdPaSbjqbyk/s1464/2023-12-09%2005.56.54.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1464" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0SaOK3X4Rf6-AwhV3IPI8DmqyVJhJS_5jkV5Z3GaF_nnlxZ5v9THb15sIRzfZHCIEAPHxCB-5QIF6JiBZx9pGBwITmt5amWbXeDq5yJ0foTV7JMfxQfRfMngQEnDt-yKFW_kI16c1Z0zf6eARw0V6VIn5qNfewiEbE-VatvUr4ZwcKKxpgdPaSbjqbyk/w295-h400/2023-12-09%2005.56.54.jpg" width="295" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">We had The Family Leader staff and board Christmas this past week. Board member and Pastor Monty talked about what folks are looking for in Christmas. He talked about looking higher, thinking bigger, and expecting more.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYk-l6wTWI9nry8gAHtv_KEStCq3FFvsT8CWLN11VrwX7woLRKMqZMl3MjTYTCkmdK9-Z5MMu6uMu6p4cbzyBnmvx4IJgKoEue9jTkjOagdSNBNpW-jd2JGFEt6KXLlfDazOjxJ68Q0GvegZeHU7aFxYDeJuU3zShTaiQxddzL6WSNsB7OJpjjPYAZCTS/s9248/2023-12-07%2017.32.07.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4488" data-original-width="9248" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYk-l6wTWI9nry8gAHtv_KEStCq3FFvsT8CWLN11VrwX7woLRKMqZMl3MjTYTCkmdK9-Z5MMu6uMu6p4cbzyBnmvx4IJgKoEue9jTkjOagdSNBNpW-jd2JGFEt6KXLlfDazOjxJ68Q0GvegZeHU7aFxYDeJuU3zShTaiQxddzL6WSNsB7OJpjjPYAZCTS/w400-h194/2023-12-07%2017.32.07.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Yesterday morning grandsons Elijah (9th grade), Ezra (10th grade), and John (12th grade) went to BJs rented South Skunk River bottom west of Lacey with 3 outfits to chisel. They had to quit early to get ready for PCHS Christmas banquet.</b><br /></div></div><div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Wr1uSQUbFa1QUrIEUTPsR_qxAwjK30Kbhy8Lg1TQQgbvbzZiI8Xk8KvV6icaRUNVJXH7TsgTVGnzMK7G7NwY8-IaeldbVXZDY36XdaIeRDUp4rNoA6i_88qelMHSfzlO515_cBTAPdPuoxcPUJpD-fEkrl1bVkWpyOiQPXB1GW-irWoO7yTRnE5HOeOG/s7617/2023-12-09%2007.26.31.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3853" data-original-width="7617" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Wr1uSQUbFa1QUrIEUTPsR_qxAwjK30Kbhy8Lg1TQQgbvbzZiI8Xk8KvV6icaRUNVJXH7TsgTVGnzMK7G7NwY8-IaeldbVXZDY36XdaIeRDUp4rNoA6i_88qelMHSfzlO515_cBTAPdPuoxcPUJpD-fEkrl1bVkWpyOiQPXB1GW-irWoO7yTRnE5HOeOG/w400-h203/2023-12-09%2007.26.31.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">With Jan, Stacy, and Cassia helping with the banquet meal, I was able to ask for a picture of the kids and a couple of their dates. Thanks for the picture Jan and Stacy.</b><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF58XeOIroWJ8P7ll3Sv9ewqt5gVNVL6vjYMt3TPeqVEASJ12kxJuu5In8Po42r1j1KR680Z8483K4fwV66k4bBJ7H04wsAt0-MKEcW6bpDzKM-DLklZ1LcE259MuizPzmNjSl9oRVgX1VANM_vTPcIpPo_vFBZpH8HtRIWhM1HjkYIl-wub_Vk8M0mp_W/s1775/2023-12-09%2017.58.02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1775" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF58XeOIroWJ8P7ll3Sv9ewqt5gVNVL6vjYMt3TPeqVEASJ12kxJuu5In8Po42r1j1KR680Z8483K4fwV66k4bBJ7H04wsAt0-MKEcW6bpDzKM-DLklZ1LcE259MuizPzmNjSl9oRVgX1VANM_vTPcIpPo_vFBZpH8HtRIWhM1HjkYIl-wub_Vk8M0mp_W/w400-h244/2023-12-09%2017.58.02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">A couple of weeks back we visited about finding this aluminum Christmas tree in the junk and mess. I knew from childhood memories I needed to find a stand, a wood pole, and tinsel branches. I mentioned before we usually find what we're hunting for. If we hunt for and dwell on guilt, grief, and grudges we will find them. We need to reflect Christ's light and live the good news to folks we come in contact with.</b><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93D_QLqT6GDYZ73nOx64XLi0hHXUtt5qAJcUOxp5bo3LFEcaGy7dcMAft-mm79bcHY0GP1JbO09ff5AEYOT4lQxIJpS24dzU3g5A_5Zr6zdF9-ymE3G_0DKei9cYYKAsjuF0lg_l4gIrVDuqhdNkuVkeUgbSyy64xBV7EpWfaz4mwpL1ljJh-sNMIvr-X/s8566/2023-12-09%2017.49.25.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6936" data-original-width="8566" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93D_QLqT6GDYZ73nOx64XLi0hHXUtt5qAJcUOxp5bo3LFEcaGy7dcMAft-mm79bcHY0GP1JbO09ff5AEYOT4lQxIJpS24dzU3g5A_5Zr6zdF9-ymE3G_0DKei9cYYKAsjuF0lg_l4gIrVDuqhdNkuVkeUgbSyy64xBV7EpWfaz4mwpL1ljJh-sNMIvr-X/w400-h324/2023-12-09%2017.49.25.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"> When our Savior was born things were not going as Joseph had planned. The government wanted a census and taxes. He had a weeks journey to his hometown. His girlfriend was pregnant and he wasn't the father. The motels and inns were full.<br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">"And all returned to their home town to register for this census. Because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem. And he took Mary with him, to whom he was engaged, and was now expecting a child."</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"> </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">What are you hunting for this Christmas? Snow, time off, gifts, get-togethers, peace, goodwill? All legit things by the way. However over the next two weeks, don't miss the real reason for this season. </b><br /></div><div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUs6NjRshJL7gZNiwjhDmy0O0qOoWFegwZ6Pe5doJVrovCUNh0mGlAWJxHYjw0ClFsJ1A3LSJQBBhV9qIM2Pbt8-58rB1Y2K0KXBILxC-djKlxVe9Ls2OGeLX9COZE4o8SkBt6LJ0b_ih1q0fcNnouqxTZhQMijVqASZSACDJYZJlL1xFw3uFy-l-g6Vm/s1292/2023-12-09%2019.02.06.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1292" data-original-width="945" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUs6NjRshJL7gZNiwjhDmy0O0qOoWFegwZ6Pe5doJVrovCUNh0mGlAWJxHYjw0ClFsJ1A3LSJQBBhV9qIM2Pbt8-58rB1Y2K0KXBILxC-djKlxVe9Ls2OGeLX9COZE4o8SkBt6LJ0b_ih1q0fcNnouqxTZhQMijVqASZSACDJYZJlL1xFw3uFy-l-g6Vm/w293-h400/2023-12-09%2019.02.06.jpg" width="293" /></a></div><br /><p><br /> </p></div></div>stillwatersiowahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01904929764005950113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2417370687288915442.post-58227211157361386592023-12-03T05:52:00.000-06:002023-12-03T05:52:06.523-06:00Clocks And Calendars<p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"> In our fast paced lives today we're not all that crazy about just sitting and thinking. It's become boring. With so much news, information, entertainment, conversations, and ads at our fingertips we grab our phone or tablet. Without even thinking about it. There is nothing wrong with screens. You and I are using them right now. The question is, do we use screens, or do they use us.</b><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqQGO6PlZ5PQMMwcqFu9jq2qX1IgwYyomNaAgCyWtVmRqI9Bd0Acyy5da5eDokrDlluSK5u6nM-QLUqKugqGMv7MP2-eg63AIFQDx-uUx1_JE1SpH309hO9GSKDXZnGpqtPCcEF15385Ht-Qask0BDfsY9SzgMWklWnK02ttNK9qh1t9_YhP3Qztb38kj/s1426/2023-12-02%2016.09.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="936" data-original-width="1426" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqQGO6PlZ5PQMMwcqFu9jq2qX1IgwYyomNaAgCyWtVmRqI9Bd0Acyy5da5eDokrDlluSK5u6nM-QLUqKugqGMv7MP2-eg63AIFQDx-uUx1_JE1SpH309hO9GSKDXZnGpqtPCcEF15385Ht-Qask0BDfsY9SzgMWklWnK02ttNK9qh1t9_YhP3Qztb38kj/w400-h263/2023-12-02%2016.09.17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The clock and the calendar are devices used to measure time. The sand in the bottom half of the hour glass is gone, the past. The sand in the top is what's coming, the future. The in-between is now, the present. Are we putting the now to good use?</span></b><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pyolN3yOmZTNB9_OgR9plnhKB1L5MPjq_B7RfRlPiyI7eeWczY66vCF7u5x-ipvSpyrN8YxsE3DoWaFrcFukAGrLaanU68cBZJhQZlEzkPW-cRe1PCYfB_rKNnUGS89xcHtw4gnrGX8Wa1wInalucFNukHq_KTrebgOZgvh2hIwAv4dhePU_tkdFtI9A/s1671/2023-11-29%2020.33.29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1671" data-original-width="916" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pyolN3yOmZTNB9_OgR9plnhKB1L5MPjq_B7RfRlPiyI7eeWczY66vCF7u5x-ipvSpyrN8YxsE3DoWaFrcFukAGrLaanU68cBZJhQZlEzkPW-cRe1PCYfB_rKNnUGS89xcHtw4gnrGX8Wa1wInalucFNukHq_KTrebgOZgvh2hIwAv4dhePU_tkdFtI9A/w219-h400/2023-11-29%2020.33.29.jpg" width="219" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">The day before yesterday we turned our current calendars to the last page of the year. Last week we visited about abandoned farmsteads with 50 year old calendars on the kitchen wall. Old barns tend to measure time in their own way. Attitudes and actions need to be intentional today in order to have a barn full of good memories tomorrow.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsElU8OQsKK4ZiVbwGL8BkyCoqwhEYcrpKUqipH47ueT3Ka674mfvFXR5t11L4mlQ3XXFEW_M1RX9MtTliOhi93O6Tf3Qjn4LHmZArjlkis6eBxFCckpcuP95ibfCga1PiyjsWLCxkDo7QxFE6BH1B6X917rm-sg4E-vERh3KxzFREa30FKUSZC46AR3R4/s1234/2023-11-29%2019.09.33.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1234" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsElU8OQsKK4ZiVbwGL8BkyCoqwhEYcrpKUqipH47ueT3Ka674mfvFXR5t11L4mlQ3XXFEW_M1RX9MtTliOhi93O6Tf3Qjn4LHmZArjlkis6eBxFCckpcuP95ibfCga1PiyjsWLCxkDo7QxFE6BH1B6X917rm-sg4E-vERh3KxzFREa30FKUSZC46AR3R4/w350-h400/2023-11-29%2019.09.33.jpg" width="350" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Early this week we went to Indianapolis to attend a get-together of Becks family, dealers, and employees to celebrate Christmas. We were encouraged to give, to put our phones away occasionally, to reflect, to dream, and to find time for new relationships.</b><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KHbcUBH4Pw4xH463qaxzYyjPwaq4vHiObdPQtJNr-fsiK7ySjgSL_NT3iwwLQDttNNEYQ2JkeqfHN_HTZHj4RIX05r-70xzsenl2R_39PPIoAtwfRMEgQdvvea6CehSfm9bBSNywkXfG0Ekccmi9AUzBfnD1Fh_J2x66W_WkY2mBJaxwQyDvPuXZWjmP/s944/2023-12-02%2012.28.49.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="944" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KHbcUBH4Pw4xH463qaxzYyjPwaq4vHiObdPQtJNr-fsiK7ySjgSL_NT3iwwLQDttNNEYQ2JkeqfHN_HTZHj4RIX05r-70xzsenl2R_39PPIoAtwfRMEgQdvvea6CehSfm9bBSNywkXfG0Ekccmi9AUzBfnD1Fh_J2x66W_WkY2mBJaxwQyDvPuXZWjmP/w400-h234/2023-12-02%2012.28.49.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Wednesday morning we listened to Willie, from Duck Dynasty. And then had the opportunity to meet and hang out with him for a few minutes. Sometimes others lives seem to stop in our minds when we don't stay in touch even though our lives move on. Willie and his wife Corey now have seven grandchildren.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Lu12vAgd8B0egtDs6YWigYP2UIhYmpk5kH0mDSjUO1bs5w0OVMkfAJfcGoAU7LLFBIxAQngTJSMSDrDxgY48ZJU38bdf61suTnY-sWISekpnWSzXM2eU-PUWgodYMzmNKl3kGwvwKlYA4aDXT6fsnvNXJbltT_09OXyvqwu321VgJb9ehbcC96-ZI7g1/s8187/2023-11-29%2010.53.46.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6083" data-original-width="8187" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Lu12vAgd8B0egtDs6YWigYP2UIhYmpk5kH0mDSjUO1bs5w0OVMkfAJfcGoAU7LLFBIxAQngTJSMSDrDxgY48ZJU38bdf61suTnY-sWISekpnWSzXM2eU-PUWgodYMzmNKl3kGwvwKlYA4aDXT6fsnvNXJbltT_09OXyvqwu321VgJb9ehbcC96-ZI7g1/w400-h297/2023-11-29%2010.53.46.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">BJ and crew just moved to a tiling project where they are putting in a 15 inch dual wall main starting at 11 feet deep for a half a mile. A main is a tile that others run into. And everything is on grade so water can run downhill. Thanks for the picture.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpth5ZDBHFFsJ3iRFR8DeyUe6W8Fjxt0s71fO_XkNMF0S7l7e8B__5bLOtmCmx5TIGCyuqFUcl1xHLaTWuJEc9i1B5zebQREBPIcFe9jLM8L1edkWKHknKOGLNa0JNgU5JYBNDXLYlq-8aiyXvZb8-HYqaOTDiwct6lN7ClCmhV7Ozrq20kBxUqH1YTlu/s1721/2023-12-02%2008.56.25.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1721" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpth5ZDBHFFsJ3iRFR8DeyUe6W8Fjxt0s71fO_XkNMF0S7l7e8B__5bLOtmCmx5TIGCyuqFUcl1xHLaTWuJEc9i1B5zebQREBPIcFe9jLM8L1edkWKHknKOGLNa0JNgU5JYBNDXLYlq-8aiyXvZb8-HYqaOTDiwct6lN7ClCmhV7Ozrq20kBxUqH1YTlu/w251-h400/2023-12-02%2008.56.25.jpg" width="251" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Tiling is one of the last jobs winter in Iowa stops. A large tile plow is basically a knife that puts the tile in the ground, GPS that keeps the right grade, and horsepower. Thanks for the picture.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTTsG3KMNWDxtV-m6CF_gdVKYscjgL0cQeiycate8DmvfSvf5sXo35v1r_ZXKE7BvAd__vybvnhUWG7vwUH_zEFcgXXiw8Kzb6sCoTkWkGtbVE7iCX9F_IEtE3LOlSoDXpwabM2NHoqPuwDthegEOXx982PDyuzN_iw0TdbB7Ty_poAFIduhBLcDMVCFX/s1155/2023-11-29%2013.15.35.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTTsG3KMNWDxtV-m6CF_gdVKYscjgL0cQeiycate8DmvfSvf5sXo35v1r_ZXKE7BvAd__vybvnhUWG7vwUH_zEFcgXXiw8Kzb6sCoTkWkGtbVE7iCX9F_IEtE3LOlSoDXpwabM2NHoqPuwDthegEOXx982PDyuzN_iw0TdbB7Ty_poAFIduhBLcDMVCFX/w374-h400/2023-11-29%2013.15.35.jpg" width="374" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Ezra and Elijah chiseled a field on the north edge of Ottumwa yesterday. They left a large area we still hope to tile yet this fall.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYtjnUHe4xEDRj_HNPmqTnBBh1KsCkHb8W-QcPe0fhV0pku7wUWYjOr0Ay5xlaqk59neaCYO5VFR_xEkuE1At4LyedY22V6MVqtSvOhSkOB-9LHGymul7_o8heAC5nsPQnU6cyH7XHM1FxLwwIn-L07-SdM-CXT8X7V20Mhg_jo1J5G6A5Ot7x-N3TJlh/s8931/2023-12-02%2009.09.27.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3681" data-original-width="8931" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYtjnUHe4xEDRj_HNPmqTnBBh1KsCkHb8W-QcPe0fhV0pku7wUWYjOr0Ay5xlaqk59neaCYO5VFR_xEkuE1At4LyedY22V6MVqtSvOhSkOB-9LHGymul7_o8heAC5nsPQnU6cyH7XHM1FxLwwIn-L07-SdM-CXT8X7V20Mhg_jo1J5G6A5Ot7x-N3TJlh/w400-h165/2023-12-02%2009.09.27.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Yesterday morning Karl chiseled some cornstalks going back to corn next year around his place. In the afternoon he and his family headed north to help folks with next years seed needs.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJrwrJtcdRt2xvNi4KB3zAzxiqwu2W0hxyad5K1z0TEPbIWmocNBXCOa2eg3OLIlN6AM57HSdKWW3-s2o6SF7ZLW9Z0uoY2uVbxFIkil9qSvt22cmKyuOkUM6-avMwhNPyKpj7MPkFwe4EDC-0Fch4HV9V0fDRfqZn1ZZc9ykI2LoYMqSSi_doQI9MbFW/s6457/2023-12-02%2009.59.57.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2882" data-original-width="6457" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJrwrJtcdRt2xvNi4KB3zAzxiqwu2W0hxyad5K1z0TEPbIWmocNBXCOa2eg3OLIlN6AM57HSdKWW3-s2o6SF7ZLW9Z0uoY2uVbxFIkil9qSvt22cmKyuOkUM6-avMwhNPyKpj7MPkFwe4EDC-0Fch4HV9V0fDRfqZn1ZZc9ykI2LoYMqSSi_doQI9MbFW/w400-h179/2023-12-02%2009.59.57.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">We have a list of shop jobs waiting as soon as grain hauling and fieldwork are caught up. Karl ordered brakes and drums for a semi we're working on. </b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXfbNT1vQvTH5QV0N38FK4DYKQVNfIOwvtS2x1tBQrnSrLc_5NZVS6ObTq6nqpGx876AMH4t016AyozEmt4uM3scFeDhjOwSg7B1qNyS_lRVnV6_hKZMidThG8MZ4GEPhdrtd58L-9dTwj56Tl-p09MaqnsqSLk52u3Qj2YCrvBkxUB4Bmh_6FOKAu37I/s8953/2023-12-02%2007.22.27.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5838" data-original-width="8953" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXfbNT1vQvTH5QV0N38FK4DYKQVNfIOwvtS2x1tBQrnSrLc_5NZVS6ObTq6nqpGx876AMH4t016AyozEmt4uM3scFeDhjOwSg7B1qNyS_lRVnV6_hKZMidThG8MZ4GEPhdrtd58L-9dTwj56Tl-p09MaqnsqSLk52u3Qj2YCrvBkxUB4Bmh_6FOKAu37I/w400-h261/2023-12-02%2007.22.27.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Mike spent Saturday in the skidloader working around some new concrete and burning brush piles. Thanks for the picture Suzanne.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioLusdJe4hg9RkmSh_VSmUEWm6ctTdKHubJp60-YGFSIF1h0O_M8zTw4KCJwaO3f8jxVXSnbdl9BMiij7GCRVEGbhy7mh-qecC1o7YcLQnW9IFJEtVoyYNJENYi9d3f7P5k4R8yhAYRoJRYhcUN3ixF_ogJVj9B31mXWfF_xUOrT5pgASSPG_ecDTJx0s/s1582/2023-12-02%2014.02.16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1582" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioLusdJe4hg9RkmSh_VSmUEWm6ctTdKHubJp60-YGFSIF1h0O_M8zTw4KCJwaO3f8jxVXSnbdl9BMiij7GCRVEGbhy7mh-qecC1o7YcLQnW9IFJEtVoyYNJENYi9d3f7P5k4R8yhAYRoJRYhcUN3ixF_ogJVj9B31mXWfF_xUOrT5pgASSPG_ecDTJx0s/w273-h400/2023-12-02%2014.02.16.jpg" width="273" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">I happened to grab a picture of one of our families billboards yesterday while checking on Ezra and Elijah. It says, Take the time to be a Dad. Kurt took that little guy deer hunting yesterday. </b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">The Bible is a story about Christ's redemptive work. His-story. The Old Testament is past, the sand in the bottom of the glass looking forward to Christ's coming. The New Testament is the sand in the top and is on-going from Christ's birth till the future of the end of time as we know it here today. The center, the now, is Christmas. Let's make the best use of our time before we run out of sand. </b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIAdBYSHaZaeI-OqgFlOa3pJ1LXSd3kTVQtQgqQbSc1s62K9YF3LxK-Shu8KigZF_NTKn-g4CQoB8sCYAtc4t_J9WTZGNrbSM-t4FIqEDEXbRM2S-U7TR_xt8xgVuauHm_HgGWOja4vyqRLQwyL6BIqh7q34B9kMReQ0q4m6W-6I-WTaADqv_hmJmrknla/s8085/2023-12-02%2009.24.05.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5542" data-original-width="8085" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIAdBYSHaZaeI-OqgFlOa3pJ1LXSd3kTVQtQgqQbSc1s62K9YF3LxK-Shu8KigZF_NTKn-g4CQoB8sCYAtc4t_J9WTZGNrbSM-t4FIqEDEXbRM2S-U7TR_xt8xgVuauHm_HgGWOja4vyqRLQwyL6BIqh7q34B9kMReQ0q4m6W-6I-WTaADqv_hmJmrknla/w400-h274/2023-12-02%2009.24.05.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <br /><p></p></div>stillwatersiowahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01904929764005950113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2417370687288915442.post-74251902279308675512023-11-26T05:45:00.000-06:002023-11-26T05:45:03.925-06:00Recovered. Restored. Repurposed.<p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">I remember my excitement as a child, when after Thanksgiving, Mom would go to the store room and bring out our 1960s aluminum Christmas tree. My folks got the tree from a Holiday or Erickson store on A Ave West with green stamps. The value was $25. We kids could help pull the silver tinsel branches out of the paper sleeves they were stored in. </b><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HncLgSEEf0VN0olkMiIvplhOGkkqaPQ2o9jrBybfV7PGRkarSw4wigfjrzQMTkFJKBK7mSueQVR4z3vONZlj1kjG079xOfuu22CJ1W88bQfjR0I_35c2HillazikhwEhstUELMkZDARMsKY3MBXrtJ9KrnHUYnn4QknboG97PmQUTLH54gc0_wR-WVMu/s9248/2023-11-20%2011.11.29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="9248" data-original-width="6936" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HncLgSEEf0VN0olkMiIvplhOGkkqaPQ2o9jrBybfV7PGRkarSw4wigfjrzQMTkFJKBK7mSueQVR4z3vONZlj1kjG079xOfuu22CJ1W88bQfjR0I_35c2HillazikhwEhstUELMkZDARMsKY3MBXrtJ9KrnHUYnn4QknboG97PmQUTLH54gc0_wR-WVMu/w300-h400/2023-11-20%2011.11.29.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">This summer Mark's family was cleaning up an abandoned farm building site. The only value left on the property were memories. One Sunday on a Ranger ride, Jan and I went to check on cleanup progress. The roof of the house had rotted. There were canning jars, a 1971 calendar on the kitchen wall, and metal or wooden skeletons of furniture. Upstairs was a rodent filled bedroom with material that showed the wife must have been a quilter. And a store room filled with racoon manure and strewn boxes. I noticed a silver tinsel branch. Then another. I started digging. And found most of the parts to the aluminum Christmas tree in the above picture with Brynn and Lane. </b><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8I0Tla90su1nl4yCbpacT9nS7etVlRlcPXzccnyvKZDtBz6avV85-SCc4IwjAzOfR5ewWf77Ba-LerEjtPRMNWFobmjW3vKRK5_9mUSPu39mTT-DaHDfZOhhiFLkLcCtLUrQ8uyWbZFSm8xD4IAyujceLZ-GWabR0gO7vO_3Y6HVA3RWGfl1LqrjIUGjb/s7824/2023-11-24%2007.36.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3880" data-original-width="7824" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8I0Tla90su1nl4yCbpacT9nS7etVlRlcPXzccnyvKZDtBz6avV85-SCc4IwjAzOfR5ewWf77Ba-LerEjtPRMNWFobmjW3vKRK5_9mUSPu39mTT-DaHDfZOhhiFLkLcCtLUrQ8uyWbZFSm8xD4IAyujceLZ-GWabR0gO7vO_3Y6HVA3RWGfl1LqrjIUGjb/w400-h199/2023-11-24%2007.36.00.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">According to the kitchen wall calendar, this Christmas tree lay idle and unused for over 50 years. It was recovered, reconditioned, and repurposed. And with the help of grandkids is up in my home office, for me to reflect, remember, and retell the story.</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Below Elijah and Ezra are cleaning nests and dead birds from our wood stove chimney. </b><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8DJ2YIOVwCAaSZk6jT3Em97DTunaso6wngddbDONN3NzYp45ID7vBAJVvjX37DJIKZ5pYc3dCPcwkdhBH7WBy2OK4tcL-y3yIf_9Ciyszf7lGKsZy012ad-TaOTnXcZ3TDrgtHdC0LnfJQ4pnjyG3mbRbxQDLmLsSUtHUFnD0yp6Plt05MiRD0pqu6T6/s9248/2023-11-22%2012.56.03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="9248" data-original-width="6936" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8DJ2YIOVwCAaSZk6jT3Em97DTunaso6wngddbDONN3NzYp45ID7vBAJVvjX37DJIKZ5pYc3dCPcwkdhBH7WBy2OK4tcL-y3yIf_9Ciyszf7lGKsZy012ad-TaOTnXcZ3TDrgtHdC0LnfJQ4pnjyG3mbRbxQDLmLsSUtHUFnD0yp6Plt05MiRD0pqu6T6/w300-h400/2023-11-22%2012.56.03.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Although we're all still busy, Thanksgiving week was the first week we weren't all in the fields. Kurt is fixing a motorcycle tire that Lane had been patiently waiting on. Thanks for the picture Emily.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdAcafWV5biNcgVGHT_gq4efq4zWn4P8b2MCFMhTKfLbtdiLGtWs5a4KmRsxxxpl9Lfltns3l_ewoV6jp57T2EldEkb3dLFWToQmi5torSfgcB793Y5YhStf368Xuafrs3N5JbyG7XfjQONQk9HAi8_9wdm7MwGYG4Wv6fwARkmlp7j_85tqde6PYyg0u/s1199/2023-11-19%2006.23.41.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdAcafWV5biNcgVGHT_gq4efq4zWn4P8b2MCFMhTKfLbtdiLGtWs5a4KmRsxxxpl9Lfltns3l_ewoV6jp57T2EldEkb3dLFWToQmi5torSfgcB793Y5YhStf368Xuafrs3N5JbyG7XfjQONQk9HAi8_9wdm7MwGYG4Wv6fwARkmlp7j_85tqde6PYyg0u/w360-h400/2023-11-19%2006.23.41.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">We hauled hog manure all week and have about a day left. Thanks Papa Jon, Ryan, Matt, Karl, and others.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhdf1OKUz-2uzayOAfwanTXh1sdwqZhvGNZnB2uXTSYfrQr76OqLvqgqfPR2a3z7R41FtMukPYwspzhJfK3-NLTQxFq6ist2hS1gZEBUAVmYKA1zN1czi7Z-y0j3B1ZAkmL5QmlEJRSLg9EFSfpdKBsDJmrMvtvRTWUK93VKQ0RiwZQxVi4Ndvp7zf7Jz/s8940/2023-11-21%2010.00.47.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4463" data-original-width="8940" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhdf1OKUz-2uzayOAfwanTXh1sdwqZhvGNZnB2uXTSYfrQr76OqLvqgqfPR2a3z7R41FtMukPYwspzhJfK3-NLTQxFq6ist2hS1gZEBUAVmYKA1zN1czi7Z-y0j3B1ZAkmL5QmlEJRSLg9EFSfpdKBsDJmrMvtvRTWUK93VKQ0RiwZQxVi4Ndvp7zf7Jz/w400-h200/2023-11-21%2010.00.47.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">We removed shields and blew off the combines with Dean's big portable air compressor on tires. And then power washed them. Thanks Kurt and others. Pablo has to clean the cabs yet. Then they get inspected and a list made for repairs.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5tQUA-h5cSDyBudX_G6SvbyPPlrjZ4j8i0Pz8oxkwyG-NGVn6YUnHnTndCoKX4yhM61USpgoI5q380I9dKlLo8p0-WZOvJCo5Eq4v1iZn6q4EYpvrjtiO4lv13CEcSA0fI_bqiaLfIf9ckIPs8NeJDEirNW7ChZq5P236I3G5NGTXukxtjhM8wMj9zw1/s8548/2023-11-25%2011.05.59.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3776" data-original-width="8548" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5tQUA-h5cSDyBudX_G6SvbyPPlrjZ4j8i0Pz8oxkwyG-NGVn6YUnHnTndCoKX4yhM61USpgoI5q380I9dKlLo8p0-WZOvJCo5Eq4v1iZn6q4EYpvrjtiO4lv13CEcSA0fI_bqiaLfIf9ckIPs8NeJDEirNW7ChZq5P236I3G5NGTXukxtjhM8wMj9zw1/w400-h176/2023-11-25%2011.05.59.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Although we received an inch of snow last night, southern Iowa is still in critical need of moisture. This drought map must be fairly accurate. As Mike goes north with dozing jobs he notices the ground pushes a touch easier.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwCUv5X2kdivntg3IeqVdcBHXoWxL_YLw5mHch8t7Q03vQhaKIjzGRu0BNCsG0mJSdGsCk6_WwxWO63iwGxyqfMtSEER38OnmM1Tm0tB9zNEpx4SnajaLzuNOEPsjoGdRMg4o5qgYBGdrOQ_gjjuOfuPPnY3ms0mqdWZK0-HeoBpgfbYQVOSB4VHGPDXr/s1070/2023-11-20%2006.35.10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="1070" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwCUv5X2kdivntg3IeqVdcBHXoWxL_YLw5mHch8t7Q03vQhaKIjzGRu0BNCsG0mJSdGsCk6_WwxWO63iwGxyqfMtSEER38OnmM1Tm0tB9zNEpx4SnajaLzuNOEPsjoGdRMg4o5qgYBGdrOQ_gjjuOfuPPnY3ms0mqdWZK0-HeoBpgfbYQVOSB4VHGPDXr/w400-h230/2023-11-20%2006.35.10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">After a service at church our extended family (around 65 of us) had Thanksgiving dinner together. We are still a growing family and have a lot to be thankful for. </b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguD9r12TRKbzdUURGeRJG8qrY9espmTH2La8qbmel9C_Q9kj8tSGHxqwMg5g5GpRoLu4DBSeAeEJWpYb5cI-IMxsZbFx5wpjOjnG8KfGGJByjfmlsS-thLapi6oDsGzDbVmDpoBvzCztj0XNf87aPu8y-FSiGjCg83mGiyYDkvd8OPgfgTQQ9H1CPtqqrJ/s9048/2023-11-23%2012.08.03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5096" data-original-width="9048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguD9r12TRKbzdUURGeRJG8qrY9espmTH2La8qbmel9C_Q9kj8tSGHxqwMg5g5GpRoLu4DBSeAeEJWpYb5cI-IMxsZbFx5wpjOjnG8KfGGJByjfmlsS-thLapi6oDsGzDbVmDpoBvzCztj0XNf87aPu8y-FSiGjCg83mGiyYDkvd8OPgfgTQQ9H1CPtqqrJ/w400-h225/2023-11-23%2012.08.03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">A thanksgiving tradition around here is shooting clay pigeons after lunch. Many of our crew are on competitive shooting teams.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtATzjRqxbZqXt10-lwbTVc3HswImSt8sLkX_OjGmSxIQiDdhF1KO2HjaRhJ0lG7xYQph5kqqCHH9Crt_3P2c-3qTbRkPZXsvYalYUVY2un4gdxgKjJqvvkqwNhQmq4-yltuat7PyuU_4K7euyaTUzWmSJIOTHoJohkzqYK5vDCacJAQtFt_UOpeo6uv7/s7789/2023-11-23%2014.37.08.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4443" data-original-width="7789" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtATzjRqxbZqXt10-lwbTVc3HswImSt8sLkX_OjGmSxIQiDdhF1KO2HjaRhJ0lG7xYQph5kqqCHH9Crt_3P2c-3qTbRkPZXsvYalYUVY2un4gdxgKjJqvvkqwNhQmq4-yltuat7PyuU_4K7euyaTUzWmSJIOTHoJohkzqYK5vDCacJAQtFt_UOpeo6uv7/w400-h229/2023-11-23%2014.37.08.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Three years ago on the Sunday morning after Thanksgiving I found my Dad had gone to Heaven when I went to have breakfast with him. Three of the many things I'm thankful for about my father and mother. They taught us about the Hope we have in accepting Christ's gift of salvation. Affirming me by giving me all the responsibility I could handle and then some on the farm as a kid. And showing me to help and care about others. Our culture is trying to downplay "real men" these days.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XixIsCCRz3TFxPvbrnbBmMlMBC6EsctW7-laC_tP6dAc37VWwj6c_jcA-ng7tgBXqydR3KHp_Q_OAcMQWnwZNf8igqs8BgpRwIT-lqzbIIIwlQGwzchFrMOeJSFRhlKTbi5sMuB_EQHM5oZ07MF9kY_NQI7b7klwn9FqR05BKSiC3Nh_ZcmR9rGJ9ED_/s6516/2023-11-25%2020.29.19.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6516" data-original-width="6496" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XixIsCCRz3TFxPvbrnbBmMlMBC6EsctW7-laC_tP6dAc37VWwj6c_jcA-ng7tgBXqydR3KHp_Q_OAcMQWnwZNf8igqs8BgpRwIT-lqzbIIIwlQGwzchFrMOeJSFRhlKTbi5sMuB_EQHM5oZ07MF9kY_NQI7b7klwn9FqR05BKSiC3Nh_ZcmR9rGJ9ED_/w399-h400/2023-11-25%2020.29.19.jpg" width="399" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Many churches are losing members and closing these days. The church we belong to is called Reformed. The definition of reformed means to change. Does your church have relevant and practical worship today, especially for the younger generation, or are you still living in the 1970s? Is the Holy Spirit evident and working, or are there too many traditions? Is your church recovering, reintroducing, and repurposing lost folks to Christ's gift and giving them hope? Taking care of those already saved is only half the job.</b><br /></div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJf1Yd9eXOD8c1J2_dPEJYrPN410ZKQOSaa-yuh8-wJxWXDtVHPrmtVscMG_f0spHIBYIXzZJC3UDpp9EMh6fsZG52z93EQYqxgiI-U12nnOW2peoXvLo5vSIHHZEXrrqVZHJvzxEblOdTrbDTQgVl8V37QVdXkaKTutAZXwR9wf5uaK_C0R0YQ7xpeYtZ/s1224/2023-11-19%2013.15.55.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJf1Yd9eXOD8c1J2_dPEJYrPN410ZKQOSaa-yuh8-wJxWXDtVHPrmtVscMG_f0spHIBYIXzZJC3UDpp9EMh6fsZG52z93EQYqxgiI-U12nnOW2peoXvLo5vSIHHZEXrrqVZHJvzxEblOdTrbDTQgVl8V37QVdXkaKTutAZXwR9wf5uaK_C0R0YQ7xpeYtZ/w353-h400/2023-11-19%2013.15.55.jpg" width="353" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">We went to Amazon and ordered a revolving colored light, just like the old days as a kid. Jan bought some decorative bulbs. The reflective different colors shine out the corner windows, showing the outside it's Christmas time.</b><br /></div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoc0ZtdyNRM010zj2tpRnhT-4xbFK3XUYqHkq-yae9hqBEBF5gvQnNb7NnyAgggheNjwmpI1z0NbwqrcBQscDp2adJGyAvtKTwfeDmWQ70utwZweN-j8lqukyImr8EfjJy0dz6tdTbe7thcW4uD_OnLk3NcMgvkDYXauaHUlvclLpcC2y9T8A5wT952ft6/s9154/2023-11-25%2019.05.54.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5368" data-original-width="9154" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoc0ZtdyNRM010zj2tpRnhT-4xbFK3XUYqHkq-yae9hqBEBF5gvQnNb7NnyAgggheNjwmpI1z0NbwqrcBQscDp2adJGyAvtKTwfeDmWQ70utwZweN-j8lqukyImr8EfjJy0dz6tdTbe7thcW4uD_OnLk3NcMgvkDYXauaHUlvclLpcC2y9T8A5wT952ft6/w400-h235/2023-11-25%2019.05.54.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Christ came to earth as a baby in a manger. 33 years later He died on a cross to pay for our wrongs if we accept His gift of salvation. He went to Heaven. He's coming back. Our culture says soon. This is half the story we talk about every Christmas. The other half of the story is we need to relevantly and practically reflect His story to others. Just like that recovered, restored, and repurposed little aluminum Christmas tree. That happens through friendships and relationships. Thanks for stopping by.</b><br /></div></div><div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcL7Weu6BlfpidmrtHvg_6eSUry0PKO5HZ4GV3-tfIJO4lgndqkvbJY7r1QxKq3bS6i8obM4oJuhCi9EPERLQsoq08uurawG-wFjbDo-v3Dfstas4FdEiKfmAfCPD-Ki04pRp680YhWS4WxZ5Aap2QeE1CVUwjPqWCDndsQI8GG25zcUniLhKA5txfshv/s7551/2023-11-25%2009.35.39.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5935" data-original-width="7551" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcL7Weu6BlfpidmrtHvg_6eSUry0PKO5HZ4GV3-tfIJO4lgndqkvbJY7r1QxKq3bS6i8obM4oJuhCi9EPERLQsoq08uurawG-wFjbDo-v3Dfstas4FdEiKfmAfCPD-Ki04pRp680YhWS4WxZ5Aap2QeE1CVUwjPqWCDndsQI8GG25zcUniLhKA5txfshv/w400-h315/2023-11-25%2009.35.39.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div>stillwatersiowahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01904929764005950113noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2417370687288915442.post-554274009845986642023-11-19T04:41:00.000-06:002023-11-19T04:41:19.610-06:00Gratitude Beyond The Numbers<p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">As we roll into the fourth quarter of our fall season, we have so much to be grateful for beyond acres per hour, bushels per acre, square footage, and horsepower. Despite the times we're reminded that we live in an imperfect world, we as a country have had a blessed bountiful year. We have food in abundance, jobs for those who choose to work, and a majority of folks that still love this country. </b><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_NAKfnfAyW9XqN7uyBDmhHzcxCDMe-Ez80I8iSnsgPzqVvfXG1OW8PI5Yf2xsjVL07kjbEBU0zjubL8_i789PHJNTj43yHFkWt7a25bp_usKfgreWPjWGYGrKrvoybaG3PlXmQ6zzoRxxtAosXAz65_7QF4RYM4bTYaEgbrK7oecMir-KskMYF0-bBUe/s8549/2023-11-13%2012.23.03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6138" data-original-width="8549" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_NAKfnfAyW9XqN7uyBDmhHzcxCDMe-Ez80I8iSnsgPzqVvfXG1OW8PI5Yf2xsjVL07kjbEBU0zjubL8_i789PHJNTj43yHFkWt7a25bp_usKfgreWPjWGYGrKrvoybaG3PlXmQ6zzoRxxtAosXAz65_7QF4RYM4bTYaEgbrK7oecMir-KskMYF0-bBUe/w400-h288/2023-11-13%2012.23.03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">I'm grateful I have a front row seat watching our future generation grow and plan. Lane (above) helped his Dad, Kurt, a number of days this week. Ethan and Emily (below) announced their engagement and their plan to spend the rest of their lives together. Thanks for the picture.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMipcYP8hnqs1VFqJxk4b-rk5ZpHR7kIkh0dadyDaWPio9hdfrkelohOAeV8h4052mX8Or9f16ZQHYAvUHVNPFkFbN42CvHxbbEpovnYGrUy12ldeK_rfZ9n7a8zJEsYPpDi5gnnsDIOyHBYqnFOGPGnSV0YLOtkY9JVkEMMUYAAFQaTd83CVxVFvRlXw-/s1384/2023-11-12%2019.58.52.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1384" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMipcYP8hnqs1VFqJxk4b-rk5ZpHR7kIkh0dadyDaWPio9hdfrkelohOAeV8h4052mX8Or9f16ZQHYAvUHVNPFkFbN42CvHxbbEpovnYGrUy12ldeK_rfZ9n7a8zJEsYPpDi5gnnsDIOyHBYqnFOGPGnSV0YLOtkY9JVkEMMUYAAFQaTd83CVxVFvRlXw-/w313-h400/2023-11-12%2019.58.52.jpg" width="313" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Mike was busy with jobs near Harvey and Killduff this past week. The ground is still remarkably dry. Thanks for the picture Mike. </b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-nOP8AnQq2U8w63qIhe2P3tV1XWMyX_RnNLJF7QE3a4C7M7noxjfcBLXZIK0A5v_Wbi4_i7Y2NIti0OCa4I4alKg5ua5aOpjIvjFOExYsTf4Oi5Wb_6JnXwZChZSOvArLz2iNvCaGhPJq-rVspKjd1yP17k5ShfUKi2smftjhmjg196AQmhHpXpsZ3jC/s1628/2023-11-13%2020.38.10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1628" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-nOP8AnQq2U8w63qIhe2P3tV1XWMyX_RnNLJF7QE3a4C7M7noxjfcBLXZIK0A5v_Wbi4_i7Y2NIti0OCa4I4alKg5ua5aOpjIvjFOExYsTf4Oi5Wb_6JnXwZChZSOvArLz2iNvCaGhPJq-rVspKjd1yP17k5ShfUKi2smftjhmjg196AQmhHpXpsZ3jC/w400-h265/2023-11-13%2020.38.10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">The custom work tillage we did this week confirmed how dry things are. We had a big week with the high speed disk. Our annual rainfall so far this year south of Oskaloosa is just under 50% of normal.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoM5FsUkQo-4Ewd9aE_RqvhbbOnCsEga3rVudt3i6HH5KK17wwzX-BBntJth-c0AOHN0YoG-ycR_eWZkwsoTC0p32__ktNYLQtX6U9bzoMqpijjjYIEJ-WGfqy1_q0fkXX_9Q0-8PEqJuGKIxwHm6KfHEjbvaTLwwqgwpLE_U4zz-Vl0X6N7sxcT_twL_/s9248/2023-11-14%2015.04.12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5246" data-original-width="9248" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoM5FsUkQo-4Ewd9aE_RqvhbbOnCsEga3rVudt3i6HH5KK17wwzX-BBntJth-c0AOHN0YoG-ycR_eWZkwsoTC0p32__ktNYLQtX6U9bzoMqpijjjYIEJ-WGfqy1_q0fkXX_9Q0-8PEqJuGKIxwHm6KfHEjbvaTLwwqgwpLE_U4zz-Vl0X6N7sxcT_twL_/w400-h228/2023-11-14%2015.04.12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">This past Friday evening their were three great events to attend. One of them was a Risefest concert in Pella. RISE Ministries, from Sheldon, brought in three Christian music artists, Ryan, Cade, and Leanna to share their music and their stories. Thanks Rob. Below Rob is with his twin brother Justin.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoWyUTXr4tbp_1aTjEmyJvkodw038cgV2icZdmXn2zhwslsTx_1RLm2S8GvGRX950ZhAHQ7f-m6H0owL30aDN2zmWQjkkgzBkQsE9hkJ70NHF6FO30_iuaACUMBmqvy9Huf41xc2ZcZQYbMobLr2SaIOcF7YHEiRUbtLY8bDpCUoiYQJNIDCjznxM2brg/s1080/2023-11-15%2005.28.46.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1016" data-original-width="1080" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoWyUTXr4tbp_1aTjEmyJvkodw038cgV2icZdmXn2zhwslsTx_1RLm2S8GvGRX950ZhAHQ7f-m6H0owL30aDN2zmWQjkkgzBkQsE9hkJ70NHF6FO30_iuaACUMBmqvy9Huf41xc2ZcZQYbMobLr2SaIOcF7YHEiRUbtLY8bDpCUoiYQJNIDCjznxM2brg/w400-h376/2023-11-15%2005.28.46.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Jim continues to haul contracted soybeans to Burlington and Des Moines.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYeNqVpEa5nibZOFsw9Gy-2nnrXjQmYFCirXvElWtiCncioqn0xO8Gp72yw4G1_zfRZaoowsqQnVTi69GZLealC32l1WLpM2zS6zZjvwf63NyufCoPWQkU1jYKLkd7qtOqROfib4iGbl2PHGCrD8BXhE8rSGAIGDgO0xc71TDwv7M62Fdol6D-dme2u5Q/s2400/2023-11-15%2005.34.10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="2400" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYeNqVpEa5nibZOFsw9Gy-2nnrXjQmYFCirXvElWtiCncioqn0xO8Gp72yw4G1_zfRZaoowsqQnVTi69GZLealC32l1WLpM2zS6zZjvwf63NyufCoPWQkU1jYKLkd7qtOqROfib4iGbl2PHGCrD8BXhE8rSGAIGDgO0xc71TDwv7M62Fdol6D-dme2u5Q/w400-h180/2023-11-15%2005.34.10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Karl and I are moving our responsibilities into the seed selling season. Our 5th load of seed is scheduled to be picked up in the morning.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt061ryqcKkshhpV-tALcMzLdbTwbkOImcuZ4ZpL8k8My46Sgj5xkB2zSR0FhsctONiV2VQNT49enCDlO6qDkkhhgj32rbZqa35pLPIWBtX_mYtUSfdUUAGLVfeBUgQpKmvHQD1IHW-J219ZyVwoczdA4RbxYgrPpvfSAH_32yp760nR_cLhj-C06aQv9r/s2400/2023-11-18%2019.06.21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="2400" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt061ryqcKkshhpV-tALcMzLdbTwbkOImcuZ4ZpL8k8My46Sgj5xkB2zSR0FhsctONiV2VQNT49enCDlO6qDkkhhgj32rbZqa35pLPIWBtX_mYtUSfdUUAGLVfeBUgQpKmvHQD1IHW-J219ZyVwoczdA4RbxYgrPpvfSAH_32yp760nR_cLhj-C06aQv9r/w400-h180/2023-11-18%2019.06.21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Cousins Ezra and Elijah hooked up the chisels yesterday and started doing deeper tillage for custom hire.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXoeDd9UIeXWKuJJTxPZDfdlSpZ9eMH3P1ttCJgMXX6fraKCtIfmhcKk_Tm4TGvQBIba4b-Hu47265df4tv80AouLGysi9uV0K40b5y3xDg_M8m86Bt9n9EloEf4okdg5vS5GOIElT33-KqFIaM1aPauwimm8f0gorwmUV4gwKshv4m33pp4i_beViyeFp/s2400/2023-11-18%2019.04.09.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="2400" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXoeDd9UIeXWKuJJTxPZDfdlSpZ9eMH3P1ttCJgMXX6fraKCtIfmhcKk_Tm4TGvQBIba4b-Hu47265df4tv80AouLGysi9uV0K40b5y3xDg_M8m86Bt9n9EloEf4okdg5vS5GOIElT33-KqFIaM1aPauwimm8f0gorwmUV4gwKshv4m33pp4i_beViyeFp/w400-h180/2023-11-18%2019.04.09.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Papa Jon finished up a 107 load job yesterday tendering manure from the hog shed to the honey wagon in the field. Thanks for the picture Jon. The food security we enjoy today isn't possible without fertilizer. With our country's administration drastically limiting our domestic oil production, from which fertilizer is made, livestock manure has become increasingly valuable. </b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqJ0Vke878z_41_vZP0lwbQco2RPU-ZW_K4tHr6f9_71pixnVjhuNkPUw4aQYaG03oCqof1_GYn0Ua0nVEPYo3e2TlransGr-gph5zgo6vR99z2gWtUdJschE6fiTJdx8Fj_x7DvBdl7dpjaJUUW11WXO-k5NODEIK_6di14iI276aSlrVKfL1YTw1mSZ/s2227/2023-11-18%2019.02.15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1015" data-original-width="2227" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqJ0Vke878z_41_vZP0lwbQco2RPU-ZW_K4tHr6f9_71pixnVjhuNkPUw4aQYaG03oCqof1_GYn0Ua0nVEPYo3e2TlransGr-gph5zgo6vR99z2gWtUdJschE6fiTJdx8Fj_x7DvBdl7dpjaJUUW11WXO-k5NODEIK_6di14iI276aSlrVKfL1YTw1mSZ/w400-h183/2023-11-18%2019.02.15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">BJ has 3600 foot rolls of drainage tile delivered directly to the job site. This past week he and Ethan finished a job west of Beacon, moved to our Morgan farm with his Wolfe trencher machine, and Kurt's Else farm northwest of Osky with his Wolfe plow. Tile stops erosion by taking water from above ground to below ground where it's needed.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVbcmWLa0tpwfbQa767gj0ixBFeXu1Osx0msWtziVOqS-2us5lprXllATYpGaGbUMdDMVVxgnsX89ZN_nc0zyBm_LwHDvrovMBWUehMqYSUTyqu74ja5PlcN-9j8LmGHVt9HzY18iv1q9giNT5VIH5wU0T_pVSVy4ZUfnhQWhUaHFu0eF_bGq4MkQs8uu/s2197/2023-11-18%2019.16.05.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="2197" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVbcmWLa0tpwfbQa767gj0ixBFeXu1Osx0msWtziVOqS-2us5lprXllATYpGaGbUMdDMVVxgnsX89ZN_nc0zyBm_LwHDvrovMBWUehMqYSUTyqu74ja5PlcN-9j8LmGHVt9HzY18iv1q9giNT5VIH5wU0T_pVSVy4ZUfnhQWhUaHFu0eF_bGq4MkQs8uu/w400-h149/2023-11-18%2019.16.05.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">A second event Friday evening was the Thanksgiving Family Forum. Four presidential candidates were invited. Three accepted the invitation to come to Des Moines, sit around a Thanksgiving table, and share their values. It's way more productive than a debate. Like: What is their character? Who do they surround themselves with? Would they be a humble leader? Do they love our country? And would they be an asset or a liability to our country's national character?</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGxCApIxENM3iEVTjK3jj_Nf9Ko0RufBUs01FfZhXQA6McglBhZTBrqeKF8m_k1dkbyS5xpjYFcQaLpiadAk4PpGtwKZJzVR1oTmUnz-kvrTG0HXhm6h8eGFib0F3qe77DoVJg29xhiT1_5Di_bDL_plogE278iqWpTNBIVeD9hPy_aZcsKA_oZztGfzK/s2271/2023-11-18%2019.04.53.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="2271" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGxCApIxENM3iEVTjK3jj_Nf9Ko0RufBUs01FfZhXQA6McglBhZTBrqeKF8m_k1dkbyS5xpjYFcQaLpiadAk4PpGtwKZJzVR1oTmUnz-kvrTG0HXhm6h8eGFib0F3qe77DoVJg29xhiT1_5Di_bDL_plogE278iqWpTNBIVeD9hPy_aZcsKA_oZztGfzK/w400-h171/2023-11-18%2019.04.53.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Ronald Regan once said that all great change in America begins at the dinner table. Parents passing on stories and timeless values to our next generations. So many seem to be starved for purpose and meaning. Do you think our young folks realize the sacrifice our previous generations made to achieve and maintain the freedoms we have today? Are we as a country still putting cause above self? Below is the gravestone of Jan's 5X great-grandfather. A soldier in the Revolutionary war.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbaAnlFHpLS0eKrGzmeNfTWsGaqrhUIY95Lg-iYZCnPYHk8xir44IbnL8tkR8cY-yqwL2GR5qVHKx0r5Zsl8QpMnE2lCYNURmSuhIWcqoAK5RmFbkihIPzWRTG4q7i0nR2oe5JCFl8xYwTfiNcw1pBEDftmQDsONZQSovGjne6JBBxKfSNgHN1-Ripje4/s1503/2023-11-16%2006.41.06.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1503" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbaAnlFHpLS0eKrGzmeNfTWsGaqrhUIY95Lg-iYZCnPYHk8xir44IbnL8tkR8cY-yqwL2GR5qVHKx0r5Zsl8QpMnE2lCYNURmSuhIWcqoAK5RmFbkihIPzWRTG4q7i0nR2oe5JCFl8xYwTfiNcw1pBEDftmQDsONZQSovGjne6JBBxKfSNgHN1-Ripje4/w400-h288/2023-11-16%2006.41.06.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Gratitude is an acknowledgement of the grace we are given by our Creator. It helps us focus on what we have rather than what we lack. What we have is most often in the form of relationships. Don't forget to show folks you appreciate them. </b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8wtEWp12_AbNc7med6ZfHZPVhOXUKja75Sj-ueJQYjyu7x7axa7250GTaqNUWOFKU9pV_JZPl0sHFYDNID1MfaYUZq4qYEjgGoj8bUJ_O37GpEk2hAYXcZrkCh2k1WIZyTBSa_Pp3jyNbG7IghPdZecX7RnuqyJxUEGhFP8BcMnBQxiEX3JK3RqelEeX/s1822/2023-11-18%2019.07.24.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1031" data-original-width="1822" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8wtEWp12_AbNc7med6ZfHZPVhOXUKja75Sj-ueJQYjyu7x7axa7250GTaqNUWOFKU9pV_JZPl0sHFYDNID1MfaYUZq4qYEjgGoj8bUJ_O37GpEk2hAYXcZrkCh2k1WIZyTBSa_Pp3jyNbG7IghPdZecX7RnuqyJxUEGhFP8BcMnBQxiEX3JK3RqelEeX/w400-h226/2023-11-18%2019.07.24.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Grace should lead to gratitude. Gratitude should lead to generosity. Generosity leads to a joy that can't be bought. Be intentional this week about all of the above. With God. And with others. Have a blessed Thanksgiving. </b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG-ss-9e6L7eTfEN1d1tgtG5WzG8leTcv_LR8robRZngWkCm5WTG0tuhUjFDmSZsK2UyPngoW8Udd_QpRX02__jgaRxSgy-Flh-mCIzq2xkWrFhO_vrnbF1eC-6dBAdwHqHd68Wpsb7gNuIQe_u5XNfaW-l1KwcZ9MMhkRNJnRkWHlv1dG7jto8EwaOIhR/s4396/2023-11-17%2010.40.18.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2438" data-original-width="4396" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG-ss-9e6L7eTfEN1d1tgtG5WzG8leTcv_LR8robRZngWkCm5WTG0tuhUjFDmSZsK2UyPngoW8Udd_QpRX02__jgaRxSgy-Flh-mCIzq2xkWrFhO_vrnbF1eC-6dBAdwHqHd68Wpsb7gNuIQe_u5XNfaW-l1KwcZ9MMhkRNJnRkWHlv1dG7jto8EwaOIhR/w400-h221/2023-11-17%2010.40.18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p></div>stillwatersiowahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01904929764005950113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2417370687288915442.post-34328034780355996962023-11-12T06:12:00.000-06:002023-11-12T06:12:43.658-06:00How Is Success Measured<p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Ten weeks ago today we went to brother Doug and Ginger's for lunch after church. On their yard was their annual Labor Day camping group. Back home our combines were clean, serviced, and ready to harvest a crop folks weren't sure about. It had been such a dry summer. During harvest folks were asking where all the bushels were coming from. "My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. He alone has the power and the will to assist me". Psalms 121:2 </b><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRMyDU5gR2cA7ReFrhjOEXFXKyeAkBmp1zzOvPMDgmp4nKy3WxBmjUjiUYMXAkvrLrDorYNZDk3_APEkoKxKFHNNpGhivFXASZBDAc67glD7ny-3PH5bV_zEcq-FE1owG93sQmAQAjJHAhBEM17LEx4PCKgstSePOq7_Cv6B9kkMJ27r_LtvD6QCivvIF/s9248/2023-11-09%2011.11.27.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4857" data-original-width="9248" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRMyDU5gR2cA7ReFrhjOEXFXKyeAkBmp1zzOvPMDgmp4nKy3WxBmjUjiUYMXAkvrLrDorYNZDk3_APEkoKxKFHNNpGhivFXASZBDAc67glD7ny-3PH5bV_zEcq-FE1owG93sQmAQAjJHAhBEM17LEx4PCKgstSePOq7_Cv6B9kkMJ27r_LtvD6QCivvIF/w400-h210/2023-11-09%2011.11.27.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">We wrapped up harvest this past week. On Monday little Tatum and his Mom helped Karl run the combine for an afternoon. Thanks for the picture Kristin.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi369kNg0dloO93A_FbOJsyIguzZ4GnBbq5o0tIcMF29NFEu6v84nRso5fgDHrf4xo2KrzhyHLBEbyxQvAxkvhVL-T5zOBkdZtDxzx8MFa-oerBUHvO3DaA8LcMetRuo41PVuCIeSbVNPu4NiIEAevFamu-2erTP7BFn50EAZcLbLCcu-CnRIRL-EJCSEQm/s1522/2023-11-08%2014.29.43.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1522" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi369kNg0dloO93A_FbOJsyIguzZ4GnBbq5o0tIcMF29NFEu6v84nRso5fgDHrf4xo2KrzhyHLBEbyxQvAxkvhVL-T5zOBkdZtDxzx8MFa-oerBUHvO3DaA8LcMetRuo41PVuCIeSbVNPu4NiIEAevFamu-2erTP7BFn50EAZcLbLCcu-CnRIRL-EJCSEQm/w400-h268/2023-11-08%2014.29.43.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Since the weather isn't going to stay this nice much longer, we took a day, cleaned up the grain carts, and stored them away for the year. I've mentioned before this is our 50th crop. Around 50 years ago Kinze came out with a new innovation for a neighbor. A 400 bushel buggy to get bushels from the combine to the truck on a muddy year (the one on the right). Today's carts easily hold a semi load and more.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9B530jKlHRr40jQDH7Voj-YUKuBn3GsNQgiDWtcoj1J3SFM7n0zMmyBmhPJhZYZTD-UZU1kd4VdzNV4rfTyXhzokXyObwU8IrbsI29PfKC6AJgAK_Na2o-TW0L1Ko34KecmHhaiP2b8U1cezpnIoyv7_GFAzDvVkKgRU7cZVQJ23ik-IZxcwZCXwZsxAg/s9137/2023-11-09%2016.51.31.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5486" data-original-width="9137" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9B530jKlHRr40jQDH7Voj-YUKuBn3GsNQgiDWtcoj1J3SFM7n0zMmyBmhPJhZYZTD-UZU1kd4VdzNV4rfTyXhzokXyObwU8IrbsI29PfKC6AJgAK_Na2o-TW0L1Ko34KecmHhaiP2b8U1cezpnIoyv7_GFAzDvVkKgRU7cZVQJ23ik-IZxcwZCXwZsxAg/w400-h240/2023-11-09%2016.51.31.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">It's that time already. Jim unhooked his hopper bottom, hooked up the seed trailer, and started hauling next year's seed home from the Becks Seed processing plant in Beaman, Iowa.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RqlYNxldEMALxXPUHOoWnGniyq9-qoE-XrQ5IdpDhU-xn3wyNqMFZGyJKVopQMt6LsMlmS4zHIe9FdZpj5gx0gr5hvq0Pd_hP6G-yFT9rmVEWuLzDlht8BUkpmMX2giRYtw6YQf9jMzjnMslf73kVsrFGj_3dlBeMMB9KqhjZmcNN_XG1449tCt_M80L/s9131/2023-11-09%2011.36.36.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5945" data-original-width="9131" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RqlYNxldEMALxXPUHOoWnGniyq9-qoE-XrQ5IdpDhU-xn3wyNqMFZGyJKVopQMt6LsMlmS4zHIe9FdZpj5gx0gr5hvq0Pd_hP6G-yFT9rmVEWuLzDlht8BUkpmMX2giRYtw6YQf9jMzjnMslf73kVsrFGj_3dlBeMMB9KqhjZmcNN_XG1449tCt_M80L/w400-h260/2023-11-09%2011.36.36.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Jim was able to unload the different soybean varieties in neat rows thanks to Papa Jon who headed up getting the shed cleaned up, organized, and ready for seed. </b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmsGaZk76G3_qBtenn_iROlsRjxWwbQ9y1hdGvz72iQDw-BYcS4qENmn-J0r0-giKLNAcu18SuEz9hsIwYgu8CDPgDpVaNK3lq1buNefIcnxGZxhvDZJmd9zXKgIfMguZLSmBteR7UqlD_1QgZNevSrj4GYxG-yXcjaU-h6K2HrZRVn5Y6SISmFDySoy8/s8740/2023-11-09%2011.35.38.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5597" data-original-width="8740" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmsGaZk76G3_qBtenn_iROlsRjxWwbQ9y1hdGvz72iQDw-BYcS4qENmn-J0r0-giKLNAcu18SuEz9hsIwYgu8CDPgDpVaNK3lq1buNefIcnxGZxhvDZJmd9zXKgIfMguZLSmBteR7UqlD_1QgZNevSrj4GYxG-yXcjaU-h6K2HrZRVn5Y6SISmFDySoy8/w400-h256/2023-11-09%2011.35.38.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">BJ literally jumped from the combine to the tile plow. And is finishing a pattern tiling project west of Beacon.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9wP-3LM1vR8lm-s4tE-TgSdGlOvKfVUlwMXSPVVjSxWHVvoYJcyGkWP0d8GQGvjqUuJjqSsN2F_icq8F1W1JQDxnbJwG86XhDlvTW9-904B8yma9dhQXS1GZZF26CyVp8xLhQhQDsnlrQGfH9pvrCbmB0x195GE0sJgRhKl4yX3os3ufhRrohzvGjPP3/s9248/2023-11-10%2016.03.50.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6936" data-original-width="9248" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9wP-3LM1vR8lm-s4tE-TgSdGlOvKfVUlwMXSPVVjSxWHVvoYJcyGkWP0d8GQGvjqUuJjqSsN2F_icq8F1W1JQDxnbJwG86XhDlvTW9-904B8yma9dhQXS1GZZF26CyVp8xLhQhQDsnlrQGfH9pvrCbmB0x195GE0sJgRhKl4yX3os3ufhRrohzvGjPP3/w400-h300/2023-11-10%2016.03.50.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Mark and Stacy's Elijah helped yesterday clean up fields by mowing field edges, terraces, and waterways. In southern Iowa weeds and trees start growing in unattended areas if not cleaned up. </b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrH0II27C22_TR0ffXXwte8tprLAynNK73QQxPBkSnCZ-RMicDCuff3v4gTHdPzmi3CxE9JRIuGcM8hzqodZDwkj3Tnt5KKcpflJky2Fu8POh-1yX3wTuJUmEvTZX6qQhhPOZOAbbiI2D1a-FenZiRLfgvmyAT8dNJI3Yrjcul-_NpeqT0LFkrEmFXWbY/s6088/2023-11-11%2009.41.40.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="6088" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrH0II27C22_TR0ffXXwte8tprLAynNK73QQxPBkSnCZ-RMicDCuff3v4gTHdPzmi3CxE9JRIuGcM8hzqodZDwkj3Tnt5KKcpflJky2Fu8POh-1yX3wTuJUmEvTZX6qQhhPOZOAbbiI2D1a-FenZiRLfgvmyAT8dNJI3Yrjcul-_NpeqT0LFkrEmFXWbY/w400-h164/2023-11-11%2009.41.40.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Becky and Brian's Ezra jumped in the JD 9560 and ran the Kinze high speed disc over bottom ground going to corn next year. </b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5o1IZzGSp4Npo52hfskrkSu1ANtp8oEDVpFjHP54jx1erCaXliblVaNt5TAyg2WG63UtWNp4Z1VocOtgHGtKeWAzbG8HIYleuvtNKEArPyiRS1S6_3nZKZdrecP4yP7EozBSiudVGfUt5GKBGWjM6brX2VP3_NAkVEG8vxXNIvJxRXOxI0vwhFasn5OP/s9248/2023-11-11%2009.25.19.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4409" data-original-width="9248" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5o1IZzGSp4Npo52hfskrkSu1ANtp8oEDVpFjHP54jx1erCaXliblVaNt5TAyg2WG63UtWNp4Z1VocOtgHGtKeWAzbG8HIYleuvtNKEArPyiRS1S6_3nZKZdrecP4yP7EozBSiudVGfUt5GKBGWjM6brX2VP3_NAkVEG8vxXNIvJxRXOxI0vwhFasn5OP/w400-h191/2023-11-11%2009.25.19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">BJ and Dean have been working on tractors, getting in the different technology for the equipment they are pulling. These tractors were on grain carts using I-pads to measure bushels. Now they are using Ag Leader monitors to measure hog honey gallons and NH3 units. Karl has been hauling hog manure. Fertilizer for next year's crop.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUGoY2H4mTJcfFgBlL9Zj-2OKPYbbV9SMCDCKMqUPLj3-uE9fGTmbIFmqNZO7eE2lAMa1jmFU7Vub4uEZ0c5YKBebsXZ9VxaUbLhwzrZ2RpJ0qV6GRfwQGiVmC51r_4A6AKXsbmHjynQyvQCpXqB-DDz3PGWOl1sfbV4wiFoe34bUurWga-BFRppG_ANw/s6080/2023-11-11%2016.38.50.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2723" data-original-width="6080" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUGoY2H4mTJcfFgBlL9Zj-2OKPYbbV9SMCDCKMqUPLj3-uE9fGTmbIFmqNZO7eE2lAMa1jmFU7Vub4uEZ0c5YKBebsXZ9VxaUbLhwzrZ2RpJ0qV6GRfwQGiVmC51r_4A6AKXsbmHjynQyvQCpXqB-DDz3PGWOl1sfbV4wiFoe34bUurWga-BFRppG_ANw/w400-h179/2023-11-11%2016.38.50.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Kurt hooked up a second anhydrous applicator and is helping Alex apply nitrogen for next year's corn crop.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3p_A3Mer2XR_ywY5P9vLV0BhfDqrdlnvEGRmqDrkpdK9A3THRcQ74d6suJ6JZCeetYDzJ9LMVCzCVPKrZD2br-6uQu8nMK5DVSpA-0NWq_b-UFyNa88nmtKsUsLtcrb6pXSs1bJx29Xxrcil-42P_zyKO7H_qLcIvuqoSkehNWvJbXzFx64cnIr1wfQqa/s2074/2023-11-11%2013.56.28.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="2074" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3p_A3Mer2XR_ywY5P9vLV0BhfDqrdlnvEGRmqDrkpdK9A3THRcQ74d6suJ6JZCeetYDzJ9LMVCzCVPKrZD2br-6uQu8nMK5DVSpA-0NWq_b-UFyNa88nmtKsUsLtcrb6pXSs1bJx29Xxrcil-42P_zyKO7H_qLcIvuqoSkehNWvJbXzFx64cnIr1wfQqa/w400-h203/2023-11-11%2013.56.28.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Matt and Jacob unhooked a grain hopper bottom and hooked up a tanker to custom haul hog honey from the shed to the wagon in the field yesterday helping Jake and Ben. Next week Papa Jon will custom haul with a second tanker.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RgwcWqgo_FSw7sWIqArHJ4AqGZ31wPFDvuNfkzwKlvlVTcCBj_DNBMswRi0E5QhpQ1T0igfG7IJWpTPnfYezhDjItUDm-hRwDBJO5c519Zm-JWb2bpBX2CL7r5bZtWXTX5_lNltIbwYzJeleQ__8d1mlcwkt8Mj0X3JIWRGnkgQeStrcTEZsko-xxJaF/s1632/2023-11-11%2015.34.50.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="1632" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RgwcWqgo_FSw7sWIqArHJ4AqGZ31wPFDvuNfkzwKlvlVTcCBj_DNBMswRi0E5QhpQ1T0igfG7IJWpTPnfYezhDjItUDm-hRwDBJO5c519Zm-JWb2bpBX2CL7r5bZtWXTX5_lNltIbwYzJeleQ__8d1mlcwkt8Mj0X3JIWRGnkgQeStrcTEZsko-xxJaF/w400-h170/2023-11-11%2015.34.50.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">I was privileged to have lunch with and meet Florida's governor this past Friday. The Governor was in Iowa campaigning for president. Below, Steve and Todd, who have a daily show on The Blaze, Steve's daughter Anna, and I had a conversation after lunch. Governor Ron is successful at what he does by putting service ahead of self, and solving ahead of status.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qXc6fc6V4JHquK9xfqZO22OcIFBliA0Ze5yW_Zogtva01-1RO2Uutane9v9cVsPUlkHXTR04UHUbgCIT0shrmkCQvdp0H01mEha6401rVVtyWBLGO6f2eHlZATLYMx9Y0xzrAphQYJJWL0zxVrexCLXpbce2eihaThm3eFFYAjurHxQzBv9qcZra7o3C/s9248/2023-11-10%2013.24.40.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6073" data-original-width="9248" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qXc6fc6V4JHquK9xfqZO22OcIFBliA0Ze5yW_Zogtva01-1RO2Uutane9v9cVsPUlkHXTR04UHUbgCIT0shrmkCQvdp0H01mEha6401rVVtyWBLGO6f2eHlZATLYMx9Y0xzrAphQYJJWL0zxVrexCLXpbce2eihaThm3eFFYAjurHxQzBv9qcZra7o3C/w400-h263/2023-11-10%2013.24.40.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Yesterday was Veteran's Day. 25 years ago our oldest son Mike was in the Marines. Thanks for the picture Mike and Suzanne. And thanks for yours and all the other veterans service to our country. Mike is busy building terraces as daylight allows.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqamx2G4OgfTobTY81cOs5ADfakRO0nhRFqc_im3Ctkyhy1sezdMed2-tgzFkQd7vXDa9OFQqxr2YAB3GgmzKiQD3nd0AB5QFN7NGaelJGzP2Hky4gwb6rOBGfwqS7vTaSrBo78Eymdp30PZCfFowRrYdUkMJieIgj09R_j1xaA5jXJ2bmMW41J6toXlQ/s1650/2023-11-11%2012.02.20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="1650" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqamx2G4OgfTobTY81cOs5ADfakRO0nhRFqc_im3Ctkyhy1sezdMed2-tgzFkQd7vXDa9OFQqxr2YAB3GgmzKiQD3nd0AB5QFN7NGaelJGzP2Hky4gwb6rOBGfwqS7vTaSrBo78Eymdp30PZCfFowRrYdUkMJieIgj09R_j1xaA5jXJ2bmMW41J6toXlQ/w400-h251/2023-11-11%2012.02.20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">It's amazing what can get accomplished when folks don't care who gets the credit. Success is not measured by trophies and ribbons. Or points scored. Or bushels per acre. Or bright shiny equipment. Or status and prominence. Or achievements. Our potential for success is measured by relationships. With God. Family. Friends. And folks we interact with everyday. How we treated others will be remembered much longer than how big our stack of stuff was.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1X4ilPcchRQHTAAc8tGjhHKKh_LfkljhDONx7MEVngZtd3Aryp_frDferySXR9ZsOILMzCocFx2Tm4Tk0mD-rDZ0FlZ46FVTU8VjNDLjkflFehrM0yopR270c9oyF-QteFn4jWCcBg4hOqePTpvbj89uO6VFqvwxqrYZ3-TTxFaoXL-TSYXq_XZUMBCt/s8438/2023-11-08%2016.47.48.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5514" data-original-width="8438" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1X4ilPcchRQHTAAc8tGjhHKKh_LfkljhDONx7MEVngZtd3Aryp_frDferySXR9ZsOILMzCocFx2Tm4Tk0mD-rDZ0FlZ46FVTU8VjNDLjkflFehrM0yopR270c9oyF-QteFn4jWCcBg4hOqePTpvbj89uO6VFqvwxqrYZ3-TTxFaoXL-TSYXq_XZUMBCt/w400-h261/2023-11-08%2016.47.48.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">One more thing. No one of us knows when we will experience our last sunset. The dash between our birth date and death date is small compared to eternity. When we meet Christ upon leaving this earth, ultimate success will be hearing, "Well done, good and faithful servant". It's a gift we celebrate next month. And it's free. Don't miss it. See you next week.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgYZPjEDB50CuXLeOSZ7JdszTIEP5W9_HwffabQDpM2jyaAr5UdDg1l5fWrBbDkqIzZ6jL3IH-rUvUbRCqDKLC-hgaQUQWmJODdnLNayZWcHpx8uYkrjkO4fNrcbw0IkHuOWIur7SHKup0LJUKdZo_dIY6M9dIhDx2LWbX1rPWRrZOsiWzIZJ2fVBfWND/s6543/2023-11-09%2016.54.21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3285" data-original-width="6543" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgYZPjEDB50CuXLeOSZ7JdszTIEP5W9_HwffabQDpM2jyaAr5UdDg1l5fWrBbDkqIzZ6jL3IH-rUvUbRCqDKLC-hgaQUQWmJODdnLNayZWcHpx8uYkrjkO4fNrcbw0IkHuOWIur7SHKup0LJUKdZo_dIY6M9dIhDx2LWbX1rPWRrZOsiWzIZJ2fVBfWND/w400-h201/2023-11-09%2016.54.21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p></div>stillwatersiowahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01904929764005950113noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2417370687288915442.post-2908936294177029122023-11-05T05:55:00.002-06:002023-11-05T06:30:49.926-06:00Life By The Inch<p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">I'm sure you've heard the saying, "Life by the yard is hard, but life by the inch is a cinch". I've never considered myself an inch by inch guy. But I'm learning there's value there at times. Below Grandsons John and Ethan work together at taking John's crop out an inch at a time after school with our grandkid combine, the Ford TW 20, the little Kinze 400, and the old 87 semi and Mark's trailer. Thanks for the picture John.</b><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZwj3c81tUn3VJxXKaiAQRFyND0zNvdQYalb-Cg8eDUgtSgSC86J_hfwKn3eQ5vX9DvAdDMsqVLOJP9PPCWZkvS-JNoNU3yjxasjX4LQJucN1rEh9I-GXJr-sEunHGRa50Hxjp2PekbjHEX3Jjpw4Qu1fr9B8Qve4hJtpQBL5tUWA3Fwi1Oxsr-R-MCn9/s1080/2023-10-31%2018.50.22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1080" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZwj3c81tUn3VJxXKaiAQRFyND0zNvdQYalb-Cg8eDUgtSgSC86J_hfwKn3eQ5vX9DvAdDMsqVLOJP9PPCWZkvS-JNoNU3yjxasjX4LQJucN1rEh9I-GXJr-sEunHGRa50Hxjp2PekbjHEX3Jjpw4Qu1fr9B8Qve4hJtpQBL5tUWA3Fwi1Oxsr-R-MCn9/w400-h259/2023-10-31%2018.50.22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Harvest continues with our main crew an inch at a time. We're down to two farms left. We're thankful the custom harvest for others is finished. We're thankful for the yield. We're thankful for the price which was sold months ago. We're thankful for the weather. I'm thankful for a wonderful crew to work with.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRhlZLWKEgthbuuS5EqxfKFUmbDV2vJiyYi-SQtGsktgxou9uJgff94xjUVLpSSpZpgB2jAPA3JQUi5R_y7mZpdhyphenhyphenW004rDqe32oS6-0767BtmRqSFrODP_al0qddImoefkf0tPs6C-0_GU-Ge9BNXp8HB5fWPJaeeih4Q328JnFYn8FDlX0eyjcgpgTg/s6153/2023-11-03%2012.23.33.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2960" data-original-width="6153" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRhlZLWKEgthbuuS5EqxfKFUmbDV2vJiyYi-SQtGsktgxou9uJgff94xjUVLpSSpZpgB2jAPA3JQUi5R_y7mZpdhyphenhyphenW004rDqe32oS6-0767BtmRqSFrODP_al0qddImoefkf0tPs6C-0_GU-Ge9BNXp8HB5fWPJaeeih4Q328JnFYn8FDlX0eyjcgpgTg/w400-h193/2023-11-03%2012.23.33.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">The processor we contract our corn with produces corn syrup, ethanol, citric acid, vitamin D, DDGs in feed, and is expanding to plastics and spandex. All from a kernel of corn. That's food, feed, fuel, clothes, and household products. And we as area farmers can certainly grow enough corn to supply their needs. The problem is they have only been open for accepting corn 8 or 9 half days in the last three weeks during harvest. </b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOk01fO-a6C454_mhh9M8bSu53sWh4blX2FWEVJ5Qe4Kmhd_2xO-7d7xWq0zPMjwC3tTnTw3XU953_iUxGrQA00Whk3IAbuCbuUgTvDZtg3yf2AZmOy2D8wQY-2wmXFuVyM6iQcfJ66gOlqq74GVsNTeiKmHiqB_NP9UQfkrUp9KOFiulx1qXMAyXGhTjx/s7397/2023-11-03%2011.03.45.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3319" data-original-width="7397" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOk01fO-a6C454_mhh9M8bSu53sWh4blX2FWEVJ5Qe4Kmhd_2xO-7d7xWq0zPMjwC3tTnTw3XU953_iUxGrQA00Whk3IAbuCbuUgTvDZtg3yf2AZmOy2D8wQY-2wmXFuVyM6iQcfJ66gOlqq74GVsNTeiKmHiqB_NP9UQfkrUp9KOFiulx1qXMAyXGhTjx/w400-h180/2023-11-03%2011.03.45.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">As a family and an operation we have grown to become dependent on them to deliver corn with semis straight out of the field for over 20 years. They have bought 38 of our 50 corn crops. I've never been a big bin storage guy. I feel harvest delivery disciplines us to market ahead of the crop. </b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-z6NFG6ahrrA6vatLM60el5UgjefyJQOLJZqkwfFakNry6jR3wMDQVnfojPtUEyt-hVPBysNp_fyVS6tcJPklr81MWtzboLUCKbhHAbMtFxt6KZemZOH894f2doy2eTTYw-CppE4bc4ZUMGtNAgYnSaaqIsvSM0JFhVQf6rCibBwTyCzcYwA_ZyxkLHf/s8776/2023-11-04%2017.25.16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4311" data-original-width="8776" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-z6NFG6ahrrA6vatLM60el5UgjefyJQOLJZqkwfFakNry6jR3wMDQVnfojPtUEyt-hVPBysNp_fyVS6tcJPklr81MWtzboLUCKbhHAbMtFxt6KZemZOH894f2doy2eTTYw-CppE4bc4ZUMGtNAgYnSaaqIsvSM0JFhVQf6rCibBwTyCzcYwA_ZyxkLHf/w400-h196/2023-11-04%2017.25.16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Other farmers with great crops are also moving corn to the processor as well since their bins and many elevators are full. So a number of us have gotten up really early to get in line for the few hours they are open. Thanks for the picture Andy.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLk29AhP_-KGCrpSXNwreLiqhUC03CwOhs3Q2d0Ts3cyzfwR-w92-UlK8L_wHATsjVqb0G8wxOHeSMKc6cb7Zy4yxegFOShVPyhsX8t2390ZuVC02vqH59k4JtsMdzp8UtSTKsBOG5jazWQ3p0D3ckcG4ETQLbBVb0ohAtbx7ln4-C3Es4EHF-rdVCahFT/s1927/2023-11-03%2005.39.37.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="1927" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLk29AhP_-KGCrpSXNwreLiqhUC03CwOhs3Q2d0Ts3cyzfwR-w92-UlK8L_wHATsjVqb0G8wxOHeSMKc6cb7Zy4yxegFOShVPyhsX8t2390ZuVC02vqH59k4JtsMdzp8UtSTKsBOG5jazWQ3p0D3ckcG4ETQLbBVb0ohAtbx7ln4-C3Es4EHF-rdVCahFT/w400-h164/2023-11-03%2005.39.37.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">One morning while sitting in line 3 hrs ahead of opening Andy shared his devotions with me. Good advice. I've always been an early morning guy.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-j0-kMLA7fAesjZAo2MeIVEkLAyijK-JV4MbpBw6sTD_qIULz6bp902BKFe_TouCIRkwD56GyS3bfbaqS-G_qHfWba3JdkljxI11xG7jHUOeC4xHYNwkHrD4oEkd0HOPLONtUGErsN0BJk6qbR_9TqKhL_dezu8pwRzVjEVcflit-UxGIEDEVUTAaoJ5Y/s1190/2023-11-03%2005.49.56.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1190" data-original-width="802" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-j0-kMLA7fAesjZAo2MeIVEkLAyijK-JV4MbpBw6sTD_qIULz6bp902BKFe_TouCIRkwD56GyS3bfbaqS-G_qHfWba3JdkljxI11xG7jHUOeC4xHYNwkHrD4oEkd0HOPLONtUGErsN0BJk6qbR_9TqKhL_dezu8pwRzVjEVcflit-UxGIEDEVUTAaoJ5Y/w270-h400/2023-11-03%2005.49.56.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Andy and Amara's farm logo is 2AM. It has two meanings. Both of them and the initials of their names. And Andy has always been an early riser as well going clear back to his hog choring days before his regular job. Thanks for helping us and your friendship Andy. </b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">I have always believed a business needed a logo and a platform. A logo that has a story. And a platform that tells that story.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEswpgj-xdpm_7Iqz1T-_0eN56g9l5-GM_6eUSeyIWD4LHSA-QEOJAHpkS1wn6Ia06q2x9AltbvK5ymBCVtClkFNV9EwAF4JF0ksdOD2k3BkUT_KOF7MOmwbiJYnTtn5CSfZ_vETxI_FKeTpYsX_tHDOXUN9z_5ylfpiVX848e6KxNjghL54U-4eKWubfp/s9163/2023-11-04%2012.47.17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4831" data-original-width="9163" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEswpgj-xdpm_7Iqz1T-_0eN56g9l5-GM_6eUSeyIWD4LHSA-QEOJAHpkS1wn6Ia06q2x9AltbvK5ymBCVtClkFNV9EwAF4JF0ksdOD2k3BkUT_KOF7MOmwbiJYnTtn5CSfZ_vETxI_FKeTpYsX_tHDOXUN9z_5ylfpiVX848e6KxNjghL54U-4eKWubfp/w400-h211/2023-11-04%2012.47.17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">We have started other fall work including NH3 application for the crop next year. Thanks Jim and Caleb for all your help on our toolbar.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuYurQ51oveNY9rXGGSiEFUBCA3Cv89agRtocLTkSM-Z3_E7vTV-4KDWkFnXN3oIa79BJ59GT-6UZf6cspP2GprGmhT1px1kbW9e4K8uqaU_GHAm8SmqEgynbL54158dSe2x7jJMVKip8UW6MYrDorcLQiQUP_qf1W8if7VjLYsLc0zFcZKlOX6fOa9lB/s7082/2023-11-03%2016.48.09.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3258" data-original-width="7082" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuYurQ51oveNY9rXGGSiEFUBCA3Cv89agRtocLTkSM-Z3_E7vTV-4KDWkFnXN3oIa79BJ59GT-6UZf6cspP2GprGmhT1px1kbW9e4K8uqaU_GHAm8SmqEgynbL54158dSe2x7jJMVKip8UW6MYrDorcLQiQUP_qf1W8if7VjLYsLc0zFcZKlOX6fOa9lB/w400-h184/2023-11-03%2016.48.09.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">A big thank you to Big John, Amanda, and family who brought us Thanksgiving meals Thursday evening from their churches Thanksgiving supper. When our kids were little landlords Daryl and Rosie would always treat us and take our family with them to this same supper.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxakv7VD0jH5kIf7v7z9WV_zypvXFaoO7jTL7-HLByjJ3cY2okX6timN21PhkKt-nWbwgCnMAGXWBRUynAz9vqsz10EZEDGylFLN86GWxGM2BXOaAIqympdmtFmLSWWpBlM8at-WhSXqmX5g-4zda86va63GASuzYBanwsJKTcU8cCUa7YLludyITpIAa/s9122/2023-11-02%2017.21.16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4980" data-original-width="9122" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxakv7VD0jH5kIf7v7z9WV_zypvXFaoO7jTL7-HLByjJ3cY2okX6timN21PhkKt-nWbwgCnMAGXWBRUynAz9vqsz10EZEDGylFLN86GWxGM2BXOaAIqympdmtFmLSWWpBlM8at-WhSXqmX5g-4zda86va63GASuzYBanwsJKTcU8cCUa7YLludyITpIAa/w400-h219/2023-11-02%2017.21.16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Yea. Kristin and Tatum were able to come home from Des Moines hospital this past Wednesday. I'm sure it feels good to be a family at home again. Thanks for all of you that prayed for health and recovery. Thanks for the picture.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAhhGh87oNf5Se-3l-AyGNqvLjfT03Ee16ZASXP2hhMPUAnjzpGgDZAAbNFFOGv8I4nfvm_S3nQBkvWNa3uIrt1tGSkrzXgM8r0vfsD9SbOJrB6Jkkiq0RvGWCE4eVWTpxmTuG0xB1jEldGWJ_M9i5f6uTPLWi-soBYCEB1ceYU7iRQY7l4hbr1QRmjfP/s1138/2023-11-02%2005.36.19.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1138" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAhhGh87oNf5Se-3l-AyGNqvLjfT03Ee16ZASXP2hhMPUAnjzpGgDZAAbNFFOGv8I4nfvm_S3nQBkvWNa3uIrt1tGSkrzXgM8r0vfsD9SbOJrB6Jkkiq0RvGWCE4eVWTpxmTuG0xB1jEldGWJ_M9i5f6uTPLWi-soBYCEB1ceYU7iRQY7l4hbr1QRmjfP/w380-h400/2023-11-02%2005.36.19.jpg" width="380" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Last Sunday afternoon Jan and I went north to Sioux Center for a Monday Dordt University Ag Advisory meeting. We discussed their partnership with AgriVision John Deere on a two year service tech program.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbrX0Tu-2cwSXedZj5ptdnXTv-vT58bpNyNFTVIAOmBDRSKGCUKf6uKf2vDW8yp6SZmFD6ctYIKrQIHWxyTyZ2TlzJ6TqToPLSgeGOtXsuqsDvUlwXWHYS661HdEHcVkkyJdYWRlaV-CD9Mp9F9ZjJl3XfzK_cVdkx8Wm30tTx71Del7prH7SQYj9Q6Nx/s9222/2023-10-30%2009.12.06.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4943" data-original-width="9222" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbrX0Tu-2cwSXedZj5ptdnXTv-vT58bpNyNFTVIAOmBDRSKGCUKf6uKf2vDW8yp6SZmFD6ctYIKrQIHWxyTyZ2TlzJ6TqToPLSgeGOtXsuqsDvUlwXWHYS661HdEHcVkkyJdYWRlaV-CD9Mp9F9ZjJl3XfzK_cVdkx8Wm30tTx71Del7prH7SQYj9Q6Nx/w400-h215/2023-10-30%2009.12.06.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">On Monday noon at President Eric and Barb's house, we had lunch with Gary, who leads the Dordt Ag program, and some great Ag students. </b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaDd_JYzfXBEBI45Tu24ImW1v4w0XUNu2M0o_AbgvYhl1g4hvuW0CeBj-eHgeqo-2p7YdxQrqvZt9IuNtUSq3XHbgYbh7ecpFYHkZA86xrkCxY0jp0n7ung8HM4rKaZ5lVmBh3cCAdLYSXrpRVeEZFQxVWOBEvzzJECzhrixxIKAk2q24yv47sW1kg1t-7/s9248/2023-10-30%2011.53.15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6936" data-original-width="9248" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaDd_JYzfXBEBI45Tu24ImW1v4w0XUNu2M0o_AbgvYhl1g4hvuW0CeBj-eHgeqo-2p7YdxQrqvZt9IuNtUSq3XHbgYbh7ecpFYHkZA86xrkCxY0jp0n7ung8HM4rKaZ5lVmBh3cCAdLYSXrpRVeEZFQxVWOBEvzzJECzhrixxIKAk2q24yv47sW1kg1t-7/w400-h300/2023-10-30%2011.53.15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Earlier on Sunday evening Jan and I went out for supper with Grandson Cody and his two roommates, Josh and Adam who also play football for Dordt. The Dordt football team had a great win yesterday beating Morningside for the first time. Adam recovered a blocked punt and took it in for a touchdown. Thanks for the picture Cody.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGil-1Yvar_h3ui82S-dszheWeYkIiF7PKDJVfawle-pJ5l19n4VhyAsQkrWjiSqVIK2ec7TElE644pLDPWa8qFQbR_PIKCmWyTiT3FWliuUbsMcRAroIrfcXFho7NQA-JjZruEqWF8h-ZKQ2_wHrBJ3nzY4Jl3ECASPcoYxt0Hn2xxKmHdEciJlIZZKbt/s1432/2023-10-29%2021.00.50.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1432" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGil-1Yvar_h3ui82S-dszheWeYkIiF7PKDJVfawle-pJ5l19n4VhyAsQkrWjiSqVIK2ec7TElE644pLDPWa8qFQbR_PIKCmWyTiT3FWliuUbsMcRAroIrfcXFho7NQA-JjZruEqWF8h-ZKQ2_wHrBJ3nzY4Jl3ECASPcoYxt0Hn2xxKmHdEciJlIZZKbt/w301-h400/2023-10-29%2021.00.50.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">There are good traditions and worthless ones. By the way, did you know traditions are just peer pressure from dead people. I think that might be a Mark Twain quote. As I look back over 50 crops, there has been so much change the past is hardly recognizable. But life didn't change by the mile, or even the yard, but an inch at a time. Below is our place 50 years ago.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZHAP74LOR_POU4SCqaYG6ExR0v6Mm63vy7lbQ1EvZ-o60dxzSs51YiN0MxMVAkn7giBMpnFLVtJRR8TsAh_3t3n2eStRXyynkxqjkH1bCcUA7lrascDrgPImpcs7_r5-33mDboUGuXb7Lil2OeyqSDDEz5TjoR1exbNti21GWBjSKgLmT3Gkr0TuSI2w/s6870/2023-11-04%2020.04.19.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3488" data-original-width="6870" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZHAP74LOR_POU4SCqaYG6ExR0v6Mm63vy7lbQ1EvZ-o60dxzSs51YiN0MxMVAkn7giBMpnFLVtJRR8TsAh_3t3n2eStRXyynkxqjkH1bCcUA7lrascDrgPImpcs7_r5-33mDboUGuXb7Lil2OeyqSDDEz5TjoR1exbNti21GWBjSKgLmT3Gkr0TuSI2w/w400-h203/2023-11-04%2020.04.19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Our personal lives are the same way. Jan didn't learn to cook overnight. She enjoyed it as a young girl an inch at a time. And today she's teaching her grandkids how to make the best macaroni and cheese. Thanks for the picture Jan.</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">My life started as sort of a socially awkward kid. I had a one track mind wanting to farm. After we got married I put hard work as my #1 goal. I wanted folks to think I was successful. I fought pride and still do. God used the 1980s farming crisis to correct some of that. And slowly, God, through life experiences, including slow harvests, is making me into what He, not me, wants me to be, an inch at a time. God first of all wants me to be faithful. To Him. To family. To my friends. And finally my farming. Thanks for stopping by this morning.</b><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGMb9W6lvBU4vJw4W7rQSB-SPr5zryC2cOMiiGpQBsw-6-MqprgBAWRlRQqmoScYQ8836Yyrnb6pADtpy-_gYp2jvKbBlXJnG_caeu-abAdfpQi0tLUveZEpIcQWxrdH2THlguHlHsD2N2KXsheMfiLP5Bw3MAnArzGFsTm0DG3hbxF2hM6Ayumh2e2gp/s1469/2023-11-01%2012.17.26.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1469" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGMb9W6lvBU4vJw4W7rQSB-SPr5zryC2cOMiiGpQBsw-6-MqprgBAWRlRQqmoScYQ8836Yyrnb6pADtpy-_gYp2jvKbBlXJnG_caeu-abAdfpQi0tLUveZEpIcQWxrdH2THlguHlHsD2N2KXsheMfiLP5Bw3MAnArzGFsTm0DG3hbxF2hM6Ayumh2e2gp/w294-h400/2023-11-01%2012.17.26.jpg" width="294" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>stillwatersiowahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01904929764005950113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2417370687288915442.post-13154356498900712192023-10-29T05:59:00.002-05:002023-10-29T08:00:28.899-05:00Don't Miss The Blessing<p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">"Children are a blessing and gift from the Lord". Psalms 127:3. Meet Tatum Timothy. A seven and a half pound boy. He was born late last Sunday evening. </b><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsraHsp2DG3_5i9R9iG-tJhoXUdFRrT1LPJ2lVZnO21ZZr3bPSlIdRYGDfY5uwplXY4qKtTwriQ7NXucTcg_yEA4P7R4wMIwyyz33cBhG9EzV84AO4krBN-Biihitk8jSKTKdwv8XeY_Rrzk1FTAUQaYo0bIrvCpZdJM27bnfWTRZFvsbvg7BxRGaueTr/s8723/2023-10-28%2017.55.16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6575" data-original-width="8723" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsraHsp2DG3_5i9R9iG-tJhoXUdFRrT1LPJ2lVZnO21ZZr3bPSlIdRYGDfY5uwplXY4qKtTwriQ7NXucTcg_yEA4P7R4wMIwyyz33cBhG9EzV84AO4krBN-Biihitk8jSKTKdwv8XeY_Rrzk1FTAUQaYo0bIrvCpZdJM27bnfWTRZFvsbvg7BxRGaueTr/w400-h301/2023-10-28%2017.55.16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">"Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior's hands. Blessings to the man who's quiver is full of them". Psalms 127:4-5. Tatum joins Malaki, Sydnie, and Brynn as part of Karl and Kristin's family. Thanks for the picture.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1H5fpFbJdiv7e_bXhdgVrDdeGzrMN6VARPEzZ8iNFMj6UchVVFdXxXBS878v3fZU5_UumObIWkGrrisDIFwGvFxeB-d7WLLeN-LtMU9erQZkwMBUAOf0H5q6m2ZtD3ML3fGWjvhQSkZIg2CuPSNQ_as11iMNBPjRtmqm6E4Jj5vn-sQjahEeWtadyKOg/s1066/2023-10-28%2014.20.54.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1037" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1H5fpFbJdiv7e_bXhdgVrDdeGzrMN6VARPEzZ8iNFMj6UchVVFdXxXBS878v3fZU5_UumObIWkGrrisDIFwGvFxeB-d7WLLeN-LtMU9erQZkwMBUAOf0H5q6m2ZtD3ML3fGWjvhQSkZIg2CuPSNQ_as11iMNBPjRtmqm6E4Jj5vn-sQjahEeWtadyKOg/w389-h400/2023-10-28%2014.20.54.jpg" width="389" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">We worked on five farms custom combining this past week. The blessing of working for others is the relationships it builds. The corn moisture is dry coming out of the field and yields are still remarkable. We have a fair amount of our own acres to go yet. Our Achilles heel all fall has been getting the contracted bushels into the processor.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLUzcds6JPnRyE9hUIARE_OTgJugq79VkjFPKNp5Vizt_9HXnzaWg4xcCXu4PhAatjXfjFepT5T-0Zw3b-MpuDAdiJ2uqq40Qn5CyG8zvftWg3NZanKrBLJSyCe7Qpyjn3MSwErZPsHav5kZJ_uBP8I_xNq8rz1V8QDCqyzuKMD8YpxPtPAA2chYrFYbe/s6973/2023-10-23%2018.03.51.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3347" data-original-width="6973" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLUzcds6JPnRyE9hUIARE_OTgJugq79VkjFPKNp5Vizt_9HXnzaWg4xcCXu4PhAatjXfjFepT5T-0Zw3b-MpuDAdiJ2uqq40Qn5CyG8zvftWg3NZanKrBLJSyCe7Qpyjn3MSwErZPsHav5kZJ_uBP8I_xNq8rz1V8QDCqyzuKMD8YpxPtPAA2chYrFYbe/w400-h193/2023-10-23%2018.03.51.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">BJ and Cassia's girls (Rachel, Adi, and Natalie) brought us out supper one evening. The older we get the more we realize the greatest blessings in life start with family.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cw-wndZ3PqQHY-NmnexkGFD2_JAujkD2x2rzYJC8UBZedt8OWBrgddQ1iDF3zpoN99_ZCqBSF4HZaX7iTaQAObztWvsLWAbS4RgpSSTUJsM27nDDHjM68WS2Fh5RwFEDAf576YlG4Wi_Dx9_MkIScGKOrFgwPHVfnJZEgSSgYV8pdjtPsDILa-YtEsG8/s7672/2023-10-23%2018.03.53.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4127" data-original-width="7672" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cw-wndZ3PqQHY-NmnexkGFD2_JAujkD2x2rzYJC8UBZedt8OWBrgddQ1iDF3zpoN99_ZCqBSF4HZaX7iTaQAObztWvsLWAbS4RgpSSTUJsM27nDDHjM68WS2Fh5RwFEDAf576YlG4Wi_Dx9_MkIScGKOrFgwPHVfnJZEgSSgYV8pdjtPsDILa-YtEsG8/w400-h215/2023-10-23%2018.03.53.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Suppers in the field are amazing. Pork loin, mashed potatoes with cheese, cream corn, and pumpkin bars for dessert. Thanks to some wonderful granddaughters.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwan8tFyOtBwXieDKq_DCdktfecR4iNl5GHGa543-_II2UX6euUc4ccqLgJGeIkdb-ImVZhbw3cpCayEjDhJ1jn2ssR8XO8QsNsqO8ZknnuRH2-nNnBR6QNlEjZPCUZ0PX8wvh4t0msGHfWtTvlcYxBE2wtYa1cpiWi8pl2SGu3exdCyVH9eLAzJFGVzM3/s8672/2023-10-23%2017.58.25.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5776" data-original-width="8672" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwan8tFyOtBwXieDKq_DCdktfecR4iNl5GHGa543-_II2UX6euUc4ccqLgJGeIkdb-ImVZhbw3cpCayEjDhJ1jn2ssR8XO8QsNsqO8ZknnuRH2-nNnBR6QNlEjZPCUZ0PX8wvh4t0msGHfWtTvlcYxBE2wtYa1cpiWi8pl2SGu3exdCyVH9eLAzJFGVzM3/w400-h266/2023-10-23%2017.58.25.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">I enjoyed watching the comradery of cousins, Ezra (Becky and Brian), Elijah (Mark and Stacy), and Jackson (Kurt and Emily) yesterday as they ran grain carts and brought the corn from the fields to the semis. They were all either encouraging or teasing each other. There is a value in the blessing of cousins growing up and working together.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJWVFoj8MRuMHDwrSXvc7xhRbNWJ9TSru4Owd1lZU7LsOjce0wIo943Z-juD4vvIz0wPNdEUNafQKg9Oynj0vX6_KaDVjMosi8qypnAfkyF3XsLUAIoSimVELcEpQTKgKGdngC7oK2sOJ9sfTBQTlfgtXo3_g1U0HoXITlBLEfhbnLMwA0DLERfm1zk-J/s9009/2023-10-28%2010.22.25.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5060" data-original-width="9009" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJWVFoj8MRuMHDwrSXvc7xhRbNWJ9TSru4Owd1lZU7LsOjce0wIo943Z-juD4vvIz0wPNdEUNafQKg9Oynj0vX6_KaDVjMosi8qypnAfkyF3XsLUAIoSimVELcEpQTKgKGdngC7oK2sOJ9sfTBQTlfgtXo3_g1U0HoXITlBLEfhbnLMwA0DLERfm1zk-J/w400-h225/2023-10-28%2010.22.25.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">One evening Papa Jon and Glenda's daughter Brooke hung out with us as we finished up one job and headed to another. </b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdXmdoh9ILHqk-ghmqdDHNNmUSTWZLMUt4ailYre8rG6JQFrDdx7gtkKMPksPPy14qeyiaTD64T1pGBBMaO3NYWeUUaaZ4A4TeEbHy-JZ38rgPnOli_00uMYIv9Hs-a4Yvyet2bhIaVEvU7otvmwo9hGtNLoaNC2cNp5um_ydB7VcF2h0d89Zb4E6buus/s1958/2023-10-28%2010.36.45.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1958" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdXmdoh9ILHqk-ghmqdDHNNmUSTWZLMUt4ailYre8rG6JQFrDdx7gtkKMPksPPy14qeyiaTD64T1pGBBMaO3NYWeUUaaZ4A4TeEbHy-JZ38rgPnOli_00uMYIv9Hs-a4Yvyet2bhIaVEvU7otvmwo9hGtNLoaNC2cNp5um_ydB7VcF2h0d89Zb4E6buus/w400-h204/2023-10-28%2010.36.45.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">It's amazing and a blessing to watch God at work. Sometimes in our country's dark and corrupted culture the light shines. After a season of debacle at trying to pick a speaker in the United States House of Representatives, a virtually unknown was elected. Representative from Louisiana, Mike Johnson is a Christ follower. He says, "My faith informs everything I do". He and his wife Kelly have 4 children.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-ObxfzAvoo4uXTw7PQySKYY3Q4LN868WEWYWPNBxJrtLG5g3ILvj5ZEYLjzQ7CGI62LiUff8Qi4oACD8lvBmqQVL-sa4qTjDfzXxZZaXNr_50if6nY0ij-8y-10NOkXxHHIXTaJEsXPt8lBrEEMZa-MXUGfIlL8YPo0d-ZktShSLQXjPDnYaFl3agRxz/s1987/2023-10-28%2020.10.19.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1987" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-ObxfzAvoo4uXTw7PQySKYY3Q4LN868WEWYWPNBxJrtLG5g3ILvj5ZEYLjzQ7CGI62LiUff8Qi4oACD8lvBmqQVL-sa4qTjDfzXxZZaXNr_50if6nY0ij-8y-10NOkXxHHIXTaJEsXPt8lBrEEMZa-MXUGfIlL8YPo0d-ZktShSLQXjPDnYaFl3agRxz/w400-h206/2023-10-28%2020.10.19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">One of the many blessings of a diverse family operation is the folks we get to interact with. We miss so much if we don't dare or care to interact with others. When you work with people like landlords, bankers, crop input suppliers, customers, and friends, great things can be accomplished.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3kB_ypUxovo8IE5i10oAaYalZeq5yi0UwUfUrtTzLCLaWKjdWRvAb5WSAl1qkXD6fLl5BXBLm7qv2Bbohb_mR9bzfh5z1Ai-1Fv3W6HWjgNFcMuEgAMxRChhGc7FVnrJCHveL8O5WWndhC7wJUTjrTIvIWiSWG2Ibx1KOXQDXI4T2Izg7phtjB2g9og_/s9248/2023-10-27%2013.23.05.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6936" data-original-width="9248" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3kB_ypUxovo8IE5i10oAaYalZeq5yi0UwUfUrtTzLCLaWKjdWRvAb5WSAl1qkXD6fLl5BXBLm7qv2Bbohb_mR9bzfh5z1Ai-1Fv3W6HWjgNFcMuEgAMxRChhGc7FVnrJCHveL8O5WWndhC7wJUTjrTIvIWiSWG2Ibx1KOXQDXI4T2Izg7phtjB2g9og_/w400-h300/2023-10-27%2013.23.05.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Mark and Stacy and daughter Amelia went to Dordt University in Sioux Center this week for a college visit. Mike and Suzanne went up yesterday to watch Cody play football in the snow. Jan and I head up today after church for an Ag Advisory board meeting tomorrow. Thanks for the picture.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXyzIe7Ado73jdbsE0QlQ3aIt5e1OKKO1Y26CmMdUfPMQ_WFpjJyr-G06GSyCXiiYHAQWnHoF3c82YolcGVje3Mo6pndXBcxe1D3NW7sbVhHqcCdFTPhuYhccxivSw1GrF_BM9Yw4W-r1cgbpDfMdicceSoF-zhELzPjLSPq_zbi1RgI1kEPFvzvCFI4K/s1258/2023-10-28%2014.35.22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1258" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXyzIe7Ado73jdbsE0QlQ3aIt5e1OKKO1Y26CmMdUfPMQ_WFpjJyr-G06GSyCXiiYHAQWnHoF3c82YolcGVje3Mo6pndXBcxe1D3NW7sbVhHqcCdFTPhuYhccxivSw1GrF_BM9Yw4W-r1cgbpDfMdicceSoF-zhELzPjLSPq_zbi1RgI1kEPFvzvCFI4K/w344-h400/2023-10-28%2014.35.22.jpg" width="344" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Sometimes when we fill our lives full of sand and pebbles, the little things that fill and demand our everyday activities, we miss the big rocks, the things that really matter. Often the urgent overshadows the important. Thanks for the picture.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJJZvNUGBYOioZgOMK9ATS45IZQNjNQuqelzizB4SCwnUUkyeCYXuJdOIoSAhSVvHaNQ8DLs3WsZzohrSTUtjtt3qa86IzvpuYtlz2FefjOtMrauQ646EUhysg4MYa_JOuAf0TgOsHdV5imlFDI2QR7hg-GbfEoHe5J83OrZJYoNwz4JT5rYAJHaHDy9c/s1305/2023-10-28%2019.53.38.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1305" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJJZvNUGBYOioZgOMK9ATS45IZQNjNQuqelzizB4SCwnUUkyeCYXuJdOIoSAhSVvHaNQ8DLs3WsZzohrSTUtjtt3qa86IzvpuYtlz2FefjOtMrauQ646EUhysg4MYa_JOuAf0TgOsHdV5imlFDI2QR7hg-GbfEoHe5J83OrZJYoNwz4JT5rYAJHaHDy9c/w331-h400/2023-10-28%2019.53.38.jpg" width="331" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">It's easy for me to miss the blessing. Especially during health concerns. Please keep Tatum, Kristin, and Karl in your prayers as they hang out at Blanke Hospital in Des Moines. And also their three older kids as they patiently wait to be family at home again. Thanks for all your friendships.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVEu-9XdsGDjt8we1vl5ZpNsfeqX-PU6vjhnskJNwBijd-ipqt9iGYLOwlsG9hkMwGPrqvax-zvjryF7QzOXMb86V19g_QNl_sVwb_A-rfNlbBjOMImP5KZ8Hyw4wV9RLpPTIQmJJeaHV-6x1Gcgo0qMK3-hdn8B2OLuN8vrv2wCfzItB62Oh_c7x4WIt/s8990/2023-10-28%2018.06.23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5700" data-original-width="8990" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVEu-9XdsGDjt8we1vl5ZpNsfeqX-PU6vjhnskJNwBijd-ipqt9iGYLOwlsG9hkMwGPrqvax-zvjryF7QzOXMb86V19g_QNl_sVwb_A-rfNlbBjOMImP5KZ8Hyw4wV9RLpPTIQmJJeaHV-6x1Gcgo0qMK3-hdn8B2OLuN8vrv2wCfzItB62Oh_c7x4WIt/w400-h254/2023-10-28%2018.06.23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p></div>stillwatersiowahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01904929764005950113noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2417370687288915442.post-48740512447633552402023-10-22T06:36:00.001-05:002023-10-22T06:42:20.507-05:00Intimidate Or Inspire<p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">As a parent, spouse, fellow employee, teacher, business owner, pastor, retired, or leader of any kind, would you say you have been more inclined to inspire or intimidate those around you?</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>We harvested soybeans yesterday with the most beautiful backdrop of fall colors southwest of Lovilia.</b></span> <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJy2KDmrW0A-Avd2SDYBdrLjSl2qi39X0HrfkToTBzWiEBXJh1loUd0U-HCM3SFxfJbXsL2Xz0vGmA8r-c9PidvhUAIMUABcQCG0omMLznpXjpYviTaf9-bPThuviId0JfK1cmKy3sFg82Hmn_gSDtJUqA3kmNMooBunQixXGWrja9LZkuQFS59RRzbk6Q/s2953/2023-10-21%2010.21.29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1724" data-original-width="2953" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJy2KDmrW0A-Avd2SDYBdrLjSl2qi39X0HrfkToTBzWiEBXJh1loUd0U-HCM3SFxfJbXsL2Xz0vGmA8r-c9PidvhUAIMUABcQCG0omMLznpXjpYviTaf9-bPThuviId0JfK1cmKy3sFg82Hmn_gSDtJUqA3kmNMooBunQixXGWrja9LZkuQFS59RRzbk6Q/w400-h234/2023-10-21%2010.21.29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Are you enthusiastic, grateful, authentic, positive, and empathetic? A good listener? Do you build folks up? Are you genuinely happy when others win or succeed?</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>During harvest, days are measured in acres, not hours. We not only watched, but experienced the most beautiful sunrises a number of mornings this past week combining corn north of Ottumwa.</b></span><br /></div><div><div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguaOiqsOMQEWANwge1LcUbRPA2Voa6IKvoQtyQlvgm6TbYoMvjIbdoTF-YXssFe0KM01p33x9lmF3SREsrrRHhEiNChHgpH95-orrirmNB4RLqaZ5VSKd4Co64uK89bV9QHm45uGph2gvpjBgBo-XH7yMAg30ffGYR4fo9Oen1hM3IywutdxfwhowrXvMY/s8013/2023-10-18%2007.06.44.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5102" data-original-width="8013" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguaOiqsOMQEWANwge1LcUbRPA2Voa6IKvoQtyQlvgm6TbYoMvjIbdoTF-YXssFe0KM01p33x9lmF3SREsrrRHhEiNChHgpH95-orrirmNB4RLqaZ5VSKd4Co64uK89bV9QHm45uGph2gvpjBgBo-XH7yMAg30ffGYR4fo9Oen1hM3IywutdxfwhowrXvMY/w400-h255/2023-10-18%2007.06.44.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Because of corn receiving hours we would start early and harvest and deliver fields that were contracted to the processor.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWrPsclUrO8hBFagKGGWkyaraq2PCRb7hTWSQrmJIEWaBO_TX-dnvgnnOejKddZk4UWkFCi3IIZyt4w5_ovOzO3xP05mgbeBKFm8r9rLttVSK0VvO3bYNuAtlF4ebw2WfjsSa-IMf9G3yaI5Vn4syncT-tqzIoRmPTmDoZrVUIXVaaItQQrsk8g71GTNb/s8240/2023-10-19%2008.35.18.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4971" data-original-width="8240" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWrPsclUrO8hBFagKGGWkyaraq2PCRb7hTWSQrmJIEWaBO_TX-dnvgnnOejKddZk4UWkFCi3IIZyt4w5_ovOzO3xP05mgbeBKFm8r9rLttVSK0VvO3bYNuAtlF4ebw2WfjsSa-IMf9G3yaI5Vn4syncT-tqzIoRmPTmDoZrVUIXVaaItQQrsk8g71GTNb/w400-h241/2023-10-19%2008.35.18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Then we would move to a job in the afternoons that had bin storage. At night we fueled up, moved back, and made sure semis were loaded and ready to repeat the process the next morning.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"> </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">This 1970 IHC 856 below was my first tractor purchased in the fall of 1973 during a very inflationary time. I was a senior in high school. We updated to a bigger tractor in 1976. In 1998 we bought this tractor back and still use it today.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBinSBLKYQ90WRwxLessbp_s7EXg1PWR5S6VB4wqnYh2zApNTKaOYw_jMpZhHiRzzTGAV9VzzkbqOUqZvQ2T1uModu1G0jqCN7tTBekG4fz_WwYTOGwzkvWO5tFSh2np2NUHK1qbNBe7rpoAcoU5WaoN0QHBA4n9f_sBCtBv86D9xqJ59b9OeMvh00X4Bw/s9248/2023-10-18%2017.45.01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6354" data-original-width="9248" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBinSBLKYQ90WRwxLessbp_s7EXg1PWR5S6VB4wqnYh2zApNTKaOYw_jMpZhHiRzzTGAV9VzzkbqOUqZvQ2T1uModu1G0jqCN7tTBekG4fz_WwYTOGwzkvWO5tFSh2np2NUHK1qbNBe7rpoAcoU5WaoN0QHBA4n9f_sBCtBv86D9xqJ59b9OeMvh00X4Bw/w400-h275/2023-10-18%2017.45.01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Breakdowns can be intimidating. And we've had a number of semi breakdowns. Thanks to Bill and Rays for towing us off the road. Thanks to Outer Limits, Adam Valley View Farms, and grandson Ethan for getting us back on the road again. </b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmcIRCVyyVSF8g4i_vmpynkgW1JdSQlaO9xnSBmLYe_F57yB7MnETa69paYWQDHlf8HgbadIlH-jdLLio6A-k47yH-l7AEoWFRkkbzjPw0hAyOCtvFQhsnHKVX12NOTW_wvM_p68GC3u4Mm324t_GTtsTEpHaOh8Da17pzIvzSuREJ1XVTz6CIMH3gS9Q/s8145/2023-10-16%2021.32.59.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5123" data-original-width="8145" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmcIRCVyyVSF8g4i_vmpynkgW1JdSQlaO9xnSBmLYe_F57yB7MnETa69paYWQDHlf8HgbadIlH-jdLLio6A-k47yH-l7AEoWFRkkbzjPw0hAyOCtvFQhsnHKVX12NOTW_wvM_p68GC3u4Mm324t_GTtsTEpHaOh8Da17pzIvzSuREJ1XVTz6CIMH3gS9Q/w400-h251/2023-10-16%2021.32.59.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Supper delivered to the field, even when we are in unfamiliar territory to the gals, is inspiring. Thanks Emily, Kristin, Cassia, Natalie, and families for hunting us up and feeding us.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtZDUAZyfHNZ5OhhJ-04LWu36z4dBafIqKpLtqwubztmyY4I9bgDsdPihyfngSOjlBKg2y9HYBG_hV80eqZv3EMUxAY42y5gbKYI19qtohyphenhyphenxbsD3cgmSaL7oSBZVRezWDcUCFm0gCd8cQDelhLpHFwXADisv0HGfONThBur-HHLB_3-6-olHVfvTV1ezK/s7046/2023-10-19%2018.26.57.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4366" data-original-width="7046" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtZDUAZyfHNZ5OhhJ-04LWu36z4dBafIqKpLtqwubztmyY4I9bgDsdPihyfngSOjlBKg2y9HYBG_hV80eqZv3EMUxAY42y5gbKYI19qtohyphenhyphenxbsD3cgmSaL7oSBZVRezWDcUCFm0gCd8cQDelhLpHFwXADisv0HGfONThBur-HHLB_3-6-olHVfvTV1ezK/w400-h248/2023-10-19%2018.26.57.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Thanks to Dean, Big John, Ezra, Elijah, Zach, and Jackson for keeping the grain away from the combines.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVvUCZ0W9dg7x5GFi62c7dNWff5yyaq07r3fOoFSfhkMRH9fCOKZu-ubfpoWr8Mb-dSh-eb3nfHG-oLC4RXGwJz4u9UtQCMboWDA_bJe-nuHic5TGGwAcrQ3hGDCVkl-0PjmlIbx_K5Z64xGfNzwqa_OLozC6zqlsd1-aoAjeX4f0coKHNYKFveu5Z-fW/s8968/2023-10-21%2010.02.28.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5081" data-original-width="8968" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVvUCZ0W9dg7x5GFi62c7dNWff5yyaq07r3fOoFSfhkMRH9fCOKZu-ubfpoWr8Mb-dSh-eb3nfHG-oLC4RXGwJz4u9UtQCMboWDA_bJe-nuHic5TGGwAcrQ3hGDCVkl-0PjmlIbx_K5Z64xGfNzwqa_OLozC6zqlsd1-aoAjeX4f0coKHNYKFveu5Z-fW/w400-h226/2023-10-21%2010.02.28.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Mike is busy building large farm-over broad-base terraces north of Rose Hill.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4APyTW3Ug73wwn9GjRyRMhUNBxnQ7YJrldDjj6-bGyYlp_-EQ_5x0hyAeFF_2UWThe43kZ6rMunq9Fhhz_MYIhyphenhyphenXbe_8Beef05zCXFhZXER_mi_Q1VAGj1bwThZpA52ePYuvpQFXLTpkA8_aAbwTFli3f2vOPm09moyUSBaQ02QJfTVtglP3RE1-fpVop/s8963/2023-10-15%2015.04.25.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4844" data-original-width="8963" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4APyTW3Ug73wwn9GjRyRMhUNBxnQ7YJrldDjj6-bGyYlp_-EQ_5x0hyAeFF_2UWThe43kZ6rMunq9Fhhz_MYIhyphenhyphenXbe_8Beef05zCXFhZXER_mi_Q1VAGj1bwThZpA52ePYuvpQFXLTpkA8_aAbwTFli3f2vOPm09moyUSBaQ02QJfTVtglP3RE1-fpVop/w400-h216/2023-10-15%2015.04.25.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Mark and his family are working on repairing some spots on a reclaimed coalmine job. Thanks for the picture Mark.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgED7t5QrPVAfYj7WZXTYTAKyrrZCxfyYfNZi3AmYduM5ZtPNvrcWRn5B_Nb5ZMBvytvS6rYDpgShr_UDJ1vta4baweddlCcJvdX17EGuTh9fVRJNDfdxZ66Od33KX2ErfFV647_bbne2FccdkiGGeqeRgyt4zDqswJHPIQFGKhaNqxLL8EhVsPilbefIj9/s1080/2023-10-17%2011.08.59.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="1080" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgED7t5QrPVAfYj7WZXTYTAKyrrZCxfyYfNZi3AmYduM5ZtPNvrcWRn5B_Nb5ZMBvytvS6rYDpgShr_UDJ1vta4baweddlCcJvdX17EGuTh9fVRJNDfdxZ66Od33KX2ErfFV647_bbne2FccdkiGGeqeRgyt4zDqswJHPIQFGKhaNqxLL8EhVsPilbefIj9/w400-h314/2023-10-17%2011.08.59.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Last Sunday morning after writing this visit and getting ready for church, I told Jan that my post wasn't a warm feel-good kind of a story. My goal was to encourage folks to think. It worked. Last night while looking through my week of pictures I noticed a comment on the Blogger platform. It was an anonymous death threat. I'm guessing the reader was more upset about my state of our country comments than my farming practices. I'm also guessing a threat is probably more intended to intimidate than to actually take a life.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJIn-LQexFSqmT_DFeoNFk_61UGdiOYyQh45pH4bnarLSrt1rxACkeSxlptAxOchJlTU6Tbn9gkLuNpbaWJWZOgH5KjlRgA7mmL1I3NZ1TRLSykqokMDC8qyEyD8nybkrlBuJWoskTGrTeU0B7dIJjCTD7KNRQjMLeo0625-wkXMpZHiGdqhD-jg9m2XG/s8207/2023-10-21%2010.58.39.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5517" data-original-width="8207" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJIn-LQexFSqmT_DFeoNFk_61UGdiOYyQh45pH4bnarLSrt1rxACkeSxlptAxOchJlTU6Tbn9gkLuNpbaWJWZOgH5KjlRgA7mmL1I3NZ1TRLSykqokMDC8qyEyD8nybkrlBuJWoskTGrTeU0B7dIJjCTD7KNRQjMLeo0625-wkXMpZHiGdqhD-jg9m2XG/w400-h269/2023-10-21%2010.58.39.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">We saw just as many sunsets as sunrises this past week. Last night Zach and I saw this huge falling star and it's long trail. We've all been inspired by and posted pictures of rainbows. This was the week in southern Iowa for fall colors. Everyone of these spectaculars in nature is a promise from God that He created and is in charge of the universe. And that He cares enough about each and every one of us to show us snapshots of His glory. It's still faith over fear folks. How the pandemic was handled was intended to intimidate and control. Let's with God's help inspire and serve. </b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPeHB2cH74UMIgGI1wvYuIFRf-lG0CaqbJzC43BAbbBA65gJj30CfMXnl5Cg6PhaEXi9_NxJ6l39IPCOtJ-uIOF05-NNShPf2yTxElXVvgduawTCKk4V4yitj9SgUKiPU6fgNNEpoA2oKIxhHVSWPVbTKR3jerXNrndkNpfku58cg3t-dyDtrJZIsCFqV/s8580/2023-10-20%2018.53.15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4698" data-original-width="8580" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPeHB2cH74UMIgGI1wvYuIFRf-lG0CaqbJzC43BAbbBA65gJj30CfMXnl5Cg6PhaEXi9_NxJ6l39IPCOtJ-uIOF05-NNShPf2yTxElXVvgduawTCKk4V4yitj9SgUKiPU6fgNNEpoA2oKIxhHVSWPVbTKR3jerXNrndkNpfku58cg3t-dyDtrJZIsCFqV/w400-h219/2023-10-20%2018.53.15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p></div><br /><br /></div></div></div>stillwatersiowahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01904929764005950113noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2417370687288915442.post-4980324755008045612023-10-15T05:49:00.000-05:002023-10-15T05:49:58.754-05:00Generational Cycles<p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Weak men make hard times:</i> For almost a century America was the peacekeeper of our world. There is a huge difference by the way between a peace keeper and a peace lover. Our country's strength kept evil folks thinking twice about consequences. Then that same evil and corruption have overwhelmed our leadership. Continue praying for our friends in Israel. Thanks for the picture Amir.</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ykWdk2J8P_cuoWyU2oG1S_w7u6khzSpud2iEw3bnE8mZtFQ9LIIoyUAImDINj2EdopaNoj47jh7DwBBHv99I3_6CnmB-XgeFkNMSuQknXZUU1pwAG3NLpWfkk7FhY8vVQlP6C3GO4nklcMedel6yUL3tIowLjYmjlqsfyfle-LYxKOfCGoom6J4797H3/s1193/2023-10-08%2007.46.07.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1193" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ykWdk2J8P_cuoWyU2oG1S_w7u6khzSpud2iEw3bnE8mZtFQ9LIIoyUAImDINj2EdopaNoj47jh7DwBBHv99I3_6CnmB-XgeFkNMSuQknXZUU1pwAG3NLpWfkk7FhY8vVQlP6C3GO4nklcMedel6yUL3tIowLjYmjlqsfyfle-LYxKOfCGoom6J4797H3/w400-h363/2023-10-08%2007.46.07.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Hard times make strong men:</i> Hard times often force us to our knees. To acknowledge where our help comes from. And to ask God for help. Hard times build character. Thanks for the picture Harrison and Miriam. And thanks for living for the Lord and serving others in Africa.</b><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYpdfB5t8tUDV45MPGpw73SCJi9oDZOBxv9EoKg8plt87DT1jhVVtrrOo-bAnbtWX1J8lRqWgqidFWBNscOLwGLD5pkdAjDUm4i0kswBRtp07UAc1VJ1shNnKAXqyFdyblqsgK_bCMLLr1mfaGYUSTUC2Y50HgVOS5X_m7NV0DOxovH8uxlkCs7Lgkdmy/s1080/2023-10-08%2016.31.33.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="966" data-original-width="1080" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYpdfB5t8tUDV45MPGpw73SCJi9oDZOBxv9EoKg8plt87DT1jhVVtrrOo-bAnbtWX1J8lRqWgqidFWBNscOLwGLD5pkdAjDUm4i0kswBRtp07UAc1VJ1shNnKAXqyFdyblqsgK_bCMLLr1mfaGYUSTUC2Y50HgVOS5X_m7NV0DOxovH8uxlkCs7Lgkdmy/w400-h358/2023-10-08%2016.31.33.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Strong men make good times:</i> There are folks that make things happen. Folks that watch things happen. And folks that wonder what happened. Our job as parents is to teach our children to teach their children to acknowledge, love, and serve God. That is the foundation for multi generations to continue to make things happen. How does one make things happen? To give 110%. To take responsibility. And to care about others.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJTm-6TZFx8Xr6uXWabSbRzdkX1mrWgjAGag7xKWEtB98RbtYs5g3wMUBEnHmM7whW8TrXJubGOVDU0fD2gmYjbKukeIbAQ0PkyAkW2d1rB3y5nPaTgbZ9kGQeeCY9XDHvq5W7JsDymJ7SaoklAkiaR61wiXzvKVYsfGTsCvpMknus2XJXtWhnbwPnc7N/s7644/2023-10-14%2010.36.36.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4262" data-original-width="7644" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJTm-6TZFx8Xr6uXWabSbRzdkX1mrWgjAGag7xKWEtB98RbtYs5g3wMUBEnHmM7whW8TrXJubGOVDU0fD2gmYjbKukeIbAQ0PkyAkW2d1rB3y5nPaTgbZ9kGQeeCY9XDHvq5W7JsDymJ7SaoklAkiaR61wiXzvKVYsfGTsCvpMknus2XJXtWhnbwPnc7N/w400-h223/2023-10-14%2010.36.36.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Good times make weak men:</i> History is full of examples of good times creating a weak society. Of losing their edge. Of abandoning morals and principles. Of getting too comfortable. Of building a life on self. Which leads to apathy. Of putting their security in something other than God. Which leads to fear rather than faith during tough times and the cycle continues. Thanks for the picture. </b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmonY8qMzIS17OogbQF7kHOFOTO_-gfloKChkfRTxSK972BOuF5L3PAFbnUfMWMYmziGPFV9Cbk8GDhFN73_RAgSMIfJDDPtbJzF0rFNSoWXZ21O0ZwSslKUG5mGWLD-keD4A9b4KO4XRGreWNvY8AnsbvOtF-1GjvOHHfvIjzrLHHIxF5isqL5h7YNbC/s1367/2023-10-13%2004.39.51.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmonY8qMzIS17OogbQF7kHOFOTO_-gfloKChkfRTxSK972BOuF5L3PAFbnUfMWMYmziGPFV9Cbk8GDhFN73_RAgSMIfJDDPtbJzF0rFNSoWXZ21O0ZwSslKUG5mGWLD-keD4A9b4KO4XRGreWNvY8AnsbvOtF-1GjvOHHfvIjzrLHHIxF5isqL5h7YNbC/w316-h400/2023-10-13%2004.39.51.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Mike continues to move from one job to the next, building terraces. Even with our small showers the ground is still dry and pushes hard. Thanks for the picture Mike.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBviGX_xxY811ca7VAV12qnOzXUUMmH8vSxiYr09ZPULbO6gdmJM0hhcTG7WTtbjuKDaNFOMM7hFb7IyFgjrWeFhS-aFE3uq-ALqvX-iXZUaahZJnwdXTueU6V995WhR9aHYYyUjISZRQpseu8mN_fhifq7qXVDd9gMQ-zrkz7YgB4CVraCuGvWPuYOTF/s1630/2023-10-11%2011.11.15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="1630" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBviGX_xxY811ca7VAV12qnOzXUUMmH8vSxiYr09ZPULbO6gdmJM0hhcTG7WTtbjuKDaNFOMM7hFb7IyFgjrWeFhS-aFE3uq-ALqvX-iXZUaahZJnwdXTueU6V995WhR9aHYYyUjISZRQpseu8mN_fhifq7qXVDd9gMQ-zrkz7YgB4CVraCuGvWPuYOTF/w400-h208/2023-10-11%2011.11.15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">The first part of the week was huge on soybeans with one customwork job left. On soybeans we send all but one semi to the processors delivering pre-sold contracts. Then one semi delivers to a bin as a relief valve to keep the combines rolling. Harvesting soybeans require dry weather so early mornings are used to fuel up and service the cutter bars. </b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSunaOHav5F0n8q7-Dbz9u54WthzhzaK6veBRDu1cBnXMoOBtta2t11rS-7kc5PyH_WNkH0u9YkdrmGdr0PxwwRSZwWqsRECl6qw41KJJsRGvsUSBMdjYhE5_XVrZtfXgb5iO1ehOUQtz4OT_WckS8bv0a7lY4hRicGl9PhrY8VHRo9atMNVFAFCTGNPt/s9248/2023-10-09%2010.17.31.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4768" data-original-width="9248" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSunaOHav5F0n8q7-Dbz9u54WthzhzaK6veBRDu1cBnXMoOBtta2t11rS-7kc5PyH_WNkH0u9YkdrmGdr0PxwwRSZwWqsRECl6qw41KJJsRGvsUSBMdjYhE5_XVrZtfXgb5iO1ehOUQtz4OT_WckS8bv0a7lY4hRicGl9PhrY8VHRo9atMNVFAFCTGNPt/w400-h206/2023-10-09%2010.17.31.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">We've had a few small breakdowns and one big one this week. Below Dean and others are replacing a belt before enjoying an evening meal of chili and corn bread that Cassia and Natalie brought us northwest of Peoria.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShW7v07QskLiSRhHaOX5eAoF9LHsLkzo2dB0SwKg4XHP6vTTXT5T9AEAi_SndDdJS_SPdG0xjmgyUbe0GjnIgoQRCR02FqJFqxrO5denjWOJGLWgxaF44P-T5BeZAmhqX42JoVroTuW09Uc_FI0ySbXzy4r8WdBNTispL7LDCLNG1GxeCyZR25MXoSGrR/s8987/2023-10-10%2018.58.25.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4729" data-original-width="8987" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShW7v07QskLiSRhHaOX5eAoF9LHsLkzo2dB0SwKg4XHP6vTTXT5T9AEAi_SndDdJS_SPdG0xjmgyUbe0GjnIgoQRCR02FqJFqxrO5denjWOJGLWgxaF44P-T5BeZAmhqX42JoVroTuW09Uc_FI0ySbXzy4r8WdBNTispL7LDCLNG1GxeCyZR25MXoSGrR/w400-h210/2023-10-10%2018.58.25.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Speaking of repairs, how many grandkids and friends does it take to fix a Suburban? Thanks for the picture Mark. It made me smile. And thankful kids are willing to tackle projects.</b><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcqlf3nkZfuUjIAd78S3z0h5s4zweIhU6AaJOgSdVYC4ixTeOusIg-E7tLMMEZOqBnCgc94LiVDPkD_cqjVh198fTPVLsGcyDRJ1DPgnY2v4908DHsZBB5Qxr59AT-GiIqKtL_tOExUJdvUJaaGpZEVQjwkpbgM7_FxBwjovyDHyu7oWJT9qGDahB0jad/s1694/2023-10-11%2021.05.51.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1694" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcqlf3nkZfuUjIAd78S3z0h5s4zweIhU6AaJOgSdVYC4ixTeOusIg-E7tLMMEZOqBnCgc94LiVDPkD_cqjVh198fTPVLsGcyDRJ1DPgnY2v4908DHsZBB5Qxr59AT-GiIqKtL_tOExUJdvUJaaGpZEVQjwkpbgM7_FxBwjovyDHyu7oWJT9qGDahB0jad/w400-h253/2023-10-11%2021.05.51.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">We wrapped up soybeans on a farm Karl and Kristin rent near Galesburg late Wednesday night. Usually there are a number of semis loaded for first thing the following morning.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCptmMMQKODiapPBCqj17Us6rIImqpGCeiUbBo5_5cictwWb5y4c3470zM0RjEkXhfn85d5ilFg23R1pst7N13AP9eUZlnFm2GgQa-IFxN8aFXov491Ttfmowf-uNC-0AmdMZvUAjgbWGmxOHcrnLtZ9bxLwXc8NbVGv56Hze035cV-DVkGOscRJnslCd7/s7060/2023-10-11%2020.17.17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3917" data-original-width="7060" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCptmMMQKODiapPBCqj17Us6rIImqpGCeiUbBo5_5cictwWb5y4c3470zM0RjEkXhfn85d5ilFg23R1pst7N13AP9eUZlnFm2GgQa-IFxN8aFXov491Ttfmowf-uNC-0AmdMZvUAjgbWGmxOHcrnLtZ9bxLwXc8NbVGv56Hze035cV-DVkGOscRJnslCd7/w400-h223/2023-10-11%2020.17.17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">That same night we put the cornheads on and switched the combines over to corn. We are blessed to have part time help that comes after their fulltime jobs. Below Matt and Kurt are visiting before Kurt heads to the field with BJ.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rB3R0_uNQ-dzXp0l5MjgJqlTg9VfDppSAFBqQ1lIIccLiVrwVqhA6NCOpPQmRTslYsDJ6lNwCWd07WiRl1aA3gT3OcgZmmTD-XlhzIevvvspBA8mKUi5FtwT3dkeZA7RDmiSbps8OpQ2ntQRDHgE2Y22zxskNZnCEhiXskIsjI3OdyRNfe893e2rHbJv/s7939/2023-10-11%2021.04.28.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4432" data-original-width="7939" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rB3R0_uNQ-dzXp0l5MjgJqlTg9VfDppSAFBqQ1lIIccLiVrwVqhA6NCOpPQmRTslYsDJ6lNwCWd07WiRl1aA3gT3OcgZmmTD-XlhzIevvvspBA8mKUi5FtwT3dkeZA7RDmiSbps8OpQ2ntQRDHgE2Y22zxskNZnCEhiXskIsjI3OdyRNfe893e2rHbJv/w400-h224/2023-10-11%2021.04.28.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Corn harvest happens at a much faster pace than soybeans. There is 4 times more commodity to keep away from the combines. And corn can be harvested anytime day and night.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOM5hG4RSBwS4IoFOPr-A5JMgsHydBFhfd9dsMj_u0RnN2HDZ8Pm_DKfb6A42ttBxztu64ZAKNVOrXdujEfbYOUH9baIhBreW31RYcB_P1NBAYogLvILRInYCHUAS4OFX89SwHWl8AW695YsanxC__d8usVt10L6a-AGZ1S5fdPQJ4y1sTznYh6ywmRBl/s7402/2023-10-11%2020.53.58.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3660" data-original-width="7402" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOM5hG4RSBwS4IoFOPr-A5JMgsHydBFhfd9dsMj_u0RnN2HDZ8Pm_DKfb6A42ttBxztu64ZAKNVOrXdujEfbYOUH9baIhBreW31RYcB_P1NBAYogLvILRInYCHUAS4OFX89SwHWl8AW695YsanxC__d8usVt10L6a-AGZ1S5fdPQJ4y1sTznYh6ywmRBl/w400-h198/2023-10-11%2020.53.58.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Thanks for the picture Andy, Amara, and family. It reminds me of times 40 years ago when Jan would take half the kids in the combine. Without a buddy seat by the way. And I would take the other half in the grain truck. Before seat belts.</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRs9gtNoKWCbz8TqJI7PNU7yF04iqrRm3SrxSi-8oql6iKk9ebI8Dyu14ed5EgQxZeq9O8L3fGiwrjzvL5aJSBr9dix3Mu-vn43psir3108bA7xMTu-0gObwPr8ti7xUx1DfClHbCAziQ-6C8g4EHH6eNJNYuiyDWzf-EG7f70cbzTrjCaM9hoAzVRfGe/s1995/2023-10-12%2019.59.24.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1995" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRs9gtNoKWCbz8TqJI7PNU7yF04iqrRm3SrxSi-8oql6iKk9ebI8Dyu14ed5EgQxZeq9O8L3fGiwrjzvL5aJSBr9dix3Mu-vn43psir3108bA7xMTu-0gObwPr8ti7xUx1DfClHbCAziQ-6C8g4EHH6eNJNYuiyDWzf-EG7f70cbzTrjCaM9hoAzVRfGe/w400-h216/2023-10-12%2019.59.24.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">About 4000 years ago God called Abraham and said he was going to make a great nation of his descendants. Those descendants today are the people of Israel. He gave them many promises if they would be faithful to Him through the generations. 2000 years ago when Christ came to live on earth, and to go to the cross for our sins, those promises were extended from just the Jews (Israelites), to the Gentiles (us) as well. </b><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP10cl_2p5hIuJFBunFHUla7MS8_Y9oxqjS6KfzMLa3pbB8h-LHlBj4y7g6SDuGIsxHf9rTb7BX2a5ejK3OsofePZ1wCMllybu8MealTclGWiBYRylYx3VRgmWsKp9Le1r6bcRnzSjgBPNf24VcDdhwpIQFfbRjFcW_bqYT4pLwFIK7hmdMLoQCc3mEFQp/s1080/2023-10-08%2015.57.04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="1080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP10cl_2p5hIuJFBunFHUla7MS8_Y9oxqjS6KfzMLa3pbB8h-LHlBj4y7g6SDuGIsxHf9rTb7BX2a5ejK3OsofePZ1wCMllybu8MealTclGWiBYRylYx3VRgmWsKp9Le1r6bcRnzSjgBPNf24VcDdhwpIQFfbRjFcW_bqYT4pLwFIK7hmdMLoQCc3mEFQp/w400-h360/2023-10-08%2015.57.04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">For no particular reason I'm thinking about life after earth this morning. Funerals often have two themes, sometimes three. The first theme is usually about the individuals life and accomplishments on earth. The second theme is often God's generational promises including the promise of heaven giving the family assurance. Sometimes the 3rd theme is offering the attendees that same assurance if they accept Christ's gift. All three themes are good. As most of you can tell I do love my job. I love my family. I love helping folks. There are about a half a dozen of you that are occasional readers to this weekly visit that are possibilities for doing my funeral someday if you outlive me. Don't forget to tell folks I loved my Lord. And His generational promises. Blessings</b><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxLCSztvvO0ja5upW7PtFZjbgdTGP2d5HqFDW6QVYAccubMEjfMggerNh4iNUyym5iVW0L6uOnpe25LfTpdw53lIeYCdg2pzAlneXjY4SkEFjghKqHQFBBpJmoE_EG6N0FY5WVWL-bfLePQ9JVaxdKhvXf6_evJ8zsGnSP64_0R-UZrKoypxOl4taT9YJ/s6795/2023-10-10%2008.34.11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3887" data-original-width="6795" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxLCSztvvO0ja5upW7PtFZjbgdTGP2d5HqFDW6QVYAccubMEjfMggerNh4iNUyym5iVW0L6uOnpe25LfTpdw53lIeYCdg2pzAlneXjY4SkEFjghKqHQFBBpJmoE_EG6N0FY5WVWL-bfLePQ9JVaxdKhvXf6_evJ8zsGnSP64_0R-UZrKoypxOl4taT9YJ/w400-h229/2023-10-10%2008.34.11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPrZpi46XWlo3p267hphuFu81LyG5g_ARdRzj4iwtpjp97tK0qNRNzdPhQYllC8KZ_gK_C9XosrVm4nn7Fl3Ib-l_e54lXslXJWniIneG0r4T7uJwntUxI3tfZLzYnTcQkNX8SQExGYozx57vZCiXDLQtra_l5neVuUrchtmuMzVA84APNq-KfTmBuC9S/s1080/2023-10-08%2015.57.04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>stillwatersiowahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01904929764005950113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2417370687288915442.post-756373060954996702023-10-08T06:30:00.005-05:002023-10-08T06:51:22.502-05:00Trusting The Unseen<p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Malaki:"Do you need unloaded Uncle BJ?" BJ: "Yep, pull under my combine auger about 3mph. "Malaki: "Copy that." Kudos and thanks to grandkids Ezra, Zach, John, and Malaki who kept the grain away from the combines when the grownups had other responsibilities.</b><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcS6zNBKdV9nA4V_G-3CCEyhmv0T17KYAiorLS9crhOMAU47QKr3O0W1Pw_0aF_nzQRGTinBo4zWAcEkCd0vSTiRyAluJN2kixNFNh5A8UEvV8zG9GGMQbPRwvZKJFVzI4rVGJEisF-YpiB7oGJzfVt3GXHgwb1Dv9j7K1WBKI0WJSQq44KDs1RAqcvSB/s8353/2023-10-07%2016.30.09.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5450" data-original-width="8353" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcS6zNBKdV9nA4V_G-3CCEyhmv0T17KYAiorLS9crhOMAU47QKr3O0W1Pw_0aF_nzQRGTinBo4zWAcEkCd0vSTiRyAluJN2kixNFNh5A8UEvV8zG9GGMQbPRwvZKJFVzI4rVGJEisF-YpiB7oGJzfVt3GXHgwb1Dv9j7K1WBKI0WJSQq44KDs1RAqcvSB/w400-h261/2023-10-07%2016.30.09.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">We had another productive week of harvest with long days and short nights. A huge thank you to the gals who keep home and family going. As well as coming to the fields with supper and support. Thanks for the picture Karl.</span></b><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NtZdOk0L4WUfXqNOB1M4qiZ09984IO1otGkbcs08KBycEEFMX-8ZXF261AJNySocjMg3k1RCL7jQacE4yuk2RefIyWIF0ps6P_FQmyD0U7QI2KOTQmke6-hloMTyjHghDCXkvlmB5sJraNmtetZO3eaEvS3xhd5sLp0QwvKgLpio9gL3pa3S3mai8rmk/s1762/2023-10-03%2010.42.58.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="1762" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NtZdOk0L4WUfXqNOB1M4qiZ09984IO1otGkbcs08KBycEEFMX-8ZXF261AJNySocjMg3k1RCL7jQacE4yuk2RefIyWIF0ps6P_FQmyD0U7QI2KOTQmke6-hloMTyjHghDCXkvlmB5sJraNmtetZO3eaEvS3xhd5sLp0QwvKgLpio9gL3pa3S3mai8rmk/w400-h184/2023-10-03%2010.42.58.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Farming is trusting the unseen. The weather good or bad. Markets. Working relationships. Having faith in and knowing God is in charge. Kurt, BJ, Karl, and Dean make a plan while I'm fueling a combine.</span></b><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVVkoityqGtX3P_VRShGnjU0wASfWOQ9n47AkNezWBGa7EyK9-RY8-2cX8z_c5gFd378oFZcgtNgZYqrszQNXW2z5ZwcxXSe3PhOcWFZmiRSvOOm-uwBDR3pJJJVUE4sspYyLW3ZiYi2_85NleRhgh72LcvRj_ALbIJMcnrZwkucqaUBenjesIpSv0ME-/s3627/2023-10-03%2008.58.20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2148" data-original-width="3627" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVVkoityqGtX3P_VRShGnjU0wASfWOQ9n47AkNezWBGa7EyK9-RY8-2cX8z_c5gFd378oFZcgtNgZYqrszQNXW2z5ZwcxXSe3PhOcWFZmiRSvOOm-uwBDR3pJJJVUE4sspYyLW3ZiYi2_85NleRhgh72LcvRj_ALbIJMcnrZwkucqaUBenjesIpSv0ME-/w400-h238/2023-10-03%2008.58.20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">A wagon lost a tire on the highway while we were doing custom bean combining this past week. Thanks to Gary from Bill and Rays for picking up the rear of the wagon.</span></b><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bc1aC3n3xQtLy-v6uxztJV54KRDMNzhq5fGqFDcF_K0aafkHuZexk9D64QkE8RUp-GKBo3JMggHE_4LXPjQwz5Efil_pNqGpgFZG96MQ379kSXCbRclzGKBClnkJINiwqpYu0RSeHdQEybKaGGWXFpTY-K-pRL28-XtQDh3RAMw-wkSX0vu8Iq3Ft7gb/s8079/2023-10-03%2014.56.55.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5284" data-original-width="8079" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bc1aC3n3xQtLy-v6uxztJV54KRDMNzhq5fGqFDcF_K0aafkHuZexk9D64QkE8RUp-GKBo3JMggHE_4LXPjQwz5Efil_pNqGpgFZG96MQ379kSXCbRclzGKBClnkJINiwqpYu0RSeHdQEybKaGGWXFpTY-K-pRL28-XtQDh3RAMw-wkSX0vu8Iq3Ft7gb/w400-h261/2023-10-03%2014.56.55.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Then BJ drove the customer's tractor to DFS elevator pulling the broken wagon and the wrecker.</span></b><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUxjaRT2NEo64Tbdr8cr-RZpbMjZCm4DwuRZd-Mm-9sAF4Ewgk9vWhvBsssU8Fu5atZh9ico3Ir60sOZsVyNhqjouGI2pMxm0oSmZy3s_MS8wIqGng4oKHBE1U33Y0l7gAODgjDySdZLGlfHDyNThmMXp_pSy3iuSlggb7uPEeN4jlvqKGGwhxRt-IfzE/s7208/2023-10-03%2015.15.12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3842" data-original-width="7208" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUxjaRT2NEo64Tbdr8cr-RZpbMjZCm4DwuRZd-Mm-9sAF4Ewgk9vWhvBsssU8Fu5atZh9ico3Ir60sOZsVyNhqjouGI2pMxm0oSmZy3s_MS8wIqGng4oKHBE1U33Y0l7gAODgjDySdZLGlfHDyNThmMXp_pSy3iuSlggb7uPEeN4jlvqKGGwhxRt-IfzE/w400-h214/2023-10-03%2015.15.12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>We updated a 20 year old honey wagon for hauling hog manure. Kudos to Rob and Stutsman for delivering it Thursday.</b></span><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2x2hZ1eIIoD7ro7k1N-05RWhyphenhyphen-impxvSDPf19ggHcy3ICW1ZsYwXgYKB-F36QROKxeUMcQDZeguU3DLkghTQht4_DoAfiRLApDK5F_8f1OoYMQu8xB4ZziAHzwNoJ7aqsvddOdDESySi5B1zWg2uVC9th-0lcNQS-EibaG4cBNnux-CyctOkJhfWfkWA3/s6776/2023-10-05%2010.56.48.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3862" data-original-width="6776" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2x2hZ1eIIoD7ro7k1N-05RWhyphenhyphen-impxvSDPf19ggHcy3ICW1ZsYwXgYKB-F36QROKxeUMcQDZeguU3DLkghTQht4_DoAfiRLApDK5F_8f1OoYMQu8xB4ZziAHzwNoJ7aqsvddOdDESySi5B1zWg2uVC9th-0lcNQS-EibaG4cBNnux-CyctOkJhfWfkWA3/w400-h228/2023-10-05%2010.56.48.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Last Sunday noon we celebrated Cassia's birthday at Autumn Acres just east of Oskaloosa. Thanks to Brent and Phyllis for having us visit. </b></span><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOK32oY5Fokh1DtRynByb_sDgUHIUGTvCY8M8Q0X5ceaxQSfJoWU-bblYU3dBxX6Xo43UuXASh8HQisPIpJpS1rousKHq_Q7w8Cmxs6v_E4UcOQ9cjGKrv6jXgnPdLgro_DGypnC72NcZc3h5oD21kctA9eHK-5Labz52Se53G7Z6Bpk-wOZ7QkNnGsIAN/s8894/2023-10-01%2012.07.41.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5402" data-original-width="8894" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOK32oY5Fokh1DtRynByb_sDgUHIUGTvCY8M8Q0X5ceaxQSfJoWU-bblYU3dBxX6Xo43UuXASh8HQisPIpJpS1rousKHq_Q7w8Cmxs6v_E4UcOQ9cjGKrv6jXgnPdLgro_DGypnC72NcZc3h5oD21kctA9eHK-5Labz52Se53G7Z6Bpk-wOZ7QkNnGsIAN/w400-h243/2023-10-01%2012.07.41.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Last Friday evening was the last regular season home football game. BJ went straight from the bean field to Pella Christian football field to join Cassia and John who is a senior this year. Thanks for the picture.</b></span><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH12s-LcAPezrd-ldZt4VdaqSV-mI_j5UlTVZj1Zu-ppioJcwR_eo3uxYUfkLJNbjXayyPyH7BFV4fdozLVKRvGN1hQr58JBfKjHrGvqCBjrMzUUwmPuT1aqy6QMQ7CRINDm59vqplBTPSut-DQjcpb_feIOr6l_HSxzj7-Hj0AfkRyU1WOOQvS8nBzkwo/s1621/2023-10-07%2020.48.46.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="1621" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH12s-LcAPezrd-ldZt4VdaqSV-mI_j5UlTVZj1Zu-ppioJcwR_eo3uxYUfkLJNbjXayyPyH7BFV4fdozLVKRvGN1hQr58JBfKjHrGvqCBjrMzUUwmPuT1aqy6QMQ7CRINDm59vqplBTPSut-DQjcpb_feIOr6l_HSxzj7-Hj0AfkRyU1WOOQvS8nBzkwo/w400-h256/2023-10-07%2020.48.46.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Dry weather is great for harvest. However we will soon need moisture for fall tillage, honey hauling, NH3 application, cover crop germination, and next year's crop. Trusting the unseen.</b></span><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYk-ZuFLhfv9QaceGoC-iBBALd1BxBtUISkmN02clrFwbjrBxoY7Efnct0ZtmzjIBZ46zd1g9SeV9k8YZ29onYUm26_845dDWIsAJ9wJAgDBtsV_RTZxyMfgpAjmwyaQGxSXHp3fvYpMynaJF3ydvDWVZccVnlec35JOS1F6-zS6A2SMjvw2VDU7B9_Yv/s1080/2023-10-01%2018.02.27.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="1080" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYk-ZuFLhfv9QaceGoC-iBBALd1BxBtUISkmN02clrFwbjrBxoY7Efnct0ZtmzjIBZ46zd1g9SeV9k8YZ29onYUm26_845dDWIsAJ9wJAgDBtsV_RTZxyMfgpAjmwyaQGxSXHp3fvYpMynaJF3ydvDWVZccVnlec35JOS1F6-zS6A2SMjvw2VDU7B9_Yv/w400-h299/2023-10-01%2018.02.27.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kudos to Jan who continues to cook, bake, can, and freeze good food. She also helped me move machinery multiple nights after finishing a field. Thanks for the picture Jan.</span></b><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGa6gCup4zL3O_iE7EoiQxVzHrTCekz2j9o3d7VaAt0vTP6Hh-Db9z0AYRtKlbN1TcGJ7I_YdNE3UYjcFIIGzyBk2ov4Iq8R6O1AhB1obu5ATUB0anYLXhp7abKYWWxfVOni8nVJrh4NhriLxekKIvERhNFVu2n4E1NHu6N5z6loV5I6Q4x1a08W9iQ4GH/s1946/2023-10-02%2012.41.42.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1946" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGa6gCup4zL3O_iE7EoiQxVzHrTCekz2j9o3d7VaAt0vTP6Hh-Db9z0AYRtKlbN1TcGJ7I_YdNE3UYjcFIIGzyBk2ov4Iq8R6O1AhB1obu5ATUB0anYLXhp7abKYWWxfVOni8nVJrh4NhriLxekKIvERhNFVu2n4E1NHu6N5z6loV5I6Q4x1a08W9iQ4GH/w400-h221/2023-10-02%2012.41.42.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">I took a half a day off from harvest and joined a small group to have lunch with Senator Tim Scott who is running for president. Thanks for the picture Anna.</span></b><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArfp4YDetgGWl451CE9pquPdvjZYbcDKDAjBn8jLSkfleWBPMjbA164V3NOilw9mgO0nWGpXNsDrOsmHm14NHwLksVx5lNwKjmWT0-JzobI_M7o0Ctq0zLxVjsbYdDPYShvsm58xSJjtRx_nEHbmblu6XMAYZ1rTEIFAVWmwQcnTbQF6sEwpFt_1TQ5z-/s2016/2023-10-04%2016.05.55.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="926" data-original-width="2016" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArfp4YDetgGWl451CE9pquPdvjZYbcDKDAjBn8jLSkfleWBPMjbA164V3NOilw9mgO0nWGpXNsDrOsmHm14NHwLksVx5lNwKjmWT0-JzobI_M7o0Ctq0zLxVjsbYdDPYShvsm58xSJjtRx_nEHbmblu6XMAYZ1rTEIFAVWmwQcnTbQF6sEwpFt_1TQ5z-/w400-h184/2023-10-04%2016.05.55.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Since The Blaze studio is in the same building I stopped and said hello to Steve, Todd, and Aaron who broadcast a daily podcast from 11am to 1pm. They were on a top of the hour break. </span></b><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwwnBgOek53eVp8e9ZZiSy-gJcJ8DHrMncwczRE8CcphVmlb2xDicwJqLgHp_3QCFK7DdUe8JVnehM9wxAcVgbfrx4ZXTgfCfh0sPnqgu_fo06C4QjjzeLj3HNUHBu5AfeXwxhD92lWGKur38Hif2FycsTKlxKaXZatcbOiw1Zle29eKaIJO-3qVfXKfv/s9248/2023-10-04%2011.32.04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6411" data-original-width="9248" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwwnBgOek53eVp8e9ZZiSy-gJcJ8DHrMncwczRE8CcphVmlb2xDicwJqLgHp_3QCFK7DdUe8JVnehM9wxAcVgbfrx4ZXTgfCfh0sPnqgu_fo06C4QjjzeLj3HNUHBu5AfeXwxhD92lWGKur38Hif2FycsTKlxKaXZatcbOiw1Zle29eKaIJO-3qVfXKfv/w400-h278/2023-10-04%2011.32.04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">My mother-in-law used to tell me things often happen in threes. We've had a young farmer from Prairie City critically injured in a hog house explosion, a farmer my age from Pella killed in a farming accident, and a young high schooler from Lynville/Sully critically ill. Our community continues to support in prayer as these families deal with the unseen.</span></b><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7M8wYRkBcuQDKBt1ZkxlsSqZUfypmxaFucIOVzrpUOJAXLPoIiJ5D11gMQdHu7VPUHUxgjvDO_UmnguVzNLJpBUI4k_ECbK1hw7H-8am2LFos2lQZX_PBVeBGpmhC5fwVvmgKDWjf1pmkG-FxgHswPYddmznm4DIWLxWOrx5vCFxEidyzWhn5MSERIk3U/s7375/2023-10-04%2008.21.20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3786" data-original-width="7375" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7M8wYRkBcuQDKBt1ZkxlsSqZUfypmxaFucIOVzrpUOJAXLPoIiJ5D11gMQdHu7VPUHUxgjvDO_UmnguVzNLJpBUI4k_ECbK1hw7H-8am2LFos2lQZX_PBVeBGpmhC5fwVvmgKDWjf1pmkG-FxgHswPYddmznm4DIWLxWOrx5vCFxEidyzWhn5MSERIk3U/w400-h205/2023-10-04%2008.21.20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">I'm thinking most of you would agree we are living in uncertain times. Like driving on a foggy morning it's often difficult to see the path clearly. But God has purposes intended for everyone of us and asks us to move forward in faith, trusting in His unseen grace. The Bible is full of success stories of folks who simply took God at His word. No one who has trusted God has ever been let down. Blessings.</b><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_fgniGP0gkKFAM4s4FA_rErVl88KgtwColneYjGY6WqhWDvSbcbDtNqVs7Znv7FLI8ZlanfXR6thdZ_3s46gBT-Dl2L9vrhquapqYpsxPW-VYheyrqXOR74F7dQlJcvtylaFPgVrqlaNHNsnMgjx9FPqxmfqyuT_ToYK7K4H9pHYgqub4eKUsKCIQrwk/s6655/2023-10-03%2009.17.01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4204" data-original-width="6655" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_fgniGP0gkKFAM4s4FA_rErVl88KgtwColneYjGY6WqhWDvSbcbDtNqVs7Znv7FLI8ZlanfXR6thdZ_3s46gBT-Dl2L9vrhquapqYpsxPW-VYheyrqXOR74F7dQlJcvtylaFPgVrqlaNHNsnMgjx9FPqxmfqyuT_ToYK7K4H9pHYgqub4eKUsKCIQrwk/w400-h253/2023-10-03%2009.17.01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /> <p></p>stillwatersiowahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01904929764005950113noreply@blogger.com0