Mothers Day

In 1954 Mother's Day was observed on May 9. My mother was married on May 7 of that year only to tell her new husband good-bye the following week when the Army sent him to Korea for 14 months. Yesterday, May 10, was her 92 birthday. Elliot and Ezra, her great-grandsons, and myself brought her some flowers Jan had picked from her yard.

My father returned home from Korea in the summer of 1955. A year later I was born. In 1961 my parents sent me to kindergarten at Oskaloosa Christian School, and I used a desk like this. The hole in the desk is an ink well, which we didn't use. I'm old but not that old.

Fast-forward a couple of decades. On Mother's Day 1989 this was the family God gave Jan and I to raise and care for. Jan was and is an amazing wife and mother.

This recent first week of May was different than most I can remember in a long time. With the crop in and emerged, we kept busy with other projects. Kurt is folding up his planter after washing it and pulling out the speed tubes.

BJ finished a pond and built a couple of terraces above it on a rented farm. He also pattern tiled the last farm we saved for that reason south of Oskaloosa along Hwy 163. We call it the Vos farm since we rented it off of Cres and Evelyn a generation ago when they raised their four kids there.

Kasey spent the week spraying rowed corn with the wide tires on. Since the ground is dry, running over the new young corn plants does not effect the stand. With planting happening so early and fast we also switched about half our corn acres from two pass to one pass spraying for controlling weeds.

Exact Apply speeds up the spraying operation. So on many of our acres we tendered one sprayer with two semi tenders. On good going, a sprayer can spray over 100 acres/hour including filling. Below Justin and Matt from Oskaloosa/Nutrien are loading us. Ryan, Andrew, and Kathy also kept us going from the New Sharon location.

These gals are the heartbeat of our family. In reality, with all their busy schedules, they are the heartbeat of our communities as well. They are also Moms to 29 children. I love you all and Happy Mother's Day to Jan, Emily, Stacy, Suzanne, Kristin, Cassia, and Becky.

On Friday the Pella Christian FFA chapter held an Agventure Day at school. And invited the younger gradeschool kids to come enjoy and learn about farming. Elijah brought our Ford 801 Select-O-Speed. This 1960 model 44 hp tractor is permanently on our 2 row sweetcorn planter. Ezra brought Karl's J and M 390 seed tender.

Friday was also graduation at Dordt University in Sioux Center. Mike and Suzanne's Cody and his fiancé Tori both graduated. Tori will practice nursing in Mitchell, SD. And Cody will work at Fareway in Sioux Falls, SD and attending Augustana in the fall for physical therapy training. In July, we look forward to Cody and Tori getting married. Thanks for the picture.

I heard a statement recently I agree with. Often folks misremember the past. When they do that, they resent the present, and fear the future. Misremembering, resenting, and fearing, lead to discontent and negativity. Which can't coincide with gratitude. As I think back about graduations, birthdays, and past Mother's Days, I'm reminded of something Solomon said 3000 years ago that's still true today: "We seldom look back at the days of our lives, because God keeps us occupied with the gladness of our heart". Ecclesiastes 5:20

So does that mean our future will be trouble free? Not a chance. However struggles often lead to personal growth and opportunities. And as we have experienced in the past, help with character building and contentment. God made you for a purpose. Actually, His purpose. That makes us look forward to future birthdays, graduations, and Mother's Days. Grandson Gideon and Emily's, little Oakley, is the 5th generation gal in this morning's story. And is already busy being part of their Sully Meat Market and Locker business. Blessings and Happy Mother's Day.

Tradition

Friday evening Jan and I braved the chill and showers and went to Tulip Time in Pella. As usual toward the end of the parade are the antique tractors. However traditions are changing. Instead of all A and G John Deeres and F-20 and H Farmalls, the antique tractors are now the ones I grew up on and even used when we first started farming. Interesting. Must say something about my age. 😊

We actually went to the parade to watch family. Kurt, Emily, and family pushing a cart, the grandkids in the band, and Hazel. Hazel is a 2nd grader. She is Brian and Becky's youngest. She was a flower girl and rode with Queen Addison in all 6 parades.

For the last 30 years I've had a tradition of collecting obituaries of visitations or funerals I've attended, traffic warnings and tickets I've received, and church history where we're members, in one of my office drawers. An interesting combination. When I went to put Brant's obituary away I did some counting of my collections, and found I had close to 300 obituaries of folks and friends I knew.

Traditions are a cultural, religious, vocational, or family practice or habit people have continued to follow for a long time. Many are good, and keep us rooted on firm footing. Others are bad, and keep us in a rut because that's where we're comfortable.

A farming tradition that often gets neglected is cleaning up equipment before it gets put away for another season. I spent Friday morning cleaning up a field cultivator. And Saturday asked Elliot, a grandson, to clean up the tractor that pulled it.

For decades in southern Iowa, ideal corn planting dates were late April till May 10. And soybean planting from mid to late May. However this tradition is changing, and more farmers are becoming comfortable starting earlier. Dry soil is a gift in this neck of the woods during planting. Soil temps will take care of themselves and warm up with the calendar. So with all the dozens of things our seed is treated with these days, you plant when soil moisture is ideal rather than waiting on the calendar. Both the corn and soybean field below were planted April 9. We also have a few March 28 planted soybeans that look good.

Custom work is a demanding profession. It takes long hours, up to date equipment, a respect for the customer and their job, and it takes good help. However custom work is also rewarding. In helping and serving others, in the ability to do a job well and timely, and in the comradery in getting things accomplished. As we stopped for breaded mushrooms, grilled asparagus, and burgers one noon, I couldn't help but feel thankful for a tradition of 50 years of working for others. Some as businesses kids have on their own, some as a family. Seated below is my wife Jan, 5 sons, a grandson, and 4 hired helpers.

Jan and I took off one wet afternoon to attend a retirement party and then head south to greenhouses southwest of Centerville. Brian has been our banker for over 20 years and was one of the best. He not only did the numbers, but respected my worldview, my beliefs in family, and my wanting to be diversified. Thanks Brian! Not only for being a business partner, but also a friend.

As Jan and I made it to Amish country we went past a farm with 100s of folks with hats, suspenders, long dresses, and capes on the yard. We stopped and asked the two bishops what the occasion was. It was a wedding. The gal was local and her groom was from Missouri.

The Amish have a tradition of Thursday morning weddings at the home of the bride's parents (fraa and mann). Followed by a "gute" huge lunch. Then an afternoon of games, "singeon", and fellowship for "die youngie".

Large families are also a tradition and a blessing in Amish communities. "Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children". Proverbs 17:6

"Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it will do no good. It is useless to work so hard from morning till night anxiously, for God gives rest to His loved ones. Children are a gift and a reward from the Lord; Children born are like arrows in a warrior's hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them. He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates." Psalms 127 written by Solomon. 

The Power Of Your Story

Your story is 22 times more effective than just facts about you. A story is an interpretation that give facts meaning. The facts of this picture are brothers, Karl, Mike, and Kurt making pizzas.

The story happened yesterday at the Pella Christian Clay Target Team's invitational. It was Kurt and Karl's 36th birthday. Grandkids, John, Elijah, and Elliot joined myself in stopping by for lunch, and watching Adi and Natelie shoot. Thanks to Kasey and Matt covering our spraying responsibilities on a Saturday.

The story of the PC shooting team starts with kids in the 4th grade. The team consist of close to 100 kids. Thanks to the 27 coaches. Thanks to Loren for handling the ammo. Thanks to Kurt and Emily and their pizza trailer for being available for the meal.

We received a settling inch of rain on Easter Sunday. So one of our jobs this past week was to service the planters. We have just a couple of our own and a couple of custom fields left to plant. We did run sprayer some as soil conditions allowed.

We started planting both corn and soybeans in earnest April 9. Even with cooler soil temps early, emergence and uniformity were not a problem.

The two fields we have left to plant we saved in order to pattern tile them. We were able to get one of them finished late last week. We burned tree piles. We picked up rocks and sticks. And we plowed in 4 inch tile, 4 feet deep, 40 feet apart.

Late one evening this past week I received a call from Eileen. She mentioned a delivery semi had tried to take a wet mud road south of Given. And had ended up stuck next to a tile intake in our corn field. While waiting on Brett and crew to come pull him out with their skidloader and winch, I was able to get to know Robert, the semi driver. He lives in Miami, Florida with his wife and three girls. and only gets home every couple of months.

Friday evening Karl and Kristin's, Malaki, was Moses, and is talking to Pharaoh, in a musical play the pre-K through 4th grade performed. Kudos to everyone involved.

Also Friday evening was Junior/Senior Prom at Pella Christian High School. Thanks for the picture of Grandsons Elijah and Ezra, and their dates, Faith and Sidney.

We continue to live in uncertain times. However we don't have to live in uncertainty. Uncertainty is a mystery. That doesn't have to make it fearful. Uncertainty can lead to all kinds of possibilities and opportunities. That's where the power of your story comes in. You all are part of God's story. In His-story (history) an uncertain world should not affect us. We should affect an uncertain world. That happens through God's grace and connection. Blessings.

 

2 AM Friends

I walked into the Beacon Caseys store one Easter Sunday morning 40 years ago. Mary was making donuts back in the kitchen (before Caseys pizza). She would get to work shortly after 2 AM. She was a rough gal, about 75 years old, could swear like a sailor. One morning her 50 yr old son walked in asking his mother for money. Anyhow, back to my story, Mary hollers across the store, "Steve, He has risen". I reply, "yes He has". Mary says, "No Steve, you're supposed to say, He has risen indeed". I had underestimated this gal.

The only other year I can remember a crop going in this fast was 1977. Jan and I started planting our fewer acres April 19 and finished on the 23rd. That year was a severe drought. We brought the Hybrid to the gadget show at the Iowa State Fair. We bought the farm we currently live on. And our first son, Michael, was born.

A 2AM friend is the true meaning of friendship. They honor God by loving their neighbor more than they love themselves. A 2AM friend will share, no questions asked. They are rare individuals we can call on in our darkest moments. They will listen without judgement. Once in awhile they will care enough to ask you hard questions. Below, Kasey is washing Karl's sprayer for him late, after a long day.

I think envy is the opposite of a 2AM friend. When folks are not just jealous of someone, but wanting to bring them down because of their accomplishments. Without God's help and grace, it is impossible to fight envy, to handle authority, power, and status, even in church during Jesus day. Mark 15:10 talks about Pilate, a non-believer, immediately recognized the true reason the religious leaders hated Jesus was out of envy.

Being thankful is an emotion. Giving thanks is an action. Actions teach much better than emotion. And counteracts envy. Yesterday, early, I sent my help in for breakfast. This is Grandma fixing them sandwiches for lunch. Don't underestimate our gals. And give thanks for them!

We have postponed planting on a couple of farms so we can do some tiling and dirtwork on them.

While grandsons Ezra and Elijah were doing customwork, getting ground ready to plant, Elliot was home getting ground ready for sweetcorn.

While planting his field yesterday, grandson John asked Ella to be his wife. Congratulations kiddos. After God, our spouse is our true lifetime 2AM friend. I'm guessing by the end of this year BJ and Cassia will have three married children.

Kudos to Leah and Jesse for using Easter week to discuss faith and family in their podcast, The Farmers Greatest Asset.

"Oh to see the dawn of the darkest day. What a love. What a cost. We stand forgiven. This the power of the cross" (Keith Getty). This morning we celebrate an empty tomb, our Savior's victory over Satan and death for us. Don't miss worshipping at a church with an "empty" cross.

Just before Jesus's trial and crucifixion, He celebrated the Lord's Supper with His disciples. He washed their feet to show an action of servanthood. In His darkest moment, He went out to pray and asked His 2AM friends to pray with him. They let Him down and fell asleep. They all ran, after Jesus was arrested. The Bible talks about some women at the cross. It also tells the story of women heading to the empty tomb on Sunday morning to embalm the body. I worked with a couple of ladies Friday planning a celebration of life get-together at our cabin. Guys, don't underestimate the gals God uses.

At the end of the day God is our true 2AM friend. I know, I'm not forgetting He is also Holy, Majestic, and Ruler of the world. Yet, He sent His Son, Jesus, to save us. And then He sent the Holy Spirit to live in us. I am living proof of the mercy and grace of the Lord. Because I am nothing without Him. Life is short. Don't miss this gift!

Things Aren't Aways As They Seem

You don't reap "what" you sow. You reap "more" than you sow. With crop margins razor thin these days farmers go to great detail at planting time to try for as many bushels as possible to compensate for the lower prices. Alex kept busy planting soybeans late in the week.

After spending the winter months preparing equipment, using dry weather in late March to prepare the ground and finish fertilizing, and getting our inch of rain on April 2, we started planting crops in earnest April 9. Our emptier seed shed late this past week reflects two things. Farmers in southern Iowa are more willing these days to take advantage of dry soil conditions in early April. And if ready, it doesn't take long these days to put a crop in.

                              

Early in the week Ethan brought Mike loads of clay to a job in Eddyville where Mike was preparing a spot for a building site. Thanks for the picture Mike.

Our crew was also hired to clean up some old CRP acres east of Bussey. They used a rotary mulcher, a tree puller, two grapples, and a couple of excavators to make quick work of the project.

Kasey sprayed herbicides on ground going to soybeans, The exact apply sprayer worked very well on fields we had earlier bordered. The lights on every nozzle are also handy while keeping an eye on things. Thanks for the picture Kasey.

With temps below freezing early yesterday morning we spent a little extra time in the office for coffee. Spending a little time together may seem counter productive. But being on the "same page" with each other, planning, stories, and relationships make a challenging job fun. I just deleted all the jobs these folks did this week because it felt like bragging. However I want you and them to know how thankful I am for the privilege of working together on our crop as well as helping others on theirs.

Today is Palm Sunday. Folks celebrated Jesus riding into Jerusalem. However things weren't as they seemed. Instead of coming to conquer and control, He came to seek and serve. Little did folks back then know that just five days later church leaders would ask the government to kill Him. Because He didn't fit their version of worship. Fortunately next week we celebrate that Christ did conquer death and is in control.

We started this morning by talking about reaping more than we sow. That works for crops. It works for families. It also works for sharing and generosity. Galatians 6:9 says, "We will not reap the harvest if not bringing in the full tithe". Human nature says this concept is subtraction instead of multiplication. I'd like to thank 7th grader and granddaughter, Natalie, for writing us all those notes of encouragement on our office window. Is it just me or can you all see the light making a little cross on this picture?

Just a reminder. We also reap more than we sow when we make poor choices. One poor choice turns into many problems. One generation's lack of example and training about what's important in life, turns the next generation into not even knowing. Life is not measured by accomplishments or how much we have when we leave earth (conquering and controlling). It's measured by relationships and service (seeking and serving). Have a good week.