The Next Right Thing

What's the next right thing after approaching a flooded road? "Turn around. Don't drown". Except that's kind of hard to do with a train. After heavy rains in our area earlier this week we had some flooding. The train that comes through our farm daily had to park it one evening. About the time Jan was considering bringing them supper, a RR pickup came by and picked up the crew.

Last Sunday evening we helped celebrate Rosie's first birthday. A little Dutch Bingo. Rosie is Carson and Rachel's daughter. Rachel is BJ and Cassia's daughter. BJ is our son. PTL.

Is a Fendt tractor the next right thing? It does kind of grow on you after being used to green, red, and yellow. One of it's perks is a 3000 hour warranty including a full service package. That means service techs come and change all oils and filters at regular intervals without being asked.

Last Monday evening Adam came to Oskaloosa. Someone called into Smokey Row with a death threat to him and those attending. Adam said, "We are in a battle between good and evil. Evil will not prevail. Conservatism is alive and well in the state of Iowa. We will move forward as planned". Sometimes the next right thing involves standing up for our principles, values, and freedoms.

This has been a wet, but busy week. For you as well I'm sure. My sister Beth, her husband Dan, their son Will and Brittney, along with their grandson Russel spent the week with us. Checking crop stands, preparing sprayers for skinny tire spraying between crop rows, state track meet at Drake, graduations, and parties celebrating with the graduates. And we have a granddaughter getting married tomorrow, on Memorial Day.

Kudos to Jackson (Kurt and Emily), Elijah (Mark and Stacy), Malaki (Karl and Kristin), and Elliot (Brian and Becky) for helping yesterday. I think growing up and working together with cousins is a blessing. Plus Grandpa and Grandma get to enjoy their company.

After competing at the State track meet, Ezra (Brian and Becky) graduated from PCHS last evening. His father was the commencement speaker.  

Two year old Tatum (Karl and Kristin) decided the next right thing to do was to get off his 3-wheeler and help his brother Malaki break down pro boxes.

So what's our point this morning? Often when tough things happen we want to quit, turn around, or immediately count our loss, when in fact, we need to be like the train, and do the next right thing, wait. 24 hours later the water was off this field and Kurt's corn looks just fine.

"Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart". Psalm 27:13

Seasons Of Activity

The book of Ecclesiastes is a book of perspective written by a man who the Bible says was the wisest man on earth. Wisdom is to be asked for and God given. Solomon starts this book by the meaninglessness of chasing the wind. "We don't remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now." Eccl. 1:11

So the crop is in. It's in various sizes and stages. The stands are from great to whatever. We are now in the killing weeds and mowing grass mode. In Ecclesiastes 2 Solomon talks about the futility and foolishness of chasing the 'good things' in life. We can plan, prepare, and plant, however the Lord determines the outcome, for which I am grateful.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 talks about a season for every activity. And then in his own words, relevant for his time 3000 yrs ago, Solomon talks about seasons for hard work, rest, building, new life, weddings, ball games, elections, graduations, and birthday parties.

Solomon concludes this section with vs 11, that God has made everything beautiful in His own time. He has planted eternity in our hearts. Even so, we can't see or comprehend the whole scope of God's purpose. Vs. 12-13, life is a gift, so enjoy the ride. And vs 14-15, God's purpose for past, present, and future is final. And what is happening now has happened before, and will happen again.

Ecclesiastes 4 talks about the advantages of companionship. Yesterday morning after a beautiful half inch of rain, our office was full for morning coffee and Jan's baked goodies. I asked the older grandkids if they would please replace a broken shift cable on our cab Ranger. They did awesome.

Ecclesiastes 3:7 says there is a time to be quiet, and a time to speak. I take this advice very seriously. I'm going to give you my opinion this morning and am not offended if you feel differently. I went to the auditors office and voted for Adam Friday morning. I feel Randy is Washington politics and seems to come across as not wanting to serve the grass roots of Iowa. Zach is a contender and has come on strong as of late. He is a self funded millionaire which does not disqualify him. He is also a bit of an unknown, and when digging deeper, his experiences and stories don't always add up. Brad is a pastor and constitutionalist. He's older than myself. He loves the Lord, but lacks experience. Eddie is a likable guy, a praise team leader in his church, an Iowa legislature, but lacks the ability to lead a state. 

Adam has experience running a state, working under Governor Kim. He has the leadership and confidence needed. He is grass roots. During the six counties I drove him to, he consistently asked me to help him pray for discernment and wisdom before each visit. If you're in the area, Id invite you to come visit with Adam tomorrow, Monday evening @ Smokey Row in Oskaloosa.

Natalie (BJ and Cassia) and Allison (Mark and Stacy) graduated from 8th grade at Oskaloosa Christian Friday evening. Growing up I changed schools five times and attended both public and parent run schools during my k-12 education. In all my years I have been thankful for Christian education.

Solomon writes one of my favorite verses in this story: "It is appropriate and good for a person to make a living, and find satisfaction in their work during the few days God has given them, for this is their destiny. Moreover, when God gives possessions, the ability to enjoy them, to accept their destiny, and to be happy in their work, this is a gift from God. They seldom look back on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with the gladness of heart". Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 (condensed)

Let's keep a clear perspective on the seasons of our activities, and then enjoy them.

Advice And Admiration

The book of Proverbs is about Biblical wisdom and gives advice about values, moral behavior, and the meaning of life. Most of the content is written by King Solomon about 3000 yrs ago to his children (my son, take heed). However the last chapter starts with advice from a mother to her son, a king, and finishes with the characteristics and admiration of a wife.

This will be the first Mother's Day without my mother. I've shared her words of advice about values and behavior before. However this morning I'm thinking more about the advice she showed me by example. The first is to love the unlovable. Next, not be hypersensitive or easily upset by criticism I hear about myself or those I love. And finally to be ok when acts of kindness, caring, and going the extra mile, go unnoticed. 

The author of Proverbs 31 finishes with the virtues of a wife of noble character. Jewish tradition thinks this chapter was written by Bathsheba to her son, King Solomon. Heaven knows he could have used the advice, having 700 wives and 300 concubines.

Here are some virtues the author writes about a capable and precious wife, vs 17, she is an energetic and hard worker, vs 20, she extends a helping hand and open arms to the needy, vs 25, she laughs without fear of the future, vs 26, she gives instruction with kindness, vs 28, her husband and children praise and bless her.

Last Sunday our family got together. It was fun to have Cody and his wife Tori join us from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Cody is Mike and Suzanne's son.

After lunch the grandkids started a baseball game. Grandpa was fulltime pitcher for awhile. Thanks for the picture Emily.

Friday morning Mark and Stacy's, Amelia, and her fiancé, Tysen, graduated from Dordt University. They get married in two weeks. I enjoyed helping them yesterday morning. Thanks for the picture.

We are coasting to a finish as far as getting crops in. And I'd say by the emptiness of our seed shed most others around here are finishing as well. Next week starts haying and 2nd pass corn spraying.

Happy Mother's Day to these wonderful gals. My wife Jan, daughter Becky, daughter-in-laws Suzanne, Cassia, Stacy, Kristin, and Emily, and one of our granddaughter-in-laws where this picture was taken at her bridal shower last year. She, Ella, and John are expecting in October.  Proverbs 31:30 talks about a woman who fears the Lord. I have to agree with the apostle John when he says, we have no greater joy than to know that our children are walking in the Truth. 3 John 3: 4 paraphrased. 

I will say one doesn't get away with much these days. Last night Jan mentioned that I must have stopped at Caseys today. I did after I had brought Matt soybean seed. She said I had an email requesting a survey. 😕 My advice for husbands today is to praise and bless the family God has given you, (vs 28). And laugh without fear of the future, because He is in charge, (vs 30).

Passing It Forward

Good morning friends. Let's start with the meat and potatoes of what's been on my mind this week. And then finish our hopefully short and interesting visit with a "what if". Tatum was at Grandma with his farm toys, a book called "Wisdom", and his farm boots. Wow, one could write a story on this picture alone. Where will Tatum be in 50 short years? What will God's purpose be for him? Will his Grandfather have had any influence, good or bad, on his future?

I'm a long ways from perfect. Just ask the family that gets written about every week. Forgetfulness, not big on details, and often too busy. But I serve a God that is perfect, and because of His goodness, what we have as a family is beautiful. Hazel and Jayden are showing some pieces of the Old Testament Biblical tabernacle they built as a class in school. 

Thursday morning I joined Zach, Elijah, Anton, Elliot, Ezra, and Adi for a high school chapel on Grandparents Day.

"Tell your children about it in the years to come, and let your children tell their children. Pass the story down from generation to generation". Joel 1:3 There will always be sticks and stones in our lives, just like the prophet Joel wrote about in the Old Testament. Harris helped me pick them up on Friday when he came to help after Grandparents Day. Jackson and Malaki helped yesterday.

On Monday we had another half inch of rain. By Wednesday we were spraying in the dryer areas, both custom work and our own.

By late in the week we were back planting both corn and soybeans. The kids, grandkids, and the help run multiple field cultivators, planters, sprayers, spray tenders, and seed tenders. I fill in where needed.

Yesterday afternoon and evening I planted corn since Kurt's family had a Boonie's wood fired pizza event to serve at. In Psalm 78, Asaph says, Hey folks listen up. I have stories from the past. Let's not hide these truths from our children. Tell the next generation about God's mighty deeds, power, and wonders. Psalm 78:1-4 paraphrased.

Late Friday night under a near full moon, things were rocking and rolling. I forgot to take a picture as I watched the action from my office in the house. I thought seriously about helping, but decided the next generations had it covered just fine. Just like Tatum, they started with farm toys, farm boots, and God-given "wisdom" passed along.

Thanks for the picture last night Kurt. Today after church our family is getting together for breaded tenderloins and pork patties, in the shop across the road because the cabin has guests. A blessing indeed. Our culture today is encouraging young folks to not, or wait, to get married and have kids because of convenience and finances. Jan and I had 3 children by the time we were 23 and 24 yrs old. "What if" we had decided or were not able not to have kids until after that age? There would be 26 less of the 40 family coming today. Accept God's gifts and purpose for you. Then pass those gifts forward to others.

Journey Or Destination

Have you ever waved at a conductor in a train engine and wondered where he was going, his destination? I know. The dude is probably doing his eight hour shift. However have you ever wondered how he got to driving trains, if he has a family, and where he calls home? That's his journey.

We've had 5 inches of rain in April. Our tile are working 24/7. For the most part we've been in the field in late March, and Monday-Thursday of this past week. There has been a lot of lawnmower seat time. When you can mow and think about other things at the same time. Like how so many things have changed on this journey of life. Folks want to think it's faster and crazier. However it was fast and crazy 50 yrs ago. I'm thinking narrower and less horsepower.

Our IHC 856 was purchased the summer after my Junior year in high school. A 4 row cyclo planter, the rage of the early 1970s, the spring before my Senior year. The $45/56# bag seed went in the ground with runner openers. The fertilizer for the crop was banded on in 50# bags. The herbicide was banded over the row and went in 20# row units on the back of the planter. Every tillage and planting trip was done with the same tractor. I had the latest technology with a blinking Dickey John seed monitor. With all the seed, fertilizer, and herbicide, bag stops, 60 acres was a huge day. It took about 1 gallon diesel/acre for a 100 hp tractor.

A 24 row high speed planter can put in 600 acres/day. That's over 250 bags of seed corn, treated with biologicals at the seed shed.  And the driver can still get a little sleep at night. Most of our fertilizer was applied earlier. And a sprayer is chasing him out of the field, applying herbicide and a little more nitrogen. It takes only 1/4 gallon diesel/acre for a 400 hp tractor planting.

50 years ago we counted bags, and wrote it in a pocket notebook we carried. Today we count seeds. Plus the equipment keeps track of what you see below, plus dates, time of day, acres/hour, direction traveled/swipe, weather temp, humidity, wind speed and direction, and soil temp and moisture content. And the "cloud" puts it all in neat folders that you can pull up by field, by equipment, or by hybrid. This fall the combines have all this info preloaded.

Our late March planted crops look great planted during that dry spell. These acres will be ready for second pass spraying soon. The sprayers collect and save data similar to the planters. They count ounces of product and gallons of water. And the "cloud" keeps them from spraying waterways, terraces, and outside field borders.

Farming isn't the only set of tracks on our journey. In fact it's after our Faith, our Family, and our Friends. Jan and I were remembering and reminiscing last evening. Our oldest, Mike, will be 49 yrs old in August. Wow! Then Mark. Then BJ. Becky's birthday was 10 days ago. Kurt and Karl were born 37 yrs ago today. I remember all those "birth" days well, but won't bore you with the details. Thanks for the picture.

Our children all now have spouses, children, and activities of their own, and are on their own journeys. Friday evening was a preK-4th grade program at Oskaloosa Christian Grade School. They did a great job.

Last evening was Allison's (Mark and Stacy), and Natalie's (BJ and Cassia) 8th grade banquet. My 8th grade banquet was at Bethel CRC church in 1970. High school kids sang a chant, and made us walk around our table with a girl. Thanks for the picture Stacy.

Looking back, so many God directed details, struggles, and blessings. But let's wrap this up looking forward. How do we best live out this temporary journey here on earth? By being a 2AM friend to others. By showing brotherly love. By being salt in a spoiling world. By hanging on loosely to things. By having a servant heart. Folks say it's the journey, not the destination. Oh, but there is a destination. It's just not here on earth. It's spending eternity with our Lord. Let's help experience a little Heaven here on earth until we get there.

Promises

It's hard not to visit about promises when we see such glorious colors in the sky, and remembering the meaning of those colors. A clear night sky full of stars remind us of God's power. A partial red moon last week showing through a gloomy, cloudy sky reminds us of God's presence. A rainbow after a hard rain this past Wednesday evening reminds us of God's promise.

We had another wet week in southern Iowa. Actually the 3rd one in a row. The old wives' tale is proving true about the promise of rain 100 days after a fog. Remember we had a lot of foggy mornings in January. Below the blossoms are promising a good cherry crop.

These planters have been sitting for close to 3 weeks. With our current forecast I'm hoping we can run two sprayers tomorrow (Monday), and be rocking and rolling again with the planters on Tuesday.

I picked a poor time of day to get a photo of emerged soybeans. However they came up in two weeks and are starting to show up in the row.

Thanks for the picture Kristin. Karl and family worked on seed deliveries and organizing the seed shed this past week. Taking the time to work along side and use our younger helpers promises an upcoming generation that will be assets in whatever they choose to do as adults.

Extra curricular activities at school also help the discipline, teamwork, and growing up process of young folks. This week provided an opportunity to go watch several grandkids and their teammates compete in a track meet last Tuesday evening, including them break a couple of school records.

Wet weeks sometimes give us the opportunity to do less important jobs. Like starting and cleaning up older tractors after they have been sitting all winter. Below is a 1971 JD 4020 (sticker price $10,000), a 1971 IHC 1456 (original sticker price $12,000), and a 1976 Ford 7600 (sticker price $13,000). These were the workhorses 50 yrs ago. The sticker prices on today's workhorses are from $500,000 to $900,000. That's a 5000% price increase in 50 yrs, with crop prices increasing around 50% during that same time frame.

We finished putting up our pallet racking in the shop across the road and now are busy sorting and organizing.

We have lost a couple of friends and fellow blog family members this past month. Linda was married to my oldest cousin Dick who passed away in 2018. Jan and I stopped by Owen's room and took this picture one Sunday earlier this year while also visiting our former landlady, Esther, who lived in the room next to Owen. Both loved the Lord and had the promise of heaven.

In Genesis 9 God first set a rainbow in the sky when He promised Noah no more flooding the whole earth. It was also a promise then and now of God's redeeming grace and mercy. God's promises also include our protection and  provision. He promises the Holy Spirit to speak for us when we are unsure how to pray, and promises those prayers will be answered. God gives us nudges, part of the promise of our purpose. He gives us wisdom if we ask. And finally God is our living hope with the promise of heaven if we accept His gift of salvation for our wrongdoings. Blessings.