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.

Anchored

When I was in the 3rd grade we had to memorize a Psalm a week. Not a verse, a chapter. Not as a class, but stand beside our desk when we were called on, and recite it a student at a time. 

Monday, we delivered seed to my brother Doug and Ginger's house. 

Thursday was the only day we were in the field this past week. John is helping his Dad, BJ, load the planter. "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want..." Psalm 23. This promise helps us stay anchored.

Alex sprayed ground going to soybeans, while Karl sprayed either planted corn or ground going to corn. Jim and Dean delivered them product with semi and tenders. Everyone got rained out midafternoon.

"The earth is the Lord's and everything in it..." Psalm 24. During the rainy days we had several guests for morning coffee. In business we visited about being anchored with collateral, both finances and relationships. In politics we agreed values and freedoms were firm anchors.

These are mama cows Jim had just fed before we unloaded seed at Keith and Julie's place.

We needed more storage to keep things organized. So Wednesday grandson Ezra went with me to Pleasant Hill to purchase used pallet racking. Alex, Jim, and Dean helped paint the uprights Friday. Saturday morning, grandsons Jayden and Lane helped me assemble them. 

"Why do the nations rage, and people plot in vain..." Psalm 2. It seems we're having a lull in the wars and rumors of wars around the world.

Elijah had new corner panels and rockers replaced on his truck. So yesterday Uncle Mike helped him repaint them. First primer, then blue, then clearcoat.

Some folks flew around the moon this past week. We don't see God directly, however I've always considered the moon and stars on a clear night truly seeing His glory. One early, dark, cloudy, rainy morning this past week I drove the Ranger up the hill to pray. We have a blue Bethlehem star, and a white cross on our grain leg. The sky was completely dark. Yet when I took this picture, God's glory (red moon) shown through. "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim His handiwork". Psalm 19.

Last Sunday those of us who were available got together for Easter dinner. I'm thinking today's generations have less to memorize. Things like telephone numbers, map directions, and even scripture, are at the tip of their fingers, on their screens.

I think young minds are keen, sharp, and way more capable than we give them credit for. I still remember conversations with friends back then. I remember what I got for my birthday from my parents. And yes, I still remember these Psalms. So today being Sunday, "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know ye that He is God. It is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves..." Psalm 100. Yes, 60 years ago, I memorized these Psalms from the KJV. And they are anchors I value.

This Changes Everything

There have been 69 Easter Sunday mornings in my years here on earth. I don't remember many of them. The first 18 were growing up with parents, brothers, and sisters. Then there were 3 with just Jan and I. Then there were around 30 years of having and raising children. The last two time periods have obviously overlapped, however the last 18 Easter Sunday mornings have been back to Jan and I, witnessing God's faithfulness, in grown children, grandchildren, and even great grandchildren.

Change is exciting and scary. I hope for it. Yet at the same time I often try to avoid it. Thursday morning Mark helped me clean trash trees out of a heavy fencerow. 

We hope the weather changes. Then we hope it doesn't. After a long dry spell, we had close to 2 inches of rain here in southern Iowa. Jim and Dean spent a wet morning welding stress cracks on a RoGator boom.

Before the showers we put in a seed test plot across from our house. We've been planting test plots for 40 years, watching yield, moisture, emergence, and standability. However I'm thinking this is the first one planted in March.

During the beginning of the Middle East conflict we had some April contracts hit, because of commodity markets initially following crude oil price increases. Often commodity prices react hard, up or down, to a change, and then settle back down to a pattern. The old timers would call that, "Sell the rumor, Buy the fact". This statement also often proves true when our president announces changes on social media.

Just after Easter in 2020, Rudy and his crew of ex-Amish young men, built our shop across the road. One Sunday that spring Jan and I invited Rudy and his wife to church and lunch afterwards. Rudy and Becca returned the favor this past week, inviting Jan and I to an Easter play at their church. Kudos to Moravia Nazarene Church using 95 cast members from their church to reenact that first Easter. The gentleman with his son in the picture helped Rudy build our shop. He also built our son Mike's shop last year. 

An empty grave that first Easter Sunday morning changes everything for us today. We don't just hope, we have an absolute assurance of Heaven when our life on earth ends. Jan and I visited the grave below in 2019 near Jerusalem, Israel. Why do we think this may have been the very grave that first Easter? Because it's empty.

We've seen many changes over 69 years on earth. How many do I and you have left? That's not for us to know. However when it's time to meet my Savior after earth, I don't want Him asking me why I just assumed all my friends knew about and have accepted His gift accomplished that first Easter. So here's what I've prayed many years ago, and ask you to do as well if you haven't yet. SIN. Lord I've fallen short. LOVE. I know You love me. GRACE. I accept that You died for my wrongs. FAITH. I believe you arose from the grave that first Easter, and I surrender the rest of my days on earth to try my best to live for You. As many of you know, this prayer changes everything! Blessings my friends.

Do Something

Our spring weather here in southern Iowa has been on the dry side with variable temps. A week ago Saturday we hit 94 degrees. Early yesterday morning we dipped under 20 in places. Any kind of fieldwork this past week has worked beautiful.

Years ago Jan threw out some peach pits along the edge of the yard. They grew. They must have been Missouri peaches because this tree tends to get it's buds froze off every year. Last year Jan put a kerosene heater under it on cold nights. When it produces, it grows amazing peaches. Early yesterday morning it was cold. The kerosene heater wouldn't light the night before. So it was time to do something. I went and got my favorite knipco heater, a chair, and a cup of coffee. The stars were bright during my devotions. The eastern sky turned from gray to purple to yellow. Did the peach buds survive? Stay tuned.

Because of activities in the Middle East our grain markets have followed crude oil and are at 12 month highs. With a good crop these prices could produce a small profit. Is it time to sell? If the old crop in your bins are your security, think about selling a little new crop. It's time to do something. If markets haven't hit your price yet, think about entering bid orders. Then during volatile (fast up and down) trading, your bid might hit. 

Dry soil in southern Iowa in spring is a gift. Fieldwork doesn't go as well here with tight wet soils. Is it time to plant even though it's still March?

Our family is blessed to have grandkids growing up. Amelia and Tysen get married Memorial Day. The gals had a bridal shower in the cabin yesterday.

Friday Little John (He's not little. We just have a Papa Jon. And used to have a Big John and a Banker John) and I went up north to pick up the JD 8420 and drill. I told him it was a gift he was married and congratulated him and Ella on expecting a baby later this year.

John told me he listened to a podcast recently where Charlie said if you want a successful marriage, get married early, and have children when you can't afford them. Our culture today is discouraging marriage. 63% of men between 18 and 29 are single. Our culture is also telling our next generation desire for freedom and financial considerations should precede having kids.

Today is Palm Sunday. Around 70 generations ago Jesus prayed for His cup to pass. Yet He knew His purpose on earth was to die for the punishment of our sins. It was time. So He rode into the city on a donkey. In Romans 6:23 the author says, "The payment for sin is death, but the gift that God freely gives is everlasting life found in Jesus our Lord". 

Our communities are full of friends and acquaintances who are just starting to "bud" in the knowledge of what God is offering us. It's scary to talk to folks we know about their faith walk and eternity. But God is asking us to first warm up and soften our hearts, and then theirs, so we all bloom, and then produce amazing fruit. What's happening in our world today is telling us our time here on earth is getting shorter.

Next week Sunday we celebrate Easter, an empty grave. Think about attending a church service where you will receive a warm welcome. If you attend regularly, invite someone to join you. In Romans 10:9 that same author says, "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved". It's that easy. Blessings.

 

Spring Break

The concept of "spring break" is often associated with warmer destinations during late March. However it's also a time for making preparations back home. Preparations for spring and things growing. It's a week when kids are home from school, hopefully growing as well with experiences and responsibilities.

Mike, Kasey, and Alex worked on cleaning, rebuilding, and fixing terraces on a rented farm, with a dozer and backhoe.

We have been getting seed in for months. Spring break is when it starts to get delivered to our customers. For years we delivered with pickups, then tied down on open trailers. Now even the smaller orders go out in Karl and Kristin's enclosed trailer and semi.

Staging deliveries can sometimes be a family event, especially during spring break.

With the fallout from the Middle East war, shortages, volatile markets, and weird weather across the country, there seems to be a feeling looming of harder times coming. With supply chains under pressure, making preparations is not fear, it's wisdom. It's not panic, it's obedience. Jesus's brother James wrote; "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him". 

We have become more and more a global economy these days. We click a couple of buttons on our screens and the next day the imported goods we need is at our doorstep. The inverse is also true. Folks across the ocean import much of their food. Feeding the world has been what farmers in this country do best. During spring break Elijah is soil testing a chunk of ground he will be farming for the first time. Elijah is a 11th grader.

On the farm, fall is harvest, when our crops are either marketed or stored. Winter is planning, preparing, and purchasing. Spring break becomes crunch time. Do we have enough fertilizer applied or purchased during a nitrogen shortage? What seed hybrid goes on which field? Are the weather patterns asking us to protect soil moisture? Weather permitting we are a week away from spraying pre-plant, and two weeks away from planting. Four brothers who help feed the world are sitting in our farm office making a plan.

                             

Elliot is using part of his spring break to help Grandma paint the upper east wall of our cabin. Cousins Lane and Jayden are watching and giving advice.

Once or twice a year I visit the State Capital just to stay in touch with what's happening in Iowa's civic arena. After a legislative Bible study, I had breakfast with Danny and Jon in the hall just outside the legislative cafeteria. A lot happens in these halls between committees, caucus, and session. Spring break is crunch time here because everyone is ready to go home.

I doubt if spring break was a deal when this barn and pickup were new and active. This old farmstead has seen a ton of change. Back then machines were replacing "horse-power". And folks thought life was speeding out of control. Today we have a digital world replacing paper. Our screens are distracting, however it's what we do as our world seems to continue to speed out of control. Three random things I'd like to share this morning that haven't changed; Caring still becomes ineffective when it gets confused with controlling. A soft heart still gives generously. And God is still in charge. Blessings.