2 Things

On Friday afternoon my phone dinged and there was a message from Barb saying she (state rep) and Mike (sec of ag) were going to meet Ken (state senator) at Gideon and Emily's Sully Locker and Meat Market. Thanks for the picture. Kudos to Gid and Em and their little family for honoring God and blessing others in the 2nd year of their business venture.

Gideon and Emily had a family addition in recent weeks. Eleanor joined her older sister Oakley February 3. Oakley is introducing little Ellie to Great-Grandma Jan last Sunday at church.

Jan has 2 siblings. Friday evening we met Donna and Arlin, and Paul and Gayle, for Paul's birthday. It was fun catching up. Paul and his son have a drone business and spray crops and pastures.

I have 2 living brothers and 2 sisters. We got together last Sunday evening for pizza at Bill and Julie's house while Beth and Dan were visiting Iowa. Our mother resides in assisted living. Our father and brother Dan are both in heaven.

We have 2 pieces of good news. My CT scan on Tuesday showed no visible additional cancer. Jan's MRI early Thursday morning showed her brain tumor had not grown in six months. We both feel healthy and are enjoying the many blessings God has given us. Thank you all for your prayers.

There are 2 things we as farmers need to help have a successful 2026 crop season. First, we need to be ready for planting season with a plan. On Tuesday our family is hosting a detailed planter clinic. Topics include the list below. There will also be information on biological seed treatment. And different kinds of planter attachments and parts on display. Kurt and Emily and crew will be serving wood fired pizzas. You are welcome to join us. You might let us know so we prepare plenty of lunch.

The 2nd thing we need to be ready for in 2026 is a marketing plan. I know. Low markets make it hard. That's all the more reason to have a plan. Know your cost of production, and remember, you can't save your way into a successful year. It takes dollars to raise good yields. 2nd, set marketing goals for both old and new crop. Try and hit singles and don't wait for a homerun. 2026 new crop prices show a small profit on a good crop.

Last Monday after lunch, the younger grandkids and I played a game involving winning and losing dollar bills. 😊 No worries, after the game the money was gathered up and reallocated. Everyone went home with 2 dollar bills.

After a full house governor's candidate forum at Smokey Row Saturday morning, Adam met our grandkids and told them they were the future of our state. He also told them 2 things. To love God. And to give 100% effort. That's good advice.

Anyone who has a hog finisher knows how hard it is to drag dead market weight hogs down the long alleyway. Karl and crew built a couple of different styles of pig pullers using a motor, a winch, and a remote. One fits on a skidloader. The other gets pulled by a 4-wheeler, Ranger, or vehicle. If you'd like to try one out or have Karl build you one let us know.

I took a picture of where the Cedar Creek empties into the Des Moines River. 2 prominent water streams. A couple of weeks ago brother Bill and I were invited to attend and share at a young men's Thursday evening study of being a man. I think in our culture today there are 2 things that are trip ups for hardworking guys; pride and fatigue. Someday I'll explain my opinion. I also think there are 2 antidotes for these trip ups; Honor God above else. And bless others generously. Continue to lead well men.

'Til You Can't

Last Sunday during the alternative halftime show, Kid Rock borrowed and sang a country song about doing things with the ones you love, 'Til You Can't. Here's one of the verses. "There's a box of greasy parts sitting in the trunk of that 65. Still waiting on you and your Granddad to bring it back to life. You can always get around to fixing up that Pontiac, 'til you can't". Below, our kids were helping repair the motor on the only reliable vehicle we owned in the 1980s.

Here's another verse. "You can keep putting off forever with that girl who's heart you hold. Swearing that you'll ask some day further down the road. You can always put a diamond on her hand, 'til you can't". Below, was one of Jan and I's early dates in the summer of 1973. I had finished my junior year of high school. Jan had just graduated.

Mark and Stacy's, Elijah, a junior in high school, helped Friday and Saturday clean up a 2004 JD 8420. Last week he, Ezra, and Harris used rubbing compound on the fading paint. This past week Elijah finished it up by applying a ceramic coat of polish. Thanks guys!

I continue to drive Adam, a governor candidate, around the state. This past week we went to Carroll County where we made 6 stops with farmers, business owners, and community leaders. 

We also went to Crawford County, and finished the day attending their Central Committee's dinner/meeting. Adam will be in Oskaloosa this coming Saturday, 10am, at Smokey Row. Come and meet Adam. And while you're there, say hello, and have a free coffee drink on me. 😊

Happy Valentine's Day Jan. We could not have guessed our past year's journey with health issues. Yet, as I recover, and you wait, God continues to give us quality time together. This next week, with my 3rd CT scan and blood work on Tuesday, and your MRI and brain surgeon's appointment on Thursday, we will learn more about our upcoming time together. I will always love you, 'til I can't.

This 60 year old 10" clay tile that drains our bottom has outlet issues. As the dirt erodes around it, tiles slowly fall off. Eventually, soon, if not fixed, this outlet will collapse and cease to work. Last Sunday evening during halftime of the Super Bowl, a Puerto Rican musician sang about demonic pornography in his native language. The NFL was fully aware and promoted his program. Advertisers spent millions approving of this filth. Both NFL and advertisers also know a majority of us disapprove. However they also know we are addicted to our pleasures and comforts of life, 'til we can't. Our culture has outlet issues. As our morals erode around us, tiles slowly fall off. Eventually, soon, if not fixed, our culture will collapse and cease to work.

Kid Rock was given permission and wrote a 3rd verse to that country song. "There's a book that's sitting in your house somewhere, that could use some dusting off. There's a man who died for all our sins, hanging from the cross. You can give your life to Jesus. And He'll give you a second chance, 'til you can't, 'til you can't". Thanks for the picture.

Here's the partial chorus to that song. "If you got a chance, take it. If you got a dream, chase it. If you're gonna love somebody, hold them as long and as strong and as close as you can, 'til you can't, 'til you can't". This song is a reminder not to take life for granted. You are to enjoy what you have right now, and not put off telling the folks you love, you love them, 'til you can't. 

Community

A long time ago, actually in the very beginning of time, God created a man. Then Lord God said, "It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him" Genesis 2:18 We are also made in God's image. Part, or much of that likeness, is ability to have relationships. Relationships are the foundation of community.

The weather in southern Iowa has been great for hauling and spreading ag lime. Lime is necessary to keep our soils at the proper ph level for growing crops. Lime is finely crushed stone, and is mined out of the earth. We are shooting for 3 ton/acre.  

Lime depletes from the soil slowly. So added lime regenerates the soil slowly. A long time ago I would use my father-in-laws lime spreader. We would spray the inside of the box with diesel so the product wouldn't freeze in the corners, drive to the quarry, load 8 ton, and drive home and spread the fields. Back then, spreading 20 acres was a big day. Today technology runs the steering wheel for the proper spreading width, and the spreader floor chain, for the proper rate.

Our shop continues to be full of projects. Most winters Mike removes the belly pans and the cab floor of his dozer and replaces worn and hard hydraulic hoses, so they don't fail during dozing season. He also replaces cutting bits on the edge of his blade about every year. He also uses technology to run his blade at the proper height when he is grading a building site, or across a level terrace.

We've been slowly delivering contracted corn. This winter has been about the 3rd year that commodity markets are under the cost of production. These are the kind of years when relationships and community with banking partners are essential.

I attended the Iowa caucuses last Monday evening and voted in the straw poll. Iowa is one of the most grass roots states. Meaning local folks have a direct influence on the outcome of elections if they choose to participate.

Iowa has been blessed with conservative leadership that honors God for the last number of years. I also want candidates that meet and serve folks from a grass roots level, rather than trying to lead from Washington DC, and thinking they know what's best for our state. So I have been volunteering to drive Adam around to his daily stops all around the state. Below are folks from Iowa County.

We then drove south last evening to Washington County, having been invited to the Washington County Cattleman's and Washington and Keokuk County's Commodity Grower's annual winter get-together. Around 400 good farm folks met for a social hour followed by a delicious meal of prime rib. It was also enjoyable to reconnect with Mike and Luke. Mike is our Secretary of Agriculture and was the keynote speaker. Luke is Mike's driver and a Dordt grad.

While reading and listening to folks that talk about Godly men, they state a fact that we become who we hang out with and listen to. Our choices could consist of a church event or a bar, hanging out with folks who swear and are negative or being part of people that are positive and encourage. Or, what kind of music we listen to, like tonight at halftime of the Superbowl.

Brother Bill and I were invited to a men's group that meets in our bunk house across the road on Thursday evenings. Their Godly men lesson was on fathering, so they invited the old guys so they could ask questions. What a blessing to share not only our advice, but our failures. Thanks for the invite Ben. Among the many responsibilities of a father, one of the most important is to cherish and love your children's mother. That's responsibility. That's family. That's community. Blessings.

Life After Wins

Have you ever noticed or experienced that life after winning seems to be followed by a letdown? Examples are: harvest is in, 2025 is over, the season has peaked, and winter is here. It's tempting for life to get flat. Winning removes the pressure. It can also remove focus.

In the Bible, Elijah defeats the prophets of Baal, a God glorifying win. Shortly afterwards he is down in the dumps, and asks to die. Moses miraculously crosses the Red Sea, only to lose his temper on a rebellious people. David wins many battles including Goliah, and then fails badly with Bathsheba. Hezekiah survives sickness and war, only to lose at the end with pride. 

Pattern tiling is a win, until winter comes. That doesn't mean a tile investment is a failure. It means we live, and expect another win. However God uses winters. Elijah didn't meet God at the fire and burnt offering. He met him after his collapse. David wasn't restored during his wins, but after repentance. God doesn't always meet with us during our healthy times, but He often does during a loss, or when we're sick. The apostle Paul speaks of a thorn. He talks about how God's strength is revealed through our weakness.

On Thursday Mike was busy "defeating" the willows and cattails around his pond with a mulcher. Until he fell through the ice. Fortunately brother Kurt was able to pull him out.

Levi had a win when he pulled a big catfish through a little hole, ice fishing. Fathers, Karl and Ben, had taken their kids ice fishing on our pond. Thanks for the picture Ben.

The guys are going through the list of repairs on Mark's JD 9770 combine. If we hope and expect another winning crop season this coming year, the equipment needs to be ready. That's what winters are for.

"Pictures capture the truth". Pictures can make you ask questions. What's the story behind the picture? Karl is figuring out the electrical details on an idea he fabricated and the guys built.

On September 10, 2025 Charlie was assassinated. Several days later, at his funeral, the gospel was presented several times by a number of dignitaries and heads of state, to tens of thousands that attended, and tens of millions, that watched on-line. Those speeches of God's gift of salvation to the world was possibly the biggest presentation of the gospel of all time. Yet, just four months later, our country's conservative voice is fractured. And Minnesota is an example of the problems we have. 

I am thankful to live in Iowa. I'm thankful for conservative leadership that cares about Iowans. I want that to continue. Last Tuesday evening, Adam, Eddie, Zach, and Brad, met in Des Moines to talk about the future of our state, and their abilities to possibly lead it. A fifth candidate, Randy, chose not to attend even though he was in town. Adam has been Chief Operating Officer for Iowa under Governor Kim for the last five years. He is faith, family, friends, and freedom. He is also a winning father, and is posing for pictures during intermission with his son Ryker.

Adam and Kasey's second son was hanging out before the debate, when I told him thanks for helping his Dad, and asked if I could have a picture. Thanks for the picture Maverick. And thanks for being willing to hang out with grownups.

Letdowns after wins can happen for a number of reasons. Pride says, "Look at me. I'm good". Fatigue says, "I'm worn out, and feel like a failure". Sometimes we take shortcuts after wins and don't do the hard stuff. Winning can empty our gas tank. If we don't refill afterwards (winter) with gratitude, contentment, humility, and rest, we won't be ready for the next win. A final huge lift is helping others win. Blessings.

Stuff That Matters

I enjoy reading, from books with paper pages. My favorite stories are historical fiction. The pictures this morning show it was another good week on the farm for winter projects. However my thoughts come from things I've read about stuff that matters. If words are in parentheses, it means they are borrowed. 

"To be surrounded by children and grandchildren are perhaps the truest measure of prosperity", given undeserved by a "very high God".

I was reading a story about a man who put his faith in status, possessions, and self. The plot finished with, "He raged against the ending of his days, for he found too late, that he had set his gods to low".

I was told multiple times growing up that pride was a sin. And it is. It's a battle. However sometimes I need a word that's just a little stronger, a little more passionate, than the word thankful, for the gifts that I've been given. "A father is never prouder of his children than when they make him a little ashamed of himself". Values were not only passed on but improved on. Occasionally their behavior highlights where I have fallen short. Hopefully it's a self-forgetting kind of pride.

After one cleans a fencerow or overgrown pasture, there is usually a pile to burn, and then stumps and dirty dirt to clean up. Thanks for helping Kasey. Thanks for loaning your dump wagon Mark.

I'm thankful we have folks around here, including Dean, that aren't scared to tackle stuff, including new oil seals on a mechanical front wheel assist.

I'm also thankful for people that see what needs done, and then do it without being asked. Jim is patching a worn out spot on our auger before he finishes loading corn.

Kudos to Alex who has been helping service equipment, and ceramic coating the hoods on tractors.

Save the date: In February we're getting the planters out and ready for planting. All stuff that matters for the 2026 crop. We are also hosting a planter clinic on February 24. We've asked folks with knowledge of multiple colors and brands to lead the meeting. There will also be planter attachment and seed treatment folks here to visit with you. We've asked Kurt and Emily to fire up the wood fired pizza trailer and provide lunch.

On a very cold Friday, Greg from The Church Ambassador Network, and Mike, our Secretary of Agriculture, came to Trinity Global Methodist Church here in Osky, to talk about breaking bondage in Mahaska County. Brother Doug, son Mark, and our Pastor John attended this meeting sponsored by The Family Leader.

From the beginning of Genesis to the end of Revelation, "Scripture is not a rule book. It's a rescue story". God delivers. He gives freedom. He gives talents and abilities. Now, It takes discipleship to make deliverance last. It takes boundaries to hold us in those freedoms. And it takes humility and integrity to keep us in the places talents and abilities bring.

Don't be one to find out too late that one's love and adoration for the things of this world are setting one's "gods too low". "Believe in a very high God". Because He believes in you. And that's the stuff that matters.