Sharing Stories

Throughout history(His-story) people have gathered around and shared stories. Early on folks would share stories in conversations face to face. Then print was added. Then came media with radio and television. Today we can instantly share stories anywhere in the world through social networking. 

Sometimes we share life history by reading Bible stories like Doug is doing in the photo above. Sometimes we listen to or watch the news stories as the media shares with us what's happening around our world. Sometimes we just share family stories with each other. That's what we're doing this morning so sit back and enjoy the 5 or 6 short stories of the events of our week. 

On Labor Day Mike hooked up to his boat, took Kurt and Andy with him, and went to the Des Moines River to shoot some fish with a bow and arrow. The arrow has a string on it by the way so you don't lose it every time you shoot.

On this particular voyage Mike was the boat captain and Kurt and Andy shot the fish. Mike brought these carp to a friend who uses them for turtle bait.

Earlier this spring Mark cleared the trees off the old railroad right-of-way we talked about last week. This past week Mike shaped up the edges with his dozer and yesterday I reseeded it down to grass and hay for baling. I hope it rains someday soon.

On Friday Mike helped 14 other dozer operators at the Lacy Recreation Sports Complex just on the north edge of Oskaloosa. They donated their time and equipment to move 27000 yards of dirt for more practice fields. It brought back memories of a few years back helping with the dirtwork for the sports fields at the PCHS campus.

Early yesterday morning these cows got out and came up to Jan's dad's yard to help Beverly with her flowers. We soon chased them back in and went and chopped some silage to keep them content in their pasture.

This past week I had the privilege of spending a couple of days in Tampa, Florida with a group of farmers. Tampa has had over 60 inches of rain already this year and it rains a little most every late afternoon. Florida is also very warm this time of year.

We drove inland to visit the phosphorus mines owned and operated by Mosaic. Mosaic has 15 of these electric draglines. The one below is considered midsized.

Their midsized buckets hold 35 cubic yards. Their large buckets hold 65 yards. In comparison our large dirt scraper holds 18 yards.

After they strip mine the phosphorus out they pump the clay and sand in a water solution up to 9 miles to reclaim the area. Below is previously mined ground.

These mines supply 75% of our countries and 25% of the worlds phosphorus needs. They estimate they have enough phosphorus to meet our needs for another 35 years however it's getting harder and harder to comply with our government's regulations. Permits are required 10 years in advance and the paperwork takes over 2 years to complete.

Our harvest has started. A 105 day hybrid planted April 28 at Karl and Kristin's farm was testing around 26% moisture delivered to Cargill and was yielding around 165 BPA. We are pleased considering a 68 CSR farm has only had two small showers in the last 90 days.

Jan has been telling us we should be drinking tea or water rather than pop so I had the boys put our pop machine on Craig's List and sure enough we received a call, made a deal, and delivered the machine to a family in West Des Moines last evening. After the delivery Jan and I enjoyed a meal at the Texas Roadhouse.

As you travel through life remember to share stories with your kids and grandkids. Stories build family and show God's faithfulness. I started writing chapters for a book for my grandchildren about 12 years ago and am about half finished. If I live long enough to get it finished it will be called Minor Details, ironic since I'm always telling folks not to fret the details. It will show how our families history fits into God's His-story. Have a safe week.