Attitude, Gratitude, Latitude, Fortitude

ATTITUDE- Life is 10% what happens and 90% how we handle what happens. Harris is apparently ok with the haircut his mom just gave him.

Washing trucks and vehicles was one of the main jobs this week after the gravel roads improved some. Thanks Ryan for doing your share and having a good attitude.

Alex worked hard on getting one of our forklifts ready for a makeover. He washed, took things apart, sanded, taped, primed, and basically got it all ready for Mike to shoot the following day.

The TW 20 is looking different. So far Mike has the blue all painted. He and Suzanne had a date night to Ottumwa Friday to look for some more light gray paint for the wheels.

GRATITUDE-Being grateful, content, and generous is a mindset that will make life totally worthwhile. Loving God and blessing people is the big picture while we are here on earth. Blessings without gratitude soon leads to a feeling of entitlement. Harris is grateful for is little sister Hazel.

We had our after harvest supper last evening. Jan prepared and unbelievable meal. Our family invited those that helped us harvest to join us. We had a good fall and I'm thankful for all the good folks I'm privileged to work with.

Last Sunday we celebrated communion at our church. Communion is when you remember, believe, and are grateful for Christ's gift of salvation for each and every one of us that accepts it.

LATITUDE-My definition of latitude is the ability of a person to have the flexibility and freedom for others. So often we have an idea of how things should go or be and we forget there are probably a dozen or more equally good ways. People that micro-manage and have no room for change are usually not much fun to be around. Harris is helping his dad check out whether the new grain cart auger went in properly.

Mark was dozing this week, looked back, and saw this little white animal that he had uncovered. He caught it a stocking hat and brought it home to his kids. It was a rare white weasel. 

Andy went to Williamsburg to the Kinze factory to pick up new augers we had ordered for one of our grain carts. The old augers were worn down about 2 inches and were razor sharp.

FORTITUDE-Harris helped all day Friday. He talked non-stop. I couldn't go anywhere without this little shadow. Well about 4 o'clock he ran out of gas.

I enjoy visits and I appreciated when Ken, our state Senator, came out for coffee and visited about this years legislative session. He and others are working hard on issues that are trying to bring back the values we believe in including protecting life for our unborn and educational choice.

I have been encouraged by developments in our state and our nation's politics. It seems there has been an attempt to have less government control. Now days on the farm it seems we have to have a licence, permit, or permission to do so many things.

We need to remember to be an encourager, especially to the folks that represent us in elected offices. It takes fortitude to be a leader. Whether at home, in business, in community, or wherever a leader puts his reputation on the line and often gets criticized. 

We went to see Cody and Ethan's last basketball game for the year. They are both in the eighth grade at Osky Chr. School.

Three church councils used the cabin for a get-together on leadership. The theme was trust and mistrust. Kurt and Jan helped prepare the noon meal.

Fortitude is the ability to gets things done and help make things happen. However it's also an inner courage when things don't always go well. If there are rocks in front of your sunset remember we have One who made us, knows us, and would love to help us. Make this coming week a good one.