StillwatersIowa

Wednesday started out being a slower day. We had received a little scattered rain showers although the fields were mostly dry. Gains in planting progress allowed for a slower pace. At noon everyone got together for lunch in the office that Jan had made to help celebrate Kurt, Karl, and our helper, Jim's birthday. After lunch Alex went to plant soybeans. BJ went to work on some cattle chores. Several of us stayed around the shop and treated soybean seed.   Neighbors Marty and his son, Austin, had noticed smoke and called the fire department. Just before 3 pm BJ received a call from the 911 center that his home was on fire. Cassia had gone to watch the kids participate in the District 5 Track meet. BJ called Alex as he hurried home and asked him to call the rest of us. We were all at the fire in just a couple of minutes. While waiting for the fire department we hurried in the house a number of times to get out some valuables.   When we first arrived it loo...

Life consists of 10% what happens to us and 90% how we observe, analyze, and react. Our past week was just a continuation of unexpected and unplanned mishaps. In the picture below the receiver hitch pulled out of the pickup on the way home from planting beans. I received a call from a friend who was borrowing this tractor that a front wheel would no longer turn. Jacob from Wan Wall Equipment found that the differential in the front left wheel had gone to pieces. As Matt and I were leaving the tilled field I suggested we return to the road on a neighbors cornstalk field where we got stuck. I had to call Jeff, the owner of the field, and apologize to him for leaving a few tracks in his field. For some strange reason we had a string of gauge and closing wheels coming off. Some bearing failure. Some just coming loose. It's always fun driving around a field in the dark looking for parts. We must have had at lease a dozen tire and wheel bearing ...

Matthew 28. It's early on a Sunday morning. The previous few day's events were still on the women's minds as they headed out to visit the tomb.  Suddenly there was a great earthquake when an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone from the entrance of the tomb, and sat on it. His face shone as lightening and his clothing was white as snow. There were rumors in the area that Jesus might only stay in the tomb three days. So guards had been put there to guard the grave. They shook with fear and fell into a dead faint.   The angel spoke to the women who had come early that morning. Don't be afraid. I know you are looking for your friend, Jesus who was killed. He isn't here. He has risen just as He told you He would. Come inside and look where His body was lying. Then hurry back to town and tell His disciples.  The women ran quickly away from the tomb. They were frightened and happy at the same time. They c...