StillwatersIowa

Daniel had a plan . He worked hard and was productive even in a tough situation . . He was liked and respected by his superiors because of results and for what he stood for. He used his potential to help himself and others. Daniel was perceptive . He  picked good friends. And when he was promoted to bigger and better things he asked that his friends be able to come along and help. "Shake The Bed", "Make The Bed", and "To Bed We Go" stood firm on their convictions, refused to bow to a statue, were thrown into a fiery furnace, and experienced God's protection as He walked with them through the fire. Read Daniel 3. Early in the week we worked on Kurt, BJ, and Brian and Becky's corn acres. One evening just after dark Cassia bought supper to the office. As we were eating we figured beans would go the next day and decided to move to a custom work job near Deep River yet that night. We enjoy and appreciate working for Bill and Kathy a...

Last Sunday Karl and Kristin's two month old daughter Sydnie was baptized. The text was used where Jesus says, "Let the little children come to me". The same text was used at Ryker's funeral just two days previous. In both cases we hang on to a promise. At Sydnie's baptism Karl and Kristin promised to teach their daughter about Jesus. Christ promises to give them the help and strength it takes. The church promises to help as well with things like Sunday School, worship, relationships, and prayer. It was fun to have not only our family present for the service but some of our farm help as well. Older brother Malaki often acts like he's too busy for his little sister however once in a while you can see him making sure she is doing ok. After a baptism noon get-together meal at the cabin on Sunday Jan and I drove to Sioux Center where I had an Ag Advisory board meeting on Monday. Dordt has done an excellent job of adapting their farm curriculum to ...

Those of you that live in our community know that it has been a cloudy, gray week. And I'm not just talking about the weather. My nephew, Matt and his wife Megan, lost a son in a drowning accident last Sunday afternoon. My intentions for our visit this week is to share with you the love my brother Bill and Julie's family as well as our extended family had for little Ryker. How a family could still say God is good after this sudden and terrible loss. And finally how we can see and have experienced God's faithfulness and grace. I remember back about a year and a half ago going to Marv and Carol's cabin as an extended family to dedicate little Ryker to God and His purposes. My brother Bill, (the Grandpa) held him as Dr. Matt and his wife Kim read scripture and talked about how God loved Ryker and was going to use him for His glory someday. We then all got in a circle, held hands, and prayed for all our children to be used by God, and to somed...