Good morning. Sundays are a gift around our place this time of year. It's still early morning. It's still a full day however a different kind of busy. The machinery is parked. There's church and fellowship and sometimes potluck. There's visits. With you. To some shut-ins. To family. The cabin is usually occupied. Sometimes a Ranger ride.
Last Sunday morning Justin joined us for church. It was fun to catch up with his busy life. He will soon be leaving for his missionary responsibilities. Thanks for your servant heart Justin.
After church and our visits Jan and I headed for Sioux Center in the afternoon. Jan drove so I could rest after many nights in the field. It was a good ride seeing our state from southeast to northwest. I had an ag advisory board meeting on Monday at Dordt College. I enjoyed touring their new Ag Stewardship Center on their farm.
While at Dordt I enjoyed a visit with Jana who works in advancement at the college. Her and her family live in Sioux Center. Her father Ron was principle at Osky Christian when our kids were young. He was in Sioux Center visiting. It was a gift to run into him, reminisce, and catch up.
Monday evening while combining for Wilson on the north edge of Ottumwa along the four lane we ordered Pizza Hut. I bet it was the first time the pizza delivery guy delivered to a combine with the draper bean head for a table to a crew of hungry harvestors.
A gift I treasure is having the ability and equipment to help others make things happen and get things done. It's called custom farming. Yes, there are times when people can be a pain however most often working for others create friendships that last much longer than the job.
One morning a total stranger stopped by in an old car and hollered out the window, "Thanks you guys for being farmers and feeding us. You sometimes work your butt off and have little to show for it at the end of the year. I'm just saying thanks".
Mark and Stacy were moving from one farm to another when Stacy was hit while being passed. Fortunately no one was injured. There was quite a discussion on social media whether or not farmers and their equipment should be on the roads.
Another gift this fall is big soybean yields. Quality varies depending on how mature the crop was when it started raining. It's unusual to store soybeans outside. Kutos to Dan and the rest of the grain elevators who are trying to keep the farmers going. Many places have quit taking soybeans because they are full. Depressed prices are reflecting the big crop and the tariffs. As many of you know we usually don't store a lot of crop however our family put many bushels of soybeans in bins this past week.
Early last Friday morning I received a call that our friend and former landlady had passed away. After losing her husband and both her children Rosie has had no family for the last 15 years. Two words describe this quiet lady, selfless and grateful. Just a couple of days before she died Jan heard her whisper, "thanks for coming', after a visit. Visitation is Tuesday evening with a Wednesday morning funeral at the Catholic church. Our family will be honored to carry her casket. It was a gift to know her. Her and Daryl rented Jan and I their land when I was just 20 years old.
This past week grandsons Ethan and Gideon attended the FFA Convention in Indianapolis where their were over 60,000 attendees. Thanks to their Ag instructor Ellie for bringing them. Below they are pictured visiting the Dordt booth at the convention.
Yesterday our church had a work day at Lake View Camp. We helped Joe and Dianna with a variety of projects.
Have you ever experienced little everyday gifts that make you know God is relevant? Last night after Lake View I was combining BJ's soybeans in Monroe County with our grandkids combine. The crew was up north finishing beans for Bill, a retired school superintendent. Just as I finished the field late, it started raining as I tarped the load of soybeans. Thank you Lord for holding off showers till I was finished. Thank you Lord for all the everyday gifts you give us. Notice and enjoy your everyday gifts this coming week.
No comments:
Post a Comment