The Journeys We Don't Expect

 Life is not about destinations and accomplishments. It's about the journey. Often our journeys take us places we don't expect. Sometimes tough places. And like Lane below on Grandma's lap, sometimes we're just plain tired. The key is deciding to keep going. Sometimes a day at a time. Sometimes a job at a time. Sometimes a step at a time.

I'll bet you remember where you were on 9/11/2001 when you started hearing news reports about our country being attacked. Below President Bush was in Sarasota, Florida in a classroom reading to gradeschoolers when his staffer told him the news. I was on our yard spraying bins and getting ready for harvest. Jan was bringing kids to school. Mike was on the scale at FS. Becky was a freshman at Dordt. She called home just to talk. More kids called. I went in the house to be with and talk to Jan. As a country we got together and filled churches to ask God for guidance and help. I'm not sure we as a country have acknowledged God since. The first place we want to be at during unexpected journeys is home and family. 

Earlier this past week Hurricane Dorian destroyed much of the Bahamas and threatened our countries southeast coast. Folks immediately wanted to find a way to help and many power companies headed south. I don't know who to thank for this picture. When folks help out after our journeys take an unexpected turn it's just as beneficial to the person helping as it is to the folks receiving that help. The next thing we need to give and receive during unexpected journeys is each others and God's help.

Pastor Boets and Jane were acknowledged and appreciated last Sunday during the Good News Chapel's annual potluck get-together at the cabin. After lunch was a service with church skits and musical numbers by Robert and his daughters Karlie and Lexi. Not necessarily related to this picture however another thing we all need on unexpected journeys is hope.

Last Monday evening I attended PCHS's FFA kickoff supper as an advisory member. Granddaughter Natalie went with me. After supper at a park in Pella I told Ben, a junior, I was going to go look at his Generation 1 1992 Dodge diesel. Someone in the group of kids, I think Noah, hollered, "Are you going to put it on the blog?" So I decided yeah, why not. Again not related to this picture, the last thing I'm going to mention folks need after an unexpected journey, especially loss, is healing.

On the way home from the FFA supper I told 2nd grader Natalie the bracelet she and her cousin Allison made and sold to me for a dollar was broke and needed fixed. She told me I needed all new little rubber bands and fixed them right up for me.

At Kevin's funeral on Thursday morning Pastor Jon led the service. Kevin and Linda's daughter Kristin did a great job of remembering, honoring, and loving her father. Thanks Kristin. Thanks for supporting her Jordan. 

Kevin's cousin Johnny and his sister Aleda sang together. Another cousin Mark (Ernie's son) accompanied them on the piano without using music. The congregation sang By The Sea Of Crystal as a closing number. I didn't need the hymnal for the 3 verses. Cal and Ruth were sitting next to us so I leaned over and whispered to my 5th grade school teacher, I think you had us memorize this song in 5th grade and made us sing it to you in the back fire escape of the old Christian School building. Ruth whispered back she still remembered having Kevin sing. I bet Kevin disliked singing to our teacher as much as I did.

As you'd expect, the line to our neighborhood cemetery after lunch at the church was long. Law enforcement stopped traffic at intersections leaving town like they normally do. Both they and waiting traffic were very respectful. An Eddyville fire truck followed the procession from Beacon to the cemetery honoring Kevin for being a past member of their board. Although this final journey here on earth will eventually happen to all, it's hard for us who stay behind to prepare for.

Kevin and Linda mowed and took care of Henness Cemetery which is located on their farm. Earlier in the morning I had stopped by the cemetery to visit with Eldon and the gentleman from the vault company. Eldon said, "This is a hard one Steve. I usually worked with Kevin on these plots". The gentlemen with the vault said, "It just dawned on me. This is the fellow that keeps this cemetery up". Thanks Adam and others for having things looking neat. Kevin's grave is just a couple of rows down from his younger brother Steve.

Kevin and Linda's dog came down for his owners last service. Jasper made me remember 2012 when we were on our way to Union Mills Cemetery for 10 year old TJ and Jon and Tami's families 3 dogs were laying at the end of their lane watching the procession.

After a funeral there is always kind of a "now what" feeling. So I said to our crew here at home, "Lets go combine corn".

Just some observations on 2019 harvest. Corn moisture is variable because of variable fields and it was ranging from 24 - 32% with it averaging around 27% going in the dryer on 105 day corn planted April 15. Believe it or not added nitrogen during the growing season speeds maturity. The good looking corn is dryer than the yellow spots. Adding N early to this crop made a huge difference to it's success. Test weight is good. We had perfect weather in August for test weight. The boys have the combines adjusted well because grain quality is excellent even on wet corn. I think corn yields in our area could be good. Really good. Except for bottoms damaged by flooding and wet feet. And corn that ran out of gas about State Fair time.

While starting up the dryer we found the moisture reading was flashing and wouldn't work. So we called my brother Bill to the rescue. He cracked some ribs selling hogs the other morning and I could see he was really hurting crawling in the bin. However he is always positive and very helpful. Bill found a bad data wire to a moisture sensor. He mentioned that is not something he generally carries in this service truck. He did however find a piece in his truck that looked a touch short. We needed around 35 feet. It was the perfect length and didn't even cut it after running it through the conduit. Thanks Bill. And thanks to Kasey, Alex, BJ, Kurt, and Karl for all helping.

Thanks to Matt, Jacob, Devin, and Mike for helping BJ chop corn at Scott's yesterday. Our 2019 crop is also a journey we didn't expect. We have April planted corn and soybeans and June planted corn and soybeans. Only a day or two was barely fit in May and what was planted in May didn't grow and most had to be replanted. The replant looks good. Most bottoms look tough or weren't planted. Remember God wants to take care of you and is in charge of big things like crops, and He isn't limited by yield or price like we are when we try and do things on our own. Sometimes we forget but God is also in charge of details. Like just the right length data wire. Or just the right person coming for a visit at just the right time.

Saturday morning early I stopped at the cemetery. I have been praying for folks. For family. For our fall. For direction. Friday the 13th full moon was still out and shining. It made me feel God was listening. God gives us home and family. He sends us help and also sends us out to help others. He gives us hope. And in His time He gives us healing in the unexpected journeys we face. "By the sea of crystal, saints in glory stand".