StillwatersIowa

As Jan and I were discussing our past Christmases we agreed the steps of the past holidays to today is nothing like we expected. The holidays seem to make us think back. Below are Kurt, Mike, Brian, Karl, and Mark, visiting during our family Christmas. Jan was mentioning that 30 to 40 years ago she would probably not have picked the professions our kids have chosen. Yet today we see how what they do allows them the freedom to often interact and raise their children at their sides while they work. Below is Karl and Sydnie. Thanks for the picture Karl. Karl is currently recuperating from sinus surgery. This little guy had a birthday this week. We have a lot of December birthdays in our bunch. Jayden, his brother Jackson, and his dad Kurt, brought me coffee and cold medicine Friday night on his birthday while I was working in the field. Boy, have farm sales changed and taken the next step. I remember going to farm sales with my brother Doug or my neighbors, Calvin or Kenny. I...

We live in a culture today where folks ask themselves if they're enough. Everyone needs to be needed, appreciated, and loved. We often don't take the time these days to engage and listen. I was going through old photos. I came across little notes that my Mom had saved and put in my box. These little slips were from an ethics class in high school where we had to write strengths and weaknesses of our fellow classmates. These little pieces of paper were what folks had written about me. Can you imagine a 63 year old rereading every slip? Wondering what my classmates thought of me and if I was enough 46 years ago. Today I am blessed beyond measure. Yet I sometimes ask myself if I'm enough as a husband, father, and grandfather. And more importantly if I'm helping my family be assured that they are enough, just as God has created them. Harvest is over. Our year is quickly coming to an end. We are still busy hauling our crop to market. We have started cleaning mach...

 The Christmas season has always been a special time. As a child I remember a chrome tinsel Christmas tree with a revolving colored light. As a teenager I remember friends and events. One of those events was a Christmas banquet in the gym of the old Pella Christian High School. As a young parent I remember enjoying our kids looking forward to going with friends. Now as a grandparent the legacy continues as our grandchildren are attending. Pictured below at the Christmas banquet meal at PCHS are Cody (Mike and Suzanne) and his friend Kennedy. Ethan (Mark and Stacy). Rachel and Gideon (BJ and Cassia) and Gideon's friend Emily. Thanks for the picture Cassia and Stacy. On our trip last month we had the privilege of being invited to join a young Jewish family for their Sabbath meal on a Friday evening. In Israel the purchasing, planning, preparing, and partaking of a meal is an event. The Jewish families value this time together. When I was a kid meal t...

What do you want for Christmas that money can't buy? Maybe health, happiness, a lost loved one, respect, good friends, patience, reputation, self-satisfaction, or purpose?   Maybe it's a second chance, or a new shot at a missed opportunity, or a clear conscience? Maybe it's well adjusted kids, or manners, or quality time with family, or a worry free day? Below Gavin and Derrick came to help Grandma Linda, our bookkeeper, in the office one day. Isn't it something that the things we think about that money can't buy seem to be the important things. We all know money is necessary, but maybe not the most important. Monday Ezra (Becky and Brian's) and his cousin Elijah (Mark and Stacy's) helped me all day with a number of catch up jobs. We were the B team. After lunch the C team wanted to help as well so Jackson (Kurt and Emily's) and Harris (Becky and Brian's) helped Grandpa put Christmas lights on the cabin. After a good day of accomplis...