StillwatersIowa

 Does the United States still believe in God? Does our country trust Him? What we print on our money says we do. Do we as a country and culture deserve God's blessing? The little cross in the picture below was given to me by a friend, Owen. I've carried it with my pocket change so long the edges are smooth. Do we as citizens still pledge allegiance to our flag and mean it? Are we still one nation? Under God? It seems today the Pledge is used more for protests than for patriots. Values and morals are the backbone of our country. We have folks in Congress that want to minimize or eliminate our constitution, our capitalism, and our Christianity. Trust has been replaced with hate. Amy is 48 years old and mother of seven children. Two adopted from Haiti. Folks I know, that know her, say she is rock solid when it comes to our countries values. Yet, how will the Senate hearings go when she is confirmed? Will it be trust and truth? Or hate and lies? No one should have to go through wha...

 Good morning. After a very wet week following Labor Day, this past week was "picture" perfect for harvesting. I've generally been careful not to post too many pictures that focus on machinery and instead more on people. However I am breaking my own rules this week for the benefit of our readers and friends living outside our country that would enjoy seeing what a harvest day looks like. About 15-20% of our weekly visitors live outside the USA. Below Grandson Ezra who is in 7th grade is mowing field borders, terraces, and waterways after a field has been combined. A harvest day actually starts the night before. Repairs or maintenance that "crop" up get taken care of  during the hours we're not combining or trucking which is usually after the trucks and carts are full for delivery the next morning. With our corn processor opening at 6 am, the field crew leaves for the field before that so they can load trucks coming back for their next load. It is often dewy ...

 When I was in grade school our church at the time (Calvary CRC Pella) had a prison ministry. I remember going along with my Dad and Dan (Loren from LDJ's father) to either Oakdale or Newton one evening. As I was riding in the back seat I listened intently as the men in front talked farming. Dan told Dad he had just bought an IH 1456 tractor. I thought ,Wow, that was the most powerful tractor made. I dreamed about having a 1456. We just had an IH 806. In 2006 my dream came true. My cousin Darryl sold me the 1456 pictured below. Last Sunday as my father and I were driving to Montezuma to visit Mom, we drove by the farm in Union Mills where we lived during a couple of my grade school years. We currently custom this farm for a retired school superintendent. My Dad asked, "Did you plant this farm?" I answered we did. He then asked, "Are you going to combine it this fall?" Again I said we will. He said, "Well more power to you". I hadn't heard that phra...

This early morning's song (Sparrow) on KCWN, 99.9 radio is talking about worrying our life away and not being able to add a single day. I think that means we really can't subtract one either?  Jan shared her morning devotions with me about midweek. It talked about the divine protection we have every day. We love our children and grandchildren and help keep them safe. God loves us, His children, and I believe He sends angels to keep us safe. I love this picture you took Emily. I forgot to ask Jackson if he is pushing Jayden or Lane. I'm guessing the helmet was big brothers idea. So do we have guardian angels looking out for our good? Is it more comfortable to call them ministering spirits? Or does God who is everywhere all the time protect us on His own? In the Bible (Matthew 18) Jesus's disciples were arguing over who was the greatest. Jesus called over a child and told them that they had to have a humble dependent spirit like a little one. Then He says to be careful no...