Attitude Over Obstacles

 Fourteen months ago we all became part of a story we never expected. Our attitude over our obstacles determines our future. In southern Iowa most planters were rolling late this past week and life feels normal again. Below Kurt is planting a field for his twin brother Karl on the south edge of Galesburg.

 3000 years ago King Solomon said there is a time for everything and a season for every activity. A time to plant. A time to be born. And a time to die. Last Sunday Roger, a good friend of this blog family, overcame all obstacles and went to his heavenly home. Roger and Shirley's oldest son Mike is our lawyer. Mike married Diane who was the oldest daughter of Howard and Joann. Howard had a big impact on my life giving us custom work during our early days. Diane passed away of cancer 9 years ago this past week. Shirley and family, you are in our thoughts and prayers. 

A Roger story. About 20 years ago I was pulling on anhydrous ammonia for Roger and Shirley in the field just south of their home along their lane. Roger was out in the field with his loader tractor building small terraces trying to get the runoff water diverted to the lane ditch instead of washing down along the field edge. Since then we have built dozens of these diversion terraces on our field borders and to this day we will tell our Mike that we need a Roger B on a particular field edge.😊

Mike is currently building terraces north of Keswick, helping his friend Chad.

For years farmers would plant their corn, then switch the planter over and plant soybeans. Yield data has shown that early planted soybeans get more sunlight. Sunlight determines the number of nodes on a bean plant. The more nodes, the more pods. The more pods, the higher yield. As a seed dealer for 35 years we have encouraged the folks we help to plant beans as early as possible. We also continue to recommend lower population. Finally seed treatments have allowed that tiny plant to prosper in less than perfect conditions. Below Alex is no-till planting soybeans northwest of Peoria. 

Karl continues to spray bean acres for ourselves and others. And I continue to spray planted corn acres. Last year Karl and Kasey installed purple LED lights on our sprayers so we could see our spray pattern at night. This past week it was useful during our longer days. Pre-emerge corn spraying on tilled acres can be sprayed at night since there are no existing weeds.

A big kudos to Pablo who washed my sprayer after I arrived home late one evening. We often spray 32% nitrogen on planted corn acres which is sticky, which attracts dust, which makes for dirty windows and mirrors.

Early in the week during a wet spell BJ and Karl ran a string of tile with our little Vermeer trencher to fix a wet spot. Thanks for the picture Karl.

Many of you have asked about our new helper Joe who started helping us in March. Joe had developed a tumor on his shoulder by his neck. With two previous cancer incidents most of us had legitimate concerns. Sometimes when obstacles seem bigger than we are all you can do is ask for help. There were a lot of folks including many of you praying. Friday Joe had the tumor removed. It was benign. There is no doubt in my mind God answered our prayers. Thank you.

For years there has been a group of friends (mostly old timers) who had breakfast and conversation together at the Family Restaurant every morning. Well a number of those, including my father, have passed away in the last months. Below is my father Harry, Larry, and John. Yesterday the family of Ernie, who passed away last November had a memorial service in our cabin. Also Karl and I attended the funeral of John who's wife is our landlady. Our sympathies to Leona and family. Thanks for the picture ELie. Our fathers shared many breakfast conversations together.

America is changing and it can be easy to get a bad attitude. Well, this group who I am privileged to be a part of is having a positive impact. On working at preserving the values and freedoms we are still blessed with in this country. On working at keeping families strong by inspiring Christ-like leadership in home, community, and government. And by helping engage the church to see a vision of a revived America that honors God and blesses people. Below is the board and part of the staff of The Family Leader. We are meeting for our monthly board meeting.

In spite of obstacles we get to decide whether we are going to be in a good mood or a bad one. We get to choose if we are going to be a victim or if we are going to overcome whatever life throws at us. We live in a world full of excuses. Will we use excuses for a crutch? Or will we admit our shortcomings, be intentional about our plans, and tackle our obstacles? Let's zig when most are zagging. Like a phrase I heard this past week, let's dance like no one is watching. Thanks for the picture BJ.

When asked, "How are you?", I heard someone say, "If I was any better, I'd be twins." Well, 32 years ago tomorrow after finishing planting a field for Howard and Joann, which is now Otter Hills just east of Oskaloosa, Jan and I were blessed with twin boys born in Ottumwa. Happy Birthday Kurt and Karl. I'm blessed beyond measure for the family God has allowed Jan and I to be part of.

Congratulations to friends of this blog, Jason and Valorie, who were blessed with a son this week, born in Ottumwa. Lane Joseph joins his big sister Malorie. God is good.