Picking Up Rocks

 One of the less desirable jobs related to field work is picking up rocks that work their way to the surface. Dealing with rocks varies from farm to farm. I can think of three ways rocks show up. Freezing and thawing soils. Erosion. And tillage. Not taking care of rocks in a field can damage our farm equipment. Not taking care of rocks in our lives can damage our purpose. Below Jackson, his brother Jayden, and cousin Malaki are holding rocks for Grandpa.

Last weekend we went to Indiana for a graduation. On Saturday we visited and stayed with fellow farmers and friends, Ken and Cheri.

Ken farms in central Indiana where rocks are a constant struggle. They pick up the larger smooth rocks every year. No till has slowed rock troubles. Jan mentioned she enjoys landscaping her yard with rocks. So after going out to eat we stopped at one of his many rock piles and loaded up a bucket full.

Last Saturday in West Lafayette, Indiana the Purdue Boilermakers graduated over 5500 students. However on Sunday we went to Vision Of Hope in Lafayette and attended a graduation of three girls. Vision Of Hope is a residential treatment center for eating disorders, self harm, and addictions. Our niece Elizabeth and two of her friends graduated from phase three and are now living a productive life being not only assets in society but in God's kingdom as well. Elizabeth is working at Chick-fil-A and planning on graduating this fall from college with a degree in massage therapy. Below is my youngest sister Beth, Elizabeth, and Jan.

Many of the rocks here in southern Iowa come up from old building sites. Rocks and old foundations that were buried to try and get rid of them. Trying to bury old building sites is not always the best idea. Trying to bury the rocks in our lives doesn't always work well either.

Many soybean fields are emerging and can be rowed. With April being cool many early planted beans took awhile to come up. Ten years ago that soybean seed would have rotted. Today that seed is treated with up to ten different modes of action that protect it. Moisture in the soil activates the seed treatment and creates a little barrier around each seed. Then the new small roots that first develop take in the fungicides, insecticides, nematicides, bio-stimulants, and biologicals that accelerate early seedling growth.

One of the first jobs in the spring season is seeding. Often a waterway that had been reshaped in the fall. It's always good to see them coming up without a washing spring rain ruining them. Established grass waterways and terraces prevent erosion saving the topsoil instead of exposing rocks.

This past week we used a wet morning to get the field cultivator ready for next spring before we put it away. We put on all new shovels, replaced worn tires, checked and greased wheel bearings and other moving parts.

And gave it a good cleaning. Thanks Pablo. With parts getting harder to get because of a lack of folks working in some places we decided to take advantage of an opportunity.

Rocks aren't always trouble in themselves. Just when they are laying in a field. All of our landscaping rocks have been repurposed, and were at one time a pain in the rear in someone's field. Mostly north of here a ways in central Iowa. Thanks Mike for helping on Friday afternoon.

Since it isn't going to freeze anytime soon Mike probably won't be ice fishing for a while so he put his ice hut away for the summer.

The freezing and thawing of our soils in our winters is beneficial even though it brings up rocks in some places. Sometimes God gives us tests in our lives to see if we are genuine even if it brings up rocks. Rocks can build things. Like strength, character, patience, and surrender. 

We enjoyed coffee-time with Tim and Chad Thursday morning. Tim teaches at Dordt University and Chad is head of schools in Chattanooga, TN. They are part of a group called C.A.C.E. (Center for Advancement of Christian Education) who helps Christian schools all over the country. Thanks for the visit guys.

Speaking of Christian education, we attended two graduations this past week. On Friday evening my brother Doug and Ginger's youngest son Luke graduated from the 8th grade at Oskaloosa Christian. On Saturday evening we attended the graduation at Pella Christian High School for the two young men in the center of the photo below. Ethan will be going to Indian Hills this fall for diesel mechanics. And Cody will be attending Dordt University for sports therapy and playing football. Thanks for the picture Suzanne. I'm guessing this picture was taken about 11 years ago at Kurt and Emily's wedding. The grandsons are Gideon, Ethan, Cody, and John.

Yesterday it rained lightly much of the day around here. So Matt, Jackson, and I repaired some of the loose rocks on our fire pit. 

We are sometimes irritated by folks that we have no idea of their story. We are not aware of the rocks in their lives. In these cases we need to come along side of them and help them either remove or repair the rocks in their fields.

And finally, there are rocks in our fields that are permanent. Ones that just aren't coming out. We keep grass surrounding them so they won't damage equipment.

Many of you have permanent rocks in your lives. You have lost someone close to you. You have cancer or some other health issue that isn't going away barring a miracle. There may be a relationship that isn't healing. The only solution for these rocks is to keep God's grace surrounding you. Grace is the help given us by God because He desires us to have it and not necessarily because of anything we have done to earn it. In the Bible the apostle Paul asked that a thorn (rock) be removed. God answered him, "My grace is enough". Thanks so much for stopping by.