Sharing Life

Twenty years ago we all remembered where we were at when our world stopped on 9/11. I was getting bins ready for harvest. Jan was taking the twins to school. Becky called from Dordt College where she was a freshman. Later that day we watched Airforce One with two F15s fly over. They were the only aircraft allowed in the sky. I also remember our churches filled as our country went to God for help. Mainstream news reporters asked us all to pray. Today our country is doing everything in it's power to share life without God. And it's not working out so well.

Today my heart is full. The dark things in this world make the bright things so much more vivid. And I want to share a few of my life's bright highlights with you this week. I'm so thankful we live in the heartland where God and family are still acknowledged as the center of life.

On Labor Day Ezra, Eliott, Zach, Harris, and Hazel helped me start another sidewalk project after we had combined a few loads of corn for the dryer. Being able to work with grandkids fills my tank.

Last Sunday evening four year old Hazel asked me to tell her a story after I tucked her in and said our prayers. So I made up this completely wild fictional story about a princess who lived on a flower farm. When I had finished she said, "Silly Grandpa, I read that one already". Hugh??? 😊

For the past dozen years or more we have worked toward starting corn harvest and bringing corn to Eddyville on the Tuesday after Labor Day. We do this by starting to plant the first week of April. We start with early season corn. We don't spray fungicide on our first planted acres. And we push the crop's maturity by adding dry nitrogen in June.

Another thing that warms my heart is the blessing of the folks I get to work with. Our crew consists of family, full time, part time, and seasonal help. This bunch thinks of others ahead of themselves. They are always willing to do whatever job is needing done. And they all pitch right in and help fix things when repairs are needed.

So Tuesday morning the plan was to have a big week of harvest before Eddyville's week long shut down for it's yearly maintenance starting on September 13.

First thing Tuesday morning we had an unexpected electrical shutdown on the farm. We were on hold till after lunch. Part of sharing life together is the ability to be intentional when unintentional things happen. Everyone pitched in. The electric company came. And our week stayed as positive as ever.

Then Eddyville announced it had some troubles of their own and they could not take corn out of the field Thursday or Friday. Once again our plans changed from a good week of corn harvest to just a day and a half. We decided to park the combines. Life is still 10% circumstances and 90% how one handles those circumstances.  The crew all had things to do. Mike had a terrace to build. BJ had haying to do and a tree to take down. Karl had wheat seed to go after and hog work. Kurt had a tractor to work on. Alex was now able to compete in a golf tournament. Mark, who was also combining, had concrete to pour.

And Jan and I. Well we hooked up the camper, loaded in the Ranger, and headed for Walden, Colorado. Where we are sharing life with just the two of us in a National Forest with no phone, internet, or electricity. Thanks Mike L. for allowing us to come into town and use your Timberline Do It Best store internet to write our visit. Walden is in the northwest part of the state and is where our daughter-in-law Cassia grew up. It's high altitude cattle country. More about our visit here next week.

Last Sunday was Pastor Tom and Erin's last week with us as an interim at Osky 1 CRC. His messages all summer had been about our life's journey. He used many visuals and objects in his messages to help us remember. Last Sunday he encouraged us seasoned (old) folks to be a faithful witness and testimony to our children and grandchildren. He asked those senior citizens in the pews to all come up and sing a song as a testimony to the next generations. Thanks for the pictures Cheryl and Doug. Jan and I were blessed to have 4 of our children and 18 of our grandchildren there last Sunday.

Sharing our spiritual journeys and telling our stories with the next generations is one of our most important jobs we have been given. Yes we work hard at what we do together, probably even for their future benefit. But we all leave life here on earth with nothing more than those we take to eternity with us someday.

What does worship on Sunday look like? What should it look like? Yes, to sing, to pray, to give, to listen, and to glorify our God. But what does all that look like? Worship is sharing our lives and our hearts with God, with family, with community, and with those that don't know the Lord yet. And one of the many ways we worship is in a church on Sunday. You all are an encouragement to me. I'm posting early because we are in town for internet and for the Walden fair. See you next week.