Farm Sales. From Home. Funerals.

We have seen more changes in the last year and a half than ever before. Some things have gone back to normal. Hopefully more will soon. However there are some changes here to stay. Most farm auctions are now called "timed online". The equipment is advertised and pictured on the internet by an auction company. The potential of bidders is literally worldwide. One bids from home with a phone. The bidding has a closing date and time. Items are paid for over the phone to the auction company. Weather is not a factor. 

Back in the day a farm auction was quite an event. Auctioneers would take bids from the crowd of folks attending by observing a raised hand or a nod of the head. Going down the rows of equipment or the small items on a hayrack. Machinery had to be spaced in line so there was room for the crowd and bidders to gather. Lunch was often served as a fundraiser by a church, school, or organization. There had to be room for parking. Toward the end of a sale there would be a line at the clerk's trailer to pay for purchased items. There was much conversation and fellowship.

We worked hard this past week to get our soybean contracts delivered to Burlington. The Mississippi River terminals close for the winter next week. The delivered soybeans are directly loaded on barges for export. This is a sunrise across the river over Gulfport, Illinois after getting unloaded.

Mike and Kurt joined forces on a terrace job for Lyle near where Mark lives east of Leighton. It was enjoyable seeing the snapchats from the brothers teasing each other about who was getting more work done. Another change that's here to stay. You can now have a picture conversation with your brother across the field while working. And the rest of the crew can see and be part of it from wherever they are working. Thanks for the picture guys.

BJ is tiling southwest of What Cheer. This is his first job where he loads a 3000 foot roll of tile directly on the plow rather than stringing it out with a pickup. Thanks for the picture Doug.

It's been a busy week at the office as well, planning and preparing for next crop year. What equipment needs replaced? What repairs need to be planned for? Parts often now need to be ordered months in advance. Not a fun change. What seed hybrid goes on which farm? One of my favorite jobs is working with friends (customers), helping them with conversations about next year. We talk about the availability of N for crops. We talk about diesel prices and whether one should contract. We discuss herbicide availability and how that affects seed purchases. We talk about seed packages and treatments. 

A good change from our chaotic world is I have not just been planning and preparing, but praying more. For wisdom. For when to observe and when to act. For others succeeding with their next crop year. And I have seen more answered prayers than ever before.

Another change that's not going away soon is everything that happens from home. More folks are working from home. Shopping from home. Even "eating out" and entertainment from home since help is so short everywhere. From home is definitely quick and handy. However it's also more isolative, which can lead to just thinking of self, rather than interacting and sharing with others.

So I have four short stories of good folks hanging out together. Below John is cleaning out Grandpa's truck, getting ready to borrow it for a Christmas Banquet last evening at PCHS.

This is a group of grandkids and their friends last evening at the banquet. Thanks for the picture.

This is a picture of my daughter Becky and daughter-in-laws Kristin, Emily, Cassia, Stacy, and Suzanne. They went to the King and Country concert in Des Moines together to celebrate Suzanne's birthday. Thanks for the picture gals.

This past Thursday afternoon we had a Family Leader board meeting followed by a Christmas party together. It was at the Stein Barn in West Des Moines. I would describe the Stein Barn as our cabin on steroids. It's a very beautiful place as well as a comfortable atmosphere.

Last Sunday I went to Montezuma Care Center to see Mom and was pleasantly surprised to see Becky, Brian, and family there as well. Mom seems to be doing well. She is content. She is getting somewhat forgetful. But what can I say? So am I. After this visit Jan and I went to Altoona and watched The Chosen Christmas movie with friends.

Another thing that has changed in the last year and a half is funerals. More and more folks are passing on an organized service. I think a funeral is still a necessary thing. It allows folks to show they care and express their sympathy. It remembers and celebrates the life of the one lost. It reminds us of the Hope we have after life here on earth.

I have this picture in my home office. It reminds me what faith can accomplish. This mural is in the basement of a church in the town of Magdala, a first century town along the Sea of Galilee, in Israel. It tells a Biblical story of the faith of a woman who was sick (Matthew 9 or Mark 5).

Marla also valued this painting during her battle with cancer. She went to her new home in heaven this past week. Please keep Clint, Curt and Candice, Mindy and Ben, and the rest of the family in your prayers as they say good bye next week. Marla was 61 years old.

Yes, our current culture has changed how folks view life, and what they put their hope in. I have also changed in how I view leaving earth. While I'm here I plan on finishing strong, living life like it's a gift. And fighting for the freedoms, values, and opportunities, to continue for those grandchildren pictured earlier. However I can't add one extra day to my life than what God has predetermined. So whenever my days are finished here on earth, I'm starting to look forward to my new home. What about you?