What's Your Handle?

If you were on the cover of one of our leading magazines, what would the article be about? Would it include accomplishments, passions, successes, and promotions?

Maybe it would talk about your work ethic, what drives you, your get-er-done attitude, or your toughness when the arrows are flying. Would the story mention a tender side of you? Would the author see others in your story? Would generosity be mentioned as part of your lifestyle?

"Handle" might need defined for our Gen-X readers. It's like your username on social media. Except back then it was called a CB radio. My CB handle was St. Bernard. Not sure why. Same initials I guess. And we had Saint Bernards as farm dogs all our lives. So back to the question. Would you be a good buddy, or a bull dog? You wouldn't want to be called an alligator. That was someone who was all mouth and no ears. 😊 Would you be described by folks as hammer down, or a sand bagger?

Jan and I left Monday afternoon for a week away. After stopping in Leon, Iowa at a western store for some boots, we stayed in St. Joe, MO. Tuesday we drove to Dispatch, Kansas where there is a small CRC church out in the country, to say hello to Interim Pastor Tom and Erin. We continued to Delhart, TX and stayed the night eating at an excellent home grown restaurant. Then to Deming, NM the following day. And finally to Tucson,NM on Thursday.

I'm sometimes known to have a hammer down, get-er-done personality when driving. However Jan is doing an awesome job of helping "stretch me" in some areas where I could improve my handle. And reminds me getting to Arizona in 24 hrs. is not really a relaxing time. So we would stop at places like the Calico Cow (quilt store). I honestly really enjoyed the trip.

In Deming, NM a True Value Hardware employee said we would enjoy supper at Si Senior, a Mexican place where the locals ate. It was the most authentic, delicious, chips, fajitas, and sopapilla I've ever had. When I went up to the counter to pay, I noticed an older woman eating alone, and asked if I could quietly pay for her meal. Generosity feels good. The gentleman below looked interesting to visit with, however my Spanish skills are limited. Earlier this winter we had our restaurant meal anonymously paid for by a total stranger in Illinois. That felt good as well.

On Friday afternoon we visited Dave and Sheryl, who are good friends, at their Tucson home. Dave and I serve on the Family Leader board together. We enjoyed catching up. Sheryl had baked bread in the form of a cactus.

We mainly came to Tucson because we had been invited to a Dordt University weekend. It's where friends of Dordt hear about what's going on at the University including it's current mission as well as it's future vision. It's an uplifting gathering of seeing old friends, and making many new ones.

The weekend has been filled with inspiring and uplifting worship. One of five student worship teams, came along and led us in singing. Keith and Kristyn Getty were there and had a concert for the group on Saturday evening.

We had speakers, staff, entertainers, and Bible teaching. President Eric and his wonderful wife Barb were our hosts. Eric talked about raising the bar, ready the heart, and reforming the culture. Staff like Diane, Steve, Daniel, Nate, Aaron, Jana, Leah, and others were a joy to spend time with. Even though it was chilly, it was a great southwest experience.

Back home Mike, Alex, and Jim continued to prepare for warmer weather soon including an oil change and new steer tires on this rig. Thanks for all the farm pictures guys.

Remember last Thanksgiving when we talked about our broken skidloader and a back-ordered emission sensor. Well, it finally came.

Mike and Mark had much of our heavy equipment in the shop Thursday when Cat mechanic Chuck came to check on things. Sounds like they got along well.

As soon as the dozers and track hoes come out, the planters are ready to come in the shop to get ready for hopefully early April. We are also having a planter clinic for folks in the community March 9. We will have our Deere planters, Mark's Kinze, and Matt's CaseIH in our new shop across the road with dealer techs there reminding us what to look for to be field ready. More details next week.

Ukraine. What does one even say at a time like this? We shared a couple of weeks ago about friends, and readers to this blog who live there. Krisztina. And Alexzander. Please tell both of your families as well as your friends we are praying for you all.

Why does the United States have to be so weak at a time like this? A strong America in the past always insured a stable world. America was the beacon of hope and an example to countries like Ukraine how freedom, work ethic, and capitalism helps citizens thrive. What will be the future of Ukraine? Of Canada? Of our own America?

John, a pastor from New York, spoke Friday evening at our gathering in Tucson. He talked about formation. Who we are and how we will be (our handle) He said unity must be stronger than division. Hope must be stronger than despair. Pursuit must be stronger than passivity. The battle is between good and evil. And we are in the script. We've got some work to do.

I still get up early while on vacation. I find a quiet place to sit, have my devotions, and think. The thinking part often involves practical stuff. Like what needs to be done when we get back home. This week it has been a touch deeper. 

We started by asking you what an article on our lives would look like. Uncertain times will not end when folks forget about a pandemic. They will not end after Russia and Ukraine. We live in a broken world. But guess what. God uses broken people. Let's live with a greater and confident purpose.