God Is In Our Stories

Welcome to chapter 2023 of yours and my story. Jackson and Jayden started their year hunting raccoons with their Dad. Thanks for the picture Kurt.

Yesterday morning grandsons Jackson, Elijah, and Ezra washed six vehicles. Lane is checking out a shank on an anhydrous tool bar.

We heard from our friends in Malawi, Africa over the New Years holiday. This is Harrison, Miriam, their daughters, and their extended friends. Harrison is a farmer and a pastor. On our visits he has helped us as a translator, with exchanging money, and helps with transportation. Harrison told me they have hope and optimism for their new year and are grateful and reliant for God's faithfulness in the stories of their lives.

Moses, Maria, Gerllad, and Praise Elizebeth also sent greetings. Praise is named after my sister Beth who lived in Malawi teaching English many years ago.

This is an oven to fire bricks. Moses and Maria's congregation hopes to build a new church building soon. I love their church family and have given the message in their church with Harrison as an interpreter.

Back home this past week BJ and Mike worked on various projects. Frost in the ground has not been an issue. However conditions are muddy when the temps warm up.

On-line auctions have taken over the way we move machinery. Recently we listed and sold a couple of items we don't use much. I purchased this disk in 1992 from a widow in Burlington. This past week it's heading to Memphis, Missouri.

We continue to make repairs to the machinery we use including overhauling a swing hopper on this auger.

BJ continues to bring alfalfa hay to the Amish auction in Drakesville bringing another two loads this past Thursday.

Elijah, Mark and Stacy's 8th grader, helped load corn. Although he is very comfortable driving semi around the yard he has a couple of years yet before he can deliver to Eddyville.

Last evening Jan and I celebrated with Bank Iowa for a late Christmas get-together. I finished my term on the Advisory Board this year.

Every year after Christmas break Pella Christian High School does a week of Winterim. That's when students spend time either job shadowing, taking an elective class, or going on a service trip. This year Amelia went with a group to the Bahamas to help some Haitian refugees. They cleaned, painted, and did Bible School. Thanks for the picture Stacy.

On New Years night God was put back in NFL football with announcers, fans, and both teams praying for God to spare a players life. It's the first time since 9/11/2001 that I remember we as a country acknowledging God and asking Him for help. No matter how hard our countries leaders try to defy God, He is in our stories because we were made to have a relationship with Him and each other.

My cousin Don passed away yesterday. He was the only son of Uncle Herm and Aunt Kay and grew up in the Sully/Kellogg area. Our sympathies to his wife Theresa, his children Jana, Pam, and Brian, and their families.

God is in my story because of some faithful parents. I am the oldest of six children. My father and brother Dan are in Heaven, both acknowledging God's gift to us as a Savior. My mother has been talking about some pain in her left leg and is getting it checked out in the ER as we visit this morning.

On my office desk are over a dozen items I greatly value. Because they have been given to me by folks who were grateful for something I did, gave, or helped them with. If I'm grateful for these thank yous, being imperfect, can you imagine how grateful God is when we remember to show our gratitude to Him for helping us write our stories. 2023 will have trials and tough times. It will also have some "Yea God" victories. He is in the details of each and every one of our stories whether we acknowledge Him or not. Let's remember to say "Thank You" this year. And be grateful. Blessings.