A Mother's Gift

There are three ways a person can give. One can give of their treasures (things). Folks can give of their talents (abilities). Finally we can give of our time (relationships).

Yesterday family and a few friends put aside their own priorities, came over on a rainy Saturday morning, and gave of their talents and time to replace an 18 year old deck on the pond by our cabin.

Mark and Ryan braved the 60 degree water to attach the treated frame that would support the new composite boards. Yesterday's help was a Mother's Day gift to Jan.

Quality time is Jan's favorite gift to receive. In everyone's crazy busy world, and with the way we communicate nowdays with texts and emails, quality time is getting to be a rare commodity. Talent is how Jan likes to give. And food is one of her many talents. She served the dock crew both breakfast and lunch. Happy Mother's Day Jan. I love you and couldn't have thought to ask for a better mother for our children.

Another project this week was to move a bunch of clay from a future pond to a possible bin-site. Family and help ran two trackhoes, two dozers, two scrapers, and a sheepsfoot to haul around 350 loads of clay so far.

Our Becks Seed Advisor Matt picked up four pizzas for us for lunch. His counterpart Jeff, who has a district to the northeast of us, and had come to pick up a little seed, joined us as well. Thanks Matt.

This poor Walnut tree has had such a tough life growing up through a crack in the concrete. It once again had a bad day. It was in the way of progress so we tried to replant it with a trackhoe. I'm not optimistic.

For the most part crops are in and emerged. It's time for 2nd pass spraying for both corn and beans. It's also time for adding nitrogen to the corn crop.

This past Monday morning after a small shower a crew of us broke down, stacked, and loaded a bunch of empty seed pro boxes.

On the way to pick up empty boxes, a rear-end went out of our 01 T800 Kenworth semi. So we brought Jim another truck.

In our countries declining and deprived culture we have a responsibility to "do good" with the time and talents God gives us. Both as Christians, as churches, and as communities. If you're at all interested, join us Tuesday evening at our cabin for an informal get-together about what The Family Leader is doing to make an impact on cultural revival and advancing God's kingdom. It's not a fundraiser. You might find a way to get a hold of me so Jan knows how much snacks to prepare.

I went to the races Wednesday night here in Oskaloosa. Our helper Jim was up for a vote for the possibility of being inducted in the Hall of Fame for southern Iowa racing. Congratulations Jim. You're a blessing to us.

I would like to thank our daughter Becky and our daughter-in-laws Suzanne, Stacy, Cassia, Emily, and Kristin for their gift of motherhood. You gals do an awesome job and I couldn't ask for a better set of Moms for our 23 grandchildren.

A few of the many things I appreciate about these gals is that they allow their kids to learn work and responsibility. They also allow their kids to play hard. And they are helping their kids learn to care about others. What a gift.

I'll wish my Mom a Happy Mother's Day today. At 90 she doesn't have many more Mother's Days here on earth. When she gets to heaven she will be told "well done good and faithful servant". But she will not get to heaven because she was a faithful wife and selflessly got married on a two week notice. And not because she raised six children of which one was mentally handicapped. And not for being a Mom to countless foster kids for most of our growing up years. And not for servant-kindheartedly taking in Aunt Dorothy, and later Grandma Tina, And later yet her mother Lizzy. And not for never once saying "What about me" while she was home. Thanks for the picture brother Bill and Julie.

No, she's looking forward to heaven when she dies because my mother was offered and accepted Christ's gift. Even she wasn't "good enough". Christ died for her wrongs and gave her the gift of salvation and heaven. What about you? Don't miss out on that gift. All our treasures, talents, and time, will not be good enough for our future home. Blessings and thanks for stopping by.