A Time To Grow

With the planting completed and the crop emerged, summer is a time to grow. That happens in crops. That happens in projects. That happens in life. Mike is taking a break during the longer days of summer to chat with his brother Kurt and nephew Lane.

The beginning of summer means the ending of a school year. The cabin is extra busy with graduation parties.

Last week I mentioned a get-together this past Tuesday evening. We were able to introduce our Family Leader friends, where I serve on the board, to our community friends. It was an informative meeting about how to advance God's kingdom and reflect Christ's light in a dark culture. A special thanks to everyone who came.

Summer is haying season. BJ already has a couple of fields baled. We mowed first cutting alfalfa Friday. In a normal growing season alfalfa is cut and baled every four weeks.

Summer is a busy time for a big yard. Jan spends much of her summer outdoors with her mowing, garden, weeding, spraying, and plants and flowers. Because we are in a dryer area here she has also started watering first and second year planted trees.

The crops are growing. So are the weeds. We started 2nd pass spraying this past week. We have also started adding nitrogen to the corn crop.

The Morgan farm pond progress continues. Often southern Iowa has shale and coal under our topsoil and clay. Shale would allow a pond to leak. So Mike and Mark dug what is called a stream channel cleanout. Not only do they core the pond dam and fill it with good clay, they also dig down the creek bed and seal things up with clay. The black dirt is pushed to the tow (back side) and the dam is built out of clay.

The pond dike is coming along nicely. I was able to help Mike push dirt yesterday. This pond will have a four to one slope to prevent the clay from sliding during wet years.

Summer is the time of year to put the planting equipment away for another season. It will come back out next winter for repairs and service in the shop.

Our batwing mowers usually stay hooked up all summer. Kurt is mowing Ranger and motorcycle paths. Memorial Day is also my timeline goal to start mowing road ditches.

Eleven students including Mark and Stacy's, Elijah, graduated from 8th grade at Osky Christian Friday evening.

Last evening Rachel graduated from high school at Pella Christian High School. She is pictured below with her parents BJ and Cassia, and her family.

Kudos to Amelia who ran in state track this past week. She and her medley team were state runner-ups in the finals. Kurt and Emily's family went to watch her run. Below she is with her cousins Jayden, Jackson, and Lane. Having grandchildren around and watching them grow is such a gift. Our oldest is getting married in August. And our youngest is due in early November. Thanks for the picture Emily.

What are your plans for this summer? Summer is a time to grow. Take advantage of the longer days. Make a list and complete projects. Plan a little time off. And include others in your life. Relationships were how we were created. Below is Johnathon, Danny, Greg, Jan and I, Chuck, Rebecca, Kristin, and Duane.

Solomon says in Ecclesiastes that there is a season, a time, and a purpose for every matter while we're here on earth. Then he asks the question,"What do people really get for all their hard work?" Finally Solomon concludes that there is nothing better than to enjoy our work and accept our destiny, because this indeed is a gift from God. We seldom look back on the days of our lives because God keeps us occupied with the gladness of our hearts. Don't try and grow life this summer by yourself. It will not work. Invite God and others in. You will grow in the process. Blessings.