StillwatersIowa

I've seldom worn a hat. Even as a kid. Then in 2000 while in New Zealand building a church with a short term mission group, I bought an out-lander Aussie hat. While in Malawi, Africa, a gal made me a beaded necklace. Since I also don't wear necklaces the gift went around the crown of the hat. I  often wear this hat when vacationing or attending events. Kurt and Emily's, Jackson, calls it an adventure hat and I think it fits. Below Kurt, I, and Jayden are all wearing our "adventure" hats. An adventure is an exciting, sometimes unusual, sometimes even hazardous experience or activity. It's often embracing the unknown. It's usually taking a risk. It's living fully. Yes, a week ago last Saturday we took off again. This time to southern Colorado with Kurt and Emily, Karl and Kristin, Jon and Glenda, and families. Thanks for the picture. We stayed in a large home in South Fork, Colorado along the Rio Grande River. This is the 4th largest river in North Ameri...

Let's say you are sitting in a room full of peers. Would folks see you first of all as successful or significant? I know. Both need defined. If I'm trying to live a life of success I'm focusing on myself. However if my priority is significance it seems I have others best interest in mind. Success is about making an impact here and now. Is that bad? Of course not. Significance on the other hand is creating a lasting legacy edifying family and others. At Becks Summer School in Indianapolis early last week the emphasis was "taking the next step", not first of all for personal gain, or for Becks bottom line, but for the good of the customers we serve. Anything successful or significant takes a foundation. Something to build off of. Have you ever seen the root system on one stalk of a corn plant. It's impressive. For the last couple years the increase in corn yields is coming from kernel depth. On the soybean side folks are starting to experiment with killing the b...

3000 years ago King David wrote, "May your purpose be fulfilled". Psalms 20:5  How do your kids feel about you? How about your spouse, your fellow employees, your community? Were we meant for more than who we are today? When it comes time to vote, will elections matter? Are we living in the end times? Just some random questions without answers this morning. Our identity is often the devil's playground when we get down on ourselves and life. The last time we visited, Jan and I were on the tale end of a long weekend to northwest Colorado. We took our Ranger along and put about 100 miles on the small roads and mountain trails. Last Sunday morning we attended Christian Life Church in Walden, Colorado before heading back to Iowa. Newly married couple Micah and Rupa helped with the praise and worship music. We arrived home early Monday morning. Back home we welcomed Logan, Josh, and Johnny as temporary residents to our bunkhouse across the road while they look for more permanen...

If I were to ask you where are you headed? Or where are you heading? Would it seem like the same question? I'm thinking "Where are you headed" is a place and you haven't left yet. Whereas "Where are you heading" is a current action and you're on your way. Our country today tries to coddle and micromanage us. When that happens we miss out on a relationship or adventure. Recently our country has also tried to mandate and manipulate us. When that happens we become dependent on government instead of God.  Ezra, Elijah, Jackson, and Jayden are helping Grandpa put up Becks seed signs. Earlier in the week Jim, Dean, Ezra, and Elijah helped put new unload augers in a 1050 Kinze grain cart. Harvest is headed our way sooner than we think. Every year I grumble about a poor sweetcorn stand. And every year I'm surprised how well it turns out. In between machinery maintenance, haying, hogs, and dirtwork, I still enjoy mowing. Elijah and Ezra helped me clean up ou...