The Small Moments

I'm thinking about our past week and all the busyness of the bigger activities. Carbon pipeline visits, customer supper, harvest preparations, organizing and managing the job list. All good stuff. And even have pictures to go with the stories.

However it's the smaller moments that were special to me. Jan and my conversation on a Sunday afternoon Ranger ride. Bringing food and encouragement to a close neighbor struggling with health issues. Going out to eat with "old" friends.

Working with a crew of grandkids helping clean the place up. Bringing sweetcorn and hearing stories from a 102 year old former landlady. Having Toni at Bogies bring me extra brown fried potatoes because she remembers I like the edges. Having a 91 year old gentleman not let go of my hand on a visit here because he appreciates our family. Of course none of these smaller moments is remembered with a photo.

But I do have a few moments with pictures. Last Sunday evening the Oskaloosa High School Student Council used the cabin for their season kickoff.

On Friday afternoon and evening the Pella Christian High School Volleyball team and coaches came out for a togetherness time including Ranger rides.

We received a call this past week from Mike and Suzanne's Cody that he and Tori, from Mitchell, South Dakota, had gotten engaged and were planning on a next summer wedding. Thanks for the picture, and congratulations. His cousin Gideon (BJ and Cassia's) and Emily get married next Friday evening.

I remember fondly the days when our children were becoming adults, contributing, embracing responsibility, and being assets to others. Now I get to watch our same kids, now middle age, watch their children become adults, make plans, and contribute to society. Below BJ and son John are fixing a batwing mower.

Kurt and I worked on overhauling a cornhead on a hot Friday afternoon. Kurt and Emily hosted a young family outing from their church (Cornerstone) last evening here at the cabin including swimming, fishing, and Ranger rides.

Yes, we had a great get-together Wednesday evening for our annual Customer Appreciation supper. Our second largest group in 35 years enjoyed good food and fellowship. Thank you for the relationships and your friendships.

As we were putting things away Thursday morning I realized we didn't have enough folding chair storage racks. So Jim went to Kelderman's for angle iron. Alex and Pablo went to Harbor Freight for dolly wheels. And Jim built an additional chair rack.

With Alex and Pablo's cleaning and rearranging we were able to get the additional rack to fit above the tool room. We promised ourselves we would tackle cleaning and organizing the parts room above the office before harvest.

We farm. In the big picture we help feed millions in a world that thinks their food comes from a super market. However here in flyover country we get to experience the smaller moments like freezing sweetcorn, picking tomatoes, and digging potatoes.

God has given you and I a name, place, and purpose in life. And yes, some of those responsibilities are big, even monumental. However don't miss the small moments. You may be farming. In the seed business. Leading a church. A team leader. Or the head of your family. Remember, the big things that happen help folks have confidence in you, their leader. But the smaller moments you share with others ultimately help folks have confidence in themselves. Blessings.