As we roll into the fourth quarter of our fall season, we have so much to be grateful for beyond acres per hour, bushels per acre, square footage, and horsepower. Despite the times we're reminded that we live in an imperfect world, we as a country have had a blessed bountiful year. We have food in abundance, jobs for those who choose to work, and a majority of folks that still love this country.
I'm grateful I have a front row seat watching our future generation grow and plan. Lane (above) helped his Dad, Kurt, a number of days this week. Ethan and Emily (below) announced their engagement and their plan to spend the rest of their lives together. Thanks for the picture.
Mike was busy with jobs near Harvey and Killduff this past week. The ground is still remarkably dry. Thanks for the picture Mike.
The custom work tillage we did this week confirmed how dry things are. We had a big week with the high speed disk. Our annual rainfall so far this year south of Oskaloosa is just under 50% of normal.
This past Friday evening their were three great events to attend. One of them was a Risefest concert in Pella. RISE Ministries, from Sheldon, brought in three Christian music artists, Ryan, Cade, and Leanna to share their music and their stories. Thanks Rob. Below Rob is with his twin brother Justin.
Jim continues to haul contracted soybeans to Burlington and Des Moines.
Karl and I are moving our responsibilities into the seed selling season. Our 5th load of seed is scheduled to be picked up in the morning.
Cousins Ezra and Elijah hooked up the chisels yesterday and started doing deeper tillage for custom hire.
Papa Jon finished up a 107 load job yesterday tendering manure from the hog shed to the honey wagon in the field. Thanks for the picture Jon. The food security we enjoy today isn't possible without fertilizer. With our country's administration drastically limiting our domestic oil production, from which fertilizer is made, livestock manure has become increasingly valuable.
BJ has 3600 foot rolls of drainage tile delivered directly to the job site. This past week he and Ethan finished a job west of Beacon, moved to our Morgan farm with his Wolfe trencher machine, and Kurt's Else farm northwest of Osky with his Wolfe plow. Tile stops erosion by taking water from above ground to below ground where it's needed.
A second event Friday evening was the Thanksgiving Family Forum. Four presidential candidates were invited. Three accepted the invitation to come to Des Moines, sit around a Thanksgiving table, and share their values. It's way more productive than a debate. Like: What is their character? Who do they surround themselves with? Would they be a humble leader? Do they love our country? And would they be an asset or a liability to our country's national character?
Ronald Regan once said that all great change in America begins at the dinner table. Parents passing on stories and timeless values to our next generations. So many seem to be starved for purpose and meaning. Do you think our young folks realize the sacrifice our previous generations made to achieve and maintain the freedoms we have today? Are we as a country still putting cause above self? Below is the gravestone of Jan's 5X great-grandfather. A soldier in the Revolutionary war.
Gratitude is an acknowledgement of the grace we are given by our Creator. It helps us focus on what we have rather than what we lack. What we have is most often in the form of relationships. Don't forget to show folks you appreciate them.
Grace should lead to gratitude. Gratitude should lead to generosity. Generosity leads to a joy that can't be bought. Be intentional this week about all of the above. With God. And with others. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.
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