For Such A Time

Last week my friend and classmate, Dale, commented on his Bible reading about the Israelite's struggles while exiled in Babylon. And God's promises to the captives spoken through Jeremiah.

                                

In a nutshell Jeremiah basically says while in captivity, plant gardens and have grandkids. What strikes me this morning is even though God determines the outcome, we are still to plan and plant. And that holds true in both gardens and grandkids.

Corn heads seem to wear out often in our operation. We generally overhaul them every two years. This past week we ran them through the shop. Getting ready for another harvest season starting in a couple of weeks.

There is a business in our area that needs more yard space for storage. So we spent a couple of days hauling clay from a new pond site. And leveling and packing the clay in the new location. While Mark loaded it was enjoyable for Grandpa to truck with 16 year old Elijah and 18 year old John.

Alex, Kasey, and Dean are replacing all the unloading augers in our Grandkids combine while making sure it's ready for a busy fall.

This coming week we hope to get the semis and trailers ready. That involves brakes, tires, and unloading doors on the trailers. And oil changes, greasing, repairs, and air conditioning on the semi tractors.

Below are three garden tractors for such a time. The first is Jan's current JD 758 model. The next one is what Google considers the first garden tractor built. A 1958 Wheel Horse. However that's not quite true. In the early 1940s Jan's father built a small tractor using parts from a Model A Ford car. He used it to run the PTO on an elevator. He also mounted a small sickle mower on the back to mow weeds. We still have this little tractor and it still runs.

This is a five year chart of the corn market. The price is within pennies of the 2020 summer Covid low. The soybean market has dropped $4/bushel. This is why I mentioned last week we are going to have to think outside the usual, normal box. This is more a precursor to the general economy than just supply/demand. Plus, interest cost on next year's inputs will be around $65/acre. This isn't an "Oh me Oh my" story. It's just "For such a time as this". If we don't take change by the hand, it will take us by the throat.

We were blessed again to have the PCHS Volleyball team over for their kickoff retreat. The girls enjoyed swimming, food, and Ranger rides. As you can see, Karl and Kristin's, Sydnie and Brynn, are having a blast with the older girls.

Friday evening Kurt and Emily hosted an evening out for their church family here at the cabin. Around 90 folks from Cornerstone Church in Pella enjoyed a number of activities including Ranger rides through our creeks, crops, pastures, and timbers.

I've told you before I read historical fiction books to put my mind in neutral. I also sometimes take the Ranger trails back through the hills and valleys to this CRP field that is in crop for the first time in 30 years. Just to get away from the noise of life, enjoy the silence, listen, pray, and solve problems in my mind, "for such a time". 

Let's wrap up with that promise Jeremiah shared. "God says to the captives exiled in Babylon from Jerusalem: Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens and eat the produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren.... And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you... Pray to the Lord for it. For it's welfare will determine your welfare." Jeremiah 29:4-7.  

Basically God tells us that He is in charge for such a time as this. Live life to it's fullest. Enjoy our blessings. And help make wherever we're at a better place.