Living In Iowa

Sharing life with you all to reminds myself of the blessings we experience living in a rural, agricultural setting. Living in Iowa aligns well with my love for farming and family life. Thursday noon Matt and Greg, our Becks DSM and agronomists, brought our crew lunch.

Earlier in the week we harvested both corn and soybeans at Kurt and Emily's place west of Leighton.

Iowa has a sense of community and is known for it's friendliness. Most folks wave while driving. And when you're waiting in line at the corn processor its a good place to catch up with your neighbors. Like Ron, Leon, Larry, and Marvin.

There were days this past week when we picked corn in the morning and combined soybeans in the afternoon. Brothers and twins, Kurt and Karl are here switching the machines over.

It didn't take Kurt and Emily's boys long to take their motorcycles out on a harvested soybean field across from their house after their Dad and Uncles finished. Thanks for the picture Emily.

One evening after volleyball practice Kristin brought supper out. Since we were close we just ate together in the bunkhouse.

While agriculture is prominent, I've always told you diversification is key to making a living in Iowa. Kurt and Emily have purchased a wood fired pizza trailer, started a company called Boonies Wood Fired Pizza, and are available should you need a food vendor at your next event.

There is more to life than just work. And Iowa is unique in it's past-time. Last evening Brian and Becky's son Ezra raced in a Red Neck Rally race and finished well. He was helped by his friends and co-workers where he works part-time at Central Tire and Auto Repair. After the race he is being congratulated by his cousins and friends.

Ezra's cousins Ethan (Mark and Stacy) and John (BJ and Cassia) also raced side by sides at the same event and won their race. While watching from the pits Becky and I visited about how taking risk as a teenager prepares them for life.

Kurt and Emily attended a birthday party last evening for a young friend where they attended the rodeo at the Keokuk Expo grounds. Below are brothers Jackson, Jayden, and Lane watching through the fence. Their older cousin Gideon rode bulls in rodeos in his younger years. Gideon is now married. And he and Emily have a daughter Oakley. Thanks for the picture Kurt.

Jan has been shopping at Dutchman's Store in Cantril, Iowa since it opened in 1985. Clair and Virgina along with their Mennonite family operate an old time general store with a variety of items at affordable prices. Sons Wilmer, Kevin, and Kenneth have since also joined the family business. The Zimmerman family originated from Lancaster County, PA. After years of postponements and red tape, their new building on Hwy 2 opened for business Friday. And Jan was there for the grand opening. Thanks for the picture Jan.

In Iowa we get to experience all four seasons, and today is officially the first day of fall. We also have seasons in community. We work together and play together as we have visited about this morning. We celebrate together like birthdays and graduations, many at our cabin. We worship together like today in church or concerts on the square. We still pray for each other when a neighbor is struggling with health or work. And we hurt together when there is a loss like our community has experienced this past week. Thanks for the picture Karl.

Today's culture wants us to have enmity with God and isolation with each other. We need to push back on that. Is your lifestyle life-giving or life-taking? We need more than just absence of chaos. And that starts with community. Blessings.