Our Journeys

A journey is going from one place to another. It's often physical to a destination. It can also be metaphorical like personal progress. Our visit this morning is about the process and not the destination. Journeys come with challenges, accomplishments, growth, and learning.

Week six of our harvest journey was long and productive. And as we stopped for bacon cheese burgers, french fries, and onion rings from the Longhorn Saloon in Barns City last night, I felt a little like Jacob and Malaki below, who are resting against a toolbox in Kurt's pickup while eating their meal. I usually don't mention yields. However we experienced an inverted situation this week. Early in the week we harvested on poorer soils with bean yields in the 70s and 80s/bpa. As we looked forward to harvesting on better dirt in a different community we were surprised at bean yields in the 50s and 60s/bpa. Yields were affected this year by planting date, early spring aggressive cover crop, and where it did or didn't rain in August.

I can't put my finger on it, however I feel a sense of urgency for getting the crop in this year. Two unique things happened this week. It's the first week of October and the coops and grain elevators are close to full of soybeans for a couple of reasons. Some folks didn't sell last year's stored beans because of down prices. And good 2024 soybean yields. The other unique thing is how fast and how far this crop in the field is drying down. We've heard and experienced 7-8% beans. And 11-13% corn. This actually hurts yield because of weight loss, harvest loss, and that phantom yield loss on drying grain we talked about a couple of weeks ago. Below we rented a bin to a customer we're harvesting soybeans for.

We visited about last weekend's journey to southern California. I was surprised that the plane cabin is kept dark during the day with window covers down and lights off. Everyone is on their phones and iPad.

Our helper Alex and his fiancé Alexis took some time off this week, flew to Colorado, and hiked up a mountain over 14000 feet tall. Good job kiddos. And thanks for the picture.

We had guests come this past Wednesday morning to experience harvest and ask questions about farming. They were from all over America, Mexico, and Europe. They were corn syrup buyers and users. And represented most soda pop companies. Thanks for helping out Mark and Ethan.

Wednesday noon they were invited to watch our grandson Ethan empty a load of our corn at the west dump in Eddyville. Thanks for the new friendships folks. And thanks for the picture Brenda.

Wrapping up I'd like to close with three questions. How is your relationship journey going? Are you caring, nurturing, and investing in others, giving them a greater sense of purpose?

During an evening meal in the field at Galesburg little Sydnie (at the table with Kristin and Rindy) was asked to pray. She used the Lord's Prayer word for word. I also like personal prayers, but Wow! What a blessing to hear such a little one talk to her Heavenly Father.

How is your sharing and giving journey going? When we start with the premise that everything we have is God's, there is such a joy in giving. Most folks think people are blessed and then they give. That's backwards. One gives and then they are blessed, even though giving and sharing must come from the heart. It starts with sacrifice, trust, and faith.

How is your faith journey and where are you headed? The previous two journeys don't come naturally without a relationship with our Creator. Life is lonely if our purpose is self. Also journeys eventually and inevitably lead to a destination. Three friends about my age from our community finished their journey on earth in the last ten days. All three spoke of their assurance of eternal life. Our faith journey is a big deal. "I think I'm ok" or "I hope I'm good enough" isn't enough. Blessings.