StillwatersIowa

Summer is long days, heat, events, freedom for school kids, ball games, vacations, and small town get-togethers. Summer is when families take time to be families. And community folks enjoy each others company. Thanks for the picture Lyndsay.   So is life still happening on the farm? Of course. There are weeds to kill, grass to mow, some grain to haul, hay to put up, shop work, ponds to build, a little leftover tiling, and as per the picture below, a little hog work. However I'm going to share about summer events this morning. Thanks for the picture Karl. Jan and I spent last weekend enjoying a Christian outdoor concert called Risefest in Sheldon, Iowa. Have you ever been tempted to tell someone what you really think when they are inconsiderate? Ten times out of ten you'll be grateful you kept your mouth in neutral. This situation at Risefest resolved itself after a time. Remembering last week's events would be incomplete without mentioning America helping out Israel. After ...

Saying people first is easy. What makes a family or business distinctively different is actually accomplishing that goal. People work with people. Leadership and help alike need to create a culture where folks are treated as friends. So what happens on a farm when things slow down some in the summer months? Folks often hear me tell them that it's summer time and there is less need to push. We still need to be productive. We need to keep our farms and equipment neat and repaired. We need to take the time to be neighborly, helping others. We need to be grateful, for each other and our growing crop. We need to plan for harvest, just over two months away. We need to be humble enough to admit failure and accept change if there is a better way. Farming is where the action happens and we need to have fun while working. BJ and Cassia's farmstead welcomed a baby donkey this past week. You've often read stories about our kids. Probably more than they care for. This week I'd like ...

What does Solomon mean in Psalms 127 by a father being blessed with a full quiver? He is valuing family as a source of strength and a blessing from God. Last Sunday we attended Oakley's 1st birthday get-together at her parent's (Gideon and Emily) place northwest of Sully. Gideon is BJ and Cassia's oldest. BJ is our 3rd child. This is one of the last times my father visited our farm office. In late 2020 he is enjoying two of his favorite things, coffee, and his great-grandchildren. Since I'm the oldest of 6 children, Dad was strict. However as I see the demonstrations in our cities around the country this past week, I'm blessed and thankful he taught me right from wrong.                                There were five things I'm thinking about this morning my father gave me; (1)Brothers and sisters. Because of all the responsibility he gave me he (2)taught me to work. When I found my boss dead of a heart attac...

What does a hero look like? Is it someone with significance? How about status and success? Or lots of drive? Actually a hero is some who takes a risk for the greater good of others, expecting nothing in return. I read a book earlier this year called Heroes Kneel. In it, Alex, the author, unpacks God's concept of a hero and what it takes to live like one. Last Sunday evening we celebrated Amelia and Tysen getting engaged. Mark and Stacy are Amelia's folks. Randy and Jodi are Tysen's parents. A little Dutch Bingo for readers my age. Ed and Judy are Jodi's parents. Bev and Dennis are Randy's. Then Tysen and Amelia. Jan and I are Mark's folks. And Sandy and Fred are Stacy's. 4 sets of grandparents. Thanks for the picture Bev. Adi did a great job shooting at State Trap in Cedar Falls yesterday. In one of her sets she shot a perfect 25 out of 25. Adi's parents are BJ and Cassia. Claire's parents are Doug and Angie. We are blessed to have a chiropractor tha...

We were told 2000 years ago that we would have troubles in this world. Little gnats constantly swam and bite when we're outside. There are always weeds to get out of crops, ditches, pastures, and gardens. No-till soybeans are slow with some even needing replanted. There are disagreements in schools, the workplace, and even at church. Equipment breaks down and needs repair. Folks get sick. Seven young men helped Jan and I yesterday solve just a few troubles. We pulled out a 1946 H Farmall that had been sitting in the corner of the machine shed for 15 years. We swept and organized the shop. We changed oil in Jan's pickup. We mowed very dusty yards. Below is an IH 856, my first tractor, an International 1066, my second tractor, and BJ's International 1486. These were the "Big dogs" from 1969 to 1981. This picture tells a dozen stories. Jan allowed our kids to get dirty and help their Dad. Equipment broke down back then too. The 1980s had plenty of troubles of it'...