StillwatersIowa

You'all know what "purposely" means. "Marking time" means to wait idly, to pull over on the shoulder, put your flashers on, and watch the rest of folks journey by with their lives. Occasionally troubles require us to pull over. Thanks for the picture Emily. 2025 was a journey neither Jan nor myself expected. After both being diagnosed with health issues we were temporarily sidelined. After excellent advice from surgeons, we were put back on the road to either recovery or waiting.  Being sidelined often makes one think about if we have been, and will continue to, live purposely. One of our many purposes is to intentionally relate stories to our grandchildren of God's faithfulness. "We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generations about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about His power, and His mighty wonders". Psalm 78:4 I've been reminded in 2025 that work and worship go hand in hand. It's how God designed i...

I remember one year Bev talking about the Joy candle not wanting to light during an Advent service. On that first Christmas I wonder about all the struggles the teenage couple, Mary and Joseph, experienced, before, during, and after the birth of the Son of God. Today, we also tend to remember the Christmas seasons when the Joy candle didn't want to light. Decades ago when I was in 5th grade, living on the Ponderosa near Union Mills, I remember our parents telling us kids there would be no presents for Christmas. There were only enough resources for food and heat. On Christmas Eve 36 years ago we came home to a large barn fire. 33 years ago my mother-in-law died after surgery a week before Christmas. In 2020 my father died a month before Christmas. This past week I attended a funeral visitation of a family's beloved wife, mother, and grandmother.  Last Sunday after church, Jan and I were invited to join BJ and Cassia's family for lunch. We prayed together for Natalie who had...

Taking risk is part of farming. It's part of relationships. It's part of life. Daring differently takes courage. Not haphazardly. Not unnecessarily. But intentionally. Winter work days around here start in the shop office, with family, help, and occasional guests. It's visiting, planning, joking, and of course, black coffee. We've had our share of winter already in southern Iowa. Mostly on weekends. There hasn't been much frost in the ground yet. However it's -20 windchill here on an early Sunday morning. Dare to build. Kurt and Dean built a snow pusher earlier this week. No blueprints. Nothing to copy. Just a need and an idea. They started with a skidloader faceplate, some 1/4 inch 2 x 4 tubing, and an old tractor track. This pusher is 13 feet wide and can hold a truckload of snow. We've cleared snow around here two or three times this past week. Thanks guys. Dare to invest. Cattle numbers in our country are at 65 year lows. Cowboys are getting older. Good ...

Welcome to December in southern Iowa. Last evening we had our 3rd measurable snowfall in the last 10 days. Deciding to embrace winter and the actions and responsibilities it requires on the outside, like scooping sidewalks, pushing driveways, and keeping livestock dry and comfortable, starts with an attitude on the inside, like looking forward to family and friends during the holidays, Christmas carols, treats, giving, and spending more time inside next to the woodstove reading. Thanks for the picture Emily. When the days get short and ruts (or snow drifts) get in the way, I find helping someone else or an act of kindness fulfills a purpose. Jackson and Jayden are working to push brother Lane out of some deep snow. I'm wondering if they are pushing the right direction. 😊 BJ and Cassia went to northeast Iowa along the Mississippi River Thursday to haul a tractor home for a friend. Online auctions are the new normal these days.  Thanks for the picture. Jan and I went to Indianapolis...