Community

A long time ago, actually in the very beginning of time, God created a man. Then Lord God said, "It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him" Genesis 2:18 We are also made in God's image. Part, or much of that likeness, is ability to have relationships. Relationships are the foundation of community.

The weather in southern Iowa has been great for hauling and spreading ag lime. Lime is necessary to keep our soils at the proper ph level for growing crops. Lime is finely crushed stone, and is mined out of the earth. We are shooting for 3 ton/acre.  

Lime depletes from the soil slowly. So added lime regenerates the soil slowly. A long time ago I would use my father-in-laws lime spreader. We would spray the inside of the box with diesel so the product wouldn't freeze in the corners, drive to the quarry, load 8 ton, and drive home and spread the fields. Back then, spreading 20 acres was a big day. Today technology runs the steering wheel for the proper spreading width, and the spreader floor chain, for the proper rate.

Our shop continues to be full of projects. Most winters Mike removes the belly pans and the cab floor of his dozer and replaces worn and hard hydraulic hoses, so they don't fail during dozing season. He also replaces cutting bits on the edge of his blade about every year. He also uses technology to run his blade at the proper height when he is grading a building site, or across a level terrace.

We've been slowly delivering contracted corn. This winter has been about the 3rd year that commodity markets are under the cost of production. These are the kind of years when relationships and community with banking partners are essential.

I attended the Iowa caucuses last Monday evening and voted in the straw poll. Iowa is one of the most grass roots states. Meaning local folks have a direct influence on the outcome of elections if they choose to participate.

Iowa has been blessed with conservative leadership that honors God for the last number of years. I also want candidates that meet and serve folks from a grass roots level, rather than trying to lead from Washington DC, and thinking they know what's best for our state. So I have been volunteering to drive Adam around to his daily stops all around the state. Below are folks from Iowa County.

We then drove south last evening to Washington County, having been invited to the Washington County Cattleman's and Washington and Keokuk County's Commodity Grower's annual winter get-together. Around 400 good farm folks met for a social hour followed by a delicious meal of prime rib. It was also enjoyable to reconnect with Mike and Luke. Mike is our Secretary of Agriculture and was the keynote speaker. Luke is Mike's driver and a Dordt grad.

While reading and listening to folks that talk about Godly men, they state a fact that we become who we hang out with and listen to. Our choices could consist of a church event or a bar, hanging out with folks who swear and are negative or being part of people that are positive and encourage. Or, what kind of music we listen to, like tonight at halftime of the Superbowl.

Brother Bill and I were invited to a men's group that meets in our bunk house across the road on Thursday evenings. Their Godly men lesson was on fathering, so they invited the old guys so they could ask questions. What a blessing to share not only our advice, but our failures. Thanks for the invite Ben. Among the many responsibilities of a father, one of the most important is to cherish and love your children's mother. That's responsibility. That's family. That's community. Blessings.