Waymaker

Many of us remember starting new chapters in our "dash" between our first day and our last day here on earth. Harvest/2026 has started on our farm and many others.

Some of my memorable chapters have been meeting, loving, and marrying Jan. Starting a farming occupation, raising a family, and building a farmstead including a cabin in 2009 and a home in 2015. More recent chapters include loving and working with middle age children, and watching the next generations, including grandchildren grow, mature, become assets in society, and in God's kingdom.

This weekend we look back and celebrate the working part of our dashes (Labor Day). Last evening was Concert on the Square in our community. Thousands of community folks gathered for good food from vendors, worship music, and great fellowship. Conversations with old friends and new ones were the highlight of my evening.

This past week our family hosted a group of Brazilian farmers. I'm guessing the timing of these visits coincide with the Farm Progress Show. With the help of an interpreter we learned we have a lot in common when it comes to farming.

There was another unique thing we had in common. They asked what faith we were. I mentioned Christian, protestant, believers in Christ. They answered no, what faith? Confused at first, I finally mentioned we attended a Christian Reformed Church our Dutch fathers started. They smiled and said they also worshiped in a Reformed Church in Brazil. And their forefathers immigrated to Brazil from Friesland, Holland (about 2 miles from where my grandparents lived) during the early 1900s.

This spring we were well prepared for our fuel needs having our storage filled early. This fall record high fuel prices are a new chapter. Farm diesel has doubled and shows no signs of lowering. Many farmers have empty fuel storage and are going to purchase fuel only as they use it. This could pose a problem come crunch time this fall.

Kudos to Karl, Kristin, and family as this is the month for moving out fat hogs. Malaki (6th grader) was awarded a trip to the Farm Progress Show for being such a good helper. Kudos to Larry who was one of the middle of the night loads. Thanks for the picture.

One of the songs last evening was Waymaker, many of my grandkids' favorite. "Waymaker, miracle worker, promise keeper, light in the darkness, my God, that is who you are". The chapters during my 70 year dash so far, good and bad, have all been for my good because of the undeserved love from my Heavenly Father. And after my last day on earth, I look forward to heaven because of the gift I accepted from my Lord and Savior.

There's another new chapter starting around here. Jan and I are moving across the yard and tomorrow Stillwaters Cabin will be our home. We're also looking forward to granddaughter Amelia and her husband, Tysen moving to our home. "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not understand it? I will make a way..." Isaiah 43:19. Looking forward to the adventure with the help of our Waymaker.