An Overcomer

Last evening cousins, Amelia and John, along with 57 of their classmates, graduated from Pella Christian High School. Their speaker, JD, talked to them about being more than themselves. Their class verse in Isaiah 41:10 talks about not being afraid or discouraged. God also says He will strengthen, help, and hold us with His victorious right hand. That's good advice for overcoming.

Farmers have had to be overcomers this spring. While the moisture was needed, the window for getting in crops has been small. Friday night Matt was planting beans just east of Oskaloosa.

Wet days have been used to get hay equipment ready for the summer hay season. BJ and his son John are working on their big square baler.

Overcoming obstacles on semis and trailers can be a fulltime job. This past week our crew replaced tires, brakes, and wiring, on a sprayer tender trailer.

Our warm wet weather has put the rye growth in high gear for the cover crop folks. This rye field we worked in yesterday for custom work was around 5 feet tall. Notice my Ranger cab in the background.

We planted and sprayed crops on Friday night and Saturday this past week after 2 inches of rain earlier in the week.

Late Friday night Kurt switched his 30 inch planter from corn to soybeans to help our 15 inch soybean planter on custom work. Below Matt and his son Jacob are bringing Kurt soybeans south of Sigourney.

Friday evening cousins, Adi and Anton, along with a dozen of their classmates graduated from 8th grade at Oskaloosa Christian Grade School. Jan and I are thankful and blessed for the Christ-centered education all our children and grandchildren have had. Are Christian schools perfect? NO! Is Christian education required? Of course not. I'm just saying our family has been blessed with our kids and grandkids going to school where Christ is the focus in all classes.

Osky Christian has been in existence for four generations now. After overcoming challenges following World War II, our current classes great-great grandparents purchased property and opened classroom doors to 46 students on September 3, 1946, including my father. Daughter-in-law, Stacy, was board president this past year. Although she was extra busy, she did an outstanding job. I'm thinking she is the first gal to serve as board president in the 78 year history of the school.

Toward the end of the graduation ceremony, the teachers circled the graduating class and prayed a blessing on them. Each graduate chose a favorite verse, read it, and explained why they picked it. Adi and Anton's classmate, Olivia, picked John 16:33; "Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world".

We live in a troubled world today that is defying God. Our national politics is nothing more than a big soap opera. Yet, your and my God patiently relents, and assures us He has overcome the world. Great life verse Olivia.

 

Thanks For Everything

I had been asked to check out a field of oats and alfalfa we had drilled for someone. It had a 120 foot strip that didn't look right. We decided it was herbicide carryover. And suggested we come back in late August and replant the strip. As we finished our conversation the farmer said, "Thanks for everything". 

Our crew starts drinking black coffee young. Right Lane?

My brother received a call about a controller acting up. He went to check it out and found he was able to reprogram the faulty device. The next day the farmer called my brother and said,"Thanks for everything". It hasn't worked this well for a long time.

The business industry recommends companys strive for satisfied customers. You seldom hear from satisfied customers. When a customer calls to say thanks, or good job, it means you've made a difference. When someone responds with a "thanks for everything" it's a comprehensive heartfelt form of gratitude that says this is not just a business deal. This is a relationship. 

Mark and Kasey helped load and haul broken concrete to a creek crossing while the fields were wet.

My goal is to start mowing road ditches by Memorial Day. We got a couple of week head start this year.

The only field work accomplished this past week was a little spraying. And a little planting late last evening. Thanks for the picture Kasey.

We live in such a status quo culture where everyone wants to be just like others. Don't ask yourself if you're keeping up with others. Ask yourself if you're keeping up with the potential God gave you. You can do way more than you ever dreamed.

Most of us grew up as kids wanting to fit in at school. That feeling doesn't change when we become adults. Fitting in is good. However don't let just good keep you from being exceptional. This crew of grandkids were exceptional helping Grandpa yesterday.

How does one go from good to exceptional? My definition is to care more, to risk more, to help more, to dream more, to give more, and to expect more. I have eight exceptional gals in my life. My wife Jan. Our daughter Becky. Our daughter-in-laws Suzanne, Stacy, Cassia, Emily, and Kristin. And my mother. Happy Mother's Day. I love you all. And thanks for everything. Most of you aren't crazy about your pictures on our visit, so I just used Mom. 😊

Our children's families are all in the crazy busy years. Ball games, trap shooting, music lessons, 4-H, committee meetings, church and school boards, school field trips, kids with part time jobs, and parenting. Thanks for everything. Malaki is up to bat in the picture below.

Jan stays busy with her yard, a beautiful garden, cooking, running and cleaning the cabin for events, shopping down south with the Amish and Mennonites for herself and others, and grandkids. Below Malaki is dumping grass clippings that Jan will use for mulch.

This past Friday evening Jan and I went with Becky and her family to see the movie, Unsung Hero, in New Sharon. It is a true story of the Smallbone family who immigrated to the USA from Australia. I related to the story in three ways. At the time the came to the USA they had 5 boys and a girl, as do we. They had a very talented daughter Rebecca, as do we. And finally in the early years, God had to get the father to surrender to His help during hard times, as He had to do with me 40 years ago. Singer Rebecca Saint James and musical band, For King and Country are the kids from this family.

After getting home from New Sharon, Becky took this picture of the northern lights. I don't understand the science behind this. I see it as signs and wonders of an awesome God. Just like thunder and lighting, and a rainbow. Remember folks, we're not here at this place and time by accident. Thanks for everything God.

 

Reputations

Fifty years ago this month our senior class of 1974 left early on a Friday morning on two buses for our class trip. After a fun day in the Ozarks we were to be in our rooms by 10 pm for at least quiet time. Later that evening the resort managers let our chaperones know that not all kids were in their rooms. To make a short story shorter, our class was loaded up and headed home early Saturday morning because of being disobedient. As far as I know our high school class was the only one in the 85 year school history to be sent home from a class trip. This event back 50 years ago created a reputation.

Below is the current 8th grade class of Oskaloosa Christian Grade School. Two of our grandchildren, Anton and Adi, are part of these graduates. Thanks for the picture.

Abraham Lincoln said "Character is like a tree and reputation is like it's shadow". Ben Franklin said "It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it". 

Below, Karl and Kristin's Tatum, is hanging out in the farm office with Uncle Mike. Thanks for the picture.

A week ago yesterday on a rainy Saturday afternoon, Jan and I took off for Amish country south of Centerville. Amish farming communities have had to diversify, just like English farmers. And many Amish families have retail stores, bakeries, greenhouses and nurseries, and furniture building shops.

We finished our evening by going out for supper on the north side of the Centerville square at a Greek restaurant that is very much like the ones in Pella and Oskaloosa. All of which have been open and good reputations for over 40 years. It was also Prom evening for the Centerville High School.

Last weekend it rained hard in our neighborhood. We had 2 inches in a 24 hour period.

Our field tile which have been running on and off this spring, are busy running again. There are some "climate change" folks who oppose tile. Saying tile has a reputation of dumping water into our creeks and streams. It's true. It's also clean. Grandson John took some tile water to school one day to show his teacher tile water is clean enough to drink. Rather than runoff over the surface bringing dirt and chemicals with it.

Rainy days bring on extended early morning coffee visits. There is a camaraderie, goodwill, and friendliness among family, help, and friends. It's also a bit of down time following many long days and nights in the field putting in the crop.

We did take a morning to break down seed proboxes. After the tops are removed and flipped over to make it half size, they are returned, along with empty pallets, to the Becks Seed warehouse on I80 just north of Colfax.

The guys also moved heavy equipment. Below Alex went and got Mark's backhoe from where Karl had used it to clean up tornado damage the weekend before.

Cousins and brothers Gideon, Ethan, and John spent yesterday afternoon pulling a motor out of Dan's old pickup. They intend to put it in a pickup Gideon owns. They all have a reputation for tackling most anything.

 This past week we had one window of opportunity to plant up north. About 5 pm on Wednesday Kurt planted 75 acres of corn north of What Cheer, and then 130 acres near Deep River. BJ planted a field of soybeans north of Union Mills, and then finished the night planting beans southeast of Deep River. Alex was able to spray two farms of planted soybeans.

On Thursday evening Pastor Tom and Erin pulled in and are camping at our place while they visit friends in the area, and hang out in Pella for Tulip Time. Pastor Tom has been an interim pastor in several churches in the Midwest during their retirement. They are good friends, and will be bringing the message in our church Sunday evening.

We start our lives here on earth with nothing. Everything we acquire is the Lords and shared with us. It's why we are to share with others. In Proverbs 22:16 Solomon says, "Choose a good reputation and respect over great riches. To be held in high esteem is better than wealth". Riches and wealth won't be remembered. It's all Gods anyway.

How will you be remembered? I personally thought about that while working ground Wednesday evening on a farm where I lived a couple of years as a kid near Union Mills cemetery. 1 Kings 10:1 says, "When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon's fame, which brought honor to the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions". Despite Solomon's wealth, wisdom, and failures, his reputation brought honor to the name of the Lord. That's how it works folks. Blessings.

 

Unlikely Outcomes

We have had two planting window opportunities so far this spring. The first was six days the second week of April. The second was four days this past week. In that ten day period, according to our seed shed, and observing fields, I would estimate our community has about 80% of the corn, and 60% of the soybeans planted. An unlikely outcome for such a short planting window so far.

Temperatures have been warm enough for both corn and beans to emerge in about two weeks. We are keeping up with spraying, however it's been a battle with all the windy days.

This past week the soil was warm enough to no-till. BJ is no-till planting on some burned down rye cover crop. Burned down means it's been sprayed and has died.

The forecast was promising a four day planting window Monday-Thursday this past week. More farmers than I can remember in our area worked day and night to make good use of this window. It started raining 5:30 Friday morning.

Friday afternoon storms came through just north of us. Saturday morning Karl loaded up his brother Mark's trackhoe and he and his family headed to Cory and Leah's northwest of Sully to clean up, burn, and bury destroyed buildings and storm damage. BJ also loaned out his skidloader and grapple bucket so Seth and Jenny could help clean up near Monroe. Thanks for the picture.

Congratulations to our helper Kasey and Sydnie who are now a family of four. Lane Dutton was born Wednesday morning. Although we often don't realize it when we are young, children are one of God's greatest blessings. Our Lord looks forward to not only helping raise them, but also providing the financial resources it takes for a larger family. Thanks for the picture.

Mike and Suzanne left on a wet Friday afternoon to visit northwest Iowa. One of their son Cody's three jobs while attending Dordt University is being a waiter. Thanks for the picture.

Although I don't go as often as I should to our grandkids sporting events, I enjoy the fact that they are involved. And I think it's extra cool when granddaughters are on the shooting team. Kudos to Adi! Adi and her cousin Anton are also graduating from Oskaloosa Christian 8th grade this spring. Thanks for the picture.

35 years ago while I was planting corn along Hwy 92 just east of Oskaloosa on a field that is now Otter Hills, Jan called on the 2-way and said it was time to go to the Ottumwa hospital. That night we were blessed with twin boys while under a weather storm warning. Kurt and Karl now both have families of their own. Early Friday morning I was able to wish Kurt a Happy Birthday just after midnight since we were working together planting corn for Mark and Trisha near Sigourney.

On Friday evening the Oskaloosa Christian preschool-4th grade kids did a musical play called Danny and the Shacks. Two stories about positive unlikely outcomes for listening to and obeying God. The first was about a fiery furnace, and the second, a lion's den. Kudos to Cheryl and helpers for an amazing job.

During my morning devotions I came across a story in Judges 7 about a man named Gideon. Israel had turned their back against God and were suffering the consequences from the Midianites. When Israel cried out for help an angel of God approached Gideon. Although Gideon didn't feel qualified, and was full of excuses, God assured him of help. He and 300 men had an unlikely outcome when they surprised the Midianite army at night and defeated tens of thousands with torches and trumpets. Because of Gideon's obedience God postponed Israel's punishment for years.

As a country America has turned it's back on God. The warnings in the Bible, and the outcomes of other disobedient countries, makes our future fairly likely. So what can we as ordinary unqualified folks do?

 

Below is my brother Doug's good looking rig, an MX340 CIH tractor on a 24 row bulk fill John Deere planter.

Our thoughts determine our attitudes. Our attitudes determine our actions. Our actions determine our character. And our character determines our relationships. Relationships is the foundation for families, friendships, and businesses.

Good leaders, Christians, and citizens of this country are trying to soften and compromise our conservative values. In order to try and fit in a disobedient culture. That's not how it works. There are so many good folks in this country. With God's help we need to have the courage to stand for God, our Creator and Provider. It starts with our thoughts for a positive outcome. Blessings.