Friday Night Lights

After 7 to 9 weeks of long hours, depending on the operation, most folks have finished harvest and moved on to the "what's next" projects we visited about last week. Our team finished up late Friday night in Jasper county.

 

We picked up 11 "to go" meals of burgers, fries, and onion rings at Iowa's Best Burger Cafe near Kellogg on Interstate 80. On the way back to the field we made a Caseys stop in Sully for a bottle of ketchup. I wished the Lynnville/Sully folks well as many were preparing to attend their playoff football game against Wapello. 

Twenty years ago there was a television series adapted called Friday Night Lights. It featured a football team in a close-knit community in rural west Texas. It was about a community, a team, and a dream, that depicted the trials and triumphs of life.

While finishing our last farm we listened to the Pella Christian game. They finished the regular season with 2 wins and 6 losses. At their playoff game Friday night they played a #1 seed in Clarinda with a stellar record, and fell behind 21 to nothing at halftime. In the 2nd half they rallied, and won the game 27 to 24. Mark and Stacy's, Anton, led the defense with 15 tackles. Thanks for the picture Coach Mike of brothers, parents, and cousins.

Kurt had dry fertilizer spread yesterday, and the chisels started incorporating it in as he is preparing for corn on corn next year. Even though both prices are low, next year's futures commodity markets favor corn over soybeans.

We have a Fendt tractor and recently I was asked what the 942 model number stood for. Teasingly the person said because that's how many buttons it has. Sitting in the cab is like sitting in the cockpit of a jet. However the tractor kind of grows on you, even if your 69.😊

Our youngest grandchild, Tatum, turned two this past week. We do have two younger great-grands with another on the way.

Our community lost a couple of folks this past week. Dennis, 64, was a farmer and a friend. Jayne, 62, was the sister of a friend. Both loved the Lord and are experiencing the "light" of their Savior in heaven.

All of you are part of a "community", a "team". As you look forward, what's your dream? Make sure you include a relationship with God and others. As you look backwards make sure your dreams include gratitude. "And what does the Lord require of you? Act justly, show mercy, and walk humbly with your God". Micah 6:8

What's Next

With the end of harvest in sight, what's next? Well, there's cover crop to seed on tougher acres, hog manure to apply, anhydrous (N) to put on for next year's corn crop, seed to sell, tillage to finish for corn on corn, field edges and waterways to clean up, soil tests to take, dirt work including dozing and tiling, tons of bookwork, and bins to core.

With our local corn processor on shutdown for repairs, we used our bins this week. We have just over 200,000 bu. of storage in smaller bins on farms we own or rent.

We have also started a newer bin site as a family with one larger bin so far. With five helpers with commitments yesterday, grandsons Elijah, Eliott, and Jackson ran the graincarts, keeping corn away from BJ and Kurt, who were combining, and loading Caleb, Matt, Pablo, Karl, and myself who were hauling to this bin where Malaki (5th grader) was in charge of unloading us in the pit as we rolled in.

We had several breakdowns this past week. In all cases our crew would rally around the issue with some removing the broken piece, while someone else would run for parts. Our parts runs ranged from Milan, Illinois, to Hartwick, to West Branch twice, and several local implement dealers and parts store in between. Kudos to the dealers who are open at night.

We have a number of road construction projects going on in our community. Like many communities, the purpose of the new roads are to keep the trucks from going through town.

What's next for you all after a hard week? Do you take a day of rest? I realize some of you are doctors and nurses, policeman and firefighters, pastors and assisted living help. It's not about rules. Does your lifestyle on Sundays honor God and others?

A number of you have confronted and reminded me I don't always get it right. God also got my attention this summer with my, and then Jan's health issues. So I include myself in examining my life with these questions. How are we doing at being an example to our family, our friends, and our community? Rosie (below), who was dedicated and welcomed to church last Sunday, is 5th generation in our family. My mother, Bynie, is still living, myself, BJ, Rachel, and Rosie.

What's next on your agenda today? Do you attend church? I'm not talking on-line. Does your church service convict you to honor God and serve others? Neglecting church and fellowship with others is kind of like running your engine with no oil on the dipstick. You can still run. For awhile.

Finally, what's next after life here on earth? The cemetery is not the end. There is either heaven, eternal reward, or hell, eternal punishment. I haven't heard hell talked about in 20 years except in swearing. It's still real. I'm a sinner. I deserve hell. However I'm redeemed because I've accepted God's payment for my wrongs. I'm looking forward to our eternal reward. Only Christ qualifies us for heaven. Please make sure you have an assurance, and not just a hope. I realize it's a heavy subject this morning. I just care about you all.

Catch Folks Doing Things Right

We live in a world today where it seems easier to accuse people for doing things wrong rather than complimenting them for getting it right. Acknowledging folk's efforts help them feel good about themselves. Folks that feel good about themselves produce results. Ten year old Malaki is unloading corn.

Last Sunday Omega Church recognized and thanked farmers. We attended and drove the Hybrid to church. After services there was an outdoor potluck and fellowship. Thanks Cyril, Jan, Elliott, and Olivia.

Do you consider yourself above or below average in your field? What's your field? What's average? Average is the middle of the best and worst. So half of us are below average and half of us are above.

We live in uncertain times. That sounds difficult. However I remember my parents saying they lived in uncertain times. It's part of life. We will fail at every goal we never make. Another thing. Someone famous once said, "What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving them". Ezra and Jackson teamed up in one of the grain carts yesterday.

Most businesses lead with their best. Seed companies are no different. They start with processing and bagging the best seed they have. That's one of the many incentives to taking next year's seed early. Kudos to Karl and Becks Seed. We have two semi loads of new hybrids in with more scheduled.

Even though equipment is inspected and repaired before fall, breakdowns are part of harvest. A big thanks to our crew for adapting, when things happen. Semi tires and brakes, grain cart scales, and combines are the most common interferences with getting the crop out. Dean is replacing an electric header clutch.

Thanks to Kurt and Emily for supplying pizzas to the field crew for supper Friday evening. They were set up and serving pizzas at a venue in town.

This fall, the later in the season we harvest a field, the less yield we get. In the Bible it says, "Open your eyes and look to the fields, ripe with harvest". The longer we put off talking to folks who don't know the Lord yet, the less results we'll have when we enter eternity. Thanks for the picture Becks. 

2000 years ago, the church leaders brought Jesus a woman caught doing wrong, and demanded she be punished. Jesus said, "Alright, but let the one who has never sinned cast the first stone". When the accusers all slipped away Jesus said, ....."Neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more". Drinking poison and hoping others suffer doesn't work. Let's catch folks doing things right.

Times Are Changing

In the 1970s most farmers were in that 200-300 acre size. This was the era when farms were starting a corn/soybean rotation, which was a change from corn/oats/ hay. In 1973 corn and soybean prices doubled. New farm pickups were $5000. A new large tractor was $10000. Machinery companies were coming out with cabs on tractors and combines. House rent was $75-$90/month. Thanks for the early morning picture Kasey. We use this 40 yr old 400 bushel grain cart for leftovers when finishing a field.

I was visiting with a grandson on the 2 way. I told him when I was his age I helped my Dad harvest with an IH 303 and 2 row corn head. I started farming in 1974 with an IH 715. It had a 4 row corn head and 13 ft. bean head. On a 200 acre rotation farm there was 100 acres corn @ 150bpa and 100 acres of soybeans @ 40bpa. That meant our crop to be harvested for the year was 15000 bu. of corn and 4000 bu. of beans. Most farmers can harvest that much in a day or less today. Thanks for the picture.

I'm not suggesting today's farming is better or worse. I'm saying today's farming has radically changed. Some may say the change is about having more. I call the Ag change today the "Walmart mentality". Today farmers are required to do more for less. In the 1970s a line of machinery was around $25000. Today many farmers' line of machinery cost 100 times that, even though their farm size may be 10 times the size of 50 years ago. Our crew harvested a lot of soybeans this past week both our own and custom work. 

While our crew worked on soybeans, I worked on combining corn on smaller farms. Yesterday, as I was harvesting by myself, I was reminded of the "old days" when it was just Jan and myself. Life has changed and we are blessed.

Kudos to daughter-in-laws, Kristin, Emily, and Cassia, for again bringing evening meals to the field. They are feeding three generations. Below, Kristin brought supper as we harvested for Dan and Vicki.

With the ability to grow crops twice the size of 50 years ago, and soybean exports around 25% of what they were just a few years back, commodity prices are at 5 yr lows. This means farmers are either subsidizing crops with other "gigs" (diversification), or they are living off their equity (past years income).

Things have changed on the cultural front as well. Our main clash is not optimism vs, activism. It's not right vs. left. It's not conservatism vs liberalism. No more subtleness. Today it's good vs, evil. America is divided. And we are at a serious crossroads. Will we stand up and be unashamed of truth and the gospel? Or will we stay comfortable and hope things change on their own? Kudos to Cornerstone Church in Pella for engaging last Sunday evening.

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.... It must be fought for, protected, and handed on to the next generation to do the same. Or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children's children what it was once like in the United States when men were free". -Ronald Reagan

I'm always encouraged when churches stick their neck out, and take a risk, for the purpose of reaching those that don't know the Lord yet. There is a place for 50 year traditions. There must also be a place for change in how we engage in our culture and reach the lost. Kudos to Omega Church for taking a risk this morning @ 10:45. 

Balancing Urgency And Patience

Last Sunday evening Jan and I attended a Jeremy and Adrienne Camp concert at UNI in Cedar Falls. One of the songs they sing is Keep Me In The Moment- "I've been thinking about time, and where does it go. How can I stop my life from passing me by, I don't know".

Early last evening the Saturday crew was discussing whether to call it a week or to move on to the next farm. The calendar, the crop conditions, and the weather are all saying it's time to keep working at it. Thanks for the picture overlooking the Skunk River bottom Karl.

Patience comes in using the younger grandkids. Jackson, a sixth grader, is keeping the corn away from his Dad's (Kurt) combine. He even loaded semis by himself. Jackson put in a long day helping harvest Howell Station near Pella on Wednesday.

Urgency comes after a wind we had on Tuesday night blew down some corn. I'm guessing space to put the crop will come into play in various communities as well.

It's early for applying hog honey. However with firm dry fields and full pits, there seems to be an urgency with this job as well. Thanks for helping out Roger.

In any job, you can't accomplish your goals without fuel. In running equipment, that's diesel, and we have two loads coming Monday along with DEF. In life, that's purpose, and we use energy and attitude for the long days. In our faith walk, that's being unashamed, and we use speaking the truth without fear, loving, being an example of good, and confronting evil. In our current culture, I hope the church feels the urgency to reach folks who don't know the Lord yet, and to stand in the gap and take a stand against darkness.

A health update: After more tests on Jan, we agree with a surgeon in Iowa City to monitor the tumor growth with another scan early next year. If it's growing, it comes out. If it's not, there are options. It's been 8 weeks since surgeon Dr Jesse removed around a third of my colon. At a visit with the cancer team four weeks later, I passed on the chemo recommendation. This past Tuesday at a visit with that same team, the doctor said that after more blood work, he was comfortable with my decision. Jan and I don't have the words to thank you all enough for all your prayers, words of encouragement, and friendships.

                             

After being sold out overnight a week ago the worship service at 5:30 this evening at Cornerstone church in Pella, with Steve Deace as speaker, has a few openings. It's free. If you want to go however you must register. Email: Iamnotashamedevent@gmail.com 

Like Jeremy Camp's song, I've been thinking about our week, and where did it go? On the one hand last Sunday feels like ages ago. On the other hand it's Sunday again, already! Jeremy's song ends with, "Help me live with my eyes wide open, 'cause I don't want to miss what You have for me". Knowing and following what God has for us is the secret to balancing urgency and patience. How can one know that plan and purpose? When praying, don't do all the talking. Give yourself time to listen. Thoughts, ideas, and words will come to mind. Thanks for the picture Karl. Blessings.

Home Of The Brave

"The two most important days in your life are the day you were born, and the day you find out why". -Mark Twain.  Thanks for the picture Alex.

Harvest continues as weather and unloading space allows. Kudos to Governor Kim for allowing expanded truck weights up to 90,000# on Iowa roads.

"You don't want school to interfere with your education". -Mark Twain. I need to share that our grandkids go some amazing Christian schools with dedicated teachers. I smile however remembering a discussion we had in our farm office Friday morning with Steve from Dordt University about whether or not college prolongs adolescence. Thanks for running grain cart Malaki. Malaki is a 5th grader. 

On Wednesday morning we welcomed Cargill employees from Minneapolis, MN, along with several end user customers to Kurt and Emily's farm. We enjoyed each others company while we waited for trucks to return so we could give combine rides. Thanks for the picture Emily.

We have cut around 250 acres of soybeans at Karl and BJ's. They were group 2.5 and 2.8 varieties planted in early April. Moisture ran from 11 to 13%. Yields were encouraging.

Six years ago we received a call from Ken and Esther to come to their home in Pella for a visit. They asked our family to rent their farm ground. Ken passed away early last Sunday morning.

Three years ago we transitioned to working with Ken and Esther's children. Thanks to Karen, Keith, and Kathy for trusting us with your ground. We value the friendships. Thanks for the picture Kathy.

There seems to be a shift possible in the breezes of the culture of our country, after the deaths of Charlie, the young Ukrainian gal on public transportation, and the shooting of kids during a Mass at a Catholic school in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As Christians will we pray for revival? Will we be brave enough to act on it? Or will we worry about what others might think, not want to get our hands dirty, and decide it's not our mission?

I remember my parents saying there would come a time when one could no longer live comfortably and quietly in the middle, in the gray area, compromising, hoping evil would leave on it's own. That good would have to be brave enough to make a stand. Folks, that time is here. We were born for such a time as this. We can no longer sit on the fence, in the middle ground. You either embrace Jesus as your Lord, and act on it, or you don't.

When asked (tested), will you be ashamed or unashamed to make a stand in a world that so desperately needs the hope of Jesus Christ? Kudos to Cornerstone Church in Pella for having a Praise and Worship service, for hosting Steve Deace as speaker, and for challenging attendees, where do we go from here, next Sunday evening. Action from brave folks will save a way of life for our grandchildren. I realize this is a little hard hitting. It's what's on my mind today. Blessings.