Anticipating And Understanding Change

What will life be like for Brynn and the rest of our children and grandchildren in 20 years? It's a question that's been asked with concern for generations. Change is inevitable. Much of it good. God asks us to move forward in faith. He doesn't always answer our whys.

Pastor Greg from Covenant Church in Pella told about his Grandfather's A John Deere and changes since at a chapel message during Grandparents Day Thursday at PCHS. He mentioned a phrase that stuck with me. Understanding the times.

I was blessed to sit with five grandchildren during that chapel. Jan, Cassia, and Stacy all help Bonnie, Kathy, and others in the kitchen prepare and serve meals at school.

We planted as ground conditions allowed between showers this week. Even though it's cooler, it looks like we will be able to roll tomorrow.

Beck Seed leads the industry in seed treatment using 14 different active ingredients on their corn and 10 on soybean seed. Protecting the young plant against diseases and insects. They also use biologicals to increase microbial activity allowing the roots to improve water and nutrient uptake.

A new change. This year we're experimenting with replacing our graphite and talc with a new innovation in the planter boxes. The product stacks multiple biologicals in an ammino acid dust. These products release tied up nutrients in the soil. This is not for extra yield. It's about feeding the plant instead of the soil. Looking for ways to cut input cost with less fertilizer and fungicide applications later in the season.

We're making good progress emptying our seed shed by putting our seed in the ground and helping customers get seed to their farms as well.

We've had some rain showers this week. And the field tile is starting to run. Meaning although our ponds don't show it yet, we are starting to bank a little moisture in our soils.

Another change. It's starting to rain easier than it has in months. Plus over the next three weeks we have a wet forecast. Forecast aren't always accurate. However it's good to plan accordingly.

I grabbed this earlier picture thinking about how busy young families are these days. These good-looking gals are our daughter and daughter-in-laws who I so appreciate and love. Thanks for the picture.

I should probably save this thought for Mother's Day in three weeks. My mother has seen a lot of change in her 90 years. Even though she had very little extra time and money while we were growing up, she taught us to both care and to give.

Pastor Jon in our home church at Osky One talked about what steals our joy. His message made me think about our previous generation's photos and how unhappy they looked. These are my great-grand-parents on my father's side of the family. When I was young and visiting my grandparents we were told we could be seen but not heard. I think we're changing for the better and outgrowing this heritage trait. However I do think often folk's lack of joy today is not necessarily because their failures, but other's successes. Envy and lack of contentment is something to be worked on today.

This is a picture of our 4 children at the time during the middle 1980s helping change a motor in our worn out pickup. I've shared before this was a time of change and troubles. Living through it wasn't pleasant. However God was using this time to mold me into who he wanted me to be. It's called character building. We've visited about 6 generations this morning. Things change. God and His promises don't. Little Brynn, along with the rest of our children and grandchildren will be just fine 20 years from now if they acknowledge God and His help. Blessings.

 

A Farm Family Wedding

Over the past 15 years there have been a number of our visits that come to the top of my memory. They all involve relationships. This past Friday afternoon we parked the farm equipment and enjoyed each others company as family and friends. Our son BJ and Cassia's daughter Rachel and Carson were married at 5pm on the farm. Thanks for the picture.

Around 300 guests attended the ceremony. During all the years of sharing our yard, pond, and facilities with the community, we've had a policy of no weddings. However we were honored to make an exception for family.

Our son-in-law Brian, who pastors Faith Church in Pella, knocked it out of the park with his message to the couple about a love that is over, under, around, and through.

Our nephew's wife Tennessee photographed the celebration. After the ceremony next to the pond, guest moved to our shop across the road for supper and fellowship.

Remember Cassia's brother, Micah and Rupa? Last July Jan and I attended and shared about their outdoor wedding in Walden, Colorado. Micah, with the help of his dog Juniper, was Rachel and Carson's MC for the reception. Fathers of the couple, BJ and Andy, prayed before the meal. And we sang the doxology together as praise to our Heavenly Father for his continual provision, protection, and blessing in an ever changing world.

Kudos to granddaughter Amelia and her friend Tyson for hanging out with her younger cousins.

The new couple greeted friends as they excused the 40 tables of guests to get in one of 4 lines for food. Thanks to Jan, Cassia, and Stacy's friends and co-workers Bonnie and Kathy for helping serve. So many others helped make things happen. It was truly a success because of family and friends selfless acts of service.

After Rachel's Uncles served ice cream, a line was formed outside with lit sizzlers to see the couple off. Our second pond across the road and a beautiful sunset were in the background.

Monday we started planting in earnest. For the most part Kurt keeps the 24 row high speed going.

Our fulltime helper and friend Alex runs the 16/32 soybean planter on 15" rows.

BJ runs the 12 row high speed using a 940 Fendt we recently acquired with the help of Becks Seed commitment rewards. Keeping the planters running with two seed tenders is a fulltime job.

The Fendt tractors are a whole new level of technology. BJ has 6 monitor screens on his right, plus a 7th in front of the steering wheel. He has 40 buttons on and around his joy stick on the right console. This tractor is serviced by our Cat dealer, Zeiglar.

I just about titled this visit Planting Hope. Somewhere between a pandemic and our government leadership's insanity we as a country went from sliding to plummeting into total depravity. Yesterday's development of Iran, Israel, and USA shooting at each other puts a whole new spin on the future.

I was blessed to attend the FFA banquet with 5 grandchildren last evening. Three of which were in officers roles.

Yet during our country's captivation with evil, God continues to be faithful. And grace for a time. 3000 years ago when Israel was exiled and captives in Babylon, God told Jeremiah to write a letter to the people and tell them this: Jeremiah 29:5-7. To build homes, plant gardens, and eat the food they produce (make a living). He said to marry and have children. He added, then find spouses for them so you can have many grandchildren. He closes, to work for the peace and prosperity of the place I have sent you. To pray for where you're at. For it's welfare will determine your welfare. (For such a time as this). Congratulations Rachel and Carson. God has given you a hope and a future.

Communication And Guidance

Last week we worked on tuning up our technology. The globes on top of the equipment are called satellite receivers. They communicate with satellites in the sky.  Planter technology auto steers the tractor without the need for planter markers. It changes seed population on the go, planting less seed on the tougher hills. And bumping the population up on good black dirt based off of prescriptions that Karl writes for our fields. It also shuts off the seed within 2 inches of coming up on end rows.

Sprayers also use technology to auto steer eliminating using foam for markers. It also doesn't allow already sprayed areas from doubling up on chemicals. Technology controls the product pump by monitoring speed. New technology controls individual sprayer nozzles allowing the satellites to automatically shut of for waterways, terraces, and field borders. 

Dirtwork equipment also communicates with satellites. When Mike builds a terrace he writes a file and enters that into the dozer's technology. This keeps the terrace level across the top. He also sets the slope. Like a three to one for a narrow base which is seeded on both slopes. And a six to one for a broad base where you farm right over the terrace.

Where farming equipment technology is accurate within inches, dirtwork equipment needs to be accurate within tenths of an inch. Many times BJ will tile across a level piece of land where the tile's grade is one half of a percent. Or Mike might level a building site that needs to be perfect. So a base station is used for guidance. Instead of one straight line from a satellite to a receiver, a base station adds another line creating a triangle between the satellite, base station, and piece of equipment. Allowing accuracy to a tenth of an inch. Thanks for the picture Mike.

Our crew worked on semis during the wet weather. There is always a list of things to fix on a truck.

BJ and son John worked on their mower conditioner. Getting it ready for the hay season.

Lane is in preschool. And many times on his days off he comes with his Dad, Kurt. He asked if he could wash his bike.

When children spend time with, communicate, and get guidance from their father, it's invaluable. It's something our country as a whole is losing today. Thanks for the picture Morgan of Collin and Stella.

In 2013 Betty and her husband Dick were sued and had their venue shut down for not allowing a same sex wedding ceremony. Last Tuesday evening Betty was able to watch Governor Kim sign a Religious Freedom Restoration Act at a supper we attended in Des Moines. RFRA was a bill passed that will prevent state and local governments from infringing on Iowans religious freedoms.

On Friday and Saturday we scrubbed our shop across the road getting ready for our granddaughter Rachel and Carson's wedding this coming Friday evening. Rachel wanted a farm wedding. Stay tuned.

I borrowed my ideas this morning on satellites and base stations from an analogy Mike used for his deacon devotions awhile back. In our lives things work out for our good when we communicate (pray) and take instructions (God's will) from our Lord in heaven.

God's word, the Bible, is our base station when we need guidance on a more particular issue. God, the Bible, and us, His children down here on earth, create a triangle that zeros us in on His purpose for our lives.

Last Chapters

Today is the 31st and last chapter of March/2024. We can't go back. However the chapters we're living today have an impact on how the 2024 story ends. Last Sunday our family had lunch together for Palm Sunday. The girls got together yesterday for a baby shower for Gideon and Emily.

How many of you are in the first half of your life? How many of you are in the last quarter? Remember, we're not running the time clock. The end of the game is not something we choose to think about much. Yet what we do today has an impact on our last chapters.

A good share of our week was working in the shop. It's always beneficial to find weak and worn parts before go time. It also gives us some time in case those parts need ordered.

Robin came to do some warranty work on our high speed disk. BJ and Rob are assisting. This tillage tool works well for a dry spring. A field cultivator is probably better for a wet one. No till works best when it is dry and warm. Those decisions will happen soon.

Karl was in charge of a full week of delivering seed. It's a job that sneaks up on us. It's also a job I enjoy. Thanks to all of our crew that helped organize and throw bags when needed.

The guys ran seven seed tenders through the shop this past week. That usually involves a few tires and batteries.

All three planters are hooked up and ready to go. Soil temps always take care of themselves. A touch dry at planting time is a gift in southern Iowa in some of our tighter soils. Tomorrow is April. The weather next week will determine when we start and how hard we go.

Does your church services include evangelical preaching or just edifying the ethical? We need both you know. How's your church attendance? I realize it's easy to find a number of services on-line. And I know many of you are solid in your faith.

However what we do in our life's story's chapters affect others in the early chapters of their lives. Our next generation is shaped by what the older generation does or doesn't do. And if you think your church is in a rut, find one that isn't.

Luke tells the story we celebrate today in the last chapter of his book (chapter 24). Sunday morning. Stone rolled away. An empty tomb. The earlier chapters describe what folks felt as defeat. Then confusion. And finally victory. It was all part of God's plan ever since Adam and Eve ate that apple against God's wishes. I'm guessing God's plan for today is just as intentional and just as perfect. However it takes a relationship with Him.

We've had a lot to pray about around here this month. Some thanking Him for all the good things. Some leaning on Him asking for help for the not so good things. He hears us. He loves us. And He answers us according to His purpose, and our benefit. Yesterday Melanie saw this shadow of someone praying. Thanks for taking a picture of it Jan. What's the point this morning? Build relationships. Take advantage of opportunities. And live in the freedom that God is in charge of our story. He determines our current as well as our last chapter.