Minnesota

We finished harvesting wheat on Friday afternoon just in time to pack up and head northwest to Nicollet and Sibley Counties in South central Minnesota.  We had a blessed weekend of fellowship with the Steiners and with the Winthrop congregation.  We enjoyed the Steiners' family, hospitality, and home.  It was the first time I have been back to the Winthrop church since I was in the church single group (about 30 years ago).  It was good to meet some old friends and make new ones.  I never met so many Messners or Schmidts before and I will have a hard time keeping them all straight.

They had a hail storm earlier in the week, so the crops in that area were pretty beat up, and the soybeans were being replanted.  But they have had much more rain than we have, so other than the wet spots, the crops looked good.

On Saturday we were given a tour of the area.  Unfortunately, the cow museum in Bernadotte was closed.
We spent time in New Ulm, a beautiful, very "German" town in the oak shaded Minnesota River valley.  At the request of Benji, we went mini-golfing at a  unique educational/agricultural/environmental themed nine hole course.  It was a little above my skill level, but still a lot of fun!  At one hole, you had to hit the ball into a large pig's mouth, and then it rolls out of . . . . well, we'll leave that to the imagination!
We drove through the Historic August Schell Brewery and Gardens, which is the nation's 2nd oldest family owned brewery.  We met Herman the German who stands on his monument in Herman Heights Park.  And we drove past the Glockenspiel in the distinctive downtown.

Herman the German on his monument.

Herman looking over the town of New Ulm and the Minnesota River valley.

And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come because of the name of the Lord thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt,
Joshua 9:9 

YG

Friday evening we had the young group in for a singing.  After an hour of singing, we set up an assembly line in our kitchen and had them package rice pilaf soup packets for World Relief.  Even though the turnout was a little light, they filled 425 packages in about 45 minutes.  And they seemed to enjoy themselves in the process.

Today, Father's Day, Uncle Russell and Ken and Lora were in church, so it was good to visit with them.  After church, we went on the Tour of Homes in Peoria area.  We enjoyed looking at the designs, styles, and furnishings of several very nice new homes.  Afterwards, we met family at Olive Garden for supper, and for once I got to buy my father a meal.  I'll never be able to repay my parents for all they have done for me in my life, so it was a very small token of appreciation.

That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers.
I Kings 8:58

More Road Time

Last Sunday I drove to the Western Illinois Correctional Center to visit Phil.  It was good to see him again and he is always appreciative of the visit and expresses how much he appreciates the church's prayers and support.  We are the only family he has.  He is where he deserves to be and he is paying his debt to society, but I am always a little saddened when we leave him.  But it is also a good feeling to walk out and away from there! 
I thought of all of the Christians past and present around the world who were/are imprisoned for being willing to take up their cross and follow Christ.  We need to pray for them and be thankful for our religious freedoms.

Thursday, I drove to the World Pork Expo at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines.  I got caught up on the latest in the pork industry, and enjoyed a lot of free food.  It was a little bigger crowd than the last few years, probably due to the early spring allowing field work to be completed.  One vendor told me that when he started in the business 25 years ago there were 375,000 pork producers in the U.S.  Now there are only around 50,000.  Fewer producers now, but the operations are much bigger.
Unfortunately, I spent way more time on the road than in Des Moines.  I did fill up the tank with $3.22 gas before I left town.

Friday night we drove east to Leo for niece Kacie's graduation party, which was on Saturday afternoon.  Good food, fellowship, and a keg of root beer awaited us.  We got to use the quiet bedroom, so we were able to sleep in Saturday morning.  We enjoyed our short stay at the Klop's Resort and headed back home Saturday night. 
Congratulations Kacie!

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
II Timothy 1:8

STL

It finally rained!  The 9/10 of an inch of rain we received this week was the first real rain we have gotten since the last week of April.  The corn and soybeans were definitely in need of it.  Even the lawn was starting to turn brown, which is very unusual for May.  Everything looks fresh and clean and green now.

We drove to St. Louis twice in the past week.  Daughter #2 flew out of Lambert to spend a few days in San Diego enjoying their beautiful weather, beaches, and fellowship.  When we drove her down Saturday afternoon, the temperature was pushing 100 degrees.  Thursday afternoon when we picked her up, the temperature was in the middle 50's.  What a change! 
After dropping her at the airport, we went shopping at St. Louis Mills Shopping Center.  Including and especially the Cabela's store.  I was very restrained and didn't buy anything.  Both times we made sure to fill up with gas before we left Missouri.  The gas price down there is about 25 cents per gallon cheaper than in Illinois.

I saw a field of wheat that had already been harvested and corn that was fence post high east of St. Louis.

And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.
II Samuel 23:4