The Farmer I Live With

In twelve years I have seen the farmer I live with change and grow to become something more than he was.  Just as his farming operation has.

In this time span he has....

became a father

built a home where there was a soybean field before.

gotten acquainted with chickens

filled out more crop insurance and fsa office paperwork than one should have to

bought a couple new to him pieces of equipment

bought, tore down, put back together, and configured an elevator leg and underground storage pit for our farm storage grain complex

he has made repairs and more repairs on machinery

then he has planted and harvested crops.  Some were good producing and some not

he has done much more than I have listed here.  What I wanted to really get across is that farmers work hard, so do other occupations.  Just as all individuals have the opportunity to grow, so does the farmer.  I think the farming community is lucky because they get to do it in the wide open spaces, in the beautiful pastures and fields, the sun shining on their face, and the knowledge that they make a difference every day.  Whether their year is a super success or a "go to the bank and borrow" type of year, they can still stand proud.  They can still get up each day and continue to make a difference with what they have been given. They are needed in the world we live.

Thanks for stopping by,

Julie

Scratch Agchat

Last week I was to be heading to my first ever Agchat conference in Austin, Texas with my friend Nicole.  Unfortunately, due to life circumstances  I was unable to attend.  I was looking forward to the roadtrip and getting to learn more about how to agvocate. Sometimes things happen and they take a different path. Perhaps next year though!

I have some great pals though because they brought me back some Agchat Swap goodies! 

Don't forget to stop back on September 15th for our celebration of our 2 year anniversary giveaway!  Some of the items that will be given away are the ones I had planned to take to Agchat this year!

I leave you with this my friends!

May you days be filled with joy, and even when they aren't let's rejoice together.
When the sun is shining upon your life, be sure to share it with another.
Extend the love that lies in your heart, don't keep it all for yourself.
Lift up those around you, take a hand, hold it tight. Tight enough they can feel your heart pounding.
On dismal days, find someone else to lift up and focus not on yourself. 
To the ones you truly love,  be sure to hug, kiss, and tell them you love them.  For the time may come, you can't any longer.

Thanks for stopping by,
Julie

Sun Dogs & Strangers - Inspirations?

Sun dog - February 5, 2014 - View from the Farm road.

  I'm one of those people that loves a good "inspirational story"  or movie. 

Yesterday I was fortunate enough to have someone inspire and comfort me. 

I had not met him before yesterday, he was a stranger.

I was in somewhat of a state of panic yesterday afternoon.  This month marks the sixth one in my career as an agent.  That is significant, but that's not what I'm going to blog about.  You just needed to know my state of mind to some degree.

Mr. S, that's what we will call him, had called to come by the office to obtain his quote.  

I actually needed to leave earlier than normal, because my 

sweet hubby had driven me to work since all the snow had arrived! 

 He needed to get home before dark to clean up the church parking lot with the tractor.

Note, I'm sure God was laughing during my attempt to control my afternoon.

Here is why.

Mr. S  and I had never met prior to yesterday, my staff had collected his information, and I did the work.  When I came out of my office to greet him, as I shook his hand, I instantly felt warmth.  Not from nervousness either, but from his warm smile, and solid hand shake.  It was like he was excited "just to see me"!  I know, that probably isn't the real reason he was so happy, but let's go with it! It made me feel really good!

We made our way into my office, and began to chat.  Small talk to get to know one another, and I totally forgot I needed to leave early.  In fact, I could have invited the man to dinner and probably listened to his stories for the entire evening, and never looked at a clock!

Here's the inspiration part, or at least a section of it.  After about 15 minutes into the presentation, he is telling a story, and explains to me he was born deaf.  I did notice hearing aides, but didn't think too much about it, he is an older gentleman.  Then he tells me he is 80% deaf in BOTH ears.  80% is no small amount folks!  He didn't hardly miss a thing I said to be honest, and when he did he calmly asked me to repeat. 

But honestly, it wasn't too many times. 

Inspiration to me comes from the fact that in his life he raised a family, 

worked a job for many years, has four college degrees, and has to read lips, 

and body langauge every day all day!  He does it without complaint from my preception!

 Then he said this.

"I do not have a handicap, I just do things in a different function".  

If that doesn't inspire one, I'm not sure what will!  

The other inspiring part of my short visit with Mr. S was this.  

He openly spoke of his faith in Jesus Christ.  The moments in my office, 

where this particular subject arises,  brings me a great deal of comfort .

(hence the panic was pretty much gone now)

God - 1  Julie-0

:)

 Sometimes people come into your life that end up being treasures.

  This interaction with another human, is one for my memory feeling box. 

 I am thankful for Mr. S.

God provided me with comfort and inspiration yesterday afternoon 

when I  was beside myself.  Unfortunately, I know myself, 

I will probably once again become weak,

 but in my weakness, HE is strong.

I hope you feel inspired to share a warm smile, a solid hand shake, your faith in Christ, 

or just something to enhance another's day.  

I know I am!

Thanks for stopping by!

Julie

  (Hebrews 13:2)
"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."

Proud of Oneself

* Excuse the big gaps in this post. Blogger is not fixable apparently! :(

As I worked out this morning, some inspiration came to me for a blog post.  So here it is! I hope it helps you to find the "pride" within you!  

I decided that sometimes we don't feel good about ourselves enough or take any time to be proud of ourselves.  Whether it's the upset toddler pulling at your leg, demands at your job, money stresses, or too many committments, we never stop to think about the little (or big) successes in our lives. So today, let' do just that!  

I'd like you to stop for 5 minutes and think of all the things in the recent month that you are proud of yourself about.  Did you accomplish a new task, learn a new language, make a recipe masterpiece, run two more miles than usual, or spend more time with God, learn how to run a piece of machinery, mark something off your bucket list,  chose to play with your child more or treat your spouse like the million bucks they deserve?! 

Here are a few of mine.   

The fact that I have exercised 15 out of 19 days.

That I took the time and filled this with healthier snacks and made it easier for my family to get to in the frig.


That we started reading this book at dinner time as a family.

That I started reading the bible. It's on my 50 before 50 list.  It's a slow process but I'm determined to be successful! Even if I don't understand everything I read in it!

That I started a new craft project and didn't quit.  I am not posting a photo as I plan to blog about it real soon! I am hoping the roles will be reversed and that YOU all will give me some inspiration to make more of them!  

Today I wanted you to just love yourself, and feel the inner pride that is ok to have.  (and on those days I am not feeling so great, I wanted documentation to come back to so I could be lifted up! :)

Take a moment and just relish in the fact that you are a success, no matter how large or small the task.  

YOU are a winner and YOU matter!  

Thanks for stopping by!  
Julie

Passions - Jump Right In?

I was visiting with some friends the other day, and we were discussing jobs and just life in general. The subject of passions came up.  In regards to the thing that takes up most of our time.... our occupations.  

I will be honest here, when I was growing up I didn't "dream" of working in the insurance industry.   I know that is  a shocker to you all!  Honestly, I'm not sure what I did dream of being.  That's a little disturbing but there's no time for a serious therapy session today! 

Prior to this conversation, I have been thinking more about what I enjoy in life and what my passions are.  I think this conversation was just another step in me getting a little further along on my journey.   It made me think and it makes me desire that "passion" I previously mentioned.  Currently mine is more on a hobby/outreach level, not my occupation.

I'm not quite sure what my passion is. Do you know what drives you or ignites the passion within you?

Perhaps some of you have known for years, and perhaps some of you have more than one.  I think you are fortunate if you get to practice your passions in your occupation or your hobbies on a regular basis. I would think your life would feel more full-filled.

Usually it aides me to make a list or analyze things to determine things such as my passions.  Below are a  few of the things I've come to realize, especially since starting this blog.  

• Practicing hospitality - it brings me joy
• Delving into the Word on a regular basis and joining others  in the Word, it brings a layer of confidence, knowledge, and interest to my being.
• Spending time and caring for the elderly or even just someone in need, it makes me feel like I'm giving back and it's what I am meant to be doing.
• Cooking - with my family or by myself - is a satisfying talent I've been blessed with.
• Limiting or removing negative and toxic situations and people from my life is sometimes needed.
• Sometimes one must be the leader, even if they don't want to be, but if it brings forth a positive impact or result, stand tall and jump in!
• Practicing patience is something I will be doing for the rest of my earthly life.  Once in awhile I will take a look back into my past & see how far I've come.  So on those days when it seems my patience has ceased to exist, I look back, and remember tomorrow is  a new day to begin again!

There are a few others, but the list would be too long.  These are helping me  to find my passions.  I'm glad I was inspired by my conversation with friends.  They helped me once again, and probably didn't even know it.

So, what's one passion you have in life?  What's something that gives you fullfillment? 

Are you feeling somewhat scared at "jumping right in" to something new?  Me too.....so you aren't alone.  (Praying usually aides me in finding a calm place. )

 I look forward to your comments. You never know, YOU could be the inspiration to help someone else to ......

JUMP RIGHT  IN!

I hope your find happiness, enjoyment, and passion in your daily life!
Thanks for allowing me to share my family, feelings, and faith once again!   
Julie

Like A Stoplight

This song began to play one day this week on my way to work. I had never heard it before. The words did speak to me though and I felt compelled to ponder my thoughts as I drove the rest of the way to work.

 I literally found myself to be  fixated on the red stoplight and the words in the song.

I found myself unable to look away.... literally.

How many times have we lived like that?

Population Me.

Did you catch that in the song, if not go back & listen to it.  

Or you can read the words by clicking here.

I find myself doing that.
Living in my own world, at times turning a blind eye to what is right in front of me.
To what God is presenting to me in a manner that should be
easy for a person living the faith to see.

Due to human nature though, I turn away.

  I want to

be better

do better

 try harder.

To not live in a Population Me world.

I want to lend a hand to the person in need, make calls for the elderly that aren't able to understand this new finagle world of Internet and automated voices when you call in to places, I want to help that child grow in the hobby they are just realizing brings them joy, and I want to pull a team together to donate time to spend a few days fixing a church member's beloved home that they are unable to themselves,
volunteer at a soup kitchen and read to the elderly in nursing homes,
and go on a mission trip once again,
visit with teens about what it's like to be a teen parent,
and the list goes on.

But I let fear and busyness keep me from doing just that.  

Fear is created when I do not allow myself to live to my full potential.
Fear is created within me when I listen to the doubting thoughts in my head.
Fear is created when I do not study the Word or
fellowship with the Body of Christ regularly.

Busyness I fill with blog posts, mindless TV shows, dinner dates with friends,
surfing the web, pinning things I may never complete, family activities, a job,
and just daily life.

Couldn't I take the busyness, and add one of those activities I desire to do?

Like the stoplight. 

I find myself doing the following.

Red.
(stop)

Green.
(go)

Red.
(stop)

Green.
(go)

Maybe I should fixate on the Green!

AND MAKE IT HAPPEN!

When will I begin to put that faith in action?
When will I subside the fears and clear the busyness for things that would aide others?

When will my life become more than POPULATION ME.

I may need a team to help me create this, I may need a friend to push me,
and I may need my blog followers to hold me accountable.

What creates a light in you? What gets you to GO that next step?

Thanks for letting me express my thoughts and for stopping by!


Julie

* Music credit to Matthew West - "Own Little World"