As I write this little article, harvest time is probably winding down. I really enjoy driving to Petersburg from Lincoln through the country and so I see the farmers at work! Sometimes I drive to Broadwell, and then to Sweetwater, and then to Petersburg. Sometimes I drive to Elkhart, and then to Indian Point, and then to Petersburg. Sometimes on the way home I drive near Middletown, to Irish Grove & "Polecat Hill," and then to Lucas Chapel Cemetery on my way to Lincoln. One day I cut across the country on 5th Street in Lincoln and drove West until it emptied out just south of Mason City. On the way I saw a neat little cemetery called "Swing Grove." I love going on a country drive, admiring our native landscape, and seeing what our local farmers are up to.

I grew up in the country right next door to where my grandfather farmed (one mile west of Oreana). I am not a farmer and don't pretend to know a lot about farming, but I am truly thankful for this Central Illinois Soil that has nourished and provided for multiple generations of families all around this area. I have a vial of dirt in my office taken from our family farm. I believe soon it will be in the Edgecombe/Acom family for 125 years. That vial represents God's Grace and Provision and Love, not just for an individual family, but for countless others, for the work of the local farmer impacts people for the good literally all over the world!

We pray this prayer along with those hard working farmers in our own communities...