Rana Zeller – Zeller Harvesting Co.
“And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. 45 But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47 And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.”
Luke 12:42-48.
As I began this morning to meditate on what to write for my overdue HarvestHER update, God placed this passage of scripture on my heart. It says so much about our lives, as a whole. I think of the many responsibilities I have been blessed with and how I cannot compromise to see them accomplished. God has blessed me with the task of reaching those who do not know Him. Also, being a peer for those who do, yet need some direction. To always be an example of Christ to those around you, without compromise. To take seriously the responsibility of what marriage is and what being a help mate to my wonderful husband is. Ever working to ensure my children grow up to complete the call on their lives and making it possible for them. Always making the best business decisions for our wonderful business we have been blessed with, through hard work. Ensuring the Zeller Harvesting Co. name is never tarnished by doing our best, always. To ever be a blessing to those we have been blessed to employ. Taking care of our immediate family and extended family members. Ensuring I am doing my best with other tasks and responsibilities I have volunteered my time and promised to do. I am so thankful for all of these responsibilities, and could not imagine life without them.
Our packing tractor operator with his sweet baby girl.
Matthew changing my blow-out on the trailer while traveling from Oklahoma to Missouri. I wish they made camper sides a bit higher so it wouldn’t tear up the siding in case of a blow-out.
This passage, in short, means if I have the knowledge and capabilities to achieve the responsibilities I have been given, I must complete those tasks the best way I can. Should I compromise, in any way, it won’t end well. Some may see this as cruel. I see this piece of scripture as a powerful word of wisdom. When things do sometimes get a little hard, it’s encouragement of what an amazing outcome we achieve by not compromising. I have been chosen for the life I live, and I will choose to live it to the best of my ability.
Now, I will talk about harvest.
Our harvest travels began Friday, April 7th. Matthews paternal grandparents are among the few relatives who live close to us. Really, the only immediate family members. The Tuesday before leaving, his grandmother had ankle surgery for the fifth time. Two days later, we found out his grandfather was going to have emergency open heart surgery. While being an active part of both of these appointments, my trailer had not been packed at all. THE MOST CUMBERSOME TASK OF HARVEST!!! Though it may have been a stressful week, the tasks were completed, and we moved on.
We began the silage harvest season in Monett, Missouri where we chop for multiple dairies ran by one company. We were able to chop the wheat we were there to do, just in time for the multiple rains began. With twelve days of rain in the forecast to chop grass for their growing heifers, we opted to move to Alva, Oklahoma. We had several customers there to take care of and the chances of rain were pretty low. We got there in time to chop for that Friday, and then the rains began. This was the start of a long series of rains that kept us in Oklahoma for exactly one month, to do jobs that could have been done in two or so weeks. Looking at the bright side, Matthew was able to go to Elena’s piano recital in Manhattan, Kansas. She is able to continue piano lessons via Facetime while on harvest. She will begin kindergarten on July first. We have opted to go with the distant learning home school program from Bob Jones University Press. She is so eager to learn and retains every bit of information presented.
Elena with her piano teacher at her recital. It was 40’s themed.
Hadassah hanging out with Daddy while changing oil.
While in Alva, I was able to meet up with another HarvestHER, Amanda Buus Thomsen. We enjoyed talking about different aspects of harvest and had some great heart to heart. She is an amazing woman. Her year has been a year many woman will never endure. Her strength is to be commended. It is so evident that she and her husband are an amazing team and will be resilient in every way. What a story they share and will continue to share.
What to do while fields are too wet to chop.
We finally, finally, finally finished our jobs in Alva. Had the rains not been as much, we would have picked up more work but are looking more at what we were able to do. So thankful for it. While there, Matthew kept in contact with our customer in Missouri. We were gone way longer than planned. They had much rain, as well. We made sure to tell them we could line up someone else, if needed. It’s a sentence you don’t want to have to do, but must be willing to do. Regardless of the end result, for us making sure our customer has the best product is of the utmost importance. Thankfully, we were able to get moved over on Monday. It looks like more rain for this week. Corn north of Dallas may be a bit early, so its crunch time.
The last field in Alva, Oklahoma
Elena checking fields with Daddy.
I will share a little bit of enjoyment. I recently found a semi tractor on auction in Minnesota. It was exactly what we needed. We like to stick with Kenworth, but this Freightliner came along at the right time. I watched for the auction patiently. Waited until the last half hour to bid. Probably should have waited longer. I really cannot tell you how much I enjoy bidding on an auction item. It makes me crazy excited. We had a limit but I kinda went over by about $200. Not too bad…and I won.
Me driving…because it was necessary.
I’m sure since I waited to write this too long, I’ve missed out on some pretty awesome details of our harvest so far this year. As for the remainder of it, we are praying and believing for an awesome and blessed harvest for us. Doing the same for all our custom harvesting family.
Girls hanging out in a tractor tire while stopping at an implement dealer to unload my vehicle.
Be blessed, remember to take seriously the responsibilities you are given. Do them to the best of your ability without compromise. Look for the good in all situations.
Definition of a HarvestHER - a strong woman willing to do whatever it takes to get the harvest in. She must have these qualities:
1. Be ready to go at the drop of a hat...sometimes without a lunchbox.
2. Has removed the word impossible from her vocabulary!
3. Can hold a baby, take care of a toddler and drive a tractor or combine all at the same time.
4. Must be able to cook for a crew - large or small.
5. Must be able to read minds.
6. Must be able to banter with a parts man until he realizes you DO know what you're talking about.
7. Must be the entertainment director for those rainy days.
8. Be a wife, mom, friend, helper, cook, problem solver, taxi driver or extra crew hand at all times.
9. Can handle the call that makes you react, "You need what? When?" Dropping everything you're doing to make it happen.
10. At the end of the day say, "I really do love this life".
1. Be ready to go at the drop of a hat...sometimes without a lunchbox.
2. Has removed the word impossible from her vocabulary!
3. Can hold a baby, take care of a toddler and drive a tractor or combine all at the same time.
4. Must be able to cook for a crew - large or small.
5. Must be able to read minds.
6. Must be able to banter with a parts man until he realizes you DO know what you're talking about.
7. Must be the entertainment director for those rainy days.
8. Be a wife, mom, friend, helper, cook, problem solver, taxi driver or extra crew hand at all times.
9. Can handle the call that makes you react, "You need what? When?" Dropping everything you're doing to make it happen.
10. At the end of the day say, "I really do love this life".
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