November update

I feel like I need to apologize for not keeping this updated often enough. As I read the last update I had to laugh!!!! It seemed that I was complaining that the thermometer read 60 degrees but the wind was so cold. Good grief.........now I don't dare complain about the below 0 temperatures for fear that it might get colder. But winter has arrived ----and it is COLD!! For a couple of days we were afraid we might need our furnace looked at, but.....suddenly it started working right again. :-)

We have been keeping busy. Gary is putting up a workshop -- inside the workshop. Which means he is building a building inside a building. Are you confused now?!?!?! Anyway --he is looking forward to having his tools handy so that he can be more efficient. And it should be a nice cozy place to work as we are putting in a good amount of insulation and a heating system.

While we were home in Michigan over Thanksgiving our Pastor Tom Vander Ziel and Wyonne Walkling took over for us on Tuesday Release Time. That is a blessing to us that we don't have to worry about letting the Release Time kids down.

Last week Release Time did not happen. It was a snowy day with more predicted so the kids were released for home at 1:00. Now this coming week....on Tuesday the school will have their Christmas musical in the evening and the music teacher likes to practice with the kids all day so --- no Release Time. But ---- we are scheduled instead on Wednesday. That will be the last time for the year 2009.

Tonight the Lakeview CRC had worship service at the Detention Center. There were about 20 kids in attendance. Pastor Tom always does a great job. As the kids come in it gets worrisome that they will settle down and listen. But after the talking and visiting with each other has gotten out of their system -- they settle down and listen very well. I wish you could see some of the faces....they ARE hearing God's word. Now our prayer is that they will apply it and that they will put their trust in Him. We had 4 young people stay after tonight for a time of prayer. We are never in a hurry to leave....but give them as long of a visit as we can. We are so thankful that the officers are so open to our being there. And the Lakeview people that go along are so good.....so caring and concerned and prayerful.

Peer pressure is an issue at the JDC too. There always seems to be a ringleader or two. Some of the kids get taken in on that.....others try to avoid it. And of course as the group gets larger (which it has been doing) -- it makes it harder to get close to the kids. But there are several who listen so intently......who are so respectful..... Those are the kids who really make it all worth while. And when I (Barb) get in the "sermon giving mode" that mom's can get into --- they even seem to pay attention.... :-) Hope it sinks in !!!!!!

Now onto the ranch news. We have around 200 head of cattle living on the place with us and so we have the responsibility of checking that they stay in the fences and that they have water and seem to be healthy. If trouble arises -- we make a phone call to "the boss" :-) Yes, we did have some - about 11 - try to escape from the place but they were found out and put back in.....keeps things lively.

Love to all............Gary and Barb