A Pierre Merry Christmas

We went to Pierre (pronounced PEER) today to view the Christmas tree display at the Capitol Building. It was grand!!!! The 90 some trees were gorgeous ----- decorated by various groups from all over South Dakota --- the Todd County 4-H group had a tree there......decorations were every imaginable item....many homemade.

And the building was another story. It is absolutely beautiful --- and especially when you think of when it was built.....between 1905 and 1910. If you can't read this whole SEAL --- I want you to know that it says Under God the People Rule (on that yellow ribbon in the picture).
Gary was really wowed by the architecture......and had to check out this marble drinking fountain.
Many of the pictures on the walls depicted the history of the pioneers....and the archways and the dome is full of stained glass.
In one hallway the walls were full of this type of picture - again depicting the time that our nation was developed with the pioneers moving west.
The Legislative chambers .... we were sure are in original form......grand!!! The balcony being for observers.....made us wish we were there witnessing business.

It really made us proud to be "from South Dakota".

We then went to view the Oahe Dam on the Missouri River........very interesting example of what man has done to harness electricity. All in all Pierre is a very nice spot for a mini vacation.

May you all be blessed during this Christmas Season as we rejoice in the birth of our Savior.

Merry Christmas
Gary and Barb

A Prayer Request

A couple of weeks ago one of the boys at the Detention Center had put on his prayer request that he wanted "to live a good life". The next day I read the passage of 2 Peter 1:1-21 (I am reading the Living Bible Translation). Starting at verse 2........"Do you want more and more of God's kindness and peace? Then learn to know him better and better, he will give you, through his great power, everything you need to living a truly good life; he even shares his own glory and his own goodness with us!" So trusting that it was a "God given" direction -- we did the lesson on that passage this past Thursday (last night).

There are only 10 boys at the Detention Center right now. We had hoped to share some wonderful videos of Youtube songs --- Amazing Grace, Because He lives, and a couple of others. However, it didn't get to happen.......the facility has blocked Youtube (for obvious reasons) and we didn't get to the right people to get the block off...... So we asked them if they wanted to sing. Usually the boys don't do much with the song time...... What a joyous time we had!!! Sang about 5 songs (their requests- It is no Secret, Amazing Grace, When I am Afraid, In Need and I am A C) --- it was wonderful!!!

We always pass out prayer request sheets --- and so -----WOULD YOU PLEASE PRAY FOR Terry. He is a very quiet young man --- we have visited with him on a Sunday afternoon. His request this Thursday said "I want to believe in God". Would you please pray that God's Spirit would draw Terry to Himself ---- only God could have put that desire in Terry's heart. We have given Terry a Bible that is full of "helps". It is titled "How to Find God - Living Water for Those Who Thirst"

Several of these 10 boys will be (hopefully) getting to go home for Christmas on a "temporary release"......they are on their own to return to the detention center. Some have at times (there is a girl out right now "on the run") taken it upon themselves NOT to return. We tell them that it's important that they return --- otherwise they just put more time on themselves when they are found. So pray also that they will all return again after their t.r.

May you all have a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year. Keep your focus on God and He will stay near!!!!

We will be spending Christmas here in South Dakota and then coming back to Michigan when our daughter Marti and hubby Tim have their baby ---- sometime in the first part of January.

Gary and Barb

Juvenile Detention Center

It was truly a blessing to have the opportunity to go to the detention center last night. Gary missed out on it because of it nasty cold and that is too bad.

There were 15 boys in our first group. No new faces in the bunch --- which is always nice because then we don't have that struggle of trying to remember a new name again. The lesson was on 2 King 2: 13-25 with the theme of "respect". To see the kids listening so attentively is the blessing we receive. Some of these young men have been with us for months and so they are really getting a good measure of God's Word. We sang the Christmas Carol "Mary's Boy Child" which basically tells the Christmas Story in a nutshell. Towards the end of the song some of the boys were joining in on the chorus.

One young man, Ty -- who we know does NOT have a good home life (and has been with us for a long time)........his prayer request was "to live a good life". Please keep Ty in your prayers -- he really is a nice young man with potential. Also, please pray for Harold. Harold has been in and out of the JDC many times. He is very quiet and reserved......but as he listens to our lesson....his facial expressions are ones of interest and questioning. He is NEVER disruptive in any way....but also comes from a VERY troubled home.

We could give you so many names.......and if you would like one "of your very own".....let us know --- we have numerous ones we could give out.

Then came the girls --- 5 of them. They had on new uniforms. The old orange ones were getting worn out and they were replaced with a very pretty rose/burgundy color. You can imagine that with their coal black hair --- they actually looked lovely. We really had thought that 20 kids could be handled in one bunch....but Julie and I were glad that we had this time alone with the girls. Just the five of them and so we could have some more "personal" conversations. We went through the lesson and then we sang the Christmas Carol......and then request after request. One of them said "we should just sing all the songs on this paper". Then Tianna said "it's the first Sunday of the month coming up.....are we going to have church?!?!?" We tried to explain that our "normal" time was the 2nd Sunday of the month. Well that didn't cut it......"I won't be here then!" So the plan is to have church next Sunday and we will sing lots of songs and go over the Christmas Story. The girls said they will be practicing the songs "in the back". Then we will also do the 2nd Sunday. As Julie said "I'm a pushover when they ask like that"..... me too!!!!
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On another note ---- Gary and a neighbor, Don, have been working at getting the new generator hooked up for the parsonage. They have run into several klinkers -- none of their doing. Looks like it will still be a while before it gets up and running....hopefully before any big storm comes along.

Speaking of the weather --- the weather man said to enjoy today because the weekend will be VERY COLD. Rats!!

Hope you are all blessed in whatever you do!!
Gary and Barb

Wonderful happening at our motel stopover......

I just have to relay this story of our trip home to South Dakota.

Lots of times we will stay in a motel in the Blair, NE area but have not really found one that we are "pleased" with......and it really wasn't time to stop for the evening just yet. So Gary say's "let's try for one in West Point --- that's a pretty good sized town". It was already dark so we were a bit concerned about deer but the only ones we saw were the dead ones alongside the road. The first motel we arrived at was a Super 8 ---- now some of those have gone down hill...... but this is farm country!.......let's give it a try.

As we entered, there were 5 "older" (our age :) ahem!) men standing in the lobby getting their room. Two of them stepped back and said "That's Gary Peters!!" Gary looked ---- looked again.....!!!!!!!!!!! ---- there stood two men that he had worked with at General Motors for 20 some years. They were headed out for deer hunting in Nebraska. And then to make it even more wild....they were going to Cody, NE ---- this is were MANY of the kids from our church go to high school. Names were thrown out and we knew some of the people that they have gotten to know over years of hunting trips.

We had pizza with them at the local Pizza Hut and Gary, Ron and Dave reminisced for a long time that evening. We headed out that morning at the same time...... They get their "hunting groceries" in Valentine (and yup! we met up with them there also).

They will be staying in the area for about 2 weeks so we hope to touch base with them once again. What a fun surprise God had in store for us :)


:) :) :) Gary and Barb

Back home in South Dakota

We had a grand time in Michigan over the Thanksgiving holiday. Had good quality time with many family members and friends. Travel went very good. The weather was even favorable.....not hot --- maybe not even warm --- but then it is winter. And boy did we find that out after we arrived home. About 2 hours from home there was a little bit of freezing drizzle on the windshield......then as we got closer to Valentine there was more snow in the air and some drifting -- but really nothing to worry about. We got home --- went and got Toby right away......had a nice visit with Don and Barb (they had Toby) and headed home to unload. We had filled the truck with more of our belongings --- trying to make more room for Holly and Dennis. We succeeded in emptying the truck and making a royal mess of the living room....and then the wind began to howl and the snow came. REAL NASTY!!!! As of 7:30 p.m. it seems that the snow has stopped coming down but the wind is still blowing.

We left in a rush trying to out run the flu bug, but it had already caught me (Barb)..........and we didn't want to pass it on to anyone else if at all possible (we were staying with Holly and Dennis). We can now see that it was a good thing that we left early. We would have come home in blizzard conditions. God is always in charge!!!!

We do have a couple of prayer concerns....... Holly was diagnosed with Bells' Palsy....a condition that affects the nerves on one side of her face. She is on medication for it and hopefully it was caught at a point that there will be no permanent damage.

Our other concern is for Mike and Julies' family.....the 8 of them are going round and round with the flu......makes for a miserable time!!!.....especially for mama.

We will be having Release Time again on Wednesday. It will be the 1st lesson on Elisha. It's really a lesson on respecting those in authority over us ---- as you remember Elisha was laughed at because he was bald!! I (Barb) need to pass this on hopefully without dwelling too much on what happened to those young men (if you don't remember --- better look it up--- 2 Kings 2:13-25). We would appreciate prayers for the children to be in a listening mood and patience for us. :) :) Then on Thursday we will be going to the Detention Center.

Thank you for your interest and prayers! Winter has arrived!!
Gary and Barb

GREAT Halloween Party and WORKING lots of cattle!!

Thank you for all the prayers for the Party at the Juvenile Detention Center. It was a LOT of fun to say the least.

The kids were great.....good sports, helpful (we had 3 "trustees" to help set up), respectful, enthusiastic, fun loving. We had some stationary games: bob for apples, donuts on a string, paint pumpkins, mashmallow toss (into another persons mouth), musical chairs, Four square, and carrot on a string (lots of laughs here). Then we also had 3 team games: Chariot races (on carpet samples), bag races, and Team boards (6 kids on a team - on two 2 x 4's with ropes to hang onto).....the girls walked away with that one. I think the boys tried way too hard - all they could do was fall! We also had some prizes for assorted things and then a message from Pastor Tom. We served everyone Ice Cream Sundaes ......and .......... Then------- the Grand Finale........ Our grand finale fizzled :( !! We had blown up about 200 balloons and put them into a huge parachute. Gary got a rope up and over the furnace duct work and we pulled the parachute up to the ceiling. At the very end we let one of the kids get on a ladder and pull the rope. :( Nothing much happened -- about 10 balloons came out. Static electricity had taken over......we had to shake the parachute to get the balloons out. But over all the evening was a grand success! We had plenty of good help from our Lakeview Church and the kids never once caused us a concern!!! We filled the 2 hours exactly - in at 6:00 and out at 8:00. Now Gary is thinking --- "where can we do this next?" Sorry to say there are no pictures allowed --- so we will have to rely on our memories for the "good stuff" (YIKES)!

Monday through Friday of this week, we are working cattle --- for 3 different ranchers. We come home very tired at the end of each day. Bob and Shirley Vanden Bosch came for one afternoon (yes all the way from Michigan for one afternoon with us :) -- they are heading for Washington to see their grandkids)........and they got in on a cattle drive. We think they had a lot of fun.

On top of the cattle work, of course, is Release Time and Thursday evening at the JDC and Sunday afternoon visits at JDC which is truly what we need to focus on. They are both going very nicely. Today at release time we had the two older groups, which can be quite rewarding. These kids sit attentively......and seem to be taking it all in. We hope so!!

So if anyone is wondering if we are relaxing after all our company?????? Depends on what you call "relaxing". Today we bounced over 25 miles back and forth over the prairies........ but we got the job done :) Tomorrow we work those cattle (over 750 pairs) ---- thinking it will be sort, vaccinate and pour (a type of fly + spray). Then on Friday we will help my cousin preg check his herd.

We are still having beautiful fall days and we know that we need to enjoy each one of them because it is going to be ending soon we are afraid.

We are looking forward to a return to Michigan over Thanksgiving.
God Bless each and every one of you!
Gary and Barb

some photos for you to enjoy

A dog box for Don Schellhaus..........
Our friends Sally Kreuze and Carla Kraker----- their husbands are working on the garage door. But they really came to hunt - and they did :)
We don't think Toby really likes to ride on the quad.....rather bumpy and the box doesn't fit him --- he grew too big!!!!
Ross Nagelkirk and Lee Lubbers. Boy Oh Boy! They are doing a number on those prairie dogs!!
Some of the 7th and 8th Graders.....missing Jasper.
And this isn't all of the 5th and 6th graders.....don't remember the reason why they weren't there. Could have been sport physicals.
These are the 3rd and 4th graders......the best singers this year.....are they cute or what!?!?!?!?
Dale and Barb Becksford came with their John Deere Gator - boy did we have fun. Went and explored a HUGE pasture out in the canyons.....had a picnic lunch by a pretty lake too :)
This cat is awesome...goes down the ladder NO PROBLEM!!
Linda and Dave with another old truck from the prairies.
And, of course, pictures from South Dakota wouldn't be complete without a gorgeous sunset!!!

Hope you enjoyed them!!!
Barb

I've been reminded that it's past time to update!!!

October has been a month of lots of company and we love it. It also keeps us busy....but we have still been able to accomplish a lot of things......many of them thanks to the company.

We now have a garage door in the big barn - which houses Garys' work shop. So he figures he won't have to shovel snow out of the barn now when the wind howls. We had about 3 men out in Michigan looking for a used door for us. The opening was 16 x 14 ---- however, that was a hard size to find....so Gary went with a 12 x 14 and put a service entrance in the extra space. My sister Linda and her husband Dave brought it out for us and then left with another old truck. It was a win / win situation. :)

Right now we have two young men from our Overisel Reformed Church - Ross and Lee - out for a Prairie Dog / Pheasant Hunting Trip. They are having a blast - literally :) !!! And the area is minus a BUNCH of prairie dogs!! They have seen several coyotes but haven't connected with one yet.

For a while we were concerned that our dog, Toby, was gun shy. But that's no longer the case. He just has to work through some things I guess. For his first season he's doing pretty good. And anyway --- we are really enjoying being able to have a dog that doesn't have to be in a pen or tied up all the time!!! He roams here free and stays close to home.

Our garden was totally put to rest today. We pulled all of the old tomato plants and vines and leftover zucchini (cow killer size - as Hazel puts it) ......put it all on a pile - covered it with a tarp and hopefully it will be "mulch" by spring.

It's interesting how the pheasant arrive just before hunting season -- where were they all before that???? And the deer are also arriving -- where were they????? We didn't see them most of the summer. Now we see lots of bucks ....so excitement is rising. We have had a wonderful fall ---- such beautiful weather. I suppose it will end suddenly and we will be shivering in the cold. But for now we are totally enjoying the days.

Release Time continues --- seems to be at a fast pace. It seems to be coming easier for us....but if anyone has some "tips" for handling K-2 -- we would greatly appreciate it!! They are the ones that are the most ?? stressful. And, of course, the group that WERE our best singers last year are now that much older and singing is embarrassing to them and they fear looking stupid to their peers.......ssssooooo...

Our time with the JDC kids continues. We were asked by one of the guards if our church would be interested in putting together a Halloween Party for the kids. We asked --- and yes - we had enough people interested in helping. So we have the plans in the making. I think we will have a lot of fun and the guards are willing to help us in any way we need....."just let us know what we can do". How I wish we could take pictures.....but that's out!!

Well, I have visitors that I have to put a meal on for......so on to the potatoes!!! We are having pheasant tonight......

God Bless and Thank you for your interest and your prayers!!
Gary and Barb

Release Time has started

I know that I has missed a lot of news in between posts.....and I apologize. Time flies when you are having fun and I guess that has been the case. Today was really no exception....we had fun.

Release Time has finally gotten underway. We began with eleven K-2. And you guessed it....they are a test. The youngest still haven't learned that you have to SIT at school --- so, of course, they don't do it with us either. However, your heart would have warmed if you could have seen them get real close and circle around Gary as he told the story of Elijah being fed by the ravens......and how the widow's flour and oil lasted for 3 1/2 years!! Their eyes got real big when they thought about the 3 1/2 years!!

We finished the day with the 3rd and 4th graders. There were 3 new girls - so we have a few names to try to remember for next time. We had 12 in this group and both groups could get larger -- we know that the k-2 will and have already planned that we will do the Kindergarten group by themselves......

We had a surprise visitor show up yesterday. My brother Bill flew in from Michigan. We are hoping that the weather will clear (and the wind stop) so that he can fly over the Badlands and the Black Hills as he was wanting to do....and then clear again enough so he can get back home to Michigan in time to go to work on Monday.

I had some medical testing done just recently.....pelvic ultrasound and biopsy.... just because I did a little spotting. So far everything is looking good but have to wait yet for the biopsy results. If those are good --- then nothing more will be done and I will have a clean bill of health. So that would be a prayer request.

The days are getting much shorter and the evenings cool down very nicely -- good sleeping weather. So we know that fall is here. But we really don't look forward to the winter that is ahead of us. Gary said the first winter here was an adventure...but he doesn't really need to repeat that adventure again. We shall see.

Our dog Toby is learning lots of new things. You treat cats with care......hunting is fun, but come when you are called and you "sit" and wait until given the word that it's OK to eat. He's really doing super and we enjoy him a LOT. It should be a fun time when hunting season comes around. He is still very young but is already getting the hang of it.

We learned today that a young man that we got to know in the JDC will be serving 48 years in prison for murder. We pray that Bryan will be in a prison that has a Christian Ministry and he comes to know Christ as his Lord and Savior.

May God bless each one of you!
Gary and Barb

A Grand Family visit

My mom and brother Bill just departed -- 8:30 a.m.......Linda and Dave took off at 6:30 this morning. We had a grand visit. We've found out that it is fun to have a house full of people - especially family. SO---HINT HINT!!!

Mom was really glad she made the long trip. She got to see relatives at the reunion and then also visited with many more "neighbors and relatives" in the area. "I'm so glad we came." was her comment. We were too!!!

Linda and Dave took home another old truck.......some one has to clean up the neighborhood :) :). They will be enjoying some more car races in Iowa and then heading home for Michigan. We have a promise of a return trip soon :)

We are mowing the lawn, doing laundry and spraying for grasshoppers to get rid of our blues.

Haven't seen any more snakes but did enjoy a view of 2 twin fawns last night. My cousin Dwight says they have triplets that visit regularly by their house.

More later........

Gary and Barb

GOOD TRIP to Michigan and back....

Yes we had a good trip to Michigan with the young people. Above is Brayden....our only young man. He made the trip interesting....always something to say. They all seemed ready for the trip.....JaeLynn must have thought she was going for a month :) :) ---have to say she WAS prepared for whatever she might need. And luckily we had plenty of room in the van so luggage was no problem.

Below is a picture of our 3 girls at the Commissioning Service. They were stationed at Friendship CRC in Byron Center. Friendship is a very large church - especially when you compare it to our Lakeview CRC. The service was really good. And as the kids sang "Here I am Lord" --- lots of us were crying. It was a very moving moment!!
DonShay is right in front of the microphone - then JaeLynn up and to the right....then Rebecca with the dark hair. The kids were on their own for the week and we were free to visit with our family.

We started out staying by my mom. It's really neat to be able to spend time with mom. She's 89 but still able to be in her own home and put on a good meal for her family. Sometimes I think her mind is sharper than my own. We also made time to be with friends and relatives. We made a move to our sons home on Tuesday. On Wednesday, I went to Shipshewanna with Holly for the day. So Gary wondered what he would do. Well - how about picking some blueberries to take home?!?! Would you believe that Grandpa took 5 grandkids berry picking!! He said Colton and Brennan never did get the bottom of their pail covered......too busy eating. They weighed the berries in at 60 pounds-- really wonder what the kids weighed when they left!!! Needless to say we didn't take all the berries back with us.
After all that berry picking grandpa needed some ice cream.......YUP!!! one major sugar high for a couple of little boys. But they made it all home safe and sound and had water fights to wear off the sugar.

We picked up our campers on Friday morning at 9:30 and headed back for South Dakota. We made sure we had a motel with a pool for the trip home. We finally arrived back on Saturday around 6:00 p.m. It's always good to realize you made it back safe and had no vehicle troubles. God is GOOD!!! And the kids had had a really good time and shared a lot about what they did all week. They all said they would do it again. We saw changes in the kids ---- GOOD changes that we hope will build!!

It is now Wednesday.....have most everything washed and the house is put back together...the lawn is mowed.....weeds are pulled. And --- what fun!!! --- we are enjoying our garden. Eating corn on the cob, zucchini (a different way each night!!), beans, tomatoes....and wondering when those watermelon will be ripe!!

Gary went to help Dwight this afternoon....I had supper ready at 6:00 but he was late - ?? must have a big job...... So I turned all the burners off and waited. Meanwhile -- I went out to pitch some peelings. I wondered what all the racket was in a tree by the garden. Some birds were REALLY chirping!!! Noticed that they were robins - but the chirp wasn't their normal sound. Suddenly I saw what the problem was. A bull snake was wrapped around their nest and was in the process of cleaning out the nest of baby birds. I ran back to the house for my camera. They aren't "nice" pictures -- but then I guess that's what happens in nature.....
Gary finally made it home.......He had stopped by a neighbor on the way home and the visit lasted an hour. :) Our neighbors Dan and Sheri had also been on a road trip and had lots to share.

We will be having a lot of company in the next couple of weeks. We LOVE company so we are looking forward to it. My mom and brother Bill will be the first. They are heading out here for a family reunion on Saturday. Mom does NOT like the long trip but I think Bill talked her in to it.

We are also gearing up for Release Time once again. Not even sure when school starts but it will come soon enough!

Thanks for keeping us in your prayers.
Gary and Barb

Heading for Michigan July 23 - 30

Just a quick note to let you know that we will be heading for Michigan tomorrow morning at 9:00. We will be taking 4 young people from the Lakeview CRC to a Middle School SERV camp in Byron Center, Mi. When we were asked if we would be willing to drive a group of kids to a SERV camp we said "yes"......where are we going?? !!!!!Byron Center, MI??????? Seems rather strange for kids from the Rosebud Reservation to be going there for a work camp. But there are needs everywhere!

We aren't required to stay with the group --- because we are only coming with 4 (5 would have been a different story).....so we will be able to enjoy our friends and family during the week.

We would ask that you pray for-----JaeLynn, Brayden, DonShay and Rebecca. They will be a long ways from home and in a different environment. Also, if you would pray for safe travel coming and going, we would appreciate it.

Thanks!!!!! Gary and Barb

More photos and ........Boo Hoo.........

Once again I put the pictures on "backwards" --- the ones I wanted last are on here first.. Oh well. . . . I will try to get the days with the right story - that's all that matters.


We took our group kayaking on Friday. In a way we made them earn it. The kids had to say "thank you" to the cooks every day at the noon meal. You just don't realize how little we hear those words - close to never. And some had a hard time doing it. But Sue got after them...... :) in her own sweet way she made them do it. We also took note of their attitudes and how well they participated in all of our activities. When some were close to not receiving the two "punches" (on their name tag) ......we would let them know. We didn't have to leave any behind when it came to the kayaking day........however - there were still some that were "on the edge".
We played LOTS and LOTS of silly games!! One was the "banana relay". Team members had to decided who would eat the banana at the end of the "foot to foot relay".....that person had to eat the banana and get to the front of the line first. Oh My!!! One girl and one boy stuffed that banana down their throats in record time and then wanted to do it again!!! Girls won :)

On Thursday we made "J E S U S plaques". The kids did a real nice job. We had to battle the wind wanting to blow our little pieces away but we managed to save them all. Anthony didn't want his picture taken..........??why?? who knows!!
On Thursday we also had the kids decorate aprons for the three main cooks. We all signed our names-with some putting a little thank you note on it too. They are very nice looking aprons (designed by Sue) and the one cook - Vicky - who had received one 3 years ago and said she still had it hanging on display in her kitchen at home.

We had the privilege of Chad V.G. joining us for the week. He's one of those hyper adults that have a blast with the kids. He was a nut and we all thoroughly enjoyed him! He was a bonus. I think he was with a group from Iowa -- in fact I think he is the Youth Pastor. Sad that I don't know all these things for positive!!! ....we just know we had a lot of fun with him.

We had such a good time with my two sisters and Jon and Sue and now (Boo Hoo) they are all gone. It's just me and Gary and Toby. We miss our company already!!! It was a good week as far as the weather goes.....warm to hot --- no rain --- no storms ----.... We did have one gal sprain here ankle during basketball and one little boy got sick and had to be taken home. But considering the numbers....that's not bad.

And speaking of numbers ------- I don't have the total for camp this year..... will have to find out later. I do know that the numbers were "down" from other years. But in many ways - it was for the good. Too many young people and it gets harder to do "quality" ministry.

Thank you so much for remembering us in your prayers!!! And now we just ask that you continue to pray for the children.

Gary and Barb

2nd Day of Prairie Light Youth Camp - 2010

Our Pastor Tom had a problem with his lawn mower this morning....so Gary helped him out with that.... (after telling him that he couldn't get his hands and pants dirty).










Sue had the early morning devotions.....the "Three Crosses". Jesus Redeemed us....one thief Refused Jesus......and the other thief Received Jesus' free gift of salvation.









The boys made wooden "treasure" boxes yesterday and finished them up today. We had a couple of new boys today.....but Gary and Jon had that all figured out and the new boys were able to take theirs home today also.









The girls worked hard on some really pretty "boxes". They get into decorating the tops and there is no stopping them. Standing is one of our helpers, JaeLynn, who is from the Lakeview church.









And this little gal --- so VERY quiet and shy......but what a gorgeous job she did. And this wasn't even her finished product. She went on to more and better. CLASSY!!! Oh....that is her name - Anpo means Morning Star in Lakota.









And then we filled the rest of the day with some very crazy games. The kids loved them all and really participated well. We have a helper - Chad - I think he is from Sioux Falls.....he's a "30 something guy"..... and FULL of energy. We are having a lot of fun with him and he is having a lot of fun with the kids....one of those competitive type that REALLY works hard at winning and having fun at the same time.





We did several versions of the bag race....singles - doubles - triples - backwards - half the group together - the whole group together..... Loads of fun!!!!










We wondered if today was going to be a first......the weather threatened rain...... but it never came. So that meant the roads were good too. It wouldn't be good to have a lot of folks here that have never experienced our roads when they get muddy.....would send everyone into a tizzy!!!!

We really had a good day with the kids that came....but there are still some that were registered that haven't showed up yet. And now it's Thursday (tomorrow) already. So it gets to the point that it would be best if we finish with the ones we have.

Jon and Sue did both Bible lessons today....Jon having the main one after lunch. They are such a bonus to have as helpers. We are BLESSED to have them here with us.

Oh and our dog Toby would say " I am blessed too!!!!" He has a bunch of 12 teenagers on the yard with him and every-once-in-a -while he gets away with a flip flop to chew on. But I really think they are a forgiving bunch........anyway he sure is up there a lot!!

Hope your days are going good. I know that Overisel Reformed Church is having VBS also this week.

We will try to keep you posted!!
Lots of Love to you all!!!
Gary and Barb and for a short time......Jon and Sue

First day of PLYC for 2010

Prairie Light Youth Camp began today - Tuesday. We had the funeral of and elderly gentleman, Bobby Tinant, from our Lakeview Church on Monday and so camp was delayed a day.

It seems to have been a pretty good day for the most part. Our group was smaller than anticipated --- but that is usual for the 1st day so no surprises there. As you can see from the photos the games seemed to be a hit.

The photo in the middle was beach ball volley ball and the other two are a game called "Table Top". We got this idea from a young man in the JDC who had played it at a team building event. We tested it out the night before and if us "oldies" could do it - we knew the younger set would be able to. The little gal in the yellow shirt was VERY small but she did a grand job. Both of these groups held their "pose" for 2 minutes. You start out with everyone sitting on a chair --- and then you pull the chairs out from under them.

















The boys also did a good job with the Table Top game....and it was a tie with the girls in the end.















We made "treasure boxes" today..... sorry :( we forgot about the camera until the games....but we will get some photos of them tomorrow. Tomorrow we will be finishing them.

On Thursday we will be making a J E S U S plaque ---- that one where you have to look at it just right in order to see JESUS. And then we will be decorating some aprons to give as a THANK YOU to the cooks.

It was VERY hot today ---- balloons popped on the hot car..... but we all made it OK.....

We have to admit that we have a couple of kids that are "high maintenance" - if that's the right phrase. But we have found that many times these come around and we have a good time with them. So we ask for your prayers in this.

It's been GRAND to have my two sisters, Ethel and Linda, here for the week. Ethel figured out the problem with not being able to put photos on the blog -- what wonderful timing :) :) :) !!! We are also having a lot of fun with our friends (and helpers for the week) Jon and Sue Pfnister. We will hate to see all of them leave!!

Thank you !!! We know that prayers are being lifted for camp.....everyone arrived safely so right there we had an answer to prayer!!

Gary and Barb and "the crew".

Garage and great helper

We have been blessed in grand ways!!!

We had a wonderful time visiting with family and friends in Michigan --- we were gone for 10 days. We got to help our daughter Marti and her husband Tim move to a new home in Kalamazoo and even got to spend a night in that new home. We were also able to watch Clayton and Sawyer in their swim lessons. Sawyer was not a happy swimmer that day but they really both did great. Then we were also able to enjoy watching Sidney and Austin practice for their Age Group Swim Team. It's fun to see kids excited about something like that and to do so well also.

It's always good to visit with our Overisel Church friends too. You are so supportive and we thank God for each one of you!!

Then back to South Dakota for a FUN Box Social --- a fundraiser for some dear neighbors. Barb S. is battling cancer and this was a way to help them with all the cost of travel and meds and so on. It was a grand success!!! and we were glad we didn't miss it.

On Saturday we received a phone call --- caller had to leave a message...... It was rather hard to understand so we played it over about 3 or 4 times and finally realized it was a young man that we had gotten to know at the JDC. We had told Jeremy that he should come to the Lakeview church when he got out and he said "Oh, I'll be there." Jeremy had gotten out on Wednesday and called to say he wanted to come to church and needed directions. YES!!!! I hoped that my directions were easy to follow....Sunday morning - they arrived before we did. :)
Jeremy, his mom, little sister and younger brother. As it turns out Jeremy and his mom know several of the ladies in our church from school days. Mom said she had been looking for a church in the area and they would be back. The two youngest ones are signed up for PLYC. PRAISE THE LORD! He is faithful!

Having gotten to know Jeremy quite well--- we decided to ask if he would like to come and help with the garage that Gary has been working on. Yes! Jeremy wanted to!! I have tried to post photos and for some reason I can't :( !!! But Jeremy is doing a great job!! Yesterday they put the trusses up and today the siding goes on. A couple of band aids this morning --- but then one was for Gary and 2 for Jeremy. Working with sheet metal --- sharp edges.

There are still things - those last minute things - to do for Prairie Light Youth Camp, but we do feel that for the most part we are ready. Please keep camp in your prayers!! Travel for the volunteers coming from so many places - Michigan, Wisconsin, Colorado, Sioux Falls and other areas of South Dakota, Iowa, Montana ........... But most of all - please remember the children. Pray that God's Good News will go out to them loud and clear, and that camp will be a fun and safe week.

If anyone has an idea why I can't post photos - please let me know. It's very frustrating and will be even more so when camp starts!!!

Thank You once again for your prayers and support is so many many ways.

Gary and Barb

I have to apologize........

......to our faithful supporters. I didn't realize that it was more than a month since we updated this spot. SORRY!!!! As you can tell we have been very busy!

Well, I've tried two times to put some photos on here but for some reason it's not working today. So another apology.......... I wanted to show you what we have been busy with but now will just have to tell you.

We put a deck on the back side of our trailer. There are sliding glass doors in the dining room -- but they were not used because it was a 5 foot drop out the doors. There was a deck slab laying out in the trees -- in good shape --- so we started with that and then enlarged on it. We now have the deck going from the back door (out of the laundry room) and the sliding glass doors so that makes it 15 1/2 feet long by 8 feet wide. We are really enjoying it!!!! Well actually for the past several days we haven't ----- had 4 1/2 inches of rain since this past Wednesday and this is Monday. Today is still cloudy but no rain so far. Of course, that means our roads are horrendous!

Our other project has been our garden. We have been eating radishes, spinach and lettuce already. We have: corn, beans, peppers, zucchini, butternut, tomatoes, carrots, onions, watermelon, muskmelon and potatoes. Sounds pretty impressive doesn't it. Everything is up and doing good except for the potatoes - we got them in the ground late....but we think they are coming - saw the ground cracking around them before all the rain came. We have an electric fence around the bottom - 6 inches up and then at about 5 feet. So far we have kept the rabbits and deer out. And there are plenty of both around.

Gary and my cousins husband, Jerry, have been trying to get going on a garage. This will be next to my Grandparents house --- just to the east of our trailer. The rain has really put a stop to their work. So far, they have the holes dug for the posts (it will be a pole barn type)and the cement pads in the bottom of the holes. They are now just doing odd jobs around the place --- waiting for the ground to dry.

Our puppy - Toby - is doing great. He did get under the front deck and got tangled up in the Dish cable for the TV and did some chewing......but that's been his worst trick --- so we are very pleased with him. He found a mud puddle the other day and boy did he have fun. We will have to take him to White Lake and let him really play in the water!!

Our plan is to come back to Michigan in about 7 days.....we will stay for about a week. Then we hope to be back in time for a "Box Social" for a neighboring couple. Barb has cancer and they make trips to Rapid City every week for treatment. So this is a fundraiser to help them pay for gas and etc. I remember "box socials" from my very young days. If you never made up a box and hoped for that special boy to bid on it --- then you haven't lived long enough :-)

We are still thoroughly enjoying JDC. When a young man asked for a Bible the other night....our hearts just soared. He has been in JDC before and just a quiet young man. But we know that his home life is really bad. Last night Gary gave the group a "history lesson" - kind of a REAL short version from Abraham to Moses. You can imagine the shortness of it -- we were only with the kids for less than an hour and part of that was singing and visiting. Anyway....they were told that this was in preparation for Thursday night. Gary will be telling them the story of the Red Sea crossing....and then we will share some photos of the chariot wheels they have found in the Red Sea....proving that this is NOT just a story....but true Biblical facts. We told them they should read ahead and know the story when we come back Thursday. Many of them have a Bible in their room. So when the young man asked for a Bible after that --- we are hoping he is just reading away!!! :-)

Other lessons have been in answer to some questions that the girls gave us. "Where did the Bible Come from"....."How can I know God is real"....How old is the Bible". Thankfully the girls who asked the questions were there to hear our thoughts. The boys and the girls have gardens at JDC. We are skeptical on how they will fair.....will they be overcome with weeds or will someone be there all summer to take care of it.?? But we were glad to see about 5 boys out in their garden spot with hoes the other night.

Well, perhaps we will see some of you during our return to Michigan. We are going to be helping our daughter Marti and husband Tim move to a new home. But will also be in the Overisel area.

Love to one and all.
Gary and Barb

Release Time coming to a close and MORE!!

We have two more Release Time days...... today with the K-2 and then next week with the two older groups. Below you see the 7th and 8th graders with their "Mothers Day" craft. At first my idea was just a fun "spring time project"-----flowers. However, we finished them just before Mothers Day --- so we all thought they would make a nice gift for mom or gramma. The kids really made some nice "bouquets" ! Today we will be telling the story of Zacchaeus and I will attempt to teach them our old Sunday School song too. Then we will watch a Veggie Tales movie on "Telling the Truth"

JDC has been good. We have a young man there now who signs his prayer request card with his nickname...."Lunch Boxx".....and his prayer request is this: DON'T PRAY FOR ME! Two weeks we got that.....then on the third week --- he read a passage out of the Bible for us.....he asked questions and participated nicely. He doesn't sing - but that's OK - a lot of them don't. The third week -- he sat in the front row......his eyes are always on the speaker!!!......and this was his prayer request: DON'T PRAY FOR ME.....(and then on the very bottom) ....unless you want to. :-) :-) :-) We got such a laugh over that.....how God is so at work and we don't even know it.

And below is our newest addition to the Peters household....a little Yellow Lab. The poor little guy needs (NEEDS!!!) a name yet. I could come up with all kinds of names but he's Gary's dog so I feel he should name him. He arrived a little ahead of schedule so he is without a permanent place to call "mine". We didn't expect him until May 26 .......so we are scrambling to get his kennel done. And when it rains every day ...... it's not easy. We even have snow in the forecast for this week. Man do I hope they are wrong!!

We have also been very busy helping the ranchers with cattle. We moved one herd (maybe about 200 pairs) about 13-15 miles on Saturday. It went really good....considering it was cow/calf pairs. I have learned a few new "arts" in the process. It's always fun to be asked to do something new.....bobbing tails or giving shots or whatever. You can't imagine all that goes on with raising beef cattle. It's fun to learn!!! We also got in on an old fashioned branding a couple of Saturdays ago. Gary vaccinated them and I gave them the "squirt" up their noses.....all 350 of them. I should have put a photo of that on here.....but it's too late now. ( I have more troubles when I upload pictures......they're either in the wrong place or somehow I delete and have to start over......have done that once already on this update......so.....sorry.) There were a lot of young boys who went home tired that night. Some of those calves are pretty big and don't like the idea of being man handled. One boy just about lost his grip on the calf and went for a short ride ---- :-) arms around it's neck and leg over it's back..... he didn't let go!!!! The young man won the battle (with a little help) :-) It can get pretty intense when you have 4 cowboys roping and dragging the calves into the branding area.....luckily every body stayed out of harms way.

We are looking for people to pray specifically for a young person in the JDC.....if you are willing -- please let us know. You can contact us at petersgb@juno.com We know that this is the best thing that we (and you) can do. There will not be a picture for you as we are not allowed to take any photos......we have signed confidentiality papers and so we might not even give you the last name. However, God will know who you are praying for....... The needs are so great!!

Thank you for your continued support and prayers.
Gary and Barb
p.s. The little guys name is Toby --- came like a flash!

A picture is worth a thousand words!!!!!

Hope you enjoy these photos. I have (not this time)...had it that I lose pictures if I mess around too much ...so I am just going to let you enjoy them. These are sweet kids!! Keep them in your prayers....I think the pictures speak for themselves. The photo of the things on the wall are our Bible Verses ....we cover our walls with them :-)
Love to all!!!! Gary and Barb