We are heading out for the Minnesota Boundary Waters

We are heading out today for the Boundary Waters. We won't be on the water until Monday morning......have a few things to do first.

This morning we are picking up a gal in St. Francis and then taking two vehicles to Platte......our car and the PLYC van. Robbi will be going on with a group of young people to a Bible Conference in Wisconsin. We will be heading to Madison, WI to meet Mike and Julie and the kids on Sunday. We (Gary and I and Trenton and Austin - our two oldest grandsons) will then take off for Ely, Mn.

We will spend 4 days and 3 nights in the Boundary Water Wilderness area.....canoeing and portaging and fishing. Our hope, of course, is for fair weather and sunny days......but we know that that isn't always the case. We are prepared as best as we can. We also know that growing 12 and 13 year olds can eat mom and dad out of house and home ......so we think (and hope) we are prepared for that :)

We will be getting off the water on Thursday (June 30) and traveling back to SD with the boys --- they will stay through Camp and then we will take them home to Michigan. BUSY BUSY......but lots of fun anticipated.

Prayers are always appreciated.
Gary and Barb

A Mess of a different nature.......

The first hail storm did some minor damage to the garden - but we knew we were OK. Things would come back and do just fine. The second one made things look kind of sick -- but still we figured everything would come through it.....we just need some nice warm days. Then came this past Thursday evening.

As we were leaving for the Detention Center, we could see storm clouds in the west. But there were really no severe warnings so we headed out. Pastor Steve, Lynn and Benjamin were joining us for a visit at JDC just to get them acquainted with the place......Pastor Steve has agreed to do the Sunday Service there. As we left - the one guard stated that it was raining "out that way" --- south.....Oh! That's the way we have to go. About half way home we began to wonder if we would make it. The hail was coming down so hard on the top of the car that it was hard to hear each other....yelling didn't help. Gary came to a stop a couple of times - not being able to see where he was going. We got the Boersma's back to the school - and they would head home from there. When we turned the corner to go to our place --- a torrent was coming down the hill and water was across the road. I (Barb) took my shoes off (my NEW shoes) and waded out into the water to see if there were any bad washouts (I really wanted to get home in one piece). Nope - it was OK. From there on we just went thru the water hoping it would be OK. And we did make it home in one piece.

Our garden was hurting BIG TIME by now. A look at the rain gauge said 2.8 inches of rain. Many of the fields had standing water - that on top of the damage from the hail. One good thing is that the plants are small yet and should be able to make a come back. However, there are places that will no doubt be drowned out by the standing water.

Then on Saturday evening we had a repeat......Lots of hail and rain.....about 1.8 inches this time. As we stood on the deck on the back of the trailer we could all of a sudden hear water coming....and sure enough - to the north -- it came across the driveway and making it's way down past the trailer. We had a river going past our deck. About 10-15 minutes later we went to see where it had ended up......but there was nothing - no water. So what's with that....where did it go. Pretty soon we could hear it coming......and in short order we had the whole area by the barn covered in water. Kind of interesting how long it took to get that short of a distance when actually it was moving quite fast.

What you are looking at here is our tomato patch --- or what used to be our tomato patch. We now have about 9 stems sticking up out of the ground....now covered in hail. This is the 4th hail storm in about 2 weeks (maybe a week and a half). Saturday morning we thought we would replant some things like -- more beans and carrots.....a new bunch of spinach. Well after the storm I'm sure the seeds are washed all over the place. Hopefully the neighbors will share -- IF they have anything TO share.

We were feeling bad for ourselves.....we really enjoy our tomatoes and green peppers. But then we consider what the Missouri River is doing.....flooding out home....covering major highways. ....
We really don't have it so bad!!!!

On Friday we were invited to go along with Dan and Sheri Tinant to Pierre to see the Oahe Dam -- which is located on the Missouri River. The town is in a battle with the elements. Sand bags are surrounding business' and homes. And some homes are half under water.

You really have to wonder if the bags will hold the water out. We understand that they have to increase the output of water even more....meaning the level will go higher yet.









A movie would have been so much nicer --- but for some reason the blogger is refusing to upload the video. But I think these pictures give you an idea of the force of the water....150,000 cubic feet of water per second. We're standing in front of one chute, there are six of them releasing water, makes you dizzy standing there looking at it.















Our computer went on the blink after one of the storms......seemed that it was only the monitor. We called the "Computer Lighthouse" and he would look at it. Yes the "tower" was still good --- so our computer was OK - we just needed a new monitor and he would get us all fixed up right away. We had quite the visit with Ray!!! He and his wife (whom we have met before) moved to Mission (on the Rosebud) about 12 years ago....wanting to help wherever they could - for God's glory. He talked and talked and we agreed with him on so many things. It was a fun afternoon with a man who is on fire for the Lord. Plus we came home with our computer ready to go again.

So we have to be thankful for all the ways we continue to be blessed......and not dwell on the negative --- like the garden being a mess. We have so very much to be thankful for!

And we are thankful for all the prayers you continue to lift on our behalf. Thank You!

Gary and Barb

WHAT A MESS!!!!

This past Monday (June 6) started out in beautiful fashion. Zero percent chance of rain --- nice and sunny......good crew of young men (and old). And so the shingles on the south side of the church came off. Gary was able to able to get up in the bell tower and check out the bell....... As you can see - the tar paper is being put on (at about 7:00 p.m.).....tractors are used for a multiple of tasks :)






We are wondering if this inscription on the bell is the same as the one on the Overisel Reformed Church bell.....so - someone out there - check it out.

Now what happened in the middle of this day was NOT good. About 4:00 as the men were taking an iced tea break - sitting in the Community Center looking out the windows......they saw a rather small area of dark clouds come toward the church and then actually go on around. But out of the blue -- a storm formed...... and a good inch of rain fell on the bare boards of the church.




























And that rain had to go somewhere ---- guess
where it went ---- YUP --- all over the church sanctuary......down the walls....through the ceiling....onto the pews.....into the light fixtures.....and a very small amount made it all the way to the basement (thank goodness the new carpet has not been installed - gotta see the good in it too). There are streaks down the south wall that don't wash off - so we will be painting walls ....and the ceiling - which is a textured steel (?tin) tile that was used years ago is full of nasty dark spots.....so the ceiling will need paint also --- yikes - that's about 18 feet high.

Another sad part is that our new Pastor is being
ordained in our church this coming Sunday (June 12). Steve and Lynn (figuring on 30 guests) seem to be taking it in stride --- what else can they do really. The church will be put back in order -- but the walls and ceiling .....well I told Steve - they will have their eyes on you - not on the streaks (hopefully).






Everyone has been very helpful and doing
whatever they can. Today the insurance assessor is coming -- so we shall see what the good news is. The insulation, of course is wet ------- Lots of things to work out.

We all thank God that it was not worse.....there are people in the Pierre/Fort Pierre area that have had to leave their home due to flooding. We have a mess that we can work thru and still use our church --- so we thank God!!! We also thank God for the safety the workers have had on the roof. We continue to think of the men who are putting the shingles on.

So for those of you who enjoy this blog to keep up on the local news ------ there you have it.

Keep those prayers coming :) Thanks!!
Gary and Barb

Thank you for Prayers lifted for Rick.....

Rick is doing really good. We talked with him this morning ---9:30 am our time is 9:30 pm his time --- so does that make him exactly on the other side of the world?!?! Anyway, he said as he boarded the plane he told himself -- "you can still turn around Rick.......you can still get off Rick". But now after almost a week there - he is enjoying it. Says it's a beautiful place --- flowering trees and so on......monitor lizards (6 foot long ones) to stay away from (but enjoyable to view) and the people seem to be treating him very well.

He's gotten a hair cut, eaten from the street vendors without any ill effects, seen 3 of the monitor lizards, enjoys the Thai food........however, there are some troubles --- sizes are small there and he has found it difficult to find some important items in his size. :) We had some good laughs over that one!!! Yes, he's on an adventure.

Classes start tomorrow..... he has 4 classes to teach. If I remember correctly --- two classes with about 60 students each, one Masters class with 1 student and one Doctorate Class with 6 students. He WILL be getting very busy.

And so we thank you for the prayers you lifted for Rick. God is GOOD!!! all the time!!

Today here ---- taking the shingles off the church roof...and that is a VERY steep roof! I'm afraid that as I type we are getting a ?? short shower --- and they had better be off the roof. I haven't seen lightening -- but hear thunder. I suppose there's that grief of a bare roof and now rain.....

Our Pastor and his family are all here now.... Benjamin is 13 and a hoot!! Gary said that Benjamin was wandering around by the church this morning and asked if Dan and Gary (standing around looking up) were the foremen or something.....they said "well, yes". Shortly after, a shingle came off the roof and landed on Gar's arm. So Ben yells out....hey be careful you just about took out one of the foremen --- they might quit on ya. :) :)......... we are enjoying them !!

Plans are moving forward with Prairie Light Youth Camp. I will be sending out Registration Forms tomorrow....and Robbi is doing the same for another group.

Gary just came home --- not good!!! Roof off -- rain and 60 mph winds predicted until 5:15 (it's 4:30 now) ...perhaps the wind will miss us. He took some awesome pictures so I will get them downloaded and send some your way.

Again---- Thanks for the prayers for Rick.

Gary and Barb