MERRY CHRISTMAS

 Seeing as how the world didn't end yesterday  :)  :)...........
We want to wish each and every one of you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR.

This is the star that Gary made and is hanging on a utility pole just east our trailer --- by Grandpa Logterman's house.  We had hoped it would be big enough to see from at least 1/2 mile away .  I guess we were in Michigan mode --- it's really way too small.   But we are enjoying it.

Tonight we had a WONDERFUL surprise.  Neighbors, the Pattons and the Smiths, came over and sang Christmas Carols for Gary and I. Maybe you are wondering how many the 2 families made.....  :)  :)  let's see....15, I believe   :)  :) What a beautiful sound ringing in the night.  What a blessing!  We thank God for  good neighbors!! 

God's faithfulness is so apparent.  We praise Him for His goodness throughout this past year.  And as we celebrate the birth of His Son, we thank Him for the hope we have.   We thank Him for His wonderful gift of Salvation. 

Gary and Barb Peters

Youth Group - 1st Meeting, December 1

We finally have had our 1st meeting of ourYouth Group.  There were a few glitches (aren't there always) - Gary and I were late, who was to bring the cookie frosting was misunderstood, lighting in the building was still terribly dim!!! ------  but it WAS a success when we looked at the whole night. 

Rob gave a super message on Temptation and how it can get a grip on us.  But we need to look to Jesus and his power to save.......

Amber talked a little about the importance of Prayer - but we are going to hear more from her because we were running short on time.

We then moved to some Christmas gift making for the families involved.

 These girls are grating bars of soap in preparation of making homemade laundry detergent.  I didn't hear of any finger tips ending up in the soap.....

This young man made some really cute finger puppets for a little sister or brother.  It was really neat to work with 5 young boys who really got into the puppets -- nice kids!!!  And on that note - ALL the kids were very well behaved and respectful and just down right "good".    We also had some fleece that the kids could pick for a scarf and then cut the ends and tie them.......also some bow tying (big Christmas bows) lessons (I need to get in on that one!!!).  So lots of activities for the kids to get involved in.....oh yeah --- some cookie decorating also went on.  But because of the mix-up in who was to bring the frosting --- the cookies were all devoured - and not saved for later.

 And then, of course, there was snack time.  EVERYONE enjoyed that part of it.  Rob said "YUM - good supper" as he munched on several cookies and trail mix.

We all felt it was a successful evening and a "somewhat" count of numbers would be 12 kids.  But that count came on the way home as we talked about the event. 

We are looking forward to next Saturday.....
Thank you for keeping this in your prayers.
Gary and Barb

Thanksgiving trip to Michigan and back again

We had a wonderful time in Michigan with family and friends.  When we only go for a week....we fill our time to the fullest.  We stayed at my Mom and Dad's home (it will always be that --- just like Grandpa Logterman's home is still his even if he has been gone for years...you just can't change some things..... Anyway I can't).  So instead of blabbering on and on about what we did -- I will just put some photos in place and maybe address each one a little bit.

 We got to hear Clayton's choir sing in church on Sunday....... (he is 2nd from left in front row).....

 .....and hear Holly give the Children's Message.  They both did an awesome job!!!  We are proud of you Holly!!!!  Keep up the Good Work!!  The Thanksgiving meal was at Linda and Dave's house.  Below  Kari (my niece) is playing with Oliver (our #9 grandchild).    :)  :)  Number 10 is scheduled to arrive in late May  :)  :)  He or she is will be Oliver's little brother or sister.

We also got to cheer on our three friends (Bette, Sally, and Glenda) as they ran in the Turkey Trot (I think that was what they called it) in Holland --- a 5k run / walk.  This was Bette and Sally's  1st ever 5K and they finished STRONG - running the whole way!  We are all very proud of their accomplishment.  Apparently there is a "Training" that you can do that is called "Couch to 5K in 30 days"....or something like that ....anyway they are living proof that it is possible.  I really don't have any big plans along that line.  I am still happy to just walk!!

 We had to make a stop in Menno, SD to check on the snow blower that Gary brought home on our last trip.  So we got to cross the Missouri just out of Platte.  I don't think I have ever seen the bridge looking this way - with all the footings showing so much....the water is REALLY low.

And then we came home to this lowly white stuff.  We welcome it with Thanksgiving!!!

We had a lot of quality time with the grandkids.  We took a long walk with Oliver and his mommy and daddy and even climbed a tree with him.  Boy did he want his daddy to join him out on that limb.  Good thing Tim didn't join him and Grandpa --- they would have surely ended up on the ground....limb was on the dead side.

Also played some soccer in the barn with Clayton and Sawyer and several Battleship games with Clayton...he sunk us everytime.  Sawyer got sick the day before Thanksgiving so we missed out on some fun with him.

Ripple was the name of the game (card game) for Mike and Julies kids.  It's a good game for 5 year olds too.  Halle caught on right away....and with just a little help did really well.  We also got to enjoy some basketball games with Austin and Trenton.  A couple of losses and a couple of wins.....  with a LOT of intense playing from everyone.  What fun that was!!!

Then add several "out for breakfast" or "coffee and a cookie" or "meet us at Chicken Lick'n"  or supper "to celebrate a race well run" ...and you have our week of Thanksgiving. 

As I said we had a wonder time in Michigan......but we are also glad to be back home.  Toby was so happy to see us and the chickens and cats are in fine shape.   We also have cattle in our corrals and the corn circle....which is a lovely sight for our eyes - we always enjoy having them on the place - if for nothing else but to look at.

We hope everyone had a good week too.  God is good!  We have so much to be thankful for - - - -

Now we need to get moving on the Youth Group's first meeting ---- December 1  !!!!!

Gary and Barb

Sunrises and Sunsets

There was an absolutely beautiful sunrise this morning....(top one).....so I decided to pick a few of the  "best" that I have in my "library" of photos.  I really don't need to say anything more.  God shows forth his handiwork in glorious ways---- sunrises and sunsets are just 2 of His ways.

Enjoy!!!
Barb

Release Time - Cards for Prisoners

Today we had Release Time with the 1st thru 4th Graders (two different groups).  We had received information that we could make Christmas Cards for Prisoners - working thru the Cornerstone Prison Church in the Sioux Falls area.  They only want cards from 1st thru 5th graders - not adults.  The cards are needed by the November18 - in Sioux Falls.  So if we could get them done before that = our Pastor Steve was willing to send them on their way.

Today we worked on the cards and what fun.  We gave a few ideas for the kids - but several had ideas of their own.  Below are some pictures of the handy work.

 One even had a very special message for the prisoners.  And even though the spelling might be a bit off - anyone can certainly get the message  :)  :)   No - we didn't give Lane the idea --- and if you look above  - there is one card that says "lison to the Bibol".  :)  That little guy really has the right idea.  :)

What fun!!!  And done in time ----- although I have to remember to get them back to church.  I just had to take them home and get some pictures. 

On Monday we hope to have a "planning meeting" for a new  Youth Group.  We have gotten permission to use the Boys and Girls Club in Rosebud on Saturday afternoons...... We have a group from our Church and others that are interested in getting it going......Please pray for this.  We will be targeting kids who have come to Prairie Light Youth Camp ...and "grow" from there.  Gary and I will only be a part of the group - we will not "be in charge" - but just actively participating..... we are excited. Please pray that the families who are contacted will be interested in sending their kids and that the kids (7th grade on up) will want to come and participate.

Thank You So Much!!!!
Gary and Barb

Blue Jays

Time to feed the birds again..... I told you that I had been hearing the "sound" of Blue Jays.   The other day they were at our sunflower heads on the deck.  Even though some people consider them nasty and mean..... I like them --- as I said before --- sweet memories of hearing them at Beads Dam when I was a little girl.  So I got  a photo of a couple of them....

They haven't been back -- but I really think (and hope) that they will.  And if not, I thank them for their visit.

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On another note, we went to JDC last night  --- Halloween.  We have done several different things with the kids on Halloween.   Some have bombed -- others have worked out quite nicely.  Last night was a half and half --- half  "bomb" and half success.  We played cards with them.  Some of them caught on to our game right away.....others didn't. Gary's group was one that caught on and had a lot of fun with it....we played "99".   For those who didn't   - and my group was one of them (maybe it was the teacher - you think??)--- I said "well, teach me one of your card games".  Yikes!!!  They are fast, FAST!!  Did you ever play California Speed????   Well they do and they love it....so, of course, they are FAST at it and good at it.   After playing with them for a while we made rootbeer floats for them.  It was a fun time no matter what and we saw lots of smiles -- even after the initial blank looks from some.  Friends from Overisel Reformed Church were along to help.....Lee and Keith Lubbers and Ross Nagelkirk.  They had been to JDC before and were excited to be a part of it.  And, of course, Julie and her niece were there also.  We are so thankful for their constant support and help!!!!

Foggy here today......very small world ever since about 3:00 a.m.  But the guys are out hunting anyway ----- looking for the elusive coyote.

Next week, for about 3 days, I will be cooking for a group at Don S. Hunting Lodge.  Last year I had the privilege of helping Barb S. cook for them.  It was a special time with Barb ---- and now that she is gone -- Don asked if I would do it.  I hope I do as good as she did for the guys.

Take care!!  And thank you for your support and prayers.

Gary and Barb

IT IS SNOWING - October 24, 2012

Seems strange to be so excited to have snow.   But we need moisture so badly that any form is more than welcome.  The photo makes the flakes look really big --- not so....... small flakes - but it IS snow.  We (and I don't know if EVERYONE feels this way) are lov'n it.  It's snowing and blowing - nasty out ---in a small sort of way.  :)  :) 

My sister and husband, Linda and Dave, were out here to get an old car.  They heard the prediction of snow.....so Dave said "we are out of here".  I told Linda that if they left  - we won't get the snow - but if you stay -- we will.  She said she didn't think God worked that way.....and they took off.    I am glad they did what they felt they had to.  

Good time at JDC tonight.  Good lesson.  Kids listened very attentively and 2 guards also stayed. The look on their faces (guards) was one of intense interest. Singing was even good with the last group of boys.  We go home from such times feeling Very blessed.  We pray that God's Spirit will continue to work in these hearts.  We are only planting seeds....         God is at work!!

Hope and pray that we get a lot of snow.  We need so much to make a difference.  Sorry that some of our company will (possibly) have to travel in it.

Gary and Barb

Fire of October 17, 2012

 We haven't gotten to see all of the damage - but we did go for a ride and saw a little bit of how big the fire was.  Crookston was surrounded by fire at one point - except on the south.  And then it went on to the east about 2 miles along Hwy. 20.  Starting in the Spring Creek area.........to east of Crookston.....someone said "18 miles".  Some cattle were lost or singed, lots of bales, one home (or parts of it)......  But it was amazing that there really wasn't more loss.  Below I have a picture of the leaves (corn) that got caught in our trees along the driveway.  Will give you an idea of the wind that we had the day of the fire.

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As we drove along the fire line - it was almost hard to see what had burned.  The grass is so brown and dead.......and the wind put the sand to blowing - so now the burnt areas are brown with sand.  The road ditches have sand drifts.....like snow drifts.

We are so thankful for all the firefighters and ranchers that put everything else aside and worked so hard to save property and lives.  Gary and Don (and of course, many others) worked on just a 1/4 mile of the fire - but they were there for about 5 hours before they dared to leave.  They would think they had some of it out - -only to turn around and see it roaring at them again.  It was said that the cause were electric lines hitting each other in the wind and creating sparks. 

Please continue to pray for rain.  We could use a whole week of nice steady slow rain - or probably longer.  We don't ask for much.

Gary and Barb

Table has come home - and Sunday evening at JDC

Today we put our table in the trailer.   If you remember - we took it out of our cabin when we decided to put it up for sale.

  It was quite the task.  Gary and I got it out of the workshop ....and we put it on the truck..... it's much to far to carry to the house.  Anyway --- we got it out of the truck and that was as far as I could go.  I didn't have the strength to carry that thing up the deck - over top of the railings and then on it's side to get through the door.  So we called  for help.  Don S. - our neighbor - stopped in and gave a hand.  It was even hard for them two guys.  But it is in the house and we're lov'n it.
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A while back one of the boys at JDC asked if we knew the song "Jesus, Lover of my Soul".  Well, yes .....I found 2 versions in the Reformed song book that I have.  So which one was it.  We visited with the young man Sunday afternoon and I kind of hummed both of them to him.  Nope! Those weren't it.  And so he kind of hummed the one he knew.  OH!!!  I saw that on the internet.    So when we got home I looked again and found it on YouTube......just as I was listening to it our neighbor Kitty called to say they wanted to go along to JDC with us.  "Kitty! Do you know this song I'm listening to......"   "YES and I can play it on my guitar"
Fantastic!!!   You should have seen Austin beam when we starting singing it.  He sang along with the biggest smile you can imagine.  He had also mentioned "The old Rugged Cross".   He sang and sang.  It was wonderful.   He gave us thumbs up and we gave them right back at him!!!!    Those kind of nights are such a blessing.....and even a bonus when we could share it with others from our church in Lakeview.

God Bless!
Gary and Barb

Back to Michigan and with guests

On September 28 we headed out for Michigan.  We had a guest traveler...... Altha Vander Wey went along with us.  Her son Kervan and wife, Jane, live in Perry, Michigan along with their son Steve and his wife and their 5 children .....Altha's grandchildren.  We met the Michigan VanderWeys in Holland at a Burger King......however,  there was a small problem about which way is "left or east".  Kervan got twisted around and they ended up at a Burger King about 2 miles away.  But thanks to cell phones we located each other and all was well.

The trees in Michigan were in their full colorful glory.

So it was a beautiful trip no matter where you went.

I have been missing out on a cousins party every year.  The Post Family - my Aunt Alma's family --Alma was my dad's sister.  There are 4 daughters - Donna, Sandy, Kathy, and Vi......  No matter WHEN we get together there is MUCH laughter......so I missed that - not being able to attend because we were across the country in South Dakota.  Well, this year we hit it just right - the party was to be on Sunday, Sept 30.  Boy did we have a good time.....I got my laughter fix in ----- Gary just rolls his eyes.

We got in on some sporting events with grandkids and time playing games and eating together with family and old church friends.  Time goes WAY too fast!  We even had to have our picture taken for the church book ---- we are considered Missionaries ...... that session is a story in itself - but we won't go there.......We were just glad (VERY glad) to have it over and done with!!!    "Gary put your hands on your beautiful brides hips......Oh! Gary....you still know how to make her smile!!!!" ~~~~~~~~~  You get the picture!! 

Time to head back for South Dakota came on too fast.....but all good things come to an end and we contacted Kervan that we would be leaving from Kalamazoo where our daughter Marti and hubby Tim and little "almost two" Oliver live.  I think Altha had the time of her life and she was a pleasant traveler to have along, and for those of you who see her --- get ready for lots of stories about the people she got to visit with.   We were glad to be able to take her along.  It was a long trip but she did great ---- enjoying the scenery on the way --- I don't think she ever took a nap in the truck!!

OH YEAH ------ a photo of the snowblower we took along home ......

If you look closely you see someone looking UNDER the pickup..... that's Rick ----(I will get back to him later....)----Gary is on the other side - underneath.    As we got going down the road from Kalamazoo - we noticed a strange noise.....kind of sounded like a piece of barbed wire had gotten wedged in between the cab and the box..... You can imagine that if you try.    Well,  "that's a funny noise --- what in the world could that be?"  But on we went.  Gary did most of the driving - just because we had a trailer with 3,000 lbs. riding along behind us. However, about 3/4 of the way across Iowa, I once again got behind the wheel and Gary finally took his turn in the back seat.  It wasn't long at all that he figured it out....."I think we have a u-joint going out.  Let's try to stop in West Point, NE.....hope we can make it that far".  OH BOY!!  ----- God is Good - all of the time!!!  We made it to West Point and pulled in to this "small town repair shop" that we had visited once before. They didn't really have time for us - but "here's where you go" - a block and a half away - "they'll fix it for you".  So - under the truck --- unhook the drive shaft (took about 3 minutes) and away they (Rick and Gary) went with it over Gary's shoulder.  About 1 1/2 hours later and $29 later - we were on the road again.  Enjoy the following video:

Now --- Rick (our oldest son - home from Thailand and in between whatever is next) ------ He decided to come along for a visit to South Dakota.  So we had a truck full on the way home - but with plenty of room for luggage in the back - no problem.  Rick will probably catch the bus up in Murdo - to make his way back to Michigan later this week.

One more item ------ having sold our cabin in northern Michigan.....we had a table that Gary and I had made from pine wood - rustic furniture type.  We took that along with 4 chairs.......  It needs a little repair - but should be good as new in short order.  It was "too special" to let go with the cabin...... so we will have a little piece of Michigan with us.....the pine came from the trees on our 10 acres around the cabin.  Stop in some time and see it  :)

Well I think that's about it.  We came home to a VERY cold home.  I had the furnace totally turned off and it was 55 degrees inside.  Our garden - including the greenhouse - was hit by frost.  We do have potatoes to dig - but will wait a while yet before we do that.

This is our week for Release Time and to give the lesson at the Detention Center -- so I worked on my lesson while I had a turn in the back seat of the truck...and then on Thursday evening we will also do the Alcohol Recovery group.  So back to business.  The lesson is a familiar story --- the contest on Mt. Carmel with Elijah and the Prophets of Baal.  The "Big Question" is --- How do I know that God will hear my prayer and answer me.    So I also got busy today and made a snack for tomorrow night at the JDC.  It's good to be busy!!!! 

Gary and Barb
p.s.  Our banty hen is sitting on a bunch of eggs ---- kind of cold for babies - but whatever.

Buffalo Roundup and some sightseeing.......

Gary and I went to Rapid City for the Annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup.  Two of our neighbors were cowboys in the event - so we had a special reason for going.  It was a beautiful day and the crowd was huge.  We got on the Wildlife Loop road .....and for over an hour we traveled at a snails pace.  Gar said he wouldn't say anything "very often" about the decision (he says I made) to leave later (from the motel in Hot Springs) - which meant that we arrived about the same time the hundreds of other people did.  OH WELL ---the scenery was nice!!!Anyway -- here are a few photos  and I hope a couple of videos of the event.

This was about the only "wreck" that happened.....I guess one of the cowboys (a newcomer) got in the wrong place and sent some of the buffalo to the North fence.  Don says he got a chewing out.

This shows you some of the crowd - and the herd and the cowboys......and then whatever you call those guys in the pickups.

Here are our two favorite cowboys.....Don Schelhaas and Jim Shelbourn.  We spotted  Jim in the roundup but not Don. He said he must have been close by ---

We also took a trip along the Needles Highway.  BEAUTIFUL!!!  The Aspen were turning color and the yellow made a beautiful contrast with the green pine trees.  We also saw lots of dead pine - due to the beetles.  :(

And then there are the tunnels.  I think you will enjoy this video  :)  :)  - kind of makes Gary look like a crazy driver!!!!  He actually did OK --- just the sound track makes you wonder......can you hear the car speeding up just as we enter the tunnel??!!

And now --- back to "work".  We have a full load this week.....JDC, Release Time and Alcohol Recovery Program.  That means that the following week.....we have "off" - except for the Alcohol Recovery group.  Julie will continue with the Detention Center --- we sure do appreciate her!!!!  Release Time will be with the older groups that LaCosta and Pastor Steve take care of.....And the A.R. will just have to be on their own ......  We hope to head out for Michigan on this Friday.  We have a bunch of company coming in October - so we want to come back to Michigan and visit our family and friends before all of that takes place.  Also = our son Rick is back from Thailand - so we will have to chance to all be together again.

We still need rain terribly bad!  Everything is suffering!  So keep that in your prayers.  Thank you for your continued support and prayers.
Gary and Barb

Help the birds!!!!

No - I'm not trying to outdo myself on these updates......just got to watching the birds (mostly robins today) at our bird bath and I got to thinking ---- there really aren't any mud holes with water in them.  Most of the ponds have dried up.   So where DO birds get a drink.  Well a good number are coming to my little home made bird bath.  Most of them aren't taking a bath --- just getting a good drink of water.    So ---- if you are in the drought area........it might just help the little creatures (God's creatures) if you set out a shallow (!!!) pan of water for them to drink out of.  Make sure it's shallow - or you'll be drowning them  :(

Thanks!
Barb
p.s.  I had two blue jays at the bird bath this morning.   Haven't seen a blue jay for a LONG time -- years even!  I know they can be a nasty mean bird -- but I have a soft spot in my heart for them.   I always heard their call when we went to Beads Dam......good memories.

BUTTERNUT squash and MORE Butternut squash

We cleaned out our garden a couple of days ago.   Frost hit our area - and hard enough that even though we had parts of it covered.....some of the coverings weren't good enough.  Too light weight I guess.  Anyway as you can see from the photo above, we have enough butternut squash to feed a small army!!!  Count them  ---  ---    ---  35 !!!!  We've had a nice amount of watermelon.....our picking has not always produced the perfectly ripe watermelon - but we have discovered that judging when a watermelon is ripe is a HARD call!  Our muskmelon quantity has also surpassed our expectations.  But there too ----- we thought we would wait a day or two on some ---- and come to find out that a varmit has come in from the bottom and cleaned it out.  :(   

Have you ever had dehydrated watermelon??  Well, I read on the internet that it was "just about like eating candy".  So I tried it.  Gar says I did more than enough - "it's not that good".   But I kind of enjoy it for a treat...and it is sweet enough to be "like candy".

For those of you (our Lakeview fans)....that told me I was doing so good on updating........You have put the "pressure on".....so I hope I can keep up with the demands    :)   :)   :)   Forgive me when I slip up    :)  :)  And that goes for more  than just the Lakeview fans........:)

Love each and everyone of you!!!
Gary and Barb

:) :) the Verduin sisters

Well --- there are some of you out there who will enjoy this photo.  It was taken by a good friend of ours - Sue Pfnister when Linda and Ethel came out to help with Prairie Light Youth Camp --- several years ago actually.    Barb, Linda and Ethel with a beautiful South Dakota sunset behind us.

My personal thought is that it's a very NICE photo......thought I would share it.

Barb

Fun day today - late celebration of my birthday

Gary and I rented kayaks to go down the "scenic Niobrara River"..... and it was beautiful.  The day couldn't have been more perfect.  Temperatures in the 80's and a clear blue sky.  The water was clear and running at a nice pace --- a little bit of rapids yet....."watch the rocks".   The sad thing was seeing 3 dead deer in the water.....and smelling several more.  The disease (blue tongue) drives them to the water but their tongue is so swollen that they can't drink --- SAD SAD!!!!!   But that didn't spoil our enjoyment.  We were the only ones on the river so it was absolutely peaceful and relaxing.

Release Time went really good on Thursday.  We have Heather Patton helping us a bit this year and she did such a nice job......just a real sweet gal!!  Heather is a Junior and lives just down the road from us.   We have 7 boys and girls in the 1st and 2nd grade group and 6 in the 3rd and 4th grade group.  I know that one more boy from the 4th grade took (another) slip home --- so we will see if that gets remembered this time.   One little boy  - after we told him that we only had 5 minutes left - said "what!! the hour is up already?!  This was fun!!!"       Gotta love that boy  :)  :)

My sister Linda and her husband Dave came out for a real short visit --- arrived Wednesday evening and left again Friday a.m.  They took an old pickup along back and a windmill tower.   But even though it was a short visit we had a grand time.......wild plum picking and horseback riding......and lots of yakking time.  We love having company.

OK  ---- gotta keep our "readers" happy ---- so that was the latest on this home front.   Love you all!!!

Keep praying for rain!!

Gary and Barb

Labor Day and beyond.........

Well -- time for an update on what we have been up to since Labor Day Weekend.  We went for a road trip to Denver, CO to visit Jon and Sue Pfnister......Sue comes out to help with Prairie Light Youth Camp each year - but we have been friends with Jon and Sue for many years - out in Michigan when we both lived there.  Good ole' backpacking buddies  :)  :)

We arrived in Denver on Friday afternoon - so after settling in we went for a drive to the Red Rock Amphitheater - what a beautiful spot for concerts.  Turns out our daughter Marti and her husband Tim were there last year at a concert while on their big road trip.

On Saturday we  went to a Buck Brannaman Clinic --- horse clinic.  We were just spectators - but it was a fun day watching others learn how to work with their horses.  And Buck is a well known horse trainer -- so it was extra fun watching an expert at work.

On Sunday afternoon we went and climbed up to St. Mary's Glacier.  The climb made your heart pound (anyway it did mine).....climbing in the altitude is hard work for us flat landers.   The glacier is (sadly) melting away - so it was mostly dirty ice.  But the view was grand!!

Then we drove up North America's highest auto road --- up Mt. Evans 14,264 ft.  The air up there was rather thin.....we were all yawning. 

The views were so much better than our camera records :(   This is Jon waving -- he went on and braved the 46 degree (wind chill 25 degrees) weather and made it all the way to the very top.  We didn't dress for those temperatures - so we didn't get the best view that Jon got.  Lots and Lots of switchbacks...  glad Jon was a good driver.  We got to see Mt. Goats and Mt. Sheep and some of those little critters -- Pica and Marmot.  

We are so blessed to have such good friends - to share the beauty of their countryside.  Thanks again Jon and Sue.

The next item for news is not so nice.  Gary was  talking with neighbors about how the deer population seems to be disappearing --- dying off.  So around noon he decided to go have a look behind Don S. home place.  He came upon a buck that was just standing there.  "Why doesn't he run away?" Gary got within 20 yards of the buck and then left him alone.  He was just standing there with his head down.  Then Gar went back around 6:00 and the buck was dead.  Blue tongue is what they call it.  There is a "midge" (bug) that gets into their nose and whatever happens from there - I don't know - except that it kills them ...gives them a high fever and their tongue swells and they can't drink.......   SAD!!!!  I guess it's happening around the nation.  We need a hard freeze!    But really  - I'm' not ready for that either.

The farmers are busy on the north circle by our place.....harvesting edible beans.  It's a VERY dusty job and we are glad that the wind is out of the south!!

I noticed that before the harvested beans go onto the semi trailer - they are put through some sort of a screen.  It's that silver bin in between the small wagon and the semi trailer.  As I went past - it was turning round and round.  We are told that harvesting these edible beans in the way that they do it......really takes a toll on the combines. ........all that dirt......

Now for our ministry work......

We will begin Release Time this week Thursday.  I went to school today and picked up the permission slips.  We have a real nice number in each group so it should be a real good year.  We are excited and La Costa is excited.......  I think the kids are excited too (they usually are).  

We had a very nice service at the Detention Center  yesterday evening.  Many of the inmates are being sent off of the reservation to Indian School in different states.  But as they go - others come in so we stay busy.  We do have a captive audience (as someone said).  But they continue to be respectful and the officers are always glad to see us.  So we feel blessed to be able to give God's Good News to these young people. 

Please keep all the young people in your prayers.  Yesterday we visited with one of the new boys and hearing his "life story" just made us so sad.  What some of these kids go through is unbelievable!!!  They don't all share like he did - but once it stated coming he just couldn't hold it in. 

WE NEED RAIN SO BAD -- just like everyone else.  Our trees are suffering along with the crops and grasslands.  Everyone is short on hay for their cattle.  Many are weaning the calves off early because they just aren't doing very well on mama.  

We have felt God's presence so much the past few weeks.  We know that you are praying for us and God hears.  We are awed by his care and protection and guidance and love.

Gary and Barb

Life goes on and on.....and so does the HEAT

 Tomatoes are coming in fast and furious all of a sudden so I made some (no meat) vegetable soup....Gary's favorite.  With no meat in the jars it doesn't take nearly as long to process -- so the meat will be added as needed.  I'm sure it will be enjoyed this coming winter!!!

 If you remember our "little peeps" --- 2 little tiny heads sticking out from under the wings of their "adoptive mother".....Well this big old brown boy is one of them and he has a sister.  I couldn't catch "mama" for a photo moment -- she was on the run.  But she is about half the size of her "children".  The white ones are our "layers" -- but they are not laying yet.  So we keep thinking "get busy girls!!!!"

 The drought continues to be bad here as well as across a lot of the nation....but this is one of our little bright spots in front of the trailer.  We continue to pray for rain.  Ranchers are hurting for hay for their cattle and dry land corn had to be chopped as silage.

 This is at the Corn Palace Festival.  My brother Bill is out here - having flown in with his small airplane ---- so he and Gary went to the Madison, SD Steam Engine Thrashing Bee on Saturday.  This stop in Mitchell was a side trip.  Don't you wish you were young again like these kids.  I sure do wonder how they get in these bubbles.  Gary and Bill both agreed that it was definitely "for the young"...and NOT just the "young at heart".

 This old truck was "a beauty". Lots and lots of old tractors...steam engines.....I decided it was a "man's place" so I stayed home and enjoyed "me time".  :)  :)..and I DID enjoy it!!

I'm not sure what's going on here --- and Gary just walked out the door........ today is a day he is helping out neighbors who are having plumbing problems.......  My guess on the above photo is that it's an old time baler.    Anyway it was a fun time away for Gary and Bill ---- a person needs those kinds of breaks once in a while and I"m glad that Bill was here to enjoy it with Gary.  Kim Markus was there too -- making his way around on a golf cart   :) .

I was given a "nudge" by a dear friend who said she knew our life was more exciting than that "old tent on the last update"......  We always think that no one is interested in our blog - so it's nice to hear comments and grumbles of "get a new update on there PLEASE".  So - I don't know if ours is such an "exciting" life -- but we sure are enjoying it.  God is good and we always feel so blessed. 

We will be starting Religion Release Time in a few weeks.  School attendance in Lakeview does seem to be down in numbers -- so I suppose that might mean that our numbers will be down also.   But we will continue to give out God's Good News.  We are having help this year.  LaCosta Jackson and Pastor Steve and Lynn will be doing the 2 older groups (5-6 and 7-8).  Their lesson material is "Do What's Right". We will have the little ones (1-2 and 3-4). Our lesson material is "Big Questions About Prayer".  Then after six weeks we will switch........  It feels good (having help)  - because now my brain (which is getting older and grayer)..will be able to concentrate better I think....not so spread out with different age groups and craft abilities. The permission slips were delivered -- so pray for the parents to allow their children to come....and then for those permission slips to actually make it back to school (that doesn't always happen in a timely fashion).

The Youth Group that we had hoped to get started just seemed to be at a standstill and never got started .......... So we said we would have to step away from that for now.   Perhaps in the future.

The JDC continues as usual.  Julie and Andrea (her niece) continue to be faithful and helpful. THANK YOU! We are always received so warmly -- by the kids and the staff.  We truly enjoy going there.

Thank you for the prayers and support.

Gary and Barb