Elk has a new home

In 2002, Gary shot a BIG elk - a 6 x 6....in Wyoming.  We had it mounted by a man in Fennville, Michigan.  He has an idea of how he wanted to do it and we let him have his way......the elk is bugling.  Gar built an oak "box" for the elk to set on and we put a "road kill" fox in the bottom portion.  And he "lived" in the Elk Room ever since.  You HAD to call it the "Elk Room" because it took up most of the room.  When Holly and Dennis and Clayton and Sawyer bought our home......the elk stayed.....he had no other place to go.  And so --- the Kroeze family put up with him in their home for 5 - yes!-- FIVE years.  I think he had some Christmas bells hanging from his rack sometimes.......

 Well --- it was TIME - past time - to move that big guy to a new home!!!  We checked with Cabelas - but they said "No" (their loss).  So in May when we took our trip to Michigan to visit our family -- we moved him to South Dakota.  Don Schelhaas ok'd him for residence in his hunting lodge.  Thank you, Don!  (And I bet that goes DOUBLE from Holly and family!!!) Below you see Jerry making sure the big guy was safe over our bumpy roads.

Then came the task of hanging him on the wall ---- jeepers we wish the lodge had a little bit higher ceiling.......  But we got a fit ---- barely!!!!----- one of the points just touches the wall.....couldn't have been an 1/8 of an inch longer (the taxidermist had done his job well!!!!)

We all sat back and looked him over ------ I guess he's happy in his new home.....just so the Schelhaas family remains happy with him..... If not --- I don't know what will happen.  We aren't too concerned!  :)
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Had a good visit with the Alcohol Recovery Group on Wednesday afternoon...... It's so neat when the kids listen attentively (as they just about always do).  Last Wednesday evening we were blown away by the boys at the JDC --- EVERYONE of them (8 boys) were ALL singing - every song.  It was WONDERFUL!!  Those times are such a blessing to us --- sometimes we get to wondering if we are doing anything good......We thank God when He sends us those encouraging times!!!!  Thank you for remembering the young people in your prayers. 

We are gearing up for Prairie Light Youth Camp!  July 15-19.  We are beginning our phone calls and sending out Registration Forms to families.  Please keep camp in your prayers also.

Our garden needs some warmer weather - but the Greenhouse is LUSH!!!  

Gary and Barb