Release time and some photos of the sawmill.....

We had Release Time this past Thursday.   It was the 4,5, 6th grade turn....but when we got to school the one teacher insisted it was the 7-8th grade turn.  We didn't argue --- it really didn't matter.  They are doing the same lesson material --- so we were OK with either group.   The 7th and 8th graders are all girls.  Maurice, the one boy decided he wasn't going to come anymore......???? was it because he was overwhelmed by the female population - we don't know.  They CAN be a giggly bunch  :)

The following pictures were taken Thursday.  One girl was missing.....

                                          Ty (Tiana), Sierra, Charlee, Taylor, Faith, and Caitlyn

They wanted a "silly" picture --- We wanted a "nice" one ---- we were both happy.  We had studied hard in the book about "temptations"..... and now they wanted to play "Ring on a String".....one of their favorites.  They were all done with the String Art craft we had worked on ---- so we just had fun for a while and enjoyed some banana bread.   They're a pretty special group of girls.

Gary is getting closer to having his sawmill a reality. I was thinking I had written about this project --- but I didn't find anything. ??? A sawmill on the prairies of South Dakota ?!?!?!?    Well, it has been a dream of his for years -- to have his own sawmill.  He is just about there.   He found plans in  the "Farm Show" Magazine.  Sent for them....and has been working on it for some time now.  Today he is working on the "runway" - the track for the logs to lay on.  All parts and pieces have come from here and there - a few had to be purchased but many were just  laying around....some came from neighbors.  He is still pondering on the motor.....a neighbor has one - but it weighs about 200 lbs.  -that's a bit much but he might give it a try.   If you can't figure it out - what's what -- give him a call or email him.  He'd love to tell you about that steering wheel....where it came from........and the trouble he had finding two spare tires that were the same diameter....

.............And I have one of my 1st "happy customers".  I told Don S. that I would be willing to refinish his kitchen table.  I didn't get a "before" picture - so I can't really brag much at all.   But it does look a LOT better than it was before.  There were lots of spots where the finish was gone and the wood was turning grey.  I just did a lot of sanding - re-stained it and .....success.  I used a different type of varnish than we usually use.....it's a "rub on".  You just rub it on with a cloth and then there is no worry about brush marks or runs.   Works really nice!!

Winter is still busy at it.  Today was windy and cold.  Tomorrow is supposed to be worse.  We are thankful for a warm home and also the fact that the electricity has stayed on all winter so far.  That's always a plus!!  We look forward to spring and long warm summer days.....but no use in dreaming too hard.

Have a good day.
Gary and Barb

REASON TO REJOICE ! ! ! ! !

We were at the Detention Center this evening........ that is our reason to rejoice.

There were approximately 10 kids tonight.  We noticed right away that  a couple of them were missing - but no one knew where they were.  Julie and Andee lead tonight.  It was a lesson on Pentecost - when the Holy Spirit was given to the believers.  We read from the Bible .......and talked about how when Jesus was here on earth He could only be one place at a time - He was limited by His physical body.   But when the Holy Spirit was given --- He could be all places all the time....and what a blessing that is.

When Julie and Andee were finished with the lesson we got the music out like we always do.  -------- Today I had decided to put together a folder - for each young person  - with the music in it and have more songs to sing.  Before we only had one sheet of music - front and back.  Well, in my rush, I left out a couple of songs.......a couple of the "FAVORITE" songs to yet!!!  Tait asked, "what happened to For Those Tears I Died"?  I couldn't believe I left that one out --- goofed up big time.  I assured Tait that I would get it in the folder for next week.   "Well, can we sing it anyway?" he asked.  I think, if nothing else, he likes the words to the song and just wanted to hear them again.     If you don't know the song you should look it up --- it is a wonderful song.  Thankfully, Julie and Andee knew the song good and Gary did and a few of the kids did ---- so it went good even without the words.

We sang several songs and then the two kids that were missing arrived (they had been at Out Patient Treatment across the road) ---  the guards knew that we were close to being done (we are always done shortly after singing)....but these two - one boy and one girl - wanted to come yet anyway.    "Could they stay and have a shortened version of the lesson," they asked?  Now Megan we understand ---- but Ransom.....he's the one we have told you about ---- "I'm pretty bored".....or "I had a little fun"......   Ransom is changing -- and it's a good change.

So Julie said - "Yes", they would go over the lesson - but why don't you just sing a song first (she was copying the prayer requests into her booklet.).     I told Ransom that now he only had one girl he had to impress -- so we would expect him to sing.    RANSOM SANG  ! !   We sang Jesus Lover of My Soul,  and   Amazing Grace  and  Ransoms request, Sanctuary.   It just makes us smile and praise God for the changes we see in Ransom.  He such a likeable young man with a friendly smile and strong handshake.  He might be getting out tomorrow and we will miss him.    Would you pray for Ransom?  He's going back out to his old neighborhood and the old friends.  He will need a lot of strength and willpower.

Megan asked for prayers that "we stay sober".  Julie asked if we could just pray a circle prayer.......  She started and we went around.....Megan prayed a very good prayer - asking God to be with her siblings and herself to stay strong and sober when she gets out.  Then it was Ransoms turn -- he actually tried --- but just didn't know what to say - so he told Gary to go ahead.   We are just so thankful that he would even try.

Please keep all the young people in your prayers.  Prayer is powerful!   Thank you!
Gary and Barb