This past Sunday was Mother's day and also our day to go to the detention center. Paul Mitchell was planning on attending with us and he had given Gary an "assignment" of giving part of the lesson.....Gary's part would be on Children Obey your Parents. We arrived at the JDC rather early ...... .but Pastor Paul didn't come. We really wondered what had happened because he never misses. Turned out he had spent the whole night in Sioux Falls with a couple whose newborn was on life support and it was being removed. He was exhausted ---- he left us a message but we weren't home to receive it.
However, we had a lesson prepared and so we went on in to the kids----- We were asked to have the girls separate from the boys. So we started with 5 girls... :) :) one is named Barbara Jean (love it). When we finish a lesson we always sing about 3 -4 songs. Officer Zolie joined in with us - her favorite is Here I am To Worship. Then we asked if they wanted to come into a circle and pray. "Yes"..... Two of the girls willingly prayed out loud and Officer Zolie also prayed. What a blessing!!!
The boys were boys --- always a lot of laughter with Ransom (yes he is still with us). We would ask if you would continue to lift up Ransom. He's one of those kids that you can't help but like .......but life is just one big laugh to him. Also ---- Bryce seemed quite ....how do I put it....... deep in thought as we discussed honoring your parents and making it right when things have gone bad. You never know how a child is going to be reached ----or how they will take things that are presented to them. We just keep trying to do what we are lead to do.....and pray that God will use what we say - for good.
--------
Mothers Day weekend we were blessed to have Candidate Mark Langenbach and his family - wife Dawn and Michaela and Evan (10 and 7) with us - from Racine, Wisc. They arrived Friday evening and left again Sunday afternoon. Friday was a lovely day and Mark enjoyed the "blessed quietness" outside at 10:00 in the evening. Then the rain started........and it rained and rained and rained...... 2 inches by the time Sunday afternoon arrived. However, even through the mud and wet - they were able to laugh and joke with us. We thoroughly enjoyed them and feel that they had a good time also. On Saturday we took them on a tour of the county side (yes - through the muddy, muddy roads - in a 4 door 4 wheel drive truck) and then had lunch and supper with two different families of our Congregation. We enjoyed a wonderful service Sunday morning with a Potluck following with lots of fun fellowshipping. We then had to get them from our house - and the muddy roads -- to pavement. They had a little car and were a tad bit concerned about it's ability to make it through the mud. However, all went well and they went merrily on their way. Now for God's leading --- for all of us. If you would keep our Congregation and Mark and Dawn in your prayers - we would appreciate it.
------
Having a sawmill on the yard has been fun. As Gary cut off a stump of one of the red cedar logs --- I saw a flower!! So I made sure that piece got saved. THEN ---- Gary - being the "saver" that he is had doweled two boards together but said "I don't know what I'll do with it." Well ---- I saw the stem for my flower.
Below is the finished product.
If nothing else - it certainly is a conversation piece. I might take it to the Fair -- just to see what others think of it.....maybe even get a ribbon to hang on it. :) Now wouldn't that be special.
Gary just came in to say that Don's kitchen remodeling is officially DONE! "Looks nice". Yes it certainly does. And then there is more NEWS!! But that will have to wait. Got ya wondering don't I !!!!!
We will be heading to Michigan next week.... leaving here on May 21. Things are getting busy already - even before we arrive plans are being made for some "Cousins" reunions. Sounds like a busy week --- I told Gary that we might have to make it a longer stay this time.
See some of you soon.
Gary and Barb
