Three gone --- two arrived --- :) out at the Peters Ranch :) :) HaHa

Well --- all three of "our" baby calves have been adopted out. Two of the cow/calf pairs accepted each other more easily than the one pair, but all in all I think it was a win/win situation.  It was a lot of fun going out twice a day to feed them. But even though we miss those cute little critters we are glad they will have a "mama" for the summer. 

Today was "day 21" --- our banty hen has been sitting on 4 eggs for 21 days....and today (after being asked by a neighbor if I had any chicks!!) - I went for a look see.  And there was one cute little chick sitting all snuggled up under mamas wing.....I could hear something more going on and sure enough ---- next check and we had 2.  I don't know if there is a chance that the other two will hatch yet or not.....but we will wait and see before we pitch 'em.   These two are "adoptees" also.....they will be twice the size of this banty mama....Big Brown Laying Chickens.  We got the eggs from our neighbor - Don - when our "sitting hen" - was sitting on NOTHING.

On a serious note ---- please, if you would, keep the Youth Group in your prayers.  We have lost the building that we were going to meet in and we haven't heard yet if they have found another spot to meet.   So as of right now I don't know if we will be meeting this weekend or not.  Makes you (us) kind of sour  ---- we were told we could meet in the building (in Mission) this one time and that was all.......  So we are just a bit sour on it all.  Plus - is it smart to meet on time and then have to move.....or should we postpone until a (hopefully) "sure" spot is found.

Beautiful weather here lately.....but we could use some rain!!! 

Gary and Barb

Baby chicks AND baby calves........

Dwight had mentioned to us that he was feeding 3 calves by hand.  He had 3 sets of twins and the mama's only have enough milk for one of them.....so he was feeding them by hand and getting tired of it --- well I think he enjoyed it - but it took time  - something he can be short on.   "Do you want the job?"  he asked.   I said a loud "YES"!!  So today (this evening) we had these three cute little Hereford calves delivered for us to take on the feeding chores.  They weren't sure about getting out of that trailer.....that's a BIG step for a little guy.   So I stuck my finger out and they latched on (thinking it meant milk) and followed me in to the barn .  :)  We sure hope all goes well -- would hate it if they got sick or something.  Also --- we really don't know for sure what the plan is - they need a mama to go out to pasture.  So we wonder what will happen to them.....guess we better ask the boss.

Our blog set up has changed....really don't even know how to explain it....but Google has changed the format and I CAN'T figure it out.   Can't type where I want to .....can't get to the bottom of the page - below the last picture.  So I will have to end this one in the middle of the page.  I really hate "progress" of this type --- why can't they leave good enough alone.!?!?!?

Maybe I'll get if figured out......if anyone has some clues --- let me know!!!

Gary and Barb

Not sure if we mentioned that we have chicks --- 10 for meat and 5 layers.  The layers are - hopefully - going to be allowed to roam the yard and eat bugs.  The HOPEFULLY part is --- IF Toby can leave them alone.   This little guy perched on the box made us laugh.  He still has a lot of fuzz --- but his wings are developed enough to allow him to fly that far already.  He stayed there....probably still up there - for the night.

Trailer is done gone....and.....Puppets

The trailer is finally done and going home --- 1 1/2 miles away. What a winter project!!! --- I think Gary would say it was a learning experience and a lot of fun too. Don seems to be very happy with it. He is taking it home to park it by their "Guest House".....his wife has been battling cancer for 5-6 years (+ -) and she is losing that battle..... but really wants to see this trailer. They have been staying in their hunting lodge because it has lots of room......room for family to come and stay and room for those who want to come and share a cup of coffee and visit a bit.



Those last minute checks..... things look good!!












I hope these videos come through for you OK ----- We had Release Time today with the older two groups. The 5-6th graders had painted this stage and made their puppets (- expect for the clothes) --- it's been almost a (school) year long project. Today we let them practice with their puppets. They really had a lot of fun. We hope to get the stage to school and let them show off for the rest of the school.....should be a lot of fun. The 3-4th graders also made puppets ---- we just need to take some pictures. They too will show off their work at school.



This past weekend we received over 2 inches of rain...it came down nice and slow. It was much needed and everyone is very thankful. And then --- out came the lawn mower. It was fun to mow --- but I'm sure the fun will be short lived as the summer goes on.

Well that's it for now.....I'm anxious to see if the videos work. So more later......
Gary and Barb

April 2012 update

March 31 we went down to McCook, NE to pick up Holly, Clayton and Sawyer. They arrived around 4:00 a.m. Sunday morning via Amtrak. The train ride went great for them all and what a wonderful way for mama and the kids ---- no stress of driving a car and being strapped in a car seat. Too bad that Dennis couldn't come along.....electrical classes.......and exams coming up.





We were somewhat worried about how it would go with our dog Toby --- he is SUCH a big dog and gets VERY excited when there is anyone around to play with him. But the boys LOVED Toby and he loved them. They had a lot of fun and were best buddies.








Of course, you can't come to South Dakota without getting to ride a horse!!! And Sawyer was "love'n it". He rode up there all by himself for almost a mile. Gramma needed a break because she had been on that horse moving a couple of herds for almost 3 hours. Clayton finally decided he would give it a try and enjoyed it also.






We put the boys to work cracking corn for our chickens. They thought it was fun and we got a good amount cracked. Yes, we still do things in a rather primitive way but we happen to like it that way.









We went out every morning to help our neighbor, Dan Tinant, move pairs and Holly and the boys went along everytime. Then one afternoon we got to move a herd of about 100 pairs. That was a very exciting day. Dan called it a rodeo.....but we won and the whole herd including those little calves who lost their mommy were contained.







Sawyer found this one little calf who was just too tired to be scared. He got a lot of petting time in on that one -- but then had to go in search of another one. Didn't find any - so came back to this one.









We've been slowly working on our greenhouse. Today we decided the wind had quieted down enough to put the plastic on. And this is the final product. Looks pretty good and it gets steamy in there. It's somewhat of an experiment -- seeing as how we have never done this before. Hope to get some onion sets, radish, lettuce, spinach, beans, peppers.......in there.....things that the grasshoppers destroy. The tomatoes, corn, watermelon, muskmelon, zucchini, butternut squash and whatever else will go on the outside in our old garden plot.


We even have a small windbreak on the south side --- trees on the west and north.....

Guess we will say --- we will let you know how it pans out.









Things have been going good with our "ministry". We have moved JDC to Wednesday evenings. That way we don't have to worry about Court --- and they have showers on Thursday evening so that was always a busy night for the officers. We hope this will end problems that we've had recently. They (JDC) have finally decided to enforce the "background check".....so until that is finished we have been unable to go on Sunday afternoons to visit with the kids - one on one. We are disappointed that that had to happen but hopefully it will come to an end soon and we will be able to go again. The kids ask for us and it hurts to have to tell them we can't come.

We would also ask for prayer...... We are looking into starting a Youth Group with the Native kids. It is just in the planning / talking about it stages. But some things are falling into place and we have others who would be willing to help us. In fact, we got a call from a man that we've come to know through the Alcohol Treatment Center......he is the one who contacted us --- asking if we would consider a Youth Group.

This is actually an answer to prayer. We see such a need for follow up with the kids that are released from the JDC....and these are the ones that would be targeted......it would be on personal invitation. There will be several things that have to be worked out.....so if you would pray for us as we work thru ideas and consider what we need to do.....we would appreciate it.

Thanks ---- Gary and Barb

BUTTER!!!!

A new experience........ Our neighbor, Scott Tinant, talked to us about the fact that he was milking a cow and had lots of cream to make butter, and he wondered if we were interested. YES!!!!

So today Scott came over with about 2 quarts of cream. (I really wonder how many times he had to milk that cow to get all that cream!!!) So this evening Gary and I had our first attempt at making butter....without a churn. Tell you what ---- it went GREAT. We beat it with our mixer first until it started to get thick. Then I put about 3 cups in a different bowl and whipped that and then we really got some action. But the real happening was when we put it in a jar and shook and shook and shook (for about 3 minutes). All of a sudden you can hear it thunking on the jar and then you can pour off the buttermilk. Directions said we had to "wash the butter" so you get all the buttermilk out.

We had quite the mess in the kitchen (and company coming) .... but WE HAVE BUTTER :) :) Sure tastes good on crackers. OH BOY !!! There goes the diet!

Our company is one of the daughters of the VanderWeys (Carla and her husband). Jerry's funeral is tomorrow and they will be staying the night. We are so glad to be able to help out.

What a beautiful day!!! Warm, sunny, no wind....the birds were singing.....and that made us sing.
We went to see Barb Schelhaas and had such a nice visit. Please pray for Barb that the pain can stay under control. She has lots of quilting projects going.....what fun to see all her ideas.

Also keep the Gunninks in your prayers.

May God Bless each and every one of you!! Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Gary and Barb

Wonderful Service

What a wonderful service for Harvey Gunnink. And such an outpouring of love from the greater community. Every nook and cranny of the church was full of those who came in respect of Harvey. Jean (I know you are reading this) -- you did a wonderful tribute to your dad and I know you got your words from all of your family.....memories shared during your times together....... We will always remember Harvey as a Pillar of the community!! He WILL be missed.

A dreary day here.....???are funerals ALWAYS on gloomy days?!

JDC tonight....seems like a long time since we've seen the kids....wonder who is there yet.

Please remember the Gunninks and the VanderWey families. Jerry's funeral is Saturday afternoon.

Thanks
Gary and Barb

Dunamis Conference and a NEED FOR PRAYERS

The Dunamis Conference was quite interesting to say the least. The people that we met were wonderful .....friendly, compassionate, knowledgeable.....we really enjoyed our weekend with everyone. Even ran into people who knew people that we knew...... We learned about being filled by the Holy Spirit....and the power we can receive. (That's a real short summary of the whole weekend.) The speaker was a person who kept your interest all the time. The food was fantastic....they have a "chef"!!!!...not a "cook". The rooms were very nice and the weather was gorgeous. All in all it was a wonderful weekend.

However, while we were there one of the elderly men from our church passed away. Harvey Gunnink, 91 years old, had lived a life of great example for the rest of us. He will be missed a lot and we lift up his children and grandchildren in prayer. Harvey's funeral will be this coming Thursday morning (March 22).

Also while we were gone to the Conference, we were informed that another elderly man from our church, Jerry Vander Wey, was in the hospital in Sioux Falls with RSV and not doing very well. He has suffered from lung problems for quite some time and this was just too much for him. We did get to visit with Jerry and Altha and one of their daughters on the way home from the Conference. Jerry passed away on Tuesday morning around 12:50 a.m. ......Another big hole in our Community and church. We do not have information on the funeral as of this time.

Another gal --- our close neighbor, Barb Schelhaas---- is in the Rapid City Regional Hospital. She has been battling cancer for at least 5 years. It has now attached to her bones and she is in a LOT of pain and is losing her ability to walk.

Our Pastor is rather s.t.r.e.t.c.h.e.d !! All of these people were/are in hospitals that are 3 to 5 hours away. And now two funerals on top of each other. We know he would appreciate prayer.

I think Gary and I (especially me) are finally back on track after being gone for 4 days. It always leaves things undone and it took me a while to get so that I felt like my brain was on all cylinders again.

Release Time with the 1-2 and 3-4 went great today. They were so attentive to a rather long lesson.......Judas betraying, Peter denying, and a little about the trials before the crucifixion. We are also working on Psalm 23 (by picture) and they are doing great .....almost surprise themselves I think. The 1-2 made a necklace with a cross and the "wordless book" colored beads on it. And the 3-4 started on a puppet.....made out of a Mc Donalds hamburger box. Lots of fun for everyone.














These are the 1st and 2nd graders.

OH! and a small scare with the Detention Center. While we were gone Julie and another gal went to do a Bible Study with the kids (they call it "church"). However, they were informed that another group - a Lakota group - was there and so Julie would not be able to go in. ????Was this something that was going to take over on Thursday.....or was it a one timer ????? We thank God that the doors remain open!!!....it was a one timer and the director apologized for the inconvenience and will call next time something like this happens (which he usually does). So we go on with great relief!!

Thank you for your support.

Gary and Barb