Day ONE of Prairie Light Youth Camp

 Today was the day for the Monkey Bridge ---- here we have Gabe, John and Gary getting it ready.

 We finally talked Taleah into walking the bridge.  Not everyone did it.   Some were just too scared and I think others were maybe just not in the participation mood.  Others did it a couple of times. And yes we did have a few feet slip off - but no one was injured.

 Here is Gabe - one of our helpers from Michigan - Overisel Reformed.  He's doing a great job with the kids!  While we were having the Bible Lesson - Gabe saw a "need" - the need to separate two of the "rascals" - and he smoothly stepped in and did the job.  THANKS GABE!!!

 This game was somewhat of a flop ---- not enough ice cubes...but we got them cooled off anyway.  When we got home this afternoon  - the temp was 106 degrees.  And we were outside all day - except for the Bible Lesson.

 We then got the "Trust Fall" going.  That is a scary thing to do.  You have to fall backwards into the waiting arms of the "spotters".  We were thrilled that some of the kids did it.  And I know that when they look back it will be a meaningful experience...... it was for me(when I did it - a different year) and so I know it will be for them ...........especially because they were successful!!!

 Clayton wasn't going to do it -  until his Uncles Mark and Tyler (those two in the foreground) showed up - then he had someone he REALLY trusted!!!  He did great.

 The kids LOVED this big Medicine Ball.....we played this for a long time.

We went into the church basement for our Bible Lesson.  I think we were all so hot that we heated the room up  to the point of being miserable down there in the AC!!!!  But the kids really listened good.  We are doing the story of Joseph all week.

We had a total of 15 kids in our group today.  We know that we could get more tomorrow.  So - thank you !!!!   for all the prayers.    I think the rest of the camp ( the younger groups) were all doing well also.

Gary, Barb, Sue, John, Margo and Gabe

BIG PRAYER REQUEST

Today, Gary and I met with Ed and Wendy - concerning the Youth Group.  We are hopefully going to begin this Thursday afternoon.  They couldn't get ahold of the "keeper of the keys" at the Catholic Church today - so that's why I say "hopefully".   We can use their room anytime that they (the Catholic Church) don't have something already set in place for that day.

So if you would all lift this up to our Heavenly Father we would appreciate it.  We aren't looking for huge numbers of kids --- just a nice group that want to know more about God , want to make changes in their lives and have fun all at the same time. We are sure of about 5 kids right now and will be making phone calls for about 10 more.

We are all (Ed, Wendy, Gary and I) pretty much on the same page as to what we want to do with the kids ----- so our prayer request would be for the room to be available at the time we would like it (Thursday afternoon at 2:00 - 4:00) .........and for the kids to come. 

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Gary and Barb

HOME AGAIN

We made it home in good time!!!  Made it past DesMoines last night and then back in Valentine by 2:00 this afternoon.  Our "new" car did us great.....this last tank was 35 mpg.  NICE!!!

Had a wonderful visit with family, friends and our Overisel RCA friends.   Thank you!!!!

Looks like we had over 2 1/2 inches of rain while we were gone so everything is nice and green.  I now have to get all this STUFF that we took along again put away....AND the garden was busy "producing"!!!!  Peas and beans need to be picked.....all the radish is ready to eat.  Beets need to be "thinned" again and canned.  The weeds did their thing too and need to be done away with!!!  At least the lawn doesn't need to be mowed - it just looks nice and the HOLLYHOCKS are beautiful (my favorite flower).  As I look out of the window (as I type) I have a view of reds and pinks and whites --- love it!  

The "outside" garden (not the greenhouse) looks like it did good while we were gone too....weeds too.  The chickens look good and I found 2 eggs.  If you remember - our banty hen sat on those 2 "adopted" eggs.....well - those "chicks" are almost bigger than their mama.  :)  :)

So -- that's all for now --- I also have the usual laundry and things to do too.   LATER.......


Gary and Barb

Boy ScoutTroop 21 from Zeeland, MI here for a visit

Gary's former Boy Scout Troop came for their "High Adventure" summer trip.  We have enjoyed their quiet presence......they are tenting on the yard and we hardly know they are here.  Except for the fact that Toby is EXTRA busy........whenever "kids" are around Toby is busy.....playing tug of war, playing fetch, playing kick ball - anything ----just play with me!!!! 

On Monday they moved one of the sheds at Lakeview CRC for us.....It holds lots of goodies that are used for Prairie Light Youth Camp.  Last year (or was it the year before) a new cement pad was laid.....but the shed was never moved.  As you can see on the video (nope - video wouldn't work for me) - it was really a piece of cake for these young men. They literally rolled it to it's new spot. Done in no time at all.    Then at 3:00 they were at the Juvenile Detention Center to play some fun games and have a short devotion time. 

On Tuesday they were taken on a tour of the Reservation -- by Charlie Moe.  Charlie is the local Boy Scout leader and loves showing people the history of the area.  The boys and adults were not disappointed.   Well maybe a little......their one van overheated and it had to come back for important repairs.  Has to be in running order for Thursday when they head out for Mount Rushmore and a possible hike to Harney Peak (if time allows).

On Wednesday, they went out to Tinant's cabin on the Niobrara and had a fun time shooting the rapids. If you've ever been there you know what a riot that is.  The water was reportedly COLD.....good thing the sun was hot!!  95 degrees today.   A few of them will be going along with us for our Bible Study at the JDC this evening. ........... And to report on this evening......it went great.  Julie had a lesson on "choosing life or death" and then followed with the "Romans Road" - plan of salvation.  We broke into small groups with some of the Boy Scouts taking a couple of the group.  We sang some favorite songs and ended with the Banana Song  -- GOOD SINGING EVERYONE!!!!!   And then, of course, came the snack.  The boys scouts hadn't been told that the young people at JDC like snacks - so they didn't bring any.  Well, GARY, told the kids "I (Barb) would make it up to them on Wednesday".  So I did....brownies, mounds bars, and cookies.  Luckily a bunch of the JDC kids had gotten out so - enough goodies for everyone to have 2 each - including the Boy Scouts!!!

And then tomorrow morning --- we ALL take off. The Scouts heading west --- Gary and I heading east. 
We hope for a fun reunion with family and friends for about a week.  We will also be picking up a "new" car.  The Lumina did us so good that we went back to the same used car dealer and said "find us another one".  We will be traveling by Greyhound as we head east.....hoping this is a "good adventure"!!!!

Please keep the Native Youth Group in your prayers --- it still hasn't been able to get started.  We are STILL in the process of finding a building.  The Catholic Church wants a written request and then a meeting.  Ed and Wendy hope to get the meeting done while we are in Michigan --- and then - THEN - hopefully we will be off and running.  We sure hope so!!!

God"s blessings are SO abundant!!!!    Hope you see that too!!!!    Gary and Barb

Baby Chicks, Greenhouse and Goodbye to a dear friend.......

Our Banty hen is a good mother.  Ornery as all get out --- but a good mother.  The peeps are "adopted" and will be about twice the size of the "mother".  But she doesn't care - they are HER babies!!!  And you better stay clear of her or she will let you know it.

Our greenhouse was planted on April 14 ......  things are really growing fast.....weeds too  :( .  Gary spends a lot of time weeding each day. 

Today I brought some beets to a neighbor.  It's been a really fun project (the greenhouse) and it's fun to be able to share produce with our neighbors.  We are concerned about the hotter weather AND leaving for Michigan in a week might prove to be dangerous to the produce......gotta get someone to come and look at it and water it when we are gone.  The beans are about ready to blossom --- onions are growing nicely and we are on our second round of radishes.......green peppers and jalopenos are forming.....lettuce (Romaine) are forming into heads..... carrots - - well we can't tell yet.......FUN!!!!  and YUM!!!!!

Barb Schelhaas passed away May 29 - loosing her  battle with cancer......and leaving a hole in the neighborhood once again.  We will miss her a lot. We praise God for the loving family she was blessed with and the care they were able to give Barb right up until she passed away - at home (which was her one big wish).   These are pictures of the loving way she was taken to the cemetery. The day of the funeral was one of the most beautiful days we have had in a while.....sunny - calm  - NICE - Barb would have loved it!!! Gary was honored to be one of the pallbearers and he was really impressed with the way the horses could back up into the spot - missing all the other tombstones.  

We have not been able to get the Youth Group started.....still looking for the right place to meet.  We might just end up traveling to White River.....will wait and see what happens.  But if you would keep that in your prayers we would appreciate it.  

We will be heading to Michigan to see our family once again - on June 14....by Greyhound bus!!!! A new "adventure" that we aren't real sure about ----- but as Gary says (after I read a batch of complaints) - "we will be just fine".    So - we will look forward to seeing many of you once again.

Love, Gary and Barb

Our latest project -- lamp

Well --- I hate to brag but I really think this is cool.  We found one complete shed....both pieces right together -- nice sized.  Dan T. found the other pair a few days earlier and gave it to us.  That was a couple of months ago.  We finally got all the parts and pieces for making a lamp ---- and then we also finally got the nerve to glue them together..... You see the results.  And they charge mooku $$$$ for these things and we just made one.    :)  :)

So --- now we will see these sheds in a new light -   :)  :) 

Anyway --- there are all kinds of possibilities --- a floor lamp might be next.  Taking orders --- JUST KIDDING!!!  But if you do find some sheds.....you can do it too!!  Just get a lamp kit --- a shade and a little skill in drilling a hole in the antlers.    Actually I think I will be keeping my eyes open for "used lamp shades" -- that was the most expensive part.

Barb  and  Gary

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