Happy New Year ----Trip to Michigan

We left Todd County on December 23 and headed for Michigan.  We decided to stop at our daughter Marti's family first.  Her husband, Tim, had just had surgery and we wanted to see how he was doing.  (.....he is doing great --- just has to really, REALLY, watch what he eats now).  It was Christmas Eve when we arrived so we had Christmas with the Sparlings.  Tim's parents were also there from South Carolina so it was a fun time.

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 Yes, Ron and Stephanie are a fun couple to hang out with.  The "antlers" were actually something for Oliver - but he wasn't all that excited about them --- so grandpa Sparling gave them a try.

 We didn't get much for Oliver ---- we were going to head out to Shedds Aquarium in Chicago for a Christmas gift for the grandkids.....but we HAD to give something that night ---- so.....a shovel to help daddy clear the driveway......

 Cooper the dog was a happy camper!!!!  He didn't know what to do with the HUGE bone at first - but when we returned a week later.....he had a good portion of it devoured!

 Oliver LOVES stickers and Grandma Sparling had done her best to make him happy......He had fun sticking them all over my face.  Good quality bonding going on there    :)  :)

The floor looked like.......like Christmas.....wrappings all over the place.........

We always kind of smiled at my mom ---- she used a lot of brown paper bags for her wrapping --- or the funny pages.  Now we have Tim ---- who is REALLY into recycling!!!!  My mom would be proud of him   :)  :).......made me feel GOOD inside.   Thanks Tim and Marti.  :)

Like I said - we were going to take our kids and grand kids to the Shedds Aquarium in Chicago for their Christmas gift. ............ Well --- things were not looking real good.  When we arrived,  Mike and Julies family were overtaken by the flu bug..... We had tickets for Saturday, December 29.  On Friday, Sidney came down with the "YUCK".  So --- they, of course, decided not to go.  Dennis, Holly's husband, was not real keen on the whole idea so he opted out for a farm auction.......(Yes, we had a discussion about that decision -------but he won.  We still love him!)  So, we gave his ticket to my brother, Bill.  On Saturday morning we headed out at 6:00 a.m. to catch the Commuter Train in Michigan City, Indiana.  That was a 1 1/2 hour drive.  Immediately upon arrival - we heard an announcement.  "All trains are suspended due to a semi-loaded with steel dropping it's load on the tracks" or something to that effect.  NOW WHAT?? ---- well with all the smart phones in the group (Marti and Tim and his parents had met up with us right at the announcement also)......we said -- "let's drive it".  We got to the Aquarium at 8:30 and were the 2nd car in the parking lot!!!  GOOD going!!!!  With our tickets in hand - we entered the world of "fish"......and more.

 the Jellies were a special exhibit....... WOW is about all I can say.

We ( I ) decided that God must have had a LOT of fun creating some of his sea creatures!!!!  UNBELIEVABLE!!!!

The place got REAL busy around noon ---- and by about 2:00 we said "I think we've seen it and done it".....including an aquatic show and a 4-D movie.......so we headed back home.  The weather had turned a little bit nasty --- slippery roads.....so we were all thankful for safety in getting back home. 

As it turned out we got to spend a lot of time getting to know Oliver a little better.  It was his birthday on the 31st.  So ---this grandpa and grandma had to do some heavy thinking.....what do we get the little guy who "has all the toys he could need".   WELL --- a good ole' cardboard box -- what do you think?!?!?!?  YES!!  So we went to Sears and lo and behold they had unboxed a lawn mower (???In December??).  So we claimed the box for Oliver.

 HE LOVED IT!!!

 Daddy (and everyone else too) got in the box with him ........ grandpa Peters is looking through the window.

 We gave him some stickers too (he loves stickers) so he could decorate the inside of the box.....some glow in the dark stars, some flowers, panda bears and sun and moon and stars.  We even got Cooper, the dog, to take a peek inside.  It was a WINNER!!!!  And then when we saw Tim reinforcing some of the corners with tape --- we knew that daddy thought it was good too.   :)

And then for some birthday cake decorating fun......  What a fun time we all had!!!

We had safe travels home --- roads were clear all the way.   We just wish some of the winter storms had hit our area while we were gone.  STILL need moisture  real badly!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE NEAR AND FAR!!!!  MAY GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU THROUGHOUT 2013.

GARY AND BARB

MERRY CHRISTMAS

 Seeing as how the world didn't end yesterday  :)  :)...........
We want to wish each and every one of you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR.

This is the star that Gary made and is hanging on a utility pole just east our trailer --- by Grandpa Logterman's house.  We had hoped it would be big enough to see from at least 1/2 mile away .  I guess we were in Michigan mode --- it's really way too small.   But we are enjoying it.

Tonight we had a WONDERFUL surprise.  Neighbors, the Pattons and the Smiths, came over and sang Christmas Carols for Gary and I. Maybe you are wondering how many the 2 families made.....  :)  :)  let's see....15, I believe   :)  :) What a beautiful sound ringing in the night.  What a blessing!  We thank God for  good neighbors!! 

God's faithfulness is so apparent.  We praise Him for His goodness throughout this past year.  And as we celebrate the birth of His Son, we thank Him for the hope we have.   We thank Him for His wonderful gift of Salvation. 

Gary and Barb Peters

Youth Group - 1st Meeting, December 1

We finally have had our 1st meeting of ourYouth Group.  There were a few glitches (aren't there always) - Gary and I were late, who was to bring the cookie frosting was misunderstood, lighting in the building was still terribly dim!!! ------  but it WAS a success when we looked at the whole night. 

Rob gave a super message on Temptation and how it can get a grip on us.  But we need to look to Jesus and his power to save.......

Amber talked a little about the importance of Prayer - but we are going to hear more from her because we were running short on time.

We then moved to some Christmas gift making for the families involved.

 These girls are grating bars of soap in preparation of making homemade laundry detergent.  I didn't hear of any finger tips ending up in the soap.....

This young man made some really cute finger puppets for a little sister or brother.  It was really neat to work with 5 young boys who really got into the puppets -- nice kids!!!  And on that note - ALL the kids were very well behaved and respectful and just down right "good".    We also had some fleece that the kids could pick for a scarf and then cut the ends and tie them.......also some bow tying (big Christmas bows) lessons (I need to get in on that one!!!).  So lots of activities for the kids to get involved in.....oh yeah --- some cookie decorating also went on.  But because of the mix-up in who was to bring the frosting --- the cookies were all devoured - and not saved for later.

 And then, of course, there was snack time.  EVERYONE enjoyed that part of it.  Rob said "YUM - good supper" as he munched on several cookies and trail mix.

We all felt it was a successful evening and a "somewhat" count of numbers would be 12 kids.  But that count came on the way home as we talked about the event. 

We are looking forward to next Saturday.....
Thank you for keeping this in your prayers.
Gary and Barb

Thanksgiving trip to Michigan and back again

We had a wonderful time in Michigan with family and friends.  When we only go for a week....we fill our time to the fullest.  We stayed at my Mom and Dad's home (it will always be that --- just like Grandpa Logterman's home is still his even if he has been gone for years...you just can't change some things..... Anyway I can't).  So instead of blabbering on and on about what we did -- I will just put some photos in place and maybe address each one a little bit.

 We got to hear Clayton's choir sing in church on Sunday....... (he is 2nd from left in front row).....

 .....and hear Holly give the Children's Message.  They both did an awesome job!!!  We are proud of you Holly!!!!  Keep up the Good Work!!  The Thanksgiving meal was at Linda and Dave's house.  Below  Kari (my niece) is playing with Oliver (our #9 grandchild).    :)  :)  Number 10 is scheduled to arrive in late May  :)  :)  He or she is will be Oliver's little brother or sister.

We also got to cheer on our three friends (Bette, Sally, and Glenda) as they ran in the Turkey Trot (I think that was what they called it) in Holland --- a 5k run / walk.  This was Bette and Sally's  1st ever 5K and they finished STRONG - running the whole way!  We are all very proud of their accomplishment.  Apparently there is a "Training" that you can do that is called "Couch to 5K in 30 days"....or something like that ....anyway they are living proof that it is possible.  I really don't have any big plans along that line.  I am still happy to just walk!!

 We had to make a stop in Menno, SD to check on the snow blower that Gary brought home on our last trip.  So we got to cross the Missouri just out of Platte.  I don't think I have ever seen the bridge looking this way - with all the footings showing so much....the water is REALLY low.

And then we came home to this lowly white stuff.  We welcome it with Thanksgiving!!!

We had a lot of quality time with the grandkids.  We took a long walk with Oliver and his mommy and daddy and even climbed a tree with him.  Boy did he want his daddy to join him out on that limb.  Good thing Tim didn't join him and Grandpa --- they would have surely ended up on the ground....limb was on the dead side.

Also played some soccer in the barn with Clayton and Sawyer and several Battleship games with Clayton...he sunk us everytime.  Sawyer got sick the day before Thanksgiving so we missed out on some fun with him.

Ripple was the name of the game (card game) for Mike and Julies kids.  It's a good game for 5 year olds too.  Halle caught on right away....and with just a little help did really well.  We also got to enjoy some basketball games with Austin and Trenton.  A couple of losses and a couple of wins.....  with a LOT of intense playing from everyone.  What fun that was!!!

Then add several "out for breakfast" or "coffee and a cookie" or "meet us at Chicken Lick'n"  or supper "to celebrate a race well run" ...and you have our week of Thanksgiving. 

As I said we had a wonder time in Michigan......but we are also glad to be back home.  Toby was so happy to see us and the chickens and cats are in fine shape.   We also have cattle in our corrals and the corn circle....which is a lovely sight for our eyes - we always enjoy having them on the place - if for nothing else but to look at.

We hope everyone had a good week too.  God is good!  We have so much to be thankful for - - - -

Now we need to get moving on the Youth Group's first meeting ---- December 1  !!!!!

Gary and Barb

Sunrises and Sunsets

There was an absolutely beautiful sunrise this morning....(top one).....so I decided to pick a few of the  "best" that I have in my "library" of photos.  I really don't need to say anything more.  God shows forth his handiwork in glorious ways---- sunrises and sunsets are just 2 of His ways.

Enjoy!!!
Barb

Release Time - Cards for Prisoners

Today we had Release Time with the 1st thru 4th Graders (two different groups).  We had received information that we could make Christmas Cards for Prisoners - working thru the Cornerstone Prison Church in the Sioux Falls area.  They only want cards from 1st thru 5th graders - not adults.  The cards are needed by the November18 - in Sioux Falls.  So if we could get them done before that = our Pastor Steve was willing to send them on their way.

Today we worked on the cards and what fun.  We gave a few ideas for the kids - but several had ideas of their own.  Below are some pictures of the handy work.

 One even had a very special message for the prisoners.  And even though the spelling might be a bit off - anyone can certainly get the message  :)  :)   No - we didn't give Lane the idea --- and if you look above  - there is one card that says "lison to the Bibol".  :)  That little guy really has the right idea.  :)

What fun!!!  And done in time ----- although I have to remember to get them back to church.  I just had to take them home and get some pictures. 

On Monday we hope to have a "planning meeting" for a new  Youth Group.  We have gotten permission to use the Boys and Girls Club in Rosebud on Saturday afternoons...... We have a group from our Church and others that are interested in getting it going......Please pray for this.  We will be targeting kids who have come to Prairie Light Youth Camp ...and "grow" from there.  Gary and I will only be a part of the group - we will not "be in charge" - but just actively participating..... we are excited. Please pray that the families who are contacted will be interested in sending their kids and that the kids (7th grade on up) will want to come and participate.

Thank You So Much!!!!
Gary and Barb

Blue Jays

Time to feed the birds again..... I told you that I had been hearing the "sound" of Blue Jays.   The other day they were at our sunflower heads on the deck.  Even though some people consider them nasty and mean..... I like them --- as I said before --- sweet memories of hearing them at Beads Dam when I was a little girl.  So I got  a photo of a couple of them....

They haven't been back -- but I really think (and hope) that they will.  And if not, I thank them for their visit.

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On another note, we went to JDC last night  --- Halloween.  We have done several different things with the kids on Halloween.   Some have bombed -- others have worked out quite nicely.  Last night was a half and half --- half  "bomb" and half success.  We played cards with them.  Some of them caught on to our game right away.....others didn't. Gary's group was one that caught on and had a lot of fun with it....we played "99".   For those who didn't   - and my group was one of them (maybe it was the teacher - you think??)--- I said "well, teach me one of your card games".  Yikes!!!  They are fast, FAST!!  Did you ever play California Speed????   Well they do and they love it....so, of course, they are FAST at it and good at it.   After playing with them for a while we made rootbeer floats for them.  It was a fun time no matter what and we saw lots of smiles -- even after the initial blank looks from some.  Friends from Overisel Reformed Church were along to help.....Lee and Keith Lubbers and Ross Nagelkirk.  They had been to JDC before and were excited to be a part of it.  And, of course, Julie and her niece were there also.  We are so thankful for their constant support and help!!!!

Foggy here today......very small world ever since about 3:00 a.m.  But the guys are out hunting anyway ----- looking for the elusive coyote.

Next week, for about 3 days, I will be cooking for a group at Don S. Hunting Lodge.  Last year I had the privilege of helping Barb S. cook for them.  It was a special time with Barb ---- and now that she is gone -- Don asked if I would do it.  I hope I do as good as she did for the guys.

Take care!!  And thank you for your support and prayers.

Gary and Barb