For the birds --- winter storm

No we aren't considering the storm "for the birds"...... on the contrary --- it's rather nice to sit in a warm home and look out at the blowing snow with the trees still hanging with ice.  And then to go out for a while and be able to come back in and get warmed up.  The storm hasn't brought a lot of snow -- perhaps 4 inches here.  But the wind is, of course, doing it's thing

We have baby calves being born on the place and yesterday we helped Rob and Dwight get all the cow/calf pairs in to the corrals and the rest of the heifers in a sheltered place.  Otherwise those little calves born out in the corn field might not have much of a chance.

But - for the birds.....  sometimes I will let the feeder go almost empty when you know the birds should be able to find something on the ground.  But today ---- not so.  I went out to get the thistle feeder in so that I could fill it.  On bringing it back out.  A bird decided I was no threat  and it stayed right there as you can see.  I tried to put some seeds on my wet hand (so it would stick) and held it out for them....but my hand got cold long before any birds decided to come to sit for a picture.

We are enjoying these Purple Finch, Goldfinch, Chickadees and Snow birds, as well as Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers.

We didn't have church this morning and we won't be going to the Detention Center tonight.  So, it's been a day of reading and painting on my latest paint by number picture (Chickadees on the Lilac Bushes) and working on a 1000 piece puzzle.  I need lots of activities going  ---- I guess I have a short attention span.

Wishing you a good week!
Barb and Gary

T-shirts / Ice fishing and Youth Group

T-shirts first......
        We had measured the kids for the size of their shirts quite a while back and they were wondering ---- when do we get to do our "Lakota" shirts.  This past Thursday we finally got to work on the shirts.  I thought it would at least take a couple of weeks -- but they were fast.  They did a GRAND job as you can see.

 This is why the kids called them "Lakota" shirts.  The turtle is one of their native symbols - bringing health and long life.

Someone donated the shirts for Prairie Light Youth Camp.  However, there really weren't enough for all of camp. So we were the happy recipients and decided to add a grand message on the back for the kids to decorate.  The shirts had to come home so I could iron them before sending them with the kids.  The colors will last longer with the ironing.

Gary and I went ice fishing yesterday --- in the drizzling rain.  We didn't catch many fish - got rather wet..... but Gar says it "was not a wasted trip".  Well, I wasn't thinking that either.  I now know that the ice is thick and I don't have to worry.  We found a shorter way to get to the Lake....we went to He Dog Lake. And it was a time away together.

And now for the Youth Group Meeting this past Saturday.

We weren't having a lot of luck finding kids that wanted to come that afternoon.  It was 50 degrees out -a very nice day - so when you can run and play outdoors - who wants to go to a youth group.?!  Others were gone - some to a Birthday Party......  So as we came back to church with one girl - I was thinking "now what".  But we had one more area to cover.  Our next stop -- "no she's not home"..... next stop......Yes! three boys that were with us each time before wanted to come.  YES!  And there were 3 girls hanging out with them - so we asked if they wanted to come.  

Anyway --- all in all we had 8 young people for the event.  Gary did the lesson on Jesus entering Jerusalem with the praise of the crowds (knowing his death was coming).  The kids really listened good.  We also had the verse Psalm 34:1 I will praise the Lord at all times. His praise is always on my lips.

We then handed out Journals for the kids and asked them to write some things that they could praise God for.  One young man wrote "I prayed that my cousin Dade would get better and he did."  

We finished with a game and lunch.  ----- "Successful" was stamped on the evening.

We are so thankful for all those who are helping with this group.  We don't feel overwhelmed with this new additional event to our life because we have such a good crew making it work.  Next week the VanderWeys - Rick and Kitty -  will be in charge.   God is at work and we thank you for your prayers!!!

God Bless ---- Gary and Barb

Logterman trucking.......and a prayer request for Youth Group

Well - I finally got to see the Logterman truck.....Rob just delivered a big load to our place and I figured you would all be interested-----anyway some of you would be. 

 Can't show the truck without including the trucker.  We worry sometimes when Rob leaves --- are the roads snow covered and icy?????  We've seen too many semi's flipped on their sides or plowed into the medium on our trips to Michigan.

And then there are the birds ------ sometimes pretty entertaining.....  Gar says between the dog, the cats, the chickens and the wild birds - we're putting out a fair bit of cash.  Oh, well - I figure they're all good for our enjoyment ----- well I don't know for sure about our chickens -- they're about worthless right now....no eggs - no noth'n.

******** We are planning some Youth Group meetings....... January 26 - this Saturday will be our first this year.  And then we plan to meet the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of  February and March.  We will be doing the Easter Story.  We have changed our location from the Boys and Girls Club to the Lutheran Church - both in Rosebud.  It will be a smaller place - with bright lights - no noisey light fixtures - no smelly bathrooms.   So we would really appreciate your prayers for safety on the roads as we pick up kids, attentive minds and hearts and the words of God's loving message to come through clearly.

Thank you so much!!!
Gary and Barb

Sun Dogs this morning

We didn't go out for our usual Saturday morning breakfast in Valentine......waiting a bit to see how the roads were....we had some snow and a fair amount of wind so we figured on some good drifting.  Then we got a call from the Post Office that we had a package  --- and would we met her at the mail box ---- or else she would have to take it back to town.  So we were outside early........ The view that we saw was fantastic...... Sun Dogs.....

A couple of years ago the sun dogs lasted all day - from sunrise to sunset.  But today we saw this for only a short time and then it got cloudy  :(

Enjoy the photo.

Barb and Gary

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