Getting ready for the 100th Celebration of Lakeview CRC

Gary was asked by members of our church if he would be interested in making a new sign for church.  The old sign was in really bad shape ---- the wood was pretty rotten.......  Yes - he could do that.  "Draw me a picture".  So they did.  After much cutting --- there are lots of letters in LAKEVIEW Christian Reformed Church --- and some agonizing on the "how to"....he got it done.   It was put in place this past Wednesday.

I suppose I should have taken a photo when the trailer and everyone was gone...but I kind of liked all the chiefs in place too.  :)  You made our blog Jean  :)  :)  The sign got it's final paint job and then we noticed this morning that the birds came in for a close shot of it too.  DRAT!!  Oh well --- the rain this evening hopefully cleaned that off.

Our lawn if finally nice and green but those yellow "flowers" are really sickening!!!  I do NOT like dandelions - at all!  Our garden is planted and this afternoon we were out looking at it -- we do not remember seeing any corn yet........then after the rain Gary went out to put Toby away and he said THE CORN IS UP.....it was NOT showing before the rain.  Makes you wonder what the rain has in it compared to the water from the ground.?!?!?!?

Tomorrow (Monday, May 26) we will be heading west.  Our plan is to drive to Salt Lake City, Utah and pick up an RV - "Cruize America".  And then we want to drive down to Bryce and Zion Canyon and hopefully The Hoover Dam, and whatever else we find to check out.  We hope to do some day hikes in Bryce.    For some reason it never feels right to leave........when we tell the kids at JDC that we won't be coming on Wednesday they say something like "for real"?!  And this time it will be for 2 Wednesdays.  However,  we are ALWAYS so thankful for Julie and Andee ---- we know that the lessons and meetings will go on without us.  The kids are always pretty much OK with it too.....it's just us----we hate to leave.

So if you think of us --- if you would --- say a little prayer for safe travel and vehicles that continue to run good....and etc.  :)  When we return we will have to go full gear on Prairie Light Youth Camp....taking place July 14-18.

I am thinking this will be a trip of MANY photos.....so prepare yourself for a trip into Canyon land. :)  
Gary and Barb

Making progress............

We love it when we make progress with these young people.  So we loved it at JDC tonight.

We have known Ransom for several months now.  Actually, when he was much younger, he came to Prairie Light Youth Camp for several years.  He WAS a handful back then.......but also a very likeable young boy to several.  He was with the "little kids" --- and we do the 7-8th graders at camp so we never did meet Ransom at camp.

Ransom is a good looking young man with a nice smile, and a long braid down his back which tells us he is "traditional".  He has been rather "anti participate" for most of these weeks.  However, we have seen that foot tapping while we are singing.... :) there IS hope. 

We hand out Prayer Request sheets each Wednesday night.  Most kids ask prayers for "family and friends" or "that I get out".  Others have more specific requests.  At the beginning Ransom didn't have anything to write, so we asked that he at least put his name on a sheet so that we could remember to pray for him.   So he did that......then we finally asked if he didn't have anything more to put down.  So we got "I'm pretty bored".  Well, it's a start.........  So that went on for 3 or so weeks.

Tonight, we had a good meeting.  Three of the kids were in Max status --- meaning that they could not attend.  We felt very bad about this fact --- but there is nothing we can do about it.  So we had seven young people and we all sat in desks in a circle.  We read (all the kids but two read for us) out of the  Book of Hope (a book put out by the Native American Fellowship ---- one we have used often)..... a story about how a young man's life was changed when he came to know Christ.  And then the book sends you to a passage out of the Bible to continue.   We talked about how each one of us needs to make that "call"  (that commitment) to Christ. No one else can make that "call" for us.  The Native person in the story called out to God from the bottom of the pit and God heard.  Blind Bartimaeus called out to God because he wanted to see and God healed him because of his faith.   Then we sang LOTS of songs. 

Ah Hah!!!  Ransom's foot was tapping again.    :)  So tonight I said to him, as we handed out the prayer request sheets......"you weren't bored tonight so I want something different this time".   So guess what we got on his request sheet.  "I kinda had fun tonight".   YAHOO!!!   That is called progress!!!!

  Gotta love these kids!!!         Those that were in Max status ---- sad.  They are ones that have been in for so long and we don't understand that they can't figure it out....they know the rules. We also have two that broke out a couple of weeks ago and they are still in hiding.  A couple of doors were left open and they saw it immediately. (AHah! an adventure awaits us).  Makes me want to get ahold of 'em and give 'em a good spanking......which should have happened about 14 years ago.

On another note......Please, if you would, pray for Trey, a good friend of ours.  He is only 19 and has lung cancer.  So far, Trey doesn't want anything to do with the treatments.  We enjoyed taking him along to a Potluck at church this past Sunday evening and also to hear our missionary speak.....Ruth Veltkamp who works amongst Muslims in Nigeria.   He didn't know what a "potluck" was - so Gary told him .......... You have a "pot" of food and then you have "luck".  Luck that not everyone takes the same dish.  We hope to stay in touch frequently with Trey.  

I guess that's it for now.  Gary and I both had the flu this week.....I had it worse because I didn't get the flu shot --- Gary did.  But that is in the past (thank goodness) and we are back to normal (if we ever are normal).   Thanks for the continued prayers and interest.
Gary and Barb

Winter in April

It was a short lived warm spell but we all LOVED it. Got the greenhouse planted (and things are popping out of the ground already). Now we have winter again.....actually I don't remember that the roads were this bad all winter.  Well, maybe once.   We went out to mail a couple of packages in Crookston and decided we were a little bit crazy.  If I had gone out with the car I would still be sitting out there in the middle of the road. 

The first day of the "storm" brought us a wonderful almost 3 inches of rain.  What grand timing. God is good - YES He is!!!   And now we've had snow for the last couple of days.  I know it is NOT good for those little baby calves - never is in weather like this, but I don't hear any of the ranchers complaining (maybe worrying a little) - but never do they complain when it's moisture that is so badly needed.

Cabin fever is sitting in - and the other night we didn't have a signal for the television.  Even our exercise night at the Community Center got canceled - rats!!!  But we have electricity and warmth - so we will make it.

That's all for now folks!
Gary and Barb

Holly, Colton, Clayton, and Sawyer visit us for a week..... WHAT FUN!!

What a grand time we had with Holly and the boys.  We had a "bucket list" and accomplished all but one. 

We went fishing at Beads Dam --- not a fish in the lake - ???Where did they all go - must have gone out with the ice?!  But it was a beautiful day -- so we had fun anyway.  When we got there - there wasn't a ripple on the lake, so I got several beautiful "mirror" pictures.  This is the lake that my dad and mom took us to when we were kids.  The scenery has changed somewhat  because the Dam broke sometime in the 70's - so things look a little different.  I can't quite figure it out on this 1st picture ------there was a fire 2 summers ago and many of the pine trees are dead.....but look at the ones in the "water".....they are nice and green  :)

I love that picture of Clayton laying on the shore fishing.  What a leisurely day we had.  Even Toby had a good time - once we let him get into the water.  He swam and swam after those sticks we threw in for him.

The boys and grandpa worked hard on a "fort" just behind our trailer.  We got  a good clean up in the woods because of it. 

Clayton had the idea to make a sign for the fort.  He went to the barn and found an old board, and they named it "The Cousins Fort".  Anybody who wants to be the 1st to sleep in it......that chance is still open.

You can't come to Todd County and not go prairie dog hunting.  Clayton was SO EXCITED --  he got off a shot at 168 yards and the bullet found it's home.  Pretty big gun for such a young boy......Colton was rather upset that he missed his target - but the next day they went again and they were both successful.  They went home with their "lucky bullets".

Well, I'm not sure that this video will work.....says there "was an error".  So we shall see.  Anyway, Sawyer is just finishing Kindergarten and he LOVES to read.  He made us smile (and laugh) as he read "Green Eggs and Ham".  I thought I had caught him as he read the "I WILL NOT EAT THEM ANYWHERE!!!!!!!" - but I messed up (as usual) ....so I tried again.   He is a GREAT reader --- reads with E X P R E S S I O N!!!!!  I love it when a kid learns to read that way.  So many of the kids we are working with don't......

We also helped our neighbors, Rick and Kitty, move about 30 +- cow/calf pairs....from one pasture to the next.  That way, as he checks the cows that haven't had calves....he doesn't have to look at so many.   Holly and I sat on the road to make sure the traffic was aware of cows crossing the road.  It was the easy job!!!  Colton and Clayton were on one 4-wheeler and grandpa and Sawyer on the other one.  They would keep the cow and calf moving after they were sorted off by the cowboys/girls----Rick, Kitty, Sadie and Mikah. 

Clayton, Holly and Sawyer also made a belt for themselves.  We have made belts at Camp so we had all the supplies.  Colton had done that last time he was out  --- -and he was wearing it....so he ended up just watching. 

CJK - Clayton J Kroeze......he did a REALLY good job......Holly put a LOT of effort into her belt and it was NICE!!!! - I'm sure she will show it off if you want to see it.

The last night that they were going to be here.....Thursday, April 10, we drove out to see the 38 foot cross - in the Badlands area --- we wanted to arrive just before sunset.....

This shows you that it was made of all sorts of things....

It really IS a MUST SEE!!! in my opinion.  There is a bell on top ---- but we didn't yank on the cable - didn't want anything to fall on our heads........

Of course, there were days that the boys just rode around and around on the 4-wheelers.  But we stayed busy all the time and never had any "what can I do?!?!"   We are thankful for God's protection as they traveled back again on the train.  Sometimes it's OK  for the train to be a bit late - just so it's not TOO LATE.  They planned on a 2 hour wait in Chicago - but as it turned out   - they arrived JUST IN TIME  - and didn't have to wait at all. 

So - we thank God for family!!!!  
Gary and Barb

Laminated floor, mission project, zebras....................

Well --- for those of you who like to see people crawling around on the floor....here you are..   Gary and me putting the new flooring down.

After getting it all finished - we had to put quarter round down.  That has not been finished --- we have company now so it is on hold.   My house has been too "busy" to take a nice photo of the finished project -- too much clutter.  Sorry!!  But I know you can imagine (can't you??!!)]

Gary and I have been helping at the monthly Rosebud Worship Service --- held the last Saturday of each month.  We work with the young (little) kids .....giving them a Bible Lesson, singing songs, and a small craft.  As we talk with the Native People ---- two Native women organize the Worship Service.....  We come to find out that most families get money for food on the 9th of the month.  Of course, they haven't learned how to manage that in a proper manner......so by the end of the month they are out of food.

Gary and I talked about making some sloppy joes and hot dogs....some treats for the kids......  and what else?!?!?  Then going into one of the communities  - we picked  The Low Rent district---- and handing the hot food out.   We decided it would be fun to do it while Holly, Clayton, Sawyer, and Colton were here with us.  This past Sunday that is just what we did.  It turned out to be the first rain of spring.....but we went with it anyway.  Kids came out in the rain without coats on (and it was rather chilly!!).  We recognized most of these kids from the Worship Service ----- and so they knew us also.  Several of the little boys climbed right up on the truck box with Gary and Colton. We had our gas grill up on the truck box to grill the hotdogs. 

We handed out about 50 hot dogs and 50 sloppy joes......  ??? Does that mean that many people came out??  NO ---   We know that lots of the kids came back for more several times ---- but that was OK....   "Can I have one for my mom....can I have one for my dad, or grandpa.....or Uncle Dave."    We just wanted to make sure these little kids had a decent meal in their tummies.  We left feeling like we had done that successfully.

We also got to meet a lady that we had just prayed for in our church .....and.....we met her little grandson.. RedSky...... a little boy we had in Release Time.   Judy is going to have surgery this coming Thursday for breast cancer ....and having just prayed for her in church --- we had a very nice visit.

We also had a Native Artist come out and he drew us a few really nice "eagle pictures".  They will be going along with Holly and Colton.

We were blessed!!!!   as we hope we blessed others.

We had a few  "not so good" .....our gas grill had fire coming out of the bottom .....melted the on / off knobs.....so that is now in our pit.  We had to finish the hot dogs on our 2 burner camp stove (thank goodness we had it along).  There was also a major dog fight.  Eight on one!!!  The "one" made it out of the battle....... We were glad we were in pack up mode - before the dogs came looking for a hand out!!!
The swing set that was put in place last summer is missing the swings --- chains and all are gone.  One of the new picnic tables was broken.  It's a hard place for little kids to grow up.....trash is EVERYWHERE!! ....broken glass.....anything you can imagine.    But the kids are just plain sweet kids.........

Moving on to another day of something new........ the zebras..... THEY ARE CUTE!!!!

Meet Elvis and Flip..... I can't see which is which on the pictures....but Elvis is a little bit bigger.  They had just been put out in the corral with other horses and 2 cows.  They were NOT popular.   The "head" horse (anyway he thinks so) gave out several nasty kicks and bites -- couldn't believe how wide open those jaws can go!!!!  Then the old milk cow turned on them too.  "No one loves me".    I guess they have to be able to take it ......  Anyway for those of you who couldn't guess -- they belong to Marshall Tinant. 

This has been a LONG UP-DATE......I might not get another one posted for a while.  We have company for a good week.  Holly came with the 3 boys on the train.  They had a good trip but Clayton got an upset stomach and it's been bugging him ever since.   We think he is on the mend.

Thanks for your prayers and interest in our lives and what is happening on the Rosebud.
Gary and Barb and our crew.............

Trailer remodeling is done!!! (well almost).....

The new laminated flooring is a done deal.  Gary and I started on it Thursday  afternoon after Release Time.  We finished it on Saturday morning.....all the way from our Bedroom door....thru the kitchen and dining area and the living room and ends up down the hallway.  NICE!!!    The almost done part........ we still have to put 120 feet of quarter round all the way around it all.  Hoping to find pre-finished quarter round at Menards.

Someone was looking for some pictures of Gary and me crawling around as we put in the new floor.  Well I would  -----but Gary packed up his favorite clothes, gear, some food ....took the camera and left me.  Left me for a hunting trip into the Black Hills for the illusive Mountain Lion.  He and Don S. ......I told them to keep their EYES open --- Gary's hearing isn't so good anymore so I hope his eyesight IS!.   Together they have enough gear to last a year --- but they will be back on Wednesday.   So I would ask for some prayers for their safety.  Would you believe they are trying to call these animals in!!!???  Men and their toys!  :)  Oh well, they could be doing much worse stuff!!

So I will try to remember to put some photos of our new floor in after they get back....I DO have some of us crawling around on the floor....

Today, we visited with kids at the JDC.......one of the boys gave us our Bible back.  He's been hearing lots of stuff about "his culture" and also what happened with the boarding houses way back when the church and the government tried to "take the culture out of them".   We still had a very good talk with him and got lots of smiles out of him.  And -yes-we talked about the wrongs that were done to the Native People but we also talked about the fact that Jesus came for all of us and we didn't want him to just push the Gospel away but still consider it.  We can only do so much and then we have to  leave it with God.  Please pray for Hunter!

And on the same note......one of the girls talked about the "Ceremony" (the Lakota ceremony) that they had and the "things" she saw (an eagle, a man that looked like the contours of her dad.......), the things she heard.....and the scarey noises she heard in her cell afterwards.  We talked about "bad spirits" and yes she knew that there were good spirits and bad spirits.  We talked about being deceived into thinking that these were good spirits when in fact they might be bad.

Sometimes I feel that we get in way over our heads.....do we know what we are talking about?!  But we've heard just enough that we feel OK in speaking out on some of this stuff.....and  we have to trust that God will guide our thinking and our speaking.

We had our last time at the Rosebud Alcohol Treatment Center today.  We gave the beginning of the Easter message to these kids.  Easter is still a month away but Easter is what it's all about....why Christ came --- what he did for us, the punishment he suffered being forsaken by the heavenly Father.  Gary gave a very good lesson about Jesus being betrayed by Judas, and Peter's denial and Jesus' trial.  It was a long lesson --- but the kids were so attentive.  We left feeling like we had given the Salvation Message in the best way we could.

Well,  I have left over Pizza Hut pizza waiting for me,  I have to put the chickens away and feed Toby and put him in for the night.  I want to get the dog and the chickens done before dark.  So I will say Goodnight.
God Bless.
Gary and Barb

Tomato Soup

Today I decided that I had all the ingredients to Linda Hemmeke's Tomato Soup ......so after one purchase at the grocery store this morning I headed up to the big OLD freezer in the garage to get my frozen stewed tomatoes.  YIKES....things were thawing out....or WERE thawed out.  The good old freezer that was with my Aunt Melva for many, many years finally was all done. 

Have you ever been blessed in  a strange way......  I totally feel that making tomato soup today was directed by God.  Someone had to get me to look in that freezer!!  I might not have gone up there for another week if not for the plan to make soup.  We only had to toss some of our sweet corn (that WILL be missed) because it was floating in some nasty water, and a few bags of venison burger (no great loss!!!)    Our pork and beef was good - maybe starting to thaw - but I'm not afraid of it.  Some of the stewed tomatoes were soft --- but I figure that should be OK too.....and the fish -- YES - still good.

So we now have a brand new freezer. ........ That meant another trip to Valentine - but a very necessary trip.  Glad we found it this morning because stores in Valentine have a tendency to close at noon..... they like their time off too.

So we say "THANK YOU LORD"...... you direct us in marvelous ways!!!
Gary and Barb