Prairie Light ---- Day 2

Today was a very good day.  The kids have begun to sing along --- not all of them but even a few boys!!!  And those rowdy ones were less rowdy.  Our project went super --- everyone EVERYONE  got theirs finished so they could take it home. 

We start each day with devotions which this year involves teaching the kids Proverbs 3:5-6.  Each morning one of us gives them our take on the verse.....define the hard words etc.  This morning it was Patti's turn.  She also shared the song "Open our eyes Lord....we want to see Jesus" ---- with the sign language that goes with it.   Thank you Patti!!

Then we played the "ring on a string" game ---- because two of the kids had requested it.......remembering playing it last year --- or this past year in Release Time.   Such a simple game but so much fun.

 After the game we got to our project.....making a plaque with the word "TRUST" on it.  It was a noisy project with all the hammer pounding -- but everyone really seemed to enjoy it.  We did have a panic attack.....running short of nails!!!  NO!!   So Gary and Ken made a run into Mission to the Hardware store....and those of us left behind kept things going.  If someone needed nails ---- at least they could start with the string ......so we never had a down time.    Here are a bunch of pictures .....everyone did such a nice job!

Isn't that pretty?!?!  I thought some of the girls were not going to get the project done - but all of a sudden they took off and look at that beautiful job!!

It was Ken's turn to do the lesson - which was on "Jesus heals the paralyzed man".  So he started with a stretcher and had a couple of kids carried out the door - up the steps and down and around to the side door.  Whisper wasn't so sure about it - kept looking up .....

......but it proved to be a great "visual" and was enjoyed by everyone. When Whisper was carried out the door - the whole group followed  --- they had to see how it would go. So as you can tell --- we've had good lessons for the kids. 

Today we missed 2 girls (one was sick).....but we gained two new ones.   So we've had 13 kids each day....a really nice number.

We also took our stilts along and the kids loved them.

Thank you for the prayers......we feel God's presence with us.    More tomorrow!

Gary and Barb --- Ken and Patti

Prairie Light Youth CAmp - Day 1

We did it.....day one is a done deal.  We had 13 kids which is a real nice number for the 1st day.  We usually get more on the second day - so we shall see.  The kids always need time to warm up.....and it was that way today too.  But even in one short day we saw changes.

Our crew this year is me and Gary and Ken and Patti Bing from Zeeland MI.  Good long time friends so we are having a fun time.  They have really taken time to put their lessons together - as all of our helpers have each year ---- and help out with the planning so we feel blessed.

Today we went on a Scavenger Hunt --- a photo scavenger hunt.   We had 4 teams.....one with the boys and three with the girls.  Yes the girls far outnumber the boys this year.   We wanted them to get some real creative shots.......some were (creative) some weren't....but it went good for the most part.  One of the cameras gave the group the fits and so their pictures were few in number.  Plus it didn't take nearly as long as we expected ---- so we played lots of games.....which is always fun.   Below are some photos of our day.

The kids couldn't get enough of this "table top game".  Really not a game - but more of a competition.   The boys just don't have it.....they can't hold their positions.  It started out with just our group doing it and then the 5th and 6th grade group came with their helpers.  These girls held the record for most of the day - until some of the volunteer kids  gave it a try..... they were older and bigger.   The whole basement was a cheering crowd.

One of our photos ----- Trust is our theme for the week.

 

A "jump for joy" photo.

This one is "look up photo"....   We had a beautiful day --- cool and party sunny. 

A photo of the steeple --- but more than that ----- it's a beautiful picture of the Lutheran Warrior's church that we are allowed to use in Rosebud.....thank you Pastor Utecht - we really appreciate it.

Patti Bing has a love for photography - so she was a great help with this project.

  Tomorrow will come soon and it's getting late.  Thank you for the prayers -- keep them coming!!!  The weather sounds good -- much cooler - however, that put's a klinker in the water games and those are ALWAYS fun.  We hope for a warm day on Thursday. 

Gary and Barb ---- Ken and Patti..................The Prairie Light Crew for the 7-8th graders 2014

100th Celebration preparations.........what a celebration!! And family visitors....

I am somewhat late with this PREPARATIONS update.   The event is past .....and it was absolutely delightful!!!   But it's kind of fun to tell about some of the happenings that happened in making our church look so nice.   And I really don't even have pictures of all of it.  

 Marlys Walkling and Debbie Markus did a LOT of work on the flower beds in front of church.   What a beautiful spot.  The trees might have been loved by some ------ but the flowers are such a pretty sight.......  Thank you Marlys and Debbie and anyone else who had a part in the flower beds.

Thank you to the Boersmas' for mowing the lawn and cemetery......they looked so nice.   Yes, the rain helped make it green - but that just meant more mowing.

The flag pole was an idea of Dan Tinant.  The pole was originally located at the Wells Fargo Bank in Valentine.  One of our wind storms took the pole and bent it over  and the pole snapped off about 6 feet above the ground.  Gary did some straightening on the pole and then the men put it up at church.  It will have a plaque at it's base honoring our veteran Bud Noteboom who gave his life (in Vietnam) for our country.

That's Dan in the bucket and Gary guiding the pole.   Don S. was in the tractor and he said Dan was risking his life because it was Don's first time in that type of tractor and he could have dumped him (Dan) at any moment!!  YIKES!!!    But it all went great!

Our church really needed a new front door ---(take a look at the post I made in May of the new church sign.....it shows you how bad the old door looked).   Well, of course, I don't have a picture of the new door.....it looks SO SO nice.  It's a double door with the top halves being window.  WOW.    I did get a shot of the old door on it's way out.

Yes, that's how bad it looked ......
This is the new basement door ---- that"s my sister Linda Nysse cleaning up the mess after the cement saw.  We didn't want anyone getting all that white powder all over their nice clothes.....

And this is Gary giving it a coat of white paint.  If left a dark color it would become too hot to touch when the sun beat down on it..

The ladies of church came and did a thorough cleaning of the Community Center and the church.   Dan said he decided he should just stay there and tell the newcomers (new workers) which windows were done.   He witnessed windows being cleaned over and over by several different ladies.  And it was all because of the sprinkler system leaving a spotty film on the windows on the south side of the Community Center.....they really aren't that fanatic about their cleaning.   But everything looked so nice --- lovely patriotic decorations. 

I didn't take my camera along to the celebration ---- others did ----- they should put their pictures on the blog here.  We had such a nice turnout.  The church was full to the brim.  You should have heard the singing.   Wyonne said she just stood there with tears in her eyes listening to the wonderful sound.  There were a lot of  tears shed at the program on Saturday......so many memories shared and songs sung and visitors to visit with.  God is indeed faithful.  Psalm 100:5 The Lord is good......his faithfulness continues through all generations.  .....was the theme verse.  I guess I should get a photo of the words I cut out of that verse (from the cedar trees that were cut down by church a year ago).  They really turned out nice and when they were put up on the Community Center wall - I (myself) was rather awed by how nice it looked.

Gary and I had a house full of company.  My two sisters, Linda (and Dave) and Ethel (and Jim), my brother Bill, and our daughter Holly and her boys (Clayton and Sawyer) were all here.  My cousin Neil (and Phyllis) Verduin came and parked their trailer on our yard.  What fun!!!....sort of a small Verduin reunion but with too many missing!

Our grandsons did a lot of 4 wheeler riding, shooting the 22, playing with the kitties.......we took them tubing down the Niobrara.....and kayaking with the cows...... and on White Lake.    YES! tubing with the cows....can't do that just anywhere!!!!

Toby thought it was the best thing he'd enjoyed in a long time......nice cool water.  He didn't have a care in the world. 

It didn't take US long to realize that the pond was an e-coli breeding ground.....and we departed. It was a good spot to see how the boys would do with the kayaks.....just a nice quiet spot out in the pasture but we were very thankful that no one tipped over in it!!!   White Lake was much more desirable.....a little windy ....but cleaner water.

Our company is all gone now and it's very quiet here again.  Time to mow the lawn, change the bedding for the next crew, vacuum, put the house in order........but mostly time to put those final thoughts to the plans for Camp.  Camp will begin July 14 and end on the 18th.  We pray for safe travel for all the volunteers.....good health for all of us......and a blessed camp for all the young kids attending.  We pray that God's gospel message will go out clearly.   Thank you for those prayers that you lift up on our (and camps) behalf!!!

Gary and Barb

Was it a tornado - or that "straight line wind"????!!!!!

Thursday  - middle of the night --- around 1:00 a.m. it was raining and hailing......Oh boy - there goes the garden.  Well, suddenly there was a  loud roar of the wind - that lasted for several minutes .  My thought was - "doesn't sound like a train so I guess we're OK".  And we both went back to sleep.   The following morning Gary went for coffee at his usual stop - Don Schellhaus - and Don had heard the same thing.  But he also - just laid there and went back to sleep.

Then we ran into Dan Tinant...  "did you see that system all twisted "?   Turns out that the irrigation system just to the east of Don (1/4 mile) and NW of us (1 mile)got hit by the wind.  Those pipes are full of water at this time of the year - and have to be VERY heavy.  But notice how the one section is flipped over - upside down --- but the wheels are still in place.  Quite puzzling / interesting!!

We realize now that the wind WAS something more than just a little excess noise!

So - the question -- do we have a plan - if it HAD sounded like a freight train?????? NOPE!  We live in a trailer house without a basement --- and jeepers!!!  it's a long run over to Grandpas house to get into the basement there.  Kind of seems like we really ought to come up with A PLAN!! 

Rainy again today and we have the Rosebud Worship Service this evening.  But unless someone changes the plans we will battle the roads and have a short Bible Lesson for the kids and some fun and some food.  The lesson is about Zacchaeus.  Good applications on this one for adults too -- so perhaps we will speak on that also.  Zacchaeus did turn his life completely around and follow God's plan for his life.  That would be the message for the adults......the little ones ---- "look for Jesus as hard as you can".

Lakeview Christian Reformed Church 100th Anniversary celebration is July 5 & 6 (4th of July will be our usual Potluck at the park - so we know there will be more there than usual too).  It will be a wonderful celebration of God's faithfulness  -- Psalm 100:5 The Lord is good....His faithfulness continues through all generations.    The congregation has put a huge effort into this celebration and it should prove to be a fun time!!!    More on that later....

Thank you, once again, for your prayers and support.
Gary and Barb

Vacation in Utah.

We are back from our "Cruize America" trip into Utah.  I guess I will tell it with pictures.  We had a good time, put on over 2800 miles - 1000 on the RV- and hiked a lot of miles too.  Grand scenery!!!

We made our way across Wyoming - stopping at a Territorial Prison Museum in Laramie.  VERY interesting!! Especially when we compared it to the JDC that we go to weekly.   We hope to share some of the pictures with the kids at the Detention Center --- show them that they have it pretty good.

The cells were stacked 3 high, there was a room with 3 bathtubs and even a "duplex" - about 6 feet wide.  They made brooms at this prison in days past --- and if you come at the right time (I guess we were too early) you can make a broom to take home.

Our first motel was in downtown Vernal, Utah.....we had a 4 poster bed.

 Then on to Salt Lake City to pick up our 25 foot RV.  We still don't know if we will ever do a trip this way again or not.  But it was something new to try out.  I do think it was definitely better than a tent -- but NOT as cheap as tenting - that is FOR SURE!!        

We are ready for take-off........

Our plan was to tour Hoover Dam first.  We had to find an RV park for the 1st night.  But then we made it to Hoover by 10:00 the next day.

 Hoover Dam is only 8 feet above the record low.  If they go below that -- it means trouble for all the states that receive water from the Lake.

 If you look close at this picture -- there is kind of a "bullet hole" right in the middle (it's actually a vent)-- above that white streak.  That's how far down we got into the dam interior on our tour.  It was "not for the claustrophobic"....but it didn't bother us at all.

 You could see the wood grain from the boards that framed in the tunnel.  I forget how many tons of cement went into this dam - amazing how fast it actually went up. The last hairline"cracks" were found in the 40's....cracks that we could hardly detect if they hadn't been marked.

This is a photo from that "bullet hole" --- we were told to hold our camera outside the vent and point it up.  I got a good shot the first try. --- That's the top of the dam.

Now we have to make it back thru the Arizona Mts at the very most northwest corner.  We know the passage is here someplace..... We are betting on that dark spot in the middle of the picture.

Yup - here we go.

 On to Zion National Park - perhaps (perhaps) our favorite.

That's Gary down there in the bottom. (above photo)

We hiked for two hours up "The Narrows" -- the canyon walls got to be about 15-20 feet apart.  We were in the water most of the time.  But what a trip.  At one point there was a bit of a hard spot --- we had about six "20 something" girls that helped us up a small "water fall" ----- and then it just so happened that when we came back down the canyon - they were at the same spot and helped us down. We got to a spot where I just said "enough".   It was getting harder and harder and we had to go all the way back again.  It was an awesome hike.   I think this is one of the spots that you don't want to be in when there is a "flash flood" -- but the rangers report was "not expected".....so we went - glad we did!!!!

We met so many people from other countries --- and we had some really neat conversations with some of  them.  Scotland, Switzerland, Germany, France, The Netherlands, South Korea, Japan.......  A Park Ranger told us that 60% of the visitors to our National Parks are foreigners.  At one stop in Zion we ran into an "80 something" couple.......we were all looking at up this point in the picture below.  There was a Park Ranger with a scope - looking up at the top.   The other couple  asked if she saw a condor up there.  "No" --- she was watching the people up on Angel's Landing.  So we discussed the route.  This "80 something" couple had done the hike several years ago and after telling them that we had done "The Narrows" - they said we really should go for it.  We would really enjoy "Walters Wiggles" -- which are switchbacks all the way up to "Scouts Landing".  So, of course, we had to do it.   Scouts Landing is that dark wedge on the top of this mountain.

Walters Wiggles

We made it up there where you see that line of people - to the top of that highest rocky point.   We had to hang on to a chain for a good part of the upward route.....with others coming down the same trail.  So it was stop and wait while trying to hang on  - NO I did not enjoy the crowd of people going up and down all at the same time - mostly young people with lots of energy!

Then we looked on to the rest of the upward route.  I said NO WAY - not with all those people coming and going all at the same time.  Maybe (MAYBE) if there were WAY less people and it was a "one way" route.  So for us we could only say we made it to "Scouts Landing".  But it was an awesome hike anyway!!!!

In order to leave Zion and go to Bryce National Park on the "fastest" route we had to go thru a 1.1 mile long tunnel.  For our size vehicle (and bigger) they stop traffic and you get to drive right down the middle of the road. Cost = $15.  We got there at 8 a.m. and there were 3 of us RVers going thru.

Bryce is a totally different type of canyon compared to Zion.  You can be 50 feet from the rim and not see a thing......then you step to the rim and WOW (you can say that backwards too)!!! 

We hiked the Peek-a-boo trail which included part of the Navajo trail. The scenery was grand and I think I took more picture than I should have ---- just couldn't stop!!

As we looked - we began to see "things".....like Marmaduke, a fiddler, another dog with a big nose, Mrs. Doubtfire!! (no kidding - it looked exactly like "her" - she was pointed out to us by our Mule trail guide), and the queen (actually a photo spot).  Then we decided to take a tour -- a Horse / Mule tour.  We both got mules  :)  :)   --- love those floppy ears. 

We were warned that the mules like the "edge" the best because it's the most level part of the trail.  YEAH RIGHT!!  Some spots were a bit scarey - but we tried to put our trust in our trusty steed - and we made it.  It was about a 1 1/2 hour trip.  We had a fun guide and a good group

We were told by all the guide books that sunrise is a must see.  Well --- we saw it - but we saw it in bed --- got up too late to make it for the best photos.  So we had breakfast at the Lodge - rated "ok" by Gary .....and then it was time to head back to Salt Lake City to return the RV.

Being the kind of person Gary is ----- we wrote down all the things that were wrong with the RV.  Things like leaks when hooked up to the fresh water, screws coming loose in many places - inside and out, the microwave ready to fall out!!!!, it took a quart of oil, leaks from the holding tank, etc..

But - all in all - we had a good time.  ????Will we do the "rent an RV" again???  probably not -- but it was a fun time.  We saw wonderful sights and God gave us the good  health to be able to do some really fun things. 

We also thank God for a safe trip --- 2800 miles worth.  It was good to be home again too.  Things are GREEN here!!  We had 4 1/2 inches in the rain gauge when we got home and it's been raining most of the time since we've been home.  YES! the roads are a mess - but as one rancher said "I'm sick of the rain - but I'm not complaining".  We didn't go to the Detention Center at all today (Sunday) but hope to be back again this coming Wednesday.  We are thankful for Julie and Andee who kept things going there while we were gone.

I hope you enjoyed a SMALL portion of our photos.
Gary and Barb

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