Brennan having a good time!!!.....and camp coming up.

We've had such a good time with our grandsons - Colton and Brennan.  It almost seemed like perhaps Brennan wasn't so sure this was a grand place to be like brother Colton thought...but as the first week passed by  --- you could tell he got more and more comfortable with us and with South Dakota.   The prairies do grow on you!!!    So we will share a few fun photos of Brennan and his adventure.

They are working on his sucker spear handle....in the creeks in Michigan it's a fun fun time to go Sucker Spearing.  But Gary feels it's becoming a "lost" form of entertainment.  Dad Mike will have to take Colton and Brennan spearing now because they both have a new spear to try out.

Can't go home without something made out of Cedar.   So both boys now have a really nice "treasure box".

YES!!!  We got Brennan involved in moving some cattle for cousin Dwight.  He really enjoyed that!!

We have been helping Les Brewer with his Recovery Group on Tuesday evenings.  We take any young people that come along with the parents to a different room and have a Bible Lesson with them and sometimes a nice craft.    We took some shirts along and Myra and Brennan worked on them that evening.   Brennan is finishing his up.

Oh man!!!  Climbing trees -- what fun!!!  That's grandpa up there with him in the top of the tree.  Brennan is thinking that Evan (new Pastor's son)is a very lucky boy to have such a neat fort to play in.    We worked at the parsonage a lot and Brennan didn't find this tree until almost the last day.   I finally had to go looking for him -- wondering if he was OK......just a boy playing in a tree fort   :)  :).




                Saturday Brennan will have to go home.......we will meet his mom or dad in DesMoines and then head back for some other company.    :)  :)  Bruce and Glenda  Peters will be going through this way as they head to Rapid City to spend some quality time visiting with their family (all coming from different directions).   We will probably only get to spend a few hours with them but it will be great!
               We will then have one week to finalize plans for Prairie Light Youth Camp.  We have a good handle on it and some excellent help.......more on that later.
               We appreciate all your prayers!!!  Please keep camper safety in mind and God's Spirit to move among us.   Thank You!!!!
Gary and Barb

Way too much fun :)

We thought this was the second to the last day that Colton would be with us.  Thought we would be traveling to DesMoines on Saturday and switching brothers.  But changes have been made --- Colton gets to stay one more week and then Brennan will be able to stay two weeks too.  Otherwise, Brennan was going to get the short end of the deal.

So thinking Colton's time here was coming to an end -- Grandpa decided on a "grand finale". 

I hate to think what he will have to come up with after another week.

Thanks Kim for letting the boy's (Gary and Colton) have so much fun with your Mitsubishi.

PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!

Our congregation is VERY happy......we have a pastor who WANTS to come to serve in Lakeview even after spending a very gloomy, dreary, rainy weekend with horrible roads.   We are excited to say the least.  It was a struggle for them (they had two calls ) but they truly feel that God is calling them to this place.

So we have all been busy ever since we received the news.  The parsonage is in GREAT need.  Total paint job on the inside.....new kitchen countertop,  new light fixtures, new carpet, new front door.....   They will be picking the colors for the kids bedrooms and the kitchen....the rest they are trusting to our "good" judgement.  We have until the week of July 13 ---   GET  'R DONE!!!!

Everything is green, green,.......we have gotten lots of rain.  Our garden was drowned out while we were gone to Michigan, but we have replanted and everything is up.   We ate some carrots out of the greenhouse yesterday.  Yes...they were small  - but very tasty.   Tomorrow some of us will put in a garden for our new Pastor and family.  Everyone has a little something left over  -- buying what we don't have.   One gal will bring fencing materials......way too many bunnies on the yard not to fence it in.

We have  been enjoying our grandson, Colton, for the past week and a half.   Saturday we will drive to Des Moines to switch with his brother Brennan.  Colton is a bit upset because we are saving some things for Brennan ....... Colton has come about 5 times now.....this will be Brennan's first.

Today is rainy -- 2/10 of an inch....a very nice rain.  So it makes for a good day to bake some buns.   Better get busy.

We would appreciate prayers for our new Pastor and family..... Mark and Dawn Langenbach and their children Michaela (10) and Evan (7). 

Gary and Barb

FUN time in Michigan....May 22 thru June 5

I must say we had a good time in Michigan!!!!   And what a lot of people we saw!!  Three cousins parties (Peters, Becksfords, and Verduins).......a track meet (Go Trenton --- his relay team came in 4th in the State and Trenton received All State in Track and All State Academics----I don't understand all that but I'm sure most of you do) ......farming for Mike........haying with Dennis.......repairing machinery for Dennis.......out for breakfast with good friends ......a fun Memorial Day party with family......lunch with kids at school (5 of the grandkids).....riveting on Bills airplane......a wedding to celebrate....a game farkle with some good friends....... a great school musical and then just plain fun with our kids and grandkids.

Maybe the best way to do it is to put some photos on this blog......we have a new computer here ---- so will give all of this new stuff a try.

 Are these great looking grandkids or what!!!  Top row from the left.... Clayton, Brennan, and Sawyer
Sitting on the wagon from the left..... Colton, Sidney, Oliver, Trenton, Keller, Halle, and Austin.   Wonderful Kids!!

 Farming for Mike.....looks like downtown suburbia.......

 April and Ryon had a very lovely wedding.....this turned real messy .....

Missy and her husband take the stage ---- what a fun couple!!

Lots of good things happening.....

Were to begin......

This past Sunday was Mother's day and also our day to go to the detention center.  Paul Mitchell was planning on attending with us and he had given Gary an "assignment" of giving part of the lesson.....Gary's part would be on Children Obey your Parents.   We arrived at the JDC rather early ...... .but Pastor Paul didn't come.  We really wondered what had happened because he never misses.  Turned out he had spent the whole night in Sioux Falls with a couple whose newborn was on life support and it was being removed.  He was exhausted ---- he left us a message but we weren't home to receive it.

However, we had a lesson prepared and so we went on in to the kids-----   We were asked to have the girls separate from the boys.   So we started with 5 girls...   :)  :) one is named Barbara Jean (love it).  When we finish a lesson we always sing about 3 -4 songs.  Officer Zolie joined in with us - her favorite is Here I am To Worship.   Then we asked if they wanted to come into a circle and pray.    "Yes".....  Two of the girls willingly prayed out loud and Officer Zolie also prayed.  What a blessing!!!

The boys were boys --- always a lot of laughter with Ransom (yes he is still with us).  We would ask if you would continue to lift up Ransom.  He's one of those kids that you can't help but like .......but life is just one big laugh to him.   Also ---- Bryce seemed quite ....how do I put it....... deep in thought as we discussed honoring your parents and making it right when things have gone bad.  You never know how a child is going to be reached ----or how they will take things that are presented to them.  We just keep trying to do what we are lead to do.....and pray that God will use what we say - for good.

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Mothers Day weekend we were blessed to have Candidate Mark Langenbach and his family - wife Dawn and Michaela and Evan (10 and 7) with us - from Racine, Wisc.  They arrived Friday evening and left again Sunday afternoon.  Friday was a lovely day and Mark enjoyed the "blessed quietness" outside at 10:00 in the evening.   Then the rain started........and it rained and rained and rained...... 2 inches by the time Sunday afternoon arrived.  However, even through the mud and wet - they were able to laugh and joke with us.  We thoroughly enjoyed them and  feel that they had a good time also. On Saturday we took them on a tour of the county side (yes - through the muddy, muddy roads - in a 4 door 4 wheel drive truck) and then had lunch and supper with two different families of our Congregation.   We enjoyed a wonderful service Sunday morning with a Potluck following  with lots of fun fellowshipping.   We then had to get them from our house - and the muddy roads -- to pavement.   They had a little car and were a tad bit concerned about it's ability to make it through the mud.  However, all went well and they went merrily on their way.  Now for God's leading --- for all of us.  If you would keep our Congregation and Mark and Dawn in your prayers - we would appreciate it.

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Having a sawmill on the yard has been fun.  As Gary cut off a stump of one of the red cedar logs --- I saw a flower!!  So I made sure that piece got saved.      THEN ---- Gary - being the "saver" that he is had doweled two boards together but said "I don't know what I'll do with it."    Well ---- I saw the stem for my flower. 

Below is the finished product.

If nothing else - it certainly is a conversation piece.  I might take it to the Fair -- just to see what others think of it.....maybe even get a ribbon to hang on it.   :)    Now wouldn't that be special.

Gary just came in to say that Don's kitchen remodeling is officially DONE!    "Looks nice".  Yes it certainly does.  And then there is more NEWS!!   But that will have to wait.    Got ya wondering don't I !!!!!

We will be heading to Michigan next week.... leaving here on May 21.  Things are getting busy already - even before we arrive plans are being made for some "Cousins" reunions.   Sounds like a busy week --- I told Gary that we might have to make it a longer stay this time.

See some of you soon.

Gary and Barb

Several things to write about.....

1st ---we received another nice rain.  It was spotty -- we got about 1 and 6/10 inches ...others 7 miles away got 4 inches!!!!   Whatever the amount - we are very thankful!!!  Our lawn is nice and yellow    AUGH!!!!  those nasty dandelions --- but oh well.

The other day - Gary figured out that since we have moved to our present location - 6 years ago......we have had 38 flat tires.  We never take them to town for repair --- that would be pretty nasty on the pocket book over time.  Gary has a tool that he uses ....and then a plug....and that holds up until the next nail gets picked up.   Anyway --- just an interesting fact (I thought) to pass along.    One comment from a local gal ---- "it just comes with the territory."

Now for the good stuff......    We had our Rosebud Worship again yesterday afternoon.  The teens from Sioux Falls came out (anyway half of their normal group) ----- a rather foggy morning - but they had safe travel.. At 2:00 the vans went out to pick up the kids...... I think 40 little ones were counted.  It was a rather wet (not rainy - but misty) day.  They let the kids play outside for a while anyway.  Then I got to start things off with some songs.  We put all the "visuals" (the words of the songs - with maybe a picture here and there - on 8 x 10 paper that gets flipped over as we sing.  That's Gary's job)....anyway we have about 7 songs that we have been singing - so we put those "visuals" upright on a table and then let a child pick which song they wanted to sing.  We have teens up front to help with the motions.  ???The songs??? ----  This little light of mine........Amazing Grace..... The Wise Man built his house upon the Rock.......O be careful little eyes......For God so Loved the World......The B I B L E....and  ....Jesus Loves Me.  They are getting to know them pretty good.    Then the teens had a lesson on  The lost sheep and the Lost Coin.... then a craft (color a shepherd with his sheep and then cotton for the sheep) and then a meal (BBQ and chips and pudding).    Then we take them home.  We (Gary and I) have been taking one family home - they are right on our way out.  So yesterday as we are going home, I tried to come up with a conversation with the 2 little girls (ages 5 and 7 or so).  Knowing they had both gotten to pick a song - I asked the one which song she had picked.  She said....."let it shine let it shine ------ will you sing that for me?  So I sang the song to her and she just sat there and smiled.   JOY   JOY  J O Y.  Made my heart sing!   Makes it all worth while!!

Today we had a "classical appointment" minister for our service - Pastor Sam Kirkee.  He and his family came all the way from Inwood, Iowa...... We had a full church because of the Tinant branding, which always brings in lots of family members and lots of  others that just want to join in on the branding "fun"--- so the singing was fantastic and the message so good ---- it was a good morning!!!

Cool and  cloudy today --- but now the sky is clearing and the birds are busy.   Thank you Lord for a wonderful day!!
Gary and Barb

A little of this and that.....April 15, 2015

 Don's kitchen is almost done.....it's those little things now.....like the window trim and the sink and a couple of shelves.......and so - on it goes.  It's looking really sharp ---  especially if you can look back at what they started with!!

The sawmill is doing a fine job......

Some of those red cedar boards went to Michigan.  Gary's nephew Kent enjoys wood working also and so Gary sent some along with Hazel and Paul (Kent's mom and dad) when they stopped in for a visit.  I believe Kent is "giving these boards some careful thought".  It will be interesting to see what he makes from them!!!

Gary has some shelves in the works for Don's kitchen and then he hopes to make a hat rack for church.  Could be a need to cut another tree down.......   Hat racks in cowboy country are a thing to behold.  At Harvey Gunninks funeral ALL of the hat racks were FULL of cowboy hats - not your everyday sweaty hats -- no no!-- your fancy, going to church hats.....it was a thing of beauty to behold.......I so wish I had a picture of it!!!!

We had Sunday Worship at the Detention Center this past Sunday.....Pastor Paul Mitchell joined us once again.  He always has powerful things to say to the young people.....and we always feel that it means a little bit more coming from a fellow Native.  Paul wanted the kids to think about "procrastination" ----"what are you waiting for"--- to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior.   Later he wanted them to give him their prayer requests....but none were coming (out loud and in person can be hard in a group).  So we suggested that he have them write them down.  In the end we ( Julie, Andee, Debbie, Marlys, Paul and Gary and I) all took one or two requests home to pray over them daily.   I received Ransom's ......I think you will remember Ransom----- he was NOT very interested in anything to do with "church" when we first met him.   His prayer request on Sunday was something new for Ransom.   He said that when he was out this last time he had done some pretty messed up stuff and asked us to pray for the Kingsmen family. I hope to ask him ---- but my thinking is that this is not HIS family -- but perhaps a family that he had hurt.    And so I am passing this on to you ---- asking you to add him and this family to your prayer list if you would.

We will be finishing up Release Time with the Easter Story......the 1st and 7-8th graders still need to hear the Crucifixion and then we will end with the Ascension.  We have had really attentive kids these past few weeks.  It's almost as if they feel the importance of it.  Only three more weeks remain.....we are done at the end of April usually.  May can be a busy time for schools.....getting in those field trips and testings.....  It's been a good year.  We tried something new - with the booklets....but neither Gary nor I were happy with the outcome.  Our thinking is to go back to the Bible Stories and Applications.    I guess book work is too much like school work and we just couldn't get them to concentrate it seemed.   They (all the groups) are attentive when we give a Bible Story .......

On April 25, we will have another Rosebud Worship.  The group of teens from Sioux Falls Christian School will be coming out again. I think these kids have fallen in love with our little group of Native Children .....because it's always the same ones that come out.   That means "recognition" --- they recognize the little ones and the little ones recognize them --- they are like old friends.  It's a good situation!!  We would ask if you would pray for safe travel for them --- it's a good 4 hour (or more) trip just to get here.  And also pray for this part of ministry that happens out here on the reservation.

We are gearing up for Prairie Light Youth Camp.   This year we have two young people from the area helping us with our group.  Andee Beckwith - who goes with us to the Detention Center and then Jason Schubauer  will be with us.  Jason was in our group years ago - probably the 1st year of PLYC --- he is now a Deacon in our church.  We are excited!!! 

We have a branding that we want to participate in ---on May 2, and then we hope to head for Michigan some time in May --- probably towards the end of the month.

See you soon!     Gary and Barb

Oh man! I almost forgot...... We've been working on our back yard.  The fire danger is extreme out here and we had a tinder box behind us....lots and lots of tall dead grass.  We have removed a good portion of it and it's looking pretty good.

 We got Don to come over with his tractor and loader....and then later Gary cleaned up a little more with his (Don's) Bobcat.

Now we pray for rain, rain, rain.......  We REALLY need it!!!
Barb and Gary