PRAYER REQUEST !!!!!!!!

I didn't go along to JDC last night --- because of my cold. I am getting better!! that is not the prayer request.

Pastor Tom and Gary went and they were really blessed. Five young people prayed to receive Christ!!!

On the way home Tom and Gary were talking about "follow-up" for all of these young people.....there have been 38 just from JDC alone who have asked Christ into their hearts. YES! Praise God for His goodness and love!

We really need to find a building to have a Bible Study for these young people.....a building located in the right area....... (These young people are spread over many miles...) And so that is our prayer request for now....finding the right building in the right area.

Thank you --- we know you are wonderful supporters and great prayer warriors. God will guide us if we seek His will!

Gary and Barb

Beautiful Wedding........May 16, 2009

We can't have the wedding pictures without the SHOES!!! they were a VERY important part of the day.....don't ask me HOW they were important --- just know that they were!!!! Yes!.......the groom, the groomsmen, the father of the bride....father of the groom, and the ring bearer.....ALL wore THE SHOES! Thank you Chuck Taylor!!Clayton and Zoie did their part without a glitch!!! They were adorable ....and I think they both knew it too!!

Tim and Marti beamed the whole day and we thank God for another wonderful son-in-law....it was a beautiful day....a slight bit chilly --- well OK it was down right cold once the reception got started.

But there was a tent with heat inside and so we all got warmed up and the dancing started. They had a totally awesome band---- sorry I don't remember the name of the band but they were good. Marti and Tim looked wonderful together (dad and daughter did too) as they danced -- those lessons paid off!
We had a wonderful time while we were "home" (we really don't know where home is at this point). Our whole family was there for the wedding and we got to spend time with all of our grandkids.....especially getting to know the youngest ones - Halle and Sawyer. And shucks - we know they won't remember us when we see them again.......but when we left we were good friends.

We got back in time to have Release Time with the older group and found out that next week we will still be able to meet one more time with the K-4 graders. That's so neat because we really hadn't said good-bye to them for the summer.

We did get back in time to move some cattle....this morning we moved 300 yearlings..... That age has a reputation to be unpredictable......but they behaved themselves very nicely and the move went good. One day soon we will be moving the cow/calf pairs to their pasture also. That is always interesting ...because when those little calves lose mama --- they sometimes turn tail and run back to where they last saw her. Hopefully we won't lose any of them either.

Gary and Pastor Tom will be going to the Juvenile Detention Center tonight. I came back with a NASTY cold!!! And we don't want to pass that on to everyone at the JDC - so I will be staying home this time. Hopefully I will be on top of it by Sunday because Lakeview church is scheduled to have the service at the JDC Sunday evening at 6:00.

It was also great to see all of our supporters and friends at Overisel. Your prayers are so very important to us. Thank You!!!

Gary and Barb

Sign off until we get back to SD.

Decided this was a rather interesting picture...........

JDC tonight and then we will pack it up and head out in the early morning hours.

We probably won't update again until we return from our Michigan trip. Thanks for keeping us in your prayers and thoughts.

Gary and Barb

Andre' and John.....

Well, Andre'(Youth Pastor) and John DeNeef have left for home. It seemed to be a VERY positive trip for them.....He's planning on taking the youth group out to minister to the young people at the JDC for several days in June. Andre' left very excited. And we are excited as well. They will be traveling straight thru to Michigan so we would ask that you lift them up in prayer.

Of course, no trip is complete without checking out the ranch life and Andre' had a good time there as well.

We will be leaving tomorrow morning (Friday) and hope to arrive in time for a bridal shower for Marti on Saturday afternoon. Prayers for that trip would be appreciated also.

Thank you! Gary and Barb

Three Day change.........

Out here on the prairies we have gone from 90 degrees on Thursday......YUP you guessed it - there was a hint of complaining going on...."man! it's hot". Then on Friday it was about 47 degrees tops.....Now this morning (Saturday) there is about an inch of snow on the ground. Oh well, keeps you on your toes! DON'T put those winter coats away yet!!!

Yesterday evening Gary went to the neighbors to help with some branding. It was one of those ---- round 'em up, rope 'em, cut 'em, brand 'em--- type of events. About 7 cowboys roping, 4 branding (12 irons in the fire), 2 vaccinating and so on. Gary and Vern vaccinated the 330 calves... Lots of little boys got to get their hands in there too and try to hold those tough little calves down. Lots of fun. Then afterwards the rancher feeds all the help.....there were probably 30 people there or more. And the food was magnificent.....ribs, scalloped potatoes, corn, green bean casserole, salads......and about a dozen pies. No that meal fixing was not loaded on one poor tired gal.....lots of food was brought in by the other neighbors.

Gary and Barb

ORC has arrived!!!!!

Our friends from Overisel arrived early Saturday morning after 16 hours of driving and this is how they greeted us. What Fun!!!!

When we finally got to our place we put the men right to work on the ranch. The Hereford bulls were being ultrasounded and there was a job for just about everyone. And of course, us girls had to come and check out the progress. As you can see the dust was really flying. The bulls had to have their hair cleaned and they (the bulls) weren't too sure that they liked it. While the guys went out hunting - the girls were busy making a tote bag....thank you !!!! Margo. What a cute idea.
The muddy roads were very possibly an experience they will remember for a long time. We have had a great time together and the time has really gone by way too fast.

Tomorrow morning our ORC friends will be leaving us so you can lift up a prayer for safe travel for them.

Thanks!!!! Gary, Barb and Ken, Sally, and Bruce, Glenda and John and Margo

Sometimes up and sometimes down.......

We continue on..........



This past Sunday was a downer for the most part. So many tears and sad faces at the Detention Center....too many to handle. It's hard to see these young people so sad and so quiet and you don't know how to help them. And at that point they really don't want to talk to us either. We just tell them that we are praying for them and that we care.



The Lakeview church had a service at the Center on the 12th. It went good. Again the only problem was with the noisy fans in the gym. But they had their PA system set up so that was helpful. The kids really enjoy singing Amazing Grace and it is so wonderful to hear their voices. Of course, not all of them sing...but compared to the nothingness when we began ---- this is wonderful.

Our Release Time on Tuesday went good. We just wish we could get the 7-8th graders to come out of their shell. It just boggles our mind what a change can happen from 5-6th grade --- they are so open....and then the 7-8th grade is so--SO quiet. We did our Easter Lesson with them even though Easter was past, and we had a small craft for all of them.

Our Thursday evening at the Detention Center was good once again. One of the young men had told Gary that his 18th birthday was on April 20. So we made sure we had a cupcake with a lite candle on it for him at snack time. He enjoyed our little surprise. We also asked him to stay afterwards and we got to give him a Bible and visit with him a while. We also found out where he lives so now we will be able to touch base with him. He has been with us almost since the beginning and we will miss seeing him there.

And now we go on with the battle of the MUDDY roads. It's supposed to rain again all day tomorrow ---- so the roads will be soup!!! Our company from ORC should have a muddy adventure..........anyway we hope they consider it an adventure! :-)

Gary and Barb