I just have to relay this story of our trip home to South Dakota.
Lots of times we will stay in a motel in the Blair, NE area but have not really found one that we are "pleased" with......and it really wasn't time to stop for the evening just yet. So Gary say's "let's try for one in West Point --- that's a pretty good sized town". It was already dark so we were a bit concerned about deer but the only ones we saw were the dead ones alongside the road. The first motel we arrived at was a Super 8 ---- now some of those have gone down hill...... but this is farm country!.......let's give it a try.
As we entered, there were 5 "older" (our age :) ahem!) men standing in the lobby getting their room. Two of them stepped back and said "That's Gary Peters!!" Gary looked ---- looked again.....!!!!!!!!!!! ---- there stood two men that he had worked with at General Motors for 20 some years. They were headed out for deer hunting in Nebraska. And then to make it even more wild....they were going to Cody, NE ---- this is were MANY of the kids from our church go to high school. Names were thrown out and we knew some of the people that they have gotten to know over years of hunting trips.
We had pizza with them at the local Pizza Hut and Gary, Ron and Dave reminisced for a long time that evening. We headed out that morning at the same time...... They get their "hunting groceries" in Valentine (and yup! we met up with them there also).
They will be staying in the area for about 2 weeks so we hope to touch base with them once again. What a fun surprise God had in store for us :)
:) :) :) Gary and Barb
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Back home in South Dakota
We had a grand time in Michigan over the Thanksgiving holiday. Had good quality time with many family members and friends. Travel went very good. The weather was even favorable.....not hot --- maybe not even warm --- but then it is winter. And boy did we find that out after we arrived home. About 2 hours from home there was a little bit of freezing drizzle on the windshield......then as we got closer to Valentine there was more snow in the air and some drifting -- but really nothing to worry about. We got home --- went and got Toby right away......had a nice visit with Don and Barb (they had Toby) and headed home to unload. We had filled the truck with more of our belongings --- trying to make more room for Holly and Dennis. We succeeded in emptying the truck and making a royal mess of the living room....and then the wind began to howl and the snow came. REAL NASTY!!!! As of 7:30 p.m. it seems that the snow has stopped coming down but the wind is still blowing.
We left in a rush trying to out run the flu bug, but it had already caught me (Barb)..........and we didn't want to pass it on to anyone else if at all possible (we were staying with Holly and Dennis). We can now see that it was a good thing that we left early. We would have come home in blizzard conditions. God is always in charge!!!!
We do have a couple of prayer concerns....... Holly was diagnosed with Bells' Palsy....a condition that affects the nerves on one side of her face. She is on medication for it and hopefully it was caught at a point that there will be no permanent damage.
Our other concern is for Mike and Julies' family.....the 8 of them are going round and round with the flu......makes for a miserable time!!!.....especially for mama.
We will be having Release Time again on Wednesday. It will be the 1st lesson on Elisha. It's really a lesson on respecting those in authority over us ---- as you remember Elisha was laughed at because he was bald!! I (Barb) need to pass this on hopefully without dwelling too much on what happened to those young men (if you don't remember --- better look it up--- 2 Kings 2:13-25). We would appreciate prayers for the children to be in a listening mood and patience for us. :) :) Then on Thursday we will be going to the Detention Center.
Thank you for your interest and prayers! Winter has arrived!!
Gary and Barb
We left in a rush trying to out run the flu bug, but it had already caught me (Barb)..........and we didn't want to pass it on to anyone else if at all possible (we were staying with Holly and Dennis). We can now see that it was a good thing that we left early. We would have come home in blizzard conditions. God is always in charge!!!!
We do have a couple of prayer concerns....... Holly was diagnosed with Bells' Palsy....a condition that affects the nerves on one side of her face. She is on medication for it and hopefully it was caught at a point that there will be no permanent damage.
Our other concern is for Mike and Julies' family.....the 8 of them are going round and round with the flu......makes for a miserable time!!!.....especially for mama.
We will be having Release Time again on Wednesday. It will be the 1st lesson on Elisha. It's really a lesson on respecting those in authority over us ---- as you remember Elisha was laughed at because he was bald!! I (Barb) need to pass this on hopefully without dwelling too much on what happened to those young men (if you don't remember --- better look it up--- 2 Kings 2:13-25). We would appreciate prayers for the children to be in a listening mood and patience for us. :) :) Then on Thursday we will be going to the Detention Center.
Thank you for your interest and prayers! Winter has arrived!!
Gary and Barb
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
GREAT Halloween Party and WORKING lots of cattle!!
Thank you for all the prayers for the Party at the Juvenile Detention Center. It was a LOT of fun to say the least.
The kids were great.....good sports, helpful (we had 3 "trustees" to help set up), respectful, enthusiastic, fun loving. We had some stationary games: bob for apples, donuts on a string, paint pumpkins, mashmallow toss (into another persons mouth), musical chairs, Four square, and carrot on a string (lots of laughs here). Then we also had 3 team games: Chariot races (on carpet samples), bag races, and Team boards (6 kids on a team - on two 2 x 4's with ropes to hang onto).....the girls walked away with that one. I think the boys tried way too hard - all they could do was fall! We also had some prizes for assorted things and then a message from Pastor Tom. We served everyone Ice Cream Sundaes ......and .......... Then------- the Grand Finale........ Our grand finale fizzled :( !! We had blown up about 200 balloons and put them into a huge parachute. Gary got a rope up and over the furnace duct work and we pulled the parachute up to the ceiling. At the very end we let one of the kids get on a ladder and pull the rope. :( Nothing much happened -- about 10 balloons came out. Static electricity had taken over......we had to shake the parachute to get the balloons out. But over all the evening was a grand success! We had plenty of good help from our Lakeview Church and the kids never once caused us a concern!!! We filled the 2 hours exactly - in at 6:00 and out at 8:00. Now Gary is thinking --- "where can we do this next?" Sorry to say there are no pictures allowed --- so we will have to rely on our memories for the "good stuff" (YIKES)!
Monday through Friday of this week, we are working cattle --- for 3 different ranchers. We come home very tired at the end of each day. Bob and Shirley Vanden Bosch came for one afternoon (yes all the way from Michigan for one afternoon with us :) -- they are heading for Washington to see their grandkids)........and they got in on a cattle drive. We think they had a lot of fun.
On top of the cattle work, of course, is Release Time and Thursday evening at the JDC and Sunday afternoon visits at JDC which is truly what we need to focus on. They are both going very nicely. Today at release time we had the two older groups, which can be quite rewarding. These kids sit attentively......and seem to be taking it all in. We hope so!!
So if anyone is wondering if we are relaxing after all our company?????? Depends on what you call "relaxing". Today we bounced over 25 miles back and forth over the prairies........ but we got the job done :) Tomorrow we work those cattle (over 750 pairs) ---- thinking it will be sort, vaccinate and pour (a type of fly + spray). Then on Friday we will help my cousin preg check his herd.
We are still having beautiful fall days and we know that we need to enjoy each one of them because it is going to be ending soon we are afraid.
We are looking forward to a return to Michigan over Thanksgiving.
God Bless each and every one of you!
Gary and Barb
The kids were great.....good sports, helpful (we had 3 "trustees" to help set up), respectful, enthusiastic, fun loving. We had some stationary games: bob for apples, donuts on a string, paint pumpkins, mashmallow toss (into another persons mouth), musical chairs, Four square, and carrot on a string (lots of laughs here). Then we also had 3 team games: Chariot races (on carpet samples), bag races, and Team boards (6 kids on a team - on two 2 x 4's with ropes to hang onto).....the girls walked away with that one. I think the boys tried way too hard - all they could do was fall! We also had some prizes for assorted things and then a message from Pastor Tom. We served everyone Ice Cream Sundaes ......and .......... Then------- the Grand Finale........ Our grand finale fizzled :( !! We had blown up about 200 balloons and put them into a huge parachute. Gary got a rope up and over the furnace duct work and we pulled the parachute up to the ceiling. At the very end we let one of the kids get on a ladder and pull the rope. :( Nothing much happened -- about 10 balloons came out. Static electricity had taken over......we had to shake the parachute to get the balloons out. But over all the evening was a grand success! We had plenty of good help from our Lakeview Church and the kids never once caused us a concern!!! We filled the 2 hours exactly - in at 6:00 and out at 8:00. Now Gary is thinking --- "where can we do this next?" Sorry to say there are no pictures allowed --- so we will have to rely on our memories for the "good stuff" (YIKES)!
Monday through Friday of this week, we are working cattle --- for 3 different ranchers. We come home very tired at the end of each day. Bob and Shirley Vanden Bosch came for one afternoon (yes all the way from Michigan for one afternoon with us :) -- they are heading for Washington to see their grandkids)........and they got in on a cattle drive. We think they had a lot of fun.
On top of the cattle work, of course, is Release Time and Thursday evening at the JDC and Sunday afternoon visits at JDC which is truly what we need to focus on. They are both going very nicely. Today at release time we had the two older groups, which can be quite rewarding. These kids sit attentively......and seem to be taking it all in. We hope so!!
So if anyone is wondering if we are relaxing after all our company?????? Depends on what you call "relaxing". Today we bounced over 25 miles back and forth over the prairies........ but we got the job done :) Tomorrow we work those cattle (over 750 pairs) ---- thinking it will be sort, vaccinate and pour (a type of fly + spray). Then on Friday we will help my cousin preg check his herd.
We are still having beautiful fall days and we know that we need to enjoy each one of them because it is going to be ending soon we are afraid.
We are looking forward to a return to Michigan over Thanksgiving.
God Bless each and every one of you!
Gary and Barb
Friday, October 22, 2010
some photos for you to enjoy
A dog box for Don Schellhaus..........
Our friends Sally Kreuze and Carla Kraker----- their husbands are working on the garage door. But they really came to hunt - and they did :)
We don't think Toby really likes to ride on the quad.....rather bumpy and the box doesn't fit him --- he grew too big!!!!
Ross Nagelkirk and Lee Lubbers. Boy Oh Boy! They are doing a number on those prairie dogs!!
Some of the 7th and 8th Graders.....missing Jasper.
And this isn't all of the 5th and 6th graders.....don't remember the reason why they weren't there. Could have been sport physicals.
These are the 3rd and 4th graders......the best singers this year.....are they cute or what!?!?!?!?
Dale and Barb Becksford came with their John Deere Gator - boy did we have fun. Went and explored a HUGE pasture out in the canyons.....had a picnic lunch by a pretty lake too :)
This cat is awesome...goes down the ladder NO PROBLEM!!
Linda and Dave with another old truck from the prairies.
And, of course, pictures from South Dakota wouldn't be complete without a gorgeous sunset!!!Hope you enjoyed them!!!
Barb
I've been reminded that it's past time to update!!!
October has been a month of lots of company and we love it. It also keeps us busy....but we have still been able to accomplish a lot of things......many of them thanks to the company.
We now have a garage door in the big barn - which houses Garys' work shop. So he figures he won't have to shovel snow out of the barn now when the wind howls. We had about 3 men out in Michigan looking for a used door for us. The opening was 16 x 14 ---- however, that was a hard size to find....so Gary went with a 12 x 14 and put a service entrance in the extra space. My sister Linda and her husband Dave brought it out for us and then left with another old truck. It was a win / win situation. :)
Right now we have two young men from our Overisel Reformed Church - Ross and Lee - out for a Prairie Dog / Pheasant Hunting Trip. They are having a blast - literally :) !!! And the area is minus a BUNCH of prairie dogs!! They have seen several coyotes but haven't connected with one yet.
For a while we were concerned that our dog, Toby, was gun shy. But that's no longer the case. He just has to work through some things I guess. For his first season he's doing pretty good. And anyway --- we are really enjoying being able to have a dog that doesn't have to be in a pen or tied up all the time!!! He roams here free and stays close to home.
Our garden was totally put to rest today. We pulled all of the old tomato plants and vines and leftover zucchini (cow killer size - as Hazel puts it) ......put it all on a pile - covered it with a tarp and hopefully it will be "mulch" by spring.
It's interesting how the pheasant arrive just before hunting season -- where were they all before that???? And the deer are also arriving -- where were they????? We didn't see them most of the summer. Now we see lots of bucks ....so excitement is rising. We have had a wonderful fall ---- such beautiful weather. I suppose it will end suddenly and we will be shivering in the cold. But for now we are totally enjoying the days.
Release Time continues --- seems to be at a fast pace. It seems to be coming easier for us....but if anyone has some "tips" for handling K-2 -- we would greatly appreciate it!! They are the ones that are the most ?? stressful. And, of course, the group that WERE our best singers last year are now that much older and singing is embarrassing to them and they fear looking stupid to their peers.......ssssooooo...
Our time with the JDC kids continues. We were asked by one of the guards if our church would be interested in putting together a Halloween Party for the kids. We asked --- and yes - we had enough people interested in helping. So we have the plans in the making. I think we will have a lot of fun and the guards are willing to help us in any way we need....."just let us know what we can do". How I wish we could take pictures.....but that's out!!
Well, I have visitors that I have to put a meal on for......so on to the potatoes!!! We are having pheasant tonight......
God Bless and Thank you for your interest and your prayers!!
Gary and Barb
We now have a garage door in the big barn - which houses Garys' work shop. So he figures he won't have to shovel snow out of the barn now when the wind howls. We had about 3 men out in Michigan looking for a used door for us. The opening was 16 x 14 ---- however, that was a hard size to find....so Gary went with a 12 x 14 and put a service entrance in the extra space. My sister Linda and her husband Dave brought it out for us and then left with another old truck. It was a win / win situation. :)
Right now we have two young men from our Overisel Reformed Church - Ross and Lee - out for a Prairie Dog / Pheasant Hunting Trip. They are having a blast - literally :) !!! And the area is minus a BUNCH of prairie dogs!! They have seen several coyotes but haven't connected with one yet.
For a while we were concerned that our dog, Toby, was gun shy. But that's no longer the case. He just has to work through some things I guess. For his first season he's doing pretty good. And anyway --- we are really enjoying being able to have a dog that doesn't have to be in a pen or tied up all the time!!! He roams here free and stays close to home.
Our garden was totally put to rest today. We pulled all of the old tomato plants and vines and leftover zucchini (cow killer size - as Hazel puts it) ......put it all on a pile - covered it with a tarp and hopefully it will be "mulch" by spring.
It's interesting how the pheasant arrive just before hunting season -- where were they all before that???? And the deer are also arriving -- where were they????? We didn't see them most of the summer. Now we see lots of bucks ....so excitement is rising. We have had a wonderful fall ---- such beautiful weather. I suppose it will end suddenly and we will be shivering in the cold. But for now we are totally enjoying the days.
Release Time continues --- seems to be at a fast pace. It seems to be coming easier for us....but if anyone has some "tips" for handling K-2 -- we would greatly appreciate it!! They are the ones that are the most ?? stressful. And, of course, the group that WERE our best singers last year are now that much older and singing is embarrassing to them and they fear looking stupid to their peers.......ssssooooo...
Our time with the JDC kids continues. We were asked by one of the guards if our church would be interested in putting together a Halloween Party for the kids. We asked --- and yes - we had enough people interested in helping. So we have the plans in the making. I think we will have a lot of fun and the guards are willing to help us in any way we need....."just let us know what we can do". How I wish we could take pictures.....but that's out!!
Well, I have visitors that I have to put a meal on for......so on to the potatoes!!! We are having pheasant tonight......
God Bless and Thank you for your interest and your prayers!!
Gary and Barb
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Release Time has started
I know that I has missed a lot of news in between posts.....and I apologize. Time flies when you are having fun and I guess that has been the case. Today was really no exception....we had fun.
Release Time has finally gotten underway. We began with eleven K-2. And you guessed it....they are a test. The youngest still haven't learned that you have to SIT at school --- so, of course, they don't do it with us either. However, your heart would have warmed if you could have seen them get real close and circle around Gary as he told the story of Elijah being fed by the ravens......and how the widow's flour and oil lasted for 3 1/2 years!! Their eyes got real big when they thought about the 3 1/2 years!!
We finished the day with the 3rd and 4th graders. There were 3 new girls - so we have a few names to try to remember for next time. We had 12 in this group and both groups could get larger -- we know that the k-2 will and have already planned that we will do the Kindergarten group by themselves......
We had a surprise visitor show up yesterday. My brother Bill flew in from Michigan. We are hoping that the weather will clear (and the wind stop) so that he can fly over the Badlands and the Black Hills as he was wanting to do....and then clear again enough so he can get back home to Michigan in time to go to work on Monday.
I had some medical testing done just recently.....pelvic ultrasound and biopsy.... just because I did a little spotting. So far everything is looking good but have to wait yet for the biopsy results. If those are good --- then nothing more will be done and I will have a clean bill of health. So that would be a prayer request.
The days are getting much shorter and the evenings cool down very nicely -- good sleeping weather. So we know that fall is here. But we really don't look forward to the winter that is ahead of us. Gary said the first winter here was an adventure...but he doesn't really need to repeat that adventure again. We shall see.
Our dog Toby is learning lots of new things. You treat cats with care......hunting is fun, but come when you are called and you "sit" and wait until given the word that it's OK to eat. He's really doing super and we enjoy him a LOT. It should be a fun time when hunting season comes around. He is still very young but is already getting the hang of it.
We learned today that a young man that we got to know in the JDC will be serving 48 years in prison for murder. We pray that Bryan will be in a prison that has a Christian Ministry and he comes to know Christ as his Lord and Savior.
May God bless each one of you!
Gary and Barb
Release Time has finally gotten underway. We began with eleven K-2. And you guessed it....they are a test. The youngest still haven't learned that you have to SIT at school --- so, of course, they don't do it with us either. However, your heart would have warmed if you could have seen them get real close and circle around Gary as he told the story of Elijah being fed by the ravens......and how the widow's flour and oil lasted for 3 1/2 years!! Their eyes got real big when they thought about the 3 1/2 years!!
We finished the day with the 3rd and 4th graders. There were 3 new girls - so we have a few names to try to remember for next time. We had 12 in this group and both groups could get larger -- we know that the k-2 will and have already planned that we will do the Kindergarten group by themselves......
We had a surprise visitor show up yesterday. My brother Bill flew in from Michigan. We are hoping that the weather will clear (and the wind stop) so that he can fly over the Badlands and the Black Hills as he was wanting to do....and then clear again enough so he can get back home to Michigan in time to go to work on Monday.
I had some medical testing done just recently.....pelvic ultrasound and biopsy.... just because I did a little spotting. So far everything is looking good but have to wait yet for the biopsy results. If those are good --- then nothing more will be done and I will have a clean bill of health. So that would be a prayer request.
The days are getting much shorter and the evenings cool down very nicely -- good sleeping weather. So we know that fall is here. But we really don't look forward to the winter that is ahead of us. Gary said the first winter here was an adventure...but he doesn't really need to repeat that adventure again. We shall see.
Our dog Toby is learning lots of new things. You treat cats with care......hunting is fun, but come when you are called and you "sit" and wait until given the word that it's OK to eat. He's really doing super and we enjoy him a LOT. It should be a fun time when hunting season comes around. He is still very young but is already getting the hang of it.
We learned today that a young man that we got to know in the JDC will be serving 48 years in prison for murder. We pray that Bryan will be in a prison that has a Christian Ministry and he comes to know Christ as his Lord and Savior.
May God bless each one of you!
Gary and Barb
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
A Grand Family visit
My mom and brother Bill just departed -- 8:30 a.m.......Linda and Dave took off at 6:30 this morning. We had a grand visit. We've found out that it is fun to have a house full of people - especially family. SO---HINT HINT!!!
Mom was really glad she made the long trip. She got to see relatives at the reunion and then also visited with many more "neighbors and relatives" in the area. "I'm so glad we came." was her comment. We were too!!!
Linda and Dave took home another old truck.......some one has to clean up the neighborhood :) :). They will be enjoying some more car races in Iowa and then heading home for Michigan. We have a promise of a return trip soon :)
We are mowing the lawn, doing laundry and spraying for grasshoppers to get rid of our blues.
Haven't seen any more snakes but did enjoy a view of 2 twin fawns last night. My cousin Dwight says they have triplets that visit regularly by their house.
More later........
Gary and Barb
Mom was really glad she made the long trip. She got to see relatives at the reunion and then also visited with many more "neighbors and relatives" in the area. "I'm so glad we came." was her comment. We were too!!!
Linda and Dave took home another old truck.......some one has to clean up the neighborhood :) :). They will be enjoying some more car races in Iowa and then heading home for Michigan. We have a promise of a return trip soon :)
We are mowing the lawn, doing laundry and spraying for grasshoppers to get rid of our blues.
Haven't seen any more snakes but did enjoy a view of 2 twin fawns last night. My cousin Dwight says they have triplets that visit regularly by their house.
More later........
Gary and Barb
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)