PRAISE, PRAISE, PRAISE

I have been doing my devotions each morning in the Psalms.  This morning I read Psalm 35......verse 1 ---- Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me;  ......and it goes on..... fight against those who fight against me.

Gary and I have been really struggling with 2 of our Release Time groups and ...oh boy!! .... today we would have them both.

After reading that verse this morning, I decided that we would pray that prayer before we began Release Time.   And so we did ---- Gary and I together prayed:  Lord, we thank you that we know that you are in control.   And so we pray, Lord, that you will contend with those who contend against us.  If there is a spirit of restlessness amongst us, we pray that you will remove it, and fill this place with your Spirit of Peace and Quietness and Attentiveness.  In Jesus name we pay, Amen.

That prayer was answered in a powerful way!!!!

Mr. Walkling (Dakota) usually gives the 2nd and 3rd graders a good talking to about - respect and sitting still and listening and so on.  He did it again today.

But we want this day to go down as PRAISE TO GOD WHO HEARS OUR PRAYERS.  The 2nd and 3rd graders sat SO good and listened SO attentively!!!  They asked if they could put their heads on the table and listen that way.   "Of course".   Today's lesson was a long one --- it was the Easter story from when Judas betrayed Jesus --- through the Last Supper -- through Peters' Denial ----and  through the trials.  We were afraid we would lose them half way through ---- but Easter had come up on us so fast  - plus I had a horrible cold so we canceled one week.  We just wanted to get through to the Crucifixion BEFORE Easter was over.

But we totally give God all the glory for today.

We did get a picture of our 2nd and 3rd grade group.....we were missing 2 and then -- where in the world was one of them when everyone else was lined up to go out.   ???? Probably in the bathroom....

I have to add that the 5th and 6th graders were also very attentive and really listened to the lesson.  They let us know that they have had this lesson before -- but we told them that it is the MOST IMPORTANT message that they could ever hear.   That if Jesus didn't come back to life --- then we wouldn't have a story to tell and we wouldn't have any hope!

 I am now a total believer in praying scriptures!!   Thank you Lord for showing us this truth in such a powerful way!!!

Gary and Barb

Sawmill -- a done deal

I just looked back on the "prairie notes" and see that I haven't put any FINISHED pictures of the sawmill.  The other day we cut down a dead pine tree from our yard---- for the 1st test cut.  The sawmill worked quite nicely  -- but a little wobbly.  Perhaps the motor needed more speed .........--- but anyway....Gary was happy --- it worked!!!!

Last night he came in from the shop and said --- I got it!!!!!  What did you get???   He got rid of the wobble.  He had been working on it ---- putting more strength to the framework that holds the motor and sawblades.....and finally last night -- that was it......No more wobble.    He's rather proud of the fact that this sawmill has only cost him about $200.00.  Lots of parts and pieces from here and there and a donated motor...... Jay said - "I haven't used that motor in 10 years -- give it a try."

Today, they (he and neighbor Don) are headed to the Niobrara River area where another neighbor has land and told Gary ----"there are trees that we had cut down.  You can have whatever you want."   We went and checked it out the other day and it was rather disappointing .....not too many that are nice and straight. But there are some -- they will just have to work at it.   He was hoping for more Red Cedar ---- there is one -- but it will be a LOT of work getting it out.

OK ----- back to a letter I was writing.
Barb

Red Flag Warning

RED FLAG WARNING.......
Well ---- in Michigan that would mean ---- not a good day to go to the beach.  The waves are too big and there is a fierce undertow.  You'd probably get sand in your face every time someone picks up their beach towel because it's rather windy.

Well ---- here in South Dakota / Nebraska it means ---- extreme fire danger.  The relative humidity is (I heard on the radio) 15%, it's VERY dry out and then the wind.  Factor all of those in and you have trouble.
We drove past the fire station in Rosebud today and all the trucks were out and ready to take off on a moments notice....anyway that's what it looked like to us.

There was also another bad report on the radio this morning.   A woman in White River was attacked and killed by a pack of wild dogs Saturday morning.  She apparently was walking from a friends house (at 6:30 a.m.) back to her home and was attacked.  When ?!?!? are they going to realize they have to do something about all the dogs on the reservation?!?!

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Enough of that......
We had Release Time this past week.......missed the week before because I had a NASTY cold.  We had the youngest  (1st graders) and the oldest (7-8th Graders). 

 Gary was asking these little ones some review questions.....Taeden has his back to us, then Mahpiya and Kingston and on the other side of Gary is Doris.  They are getting into the songs we are learning and it's fun to hear their little voices sing Jesus Loves Me and This Little Light of Mine ....and others.

There --- that's a better picture --- Mahpiya, Taeden, Kingston and Doris.  They had just made Valentine hearts that said "Jesus Loves Me".

It was so nice out that we got the 7-8th Grade girls though 2 pages of the book on temptation and we sang a couple of songs.....Amazing Grace and Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (they like the sign language with that one)....and then we let them go outside to walk on our 3 pairs of stilts.  They had lots of fun.

 These three had a hard time getting it to work....they did finally get a few steps off before crashing.  They are Tiana (Ty), Charlee and Taylor.

 Faith was the only one who had the stilts mastered......she walked all over the place.  But then Shallon was missing that day and she could have done the same.  Faith and Shallon  had practice this summer at PLYC.

It was 82 degrees today.  Time to get some summer wear out.  But we know it won't last....however, this week is supposed to be nice too --- in the 60's I believe.  That's not all good.   It's hard on the trees when this happens - they start to bud out and then it turns cold again.    We are enjoying it while we have it!!!

May God Bless you as we prepare for Easter -- that most important time of remembrance of what Jesus did for us.

Gary and Barb

Mountain Lion hunt...... March 2015

Gary and Don have gone Mt. lion hunting - trying to call one in.  They haven't been successful so far.  This year thru a friend of a friend they were invited along on a hunt in Custer State Park ......with dogs.  This is a special tag - that not many people get.  So it was just cool to be invited along.

Luckily there was a small amount of snow in the area and as it would happen......they found one track in the snow - on a rock.   The dogs were off.  As I understand it --- the men (8 of them) were on foot following a pack of 6 running dogs --- after a mountain lion.  One gun in the group.   The sound of the dogs baying told them they  had a lion treed (or at least something in a tree).  So the gun was readied and the men began their approach.  Upon arrival --- the cat leaped from the tree ...into the pack of dogs.  Up another tree......out of the tree......up another tree... (which way is he going NOW) --- with dogs and men on the run behind - following the cat.

Is your heart racing --- mine is!!!!   And be assured - so was the cats and the dogs and the mens.......

As the story was told --- it was hard to get a good shot because of a tree branch right across the cats chest.  But finally --- the shot rang out......  the cat came out of the tree and took off with the hounds on his trail.  He got about 100-200 yds (it's hard to measure when your heart is beating so fast) and there he was with the hounds still at work. 

The pictures tell you a bit more.

Is that a huge paw or what?!?!?!?!?!?       Gary explained to me that the one way to tell if it's a cat track or a dog is that largest pad --- those 2 dimples or whatever you would call them --- are only on a cat.....dogs are smooth.    The lion weighed in at 125 lbs......a 5 year old male.

That was one exciting hunt ---- which I'm sure will be told over and over again.

Barb -- with Gary's approval.

Release time and some photos of the sawmill.....

We had Release Time this past Thursday.   It was the 4,5, 6th grade turn....but when we got to school the one teacher insisted it was the 7-8th grade turn.  We didn't argue --- it really didn't matter.  They are doing the same lesson material --- so we were OK with either group.   The 7th and 8th graders are all girls.  Maurice, the one boy decided he wasn't going to come anymore......???? was it because he was overwhelmed by the female population - we don't know.  They CAN be a giggly bunch  :)

The following pictures were taken Thursday.  One girl was missing.....

                                          Ty (Tiana), Sierra, Charlee, Taylor, Faith, and Caitlyn

They wanted a "silly" picture --- We wanted a "nice" one ---- we were both happy.  We had studied hard in the book about "temptations"..... and now they wanted to play "Ring on a String".....one of their favorites.  They were all done with the String Art craft we had worked on ---- so we just had fun for a while and enjoyed some banana bread.   They're a pretty special group of girls.

Gary is getting closer to having his sawmill a reality. I was thinking I had written about this project --- but I didn't find anything. ??? A sawmill on the prairies of South Dakota ?!?!?!?    Well, it has been a dream of his for years -- to have his own sawmill.  He is just about there.   He found plans in  the "Farm Show" Magazine.  Sent for them....and has been working on it for some time now.  Today he is working on the "runway" - the track for the logs to lay on.  All parts and pieces have come from here and there - a few had to be purchased but many were just  laying around....some came from neighbors.  He is still pondering on the motor.....a neighbor has one - but it weighs about 200 lbs.  -that's a bit much but he might give it a try.   If you can't figure it out - what's what -- give him a call or email him.  He'd love to tell you about that steering wheel....where it came from........and the trouble he had finding two spare tires that were the same diameter....

.............And I have one of my 1st "happy customers".  I told Don S. that I would be willing to refinish his kitchen table.  I didn't get a "before" picture - so I can't really brag much at all.   But it does look a LOT better than it was before.  There were lots of spots where the finish was gone and the wood was turning grey.  I just did a lot of sanding - re-stained it and .....success.  I used a different type of varnish than we usually use.....it's a "rub on".  You just rub it on with a cloth and then there is no worry about brush marks or runs.   Works really nice!!

Winter is still busy at it.  Today was windy and cold.  Tomorrow is supposed to be worse.  We are thankful for a warm home and also the fact that the electricity has stayed on all winter so far.  That's always a plus!!  We look forward to spring and long warm summer days.....but no use in dreaming too hard.

Have a good day.
Gary and Barb

REASON TO REJOICE ! ! ! ! !

We were at the Detention Center this evening........ that is our reason to rejoice.

There were approximately 10 kids tonight.  We noticed right away that  a couple of them were missing - but no one knew where they were.  Julie and Andee lead tonight.  It was a lesson on Pentecost - when the Holy Spirit was given to the believers.  We read from the Bible .......and talked about how when Jesus was here on earth He could only be one place at a time - He was limited by His physical body.   But when the Holy Spirit was given --- He could be all places all the time....and what a blessing that is.

When Julie and Andee were finished with the lesson we got the music out like we always do.  -------- Today I had decided to put together a folder - for each young person  - with the music in it and have more songs to sing.  Before we only had one sheet of music - front and back.  Well, in my rush, I left out a couple of songs.......a couple of the "FAVORITE" songs to yet!!!  Tait asked, "what happened to For Those Tears I Died"?  I couldn't believe I left that one out --- goofed up big time.  I assured Tait that I would get it in the folder for next week.   "Well, can we sing it anyway?" he asked.  I think, if nothing else, he likes the words to the song and just wanted to hear them again.     If you don't know the song you should look it up --- it is a wonderful song.  Thankfully, Julie and Andee knew the song good and Gary did and a few of the kids did ---- so it went good even without the words.

We sang several songs and then the two kids that were missing arrived (they had been at Out Patient Treatment across the road) ---  the guards knew that we were close to being done (we are always done shortly after singing)....but these two - one boy and one girl - wanted to come yet anyway.    "Could they stay and have a shortened version of the lesson," they asked?  Now Megan we understand ---- but Ransom.....he's the one we have told you about ---- "I'm pretty bored".....or "I had a little fun"......   Ransom is changing -- and it's a good change.

So Julie said - "Yes", they would go over the lesson - but why don't you just sing a song first (she was copying the prayer requests into her booklet.).     I told Ransom that now he only had one girl he had to impress -- so we would expect him to sing.    RANSOM SANG  ! !   We sang Jesus Lover of My Soul,  and   Amazing Grace  and  Ransoms request, Sanctuary.   It just makes us smile and praise God for the changes we see in Ransom.  He such a likeable young man with a friendly smile and strong handshake.  He might be getting out tomorrow and we will miss him.    Would you pray for Ransom?  He's going back out to his old neighborhood and the old friends.  He will need a lot of strength and willpower.

Megan asked for prayers that "we stay sober".  Julie asked if we could just pray a circle prayer.......  She started and we went around.....Megan prayed a very good prayer - asking God to be with her siblings and herself to stay strong and sober when she gets out.  Then it was Ransoms turn -- he actually tried --- but just didn't know what to say - so he told Gary to go ahead.   We are just so thankful that he would even try.

Please keep all the young people in your prayers.  Prayer is powerful!   Thank you!
Gary and Barb

Beautiful days in January

The nasty winter days have retreated.....and we are all happy.  Today, as I look out, I feel like I would just like to go out and work on the yard.  But that's just a dream -- it's nice out - but not yard work weather.  The snow is still thick around the trailer.  The other day Gary and I decided we should go out on our snowshoes and check out the big drifts in the tree line to the east of us.     Well,  it was a nice idea but the snow was WAY too hard yet and Gary stepped into a V in the snow and snapped his snowshoe --- broke it.   I think it's in the repair shop getting glued - hopefully it will be OK.  Those are our homemade snowshoes and are rather special.

These couple of pictures show you where we were walking.   We had removed our snowshoes and just went on foot.   There were LOTS of coyotes tracks on the drifts too.... I think we have several living in those trees.   Rob has been cleaning them out slowly.  Gary has also gotten a couple to come in to his call.

Gary thought this little ledge would break off on me and I would go for a fall.......maybe 6 feet down - but it held.    I tried out a couple of them and they all were real firm.  Gary found a "cave" sculptured by the wind...... rather small - but interesting.

This morning - Friday - was just glorious ---- so beautiful!!

I walked as fast as I could to get to the spot I wanted.  Those sunrises can leave so fast.  But I made it and caught the beauty.  Now this afternoon it is a beautiful sunny day.  Gary is gone fishing with a couple of neighbors.  It's a little windy but they should have a nice day on the ice.

This next picture is my latest project.  It's a granny square type of pattern.  It was a lot of repeat work but fun to do....makes me think of summer flowers. 

Don's kitchen is now in need of "a plan" ..... I hear about them "going backwards" every-once-in-a-while.  They look around and decided they might as well tear off that drywall too.  But things are moving along nicely.  I think Ty Tinant will be doing the drywall.  Then comes the "plan".  Hopefully someone will be able to help Don with those decisions.....Gary is only doing a drawing of what they have to work with.

Release Time went good this week.......last week --- half of it was disheartening.  We have one group that just gives us grief.  This could be a prayer request.   We will be giving a couple of boys ONE more chance.... and we have sent a note to one of the parents.   If things continue as they have been  --- the boys will no longer be joining us.  We feel that we have to hold up the whole group just for these boys - who would rather goof off than do the lesson.     We are working on a Valentine craft -- string art.  I think the kids are enjoying using the hammers and making a lot of noise. 

We work on a lesson for about 1/2 of the time --- then have a snack and do the craft......our next craft (with the older groups) will be a Cross made out of match sticks for Easter.    The hard part of doing crafts is that some kids really get right into it and get things done.....some just plain goof off and don't get much done.......and some are perfectionist and work slow.   They do beautiful work but do it pretty slow.   So we will have to come up with something interesting for the "fast" ones to do while we wait for the "slower" ones.

We did some review questions with the 2-3rd graders yesterday and it was so much fun to have them be able to answer questions about a lesson we had last year.  Our lesson was on Jesus staying back in Jerusalem when he and his parents went to celebrate the Passover.  So Gary went over the story of Moses and the plagues......    Several kids could remember "boils", "water turning to blood"......Seth was remembering some of the plagues....... "wasn't that one when they had to put the blood on the door frames".     YES!  that's what we are getting to.

We had a similar time with the JDC kids......one question we had for them this week was "What are some instructions God gives us in His Word?   One boy answered....."not to cause someone to fall".    That was something we had talked about just a couple of weeks ago.....on causing someone else to stumble.

Sometimes we are discouraged but those times are few.   Mostly we feel very blessed.  Thank you for your interest, prayers, love, support and encouragement.

Gary and Barb