Friends are telling me.......

We have good friends that are telling us that we haven't updated for far too long.  Janel ---- you are completely right!!!!  Thanks for the needed reminder.  I am sure other are in complete agreement  --- and so am I --- I know it's been too long.  SORRY!!!

So ---- where to begin.   I guess some photos would be good.   Goodness -- I see that I haven't even downloaded any of our photos since PLYC.   So now I am really a slacker!!!

We shall begin with some weather --- everyone always talks about the weather......

 We love watching those big thunder heads form.   You can actually watch them get bigger and bigger.  I just thought this was an awesome picture --- with the bright blue sky and the white thunder peaks.   Most of this storm missed us.

 This was certainly circular.  Never did hear if there was a tornado in this.  But we thought it was fascinating!!!

We spent a weekend --- well actually one night at Merritt Dam in our tent.  We took Toby along and that became a problem.  Toby had a lot of fun in the water ---- but he wanted more and more and more fun in the water.  It was too hot to spend much time out in the sun.  So we would come back under the tree ---- Toby suddenly disappeared - twice!!!  He chewed through his leash twice so he could get back to the water and the boys that were playing in it.  The fact that it was pea green didn't bother him one bit.

We did do a little kayaking --- but after Toby did his "chewing" we didn't trust him enough to leave him all alone.....so the kayaking was done solo after that.   As you can see --- the water was just plain yuk......(but in a couple of days it had "turned over" again and it was beautiful)    We had spent one night in our tent and Toby slept right outside our door - on his leash.  However,  we didn't know what he would do the second night ---- so we just went for home.   :(     Merritt Dam is only an hour or so from home.......

Gary was asked to make some Faith Boxes for children ----- they will be given when a child is baptized and as they walk with Jesus --- growing in their faith --- there will hopefully be more "memory items" to put into them.    Marlys Walkling had a plan and put it to Gary.  He likes staying busy ----- and he had a good amount of beautiful cedar lumber......so the project got underway.

He made eleven of these and I am thinking that he might just have to make a couple more.

We had our !st Annual Lakeview Fun Run/Walk.   It was a beautiful day and a good turn out.  It was done in the memory of Caleb Lance ---- a young man from our community who passed away from cancer in 2011.  He loved softball  and so every year Lakeview has a ball tournament in memory of Caleb.  This year they added a Fun Run and Color run.  Oh my.....did some of us get colored!!!!  Sad thing ---- I wanted my t-shirt to stay colorful....but it all washed out despite my efforts with vinegar and a hot iron.

Gary has a few other projects in the works......book shelves for Mark and Dawn - our new pastor and wife.  Matthew Walkling has a hay hauling trailer that needs a bunch of welding done on it. Gary will be giving the trailer some "wings" so Matt can haul more bales.  I had a couple of projects of my own.....but maybe I should keep those on taps for another update.   Don't want to use all my "stuff" up at one setting.

We continue to do our Ministry work.  We now go out with the Alcohol Recovery group and give a Bible lesson to the young kids who come with their parents.  A lesson, some songs and then a craft or some coloring.  Last night we had two brothers -- one a 4th grader (Michael) and the other an 8th grader (Theron).  The gal who made supper for everyone had a little boy with her and he was pretty "busy" --- she was trying to clean up......... so we asked if he wanted to come too.  He sat on my lap for the Bible Story....a cutey --- probably in kindergarten.  Then the big boys colored --- seemed like something they wanted to do actually.   And me an the little one --JJ --- made a wreath out of leaves I had cut out of construction paper.  

Tonight we had JDC --- Andee lead a lesson and then we sang and sang.  One gal was getting out tomorrow and she wanted to sing all her favorites.  We even sang Here I am to Worship and Amazing Grace two times --- just for Kristen and Megan.  It's so much fun when we have singing like tonight.   Andee did a lesson on the Tower of Babel.  One young man told us he had been given his sentence.......10 more months.  He will spend 5 at JDC and then 5 at an adult facility.  Drake has a wonderful smile that shines all the time.  We would ask that you pray for Drake ---- pray for his attitude to remain cheery.....pray for patience as he sits out his time.  Pray for his family --- he is from North Dakota and far away from home. And pray most of all that we can give the Gospel message in a clear and understandable way so he can know Christ. 

Well,  Gary is asleep on the couch...it is bed time.  So I will proofread this myself and then publish without his approval.    Thank you so much for your interest and your continued prayers!!!!
Gary and Barb

Prairie Light Youth Camp - 2015 - Day Five --- Pool Party

We did have a beautiful day for the Pool.   First we went to the City Park for some playground fun and then Pizza Hut pizza for lunch.   This is a group shot as they got ready for some songs.

There was a fair amount of organizing in order to get this big group ready to "enter" the pool..... All age groups had to be counted and numbers given to the Pool before arrival--- then once that was done  it was easy.

These teens --- as you can see  --- looking sideways (can't get it to rotate)-- had a BLAST.  They could only do this during the "adult break" - 18 and over only in the pool.  Sorry -- that video would NOT upload...  tried for several hours.  Seems like they would pass on that break when there are SO many little ones -- but I guess that is a daily "break".....so these kids made good use of it!!!  It was announced that they could NOT do that after the break.

And so --- camp is done.  Those little kids were totally loved on for a week.  Memories were made.....hugs given....."I'll miss you" spoken.....  Even Beau gave me and Gary a hug.....Beau got barked at a LOT -- too much devilishness in that boy!!!!!!    

I think Gary and I will do some "relaxing ---- camping" this coming week.....probably just go for a couple days down to Merritt Dam.....maybe down to Lake McConaughy.....take a couple of kayaks along and do some paddling.

PLYC - 2015 - Day Four

Yesterday (Wednesday) our activity - the Rocket Launchers -  was over and done with before we knew it.  So then we had to scramble for more games.    The "activity" for Thursday was the MONKEY BRIDGE.  We have found that some kids are just too fearful of doing something new and refuse to do this.....so we could be done in 15 minutes - after taking approximately 3/4 of an hour to set it up.     So we decided to set it up WITH the kids - and some other helpers --- it's quite the involved set up!!!!     Pictures tell a better story......

Once everything was in place --- all the ropes tight.....we could begin.  Everyone - EVERYONE did it.   Logan said she wasn't going to -- she was afraid of heights - but we talked her into it and she was a happy camper!!

We had seven kids doing the bridge and then the three helpers from Montana that joined us for the day.....even I (Barb) walked the bridge.  It's actually quite an accomplishment if  you are afraid of doing such things --- so we felt it was a very successful day.  It was also a VERY HOT day.  So when we finished with the Bridge --- we went to the basement to cool off and had a competition.......

 They had 5 minutes to build the tallest tower --- and it had to be standing upright with no hands holding it up.  This first group--- theirs toppled over --  they worked good and fast but it wasn't balanced good.   The next group built a nice sturdy tower --- but worked too slow and didn't get it very tall.

Of course, the older "kids" - the group of helpers from Montana (part of the basketball camp group) -- they won.  They would have reached the ceiling --- but ran out of time.      It was just a good way to spend a little time in a cool basement ---- and then go back out for some water balloon tosses. 

It was a good day.....tiring -- but good.  Friday is Swim day at the Valentine Pool -- with pizza at the city park first off for lunch.   We just got the phone call that all the kids were on the bus and ready to head for town.  So ---- we are suited up and ready to jump in the pool.               Sue --- wish you were here  :)  :)

This will probably end the updates of PLYC - 2015 unless we get some awesome pool photos.  Thank you so much for the prayers.  More later.............
Gary and Barb

Prairie Light Youth Camp --- Day Three

Wednesday was - Rocket Launch Day!!!!    Gary and Don went off ahead to get set up.   We had asked permission from the Tribal Office to use their grassy lawn behind the building - and they had said yes,  that would be fine.   So we had a perfect spot to launch the "rockets" ( 2 liter pop bottles ).  The kids had a target to hit and it was pretty windy.  Was that good or bad???  Never can tell -- but today it just seemed that it was not in their favor.  Or perhaps they just weren't very good at aiming.  I know they did try hard to hit that circle target.  It was also a day to get WET.  I think the pictures will tell the story pretty good.

This is such a lucky shot.... you can see the green "rocket" just taking off and Gayle getting sprayed with the "fuel".

This is a neat picture of the "fuel" leaving the rocket as it soars into the skys.

The kids were on teams --- 2 to a team.   They had to load their rockets - 9 of them - with fuel.....hook it up to the launcher ....take aim ....and fire.  The target was about 40 yards away.  Add the windy conditions and the rockets landed all over the place. We did notice ( and should have taken better watch of this) -- that the wind blew some of those empty rockets around a little bit.  But the winners were chosen by how many rockets of theirs were IN the circle.  The boys won -- much to our surprise......only 2 bottles out of the 9 -- but that was more than anyone else.    Lots of fun!   Surprisingly this whole activity didn't take very long --- so on to more games ......

Well -- these pictures should be in reverse --- but I am done fighting with the computer.  The game was a Banana Relay....the kids had to pass the banana with their feet to the person in the back of the line.  We made sure the last person likes bananas because they have to eat it as fast as they can --- winning team is, of course, who passed and downed the banana first.  They really liked this game -- we played it three times over.

This was just a neat water balloon toss.  As they all caught the balloon --- they would have to back up a couple of steps - making it a longer toss.  Good clean fun......good wet kids.

It's almost time to leave and I am waiting for the last video to upload --- waiting on this computer again.   but hopefully it will load!!!

Today (Thursday) --- Monkey Bridge.  We don't have a real large group of kids, so we are having the kids help set it up.  Could be interesting.

THANKS for the prayers!!!!
Gary and Barb

Prairie Light Youth Camp - Day Two

           Tuesday's craft was making crosses out of match sticks.  Each cross would take almost a full box of matches to finish.  Before we ever got to Rosebud a couple of the boys asked what we would be doing........ I said that we had a nice craft again and would play some new games....etc.    Their remarks were ...." that's boring"    So I assured them that they would be NEW GAMES and that the craft was really cool.    Well --- "I'm not going to participate".      So I had a come back for them too.   Last year we had some troubles with 3 boys and 2 of them were taken home.   One hasn't come this year.....and these two were the other two....(does that make sense??)        So my comment to these boys was "well if you don't want to participate we can take you home".    Nothing more was said.
             These two boys made a couple of the nicest crosses of the 10 kids.  We were proud of them and told them so.

 This gal just went to work and finished her's first.... she was pretty happy with it and wanted to take the left over matches home so she could do something more.

 This young man was the only one who made his crosses center with all the "light" ends of the match stick in the center......really looked sharp!! He wouldn't hold it up for a photo moment......doesn't like his picture taken ......"it just feels weird".     So I cheated on him .....stepped way back and put the zoom on when he didn't know.

            Everyone got theirs done to take home.   A few needed some "push".....too much talking and laughing.  All in all it was a very good day.   Good participation, good Bible Lesson,  fair singing (just too early in the game for that to shine out), and then a few games.  

        This picture is of the Table Top Game. None of them did as good as last year.  It's hard once the chairs all get pulled out from under you.
             Thanks for the prayers!!!  Wednesday is Rocket Launchers.....should be wet and exciting.
Barb and Gary

Prairie Light Youth Camp Day ONE

WOW -- according to the counters we have never had such a large number of kids on a Monday.  101 -- One Hundred and One ....then add all the helpers..... and they alone fill our little country church. 

Our group meets at the Lakeview School and has Basketball Camp at 11:00 --- then we take then one mile to church for lunch.....then we load them up again and go to Rosebud (about 7 miles) and do our activities and have our Bible Lessons.   Yesterday  - out of 18 registered  - we had 7.  Actually a nice small group to start.  We do expect more today.

These are pictures of our group while they were working on the J E S U S plaque.  Lots of nice work done!  Then a few games and a Bible Lesson....some singing and a snack.....then we take them home ourselves.

I'm sorry that we don't have pictures of all the little ones at camp.  We never get to spend much time at church when they are all in one spot doing an activity......we are sort of off on our own. 

We had a couple of nights (Sunday and Monday evenings) with testimonies of different people.....our new Pastor, Pastor Paul Mitchell, Kitty VanderWey and several others just sharing how God has worked in their lives......  It's been very meaningful to hear all of these testimonies!! 

We ask you to continue to pray for the young people....and for the leaders.......    for patience with all the kids....for boldness to speak Gods word....and for the Holy Spirit to work in all of our hearts during this week.

Thanks!!!!    Gary and Barb

Pastor Mark, Dawn, Michaela, and Evan HAVE ARRIVED

Yesterday was a much anticipated day......both for our Lakeview Congregation and for Mark, Dawn, Michaela and Evan Langenbach.  They called here around 12:30 to say that they were in Murdo.....which is approximately 1 hour north of us.  They weren't real sure about how to find their way on the last leg of the journey ....so...."would we meet them in Mission to guide them home".    Of course!!!
        Gary went to meet them and I called around to let "helpers" know when to come to the parsonage.  They pulled in about 1:45 - 2:00......in the big yellow Penske truck and their "new" SUV.  The long trip from Racine, Wisconsin was over for them.   Now to unpack.   There was plenty of help --- young and strong...."old" and determined all came out to help.  We were done by 4:00.  We were all thankful for the nice day......perhaps a little bit hot but at least it wasn't raining!!!!

I really don't envy them the next couple of ......??weeks.   Gary said they offered to put their beds together but "no - they were fine".   Many, many boxes were put in the "right" rooms.....but ....oh my!!!!  what a lot of work to get them all emptied!!!!  
           They have arrived just in time for Prairie Light Youth Camp.  Perhaps lots of activity will be good -- hope so!!!
           Tomorrow Gary and I are going to be helping Don S. put blinders on his last batch of pheasants.  Pastor Mark was invited and I think he will take Don up on the invite.   It's a good way to get to know more of the neighbors.
         I will try to keep updates going concerning camp.  We are ready         ......have 18 registered for our group --- so we should end up with a good number.  More girls than boys --- but I think that will be just fine.   We appreciate all your prayers for this coming week.    Our helpers this year are Don and Jeanie       .........Ken and Patti if you are reading this  --- if you remember Mackenzie (the gal who prayed to receive Christ last year with us)....she is signed up again.   :)  :)  It will be good to see her!!!
       Thanks!      Gary and Barb