Footings are poured and ......

.....the fence is going back up as I type.     The St. Francis Holiness Chapel - new building  - has the footings.  What a great crew showed up to help.  Vern and Matthew Walkling, Gary, Jason Schubauer, Shane LaFortune, Vern Lanz, Don Schelhaas, and Jimmy Doyle, and then Ron Patton and Lori Leese.   Of course, the cement truck was on it's own time.  The workers were all there - but waiting for the truck - so Becky served lunch before ------ if they had waited it would have been 2:30 before they would have been able to eat.     And what a beautiful day....sunny - about 70 degrees - light breeze.  Couldn't ask for a more perfect day.    We had some little helpers too --- wore them out....they were in great need of a nap by the time it was all over.    The pictures will tell a better story....

 These two pictures are what needs to get the cement.....that hole is about 7 feet deep.  The cement has to just cover the re-bar  --- up to the pads.  On the top picture you see the orange paint.  That is where the pads need to be ---you will see that on another shot.  Also --- you notice the thin wire --- that was to keep the forms from moving when the heavy cement was poured in.

 Waiting ---- waiting-----waiting.  We were told the truck would be there approximately 11 - 11:30.   I think it was after 12:00 before they arrived.

Ah!  Finally it's underway.......  Gary and Ron would set the pads once they got one side finished.  Those pads have to line up with the ones that will come on the walls --- and then welded together.

They put a line down where the middle of the pad had to be....

Shane did finishing work........

Had a super crew ----- about 10 minutes to a side.

Enough extra to do a little pad by the Sunday School Building......

Cynthia and Kaitlyn Patton, Bruce Stephens, Becky (Ron's wife)and Lori Leese (also member of their church).

Bridger Doyle and Beckett Walkling........ "helpers" that needed to be kept out of the hole!!!

Don, Vern W (Matthew headed home --- vet was coming for preg check), Jason, Jimmy, Gary, Vern L., Shane, Ron, Bruce, Lori

The fence is back up to hopefully keep any St. Francis kids out of the wet cement.  The company that will be putting up the walls has a big job in Kadoka - school gymnasium -- so the walls won't be put in place until mid Nov.  Out on the prairies you have to learn a lot of patience.   Things don't always happen on the time line that you want.  The Pattons and Stephens are just very happy and thankful that this portion is done.

Pour cement at Church in St. Francis ---- and Michaela and Evan come for a visit

Tomorrow, Thursday  Oct. 12, they will finally be pouring cement at the Church in St. Francis --- the Patton and Stephens church.   Gary, Matthew and Vern Walkling, Don Schelhaas, and Vern Lanz from our church will all be helping.  They pour at  10:00 (must we add - hopefully).  Then I believe there is a rather long "cure time" and then the walls will be set.   They are still able to have Sunday School and  Adult Services  at another location in St. Francis so the kids and adults are still being ministered to --- but it's always so much nicer to have your "home place".

I hope to go around 10:00 to get some pictures.....so stay tuned.
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We had some fun company on Monday and Tuesday.........Michaela and Evan Langenbach (our Pastor Mark and Dawn's two kids).  We always try to make for some good fun when kids come --- so we had a few ideas of what to do.   First off, we got the two lego sets out and that kept them busy for a while..........then they both made a "treasure box"....out in Gary's work shop.

 There was gluing, and nailing, and screwing, and sanding (both by hand and with a power sander), and then finally varnishing.   Evan became very concerned though --- Gary! ---- Gary!---we just nailed the top on --- now what?! --- how's this gonna work?     Michaela just kept on sanding....... 

 Then Gary took the boxes over to his saw and cut the lid......PHEW!!  Relief!    The boxes turned out very nice and they were both very happy.

After that they had Mitsubishi 101.... the "tin truck" as Evan calls it.

It's a manual shift -- so, of course, the first lesson was about letting out the clutch.  Evan did a little better than Michaela -- but they both made it around the barn or the bales without any mishaps.......I was a little concerned about the fence one time........       Then a little running around on the bales and it was supper time ----- the end of day one.    A good day --- what will we do tomorrow???

Well --- of course,   a 4 wheeler trip.......   

Then while Evan and Gary were on a trip to St. Francis to see if anyone was working that afternoon....   Michaela came to me  and asked if I would take some action shots of her jumping on the hay bales.  WOW did I take lots of pictures.   These are some of the best ones.....

 long legs!!......

And then for the "landing"....

Evan and Gary finally got back and Evan got into it too......OH!!! But first - the cat ---- Chucky got into it too!!!

Is that a good photo or what!?!?!?
Evan could do one that Michaela just couldn't.......and she DID try and try.  She'd get a running start and come to the jump and stop --- Oh my Goodness!!!!  Did that about 4 times.....then Evan had to show her.........

He sure made it look easy!!!  And it really was a long jump --- the picture it deceiving.         Instead of making another try at it.....Michaela decided to get a good picture of Evan instead.

WOW!!!!!

Pastor Mark said tonight that they were both rather sore today.  No Doubt!!!

Today seemed rather boring around the Peters home........ kids do keep you young and active.  Michaela had me up on the bales too....not jumping!!!!  but taking all those action shots.  Thanks for the bales Dwight --- they might be food for the cattle --- but they are FUN for the kids!!!!
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JDC tonight.  The kids do seem to get to laughing during the singing sometimes -- and tonight was one of them.   But we sang "Amazing Grace -- So Fill it Up."  A fun song with parts.....and did they ever do good.  All the boys really got into it......lots of smiles on that one!!!  And even though these boys hearts aren't always in the right place --- I really can't help but think that God was smiling too.  When you get kids with lives in such a mess and they are willing to sing like that --- it's special in my book.!!!!

God Bless
Gary and Barb
OH -----   And Release Time this past Thursday went pretty good too.   Pastor Mark and I agreed that we didn't go home discouraged like last year.

Working on the Patton's / Stephens Church Building ....and Release Time Begins

Gary has been sharing his skills with Ron Patton and Bruce Stephens.....putting up the forms for their new church footings.    This will be an all cement building.......the last one was burned down to the ground due to arson.    The new one will not burn so easily.

The building will be 40 x 60 -(I think I have that right)-- anyway - larger than the one that burned.  I will try to keep you posted on how this goes - I don't go out with Gary that often so might have to rely on him for photos.   Otherwise, please go to the blogsite of the church.    sfholinesschapel.blogspot.com and then there is another with some answers to questions people have had concerning the church  https://sfholinesschapel.blogspot.com/p/how-can-i-help-its-question-that-has.html.  Thank you!!!

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Release Time began today.   This year we are working together as a threesome ---- Gary and myself and Pastor Mark.  We have both experience discipline problems with our groups so we decided that perhaps together we can gain control.  And maybe a clearer explanation of some rules helped too.

Gary gave the lesson for groups 2-3rd Graders (8 kids) and 3,4,5th Graders (turned out to be 14 kids) and Pastor Mark did the 6,7,8th  Graders (8 kids).    Our lessons are on Joseph -- such an interesting story and such good applications available.   I played my guitar and made music.  We also went thru the books of the Bible like we did last year. 

 2nd and 3rd graders

 3rd, 4th and 5th graders......... Lots of new faces for us -- so lots of names to learn.  I don't like it when I can't talk to them using their name!!!!

 7th and 8th graders.....Shucks - I didn't realize I missed Lane  - in the far right corner.....and then Maleah didn't want to be seen I guess.

Pastor Mark going over the Books of the Bible.

The school year was cut back by 15 minutes.  But we thought that if we didn't do a snack and cut our time down to 45 minutes --- we could do all 3 groups on one day.   Then we would have the next week off.   It went good today so I think that will continue to be the plan.   We had a few "we don't get a snack"??   But we did have a small "Hershey's kiss" treat for good behavior.

A quick story ------  Pastor Mark was telling about Jealousy with the older group.    Then he asked if they were sinners -- I saw a couple of heads shaking "no".     ---- -- They hadn't gotten their Hershey Kiss yet --- so I gave out just 3 treats.    The ones that didn't get one were looking like --- hey! why didn't I get one --- one little gal pulled a nasty mad face....      So we got to prove that jealousy can hit us at anytime.

We had a good day today..... the oldest group will be our toughest if today is any impression.   But we think that with a couple of seat changes --- separating kids from each other  -- we might just make it a little better for us.   We appreciate your continued prayers!!!!

What a beautiful day ---- Sunshine but with a touch of coolness --- my favorite kind of day.   However, lots of flies and wasps  trying to find their way in the warm places -- our windows.  Oh well - this too shall pass.

God Bless ---- Gary and Barb (and Pastor Mark)

A labor of love......

Holly had been saving this horrible old cabinet in her basement --- well, actually it had been there for years and years and years...... Ever since Grandpa and Grandma (Gordon and Margaret) Peters remodeled the kitchen????  Maybe 60 years ago or more.    Marti got one of the pieces and it is a much loved piece of furniture in her home..... now Holly wanted this other piece to become an "Island" in her kitchen.

As you can see, there was no back or sides and the top was old, old linoleum.  So "how do we do this".    Of course, Gary had a plan.  He would save only the front and build an entirely new cabinet.  And that was good with Holly --- all she wanted was the "old" look of the front.   Their entryway has
wainscoat on the walls --- we would put that on the back side.

What would the top be made out of????   We had an idea --- how about we make a butcher block top?!   That might be kind of cool.

 So we cut up some lumber into strips  --- Ash and Black Walnut

Then came the gluing process....and then an oops --- so we cut that strip out.....re-glued it.   Then - doggone - another oops .....so we cut that strip out and re-glued it.   Yes - it was a process --- But look how it turned out!!!!

And then the stripping and the refinishing and the finishing on the cabinet......    I didn't get pictures of a lot of that --- -but here's a dad with a finished project for his daughter.

We told Holly that we had it "in our Living Room and it really looked pretty good -- went well with our furniture......so we'd like to keep it."     She didn't think it was very funny.

A recycled old cabinet --- what an idea.  Hope Holly gets lots of use out of it.  Gpa and Gma Peters would be thrilled also, I'm sure!
Gary and Barb 

Fun times -----busy times

Well --- those green apples you saw on the tree (last blog update) have gotten redder and in need of picking.   I made lots of applesauce and put slices in the freezer for pies.   And then we had company and Lee and Mary Lubbers picked some to take to Michigan!!!  Seems strange to take apples to Michigan where there is an abundance --- but what a more special thing --- apples from South Dakota.  Lee and Mary thought so!!

Lee and Mary also got in on some Grouse Hunting.   It was opening day while they were here and we didn't let them go home without eating the little buggers.  They also shot some Doves -- so those little morsels were in the pot too.  Recipe:  Put breasts in crockpot -- cover with homemade salsa and enjoy.   It was actually pretty tasty and tender.

While we were sitting on the front deck --- there was a strange bird on the yard.   Don't think we had ever seen it before.  Looking it up in our bird book we discovered it was a "Clark's Nutcracker".  I haven't seen it since --- so maybe it was just passing through -- but the book says we should have them around all year long.  Have to keep my eyes open.

Lee and Mary also got in on some Sawmill work.  Gary had 2 good sized pine logs and our neighbor Ron Patton needed some lumber for the footings of his church.   The church that burned to the ground in June.  So what a better place for these pine boards than a church footing.  Gary will be more involved in that project as time goes on.

What a fun time we had with our company!!!  They are fun to have around.  We sure laughed a lot.
The weather wasn't always the nicest --- rather wet at times.....so one morning we sent them down the road to see a little portion of the Badlands .....and.... the 38 foot cross - made of old farm machinery parts.   If you wonder what that is you will have to "page" through this blog and find those pictures.   We have been there several times with company -- always a neat place to go to.
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On a different note.....   Release Time will begin next week.   We really ask for prayers for this.   We have had a lot of difficulty the last few years with discipline.   It just seems to be getting worse.   This coming year we are going to work with the 3 of us.   Gary, myself and Pastor Mark...... that way if some of the kids don't know how to act -- there will be one that can return them to school and two left to continue with the lesson and other activities.

We have still been enjoying going out to the Detention Center.  Laura Patton who goes along will be in Rapid City for a month --- she is doing an Internship toward a Counseling Career.  We will miss her presence at JDC.  Last night we just had to quit singing.  It was difficult in a strange way.  We have one boy who wants to sing --- and he sings with everything he's got.  He doesn't really know the tune ---- but sings loud anyway.    We don't want to discourage him in any way!!!!  But when I said we would be done -- his comment was ---- "and I was singing my heart out."  Yes, you were!!!!

 Another boy came in with the Bible we had given him on Sunday.  We have been doing the story of Joseph and when we ask ANY question -- Holden knows the answer --- he's been reading ahead!!!  Very encouraging for us!!!!

And so things continue on......  The nights are getting cooler and we know fall is here. Some trees are starting to change color.   We are pulling the garden apart.......there are still some tomatoes, watermelon, muskmelon and sweet potatoes.   The apples in the tree top might just have to come down on their own and might be food for the chickens.  They are just too high up there!!!   It's always nice when you can share produce with friends and neighbors......plums and apples all went to several places.  Hopefully, I won't hoard my juice - but share home made jelly with others too.

It's fun to make such good looking things!!!---- this is Wild Plum Jelly.
Well --- get outside and enjoy this lovely weather!!!!  Pretty soon the snow will be flyi...............OH NO!!!   Well -- probably not for a couple of months yet.

Gary and Barb

Produce in our back yard -----and the eclipse.

Well ----- this update started with our peach tree.  This was the first year it had peaches on it......it had SO many on it that we had to do the much hated thing........picked half of them off when they were just starting out.   OUCH!!!!   All that good fruit gone......but it does make things better in the long run.

This tree ended up with 75 peaches on it (after the plucking).  What fun to have a peach tree in our own back yard --- and look at the yummy peaches we will enjoy this winter.......these jars are AFTER the ones that went in the mouth --- YUM!!!   We have another variety of peach tree......it is just starting to get ripe (have to watch it close - don't want to lose any!!)  That one only has 25 peaches on it ---they are quite a bit bigger -- and we decided they have a sweeter taste.

Our apple tree is FULL --- had to put a brace under one of it's branches.  Gary enjoys them already --- way to sour for my taste ----- and I will wait until they are red to make any applesauce with them.  Yes---- I see the one with the bad spot on it too.........Maybe it will just fall off.....

And then the Wild Plums.....we have never had so many plums in Grandpas tree line!!!  We are watching those also!!   We had feared the frost had finished them off --- but not so.  They make good jam --- and I'm thinking about some syrup!!!

And the Corn ------ these first rows that Gary is standing in should be as tall as those behind him.   The deer have been fattening up on corn --- should be rather tasty venison.......and some big bucks have been spotted.  The deer pull out the middle piece .....  enjoy....    and move on.

And lastly --- the eclipse.    Not much to talk about in the Lakeview Area.  We had pondered on driving about 2 hours south of us and experiencing the total eclipse......but Valentine was a zoo the day before and the thought of  the crowded roads.....we stayed home.  Dan T. gave us some glasses --- so we were all set.   Mostly there were clouds.....but it did open up enough to get a few looks and pictures.     As far as getting dark ?!?!?!    NOPE!   Guess it was pretty neat if you were in the right place at the right time.  Saw a video of my brother Bill in Illinois --- after experiencing the eclipse one of his airplane friends said " now if we can fly 2000 mph -- we can get another look at it."

Hope you are enjoying the fall ----  It has greened up so nicely.  I just mowed the lawn and marvel at how nice it looks!!

Gary and Barb