Family out to SD for Thanksgiving........and Christmas

What a fun time we had this past week.  All of our kids and grandkids were out --- except our oldest son, Rick and his wife, Claudia....they live in the Netherlands.     We  (well, we slept in our own beds) -----all stayed at the Schelhaas Hunting Lodge.  Such a neat place ---- and so much room!!!  Full kitchen, Great Room, two bathrooms with showers,  and 14 beds.  Everything you need and more!!

"Tumbly" the Tumble Weed Snowman was our Christmas mascot............took lots of pictures around her...(note the flowers in her "hair")

Our Grandkids..........(Bottom row - L to R) Keller, Sawyer, Oliver, Halle....(Middle Row) Brennan, Sidney, Colton, Clayton... (Standing) Austin, "Tumbly" and Trenton   No! I haven't lost my mind - Tumbly is not a grandchild!!

We took our two 4 wheelers over and so they got used a LOT.  There was deer hunting and coyote hunting --- success in both.......   Then there were those nasty prairie dogs -- hunted them too.

Trenton

These two guys (Brennan and Clayton) were pretty happy too.   Not every day you find some with horns.

Grandpa said Colton could shoot all the Pheasants he could ---- WITH A SLINGSHOT!!  --- He got one!!!!  Yup - a tailless one, but oh well!!!  It was a pretty good shot too....."from across the road and then a little more".

Our two little grandkids who live in the city got to feed Don's cattle with Grandpa and
Brennan.   I found feed on the floor --- must have come in with their shoes.....they had fun on the grain pile. 

Oh -and then there was a clay pigeon shooting......and walks.......and cookie baking.....and picture drawing......

Top one is Sidney's ---- she's a Junior in High School and bottom one is Halle's ...she's in the 4th grade.  Anyway - they both just looked at a picture on a phone and went to drawing.   Halle didn't like her first one .....so she started over....this one is perfect.   And then, much to my joy!!!!!  - they gave them to me ----- They are hanging on our wall!!!

We were lucky enough to have a Raptor/Falconer -- what is it....come out to Don's Preserve to get a couple of pheasants.  Don and Jeannie were gone - so Gary caught the birds.  Anyway, it was too windy to send his Perigrine Falcons out (they are in training) but he did come out and "display" them --- which was so nice!!! He said he would come on another day to work them.  They (two of them) were born this spring.

Part of our "gift giving" was some crazy saying Tee-Shirts.  Here is a sampling.....

Holly didn't agree with that one --- that she snores --- but Dennis TOTALLY agreed!!

 Dennis is work work work.......

We did a lot of laughing over some of them!!!!

And then for our entertainment----Keller recited the entire poem .....

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

By Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.   

His house is in the village though;   

He will not see me stopping here   

To watch his woods fill up with snow.   

My little horse must think it queer   

To stop without a farmhouse near   

Between the woods and frozen lake   

The darkest evening of the year.   

He gives his harness bells a shake   

To ask if there is some mistake.   

The only other sound’s the sweep   

Of easy wind and downy flake.   

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,   

But I have promises to keep,   

And miles to go before I sleep,   

And miles to go before I sleep.

He's in Preschool!!!!

And every morning and every evening we had grand displays of glorious beauty!!!!

Thank you Lord for everything!!

Gary and Barb

Sausages from venison +++

We made some "bratwurst sausages" about 2 months ago.   We used about 5 lbs. of venison and then ground up our (delicious) pork roasts to make 12 lbs. of meat.   They were delicious.....but - wow - what a lot of work.

Yesterday we used up the remaining venison, some pheasant breasts , 1 package of pork roast and 1 lb. of bacon.  Gotta use what you have and see how it tastes - right?!  This was about 15 lbs. of meat -- so we figure it was 2/3 venison --- just in case you are wondering.

We use the REAL pork intestines for stuffing....adds to the excitement   :)  :)     After stuffing them we let them sit in the refrigerator overnight.   Come morning -- it was out to the smoker.  About 3 hours total cook time --- a 1/2 hour of drying time --- 1/2 hour of smoke ---and then an hour at  approximately 190 degrees until the sausages reach an inner temperature of 160.

We just did a taste test --- and they are a success.   We hope to go over to Don and Jeannie and vacuum pack these.   Our first batch got a little freezer burn just being in zip lock bags.

It was real cold this morning and windy --- so Gary put 2 tarps and a blanket around the smoker in order to keep things working properly.      I think there might be a couple of changes in batches to come........ a new electric grinder and some new recipes (Gary wants to get away from the store boughten mixes).

Anyway --- fantastic way to use that venison!!!!
Gary and Barb

Fall ---- Autumn ---- Cool weather ------ Friends come visiting

We had some VERY good friends come out for a visit...... It was short, but oh, so sweet.

Bruce and Glenda Peters, Sue Pfnister, Sally and Ken Kreuze and then me and Gary with Toby and "mama cat".

We have a hard time (sometimes) finding ways to entertain our guests.   But it seemed that we did OK with them.    A little cattle drive, some pheasant hunting and some outdoor fun with "yard yathzee".....and then, of course - good!!! food --supplied by them I might add.

OOPS  --- this is one that got away.

We are always so thankful for fun times with friends - whether it be from near or far..... we are so blessed with "old" friends and "new" friends.  

We are really looking forward to Thanksgiving --- our family is coming out to South Dakota this year.   We will be staying at Don and Jeannie's "Guest House" - "Hunting Lodge".  We pray that the weather will be good for traveling!!!

God Bless and STAY WARM  --- it is COLD out today but predicted to warm up next week.  Deer hunting tomorrow...... So catch the next blog --- we finished up all our old venison thinking we will get a new supply........made sausages. YUMMM

Gary and Barb

Halloween fun at JDC

We had our 9th Annual Halloween party at the Detention Center tonight.  We made pizza ---- oh  - there are only 3 kids at JDC and the girl hasn't come to any of our meetings and we couldn't talk her into coming  - even to make pizza.   So all we had was two boys - Diego and Tajhon.  But we sure had a lot of fun!!

First we had a short lesson from Psalm 56:3 - "When I am afraid I will trust in you....." Thank you Julie!!  Then out to the gym and put our 4 pizza's together (should have only made 3 -- but had 4 dough ready).  Most of the kids that are ever in JDC have never made their own pizza --- so this is a new experience for them AND a fun one.   Some really get  into it and put lots of toppings on and others just the "safe" stuff -- sausage and pepperoni.  Diego had asked for bacon and so I made sure I had a nice supply of bacon pieces....well Julie was also looking forward to putting bacon on our pizza -  but it was all gone -- RATS!  Diego DID share his pizza.

I am always the one that has to go to the kitchen to get the pizza's baked -- so I miss out everytime!! on the games --- the fun part.    Tonight we had the famous chariot races, 2 liter on a rope (gets twirled round and round above Gary's head and the kids have to jump it as it comes around), the hula-hoop lift (my name for it - some of you have tried it)... and then balloons on a string to pop (on ankles), and walking stilts.    I hear there were a couple of accidents during the chariot  races but no trips to the ER. 

We then ate pizza and Sprinkle bars (request from Diego -- yes, he's been there before).  Everyone was stuffed and we had leftovers for the girl.     Then it was time to divvy up the candy.  Gotta work for it.     We put an empty water bottle on the gym floor --- two teams  - Pastor Mark and Julie against Diego and Tajhon.  Gotta knock down the bottle with a tennis ball -- if you knock it down you "get a candy" -- if you DON'T knock it down --- gotta "give up" a candy.  Play until someone was out of the candy they started with.  What a hoot!!!  LOTS of give and take!!  Then we gave them each a bag of the candy.  Everyone had a good time -- even me!!

As Julie said --- even if there were only two boys -- they need something different to do and have some fun.  I think we were successful in that tonight. 

Release Time tomorrow --- our 4th time with the kids.  Things are going pretty good.  We sure do appreciate your prayers!!!

Rain tonight on the way home and that could turn into snow during the night.   Winter will be here soon enough!
Gary and Barb

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)