BEAUTIFUL DAY

Today was yet another Sunday, and not too much was different than other Sundays, except that we are working on our Christmas Program during Sunday School. The children learn the little songs and carols very quickly. We made some 'real' minature Christmas trees with trimmings from the tree that we put up in our house yesterday, and we sprayed it with 'snow.' The children were pleased with their handiwork and took them home very carefully in little boxes.

It was a beautiful day and I would like to share a few pictures that we took today. The brilliant blue of the river was arresting as we crested the last hill before we ascended into the river valley and Lower Brule.It was around 52 degrees when we left Lower Brule this afternoon. Ray and I took advantage of the weather while we were there and ate lunch on the overlook.

Thank you for your interest in Lower Brule. Please pray for us as we prepare for the Christmas Program and work out the details for it.

CHRISTMAS PREPARATION

We traveled to Lower Brule under a clear and sunshiny sky in a leisurely trip and arrived with time to prepare the chapel for a comfortable morning service. The men arrived at service time, and a few children also dropped in. Ray gave us a message with an emphasis on Jesus' coming at Christmas time.

We had brought a crockpot with beef stew, and ate it in the basement before Ray left to pick up the children for Sunday School. He returned with a full van. We taught them a Christmas song for the upcoming Christmas Program, and told the story of Zachariah and Elizabeth and the birth of John the Baptist. The group of children were eager and open, and I found my time with them invigorating. We did a little Christmas craft, and they left happy.

One of the men who comes regularly to the morning service informed us of a memorial service this afternoon to remember his son who passed away tragically a year ago. We stayed to attend it. When we started for home, the blue sky had turned gray and heavy, and snow was sifting from the sky. As we neared the interstate, the sifting snow became a driving snow, and the highway was treacherous until we were a few miles from Mitchell.

Please pray for Lower Brule, as many hearts are grieving during this season. The village of Lower Brule has suffered many sorrows during the year 2011. Please pray, also, for the Christmas Program outreach, as we hope to hold it on December 21. The children are excitedly looking forward to it. Thank you for your interest in Lower Brule.

MOMENTS

How many times in life have I suddenly realized that a moment of opportunity had just passed and was forever gone. These moments come at unexpected times, and they are gone just as quickly as they come. I thought of this on the drive over to Lower Brule this morning. With a temperature dropped to a chilly 7 degrees, we observed some beautiful landscape while the moment was there before the warming sun would raise the temperature so the beauty would be no longer there. We passed snow-covered ponds along the highway that sparkled as if covered with diamonds, and the frost was fuzzy on the weeds and trees along the road. I couldn't resist stopping to get a few pictures.

A phenomenon presented itself as we crested the hills and neared Lower Brule: a dark bank of clouds spawned by the river snaked across the countryside following the course of the river. As it receded in the distance, it became a lighter blue. This also was only for a short time before the sun dissipated it.

Like the frost or the clouds, our lives are so short. Times that have seemed so unbearable have passed and the light has shone again. Joys should be cherished, as they can also pass. Those of us who are parents of grown children realize how momentary the time seems that we spent with the little ones. We now have grandchildren, and we know that we must cherish every moment that we have with them.

This idea also follows in our work at the mission. We have the children for a little time, and then they are gone. We teach them the Bible Stories and truths as clearly as we can, knowing that we will not have them long, at best. Ray speaks to us, realizing that we will not always have these men to teach. This is the essence of missions-speaking wisely and using every opportunity to teach.

May you have a blessed week!

EXCUSE ME, HOW MUCH DOES A LITTLE HAPPINESS COST?

I have been thinking this week that the things that make me the happiest don't cost any money. This is not to say that some things that cost money bring me a little happiness-a good meal, a good cup of coffee, a new outfit, a little redoing in the house, etc. However, I have been treated to many happy things this week: a call from each of my children, a compliment from my husband, a smile and an invitation to spend a few minutes with a friend, the news of a new baby to a friend, a beautiful sunset or just a beautiful scene, hearing special music, and on and on the list goes. You could add many more things to this list, I'm sure. I was treated today to the love of a child while in Lower Brule. These two young ladies come with their grandpa on Sunday mornings, and they came in late. I heard her excitedly calling, "Grandma!" after they came in and were seated and she spied me up at the piano. As soon as I came back to my seat and sat down, the two girls hurried up to sit on each side of me and hugged me and cuddled up to me for the longest time. Now, there's some happiness!! :)

I have been struggling in 'staying encouraged' in the work at Lower Brule for a couple of months, and it seemed to culminate during the night Saturday night. I put in a couple of special requests to the Lord for Sunday, and He answered so specifically today. I was happy to see someone come who had not been there for awhile.

Thank you for praying for the work at Lower Brule. Please pray for some financial issues that have surfaced, and for our encouragement in the week to week activities. Thank you, again!

MOODS

Here in South Dakota, the weather is capricious. It seems that nature has especially wide 'mood swings' in the spring and the fall. Today was no exception; in fact, it seemed like it was especially volatile. We started out from Mitchell this morning, and we saw this weather developing in the north.

It all seemed to dissipate, and it was placid and beautiful when we headed back home later this afternoon. The river was outdoing itself in beauty, and the cattle seemed placid as they lay in the grass and relaxed. Some antelope were trustfully grazing in a field beside the highway as we passed.

Today's weather accurately reflected how our moods respond each weekend as we drive out to minister to the people in Lower Brule. Sometimes we anticipate the services and the day that is ahead; where other times we feel discouraged and lonely. Not to whine, understand, but it happens-I won't lie. The Bible speaks of reaping if we sow in tears; so it is understood that all is not always glorious. However, I am happy to say that the light always shines again, and we love what we are doing.

The children love to 'cop' my camera, and I find random surprises on my camera when I get home. I will share some of these with you, as I especially enjoy kids' perspective.

The lesson today was about Creation, and the kids placed the pictures as they thought it should look

and took a shot with the camera . :) One of my surprises when I arrived home and checked out the camera.

RAINY DAY

Rainy days can have their own beauty, and today was one of those days. South Dakota has been parched for several weeks; so the rain was welcomed. The thirsty earth rejoices and drinks the moisture so that it is not exceedingly muddy in the yards and streets. The plants are raising their drooping leaves and cheerfully drinking in the rain.

We appreciate the good number who came out to worship with us this morning. A father and grandfather have taken the responsibility to bring their children to church, and the children behave very well. We admire their dedication in getting these young ones ready and bringing them in to the church, lining them up in the pew with them. This feat is not for the fainthearted.

We also had a higher number than usual who showed up for the afternoon Sunday School. The lesson was the story that Jesus told about the shepherd who lost his one sheep, and the search for that little sheep. The children listened and helped me by making the owl and coyote cries that the shepherd might have heard when he was out in the night searching for the sheep. The story came to life for several of us. I think that is one of the most beautiful stories that Jesus told.

After the story, we went down into the basement and iced and decorated little leaf-shaped cookies. The kids loved it, as you can see in the pictures. They especially love licking the icing spoon when they are finished icing the cookie. :) We love the children, and we are so happy to have the opportunity to meet with them each week.

THE CHURCH CASTS A SHADOW

It is never wise to try to calculate how much impact a church or an institution is having in an area, as that leads to either an exaggerated sense of worth or it leads to discouragement. The only safe view is to say that God has chosen to use human efforts to do His work, and we do not understand nor recognize the end results of our human efforts. However, I saw this shadow this morning as some of the attendees lingered after church to talk, and the title of this post came to my mind. We do not know how far the shadow extends, nor do we know who will walk under the shadow. We have had several different people in the last few weeks who have immediate needs come for comfort, prayer, encouragement, and love. The surprise factor is that it is usually someone who we least expect, and even sometimes someone we do not know. The church at Lower Brule was there for many years before we came to it, and people have known in the past that there is love, comfort and prayer offered there. They still seek the church out for their needs. The shadow stretches longer than we can imagine. We are honored to have a part in this church.

Many children came to Sunday School today, and we love all of them. I had planned to get some pictures to share, but we were so busy we forgot. I do have a couple of pictures of some little ladies who regularly come to the Sunday morning service with their Grandpa, and they began calling me 'Grandma.' It always warms my heart when the children address me in this way, as it is a term of deep respect and love with these children. :)

I love fall, and I wanted to get a few pictures for you. We stopped along the interstate on the way this morning to get this picture of the rolling prairie and the green train cars blending into the buttes.

Thank you for loving Lower Brule as we do, and for praying for the people there.

REVIVAL SERVICES

Reverend and Mrs. Melvin Beecher with Lower Brule in the background. There seems to be the picture-taker in the foreground. :(

It has been too many weeks since I have updated this blog. It was certainly not because nothing was happening; but, rather, because so much was happening. We had scheduled the revival services with Reverend Melvin Beecher and his wife for this last weekend, and we had much to do to get ready. We always enjoy their company and beg them to come to visit us whenever they get in South Dakota, and they are special people that we have known since our 'young years.' Kay Beecher is a deep, but fun, person to be around; and we share many interests (sometimes that interest is walking along a beach and gathering curious rocks or interesting driftwood, and sometimes it is sewing a project or just talking about life lessons or the Bible). Her husband is very patient when he is surprised by objects stowed in the back of their van.

A few people responded to the revival services, and we were happy for each one who came. We did not sit alone in any of the services; and one man was especially and openly seeking after God. A church in Michigan helped to make it possible for us to give the Beechers an offering, and we appreciate their generosity to them.

Today was a good day, though the children were extremely lively. That is not necessarily a bad thing, but Ray and I sometimes come home pretty tired after a day like this. Today is the first time we have had to stop part way home and take a nap in the car to make it home. :)

We plan to make a trip to Indiana to visit our daughter Leah and her husband and our two granddaughters in this coming week. Included in the plans is a trip to Michigan with my sister who lives in Indiana to have a 'sisters' day' with all four of my sisters. I am anticipating that time, also. I hope to give you an update on that trip next time.

Thank you for your interest in Lower Brule, and may God Bless You!!