AFTER THE FLOOD

A young lady 'copped' my camera today, and she took a few snaps. :)

Today was a gorgeous day and the river was sparkling and blue. Between the morning service and Sunday School, we went out to the boat dock and I took pictures of the shore as it appears since the flood. Huge trees were uprooted and carried up the shore along with other debris. I found some driftwood to bring home, as odd little things make me happy. :)

It has been a few weeks since I have updated you on the happenings here at Lower Brule. Ray attended wakes, and I was able to attend a funeral with him in the aftermath of the terrible accident that occurred three weeks ago. The people are struggling hard with the sorrow that follows.

Our life has had many happenings during these few weeks; and I would like to share some of those happenings with you. Esther was invited to attend a retreat and play with the Huron Symphony at Blue Cloud Abbey, a beautiful spot a few hours north of Mitchell, and she happily went with the group a week ago. Ray and I drove up to attend their concert on Saturday evening. I wish I could share it with you, as I'm sure you would have enjoyed it as we did. We drove back to Mitchell, and then to Lower Brule on Sunday.

We took Esther to the airport this last Saturday morning and sent her back to Florida for the school year. We are happy to see her progress and watch her go forward in her life, but we will miss her.

Please pray for the work here at Lower Brule, and especially for the children. This little lady dressed up as a princess especially to show me. Another little thing that makes me happy! :)

A Storm of Sorrow

This week has carried sorrow for the gentlemen who come to church here at Lower Brule. A head-on collision took the lives of five people who are closely related to three of them. Lower Brule has been rocked to its foundation by the pain and loss of these lives. There has been a series of wakes and funerals. We pray that God will protect the hearts of those who are sorrowing, and that the men's 'faith fail not.' Please pray especially for Willard, as he has faithfully prayed for his nephew for whom he has taken responsibility during much of his life. This nephew was one who was taken in this accident.

WEATHER, WHEAT, WONDERFUL GOD AND A WASP

This morning was so fresh and beautiful when I stepped out to let the dog run a little. I considered bringing my coffee out on the deck to the bistro and drinking in some of the morning with my coffee, but knew I didn't have the time. It was a perfect 77 degrees when we started our trip over to Lower Brule, and the temperature climbed a little as we traveled.

Wheat harvest has begun there, and the golden fields dotted with the bright gold bale nuggets caught our attention.

We had more than usual in service this morning, and a mother and daughter came in for the first time. We appreciate the faithfulness of the people who come to worship with us. One of the neighboring churches is having a VBS; so some of our children were at that church today. We had a few children, though; and we like to give them personal attention when we can. We told the story about Jesus asking his disciple to go and catch a fish and take the coin from the fish's mouth to pay the temple tax for him and his disciples. A good discussion followed, and we felt like we were able to convey the lesson that God can hear us pray and help us anytime we need His help. The girls shared some personal stories that indicated they understood the concept. We came away satisfied and feeling like we had helped them learn an important lesson about the power of God.

A wasp came to visit us today, and Ray went to battle with a broom. Ha! The girls were afraid of the wasp, but enjoyed the broom and much drama was added. :)

What is inside a piano, anyway??

We truly enjoy this part of our week, and the opportunity that we get to mingle with the friendly people of Lower Brule. Thank you for your interest, and may God bless you. Please pray with us, as we have scheduled a short series of revival services with the Beechers in September.

Heat And A Hat

Today promised to be hot from the beginning, and the day has lived up to the promise. While driving over to Lower Brule, I wondered how many people would be inclined to venture from their homes to come to church and Sunday School. We were noticing as we drove into Lower Brule and onto the street where the church is located that there was not a movement anywhere in town. Nobody was 'out and about,' not even the dogs. Usually the dogs are sleeping in the yards-they were nowhere in sight today. Since Ray moved a window air conditioner from the basement and put it in a window of the church last week, we knew that the church would be quite comfortable.

A couple of men came in for church, and several children came for Sunday School. One of the mothers has been attending and bringing her little ones that she feels are too small to come by themselves. She takes such good care of them, and she helps them finish their craft for the day. I taught her older daughter to play one of the little songs on the piano; so she plays the piano while we sing that song, and her little sister holds the illustrated book for everyone to sing. Everyone enjoys it. One young man came today who was very intent on the story, even before we got to telling it. He was intrigued by the pictures, and he kept handling them. After I told the story, I asked a couple of questions, and he had the answers right away. He seemed to absorb the story of the transformation of Jesus on the mountain, and he was awed by it. Oh, for the freshness of a child! We decorated sun visors for the heads today for a craft.The flooding seems to be staying the same at Lower Brule. The basement in the church is wet and musty, and we are running fans and the dehumidifier at top capacity. Hopefully, it will improve with time.

Thank you for your interest in Lower Brule. May God bless you and give you peace!

MIGHTIER THAN THE FLOODS

The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice, the floods lift up their waves.

The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.

Psalm 93:3,4

Lower Brule has seen water in abundance. It flooded across roads, blocking access and egress; it flooded the fields, it lapped up toward houses, and it tragically took the lives of two ladies from Lower Brule. These ladies, driving separate cars, were washed down a creek when the culvert under the road washed away, opening a fifty-foot wide and deep gash in the highway. One of these ladies was an acquaintance at the Lower Brule College-a tragic loss to the community. Both ladies served the community, and will be deeply missed. Ray and I attended the wake of the one lady. Please pray for two of her children who were not able to return to the reservation for the funeral and comfort of friends and family.

Though the town is soggy, it has mercifully left only the basement of the church damp, musty, and some mold growing. We have a little work to do before we have the Sunday School downstairs again.

Today was quite quiet and attendance was down in both services due to the holiday. We were happy that the Fort Thompson group joined us this morning for service, and we enjoyed dinner together. We like their company. We are glad they thought of us.

Last weekend we attended Spring Creek Indian Camp, as we have for the last 20 years since we moved to South Dakota. We feel refreshed after joining with our western friends and worshiping together.

Thank you for your interest in Lower Brule Wesley Mission. May God bless you!

HAPPY THINGS

A poet, many years ago, named several everyday things and stated, "the world is so full of a number of things." He was stating the fact that there are many small and everyday things in life that can make us happy if we look for them. We have many happy things in our lives: God's Word (Not small nor everyday, but makes us HAPPY)

Children (Faith Missionary Camp children just raised over $500.00 to help with the bus and the children's work at Lower Brule) HAPPY

The Beauty of the Earth Given to us

Beautiful Music

Fun and surprising things to see

Lower Brule Mission (HAPPY!)

Loving Friends

Wildflowers

Food

LIFEBOATS AND SWEET WILD BLOSSOMS

"Thank God for little children,

Bright flowers by earth's wayside,

The dancing, joyous lifeboats

Upon life's stormy tide.

Thank God for little children

When our skies are cold and gray,

They come as sunshine to our hearts,

And charm our cares away.

I almost think the angels,

Who tend life's garden fair,

Drop down the sweet wild blossoms

That bloom around us here.

It seems a breath of heaven

Round many a cradle lies,

And every little baby

Brings a message from the skies.

Dear mothers, guard these jewels.

As sacred offerings meet,

A wealth of household treasures

To lay at Jesus' feet. "

Frances Ellen Watkins (1825-1911)

The Native American culture regard their children as sacred. It is easy to see why they are seen that way, as children are so special. In some of the hardest, and even crushing times in my life, one of our children-or another child- has climbed into my lap and assuaged the pain as no other human could have done.

We had several "sweet wild blossoms" dropped from somewhere this afternoon in Sunday School, and they helped to make Ray's, Esther's, and my day special. Some of the children just showed up, dropping their bikes in the yard and coming in for the story , a little singing, and craft. Some were there for the first time, and some of them had not been there for awhile. They are refreshing, though challenging.

We appreciate the men who come to worship with us, though one of the men sent a regret that he could not come because he was babysitting a nephew that 'gets into everything.' :)

It seems like a breath of fresh air to have Esther with us again. The children are happy to have her, and we do not feel so exhausted when we have finished with Sunday School, as she is a capable teacher to them.

We appreciate the beautiful weather we have been having, and it makes the day so relaxing when we make a trip to Lower Brule in the fresh mornings. I am so thankful for this ministry when we can put aside the stresses and pressures of the week and drive out to worship and mingle with these special people who take life as it comes and accept people as they are. Our perspective on life is balanced by the lifestyle and endurance of the Native Americans. I miss my classes, as they have finished for the summer. My students are mentally stimulating as I teach them and they teach me. I received my Instructor evaluation from the college, and the students are encouraging.

Thank you for praying for Lower Brule.