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!!

DRIFTWOOD, A GOOD DAY, AND CUPCAKES

Driftwood left from the flood.

Today was an encouraging day at Lower Brule. It was a perfect 70 degrees, and the sun was shining. We were so pleased when some of the men who missed a few Sundays came to worship with us again. Grief is a very real companion of many people in Lower Brule, as so many tragedies have come in the past year. I appreciate how the people look to God and the church for comfort.

Several children came this afternoon, and we had a good time together as always. Please pray for the children, as they have burdens to carry sometimes, also.

We have scheduled Melvin and Kay Beecher to come to Lower Brule this coming Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for revival services. We spent some time today distributing announcements to people, and we had a friendly reception. A Sunday Dinner Today was 'decorate cupcake day' for the children in Sunday School. I bring cupcakes that have not been iced, and we give each of the children a spoon with a glob of icing and a few sprinkles with which to decorate. They often eat most of the icing before it gets on the cupcakes, and they usually end up with icing all around their mouths, but their mouth is usually smiling. :)

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!